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It is a pleasure to present the review from All About Books for the Reading Between The lines Book Tour for Death At A Shetland Festival by Marsali Taylor. This is the twelve novel in The Shetland Mysteries Series featuring sailing sleuth Cass Lynch. Although this is part of a series it can be read as a stand-alone book.

#DEATHATASHETLANDFESTIVAL

Published May 2024

Blurb

Crowds are gathered for a concert at Shetland’s renowned folk music festival when there’s a shocking discovery – international folk legend Fintan Foley has been stabbed backstage. 

Sailing sleuth Cass Lynch and her partner DI Gavin Macrae are in the audience and must untangle a complicated case where nothing is quite what it seems. Cass soon discovers that Foley’s smiling stage persona concealed links with Shetland. He’d worked here in the 80s, the days when oil brought wealth to the islands.

Has a long-buried secret risen to the surface – and will it make Cass a target for a cold-blooded killer?

Review

Despite a slow start, I found this to be a beautifully written, atmospheric and compelling read. Marsali Taylor breathes life into the setting. I felt as if I was there in the Shetlands enjoying a weekend of music during the annual festival.

The main character, amateur sleuth Cass Lynch, is attending the annual music festival when a murder occurs. The early part of the story brings the reader into the setting and introduces the main characters who are memorable. This is not a fast-paced crime read, rather it is a complex mystery to be solved. The clues are revealed within two time lines – 1981 and present day. The weaving of past and present is achieved through the diary of a woman who died in 1981 and it’s links to present-day characters. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing.

I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, in particular the references to workers who were brought in for the construction of the oil terminal and the impact this had on the lives of local residents.

Death at a Shetland Festival is an excellent addition to the Shetland Mysteries Series and I look forward to reading the next one. This book is perfect for readers who like a good murder mystery plot.

About The Author

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland’s scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland’s distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women’s suffrage in Shetland. She’s also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group

HOW TO BUY

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Links

SOCIAL MEDIA LINK

Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/MarsaliTaylorAuthor/

WEBSITE LINKS

Website – https://www.marsalitaylor.co.uk

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marsali-Taylor/e/B0034PACI8/