The Cracked Spine: A Scottish Bookshop Mystery

I was somewhat disappointed with this book. An interesting premise but waiting to read second book for final judgment. Kept on reading because of the setting since I love Edinburgh but the plot and characters were not very interesting. Am a Paige Shelton fan but will wait for more books in this new series. I'm glad I waited for the paperback version

This book from an established author begins shockingly badly. I have read one chapter and am not likely to finish the book. Really - " 'Aye' meant 'yes'." Duh.... worse - "It was Scotland, after all - the home of the likes of outlandish and murderous Shakespearean characters like Macduff...." Just a hint - Macbeth was the murderous one in the Scottish Play.

Finally - references to assumptions about red hair and the name Delaney makes it clear the author thinks Scotland is really Ireland.

Implausible and tedious. I kept waiting for something to happen, for the teasers to lead to something. Alas, it's one of those "main character shleps all over town gabbing with people and eventually does something monumentally stupid and dangerous" sort of plots.

As another reviewer has noted, you don't just snag a work visa and move to another country in a blink of the eye. Why the UK would grant someone a work visa to be a bookshop clerk, when there are plenty of British citizens qualified for the job is more of a mystery than the mystery in the story! This inexperienced young woman has one telephone conversation with a guy and hops on a plane to another country to go work for him. Is she nuts? That's how young women are snared into sex-trafficking slavery. I can suspend (dis)belief with the best of them, but this is just ridiculous.

Even setting aside the absurdities of the set-up, I don't like the draggy underdeveloped story. Books that are intended to be part of a series should still stand alone as fully-developed stories. This one does not. Is my curiosity piqued so that I want to find out what happens next? No.

For me this is a one and done. Too bad, because I like Edinburgh.

I wanted to like this book, but could not. I ended up disliking the main character. She is way too nosy and is frequently irritating. Even though the setup of the series seemed interesting, I won't read any more of it.

Charming concept is undermined by plodding plot development, cul de sacs of ideas (e.g. the "talking books") and completely implausible character behavior. I wanted to rewrite this story for the author.

THE CRACKED SPINE is the first in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series from author Paige Shelton and the story starts off with a bang from the very first paragraph! You know you’re in for a wonderful ride following the protagonist, Delaney Nichols, as she begins a new adventure leaving her old life behind in Wichita, Kansas and moving to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Delaney is laid off from her position at a small museum in Wichita and answers a help wanted ad placed by the owner, Edwin MacAlister, for a position at a book and rare manuscript shop in Edinburgh. Upon reaching Scotland, she meets and befriends the other two employees who work in the shop: Hamlet, the young man who has had a rough life and Rosie, the elderly woman who is quite the character and takes her adorable dog, Hector, everywhere with her.

Delaney from Kansas in America, as everyone in Scotland seems to call her, is barely getting settled in when Edwin’s sister is brutally murdered. Edwin had entrusted his sister, who battled drug addiction most of her life, with an extremely rare and valuable manuscript which is now missing. With Edwin grieving both the loss of his sister and the manuscript, Delaney decides to start asking questions and see if she can help her new boss. It’s not long before she is pulled in to wanting to find the murderer, especially when her young co-worker, Hamlet, becomes one of the suspects.

THE CRACKED SPINE was a charming read and I loved how the author used Scottish words and accents in the dialog. It added authenticity. Paige also portrayed the new people in Delaney’s life as warm, caring, openly friendly people which is exactly what I experienced firsthand during a wonderful visit to Scotland. There were also a lot of twists and turns in the plot so I was kept guessing about the real culprit. I certainly will be following The Scottish Bookshop Mystery series closely and wait in anticipation for the next installment!

Charming concept is undermined by plodding plot development, cul de sacs of ideas (e.g. the "talking books") and completely implausible character behavior. I wanted to rewrite this story for the author.

THE CRACKED SPINE is the first in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series from author Paige Shelton and the story starts off with a bang from the very first paragraph! You know you’re in for a wonderful ride following the protagonist, Delaney Nichols, as she begins a new adventure leaving her old life behind in Wichita, Kansas and moving to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Delaney is laid off from her position at a small museum in Wichita and answers a help wanted ad placed by the owner, Edwin MacAlister, for a position at a book and rare manuscript shop in Edinburgh. Upon reaching Scotland, she meets and befriends the other two employees who work in the shop: Hamlet, the young man who has had a rough life and Rosie, the elderly woman who is quite the character and takes her adorable dog, Hector, everywhere with her.

Delaney from Kansas in America, as everyone in Scotland seems to call her, is barely getting settled in when Edwin’s sister is brutally murdered. Edwin had entrusted his sister, who battled drug addiction most of her life, with an extremely rare and valuable manuscript which is now missing. With Edwin grieving both the loss of his sister and the manuscript, Delaney decides to start asking questions and see if she can help her new boss. It’s not long before she is pulled in to wanting to find the murderer, especially when her young co-worker, Hamlet, becomes one of the suspects.

THE CRACKED SPINE was a charming read and I loved how the author used Scottish words and accents in the dialog. It added authenticity. Paige also portrayed the new people in Delaney’s life as warm, caring, openly friendly people which is exactly what I experienced firsthand during a wonderful visit to Scotland. There were also a lot of twists and turns in the plot so I was kept guessing about the real culprit. I certainly will be following The Scottish Bookshop Mystery series closely and wait in anticipation for the next installment!

I am still on the fence with this book and not sure if the series will fully hold my attention.

Edwin MacAlister is looking for a new archivist for his eccentric bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland. Kansan, Delaney Nichols is currently without a job so why not take a 4,000-mile leap of faith and accept a job where she is literally a fish out of water.

The big question in this book, for me at least, is why would a man trust his drug-addicted sister with a priceless first folio? Yet, that is what Edwin MacAlister did when he handed his sister Jenny a rare object in hopes of bolstering her self-esteem. The rest of the book has Delany, who is taken in by a ragtag group of fellow employees and the cabdriver that delivered her to the bookshop on her first day in Edinburgh, searching all over the village and surrounding area looking for this missing folio following the death of Jenny. Now add in Delaney’s ability to hear voices from books and a local pub owner that has taken a sudden liking to Delaney and you have an over stretched attempt at a first in a series cozy mystery.

I want to believe that this series will get better over time, but I am weary. The writing is middling, the mystery is not so mysterious, the love interest is typical, yet the accompanying characters add a missing charm. Will I come back? In time, I might try one more before I make my final decision.

