THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO MURDER - Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, & Karen White
William Morrow
ISBN: 9780063259867
ISBN10: 0063259869
November 2024
Fiction

Kinloch, Scotland - Present Day

Literary giant Brett Saffron Presley has leased Kinloch Castle, located on a remote island off the Scottish mainland, presumably to use as a writing retreat for authors. Presumably because not everyone is aware of what his actual reasons are for this isolated location. But when Presley is found murdered under weird circumstances, Detective Chief Inspector Euan MacIntosh has his work cut out for him.

Three American women authors have booked a week's visit to Kinloch Castle to work with the well known author. They have told everyone at the castle that they're "best friends" planning to write a book together, but that's kind of stretching the truth a bit. Each of them has their own reason for attending this retreat, and it isn't necessarily anything to do with writing.

Cassie Pringle, mother of six, writes a series of cozy mysteries. She and her husband have been struggling recently, and she wants to rectify that situation. Kat de Noir writes sexy novels, and she'd like to research some of the Castle's lurid history. Then there is Emma Endicott from an old New England family. Emma writes historical novels, and she would like to find more information about their illusive host. 

With the discovery of Presley's body, DCI MacIntosh only has a few suspects, and the American women keep showing him in odd ways that they might qualify! Questioning them is almost an exercise in futility, and he is beginning to get mighty frustrated. The castle staff, consisting of Calum, who seems to do everything, including playing the bagpipes, and Morag, the elderly "housekeeper" who runs the household mostly by herself can't be ruled out. Could either of them have wanted Presley out of the way? And then there is the estate manager, Archie, but he could hardly want to kill Presley, could he?

THE AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO MURDER is an often hilarious, yet sometimes poignant tale, and is filled with characters who may or may not have a reason to be rid of Brett Saffron Presley. The combination of the three authors who wrote this book and the three authors portrayed in it makes for a fun, no-holds-barred novel. Be prepared to be confused about the reasons Cassie, Kat, and Emma are in Kinloch until well into the book, but do enjoy the trip to get there! 

Jani Brooks