A Cold Highland Wind - (Lady Emily Mysteries) by Tasha Alexander

About the Book

"Lady Emily, husband Colin Hargreaves, and their three sons eagerly embark on a family vacation at Cairnfarn Castle, the Scottish estate of their dear friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge. But a high-spirited celebration at the beginning of their stay comes to a grisly end when the duke's gamekeeper is found murdered on the banks of the loch. Handsome Angus Sinclair had a host of enemies: the fiancâee he abandoned in Edinburgh, the young woman who had fallen hopelessly in love with him, and the rough farmer who saw him as a rival for her affections. But what is the meaning of the curious runic stone left on Sinclair's forehead? Clues may be found in the story of Lady MacAllister, wife of the Laird of Cairnfarn Castle, who in 1676 suddenly found herself widowed and thrown out of her home. Her sole companion was a Moorish slave girl who helped her secretly spirit her most prized possessions--a collection of strange books--out of the castle. When her neighbors, wary of a woman living on her own, found a poppet--a doll used to cast spells--and a daisy wheel in her isolated cottage, Lady MacAllister was accused of witchcraft, a crime punishable by death. Hundreds of years later, Lady Emily searches for the link between Lady MacAllister's harrowing witchcraft trial and the brutal death of Sinclair. She must follow a trail of hidden motives, an illicit affair, and a mysterious stranger to reveal the dark side of a seemingly idyllic Highland village"--

Book Synopsis

In this new installment of Tasha Alexander's acclaimed Lady Emily series set in the wild Scottish highlands, an ancient story of witchcraft may hold the key to solving a murder centuries later.

In the summer of 1905, Lady Emily, husband Colin Hargreaves, and their three sons eagerly embark on a family vacation at Cairnfarn Castle, the Scottish estate of their dear friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge. But a high-spirited celebration at the beginning of their stay comes to a grisly end when the duke's gamekeeper is found murdered on the banks of the loch. Handsome Angus Sinclair had a host of enemies: the fiancée he abandoned in Edinburgh, the young woman who had fallen hopelessly in love with him, and the rough farmer who saw him as a rival for her affections. But what is the meaning of the curious runic stone left on Sinclair's forehead?

Clues may be found in the story of Lady MacAllister, wife of the Laird of Cairnfarn Castle, who in 1676 suddenly found herself widowed and thrown out of her home. Her sole companion was a Moorish slave girl who helped her secretly spirit her most prized possessions--a collection of strange books--out of the castle. When her neighbors, wary of a woman living on her own, found a poppet--a doll used to cast spells--and a daisy wheel in her isolated cottage, Lady MacAllister was accused of witchcraft, a crime punishable by death.

Hundreds of years later, Lady Emily searches for the link between Lady MacAllister's harrowing witchcraft trial and the brutal death of Sinclair. She must follow a trail of hidden motives, an illicit affair, and a mysterious stranger to reveal the dark side of a seemingly idyllic Highland village.

Review Quotes

Praise for A Cold Highland Wind:

"As is always the case with the Lady Emily series, there is suspense galore, a colorful cast of characters, spot on period research and whimsical humor throughout." --Bookpage, starred review

"Multiple points of view, interview-based investigation, and a care for the situations of those often forgotten or oppressed are major elements of the story." --Mystery & Suspense magazine

Praise for Secrets of the Nile:

"Secrets of the Nile has it all: a glamorous locale, plucky heroine and supporting cast worthy of a Kenneth Branagh film." --Bookpage

"The unusual background and Agatha Christie twist make for an enjoyable and informative read." --Kirkus Reviews

Praise for In the Shadow of Vesuvius:

"Alexander's precise attention to historical details invests her series about Lady Emily Hargreaves with an unshakeable background that she expertly weaves into solid plots...[her] skills shine in In the Shadow of Vesuvius...pitch-perfect." --Sun-Sentinel

"Tasha Alexander brings both eras to life through meticulous research, and the dual stories come together in a chilling finale. Scenes set among the ruins of Pompeii and in the city pre-disaster have such depth that it feels like we're walking directly into them. This is an urbane thriller with a big heart." --Bookpage

"[Evokes] the setting's rich history...lovers of classical culture should be pleased." --Publishers Weekly

"A captivating story of Pompeii... engaging." --Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Uneasy Lies the Crown:

"Readers are in the author's trustworthy hands, and the working out of the puzzle will delight mystery and history buffs alike." --Booklist