Sally Sluhan WrightBesprekingen

Ben Reese arrives in Scotland to appraise heirloom of Balnagard Castel and finds that the best friend of Lord Chisholm has suddenly dies. Chisholm is suspicious that it could be murder and not medical.

The victim, Parson Jonathan McLean, is well liked by all who know him, and in the best of health. The sudden death makes no sense to his friends and wife.

Reese finds himself delving into the history of McLean’s family for possible cles and suspects, and putting the research on the Balnagard project, by the request of Chisholm.

Research being Reese’s area of expertise, he finds there is many threads to trace down and connect to get a complete tapestry of the murder. He finds that there is more than the obvious to the family history and slowly gets the whole story.

I’ve read other books in this series and have others. I am looking forward to them as I enjoy the characters, setting and pace.

Georgina Fletcher believes she is about to be murdered and writes a letter asking a friend to investigate even if her death is ruled natural. Ben Reese's investigation turns up several likely suspects.
I didn't like when the Scottish accent was spelt out - I felt that it was not need and distracted from the story, plus the changeable font sizes.

A good story but unfortunately I was a little put off by the authors annoying quirks with the dialogue; ie at tall for at all and it tis for it is which she uses with abandon throughout the story. I suppose it is to indicate that the speaker is Scottish but it becomes irritating when used sometimes three or four times per page.½

A little slow but compelling. I couldn't put it down.

I liked it. I loved that it took place in an era i could relate to, which made some of the characters even more understandable. I enjoyed the fact that i never felt bogged down. And of course, I was happy that the story centered around horses and the lives of their caretakers.

My one critique is that while reading, i felt like Wright added too many story lines for one book. I was able to keep track and follow....but i wanted MORE from each one. Vietnam, WW2, wacko woman, the main character Jo needed more time... Either make this book thicker and flesh out each story or write a couple of novels! All would be well-worth reading.

My favorite quote: "You've seen people who hold grudges. It's like they've taken cyanide and expect the other person to die."

Why have I not encountered Sally Wright's writing before? I recently got a copy of Watches of the Night, her fifth mystery featuring college archivist and ex-WWII scout Ben Reese, and I'll definitely be seeking out the first four and hoping for more.

The time setting of this book is one that is not often encountered. The "contemporary" section is set in 1961 and 1962, with the flashbacks going back to 1945. Each segment is given a date, which prevents confusion. The geographical settings range from southern Ohio and Kentucky to Scotland, England and Italy, with side trips to NYC and the Hudson Valley, in the "present" day, and along the front lines in Belgium and Germany during the war. Each setting is evocatively described, with a feeling for the history of a place as well as its climate, topography, and flora.

The protagonist, Ben Reese, and his friend and co-investigator, Kate Lindsay, are just the sort of people one would like to know in real life. Other characters (helpfully listed in the front of the book, along with a drawing of a pivotal location in the story)are also well drawn, and even the villain has a believable backstory.

The story begins when Ben's friend Kate receives a shocking package, delivered by a conscientious employee of the Dead Letter Office. Sixteen years after his death, her husband's eye has been sent to her in a bottle of alcohol. Who could have sent it? She enlists Ben's help in finding out. This is one of those books where the reader knows what the villain is up to before the detectives do, but that in no way detracts from the suspense. Ben's WWII training stands him in good stead as the book reaches its thrilling climax. I highly recommend Watches of the Night.