Title: The Cracked Spine - A Scottish Bookshop Mystery Book 1
Author: Paige Shelton
Published: 3-29-2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books
Pages: 305
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Amateur Sleuths; Cozy Mystery; Crafts & Hobbies
ISBN: 13: 9781250057488
ASIN: B0151U7X3A
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4.25

I received a copy of "The Cracked Spine " from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Description: From the Publisher

Wanted: A bold adventurer who wants to travel the world from a comfortable and safe spot behind a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes. A humble book and rare manuscript shop seeks a keenly intelligent investigator to assist us in our search for things thought lost, and in our quest to return lost items to their rightful owners.

Never an adventurer, no one was more surprised than Delaney Nichols when she packed her bags and moved halfway across the world to Edinburgh, Scotland to start a job at The Cracked Spine, a bookshop located in the heart of the city. Her new boss, Edwin MacAlister, has given her the opportunity of a lifetime, albeit a cryptic one, and Delaney can’t wait to take her spot behind the desk.

The Cracked Spine is filled with everything a book lover could want, each item as eclectic as the people who work there; the spirited and lovable Rosie, who always has tiny dog Hector in tow; Hamlet, a nineteen-year-old thespian with a colored past and bright future; and Edwin, who is just as enigmatic and mysterious as Delaney expected. An extra bonus is Tom the bartender from across the street, with his cobalt eyes, and a gentle brogue—and it doesn’t hurt that he looks awfully good in a kilt.

But before she can settle into her new life, a precious artifact goes missing, and Edwin’s sister is brutally murdered. Never did Delaney think that searching for things lost could mean a killer, but if she’s to keep her job, and protect her new friends, she’ll need to learn the truth behind this Scottish tragedy.

My Review:

An interesting premise for a cozy series. As a lover of books I already and knew books talked to me in my head as I read them, but lead character, Delaney Nichols truly has books speaking to her. She doesn't know how brave she is until she is called upon. Paige Shelton describes her scenes in such a way as to bring them to life for the reader, sniff the air and you can smell the heather on the hillside or the muskiness of the books in the bookshop. All the characters carry secrets that are revealed as the book progresses. As a starter "The Cracked Spine" provides a good base point for a new series and for what I hope is a series that last a long time. There is a spot that is a bit slow in the first half, but it is only a few paragraphs and does prove important later in the book. I look forward to read more about Delaney and the others soon.

Delaney Nichols is ready for a fresh start. One away from the life she knows in Kansas. When she's let go from her job at a museum, she answers a curious job ad from The Cracked Spine (a small bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland) and it's mysterious owner Edwin MacAlister. With a taste for adventure and mysterious habit of "talking" to books, Delaney jumps at the opportunity of a lifetime to start anew.

Landing in Edinburgh, she gets off the plane and happens to hop into Elias's cab. He's a father type- friendly and open. Elias drops Delaney off at The Cracked Spine. Immediately, she is welcomed and accepted by the others who work at the bookstore, Rosie, an older woman with a young spirit, who always has her adorable bundle of fur, Hector, near by and Hamlet, who true to his name is a theatrical young man with a rather shady past. Finally, she meets Edwin, the owner who promised her a dream job, where she would sit at the desk previously used by royalty. Edwin is seemingly intelligent, with an aristocratic air, opens up a hidden world of antique collectables to Delaney. A world that is full of secret societies, priceless treasures, and mysterious characters.

Delaney soon finds a home, an adorable cottage behind Elias and his wife Aggie, a mystery to solve, and a new romance with Tom, the owner of a local pub, aptly named Delaney's Pub. The mystery comes into play when Edwin's sister, a drug addict who he's entrusted with a First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, is murdered. A stranger in a strange place, Delaney begins a journey to solve the murder, find the Folio, and settle into her new home.

The Cracked Spine is a comfy cozy mystery that captures your imagination and really draws you in. It's hard to stop reading, so I recommend finding a free afternoon or evening and just reading it all the way through. There are some parts where you have to suspend belief and give in to other worldly plot lines, but they are few and far between. The Cracked Spine is a fun read, the first in this new series, and I can't wait to see (or read) where Paige Shelton takes this series next.

Review first appeared on my blog, Monograms & Margaritas.

So in my continued interest in books about books, bookshops, booksellers, libraries, librarians, etc. I picked up “The Cracked Spine” by Paige Shelton. While I enjoy an immersive experience when I read, I have to admit that the “Scottish accents” got to be a little annoying and started to slow down my reading. I found myself having to stop and think about what words were being said and how to pronounce them before continuing on. I will admit, that I started to substitute the English version of the words, rather than to try to read in the Scottish accent. For example, in the book the word for know is ken; to is tae; and didn’t is dinnae. I ken ye dinnae think it was a big deal but it was for ye. Get the drift?

Anyway, the gist of the book without giving away spoilers is an American book lover takes a job in Scotland and shortly after she arrives, a murder takes place which involves her new boss and some of her co-workers. She finds herself in the middle of something big and has to find her way out. The action starts from the nearly the beginning of the book and continues all the way through. Minus the Scottish accent annoyance, which honestly, just may be me, it was another page turner! No gory descriptions etc. just good clean suspense set in a bookish world in Scotland. A definite 4 out of 5 stars!

This was another fun read for me, so not a lot to offer in the “highlight” area except this which I believe is a GEM!

Chapter 25
Page 257 · “I often say that we should only be judged on two things: if we’re kind, and if we read books. Kindness is priority number one, but the books part is important too.”

This is the first time in years I've read more than half the book and just didn't want to waste the time to finish it.

I don't like the heroine. I'm not sure why she suddenly went to Scotland, and I know that a heroine sometimes needs a gimmick, but hearing the voices of characters in books isn't a very fun one. DeLaney is nosy. There is no reason at all for her to be investigating the murder of a woman she never met because she works at a bookshop owned by the woman's brother. None of the other characters are interesting either. I didn't want to get to know any of them, except maybe for Hector. Hector is the Yorkie.

I was so excited to find this series and settle in to some good mystery reading. I am about sixty pages in and just can't go on. First... nothing really happens. There are endless hints and teasers in the first sixty pages, and many characters are introduced., but other than that? Not much. But what really killed this book for me was the reference to Shakespeare's First Folio. The author writes that the Folger Museum has "twentysomething" copies of the First Folio. Now, I am no Shakespeare expert, but even I know this is flat out wrong. I googled it and in about one second confirmed that "twenty-something" is wildly inaccurate. Folger collected 82 First Folios. Was there no fact checker for this book? And now how do I know everything else the author is telling me is true? I recently read the excellent mystery "Miss Pym Disposes" by Josephine Tey. There is just no comparison.

