Death of a Highland Heavyweight by Jayne Self

by Barbara Early

I must admit, I don’t agree to do many reviews. But when Jayne Self asked me to take a look at the second in her Seaglass Series of cozy mysteries, I said yes immediately. I’d read the first in the series, Murder in Hum Harbour, and enjoyed it. Read my review of her first book here. 

And Jayne outdid herself. Not only are her characters back and better than ever, but now, with the added confidence and flow of a more seasoned writer, her second, Death of a Highland Heavyweight, simply sparkles. Nova Scotia and the quirky community of Hum Harbour are brought to life as she weaves in interesting events and characters and plots a mystery that should keep people guessing.

First, the protagonist. Gailynn MacDonald is a part-time medical receptionist (to her fiancé, handsome doctor and former missionary Geoff) and owner of Dunmaglass, the store where she sells, among other locally produced glasswork, her own crafted seaglass jewelry. She’s also trying to plan her wedding. And help with the Hum Harbour Daze, a local festival. A dead body is the last thing she needs.

Which brings up the victim, a local sportsman. Claude Oui is a champion in caber toss, a sport Gailynn describes as throwing a telephone pole. Even more impressive since it’s done in a kilt.

The local hero’s reign is over when he’s found dead at the bottom of the stairs, but we know it can’t be an accident. And Gailynn is sure it’s not. But who would take down the gentle giant who recently became a Christian, denounced his lucrative ale endorsement, and planned a missions trip to Ghana? For that matter, who could?

Nova Scotia, Canada

And the setting. I seriously have to get to Nova Scotia. I could smell the salt water and see the rising sun shimmer from the water.

Blurb: Murder, chaos, teen angst, missing frog figurines, wedding preparations. What do these things have in common? Gailynn MacDonald. When Highland Games Heavyweight Champion Claude Oui is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, his wife is overcome with grief. As head of the town's annual Hum Harbour Daze festival, she cannot plan a funeral and keep up with her responsibilities to the town, so Gailynn dutifully steps in.

Amidst choosing bridesmaids dresses, assembling a big top tent, and advising teenagers in love—one of whom just might be a murderer—Gailynn is once again caught up in the town’s hidden secrets as she races to solve Hum Harbour's latest crime spree

Disclaimer: I should note that Pelican Book Group is also the publisher for my Gold, Frankincense and Murder (Dec 2011), and I currently work there as an editor. I have, however, received no compensation for this review, which represents my personal opinion.

Barbara Early grew up buried in the snowy suburbs of Buffalo, NY, where she developed a love for all things sedentary: reading, writing, classic movies, and Scrabble. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, but her penchant for the creative caused her to run away screaming from the pocket-protector set. Barbara cooks up cozy mysteries with a healthy dose of comedy and sometimes a splash of romance. Her holiday novella, Gold, Frankincense, and Murder was released in e-book format from White Rose Publishing in December 2011. You can learn more about her writing on her personal blog: http://barbearly.blogspot.com/ or see what's for dinner on her recipe blog: http://bflogal.blogspot.com/.