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Loch Lonach Scottish Mysteries #1
The Arms of Death
Everyone dies. Not everyone dies because they chose the wrong ancestors.
When one of her ICU patients dies unexpectedly, amateur sleuth Ginny Forbes finds herself on the trail of a centuries-old secret that is of no importance and no interest to anyone other than herself. Except, of course, that no tale of secrets is ever that simple and Ginny is about to find out just how dangerous idle curiosity can be.
In the manner of Peter Wimsey, Miss Marple, and Brother Cadfael comes a series of murder mysteries set in a community peopled by evocative characters that read like old friends. The distinctive Scottish voices offer a glimpse into a world not usually open to modern mystery readers and the deftly woven tales of deceit and greed will have everyone cheering the triumph of good over evil. The men in kilts just make it that much more fun.
When one of her ICU patients dies unexpectedly, amateur sleuth Ginny Forbes finds herself on the trail of a centuries-old secret that is of no importance and no interest to anyone other than herself. Except, of course, that no tale of secrets is ever that simple and Ginny is about to find out just how dangerous idle curiosity can be.
In the manner of Peter Wimsey, Miss Marple, and Brother Cadfael comes a series of murder mysteries set in a community peopled by evocative characters that read like old friends. The distinctive Scottish voices offer a glimpse into a world not usually open to modern mystery readers and the deftly woven tales of deceit and greed will have everyone cheering the triumph of good over evil. The men in kilts just make it that much more fun.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2018
17 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Foster
12 books17 followersMAGGIE FOSTER is the author of the award-winning Loch Lonach Scottish Mystery Series set in north Texas and featuring the descendants of the Scots who settled in the area in the mid-1800s. She herself is a seventh-generation Texan of Scottish descent.
In addition to being steeped in Scottish traditions and culture, she has spent a lifetime in healthcare as a nurse, lawyer, educator, and redhead.
Her interests include history, genealogy, music, dancing, travel, dark chocolate, good whisky, and men in kilts, not necessarily in that order.
The idea for the Loch Lonach series began when she visited the Lonach Games in Scotland and saw the March of the Lonach Men. Already in love with the country of her ancestors, she wondered if others like herself would find the connection entertaining reading.
FUN FACTS: She earned a high school athletic letter in Highland Dancing, in Texas. [True!] She also played bagpipes (less successfully). She is a Royal Scottish Country Dance Society instructor and alumna of numerous Highland Games and Scottish Country Dance workshops and balls, including the now-defunct Thistle School.
In addition to being steeped in Scottish traditions and culture, she has spent a lifetime in healthcare as a nurse, lawyer, educator, and redhead.
Her interests include history, genealogy, music, dancing, travel, dark chocolate, good whisky, and men in kilts, not necessarily in that order.
The idea for the Loch Lonach series began when she visited the Lonach Games in Scotland and saw the March of the Lonach Men. Already in love with the country of her ancestors, she wondered if others like herself would find the connection entertaining reading.
FUN FACTS: She earned a high school athletic letter in Highland Dancing, in Texas. [True!] She also played bagpipes (less successfully). She is a Royal Scottish Country Dance Society instructor and alumna of numerous Highland Games and Scottish Country Dance workshops and balls, including the now-defunct Thistle School.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 24, 2025
You know what attracted me to this series? The main character has my mother's name - Ginny Forbes - so it is kind of fun seeing her in action so to speak. Of course, with my Scottish heritage and interest in genealogy it was a fun read. The medical aspects held a lot of appeal as well. Well written, well told, and interesting twists along the way. I look forward to reading the rest in the series as my "to be read" stack dwindles a bit more.
October 11, 2022
A very well-written mystery. This is the first of this series, set in Texas in a unique enclave of Scots. The plot moves pretty quickly. May be enjoyed by either womenfolk or menfolk. Will continue the series.
April 15, 2020
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Arms of Death: Loch Lonach Mystery Series: Book One
Author: Maggie Foster
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 18 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Sort of Miss Marple but with a strong Scottish theme. Enjoyed it very much!’ Female reader, aged 38
‘A jolly romp with a strong mystery and excellent characterisation. The setting is marvelous adding a lot to the atmosphere of the story.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘Ginny is an interesting protagonist for this gently paced mystery. There is a medical aspect to it which worked well; also the ending was surprising but fitted the story well. I would happily recommend this story to anybody who enjoys a cosy murder/mystery.’ Male reader, aged 67
‘This author is very accomplished in this genre offering the reader plenty of suspense, a captivating mystery and a well-constructed plot. Although it is possibly too slow in parts and the ending was ‘different’, I enjoyed it very much. I will look for the rest of the books to read.’ Female reader, aged 62
To Sum It Up:
‘A very well-plotted and enjoyable mystery. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: The Arms of Death: Loch Lonach Mystery Series: Book One
Author: Maggie Foster
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 18
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 18 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
18 felt it was easy to follow.
