A Dream of Death (Kate Hamilton Series #1)

by Connie Berry

Overview

This atmospheric debut mystery “is a Scottish delight that will keep you on your toes” with its riveting blend of real history, island legend, and unforgettable characters (Carlene O’Connor, USA Today–bestselling author of the Irish Village mysteries).

On a remote island in Scotland, an American antiques dealer a brutal killing staged to recreate a centuries-old unsolved murder.

Autumn has come and gone on Scotland’s Isle of Glenroth, and the islanders gather for the Tartan Ball, the annual end-of-tourist-season gala. Spirits are high until an unexpected turn of events takes the floor.

A recently published novel about island history has brought hordes of tourists to the small Hebridean resort community. On the guest list is American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton. Kate returns reluctantly to the island where her husband died, determined to repair her relationship with his sister, proprietor of the island’s luxe country house hotel, famous for its connection with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Kate has hardly unpacked when the next morning a body is found, murdered in a reenactment of an infamous unsolved murder described in the novel—and the only clue to the killer’s identity lies in a curiously embellished antique casket. The Scottish police discount the historical connection, but when a much-loved local handyman is arrested, Kate teams up with a vacationing detective inspector from Suffolk, England, to unmask a killer determined to rewrite island history—and Kate’s future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683319887
Publisher:	CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Publication date:	04/09/2019
Series:	Kate Hamilton Series , #1
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	207,400
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Connie Berry was born in Racine, Wisconsin, to second-generation immigrants from Scandinavia and the British Isles. Like her main character, Connie was raised by charmingly eccentric antique collectors who opened a shop, not because they wanted to sell antiques but because they needed an excuse to keep buying them. Connie adores cute animals, foreign travel, and all things British. She lives in Ohio with her husband and adorable dog Millie.

Editorial Reviews

★ 04/01/2019

Antiques dealer Kate Hamilton hasn't been back to the Isle of Glenroth, Scotland, since her husband died there three years earlier. His sister, Elenor, begs her to come, saying she needs help. Kate arrives for the Tartan Ball at the hotel Elenor owns, but Elenor turns secretive and won't talk to her until after the ball. Too late: Elenor is dead the next day, killed in a style that replicates a 200-year-old unsolved murder. When Kate's husband's best friend Bo is arrested, she teams up with DI Tom Mallory, who's in Scotland on vacation. She's determined to prove Bo, who has a few disabilities, is incapable of killing anyone. Evidence piles up while romantic sparks fly between Kate and Tom. VERDICT Newcomer Berry turns in well-written, intriguing debut mystery that combines history, an unforgettable setting, and mature, relatable characters in a story that blends an old island legend with a contemporary whodunit. It will appeal to readers of Paige Shelton's "Scottish Bookshop" series and Jane Cleland's antiques mysteries.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Library Journal

Praise for A Dream of Death:
“Newcomer Berry turns in a well-written, intriguing debut mystery that combines history, an unforgettable setting, and mature, relatable characters in a story that blends an old island legend with a contemporary whodunit. It will appeal to readers of Paige Shelton’s ‘Scottish Bookshop’ series and Jane Cleland’s antiques mysteries.”
—Library Journal starred review, Debut of the Month

“Suspenseful [and] elegantly written...Readers will look forward to seeing more of the intelligent and resourceful Kate.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Nicely drawn characters with realistic backstories, a romantic historical subplot, and a modern-day flirtation combine to make this a promising start to a new series."
—Booklist

"An exciting one, with tense and tough moments, aided by its rugged Scottish setting and the author’s entertaining unraveling of the plot."
—New York Journal of Books

“The Scottish atmosphere is captivating, the characters are well-drawn, and the dual mysteries blend together perfectly. This is exactly the type of book that I read cover to cover with barely a break...I honestly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.”
—MyShelf

“A deftly crafted mystery by a master of the genre.”
— Midwest Book Review

"Delightfully steeped in the flavors of Scotland past and present...Berry is a deft storyteller who weaves together murder, secrets, and historical tragedy with a smooth hand. A Dream of Death grabbed my attention from the start and didn’t let up."
—Bailey Cates, New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Bakery mysteries

"Deliciously atmospheric and beautifully written...this mystery will keep you up late turning the pages."
—Peg Cochran, USA Today bestselling author of the Cranberry Cove mysteries

“With an arrow straight-to-the-heart, Connie Berry whisks you away to Scotland where a present murder harbors echoes of the distant past. Layered with antiques, puzzles, and treats, A Dream of Death is a Scottish delight that will keep you on your toes until the very end.”
—Carlene O’Connor, USA Today bestselling author of the Irish Village mysteries

"What a treat! A modern day Outlander...Charming, authentic, surprising—and completely irresistible."
—Hank Phillippi Ryan, national bestselling and Agatha award-winning author of Trust Me

"Connie Berry’s debut novel has it all—atmosphere, suspense, a cracking-good mystery, and characters I want to meet again soon. I can’t imagine a better way to spend an afternoon.”
—Molly MacRae, national bestselling author of the Highland Bookshop mysteries

“An antique casket, buried secrets, old grudges and unsolved murders make for an unforgettable, heart-pounding mystery in the windswept Scottish Isles.”
—Duffy Brown, national bestselling author of the Consignment Shop mysteries

“A fresh new series that captures the Scottish scenery perfectly with suspenseful layers of intrigue and intelligent characters. Riveting...I couldn’t put it down.”
—Hannah Reed, national bestselling author of the Scottish Highland mysteries

"Masterfully plotted with compelling characters and a setting rich in history, A Dream of Death is, in one word, beautiful. An absolutely stunning debut."
—Gretchen Archer, bestselling author of the Davis Way Crime Caper mysteries

"A Dream of Death is as satisfying as a full Scottish breakfast, entertaining as a highland fling, and mysteries as the Loch Ness monster."
—Sherry Harris, Agatha award-nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries

“I was caught from the first page...Scotland, a current mystery, and an ancient puzzle—what’s not to love?”
—Fran Stewart, award-winning author of the ScotShop mysteries & the Biscuit McKee mysteries

"I loved this book! The plot is deliciously twisty and unexpectedly romantic. Add elegant prose and you have a dazzling debut that’s beautifully crafted and thoroughly enjoyable."
—Jane Cleland, award-winning author of the Josie Prescott Antiques mysteries

"Wonderful...the murder mysteries, past and present, are so intricately interwoven that readers won’t be able to stop turning pages until they reach the novel’s very satisfying conclusion.”
—Kaitlyn Dunnett, author of the Liss MacCrimmon mysteries

From the Publisher