Delaney, who loves books and old things, was laid off from her museum job in Kansas where she has lived her whole life. When she sees an ad for a ‘bold adventurer to search for lost things’ she decides to journey to take a job at ‘a humble book and rare manuscript shop’…in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Delaney arrives in Edinburgh excited to start her job at The Cracked Spine. She is helped by a friendly cabdriver, Elias, who practically adopts her. Delaney meets her boss, the wealthy and seemingly eccentric Edwin, and co-workers, the young acting student, Hamlet, and a mostly cheery bookkeeper, Rosie, with her shoulder ‘drape’ dog, Hector. Delaney spends one day with Edwin at a secretive auction where she meets three of his friends who express worries about Edwin and his sister, Jenny, who was supposed to join them but didn’t show. Before Delaney can even explore the overstuffed bookshop with its secret nooks, or learn her duties at work, tragedy strikes when Jenny is murdered.

Delaney has a special knack for finding lost things, especially books. It seems that a special item has gone missing and it may be related to Jenny’s murder. Was she killed because of the object? Did the object lead Jenny to the wrong people? Were any of Edwin’s friends involved? Even Hamlet is carefully questioned by the detectives. Delaney enlists the help of her new friend, Elias, to run her around town to do her own questioning of suspects, while Elias’ wife helps put together pieces of a torn letter Delaney slipped out of Jenny’s apartment. As Delaney relentlessly pursues the murder mystery, she gets the chance to flirt with sparks of romance with a handsome barman who owns the smallest pub in Edinburgh.

I was pulled in by Delaney’s warm character, and the promise of a fun story, within the first chapter. I liked each new character as they were introduced and enjoyed the character development. The mystery was well plotted with a twist that kept the murderer a surprise till the end. Not only is Delaney's investigation engaging, I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the Gaelic accents that the author shares.

This is a wonderful cozy mystery and I do hope there will be more in this series with these friendly and quirky characters. I noted this book is offered in audio. I listened to the sample and I think it would be a really fun listen. I am inclined to check out more series by Paige Shelton in the meantime. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a good, cozy mystery with warm characters and lovely setting.

I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.

‘The Cracked Spine’ is the fabulous first in series of A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. In my opinion, this is will be one of the best new cozy mystery series of 2016.
The author gives new meaning to relocating for work by moving Delaney from Kansas farm country USA to Edinburgh, Scotland! I felt a kinship with Delaney from the first page, but not because of her degrees or being raised on a farm. It wasn’t even due to her work in a museum, although I envy her knowledge of history and artifacts. It is Delaney’s complete love of reading and her initial lack of boldness that made me feel like a secret relative. As she answered the ad for an ‘intelligent investigator’, a ’bold adventurer’ who would travel worldwide from the ‘safe spot behind a desk’, in a ‘humble book and rare manuscripts shop’ in Edinburgh, Scotland, I wanted to be Delaney! Especially as she talked with owner Edwin MacAlister and made plans to move across the pond. This fascinating mystery allowed me to be an armchair investigator as young and educated as Delaney when she hopped into Elias’ cab at the Edinburgh airport, who with his wife would become two of her closest friends.
Delaney immersed herself in her new position at the Cracked Spine in Old Town Edinburgh, attending her first rare item auction on her first day of work. Edwin’s sister Jenny was to attend but she didn’t show up among the eccentric, wealthy group of buyers and sellers. When Edwin finds his sister murdered, Delaney and co-workers Rosie and Hamlet try to figure out who the killer might be. This reader was glad to be ‘just’ an armchair investigator as Delaney traveled from Old Town Edinburgh to the city under the city, to the sleazy part of town amid drug dealers and gang members. While Jenny may have been murdered for what Edwin entrusted her with, a priceless rare first edition of Shakespeare’s First Folio from the 1600’s, maybe someone from her lifestyle of addiction came back around.
The author introduces us to people of various backgrounds, skillfully building the characters until Delaney, Edwin, Elias, his wife Aggie, and Tom Fletcher, owner of Delaney’s Wee Pub, could have stepped from the pages. Other characters are unique but not as richly defined. Delaney’s ‘bookish voices’ seem to come and go at their discretion, but her instincts were spot-on with many people she met. The Scottish accents and the terms that differ from ours were charming; I could almost hear the characters as they spoke.
The plot is intriguing, and includes at least two mysteries within the primary mystery. The author has planned and executed this novel with excellence, aplomb, and depth. The story is delivered with easy-going humor, edge-of-the seat scene changes, stunning plot twists and turns, and a red herring or two just for fun. The suspects were several and varied from the druggies in Jenny’s neighborhood to upper-crust collectors. This reader was not able to identify the real bad guy/ gal or ascertain the motive. The conclusion was satisfying, with all loose ends closed. This is not a fast read, but one to be savored while touring the centuries-old city. ‘The Cracked Spine’ has my highest recommendation. If one likes cozy mysteries, Scotland, books and folklore, one may fall in love with it as I have.
With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

The book starts by quoting this help-wanted ad:

Wanted: A bold adventurer who would love to travel the world from a comfortable and safe spot behind a desk that has seen the likes of kings and queens, paupers and princes. A humble book and rare manuscript shop seeks a keenly intelligent investigator to assist us in our search for things thought lost, and in our quest to return lost items to their rightful owners. This multitasked position will take you places you can't even imagine. Apply only if you're ready for everything to change. Please note: the position is located in Edinburgh, Scotland.

When Delaney Nichols, a 29-year-old, newly downsized museum worker in Wichita, Kansas, reads this, she can't help but email a reply. In minutes, the shop's proprietor with his Scottish accent and unfamiliar Scottish vocabulary calls her. After an hour and half on the phone, she is hired.

Thus begins an adventure that literally lives up to the promise of the advertisement. A day into her tenure at The Cracked Spine, a hole-in-the-wall bookshop in old Edinburgh, Delaney is drawn into a murder in the shop owner's family. It's a whirlwind introduction to life and culture in Scotland as well as the world of antiquarian booksellers.

With that general outline, let me tell you about my experience with this book. I started it during a period of unwelcome wakefulness at 2 a.m. As I read, the first few chapters drew me into the adventure with a charm and sense of slight otherworldliness I haven't felt since starting the first Harry Potter book years ago. I knew I was in the hands of a master storyteller leading me into a tale of wonder with unexpected, delightful events and people along with a frisson of vaguely ominous overtones. (Would the book exert the same thrall if started while riding the bus or waiting at the dentist's office? Probably.)

I'd been wondering what propelled Paige Shelton's 12th mystery novel, the first in her fourth series, into hardcover for her first time. Now I know; this story is a cut above the others, good as they are. People will hear about this book and ask for it at the library. Thus, hardcover. I am not the only one thinking this is a special book.