18 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
18 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Sort of Miss Marple but with a strong Scottish theme. Enjoyed it very much!’ Female reader, aged 38
‘A jolly romp with a strong mystery and excellent characterisation. The setting is marvelous adding a lot to the atmosphere of the story.’ Female reader, aged 54
‘Ginny is an interesting protagonist for this gently paced mystery. There is a medical aspect to it which worked well; also the ending was surprising but fitted the story well. I would happily recommend this story to anybody who enjoys a cosy murder/mystery.’ Male reader, aged 67
‘This author is very accomplished in this genre offering the reader plenty of suspense, a captivating mystery and a well-constructed plot. Although it is possibly too slow in parts and the ending was ‘different’, I enjoyed it very much. I will look for the rest of the books to read.’ Female reader, aged 62
To Sum It Up:
‘A very well-plotted and enjoyable mystery. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
June 22, 2022
I found myself picking up the book in the middle of the night, or not getting out of bed in the morning until I read a few more pages. The characters & their interaction with each other pull you in, either out of fear for their safety or to not miss a clue, or simply to see what they'll discover next. Maggie always surprises you with her twists & turns, methodically laying out the clues, & then eventually tying things together.
I loved all the Celtic backdrops & folklore...especially being involved in the Dallas Celtic community myself...including the North Texas Irish Festival & its sponsoring non-profit, the Southwest Celtic Music Association. My husband wore a kilt when we married & our wedding cake had a gallon of scotch mixed in with the batter & icing. We held a Ceili (Irish spelling) afterwards. I won't go into the story line since a summary can be read on other reviews, Amazon, or here on Goodreads. Upon completing this book, I immediately picked up book 2. I'm now on book 3.
I loved all the Celtic backdrops & folklore...especially being involved in the Dallas Celtic community myself...including the North Texas Irish Festival & its sponsoring non-profit, the Southwest Celtic Music Association. My husband wore a kilt when we married & our wedding cake had a gallon of scotch mixed in with the batter & icing. We held a Ceili (Irish spelling) afterwards. I won't go into the story line since a summary can be read on other reviews, Amazon, or here on Goodreads. Upon completing this book, I immediately picked up book 2. I'm now on book 3.
May 21, 2019
Not what I expected in a good way. The genre stated Medical Fiction or Amature Sleuths. However, I see it more like an intense, above the norm cozy. There are characters you can wrap your brain around, modern issues, and occurrences with a touch of Old World charm.
This book had enough science (easily explained), medicine (nothing too gross), interesting culture (modern-day Scottish), and light romance to keep any reader engaged. It reminded me a bit of the author Diane Mott Davidson – who pulls you in with a great female lead and then submerges you in their world.
This book had enough science (easily explained), medicine (nothing too gross), interesting culture (modern-day Scottish), and light romance to keep any reader engaged. It reminded me a bit of the author Diane Mott Davidson – who pulls you in with a great female lead and then submerges you in their world.
June 4, 2022
This is a sort of "cozy" mystery. The protagonist, Ginny Forbes, is an ICU nurse in Texas that lives in a Scottish community. One of her patients dies suddenly, and there is fowl play. Ginny decides to investigate due to knowing the victim. It's a great read and the characters are interesting to invest in.
June 17, 2021
Good read
For a nurse having a patient die, one she knows, that has her feeling somehow responsible. So she feels compelled to investigate. Her first mistake. Her boyfriend of long standing wants her to leave it alone . The new doctor is willing to help but he has secrets.
For a nurse having a patient die, one she knows, that has her feeling somehow responsible. So she feels compelled to investigate. Her first mistake. Her boyfriend of long standing wants her to leave it alone . The new doctor is willing to help but he has secrets.
June 30, 2018
This is a must read for mystery lovers!
November 11, 2020
A man is admitted in the hospital but dies shortly after arriving. He is not injuried, has no outer lesions. A fast and unexpected death. Is he murdered? (Of course he is.)
The attending ICU-unit nurse, who knows him personally as he is a professor of genealogy in a community of people with Scottish origin in Texas, sets her mind (with a lot of energy) on the case to find the culprit by methodical and logical deduction.
This is a well found and well worked out story, slightly intricate but well explained, with a little and not-so-fast-paced action, no explicit violence, only a minimum of (necessary) bloodshed, in a decent language, good characterisation, realistic setting, and with a hint of romance. Some medical explanation and the working in a hospital, all easy enough to understand.
