The Shetland Poisonings (Ghosts of the Vikings)
Cass Lynch’s mother has organised a Scottish tour with her opera company. The singing is going well, but Cass soon sees that things aren’t so smooth backstage. Brooding tenor Nicolas wants to resume his relationship with mezzo Kamilla, the latest sparkling classical celebrity, but she’s more interested in Caleb, a young bass who seems to have Shetland links he wants to keep secret. Kamilla’s TV profile means she’s upstaging Cass’s glamorous mother, Eugénie – that’s bound to cause trouble. Then, just before the company arrives at the restored Georgian house of Belmont, a Viking treasure hoard is found ...
Praise for The Shetland Poisonings (Ghosts of the Vikings)
“Once again Marsali Taylor has pulled off a difficult feat: a convincing murder mystery set in an environment where crime more usually means a traffic offence or too much to drink. What’s more, she does it with style, originality and that essential quality, readability. ”
— Lynne Patrick, Mystery People
Sailing in Khalida.
A view over the long bay of Lunda Wick, where Cass anchors Khalida. The walls of the Norse chapel are surrounded by the graveyard. This was taken from by the broch. The stones in the field just below are the excavation of the older longhouse, and there are boat noosts in this shingle bay.
The Viking house of Upper Underhoull, where Cass’s night patrol is interrupted by treasure-hunters and a Viking ghost.
Bordastubble Stone, on the road down to Lund Kirk.
The Norse St Olav’s Kirk. Lund. The smaller graves in front of the kirk date from the Norse era.
The restored Belmont House in Unst, where Maman’s opera company stayed and performed.
Our writers’ group spent a wonderful weekend in Belmont House. This is the front door of Belmont House, from the hall.
The drawing room of Belmont House, where the singers perform.
The Gazebo at Belmont, where Cass overhears Kamilla arguing with someone – but who?
The wonderful boxed-in bath! I wanted to take this home with me, but I thought they’d notice ...
The ruins of Lund House – since this photo was taken, they’ve been taken down to shoulder height, for safety.
The doorstep of Lund House, with the devil’s footprint hidden underneath.
The ferry between Yell and Unst.
Looking down on Hay’s Dock. Mareel is the modern building on the right.
Author Comment
For this book I wanted to write about Maman’s opera company touring Shetland, and also wanted to focus on our Viking past. I’d used Busta House already, so I had to think of another country place they could perform, and the newly-restored Belmont House was perfect – especially as a recent archaeological project had focused on Viking Unst. Our writers’ group had their inaugural Writing Weekend at Belmont House – a fabulous way of doing research! When we returned the following year I’d spent the time in between writing, and the book had become so real to me that I kept expecting to meet Maman sweeping down the stairs.