My first two sessions with the book maintained that special master-storyteller feel. Then, about the time the murder was discovered, some of the mystical charm slipped away, and we got back to a well-told, fascinating mystery story in the gritty, real-life yet still charming city of Edinburgh.

As Delaney begins her job in the bookshop, we learn all sorts of exciting and curiosity-raising bits of information. The shop owner has a "warehouse" (actually just a big well-locked room) full of wonderful historical items he's collected over his lifetime, including, for example, an old desk where Delaney will work. It once belonged to King William II in the late sixteen hundreds. It's an example of the treasures there, but we get only a glimpse of the rest of it. At this point, the murder occurs and the focus turns to Delaney's efforts to help solve the murder.

As always, in any amateur sleuth story, one wonders why she would do that. The reasons seem natural and nearly convincing--certainly as convincing as in most cozy mysteries.

The compact cast of characters includes the shop owner, Edwin McAllister, and his two other employees, who quickly become family to Delaney. There are also the cab driver and his wife, Elias and Aggie, who become Delaney's landlords. Elias's protective instincts take over during the initial cab ride to the bookshop from the airport; by the second day, the couple is ready to adopt Delaney. Then there's the occasionally kilt-wearing handsome pub owner down the street. A mutual attraction that sets off sparks visible to anyone in the vicinity bodes well for future books in the series. If you're looking for the obligatory cat that seems present in all bookstore mysteries, you're out of luck (to my everlasting delight). Rosie, one of the employees, has a tiny Scottish dog that fills that role admirably. Edwin's wealthy but secretive friends serve as unwilling sources of information and-at times-suspects. There's even a mildly attractive police inspector, though we see no sparks with him.

The characters work well together; we love some, distrust others, and find plenty to interest us in their quirks and foibles. Their Scottish accents are ever-present in the book. It's not "to," but "tae." They don't know, they ken, and so on. That can be distracting, but in this book it works well; it seems natural. We never forget where we are.

I am anxious to spend more time with these people in upcoming books. In fact, I want the next book right now! I want to explore the warehouse, to become familiar with the stock of old books, to see Delaney help find literary treasures for customers, to get to know the bookshop people and Edwin's friends, and to see what happens with Tom, the dishy pub owner. I want to explore more of Edinburgh. I have been well and thoroughly teased with the prospect of the wonders to come in Delaney's ongoing story. While I enjoy Ms. Shelton's other book series, I hope we don't have to wait for her to add a new book to all three series before we are brought back to Edinburgh!

The Cracked Spine is the first book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series.

Paige Shelton has another wonderful series started with A Cracked Spine.

Delaney Nichols has lost her job and she is open for an adventure at this time in her life. When she spots an advertisement for a bookstore in Edinburgh, Scotland, she feels this is the answer to her dreams and she soon finds herself in Edinburgh. Delany has the power to have books talk to her and knows she will fit in at the bookstore.

Arriving in Edinburgh, she secures a taxi driven by Elias and he is well aware of the bookstore and promptly delivers her there. Elias and his wife will soon become good friends and help Delaney to settle into her life in Edinburgh. When she arrives, the owner of the bookstore is off to a meeting, but she meets with Rosie, a delightful older lady and Hamlet, a university student and part-time actor, her co-workers. Shortly after beginning her new job, the bookstore owner, Edwin MacAlister, informs the his employees of his sister's, Jenny, brutal murder. She has had a past history of drug abuse, she was thought to have kicked her drug habit. Edwin had been trying to get her involved in his business and had entrusted a very valuable first folio of Shakespeare’s.

What with Delaney love for books and to help Edwin get closure with his sister's death, she sets off to do her own sleuthing to find Jenny's killer. She enlists Elias' help in her travels through Edinburgh.

The book has a very interesting and enjoyable cast of characters and provides the reader with an interesting look at the Old Town of Edinburgh.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to learn more about Edwin's business. A good deal of Edwin's time was spent going to what seemed to be rather “secret” meetings, but at the same time involved The Cracked Spine. Also looking forward to learning more about Rosie and Hamlet, too. Also will be waiting to see if a romantic interest will continue to develop between Delaney and Tom Flecher, the handsome kilt clad Scotsman who owns Delaney's Wee Pub.

Looking forward to my next visit to The Cracked Spine and Old Edinburgh.

I recently read To Helvetica and Back by Paige Shelton, and although it was written very well, I just couldn’t get into the characters. That was not a problem with The Cracked Spine. I loved all the characters, and am looking forward to getting to know them more in the future books of the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series.

Delaney decides to move to Scotland and begins a new job in a bookstore, and while it’s not magical in a Warehouse 13 sense, I feel as if some supernatural elements are lurking around, and I can’t wait to see how they progress in upcoming books. Delaney does have a gift where once she reads a character’s words, she’ll hear them speak to her later on. I can see this coming in handy if she needs help solving future mysteries.

Shelton did a wonderful job developing Delaney’s character as well as her three co-workers, the store dog (whom is adorable), and the love interest, a Scottish bar owner who is known to wear kilts. And the way she describes the town, makes me want to hop a plane and explore the village.

The mystery was well written too. She put in enough red herrings, that I didn’t know who the killer was until they were revealed. I’m looking forward to more Scottish Bookshop mysteries, and to seeing if more supernatural elements make their way into the books.

A cozy murder mystery set in Edinburgh, Scotland? With a female protagonist who also happens to be a highly educated, previous museum worker from the States who has immigrated to Scotland to work in a rare books store? Yes. Count. Me. In.

I’ve never read Paige Shelton before. And somehow, despite having read all of Charlaine Harris’ “Aurora Teagarden” series (that’s cozy mystery, right?), I feel like this genre is pretty new to me. And I’m loving it. There are SO many options out there, there is always a series involved so you can keep going back to characters you love, and they are interesting and clever, but light-hearted and easy reads. If you are looking for a “palate cleanser” after a heavy read or if you are in one of those spaces where you are on the verge of a reading slump and need just the right book, a cozy mystery fits the bill for me. And that is definitely true of The Cracked Spine.

The characters were easy to connect with, the storyline is very smartly written, the flow of the story is smooth and natural, and it definitely held my interest the whole way through. In fact, I blasted through the last 2/3 of the story in one night. That is not something I often have time to do, and there is rarely a book that draws me in enough to keep my interest for more than an hour at a time - especially when I have a bad cold and it’s past my bedtime. Sniffle.

The only complaint I have about this book is that it is the first in a series and now I have to wait for the next one. Sniffle.

P.S. I received this book for free from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (which is always what you'll get).

