Death on a Shetland Isle
Indomitable Cass Lynch has a shock as her tall ship Sorlandet prepares to leave for the Shetland Islands: the new third mate looks like, is, her dead lover Alain – but why is he pretending to be a Spanish stranger? She’s also concerned about Laura and Oliver Eastley, trainees on her watch. Laura is still recovering from the shock of their parents’ car-crash death. An accident in the Neolithic Mousa Broch makes Cass suspect that another death is planned.... but how can she protect Laura from her own brother? This seventh investigation for Cass and Gavin reunites them with Cass’s parents, her friends Inga and Magnie and of course the engaging Peerie Charlie in a summer investigation on Fetlar, one of Shetland’s outer isles.
Praise for Death on a Shetland Isle
“ ... there are bodies and missing persons, even a kidnapping, though that's not quite what you might think. ... And that's only the plot! As ever, Marsali Taylor brings her extensive sailing knowledge to the table; everyday life aboard the Sørlandet is vividly portrayed. She also breathes life into her beloved Shetland landscape as the ship visits not only Lerwick on the mainland, as Shetlanders call it, but also Mousa and Fetlar, two of the outlying islands which have distinctive characters of their own.
Cass keeps threatening to settle down with her Gavin, but somehow, I can't see her abandoning the sea. And while mystery insists on dogging her footsteps, I'm sure Marsali Taylor will continue to follow her around. I certainly hope so. ”
— Lynne Patrick, Mystery People
Mousa, with the broch visible on its headland at the right hand side.
The Fetlar village of Houbie, and the bay below the houses where Sørlandet was anchored. The blue roof in the centre is the Hall, and the pier and interpretative centre is just hidden by the nearer hill.
Fetlar interpretative centre
Looking from the camping bød towards the Giant’s Grave, which is the green mound in the second shorn field.
The geowall at the Loch of Funzie. The hide is just off the photo to the right.
The camping bød.
Inside the Fetlar Hall.
A Hnafatafl board set up ready for a game.
The Bay o’ Funzie, where Cass and Gavin walk along the cliffs. You can see the retaining wall in the centre left of the photo.
Brough Lodge, in the process of being refurbished.
The long front of Brouch Lodge, with the main house, chapel and the Folly on its hill behind the house.
The Folly at Brough Lodge.
Author Comment
If a book’s structure is well done, readers rarely notice it, but it can be great fun for the author. This is my Through the Looking Glass book, only instead of chess it’s based loosely on a game of Hnafatafl, the Viking forerunner of chess. The defence side is trying to get their King safely to a corner, the attack side is trying to surround him. Each section of the book includes two moves from each side, and if you re-read books, do look out for them - once you know who’s on which side! From a character point of view it was also really interesting for me as it uncovered a side of Cass I hadn’t expected. Her romance with Alain was obviously tempestuous; now I’m worried that her quieter romance with Gavin might mean she doesn’t care enough after all ...