Today I am so excited to welcome Wisconsin Author Hannah Read!
Her new series is off to a fantastic start with
Off Kilter (A Scottish Highlands Mystery).
The Call of the Highlands
By Hannah Reed
It began as ideas often do, with a small spark out of the blue. Most flashes of insight (also known as moments of insane thinking) sputter and die a quick death. As they should. But sometimes one will ignite and take off, and there’s nothing you can do but go along for the ride. That’s what happened with my new Scottish Highlands mystery series. Once those thoughts came alive and were in motion, I wouldn’t have been able to douse them even if I had an ocean of water. They had to be written.
Mostly, I credit one of my more colorful ancestors, who managed to get thrown out of Scotland in 1685 after his capture and imprisonment in Dunnottar Castle for taking up arms against the king. These days the castle still exists as a ruin, sitting high on a windswept hill beside the sea. This character survived when many didn’t and was shipped to the new world. A real rabble-rouser, that one. Not an uncommon trait in my family line. I believe his adventure was the inspiration for this new series. It fueled my imagination.
And although the weapons have changed in the time that has elapsed between then and now, motives for murder remain the same.
So back to the present and a wee bit about Off Kilter .
Romance writer Eden Elliott arrives in the Highlands only to discover that the local sheep shearer has been clipped with his own shears. She better figure out the motive for his murder and the person behind the deed before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror!
I hope you enjoy your romp through the ‘blades’ of the Highland’s slippery slopes. I know I did.
~Hannah
For more information about the story or about my other tales, visit me at hannahreedbooks.com
Praise for Off Kilter:
- “Hannah Reed’s new series will please Scotophiles everywhere…” ~ Miranda James, New York Times bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries.
- “A brilliant mystery, rich in charming characters set against lush depictions of the Scottish village of Glenkillen.” ~ Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries and the Library Lover’s Mystery.
Off Kilter
(A Scottish Highlands Mystery)
A Brand New Cozy Series
A Berkley Prime Mystery (October 7, 2014)
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425265826
E-Book File Size: 1297 KB
ASIN: B00ISEOIXA
After the recent death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, thirty-something Eden Elliott is seriously in need of a fresh start. At the urging of her best friend, bestselling author Ami Pederson, Eden decides to embark on an open-ended trip to the picturesque village of Glenkillen in the Scottish Highlands, to do some hands-on research for a book of her own. But almost as soon as Eden arrives in the quaint town, she gets caught up in a very real drama…
The town’s sheep shearer is found murdered—clipped with his own shears—and the locals suspect Vicki MacBride, an outsider whose father’s recent death left her the surprise heir to his lucrative sheep farm. Eden refuses to believe the affable heiress is a murderer, but can she prove that someone is out to frame her new friend before she finds herself on the receiving end of more shear terror?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Are you ready to escape to Scotland? Hannah Reed has created a wonderful protagonist to take us there. Eden Elliot needs a change. Her husband was a real jerk and losing a mom is just devastating. Her friend Ami has done something extraordinary by sending her to Scotland to not only do research for a book to find herself and help her realize that there are better times ahead. Of course finding a dead body definitely puts the entire trip Off Kilter.
On the plane she meets Vicki MacBride and this lady draws Eden right into the middle of her family’s dysfunction. Her half siblings are not happy to see her or know that she has Eden as a friend. Even though that friendship is very new Eden does not back away when the going gets tough. She believes her friend is innocent and is going to prove it.
Reed has set the story in the Scottish Highlands and her vivid descriptions make it easy to imagine the beauty. From the lush green grasses to the purple hues of the heather – The sheep roaming the hillsides and the border collies herding them together – the food and the locally made wool products. They are all featured to make the reader feel right there enjoying our getaway right along with Eden.
The characters are unique and they are so easy to get to know. Hard to believe this is just the first book in the series. I love Eden and her growing relationship with mystery writer Leith. He will be a great inspiration for her romance novel. I was also so impressed with the way Eden works with the local detective and his wayward volunteer sidekick. Inspector Jamieson is a smart man and quickly realizes Eden is a great resource especially since his Auxiliary officer is not much help and has a lot to learn.
There is a also a wee bit of humor throughout the entire story. Most as Eden learns to drive a vehicle with manual transmission with the driver seat on the wrong side of the car, operating it on the opposite side of the road, and having to maneuver those crazy roundabouts! Thankfully Leith has a fantastic sense of humor and plenty of patience to help her learn the Scottish way of doing things.
I found this tale very refreshing, like a breath of fresh air. The town was very welcoming to Eden. The lilt of the language and the kilts the people wear along with a beautiful backdrop added to a very well thought out mystery made me love this book. I am not ready to try the haggis or the blood pudding but I absolutely cannot wait for my next visit to Glenkillen and the next mystery in this series.
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
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Contest Will End November 12, 2014 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Take me away to Scotland. I drove briefly in England. Yikes!
This book sounds very interesting. Congrats on it!
Another new series by a favorite author – yippie!
Looks good to me 🙂
Love the cover, looks great 🙂
Love the premise of this book and looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the opportunity!
Glad to see some additional information about this book – it’s on my TBR list!
Ooh, I love it when a book takes me on a journey!
Sounds like a great new series!
I love new series…. Looking forward to trying it.
Sounds like a great cozy.
I’m looking forward to reading this one! 🙂
I’m interested in this series. I always like to get in on the ground floor and this one sounds good. I someday would like to travel to Scotland. And I want to know what happens w the main character.
Wonderful story and locale.
I’m thrilled to see a series set in Scotland! I love Scotland!
Thank you for a new series to look forward to.
As an author, what’s been the most interesting or exciting way you have researched a storyline?
I’ve always wanted to visit Scotland. The lushness of the scenery and it’s history are fascinating. My mother went and she told me I need to go. It would enchant me. So, hopefully, one day!
This sounds wonderful, it will be one way for me to visit Scotland.
Ah, those nagging thoughts that won’t go away and demand to be attended o!
I’ve always wanted to go to Scotland. Books are the only way that’s going to happen, I’m afraid.
I can’t wait to read this book I love books that have to do with Scotland
Oh how I want to visit Scotland and your book only makes my yen to go stronger. Hope I am fortunate to win a copy of your book.
I keep seeing the cover of this book. Now after reading the review, I really want it. 🙂 If I don’t win, I may just order it anyway. lol
I love MC Beaton’s books, so this series will definitely be one of my new favs. Thank you for the giveaway.
Congratulations on your new release! Lovely cover and the setting in the Scottish Highlands.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW SERIES AND I LOVE THE SETTING OF SCOTLAND! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Congrats, Deb. I know this will be a great, new series.
I’ve escaped to Scotland in romances——now send me there for a mystery.
the book sounds good.thanks for the chance
I like the sound of this new series, and would enjoy reading the story. Thanks!
Sounds lovely – thanks Dollycas for always introducing fabulous books!