The Cracked Spine is the debut book in Paige Shelton’s A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with well-developed characters. This book is an interesting read and the author did a wonderful job creating authenticity in the characters with Scottish dialog. While I enjoyed the storyline, the dialog slowed down my reading a bit. The identity of the villain was a mystery to me until the final reveal.

When Delaney Nichols loses her job at museum in Kansas, she answers an ad and ends up working at The Cracked Spine, a bookstore that deals in old books and ancient manuscripts, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The secondary characters include Edwin MacAlister (her new employer), Hamlet (a young man dressed in a Shakespearean outfit), Rosie (an older woman who loves scarves), Hector (Rosie’s adorable dog), Tom (a handsome man from the pub across the street), Elias and his wife, and Detective Inspector Winters. When she arrives in Edinburgh, Elias is the kind and helpful taxi driver who takes her from the airport to her hotel. Elias and his wife rent her one of their cottages so they can keep their eyes on her and help her adjust to her new life in Scotland. When a rare and valuable manuscript turns up missing and Edwin's sister, Jenny, is murdered, and Hamlet becomes the prime suspect, Delaney puts on her sleuthing cap and tries to find out what happened and if the two events are related.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

Delaney Nichols, recently let go from her museum job in Wichita, Kansas, answers a newspaper ad for a job at a bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland and is hired on the spot. Soon after she arrives, her new boss's sister is murdered and a valuable, historic manuscript goes missing.

After setting aside my intense envy of Delaney for landing my dream job in my dream town (no mean feat) I settled into this book easily. I loved the Scottish locale (including the vernacular. I read all sorts of Tartan Noir and hearing characters speak in their native accent really sets the scene.) and the characters were easy to relate to, inviting and realistic. I thought the characters and their relationships were well defined without feeling like a lot of information is dumped in your lap. I would've liked to have seen some scenes with the victim, just to give some perspective, but with so little information about her, I really didn't connect with her death. But that's okay, I was already heavily involved with the other characters.

The plot was also very well crafted, with many red herrings, twists and turns to keep me guessing. While a lot of the story was background and setting up the characters, it didn't detract (or distract) from the really great plot and I admit I didn't expect the ending.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It was a really great read from start to finish. I can't wait for the next book!

Author Paige Shelton takes many a book lover's dream-- moving to the UK and working in a bookshop-- and weaves it into a first-rate beginning of a new series. Through Delaney, she does an excellent job of portraying an American's culture shock in the ancient city of Edinburgh: driving on the "wrong" side of the road, the narrow streets, the incredibly old buildings everywhere, and the accents and friendliness of the Scottish people.

But the cultural differences aren't the only reason to devour The Cracked Spine. Delaney is an intriguing blend of intelligence and naïveté, and she's surrounded by an excellent secondary cast. The scarf-wearing Rosie with her little dog Hector always in tow. Handsome and charming Tom from across the street. Her landlords Elias and his wife. Detective Inspector Winters. And with all the treasures he's collected in The Cracked Spine's storeroom and his disorganized, mad professorish ways, Edwin MacAlister should be the source for many a future mystery.

Speaking of mysteries, the one in The Cracked Spine is a good'un. I didn't have a clue to the killer's identity, which always gives me a thrill. There were a couple of tiny things that made me raise an eyebrow: Delaney's finding her cottage was a bit too fortuitous, and I didn't quite believe her willingness to investigate Jenny's death, but they in no way ruined my enjoyment of the book. On the contrary-- I can't wait for the next installment!

I really enjoyed this! The description drew me in--who wouldn't want the chance to pick up, travel half-way around the world, and get paid to live and work in Edinburgh, surrounded by history, mystery, and beautiful books?! Delaney has that chance, and finds more than she bargained for--including friends, a surrogate family, and a handsome Scot who looks good in a kilt. (Like me, she's a sucker for a man who can raise one eyebrow--and is smart enough to send flowers.) Not to mention a priceless manuscript, and a tragic murder.
Great cast of characters, and the author does a good job of inserting bits of the Scottish brogue without making the dialogue difficult to read. I really want to visit Edinburgh now, but the author describes both the beauty and dangers of the big, old city. I feel like there were still some questions--particularly about the characters, and Delany's special 'talent' to be answered, even after the central mystery was solved. I can't wait to find out more, see what adventures develop next, and what happens with these characters. I've already ordered the next book in the series.

In this new series, a Kansan moves to Scotland after her librarian position is downsized. After answering an ad about adventures and old books, she has a phone interview with the book shop owner and takes off. She makes friends with the cab driver who randomly picks her up at the airport because his eyes remind her of a relative - to the point that she lets him take her baggage to the hotel for her after dropping her off at work. I think this is supposed to indicate a good gut feeling but comes off as hopelessly naïve. Her boss takes her to the strangest auction ever - secret location, hiding the cars, and only a single item plus its some sort of secret club of buyers and sellers. Ths must be something saved for later series development. Then the sister of the boss is murdered and a Shakespeare First Folio is missing. They don't want the Folio revealed to the police because of aforementioned auction weirdness so the book shop employees work privately to find it and the killer. Its a little far fetched and some random 'big clues' are still unexplained like her cabbie and his wife having large tattoos that are supposed to ominous or indicative of something. Interesting story and kept me reading, but just not sure it is all quite there

This is a terrific start to a new series by Paige Shelton. I've been savoring this book because I enjoyed it so much!

After being fired from her job due to budget cuts, Delaney, happens upon an ad for a job in Scotland. When offered the job, Delaney takes off on an adventure and an opportunity of a lifetime. She is working at The Cracked Spine, a book and manuscript shop specializing in rare findings. There is an interesting cast of characters that provide plenty of laugh out loud moments and mystery. Owner of The Cracked Spine, Edwin is a bit mysterious, he doesn't really give much about himself.

Delaney is just getting settled in when a first folio of Shakespear's plays goes missing and Edwin's sister is found murdered. Delaney feels there is a connection between the two incidents so goes investigating on her own. She will have keep her wits about her.

I enjoyed this well thought out mystery and was kept guessing until the end. Just when I thought I had things figured out, a twist was thrown in to surprise me. I really enjoyed spending time with these characters and look forward to the next book in this series, I can't wait to see what happens next!

I received a copy of this manuscript from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a new series by Paige Shelton and it is a terrific start. I have been a fan of Ms. Shelton's previous two series so this book was an automatic read for me. I love this authors ability to craft a story line, plot, mystery and characters in such a way that the reader is drawn into the story from the very beginning and just becomes more invested as the book progresses. This story has a wonderful setting (Scotland) that just adds to the overall charm of the book. Delaney is a strong character who is up for a new life adventure and gets more than she bargained for when her boss' sister is murdered. The cast of secondary characters are quirky and interesting lending another layer of depth to the story.

