I've been away this week enjoying a lovely vacation in Scotland. Not there in person but through Christina Hamlett's newest book titled A Little Scandal in St. Andrews. You may remember a book review here on Book 1 of this cozy mystery series about an amateur sleuth in the UK.
In Book 1, A Little Larceny in Lynmouth, we met Rochelle Reid, known to friends as Rocky. She lands in the small seaside village of Lynmouth after losing her job in London. The old house turned into flats that she moves into turns out to be the scene of a murder. In this first book, Rocky solves the case and finds a boyfriend at the same time.
In her newest book, author, Christina Hamlett (also a many times guest blogger here) takes us on a delightful romp during a championship golf tournament at St. Andrews in Scotland. Rocky and her boyfriend, Jon Tapping, stay in Rusacks Hotel, historied and famed.
Rocky has her old job back and a flat in London and Jon in her life. All is well. Then, she is asked by company execs, including Clive, a friend from Lynmouth who is with M15, to go to St. Andrews and keep an eye on a list of people they give her. Besides being what she considers a paid vacation, they enlist Jon to go along and arrange for him to be a caddy to Kevin Chan, one of the tournament golfers. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty!
Rocky is to reperesent her company, which is a sponsor of the tournament. She has her list of people to engage and watch. A Saudi prince and his wife, six golfers from various countries, one of them an Italian playboy, an American woman who heads a pharmaceutical company, and a wealthy American couple who look more like an elderly man and his granddaughter.
The hotel's Assistant Manager for Guest Relations easily becomes a confidant and keeps Rocky informed of many happenings within the hotel guests. She also meets a sleazy appearing photographer who is there to capture the elite clientele on film.
Before long, there is a murder and priceless jewels that disappear. True to her nature, Rocky starts investigating with Jon's help. Jon, whom she thought was a fishmonger when she met him in Lynmouth, but actually the son of a titled couple, is a willing accomplice. He checks things from his position as caddy, and Rocky concentrates on the hotel guests.
There are twists and turns, a bit of romance, and the murder and theft finally solved. I must admit that I had not figured out who had committed murder, and I had only a mild suspicion regarding the jewel theft. Thus, I kept turning pages to find out who and what and how.
Besides the delightful story, I felt as if I had stayed at the famous Rusacks Hotel myself. The descriptions were vivid but not overdone. Cozy mysteries bring us a tale without horror, violence, and avid sexual scenes. Instead, A Little Scandal in St. Andrews offers a dual mystery, some humor, and a little romance. As an added treat, the first pages of Book 3, A Little Drama in Dunster is included at the end of Book 2. Rocky's fans will want to read about her next adventure.
You can purchase the book at Amazon in Kindle and paperback forms. $3.99 for the Kindle version and $16.90 for the paperback.
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