The Curse of Braeburn Castle - Menuhin
Audio performance by S. Dewhurst-Phillips
3 star

This is the third book of the Heathcliff Lennox mystery series. I thought the first book was mildly entertaining. The murder mystery was predictable, but there were quirky, likable characters in humorous situations. I was happy to buy this audiobook on sale. It sounded perfect for October and Halloween. Although, as it is set in Scotland, the holiday is Samhain.

It’s a great setting for a classic mystery; an isolated, moated castle inconveniently cut off from the mainland by dire weather just as the body count begins to climb. There's an ancient skeleton in a crumbling wall, a lost treasure, and a mysterious psychic performing seances. I wasn’t looking for sophisticated fiction. I did hope for humor.

The author certainly tried to make the story amusing. There were kilt and sporran gags, the batty psychic and a fastidious, lovelorn butler. But, somehow the humor fell flat in this one. The audio performance was too ponderous and slow. I may have missed something because I skipped the second book in the series. I probably will go back and read it sometime when I’m looking for an easy read. ( )

October 1921 ad Major Heathcliff Lennox is summoned by his friend ex-Chief Inspector Swift to his home, Braeburn Castle, in the middle of Loch Laich. It seems that he has discovered a skeleton, which has now misplaced his head. But not long after he arrives, there is a death and not the last. Between them Lennox and Swift must decide who among the guests which include an archaeology team, is the guilty party.
This is another delightful mystery in this well-written series with its very likeable characters plus of course the lovable Lennox. ( )

lore, island-life, Scotland, family-dynamics, friendship, archaeologist, ex-cop, amateur-sleuth, dog, cats, clan-feud, clairvoyant, class-consciousness, murder, murder-investigation*****

1921 and the Great War is over. Former Scotland Yard Detective Jonathan Swift is living on a Scottish Isle with his new wife and a skeleton in his home office so he calls on his friend, Major Lennox to help him with things. Lennox reluctantly agrees, brings his former batman plus his dog named Mr Fogg but the little kitten stows away. Another person who sticks along is an older woman he doesn't even know who is a clairvoyant. Once there he finds a cranky Laird, several archaeologists including a very interesting bone specialist, and very soon the first recent body.
Think Mel Brooks with Agatha Christie performed by John Cleese! What a hoot! And the mystery progression with all it's red herrings and plot twists is very good as well. The characters certainly are!
Sam Dewhurst-Phillips did a wonderful job with all the voices and really acted out the story and did not just read it. His voice brings the characters to life with His inflections entirely suited the situations and characters. ( )

A really good read. ( )

I loved the first Lennon book, the second one has not [yet?] been kindlized, and I was very disappointed in this third volume. The ending was wonderful. Who'd a thunk it? But the first 2/3 were painful. Lots of dialog, but nothing really happening. Lots of brrr, it's cold in here, but not much description that helped. I'll read another: we'll see....2020- ( )