Beatriz Williams, Lauren WIllig, and Karen White are all accomplished authors on their own. With “The Author’s Guide to Murder,” they combine their individual talents to create a lovely murder mystery featuring three authors who travel to a remote Scottish island in winter to research a book when a murder takes place. A murder in which the three principal suspects are the three authors!
What we find out over the course of the novel is that each of the three had a reason to want the murder victim dead. The victim, who had plenty of experience victimizing women in the past, is Brett Saffron Presley, BSP. He was found dead in the historical tower of the Scottish castle he had leased and which he offered for writers as a retreat. What the retreat didn’t include, however, was a chance to actually meet the esteemed (by the public) author.
The actual murder occurs before the opening pages, in which we learn about the murder as Detective Chief Inspector Euan Macintosh surveys the crime scene. The rest of the novel alternates between excerpts from police interviews of the three American suspects and narrative of the days leading up to and after the murder. The three women are there ostensibly to solve the long-ago murder of Naughty Ned, the laird of the castle who was also the scourge of the island and who was killed for his misdeeds. But once on the island, research into the historical murder is supplanted by the current killing of the “leased” laird since to exonerate themselves, the three women agree they must solve the crime themselves.
There are plenty of twists and turns, and while it takes a while to really feel empathy for the authors, by the end of the novel we are really hoping that each gets her happy ever after. Each of the novelists is a far from perfect person. Cassie, the mother of six and the author of several cozy mysteries including cats and cupcakes, is worried about her marriage and her children. Kat, the sexy author of erotic fantasy novels, is outrageous, but we eventually discover the truth behind her brittle facade. Emma has her own reasons for being at the castle and collaborating with the women, but she was betrayed, much as they were, in the past.
The setting is depicted perfectly, and it will make readers long to visit the remote island during warmer months to see the small and charming village, visit the abandoned graveyard, and watch the sun set over the ocean from the top of the tower. Thanks to the fine writing, we are able to picture the townspeople, from the doctor who moonlights as a barmaid to the rather hostile housekeeper Morag. Because of the rather brilliant combination of setting, character development, and dialogue, we really feel immersed in the story.
The ending is charming and lovely. As might be expected when reading a book written by a trio of experienced, successful authors, the writing is well executed, gripping, and thoughtful. There are many, many humorous twists and riffs on romance novels as well as the Scottish and their sheep. “Ewe” will really enjoy this creative and cozy mystery that might not have actual cupcakes or cats, but will give you that same warm feeling. It’s a perfect choice for reading under a warm wool throw while drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Perhaps while munching on a scone with a cat on one’s lap. Enjoy.
Please note: This review is based on the final, hardcover book provided by William Morrow, the publisher, for review purposes.