The mystery is strong and because it is not clear whether the two mysteries in the story are connected there are plenty of viable suspects along with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the end. The story line moves along at a good pace and as a reader, I was so charmed by the location and characters that I definitely will be looking forward to the next book in this series.

What a gorgeous beginning to a mystery series– I can’t wait for the next one! The Scottish accent that I can hear in the dialogue, the perfect job, and if course-the smell of paranormal activity alongside a handsome Scot? Perfect!

Delaney lost her job at the museum in Kansas and took a wild shot in the dark by following up on an interesting ad in the help wanted section. Something about an adventure? Next thing she knew she was flying to Edinburgh, Scotland to work in a bookstore. But not just a bookstore based on the collection in the warehouse.

Unfortunate timing has her boss’s sister turning up murdered a few days after she arrived. There’s also a missing priceless artifact that’s disappeared. Now bookshop proprietor Edwin is torn up, the other people who work at the bookshop are also devastated, and somehow Delaney gets dragged into the investigation.

Swoon-worthy scenery, amicable co-workers, and a job doing what she loves has got Delaney spinning like a top, but until this mystery is solved, nothing’s going to go back to normal. Maybe she can help?

I really enjoyed this mystery novel and cannot wait for the next!

When Delaney gets laid off from her museum job in Kansas, she never imagined that she would end up in the middle of a murder investigation in Scotland. But that is exactly where she indeed finds herself. Will she be able to find out who killed Edwin's sister Jenny without getting herself killed in the process?

I love reading about Scotland as well as bookstores, so when I read the description of this book, I just knew I had to give it a chance. And I'm very glad I did. It was so good!! I was guessing until the very end as to who killed Jenny and why.

I had a little trouble when I first started reading this book because of the Scottish wording in places. But it didn't take me but a minute to catch on and I was good to go!

I hope there is going to be a sequel to this story. I want to learn if Delaney gets her ability to hear books again. And I want to read more about the blossoming relationship between Delaney and Tom. As I'm sure you will too when you read The Cracked Spine as well.

I really like Paige Shelton's other series but The Cracked Spine just didn't do it for me. I don't know if was the fact that much of the dialogue was written in Scottish brogue, charming to listen to but very tough to read OR if it was the fact that none of the characters appealed to me. I found the protagonist, hard to get to know, her motivations, her "special" ability that suddenly disappeared at the end of the book without explanation and the killer, well, totally out of left field. I will read the next book in the series before I call it quits. Perhaps it will be a better read.

I could completely relate to Delaney Nichols in The Cracked Spine as she was in need of a good adventure. Sometimes that is just what we need...a good adventure.

A Cracked Spine is the first book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by author Paige Shelton. It is also the first book of Paige Shelton's that I have read although as an author her books have been on my radar for some time. She focuses on cozy mysteries.
A Cracked Spine in set in Edinburgh in Scotland which is a great location and I enjoyed being taken there. A Cracked Spine starts off with a mystery in a mystery....what on earth is the secret business conducted at A Cracked Spine bookstore!? It is a fascinating place, the Cracked Spine bookstore. Wealthy owner Edwin is a collector of all things fantastic and Delaney is excited to discover them all. Then Edwin's sister is found dead and the real mystery begins.

I really enjoyed The Cracked Spine. Great book.

I read a few reviews that didn't like this series. I definitely disagree. It's quite lovely,and like Ms Shelton's typeset series full of lots of lovely nerdy book porn. I read a review about ghosts? Not that I read... That being said there were some flaws. Like a lots of first books in cozy series Cracked Spine spends a lot of time world bad character building - which is wonderful and entrancing and will continue to pay off in future books. However, the mystery (or, more correctly the detecting) suffers a bit because of it. Finally the accented dialogue is more than a bit heavy handed. The book would be better without it.

I enjoy biblio mysteries so I was looking forword to reading this new series that takes place in a Scottish Bookshop. Delaney leaves her home in Kansas to accept a job at The Cracked Spine in Edinburgh. The bookshop and the other employees are a little unusual so Delaney fits right in. She finds a kindly cab driver, a cottage to rent and a date right away. Just after arriving the owner's sister is murdered and she sets out to try and solve the murder. She does not really solve the murder but stumbles across the killer. I liked the bookshop and the characters but I did find the mystery weak. I also liked it that she worked with the local police. This book makes a good starting point for the series and I look forword to reading the next one in the series. Enjoy this first book in a new Biblio Cozy series.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

A rare tome you’ll truly treasure!

THE CRACKED SPINE is one of the most delightful mysteries I’ve read in 2015. I finished it on Dec. 31, and I can’t think of a better way to finish out the year.

I was immediately enamored with the characters in this captivating tale. Protagonist, Delaney Nichols is one of my new cozy heroes. Along with her new “family” Edwin, Hamlet, Rosie, Tom, and more, I can’t remember tie better spent with fictional friends.

Author Paige Shelton has brought to her new series the same excellent writing that has enchanted readers of her Farmers’ Market, and Southern Cooking School mysteries, the same masterful skill at creating a plot that all readers look for in a mystery, and the same sense of fun.

Rather you’re already a fan or a new reader of author Shelton, you are in for a real page turning treat with THE CRACKED SPINE!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Cracked Spine" by Paige Shelton. The characters are engaging (especially Delaney, Edwin, and Tom) and the mystery plots are engaging. I learned a great deal also – about old manuscripts, auctions for old manuscripts, restoring old manuscripts, and so forth.

The setting is a book and rare manuscript shop (The Cracked Spine) in Edinburgh, Scotland. The bookshop and city are both described so well that I can clearly picture them in my mind. My only regret about the book is that I can't visit Delaney and the others in The Cracked Spine.

I highly recommend "The Cracked Spine" by Paige Shelton to all fans of cozy mysteries, especially those who are also fans of cozies set in the UK. I can't wait to read the next book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series!

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of "The Cracked Spine." All opinions shared are 100% my own.

A book from Paige Shelton that is set in Scotland makes a pleasant change from her previous series, and I think this one has good potential. It isn't advertised as the first in a new series though, so I'm not sure where it will lead. Her previous book, To Helvetica and Back, was labelled the first in a new series, and it is also worth reading. I've read some of her Farmer's Market mysteries, and for me, they were less attractive.

