I read the first Loch Down Murder Mystery, Loch Down Abbey in 2021 and enjoyed it very much, so I was looking forward to reading Only Murders in the Abbey, set in 1930s Scotland . And I’m glad to say that I thought it was even better than the first one.

The Abbey, formerly the ancestral home of the Ogilvy-Sinclair family is now an hotel, owned by several of the long-standing employees and staffed mainly by the former servants, led by Mrs Alice McBain as the Director of Operations. The manager of the hotel is The Honourable Fergus Ogilvy-Sinclair, the youngest grandson of Lady Georgina, the Dowager Countess of Inverkillen. Her eldest grandson is Lord Angus Inverkillen, the current Earl of Inverkillen.

There are so many characters in this book including family members, hotel staff and guests that I found it difficult to keep track of all of them. However the main characters are very clearly defined and there is a list of all the characters at the beginning of the book, which is a great help.

The book begins the morning after a Highland Ball as Hudson, one of the co-owners of the Abbey, is doing his rounds when he finds a dead body in the Small Library, which had been locked for the Ball. The name of the victim is not revealed. The narrative then goes back to the fortnight before the Ball, introducing the characters and their relationships and it is not until the second half of the book that the identity of the victim is revealed.

Detective Inspector Jarvis from the local constabulary is called in to investigate, but as Mrs McBain thinks he is not ‘the sharpest axe in the shed’. And it is mainly down to her to get to the bottom of the mystery – how a murder could take place in a locked room, who had the motive to commit murder and how was the opium trade in Shanghai involved. As the victim had been stabbed to death the number of suspects includes all the men at the ball who were in Highland dress which includes a sgian-dubh, (pronounced ‘skeen doo’), a small single-edged knife, worn as part of Highland dress in the sock of a kilted Scot. So, there are many suspects, making the investigation tremendously complicated and involving many red herrings, and twists and turns as several secrets and scandals are revealed.The Epilogue introduces yet another unexpected turn.

How on earth Beth Cowan-Erskine kept so many strands in play, set in a richly described location and with believable characters is totally beyond me. But she did, with immense skill making this a most enjoyable book. As she describes it it is ‘a lunatic world’ that she has created. I really hope there will be a third Lock Down Murder Mystery.

Many thanks to the publishers for a review copy via NetGalley.

Loch Down Abbey is full of guests for a Highland Ball. Including several uninvited members of the Inverkillen clan, the Abbey's former residents. Housekeeper Mrs MacBain thinks her biggest challenge will be finding suitable rooms for everyone and keeping the peace at cocktail hour. Until the morning after the ball, when one of the guests is discovered inside the Abbey's library - as dead as a doornail.
The second book in the series & a well written murder mystery. The characters had depth & the pace was good. I do like Mrs MacBain, a part owner of the hotel & housekeeper. There were twists, turns & red herrings & I was kept guessing until the end. I look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

It's four years since [book:Loch Down Abbey|57743434] was published so I was rather curious as what to expect.
Well, a lot.
A lot of people and a lot of secrets - after all that's happened in the first book, and now it seems that things have quite settled down, a lot of family members who moved to (far away) countries decide to come back for the large ball organized by Mrs MacBain, who's somewhat reluctantly accepts help from Lady Victoria (I keep seeing Maggie Smith 😉).

It takes a while for the story to lead up to the evening of the ball but it is a turning point; after the ball, there are even more secrets among the family members and the guests than you could have guessed from the first part of the book.
What I loved is how certain characters really have no idea how the world works and how the staff who are in fact now the owners of Loch Down Abbey keep on working to make it a success. The interactions between them are sometimes hilarious but you have to think about the fact that the impoverished family still thinks they are 'better' than 'the common people'.

Anyway, I can't remember precisely after four years whether or not I thought this book could have done with more editing. There are a lot of people involved but I still cannot wholly figure out who is who, especially not since Lady Victoria has four children but the grandchildren in the story are not the children of her children. I also noticed people having a conversation in one room, and in the next sentence appear to be in another room. There is a murder, yes, and of course the killer is found, but it is absolutely not clear to me what happened there. I think just some extra explanation, even a few sentences, would have added the necessary detail.
The clues as to who the killer is were far and wide between too and I had to go back a few times to see how the clues led up to finding the killer at last.

So, three stars this time and not four, but I enjoyed reading this book because it also contains a lot of sharp characterization and hilarious scenes.

Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for this digital review copy.

A very 'gentle' book, written in the Agatha Christie style. A real 'who dunnit' lots of characters who are not as they seem. Many twists, turns and red herrings. Great fun to read
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance copy.

Set in atmospheric 1939 Scotland, Only Murders in the Abbey is the second in the series, a delightful discovery for Golden Age mystery fans. Locked room mysteries are tricky to get right and I admit to being pleasantly surprised with the conclusion.

