by Victoria Tait (Author) 

Wow, an even dozen for antiques-enthusiast cum amateur sleuth Dotty Sayers in Victoria Tait‘s British cozy mystery series.  I’ve been with Dotty through the ups and downs of all her books and watched her develop from a shy (and yes, mildly abused) young widow in the first book to an assured, well-educated in the business of antiques, mystery-solver.  

After helping to plan a Scottish celebration supper at her friend, Keya’s Waterwheel Cafe, for Burns Night (in honor of poet Robert Burns), Dotty faces yet another mysterious death. A very disliked womanizer and estate agent at Akeman’s Antiques is, well, murdered before the eyes of a hundred or more guests. NO ONE saw it happen. And, yes, it ruined the evening! 

But Dotty, Keya, and friends at the farm and police station jump on the case. The new Police Inspector has her hands full–and “tied behind her back”–as the recently formed murder squad at headquarters takes the case. It’s a confusing murder, but not for the lack of suspects. Everyone seems to have had a motive to kill the guy.

As is true of all of Tait’s mysteries, the story is packed with new facts, clues, and accusations to keep you thinking. Then there are twists you never see coming making it very hard for us chair detectives to discover the culprit before Dotty and friends. Dotty’s quick and observant mind does not fail her, and ONE suspect emerges to the top. Wow.

Dotty and Zach’s relationship seems to be warming.  I have finally come to “sort of” like the fellow.  He is excellent at getting people out of emergencies and saving the day while keeping his affable personality. He might just have a place in Dotty’s antique world and her heart.  We’ll see.

With the next book, Tait begins a new series with Dotty, Keya, and their friends in the Cotswolds.