I love the Shetland series, the stunning sailing boats, the smaller boats, the cats and of course the characters. This one, Death in a Shetland Family, is no exception to the series. I love the slow cadence, the story unfolding slowly like a sail. I know nothing about sailing, but this series is making me feel I can picture it all very clearly.

Marsali Taylor, the author, has done another fabulous job with this book. Death in a Shetland Family is brilliant as ever in painting the characters, although I missed Gavin. Straightaway, the story starts with Gavin away, as his mother had a stroke, and he had to go down into Scotland. Cass is left looking after the many animals, something I did enjoy, as it’s seeing her growing and changing.

Death in a Shetland Family brings many old and familiar characters, Magnie, Inga, the DS working with Gavin, as well as plenty of new ones. It also has a story line running about the AA and overcoming alcoholism. Death in a Shetland Family, exposing family feuds, resentment, and long-lasting grumbles amongst the family involved in the murder. Marsali managed to make you feel invested in the family, feeling for their grief as well as wonder about their guilt.

Death in a Shetland Family has Cass connecting more with her parents as well, which I enjoyed, and there was a lot about the local shows and what is needed to have the special Shetland ponies ready. That made a lovely storyline which I enjoyed. Cass is learning all about horses, and having the Shetland ponies involved in the case as well as at her home where she has to look after them was a nice extra to me.

Death in a Shetland Family is not a fast-paced story, like none of the series is. It’s perfect for long lazy evenings where you want to turn pages and just meander all over Shetland. I loved the description of the scenery, and it’s making me feel relaxed, just thinking about the lapping waves, the grassy hills, the pretty houses sprawled around, and it’s easy to imagine being in the boat with Cass.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death in a Shetland Family and am grateful to Reading Between the Lines for inviting me on the book tour! I was under no obligation or pressure to write a favourable review.