Denis started asking me how many books we had left in Crombie's excellent mystery series, so I knew it was time to read the next one. The man's not going to be satisfied until we're completely caught up and dancing around waiting for the next one!

In this ninth book of the series, Gemma needs time to recuperate from recent events, and her friend, Hazel Cavendish, persuades her to come along with her for a weekend cooking course at a bed and breakfast in the Highlands of Scotland. Gemma loves the scenery, and is enjoying herself until she learns that Hazel wanted to take the course as a cover for meeting an old lover. The "old lover" is Donald Brodie, the handsome owner of a local whiskey distillery. When Donald's body is found in a meadow close to the bed and breakfast, Hazel immediately becomes the prime suspect, and Gemma has to walk a fine line between finding the killer and keeping local DCI Alun Ross happy.

This book kept me slightly off balance because Duncan Kincaid has very little to do with the primary action, having his hands full with developments surrounding his son, Kit. Crombie is a master at making this couple so interesting that we care just as much about what is going on in their personal lives as we do the mystery. As in other books in the series, there is also an older plot thread running throughout, this time bringing in the element of whiskey distilling families in the area and long-standing feuds which can come between them.

All in all, vintage Crombie, and a very enjoyable addition to the series!

My third Deborah Crombie James/Kincaid mystery -- I enjoyed this one as much as her "Leave the Grave Green" and more than "Dreaming of the Bones". The Scottish accent of Michael Deehy was delightful as I listened to the audiobook. The story started off a bit slowly with lots of descriptions of the highlands, whisky-making, and the cookery school etc. instead of getting on with the mystery. But we knew there had to be a murder coming, and there was, of course. I did like the fact that there wasn't a body on Page 1 and you got to know the victim in real time before the character was bumped off, rather than in flashbacks.

Then the book became a classic whodunit with just about everybody being a potential suspect, each for his or her respective reasons. All it takes is a murder to get you to wonder what secrets are being hidden and to realize they all had something against the victim. As each one is questioned the author cleverly leaves bits of suspicion on each character right up till the end. The false clues are also believable and she doesn't have to pull any rabbits out of hats to get to find out what really happened.

Chief Inspector Ross is a bit of a bumbler and his hard-edged approach is in direct contrast to Gemma and Duncan's style of dealing with potential criminals. The story is carried along nicely by Ms. Crombie's excellent dialogue and evocative scene and action descriptions. She is a master at her craft and it shows.

I found the side plot of Duncan's problems with his son, Kit, a bit distracting from the main story, and only there to keep up the long-term thread of the series that he and Gemma have their family life to contend with in between solving murders. I also questioned the degree of anger over a loan that resulted in the death of Rab Brodie in 1900, which seemed a bit too soap-opera-esque. The relationship between that conflict of old and the current story also wasn't completely clear to me as it had nothing to do with the current murder, as it turned out.

All in all, a very entertaining read and fun way to spend a few hours being transported to the "bonnie braes" of Scotland (which are every bit as wild and beautiful as Crombie describes). I visited there myself several times, including many of the places mentioned in the book.

This is the ninth installment in the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid Scotland Yard series with our heroes on the outside of a murder investigation involving Gemma's good friend and ex-landlord as a prime suspect. This book has the template of this series' earlier entries - the weaving of plots past and present, a cast of characters tied together in a murder investigation and Gemma and Duncan balancing police work with their personal relationship and children. What is blatantly absent is a gripping story line. There are love triangles aplenty, more than enough information for this reader on the distillery industry and plenty of conversations about food but the murder mystery never gains any traction. If you are new to this series, start at the beginning for this addition contains none of the subtlety, complexity and depth of those very good books.

Gemma James, grieving for a lost child accepts an invitation to join a friend in Scotland for a vacation. Gemma has achieved a new appointment away from her partner and lover, Duncan Kincaid. She enjoys the responsibility of her new position but misses the easy companionship of working with Duncan.
Deborah Crombie has the style, talent and creativity to sustain a police procedural interwoven with complex personal issues and romance. When her friend is arrested for the murder of the man she left behind, Gemma asks Duncan to join her but this is her day in the light as she delves into a past shaded by feudal barons of the distilling industry, lost love and ancient hatreds. Slowly Gemma knits the fabric of the past into a myriad of conflicting truths. While investigating the recent past, Gemma unearths secrets long buried.
A step about the traditional county house English mystery; "Now You May Weep," is a fine addition to this outstanding series.
Nash Black, author of "Qualifying Laps" and "Taxes, Stumbling Blocks & Pitfalls for Authors 2007."

Deborah Crombie really hits her stride in her Kincaid/James series. Scotland comes alive in all its beauty as she weaves old loves, new loves and murder together.

Some of the people involved in the story belong to families who have been distilling whiskey for generations. The facts about the craft of making fine whiskey are fascinating. There are flashbacks to an earlier time and the roots of a sad feud that will surprisingly intrude on the present.

Gemma James, accepts an invitation from an old friend to join her for a visit to a B&B in Scotland for a few days. They are to have gourmet meals with cooking classes included. Her friend, Hazel, a psychologist, does not tell Gemma that she needs some time away from her marriage. She also doesn't tell her that the visit to Scotland, her former home, will include seeing an old friend, a man she was once engaged to marry.

The people assembled for the weekend are a mixed and interesting group but Gemma soon starts to puzzle over the undercurrents between some guests. She is especially surprised by the robust kilt-wearing Scot who appears to have eyes for only one person, Hazel. Gemma suspects, but refuses to believe, that Hazel could be interested in anyone other than her husband.

Duncan Kincaid, remains in London with two childen, Gemma's 4-year Toby and Duncan's own newly acquired son, Kit. Duncan's wife left him years before and never told him she was pregnant with their child. The truth only comes out after her death and Duncan brings the boy to London to live him and Gemma. Duncan has now received a letter from Kit's maternal grandmother who has filed a lawsuit demanding custody of the child. Kit, still in quiet turmoil over his Mother's death and the absence of the man he always thought was his father, is afraid to count on Duncan, or anyone. The news of his grandmother's lawsuit only adds to his insecurities.

Both Gemma and Duncan wish they were not so far apart this weekend. Each one would like to discuss the troubles and puzzles that are suddenly presenting themselves in London and Scotland. Duncan doesn't want to tell Gemma what has happened as it would spoil her weekend. Gemma would like Duncan nearby so she can discuss her mounting worrries about Hazel. Then Gemma's weekend is really spoiled when a guest at the B&B is shot to death.

Did I mention that Gemma and Duncan are police officers?

Eventually, Duncan joins Gemma in Scotland where they meet a police inspector who is decidedly not impressed with their credentials or their ideas about what has happened.

You can read this book without any concern that you are starting in the middle of the series. It stands on its own, well written and very interesting. You are in the fabled highlands of Scotland where love and revenge are carried through the generations and leave their mark on the present.