by A.D. Scott
This is the first book in a mystery series set in the Highlands of Scotland, The book was interesting, especially because it is not the police or detectives who solve the crime, but staff at the local newspaper.
As it turns out the local Police Captain is the perpetrator of the crime, the abuse and murder of a small boy.
The Captain tries to pin the crime on a Polish man who jumped ship in the harbour as the only people who can vouch for him are another "Pole" and local travellers (gypsies). The book mentions how difficult the insulate community is finding it having former enemies (Italtians) and other foreigners moving to the town.
When hundreds of Italians arrive for a wedding the sedate Scots are totally overwhelmed by the colour, and noise. There is also distrust of Catholcs and the Catholics don't want to believe that the local priest has anything to do with the murder or any other crimes.
The Editor of the newspaper is haunted by the crime becuause his brother, 10 years his junior, commits suicide. He feels that hsi brother wanted his help prior to killing himself and he hand't noticed that the brother needed his help.
One of the staff, a married woman, who shocks the village because she is married and still working, is a victim of spousal abuse. She is struggling trying to survive her husband, protect her daughters and decide whether she should take the risk of leaving her husband (gaining more scorn from family and the community) or stay in the brutal marriage.
It was an engaging story, I look forward to reading more books in the series.
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