Deadly Editions by Paige Shelton

 

I received a free e-copy of this novel from NetGAlley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have not read a novel by Paige Shelton before, and this particular one was number 6 in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. Delaney Nichols, bookseller, has been invited on a treasure hunt through Edinburgh insearch of a valuable edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The hunt is the idea of socialite Shelagh O'Connor, who has a most intersting and checkered past surrounding the novel. After the first meeting of the treasdure hunters, a crime spree begins that connects to SHelagh and her past misdeeds. Soon after that is the murder of a man that may or may not be connected to SHelagh. Now Delaney must decide if searching for the valuable book is truly worth her life as it becomes clear that she is within someone's sights.

I enjoyed this novel. Delaney was practical and down to earth. She never went anywhere with backup and/or letting enough people know what she was doing. I enjoyed the fact that she didn't have an "archnemesis" like some mysteries usually have. And I enjoyed the fact that she was an AMerican but in love with her new home in Edinburgh. I read too many mystery novels in Cape Cod or thereabouts that this location was new and different.

I also enjoyed the use of Edinburgh's pubs. That was truly inspired, to show the various locales. I would have liked a little more history with the pubs to be incorporated into the hunt. it basically felt like a casual glance. 

Overall I rate this 4 out of 5 stars.