My main criticism of Ms. Shelton's mysteries is that the protagonist is often not very likeable. It isn't that we don't develop some fondness for the gutsy young American, Delaney Nichols, in this book, but her best qualities don't seem to be developed. She asks a lot of questions--including showing up at 7 a.m. at the door of someone she has barely met in order to interrogate him--but she doesn't seem to use the information very wisely. There is some suspense, though, and the plot unfolds well with an unexpected conclusion. Perhaps that is all one ought to expect. The setting in Edinburgh is nicely described, and the friends Delaney meets in her new job in a book store there are fun and a little quirky. So far, so good. I hope it continues as a series.

What a fun cast of characters! Delaney Nichols does the big Start Over by taking a job at Bookshop in Scotland. The bookshop is full of mystery and intriuge when the owner's sister is murdered. Delaney has her own secrets as she gets embroiled in trying to solve the crime. The setting is magnificent as it transport you to Edinburgh with its rich history. All of the characters are unique with their own stories, which makes you want to dive into the rest of this series. The plot was well crafted and left you guessing with the perfect pacing so you couldn't put it down. Excited to read the rest of this series!

While visiting the British Isles, we went to England and Ireland but did not make it to Scotland. Now I wish we had been able to visit there. This delightful cozy mystery is set in Edinburgh. The author's descriptions of The Cracked Spine, one of many bookshops in this quaint old city, makes me want to go right now and explore. When Delaney Nichols answers an ad offering work in this book and rare manuscript shop, she decides to accept the adventure and move to Edinburgh where she meets many wonderful folks. Soon after arriving at her new job she is embroiled in the mystery of the murder of the shop owner's sister.

The book moves along very quickly and the characters are well crafted and and add much to the atmosphere. I am anxious to read more about the bookshop and the people who work there and those who have become her friends. An interesting addition to the many cozy mysteries with a book theme.

This new series by Paige Shelton kept me reading very late into the night as this was a mystery that I didn't want to put down.

I've found that the first book of some series seem a bit heavy in description, this one was a nice balance between description and forward moving dialogue. The characters are introduced at a pace that is comfortable and didn't overwhelm me. I also enjoyed the description of Edinburgh through a new resident's eyes.

I have enjoyed all of Ms. Shelton's series, but this one may be my new favorite, yet! Here's hoping that we get to enjoy many more of Delaney's adventures and return visits to The Cracked Spine.

Note: I received a copy with no expectation of a positive review.

I was very interested in reading this cozy mystery for a few reasons. One is that I love mysteries that are set in bookstores. I think it's the dream job of anyone who loves books as much as I do. Two is that it's set in Scotland, so that intrigued me! And I love the cover and the title of the book.

This book did not disappoint. I really loved it. It had a great and interesting cast of characters, it completely made me picture this little bookstore in Scotland (along with the hunky pub-owner from a few doors down). It really kept me guessing -- everyone seemed a little shady, so I had no idea who the murderer was.

I want to visit Scotland even more after reading this book, and I want more books in this series! Knowing that Edinburgh has 50 bookstores and a ton of ghosts, I can only imagine the possibilities for the next book.

Delaney from Kansas falls into the opportunity of a lifetime in Scotland to work in a very unique bookstore. Edwin, Rosie and Hamlet make her feel one of the family instantly. Before she knows it, she is embroiled in a murder to solve. From the quirky way she hears characters in books speaking to her, unnatural curiosities for mysteries and an affliction for helping others, it is no surprise Delaney soon finds herself in some serious trouble.

The book tends to skip all over the place, sometimes not quite finishing the direction it began to head. It is a light mystery with interesting characters you want to know better.

New series by a wonderful author. The setting is Scotland, and she has done a WONDERFUL job portraying the people of Scotland, and the area. The descriptions bring life to the setting. The story is a decent mystery, and has clues throughout that allow the reader to follow the story. The one part that I found a bit weak is the ability of the protagonist to 'hear' books. The premise seems like it might be interesting, but it was oddly executed, and hard to grasp. I was not quite sure what it was about, or what it did not really further the story a whole lot. It felt like it was trying to be some what of a paranormal aspect, without really going that route. Perhaps future books will have more on this to help make the reader understand, but at present, it needs more. BUT, the other parts of the story were strong enough to carry the plot. And, make me want more.

Delaney from Kansas is laid off from her job at the local museum and, while hunting through the papers for another job, manages to find a most unusual ad about finding an adventure. The next thing she knows, she is in Edinburgh, Scotland, and deeply into an adventure. Her new boss, the very rich Edwin who owns the bookstore called The Cracked Spine, takes her under his wing and seems to trust her completely. When his sister is murdered and an invaluable folio goes missing, Delaney steps into the void created by his grief to investigate.

Delaney seems to have fallen into a little bit of heaven in this new job and new country. Everyone in the book seems to be too kind to be true (except the murderer, of course). Her co-workers are quirky but kind, the Scottish man in the kilt she begins to date is gentlemanly beyond belief, the cab driver who picks her up at the airport takes on the fatherly role of protector, even the police seem more concerned about her safety than solving the murder.

Delaney's new situation in Scotland is described with a very gentle touch, and the overall tone of the book is quite pleasant. This is a fast, enjoyable read and, while the characters might be unbelievable in their goodness, they are nonetheless well described and the reader comes to care about them. The descriptions of the rainy weather and the Edinburgh locale are well written, often transporting the reader to Delaney's new locale.

The book is engaging, if a bit lightweight, and I'll be looking forward to following Delaney's exploits when the second in the series arrives.

Thanks to netgalley for making this book available for review.

It was pretty good, written well, although I did get tired of the Scottish brogue. It seemed that when Delaney went to question people she really didn't have anything to ask them and repeated what she had already asked and really just stumbled on the solution. **SPOILLER** Really didn't understand why the letter was a betrayal since it stated she wasn't going to sell it, though it did say something about the demons getting her. But I was confused by that one. I may try book 2 to see if the potential comes out a little more, it had a great beginning.

What an awesome read! This little cozy mystery is perfect for those that do not want to get buried too deep into a mystery, but just enough hints to keep it interesting. The pace was just right, with no lag spots, and the ending wasn’t rushed, like so many books I have read recently. Delaney has a nice upbeat personality without being sickly sweet. I am looking forward to more books by this author and Delaney’s hidden talent with “hearing” books!

I received a free digital copy from Netgalley to review.

I loved this story! I really liked the way the characters talked, and the Scottish wasn't so thick that it was hard to read. I liked all of the characters. I like the new family that Delaney became a part of with her move to Scotland and a new job. I really look forward to reading more about what she was hired to do and her interactions with all of her new friends.

What a combination--a transplanted American woman, a cryptic job advertisement, a intriguing used bookstore, delightful characters (cabbie and wife, fellow store workers, boss, hot bar owner), creepy/scary characters, a missing artifact, and a murder.

