I picked up this book because I’d recently visited the Scottish Highlands, and I was in the mood for a classic murder mystery set in that landscape. And indeed, some of my favourite parts of the novel were the vivid descriptions of Highland nature and character. The prose is surprisingly poetic.
At its core, this is a traditional locked-room mystery: a murder occurs in a room sealed from the inside, followed by a series of events (hint: other murders) that all seem increasingly impossible. If you’re familiar with classic murder mysteries, you’ll recognise some familiar themes and a few genre clichés, but they’re handled competently and with enough creativity to stay engaging.
I also appreciated the relatively small cast of characters. The story mainly revolves around one family across a couple of generations, and the tight focus allows for interesting interactions and character exploration without becoming overwhelming.
There’s also an intriguing blend of detection with hints of folklore or legend, which suits the Highland setting particularly well.
This was my first novel by this author, but Anthony Wynne wrote a whole series featuring Dr. Eustace Hailey, the detective here. Interestingly, Wynne was the pseudonym of Robert McNair Wilson, a Glaswegian surgeon himself, and the novel was first published in 1931, very much in the golden age of detective fiction.
Overall, a satisfying and atmospheric mystery from the 30s: read this if you enjoy classic locked-room puzzles and evocative Scottish settings.
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