Shortbread and Sorrow by Agatha Frost
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*
When Julia’s gran, Dot, wins an all-inclusive spa trip to Scotland, Julia finds it difficult to refuse the offer of a relaxing week away from her café. Along with her sister, Sue, they pack up her tiny vintage car and drive all the way from Peridale to Seirbigh Castle, ready to be pampered. The last thing Julia expected was to be caught up in another murder investigation, but when the cruel owner of the family-run spa, Henry McLaughlin, is shot dead, she can’t resist ditching the facemasks and massages in favour of cracking the case.
Julia quickly befriends the young cook and talented-baker, Blair, and acquires a job in the kitchen so she can observe the strange family in the wake of the murder. Henry’s wife and children are acting suspicious, and with an incompetent young Detective Inspector on the case, Julia makes it her mission to discover the secrets held within the ancient walls before Seirbigh Castle claims another victim.
Julia is showing her detective skills not only in Peridale but this time in Scotlang, in the Seirbigh Castle where she should have a great five day spa-vacation.
It is really charming how eager Julia is and how she can’t sit still – even when she is told to relax. Julia is the same woman we know (and love) from the other books – eager to investigate and maybe appears a bit noisy but with a kind and caring soul – and it is lovely to see her act like a modern Miss Marple without being restricted to her boyfriend Barker. On the other hand it was a pity those guys didn’t had a vacation together and a bit more romance on their plate. 🙂 I hope this will increase the next books. 🙂
But if reader worry that the interaction of the other books will be missed out: this book reveals a lot of interesting details for further upcoming events in the next books. And you can be really thrilled to see to where they lead. 🙂 It is also sweet how well established the relationships are and how family like all of them act together.
The hilarious characteristics of Julia, Sue and Dot are funny as hell and you really won’t miss further books in the series. Although the humor is great and you love Dot for her eccentric behaviour she was a bit over the top in this book and you had a few times where you have rolled with your eyes about her and her almost rude behaviour.
This book is a great read for a pre-summer day; also the descriptions of the Scotish landscape let you pick up your own suitcases and travel to this beautiful piece on earth. 🙂 It makes me wishful to visit this.
5 out of 5 stars. Julia is working her witty detective skills a few hundred miles from home away and amuses you a lot. 🙂
Mikku-chan 
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