A Very Bookish Murder from Dee MacDonald: A Cozy Crime Treat With Tartan, Tea and Trouble
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
Let’s set the scene: you’re curled up with a mug of tea, maybe a biscuit or two within reach, and the Scottish Highlands are practically rolling off the page.
If that sounds like your idea of a perfect afternoon, then Dee MacDonald’s A Very Bookish Murder – the third book in the Ally McKinley Mystery Series – might just be your next literary treat.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: another cozy mystery, another amateur sleuth, another dead body in a picturesque village.
But trust me, MacDonald brings a warmth and wit to her storytelling that makes this series, and especially this book, feel like a chat with an old friend.
So, pour yourself a cuppa and let’s find out what it’s all about!
Welcome Back to Locharran
If you’ve read the previous two books (and if you haven’t, don’t worry, MacDonald is kind to newcomers), you’ll know Ally McKinley.
She’s the owner of a small guesthouse in the fictional Highland village of Locharran.
Ally is the sort of protagonist you’d want as your actual neighbor: endlessly optimistic, quick with a smile, and blessed with a knack for stumbling over mysteries (and, unfortunately, the occasional corpse).
This time around, the peaceful rhythm of Locharran is interrupted by the arrival of a group of writers, all attending a retreat hosted by the famous, and, as it turns out, rather divisive, novelist Jodi Jones.
Ally, ever the gracious host, opens her doors to several of the attendees, eager to soak up the creative atmosphere.
But before the ink has dried on the first workshop notes, Jodi is found strangled in the ladies’ bathroom. So much for a relaxing retreat, right?
Her guests are a mixed bag: aspiring novelists, a couple of literary hangers-on, and more than a few people with axes to grind against the late Jodi Jones.
The accusations fly thick and fast with plagiarism, infidelity, and professional jealousy, all on the table.
Suddenly, everyone seems to have a motive, and Ally’s guesthouse starts to feel less like a haven and more like a powder keg!
The Guesthouse
One of the joys of A Very Bookish Murder is how MacDonald turns Ally’s guesthouse into more than just a backdrop.
It’s the heart of the story, a place where secrets simmer over cups of tea, G&Ts, and the scent of fresh scones lingers in the air.
There’s something delightfully old-fashioned about gathering suspects in a cozy sitting room, and MacDonald clearly relishes every opportunity to let her characters bounce off each other.
What really makes this book sing, though, is Ally herself. She’s not your typical hard-boiled detective, far from it.
Ally is gentle, endlessly curious, and almost stubbornly optimistic. She sees the best in people, even when they’re behaving at their worst.
There’s a lovely thread of kindness running through her investigations; she’s less interested in catching a criminal than in understanding what makes people tick.
A Whodunit That Lets You Play Along
Now, let’s talk about the mystery itself. MacDonald is a dab hand at crafting a puzzle that’s both fair and fun.
She scatters clues throughout the story – some obvious, some delightfully sneaky – and invites the reader to play detective alongside Ally.
There’s a real sense of satisfaction in piecing together the evidence, and you’ll find yourself second-guessing every character’s motives.
That said, I’ll be honest: about three-quarters of the way through, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea of who the killer is and why they did it.
MacDonald doesn’t pull the rug out from under you with a wild twist, and for some readers, that might take a little of the edge off the final reveal.
But in my view, that’s not really the point. The pleasure here is in the journey, the unraveling of secrets, the banter between characters, and the joy of seeing Ally put the pieces together.
The Highlands
Another thing I love about this series is how vividly MacDonald evokes the Scottish Highlands. Locharran may be fictional, but it feels real: the misty mornings, the cozy pubs, the sense of community that comes from living in a small village.
If you’re the sort of reader who likes to be transported, you’ll find plenty to savor here. MacDonald’s descriptions are never heavy-handed, but they’re evocative enough to make you want to book a trip to Scotland (or at least look up some photos online).
A Few Quibbles (But Nothing to Spoil the Fun)
No book is perfect, and A Very Bookish Murder isn’t trying to be. If you’re looking for a high-stakes thriller or a twisty, mind-bending plot, this probably isn’t your cup of tea.
The pacing is gentle, the stakes are relatively low, and the tone is resolutely cozy. And, as I mentioned earlier, the mystery is a little easier to crack than in some other whodunits.
But honestly? That’s part of the charm. MacDonald isn’t out to shock or scare you; she wants to entertain, to comfort, and to give you a few hours of pure escapism.
On that front, she succeeds beautifully. For me personally, I picked the book up on a particularly rainy day and had it read in a few hours.
And, I have to say, it was a really lovely way to spend the day.
Final Thoughts
So, would I recommend A Very Bookish Murder? Absolutely. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Ally McKinley series or you’re dipping your toes into the cozy mystery genre for the first time, there’s plenty to enjoy here.
The setting is charming, the characters are lovable, and the mystery is just twisty enough to keep you guessing (but not so convoluted that you’ll need a flowchart to keep track).
It’s the literary equivalent of a warm blanket and a slice of cake – comforting, satisfying, and just a little bit addictive.
If you’re in the mood for a gentle mystery with a big heart, give this one a try. And if you figure out whodunit before Ally does, well, just don’t gloat too much.
After all, half the fun is in the guessing.
And, if you love this book, check out Dee MacDonald‘s Kate Palmer series, which currently has seven books for you to get stuck into!
