Available Formats
Hardback, Large Print Edition
Published: 1st November 2024
Paperback
Published: 18th October 2022
Hardback
Published: 9th April 2019
A Dream Of Death
By (Author) Connie Berry
Crooked Lane Books
Crooked Lane Books
18th October 2022
22nd September 2022
United States
General
Fiction
813.6
Paperback
336
Width 139mm, Height 209mm
On a remote Scottish island, American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton investigates 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.
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 Sheltons Scottish Bookshop series and Jane Clelands 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 authors 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 didnt 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 OConnor, USA Today bestselling author of the Irish Village mysteries
"What a treat! A modern day Outlander...Charming, authentic, surprisingand completely irresistible."
Hank Phillippi Ryan, national bestselling and Agatha award-winning author of Trust Me
"Connie Berrys debut novel has it allatmosphere, suspense, a cracking-good mystery, and characters I want to meet again soon. I cant 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 couldnt 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 puzzlewhats 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 thats 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 wont be able to stop turning pages until they reach the novels very satisfying conclusion.
Kaitlyn Dunnett, author of the Liss MacCrimmon mysteries
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.