Beth Cowan-Erskine

May I say, I LOVE the title and its fantastic wordplay.
This book would make an entertaining movie or TV series.
As a novel, however, it feels like it's trying to do too many things at once. First, there's the Downton-Abbey-esque setting, which IS pretty fun. Then there's an unexpected death in the family, so it's sort of a mystery. And then there's a pandemic, which gets shoe-horned in with lots of wink-wink, nudge-nudge references that people who have lived through 2020 will understand all too well.

However, there's not a strong focus in the narrative. It's a bit hard to tell whether we're supposed to be invested in the mystery or not. And the treatment of the pandemic is both extremely specific (shortages of toilet paper) and vaguely distant (we never actually see anyone who is sick, even though all the staff is catching it like crazy). Again, hard to tell whether we're supposed to care.
The characters have relatively little personality and are more defined by their roles than anything else. So it takes a while to sort them out and remember who is who.

That said, I did enjoy it somewhat as the plot started opening up in the latter half, and was satisfied with the resolution of a couple of plot threads. It's fairly light-hearted overall even though there are some dramatic revelations.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance review copy.… (altro)

Loch Down Abbey is a Downton Abbey wannabe. Fortunately for the author, it will be made in to a TV series. As a book, there wasn't much of a plot. 2 characters died but the resolution of their deaths was not prominent. The story was basically about how the aristocratic characters spend their days. The story takes place in the Scottish Highlands during the 1930s.

The publisher's summary:

"It's the 1930s and a mysterious illness is spreading over Scotland. But the noble and ancient family of Inverkillen, residents of Loch Down Abbey, are much more concerned with dwindling toilet roll supplies and who will look after the children now that Nanny has regretfully (and most inconveniently) departed this life.

Then Lord Inverkillen, Earl and head of the family, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. The inspector declares it an accident but Mrs MacBain, the head housekeeper, isn't so convinced. As no one is allowed in or out because of the illness, the residents of the house - both upstairs and downstairs - are the only suspects. With the Earl's own family too busy doing what can only be described as nothing, she decides to do some digging - in between chores, of course - and in doing so uncovers a whole host of long-hidden secrets, lies and betrayals that will alter the dynamics of the household for ever."
Loch Down Abbey is advertised as a locked room mystery. Who or what was in the locked room? I don't know. The book primarily revolves around an artistocratic family, the Ogilvy-Sinclairs, who have lived in Loch Down Abbey for over 600 years. They are dysfunctional, with every family member at war with each other over mostly small things. They love to make life hard for their servants and treat them abysmally. After Lord Inverkillen and the nanny are found dead, a sickness takes over Scotland and Britain. The government has asked people to wear masks and stay inside while the sickness rages. In the Abbey, half of the servants are ill and cannot wait on the family hand and foot. The family is outraged that servants have taken over part of the family and guest quarters and that they will have to dress themselves, forego their breakfast trays and downsize the number of cakes served at tea. Flour, sugar and toilet paper have been hoarded from the stores. Sound familiar? I think the author wrote her story based on the COVID-19 pandemic that we all are dealing with at the present time.

The depiction of the lives of the rich are what make this a good read. I am sure that we all have watched Downton Abbey over the years. Loch Down Abbey is a castle that is slightly smaller in size than Downton but the characters all behave the same. Loch Down has more servants though, thirty, so there are alot of characters to keep track of. There isn't much mystery here but it did not affect my enjoyment of the book. It is a relaxing read.… (altro)