Review: The Cracked Spine (Scottish Bookshop Mystery #1) by Paige Shelton

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1422 KB
• Print Length: 305 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (March 29 2016)
• Sold by: Macmillan CA
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0151U7X3A

Book Description

 In need of a good adventure, Delaney Nichols takes the leap and moves to Edinburgh, Scotland to start a job at The Cracked Spine. She doesn't know much about what she's gotten herself into, other than that the work sounds exciting, and that her new boss, Edwin MacAlister, has given her the opportunity of a lifetime. Edwin has promised that she'll be working with "a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes," and Delaney can't wait to get started.

When she arrives, she meets her new Scottish family; also working at the Cracked Spine are Rosie, perpetually wrapped in scarves, and who always has tiny dog Hector in tow; Hamlet, a nineteen-year-old thespian with a colored past and bright future; and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic and mysterious as Delaney expected. An unexpected bonus is Tom the bartender from across the street, with his piercing eyes, and a rolling brogue -- and it doesn't hurt that he looks awfully good in a kilt.

But before she can settle into her new life, a precious artifact -- a previously undiscovered First Folio of Shakespeare's plays -- goes missing, and Edwin's sister is murdered, seemingly in connection to the missing folio. Delaney decides to do some sleuthing of her own, to find out just what the real story is behind the priceless folio, and how it's connected to the tragic death, all without getting harmed herself.


"As warm and inviting as a cup of tea and a serving of fresh-from-the-oven shortbread." ---Ellery Adams, author of Writing All Wrongs    



About the Author

My husband and I moved to Arizona in February of 2015 but before that we lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. I moved there for an advertising job right after college. I hadn't planned on staying twenty-seven years, but I met Charlie, we got married, we had our son, and a really terrific life happened. I loved Utah, and those twenty-seven years were wonderful. Our son's in college in Missouri now, and we're enjoying our new and very desert adventure.

As a kid I moved around a lot. My dad was a football coach, mostly throughout the Midwest but we spent one year in Portales, New Mexico. A couple of things stood out and and stayed with me that year. 1 - We lived in a haunted house. 2 - The southwest rubbed off on me and I have loved it ever since.
 

I did get to start and finish high school in one place - Des Moines, Iowa, which is a wonderful city even if the humid climate always was a challenge. I ended up going to college there too, at Drake University where I studied journalism. I made some great friends those years. I'm glad to still be in touch with many of them.

I have only ever wanted to be a writer. I've had good jobs, bad jobs, great bosses, and terrible bosses. Through it all and ever since I was seven I have only wanted to write. I'm grateful to have the opportunity now. If you're interested in my road to becoming a published author, I posted the story on my agent's blog.  http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.ca/2010/04/paige-shelton-on-getting-published.html

I spend a lot of time on Facebook. I've been told I talk way too much about my personal life over there, but I don't see that changing any time soon. Find me if you're interested.

http://www.paigeshelton.com/

My Review


 I could completely relate to Delaney Nichols in The Cracked Spine as she was in need of a good adventure. Sometimes that is just what we need...a good adventure.

A Cracked Spine is the first book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by author Paige Shelton. It is also the first book of Paige Shelton's that I have read although as an author her books have been on my radar for some time. She focuses on cozy mysteries.

A Cracked Spine in set in Edinburgh in Scotland which is a great location and I enjoyed being taken there. A Cracked Spine starts off with a mystery in a mystery....what on earth is the secret business conducted at A Cracked Spine bookstore!? It is a fascinating place, the Cracked Spine bookstore. Wealthy owner Edwin is a collector of all things fantastic and Delaney is excited to discover them all. Then Edwin's sister is found dead and the real mystery begins.

I really enjoyed The Cracked Spine. Great book.