Enough brogue to make you feel like you're there in Scotland without needing a translator.

I look forward to further adventures.

This is the first in the Scottish bookstore mystery series. It was disappointing, the authors other series are much better. Delaney is laid off her job in Wichita Kansas and see an ad for a job in a bookstore in Scotland. She gets the job and there is too much description of everything in the new bookstore. Her first day there her new boss's sister is murdered, she decides she will figure out who killed her and figure out other strange happenings in her new life.

Shelton has done a wonderful job with this new series. The descriptions of the area surrounding the bookshop are so vivid and Delaney's introduction to both the area and the residents very well done. The mystery wasn't easy to figure out at all and dovetailed into all sorts of the goings on at the bookshop. Can't wait for more stories involving Delaney Nichols!

Lovely young English girl unwittingly stumbles onto a murder mystery... the plot of every Mary Stewart book. Exchange American for English and you get the plot of this story. Takes place in Scotland so you have to carefully read the dialog. Good story overall. Interested in the next book if it is a series.

Populated with characters I liked, I knew I would soon love them all. Scotland is the perfect setting for a mystery with so many suspects. I was totally surprised by who the killer turned out to be, which is what I desire most in a cozy. I love to be surprised by the ending.

This was a lovely, wonderful book. Yes it took me a few chapters to understand the Scottish way of speaking words but that only added to the wonderful story. Can't wait to read more in this series. Readers will quickly fall in love with Delaney and Tom.

Book was an inter-library borrow.

Interesting murder mystery, with the twist of being set in Scotland. I look forward to the next in the series if she does one. I read it while I was injured and was waking up every 4 hours to take the next pain pill. It's a good 3 am book. Doesn't require deep thought but keeps you ingested.

I gave it 3 stars because I reserve 5 stars for true classics , War and Peace, Tale of two Cities ,ect. 4 is for thought provoking best sellers. This is a solid 3.

It isn't five because the story let go too quickly. I love the book store background, but the mystery room fell short. Not sure hearing characters from books speak isn't a wee bit far fetched. The characters are well drawn. Descriptions of setting paint a good picture.

I enjoyed the start of this new series and the characters and backdrop were interesting. The mystery itself was never fully fleshed out and the killer was identified in the last pages for awakening resolution. Overall, it was an okay read.

A mysterious bookshop, an even more mysterious shop owner, is at the center of a murder investigation in author Paige Shelton’s new A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series.

Delaney Nichols is tired of Kansas after losing her job, so she embarks on an adventure when she accepts a job across the globe in Scotland without asking a single question about the job, the owner or anything else. The Cracked Spine bookshop is filled with special editions and rare manuscripts and has a secret room filled with other items so old she is afraid to look at them. Upon arrival, Delaney meets Rosie, and her bite size dog, Hector; a young actor named Hamlet; and Edwin, the shop owner, her new boss. She also meets, Tom, an attractive pub owner who catches her eye dressed in a kilt and his manly knees

On her first official day at work, Delaney learns of the existence of a rare and valuable manuscript that is missing from where her new boss left it, with his drug addicted murdered sister, Jenny. How did Edwin get his hands on the manuscript, there were only 100 of them ever printed, and they are all accounted for? Why did he leave it with his sister, who by all accounts is not trustworthy?

Delaney wanted adventure, excitement, but she never thought she would find herself in the middle of a murder mystery caught between being loyal to her new family, or helping solve a murder one of them may have committed. The clock is ticking, and her heart tells her she has to keep digging until she finds the missing manuscript and the killer.
___
The characters were a delight to explore. Edwin, the eccentric shop owner, along with Rosie and Hamlet feel like people you might run into and have a long conversation with at a local pub. The Scottish setting is developed in full color to the point you can envision the streets and shops. The plot is helped by the interactions of the characters with each other, and their determination to stick together through thick and thin. Delaney may not know anything about Scotland, and she is quite often butting in where she shouldn’t but this trait makes her lovable, honest and exciting.

There is a bit of a crimp in the investigation when Edwin asks everyone not to tell the police about the missing manuscript. Is he protecting himself, or someone else? Why is there so much secrecy surrounding the acquisition of the book, or all of Edwin’s treasures for that matter? Delaney worries that he is buying his collection illegally and protecting his contacts is more important than solving his sister's murder.

She finds a torn note in the dead girl's apartment, then finds herself along with her new landlords, Aggie and Elias putting the pieces back together just like a jigsaw puzzle. When she catches one of her co-workers hiding part of the torn note she knows it holds the key to finding Jenny’s killer, maybe even the missing manuscript. She has to work fast before someone else finds the book, or someone else gets hurt or killed.

The plot throws a few twists and turns that keep you coming back for more, and the ending is not what you expect. This is a good read. However, if you are looking for something fast, you will want to hold out reading this on until you have time to sit back, relax and devote some time.

I wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't make it happen. I read a little over half of it before calling it a day. I never felt a connection with any of the characters and really didn't care who the murderer was.

Enjoyable read. Loved the Edinburgh setting! The main character was described as "sassy," but I didn't see her sassy side until much later in the book -- but it did show up! I found it started a bit slow, but I truly enjoyed it once I got into it. I'll be reading more of Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop mysteries for sure!

I was looking for a new book to disappear into. I found this and have been so delighted! I hope she will write many more in this series. What could be better than a mystery in a Scottish book shop? Love it.

After Delaney Nichols loses her job at a small museum in Kansas due to budget cuts, she impulsively answers an ad seeking "a bold adventurer who would love to travel the world from a comfortable and safe spot behind a desk...located in Edinburgh, Scotland." The Cracked Spine is a "humble book and rare manuscript shop" owned by Edwin MacAllister. As Delaney settles into her adventure, Edwin's sister is murdered and a rare Shakespeare First Folio goes missing. Delaney is drawn to discover who murdered Edwin's sister. With the help of her new circle of friends, Delaney is determined to solve the mystery.
This first in a new series had me longing to board the next flight to Edinburgh. The descriptive prose paints a wonderfully enticing picture of this Scottish city and the delightful characters has me looking forward to many more books in this series.

Loved this book and hope this is the beginning of a wonderful series centered around the folks in and around the Cracked Spine. Characters in this work are colorful and really likable. I can really see some of these characters developed into interesting stories on their own but still involved with the main folks in the bookstore. Like to read more about Delaney and Tom and see into Edwin's home and personal life. Paige Shelton hit it out of the park with this book - thanks!!

Enjoyed this book - the characters are all especially likeable. I also loved the setting of Edinburgh. I found it to be a fast and fun read and will look forward to reading other books in this series. I wish I could happen upon a job like this!!!