Finished, finally. This book seemed to go on for a long time. It could be blamed on being filled with an impressive number of details. This situation can be chalked up to changes in writing styles through the years.

Mary Stewart, one of the 20th century’s best selling authors, would be over 100 if she were alive today. Imagine the differences in writing over that space of time. The pace was slower, dialogue different, actions and locations described with enough information to paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Way back in the day, Ms Stewart was one of my favorite authors but the last couple of decades have brought an abundance of changes in the writing world and while I enjoyed today’s experience it didn’t meet the highs of my early reads. She is a good writer though and tells an engaging story. I’ll admit to skipping over large chunks (chapters, mostly) but it was still worth the read.

I joked in an earlier post about suspecting the butler of these murders. The hotel didn’t have one so that let him off the hook. There were plenty of red herrings thrown to keep us off the track so the ending was a surprise. But not a total surprise.

Anyway, it was a good read. It was set in Scotland, in treacherous mountains. There were colorful characters of all stripes, grating against each other for the most part. On reflection, I can’t think of anyone qualifying as mild mannered. Mind you, mild mannered doesn’t make for much of an interesting story. We need to see a few fireworks every now and then and see them we did.

Wildfire at Midnight

The tense, twisty murder mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat, from the author of Madam, Will You Talk?/font size>

‘Mary Stewart is magic’ New York Times

Following a heart-breaking divorce, Gianetta retreats to the Isle of Skye hoping to find tranquillity in the island’s savage beauty.

But shortly before her arrival a girl’s body is found on the craggy slopes of the looming Blue Mountain, and with the murderer still on the loose, there’s nothing to stop him from setting his sights on Gianetta next . 

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For the next read I think a complete change of pace would be an excellent choice.

Hiding in Montana (Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit Book 3) 

A fugitive at large…

This K-9 is on his trail.

To save a woman from being kidnapped, Officer Chris Fuller and his K-9 partner, Teddy, have no choice but to let the fugitive they’re tracking get away. But when the escaped murderer returns to hunt tour pilot Lexie McDaniels again, Chris knows the attempted kidnapping wasn’t a chance encounter. Lexie won’t be safe until he catches the criminal…but are her secrets what is endangering them all?

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Laura Scott is a new favorite, I’ve enjoyed her offerings over the last couple of years and look forward to this one too. It’s a mystery, but with a modern treatment this time.

Check it out, it’s still a bargain. Both books are, if you are interested.

Happy Reading.