Jackie Baldwin’s second Highland Bookshop Murder mystery, Poison at the Wild Haggis Bookshop has been called “cozy crime with a bite.” Written by a Scottish author, it features a woman who accidentally murdered a fellow student when she was thirteen. After she was released, Beth Cunningham and her mother moved to Glasgow, where they could disappear. When Beth’s mother knew she was dying, she ensured they could sell the Glasgow property so Beth could buy a little cottage and a bookshop in Oban, Scotland.
Beth and her staff are providing monthly subscription book boxes to customers, with small items from other stores, along with a book. Beth delivers Nora Kelly’s box, and discovers Nora dead and an upset young man rampaging through the house, claiming Nora was his mother. Because Beth never heard Nora talk about children, she calls the police. But, DS Logan Hunter and his partner once again view Beth with suspicion. She takes it upon herself to find the truth about Nora’s past and possible murder. Neither subject is pretty.
Because she refuses to let the police investigate when her freedom might be at stake, Beth is always in conflict with Hunter. As she digs, though, she’s targeted by a killer.
This cozy definitely has a “bite”. Without giving anything away, the book has a baby kidnapping, a hit-and-run, fire, suicide, and several murders. Not quite what I think of as cozy. I had a few quibbles with the writing. I don’t know how many times Beth grinds her teeth or comments about teeth. Despite her own past, she’s too trusting. She also hides the truth from the police. Not exactly the way to start a relationship with an officer.
And, not exactly the way to encourage me to pick up another book in the seeries.
Jackie Baldwin’s website is https://jackiebaldwin.co.uk/
Poison at the Wild Haggis by Jackie Baldwin. Storm Publishing, 2026. 270p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.
Thank you for the review Lesa. I probably would have picked this up due to the cover but it doesn’t sound like a book I want to read. You just saved me the time of reading the first few chapters.
You’re welcome Susan. You can move on to something you might like better.
This doesn’t sound like something I’d want to read. I’m glad you reviewed it.
Thanks, Sandy! Loved the setting, not so much the protagonist.
Clearly, this is not a cozy! WHY oh why do publishers mislabel books? It’s so counterproductive. I had to fight to make sure the word “thriller” was nowhere on my cover. People who wanted to read thrillers would have bought one, found it was a traditional police procedural, been disappointed, and perhaps panned it.
By the way, dear Lesa and blog friends: I’ve now responded to the comments I got on my reading list yesterday. Forgive me for being a date late. My niece was spending a day in a German town, an hour and a half from Bern by train, so I went and spent a long but delightful day with her. When I got back, I had a late dinner and just went to bed!! Today I was sorry I hadn’t answered all your comments, so I just did it.
Thanks, Kim. Your “real” family comes first. I’m glad you had an enjoyable day with her.
You’re right. I saw an author ask yesterday if there was a term “dark cozy” or should she go with traditional mystery. You were right to fight for that. I’ll read a police procedural much moe than I will a thriller. Sometimes, books shouldn’t be categorized, but if it’s a good fit, that helps the reader.
Thank you for stopping by to comment today.