Loch Down Abbey has gone through changes, including function and ownership. A Highland Ball is held with a range of guests and interesting family drama on hand. But things take a sinister turn when murder is on the menu and guests grow wary and suspicious.

Spoiled and entitled characters add zip to the story. I'd hate to have friends like them but they can be fun in books. My favourite character is Mrs. MacBain who is full of common sense and diplomacy, an excellent counter balance. Scotland has a special place in my heart and though there are Scottish details, I longed for more. Still. This was a fun book to dive into headfirst and get lost in.

Loch Down Abbey #2

Set in 1930s Scotland. The estate was once owned by an aristocrat, but now it's a hotel. The general manager of the hotel is the former housekeeper, Mrs McBain. The don of the family that used to reside there, Fergus, is also a manager. The hotel is fully booked for a Highland Ball.Many of the InverKillen clan turn up for the ball, but most of them haven't been invited. The next morning a body is found in the library. The local policeman is sent for. No one was allowed to leave. Who was the murderer and why was the victim killed?

When I saw there was a new book in the Loch Down Abbey series, I just had to request it. The story is descriptively written, the pace was steady, the characters were well-developed, an I enjoyed the plot, but there is quite a lot of characters. There were some funny moments, especially with the InverKillen family. As in most cosy crime books, there were plenty of twists and red herrings. I hope there are more books to come in this series.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #BethCowanErskine for my ARC of #OnlyMurdersInTheAbbey in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in this series and is every bit as good as the first one. Set in 1930’s Scotland the story revolves around Loch Down Abbey which has now been turned into a hotel. The book starts very quickly with the discovery of a body and then backtracks to the events leading up to the murder. Throw in a Highland Ball, plenty of interesting guests to be the suspects, the formidable Mrs McBain who runs the hotel and a slightly incompetent policeman and you have the formula for a successful cosy crime novel.
I enjoyed this book, there were a lot of characters to remember, some from the previous book but enough to keep me interested. I love a locked room mystery and this one kept me reading until the end. I hope there will be more in this series.

Its difficult to write a review without giving away too much of the plot, but here in this second outing for the series we find the hotel being owned by the former head housekeeper and bizarrely the family now acting as staff?!? They however still feel an entitlement and try to continue as normal. The murders in the title are a long awaited feature of the narrative which is long winded and overly so much of the time odds that against the vast cast list and it makes for a convoluted tale. That's not to entirely dismiss it, it is ok - not a must read but entertaining enough.

I read Beth Cowan-Erskine's first novel, Loch Down Abbey, and found it a fun (if sometimes confusing) read. I was intrigued to see her bring back Loch Down Abbey and many of its original characters.

It is 1939 and Loch Down Abbey has been turned into a hotel. Fergus, one of the sons of the late Lord Inverkillen, is helping to run the hotel. Mrs. MacBain, the housekeeper, is preparing for the first Highland style ball when, one by one, various members of the family find themselves back at Loch Down, demanding rooms and special treatment. Along with these arrivals are some nefarious creatures whose presence leads to three deaths and a mystery to be solved. A nice cozy mystery for a cold and rainy night!

I had to refresh my memory as to the characters but once I did I found it fun to re-enter the world of Loch Down Abbey. Dare I hope this becomes a series?

Even more fun than the first title in the series (Loch Down Abbey)! Now the former staff are the owners of the Abbey, currently run as a hotel, and younger son, Fergus is a manager. Suddenly the far flung family members are arriving "home," and having difficulty remembering that it's no longer the "family home" they remember. Oh yes, and Mrs MacBain is planning a ball! Spoiled brat family members, difficult hotel guests, and of course murder! Ideal entertainment for a cold snowy winter's day. I look forward to the next book in the series.

A good classic murder mystery should be fun to read and have a plot that keeps you guessing without being too obscure. 'Only Murders in the Abbey' ticks both boxes perfectly. As bonuses it also has sympathetic characters, a 1930s country house setting, and even a satisfying ending. It's a sequel to 'Loch Down Abbey' - it wouldn't be essential to have read the former first to enjoy this one, but you will get spoilers if you read out of order. The grand house introduced in the first novel is now being run as a hotel, run by the formidable Mrs McBain. The hotel hosts its first ball, and a body is found the morning after. There are no shortage of suspects to choose from in a hotel full of entitled upper class guests. squabbling family members of the former owners, and of course the staff who keep everything running. Can Mrs McBain and out-of-his-depth local policeman Inspector Jarvis solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt?

