Paige Shelton weaves the history of Mary, Queen of Scots cleverly into a very puzzling mystery in The Stolen Letter, the fifth in her Scottish Bookshop cozy series. The mystery is particularly strong in this book, and I really enjoyed myself trying to figure out what was going on and the identity of the people responsible. I was a bit disappointed when the mystery shifted focus to Henry and Mary's past life was rather abruptly abandoned, but then I thought about it and realized that there was really nowhere for that particular plotline to go.

I do have to admit to a chuckle or two when it became blindingly obvious that Delaney was much more interested in saving the bookshop than she was in finding the dead man's killer, but-- as most readers will realize-- the two are connected and the tie between the two is one of the things that makes the mystery in The Stolen Letter so good. Shelton has a winning combination with her characters, setting, and stories, and I certainly look forward to Delaney's next adventure.

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Delaney & Tom return from their honeymoon to find bad news awaiting. The Cracked Spine book shop has received notification that it will be closed due to a failed building inspection. Mary also meets someone who could be her double - and who proclaims she is Mary Queen of Scots reincarnated. Good cozy read!

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The Stolen Letter by Paige Shelton has Delaney Nichols heading back to work after her honeymoon with her new husband, Tom. As she heads towards The Cracked Spine, Delaney runs into a woman carrying a large number of books. After helping retrieve the volumes, Delaney introduces herself to Mary who looks remarkably like her. Delaney is to learn from Mary Stewart that they both look like Mary, Queen of Scots, and Mary states that she was the Queen of Scots in a past life. Mary then invites Delaney, Tom and Rosie to dinner that evening. Rosie has surprising news to share with Delaney once they are alone. It seems The Cracked Spine has not passed an inspection and the Edinburgh city council will be voting in a week to shut down their beloved bookstore. The next morning, they hear a BOOM and learn that Henry Stewart, Mary's husband and a member of the city council, died in a car explosion. Delaney is astonished when she discovers that Henry was the one pushing for the vote to close The Cracked Spine. Something does not add up and Delaney intends to get answers so she can save the bookshop. The Stolen Letter is the fifth novel in A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. It can be read alone for those new to this series. I was eager to read The Stolen Letter when I saw it involved Mary, Queen of Scots. She is one of my favorite historical figures along with Queen Elizabeth I. Delaney Nichols enjoyed her honeymoon with her new hubby, Tom Shannon, but she is eager to return to The Cracked Spine. Delaney loves her job and the people who work there. When Delaney hears that her beloved bookstore is in jeopardy, she takes action. Delaney is fierce when it comes to The Cracked Spine. I felt Edwin should play a bigger role (it is his shop) and I was happy to see that Edwin stepped up when it counted. Rosie, a shop employee, is a delight. I liked how she was involved in the investigation. I enjoyed the author's word imagery which brings the book to life. I could envision Edinburgh with its charming shops, cobbled streets and cozy pubs. The mystery is complex with its suspicious suspects, misdirection and various clues. I just love a twisty whodunit. I bet you will be surprised when the solution is revealed. I found The Stolen Letter to be well-written with genuine, friendly characters. I could tell the author did her research on Mary, Queen of Scots. There were some details that were new to me. It was also interesting to learn about Burgess Tickets and the Freedom Casket they came in. The ending was wonderful. It was unique and surprising. The Stolen Letter is a great addition to A Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. The Stolen Letter is an entertaining cozy mystery with a perplexing puzzle, an insidious inspection, a remarkable reincarnation, a crafty councilor, lost links, and a determined Delaney.

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