The Shetland Sea Murders
Indomitable sailor Cass has a weekend job as mate on board Shetland’s own tall ship, the converted fishing boat Swan. It’s a charter for a family 60th birthday, but the atmosphere’s less than festive, with one niece determined to bring the birthday boy to court over historic child abuse, and her sister equally determined to deny it all. Their mother lived on Papa as a young woman, and it’s clear the isle holds many memories for her, not all pleasant. Then there’s the stranger who’s come to live on Papa; why are the residents determined he’s not staying? The past casts long shadows – and when Cass is asked to return to Papa, she soon needs all her wits to survive.
This ninth adventure has Cass exploring the western corner of Shetland under sail in a story of past trauma returning to affect the present day.
Reviews:
Ellen on Amazon, ***** Suspenseful and evocative, The Shetland Sea Murders is a welcome addition to a series that continues to grow stronger and stronger with every entry.
Mrs M Macdonald, on Amazon, ***** One of the things I love about this series is that along with a good 'whodunnit' you get wonderful descriptions of Shetland on both land & sea along with some wonderful & quirky characters. This series just gets better & better. It could be read & enjoyed as a stand alone but it is even more enjoyable when you have got to know Cass & the people that surround her. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book- what is going to happen in book ten- can't wait to find out!
Intheamazone ***** Atmospheric, Foreboding Mystery. The ninth in the Shetland Sailing Mystery series finds Cass Lynch onboard for the very last chartered sailing trip of the season. When
awoken by a mayday call, so begins a catalogue of catastrophic events. Written beautifully, pulling in all possible strands of atmosphere and foreboding, bringing the Shetlands with their
history, people, traditions and sheer beauty to life. Immersive and engaging reading and a very worthy addition to the series. (Many thanks to NetGalley/ Publisher/ Author)
Elaine Tomasso **** I would like to thank Netgalley and Headline for an advance copy of The Shetland Sea Murders, the ninth novel to feature sailor Cass Lynch. Cass is moonlighting on a tourist trip round the Shetland Isles when she hears a mayday call from a fishing vessel run aground on rocks. The call is still on her mind when some strange events, a murder and an accidental death play out over the next few days. Cass soon learns that indulging her curiosity could be life threatening.
I enjoyed The Shetland Sea Murders for its plot, characterisation and sense of place. I don’t know anything about boats so the sailing aspect passed me by, but it’s detailed so will no doubt be of great interest to those with even a passing knowledge.The plot held my interest throughout. It is on the surface quite simple with a limited cast of suspects and a strong prime contender, but it’s difficult to cut through all the misdirection the author throws in, with history, alternative scenarios and several motives blurring the narrative, and get to the truth before Cass. There is also a big twist, taking the novel in a different direction than I had thought it would go. It’s well done and quite baffling.
I mentioned the sense of location which is strong, showing island life in all its glory, good or bad according to taste. I think the author is great at showing it as it is. She also takes the reader on some detailed trips round the islands, which I think will intrigue most readers. Unfortunately it is totally lost on me as illness has taken away my ability to visualise and place things in geographic context. I definitely lost a lot as this is a visual novel, but I can still appreciate the effect it will have on other readers.
I like Cass Lynch who seems almost naive in her fearlessness. Anyone else would think twice but she just batters on. It’s refreshing.
The Shetland Sea Murders is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Shetland’s own tall ship, Swan, moored up in Vementry. She was one of the last Fifies to be built here in Shetland, and was a working fishing boat until the late 50s. She was restored as a sail training ship in the 90s, doing school and charter trips, visiting boat festivals and competing in the Tall Ships races.
The guns of Vementry, looking out over St Magnus Bay.
The caves at the back of Vementry, where Moon fell in – or was she pushed?
The ferry pier and bay, with the stacks and reef at the entrance behind.
Houses on Papa Stour, up from the ferry pier.
The Papa Stour Kirk, now in community ownership.
Inside Papa Stour kirk, looking from the balcony.
The island of Foula seen from the Swan.
The school on Foula.
Sheep on Foula.
The reconstructed stoffa on Papa Stour.
The airstrip on Papa Stour, where Cass had a close encounter with a motorbike.
Author Comment
For this book I drew on a voyage I’d had in Swan some years earlier: a night at Vementry, a trip to the guns, a fantastic RIB ride through the caves and a visit to Foula. While I was plotting it, a fishing boat went ashore on the Ve Skerries – and the rest is my imagination.