While Joana Snowdon’s cozy mystery is subtitled A Scottish Road-Trip Cosy Mystery, it’s the first in her Highland Mystery series. Meet Joana Snowdon (yes, the author’s name) and Brian Goodfellow, two freelance photographers traveling through Scotland. Joana’s goal as the photographer of a book, “Scotland Unfiltered”, is to show the real, wild and damp Scotland that most travelers don’t see. When Joana learns that three drone photographers have been murdered, though, her goal changes. Now, she wants to find a killer.
While Joana and Brian are professional photographers, they’re amateur sleuths. Joana thinks she’s clever with her interview techniques because she admits she’s a photographer. But, from the first time when she uses her photography skills to interview a police officer and his fiancee, her questions reveal her real purpose, to learn about the murders. Everyone they interview sees through their poses. Brian is only along for the ride. He’s really interested in the vegan food and drone photography. However, with drones being the device the victims have in common, he’s willing to hide his camera for a while.
The killer is purposely taunting the police. The crime scenes have several things in common. Each victim was at a remote spot. The final shot on their drone camera was of their own corpse. And, there was a nearby cairn, something Joana and Brian discovered before the police did.
Joana and Brian are interesting partners in crime. She’s older and determined to investigate. Brian is a whiner who turns green on ferries and winding roads. But, when Joana is willing to use herself as bait, Brian’s listening and tech skills are important.
The author, the real Joana Snowdon, lives in North East Scotland. She was a journalist before turning to crime fiction. She’s a little like both of her characters. I’d be more willing to road trip with her than with her characters, but I wouldn’t mind reading about their adventures again.
Joana Snowdon’s website is http://www.joana-snowdon.com
Deadly Cairns by Joana Snowdon. Highland Quill Publications, 2026. 228p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley supplied by the publisher through NetGalley, with no expectations of a positive review.
