Anonymous letters, a years-old mystery and… a dead body? Ally McKinley is on the case!

Ally McKinley might be the owner of the cosiest little guesthouse in the Scottish Highlands, but she also has a reputation as an amateur detective! So when a threatening note drops through her elderly neighbour Juliet Munro’s door, Ally is called in to investigate. But what first seems like a nasty prank soon proves lethal, when the very next day, Juliet is found murdered…

Her faithful dog Flora by her side, Ally soon learns that more than one woman in Locharran has received a poison pen letter. And though locals’ lips are sealed over coffee and cake, Ally skilfully unlocks the old Locharran mystery that connects the recipients: they were all rumoured to be involved in the death of a young woman called Marie McKay. Is someone trying to stamp out Marie’s killer? And if so, who in Locharran is not who they seem?

A faded photo of a little blond boy with pale eyes has Ally on the right track, but when a woman’s scream shatters the village’s gentle calm, can Ally sort through the secrets before the post delivers another murder?

Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase will love this totally addictive and cozy mystery set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands from bestselling author Dee MacDonald.

Readers love Dee MacDonald:

‘Brilliant mystery… I found myself racing through this one, eager to find out who did what – and to who! A terrific read.’ Grace J Reviewer Lady, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG!… I absolutely adored every single step… Had my jaw dropping!!… One of my favourite books of the year.’ My Chestnut Reading Tree, 5 stars

‘I couldn’t put it down… I genuinely loved it… So vivid, like I was right there with them… I would definitely recommend it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So absorbed I read it in one sitting… I absolutely adored the ending and actually clapped my hands at it!!! Absolutely amazing… I LOVED it.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantastic… I devoured in a single sitting… Plenty of red herrings, twists and turns… Kept me hooked from page one until the very last… Fast-paced, compelling and immensely enjoyable.’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my goodness… absolutely captivating! Filled with twists and turns… kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end… I highly recommend it!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An absolute delight and a must-read… This rapid page-turner is one that will keep you up reading, unable to stop until the very end. I absolutely loved it!’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I feel like I’m right there in the Scottish Highlands... I slipped right back into their world and didn’t want to leave… Warm, charming, and hard to put down… an absolute must.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from the start, right to the end… Excellent… Perfect.’ Mostly Murder, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely delightful!… Such a gripping cozy mystery… my new favorite author for cozy mysteries!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