A secluded island. A dark and stormy night. A treasure worth its weight in cake… storm-swept island. But she has no idea she’s about to be drawn into a web of mystery and intrigue.
When a box of valuable jewelry is discovered on the island, the townsfolk give it to her for safe-keeping in the church. When greedy thieves steal the jewels in the middle of the night, the crime ignites a flurry of gossip and accusations. But when a dead body is connected to the mysterious theft, it plunges the secretive community into chaos and fear.
As a violent storm approaches the island’s rocky shores, Annabelle is determined to find the real perpetrators, and expose the secret that threatens those she loves. Annabelle’s passion for desserts is matched only by her desire to seek justice. But as she begins her investigation, she must struggle against the incompetent local police, as well as a community steeped in suspicion and gossip.
With time running out, can Annabelle solve the crime before the culprits strike again? Or before the islanders take matters into their own hands?
Horror in the Highlands is the latest entry in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon series. If you like secluded islands, mysterious characters, a strong, yet compassionate female lead, and plenty of twists, then you’ll love Alison Golden’s deliciously humorous storytelling.
Buy Horror in the Highlands today and prepare to be charmed.
This book includes recipes for some of Annabelle’s favorite treats:
– Wonderful Whisky Marmalade Pudding
– Sacred Scottish Pancakes
– Devilishly Delicious Dundee Cake
– Omnipotent Oatcakes
more
A quick read. Enjoyable.
Interesting concept. No clue to the ending. Enjoyed it.
This was a fun read!
I enjoy the adventures of the Rev. Annabelle! I liked learning about small island off Scotland wether or not it exist! And, life in that area.
I loved getting to know her family.
Bad writing says it all. Story gets lost in the annoyance of improper English: she can’t tell an adjective from an adverb. Not to mention thesaurus writing, using words she does not understand. Topped by descriptions using terms that are just plain wrong: the chanter on a bagpipe is the part of the instrument to play the melody, not the part you blow.
Cute cozy mystery. Interesting and likable characters. Story kept my interest; not a thriller, more an entertaining story. I would read another one in the series.
Great read, looking forward to more by this author.
Love this type of book. Good clean fun and characters. The local was also to my liking.
I’ve actually already written a review on this excellent book, via Bookbub, Amazon.
This is an easy read, but started out so slow and plodding that I’d nearly given up on it and thought of switching to a different book. I’d actually rate it 2.5 stars, but bumped it up, since half-stars aren’t an option. I’d managed to finish it, though the characters were a bit flat and there wasn’t a lot going on in the story, but it may have some potential as a series if the characters develop more over time. Technically, the writing is ok, but it lacked a bit of something as both a mystery and a book, and was slightly below par.
enjoyed it so much a read the previous ones.
Enjoyable story, great heroine. Don’t find many stories featuring female priests. One of the best parts was experiencing the wonderful countryside, though I would find it very difficult to live there, I think. Didn’t quite understand the actions of the castle owner after selling some of it even if it was a scam, what did he expect after taking someone’s money for it?
Enjoyed it. Nice, easy-to-read mystery. Keeps you guessing till the end.
I love this bopk.
I am not quite done with this book yet but close. Can’t wait to find a moment to dig back in!
cosy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, Scotland, murder, theft, greed
Vicar Annabelle is in Scottish Isles to be relief for the regular as well as visit with her brother and niece for a short time. While there she meets young and old in the village, is asked to keep safe a valuable box of jewelry, and locates a murder victim. It’s the stormy season and there is no resident law enforcement on the island which makes everything more difficult! Good sleuthing, interesting characters, and enough red herrings to make it more exasperating. Loved it!
I have the audio narrated by Julie Missen who is great!
“Horror in the Highlands” by Alison Golden is another Reverend Annabelle Dixon adventure. We accompany Annabelle as she leaves her parish in Upton St. Mary in the south of England and takes a sleeper train, another train and two ferries to visit her brother Roger and her seven year old niece Bonnie on the Isle of Blodraigh in the Scottish Highlands. Annabelle looks forward to seeing Roger, a single father since his wife had died when Bonnie was a baby, and Bonnie whose company and sense of adventure she really enjoys. Each year, Annabelle gives a sermon at the Blodraigh’s St. Kilda’s Church and then tries to spend a week of rest, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Scottish Island and of course, the company of Roger and Bonnie. On the last ferry she meets the Gilberts, an American couple in their early sixties, who have purchased, on-line, three square feet of pasture at Clannan Castle on the island along with the title of Laird and Lady of the Castle, fishing rights, lifetime access to the castle and the right to wear the Clannan tartan. After they have supper at Roger’s farmhouse, Roger tells Annabelle about Mrs. Cavendish who works for him, cooking, cleaning and picking up Bonnie from school. Both Roger and Bonnie ask Annabelle about her friend, the Inspector, whom she has mentioned in her email to him several times. The next day Annabelle learns about Felicity, Bonnie’s friend, who lives with her aunt because her parents died in a storm in a helicopter accident. Annabelle goes to check on the church, unlocks it with the key Roger gave her and is startled by horrible noise behind her, only to find Harry Anderson, the pub owner, playing his bagpipes. He stops playing his bagpipes, introduces himself and then leaves, informing Annabelle that he comes to the church for each sermon and plays his bagpipes as the congregants leave. Annabelle then explores the small church, finding the minister’s office and safe. Locked in the safe was everything she would need for her church service the next day. When Annabelle gets back to Roger’s farmhouse, she joins in the game the girls are playing and then goes with Bonnie and Felicity for a tour of the island. Felicity gets Annabelle alone and tells her that she has something to show her the next day. On their tour of the island, Felicity shows Annabelle where she lives, a small cottage right next to the church. They also pass the village and the pub where she sees the American couple trying to catch the owner of the castle, Robert Kilbairn, The next day, after the church service, when everyone is gone, Felicity does show her what she has found under the floor of a deserted house and Annabelle puts it in the safe until she can figure out what to do with it. On her way back to Roger’s house, Annabelle stops at the pub and meets Harry’s daughter Mairead who runs the pub for her father. She shows the pub owner pictures of what Felicity had found and is now locked in the safe of the church. After dinner, Annabelle returns to the church for an evening service and sees it has been broken into and the safe empty. She tries to report the theft to the police and learns there is no police on the island. Police have to come from a larger island. The town’s men take turns policing the island. Then there is a murder, and with no police and bad weather so the police can’t get there, Annabelle is really worried. She calls her friend, the Inspector from home to tell him about the murder, and to her surprise, he comes to the island to help her. I could go on and on but I do not want to tell the whole story. You can see how much i enjoyed and I suggest you find out the rest for yourselves.
Another terrific book in the Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery Series. Annabelle goes to Scotland to visit her brother and, of course, crimes ensue. Annabelle reminds me of Jessica Fletcher, only much younger. Mike showing up was so sweet. I hope they quit dancing around each other soon. They make such a nice couple.
I loved the descriptions of the Island of Blodraigh. It is so rugged but it sounds beautiful. I would love to visit.
If you like well-written cozy mysteries with humor and heart, then read this wonderful series. You won’t be disappointed.
I recommend all of this series of her books, plus the Inspector David Graham Cozy series, her blog, and any new cozies in the future. She
(and any co-authors she may have, I am not sure) are fantastic. I have read a few of her other series because they are so well written, but am a dedicated Cozy reader and can never quite finish them. If you want a well written book of any genre, please try these.