Customer Reviews

The Murder Hole (Five Star First Edition Mystery)

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Her partner at great Scot magazine Miranda Capaldi sends American Jean Fairborn to the Loch Ness area to cover the latest effort to prove whether the monster exists or not. The head of the Water Horse expedition is controversial American scientist Roger Dempsey, who insists his modern technology will answer the question and someone the legends reporter knows from back in the states.

Many locals oppose the intrusion. Some our of fear that Dr. Dempsey will prove no monster exists and hurt tourism, but environmental activist Iris Mackintosh has other concerns. Northern Constabulary Detective inspector Alasdair Cameron becomes involved when someone sends threatening letters warning Dempsey to stay away. He and Jean have a recent history (see THE SECRET PORTRAIT) so both have mixed feelings about their latest encounter. However, when a homicide tied to the ancient Pitclachic Stone disrupts the expedition, Alasdair makes sure Jean remains safe even as she dives into cold murky danger trying to solve several mysteries including a murder.

The sequel to the delightful THE SECRET PORTRAIT is a fun contemporary police procedural investigative tale with the emphasis on the reporter's inquiries. The story line cleverly combines Nellie, an ancient historical stone with a twentieth century history, a bit of romance and murderous mayhem into a fine tale starring a likable heroine. Readers will appreciate THE MURDER HOLE as Nellie is under investigation until a homicide interrupts the scientific study.

Harriet Klausner

Reporter and reluctant sleuth, Jean Fairbairn heads off on a new assignment for her magazine, "Great Scot." The assignment is the discovery, or at least the festival, of Nessie at Loch Ness, Scotland. It is based upon the history of a man in 1933 making the 'discovery' of a stone from Pictish days.

As in the earlier book, we find Dr. Fairbairn very researched and educated in regards to her subject which gives us, the readers, wonderful background and historic facts to savor as Ms. Carl weaves a storyline of suspense, discovery, and murder around us.

Chief Inspector Alasdair Cameron is on hand at the festival due to death threats having been made towards one of the hopeful discoverers, Dr. Roger Dempsey. We quickly learn there are shady persons involved almost in every facet of the festival/discovery digs.

In addition, there is an old-fashioned but, lovely to enjoy, romance blossoming between Jean and Alasdair. It takes us back to old days when courtship was an art to be learned and practiced. I find it lovely and filled with it's own special suspense.

I truly loved "The Murder Hole" as a complete novel and took extra time in reading it as I did not want the book to end. I did like the ending though.

The book has a rather complex plot which eventually explains itself a few pages from the end - a lot of Scots scenery and language, both very attractive, and the Sassenach journalist and the Scots Detective wending their way thru bad marital experiences with their former husband/wife to get a few inches further into a budding relationship. Convoluted but very readable book.
Linda Sheean