The book opens strongly with the discovery of the body - although doesn't reveal whose it is. Then it rewinds to recount the time leading up to the ball - introducing all the characters and a shining array of possible murderous motives and poorly hidden secrets - which takes about half the book. Then the second half picks up from the murder and concerns the investigation. Both are strong and well written, but things really get compelling once the investigation kicks off and it was hard to put down. The first part is good too, as lots happens and as you don't know who will be murdered, you can enjoy trying to guess that as well. I liked this structure better than the 'flashback' style of a lot of crime novels where you are constantly going back and forth. The linear structure felt more realistic and you felt you had the same information as the investigating characters, giving more of a sense of control.

There are a number of likeable and interesting characters, including Mrs McBain herself who is a strong central character. But even the family members grew on me in this novel, despite being infuriating and often very badly behaved. I preferred this sequel to the original 'Loch Down Abbey' as it felt a bit more original and broader in scope, although the first is also good an worth reading. I have the feeling Cowan-Erskine will write a third, and I absolutely think she could/should. There is more mileage to be got from the ongoing characters, and we all know that every country house in the 1930s was beset by constant murders (at least, so literature would have us believe!).

If you enjoy so called 'cosy crime' (as opposed to 'gritty' crime) then this is definitely one for the reading list. It's very well crafted, and I didn't quite guess the ending which is unusual, which always suggests to me the plot was well executed.

Only Murders in the Abbey" is the second book in the Loch Down Abbey series, set in the picturesque yet turbulent 1930s Scotland. The story unfolds at Loch Down Abbey, a grand estate now a grand hotel. The hotel is full of guests for the Highland Ball. Including members of the Inverskillen clan. Many of them who where not invited but have turned up for the ball. Expecting to have free lodgings.
The morning after the ball a body is found in a locked library. The local bobby is sent to investigate what went on. Making sure the guests don’t leave. Which is a big task as there is several people there with their own agendas. Who wants that person dead and why?
At first, I was a bit concerned as I have not read the first book n this series. But it was easy to get into. But for me personally thought that the main subject of the book (Murder) to a long time to get going. There was a lot of build up to this story. Which at times I thought about giving up. But I am glad I carried on. This is interesting read with a whole load of eclectic characters. 3,5 stars from me.

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant

This cosy crime novel will keep readers on their toes. Loch Down Abbey is packed to the gills for a Highland Ball, bringing much life back to the former family home turned hotel. Mrs MacBain, housekeeper turned part hotelier has more of a challenge in ensuring the Inverkillen clan – former owners – are properly housed (heaven forbid she’d offend) – alongside unexpected visitors who claim friendship to the family. The morning after the ball, however, a body is found in the library and Mrs MacBain is once again in charge of securing the suspect. Who would want them dead? Who had motive? And how could the death occur inside a locked room? It’s both a lot of fun to read and to try and work out the culprit.

Only Murders in the Abbey is the second instalment in this series.
wonderfully paced, and captivating throughout.

This is the second book in this cozy crime series set at fictional Loch Down Abbey and set in a beautifully described Scottish village. Having not read the first book the initial worry was that I would not be able to pick this up but despite the vast quantity of characters I was able to do so easily and throughly enjoyed the book.

Well written and told at a good pace I enjoyed the plot and the characters and will be going back to read the first in the series.

Good cozy crime which can be read as a standalone and I will also be looking out for future books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t gripped and it took me such a long time to get into this book that I nearly gave up a few times. I’m glad I finished it but it wasn’t the best. The plot was holey and clunky. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the story a lot. The idea of a family manor turned into a hotel and the whole family coming back was interesting and the story was amusing. I really liked the way the characters were confronted with it and how it showed their development from the first part of the series. They were still as loveable and strange as always and I can imagine some more stories with them. I really liked Mrs McBain and her capability to solve the crime, The policeman Jarvis was a good Dr Watson in a way.
I can recommend this book!

Set in 1930’s Scotland, this cozy murder mystery was perfect to snuggle up with on a cold and gloomy day!
Some wonderful characters, the perfect setting and a real Agatha Christie style locked room mystery!
Highly recommend !
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

3.75 stars

This continues the story of Loch Down Abbey, which went from a private estate belonging to a wealthy aristocratic family to a servant (now employee) owned hotel. The general manager is former head housekeeper Mrs. McBain, a supremely competent woman with a bent for solving crimes and taking care of problems. Fergus, a son of the rich family who once lived there, is her fellow manager. And they have their hands full. They have a hotel full of paying guests but matters get complicated when various eccentric members of the family keep showing up, blithely assuming they can stay for free and get waited on like the good old days.

And matters aren't helped when the first murder occurs. A mysterious woman formerly of Shanghai has fled the political upheaval there and showed up with an associate and her nephew. Something is not quite right about her and soon her body is discovered. Hints of opium trade, brothels, political shenanigans and blackmail float around and it is up to Mrs McBain and local constable Jarvis to figure it out.

Entertaining, nicely paced, and full of mostly clueless aristocrats complicating the situation. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.