Maybe difficult to believe in the story is how the murderer looses his murder weapon, and also that the mc, as a well-trained nurse, still has to do research about viruses (but that gives us readers the opportunity of a free medical course).
I would catalog this book under (almost cozy) mystery, with some medical dwellings, in a Scottish-American community. I say a good read, conventional, maybe a little lack of excitement. I would recommend it and give four stars.
The attending ICU-unit nurse, who knows him personally as he is a professor of genealogy in a community of people with Scottish origin in Texas, sets her mind (with a lot of energy) on the case to find the culprit by methodical and logical deduction.
This is a well found and well worked out story, slightly intricate but well explained, with a little and not-so-fast-paced action, no explicit violence, only a minimum of (necessary) bloodshed, in a decent language, good characterisation, realistic setting, and with a hint of romance. Some medical explanation and the working in a hospital, all easy enough to understand.
Maybe difficult to believe in the story is how the murderer looses his murder weapon, and also that the mc, as a well-trained nurse, still has to do research about viruses (but that gives us readers the opportunity of a free medical course).
I would catalog this book under (almost cozy) mystery, with some medical dwellings, in a Scottish-American community. I say a good read, conventional, maybe a little lack of excitement. I would recommend it and give four stars.
May 19, 2023
Tissues in waiting
It started with life and always kept me thinking and guessing. If it had been a movie it would never have given a moment of boredom I became attached to the characters and soon was feeling what they were feeling. Especially Ginny! A very well developed character. So much that I needed tissues during the last of the book
It started with life and always kept me thinking and guessing. If it had been a movie it would never have given a moment of boredom I became attached to the characters and soon was feeling what they were feeling. Especially Ginny! A very well developed character. So much that I needed tissues during the last of the book
August 1, 2021
Sort of a cozy mystery. Our female lead is supposed to be smart and strong but endures a controlling BF. Worst was that the whodunnit part was obvious early early on. Finding out the how was a bit of fun. But the motive didn't become apparent till the end of the book.
March 19, 2023
A suspicious death, an unstoppable virus and the race is on to find a killer. Lots of twists and turns leave you wondering who the killer really is up until the last pages. Amazing thriller and a really good read.
October 16, 2024
A little too much
Afraid the plot is rather contrived, as are the actions of various characters. Not much of a "who done it"--more of a "but why did he do it?"--and that doesn't make as interesting a read.
Afraid the plot is rather contrived, as are the actions of various characters. Not much of a "who done it"--more of a "but why did he do it?"--and that doesn't make as interesting a read.
November 13, 2022
I thought that this was a good read. Interesting setup and good story telling kept me interested to the end.
Read
September 20, 2020An ICU nurse unable to save one of her patients finds herself far too close to finding out why in this unique blend of culture and crime from a Best of Texas Books Award-winning author.
Book One in the Loch Lonach Mystery Series
Ginny Forbes is a nurse with an insatiable curiosity, a special talent for critical thinking, and a gift for getting into trouble. When one of her ICU patients dies unexpectedly, she finds herself on the trail of a centuries-old secret.
Ginny is no stranger to investigation. Her hobby requires ferreting out and fitting together the traces of her ancestors, to create a mosaic of their lives. She knows how to dig and she knows how to read between the lines.
When a handsome newcomer offers to help, she allows him to tag along, but reports back on his actions to her long-time boyfriend, also an historian and genealogist. Following the clues seems nothing more than a lark, but between the cause of death and the growing jealousy of her two helpers, Ginny is about to find out just how dangerous idle curiosity can be.
A page-turning mystery packed with suspense perfect for fans of Miss Marple, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Brother Cadfael.
Read what people are saying about The Arms of Death:
“I loved this book. As an avid mystery fan, I’m pretty particular about my authors. Maggie had me by page four, and it was a page turner from there. The book had the perfect amounts of suspense and romance, always a good combination. I look forward to book two of the series.” Amazon Reader, Sally S.
“A jolly romp with a strong mystery and excellent characterisation. The setting is marvelous, adding a lot to the atmosphere of the story.” UK reader
“Miss Marple but with a strong Scottish theme. Enjoyed it very much!” UK reader
“Murder and mayhem is part of the legacy of the House of Forbes. Ms. Foster weaves a page-turning mystery of twists and turns with a complex yet logical plot that leads to a satisfactory and realistic conclusion.” Bart Forbes, President, Clan Forbes Society, Inc.
“A very well-plotted and enjoyable mystery. Highly recommended.” The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
FIRST PLACE BEST MEDICAL THRILLER – Texas Association of Authors 2019, Best of Texas Books Awards.
SILVER MEDAL WINNER – 2019 PenCraft awards for Writing Excellence.
FINALIST – Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews