Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton

Of Books and Bagpipes - Paige Shelton - 3 Stars - Book 2 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series

I like our characters and the story in general, but in this one, I sometimes got bored, a little confused on keeping people together and how they were related to one another - overall it was just ok. I don't know what this book was missing - maybe more in the romance area. We know she is seeing someone but you never really see them on page together. We have a lot of secrets in this one and I am still not sure if I can trust Edwin (Delaney's boss). He is just a very odd character to me. I will be continuing on in the series as I have all of them on my audible account. I liked it, but not in love yet. I did like book 1 more. Another thing I think that is missing here is we don't see much work being done in the bookstore - I think that would make it more realistic. I still love the Scotland setting and the accent in the narration!

This followed Delaney, a few months after book 1, where she is going to meet someone for her boss, to pick up a book, but instead finds that person she was to meet, dead. There are SO many different twists and turns - multiple mysteries if you will - with family drama and you are trying to figure out how they involve her boss Edwin and the story goes on from here.

This series has been fun so far and I am really interested to see how I feel about book 3. I hope book 3 doesn't have too many extra characters because that is what made me confused and losing interest sometimes. 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5652129717
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JRjNyi
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlfoIBkAmlc&t

The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton

 

The Cracked Spine - Paige Shelton - 4 to 4.5 Stars - A new favorite cozy mystery series! (Book 1 in The Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series)

I really enjoyed this Scottish Cozy Mystery! 4 to 4.5 stars. A new favorite series to dive into! Full of scottish dialect, cozy family and bookish vibes and great characters - this was an AMANDA book! We see the descriptions of Scotland so beautiful painted, it makes me really want to be there. One thing I liked about this, while the beginning is a slow start, Paige Shelton really introduces us to the characters and setting in such a unique way. I felt like we really get to know them. Loved seeing a little romance too included, that's always a must have for me in Cozy Mysteries and loved that.

This story is all about American Delaney Nichols. She answers an ad to work at The Cracked Spine Bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland. She packs up and leaves Kansas so fast - and it's quite the journey. The bookstore is one I would LOVE to visit in real life from everything I read. The owner, Edwin MacAlister, hires her to be apart of the bookstore team with young Hamlet, Rosie and their little dog. From the moment Delaney meets her cab driver, Elisas, just the hospitality from him alone, I knew I was going to love these sweet characters who feel like home. Delaney sparks up a small romance with Tom, a handsome scotsman who works across the street from the bookstore as a bartender. The mystery kicks off when Edwin's sister Jenny is murdered and a "First Folio of Shakespeare's Plays" disappears.... His sister has a history of drugs, so they're not sure if it's a drug deal gone bad or if someone knew about the folio and killed her after stealing it.... Delaney feels instantly connected to this family, friends and city and starts to help them track down the clues to the killer.

This was such a great start to this series. Super excited to read the next one!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5423946392
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DekwGe
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CNQJYuJxRg