My Review
Gabby Heart and her best friend Abe travel to a Scottish castle to work on a new book series. They find themselves in danger when they are taken hostage. There is a second mystery on Dost Island, where young people are going missing.
I wanted to read this book because I love mysteries. The castle in Scotland was an intriguing setting.
The author does a very good job at describing the setting in a vivid "you are there" manner. I found the Scottish castle very immersive.
Gabby is a courageous and likable protagonist. I also liked Abe. I have not read the first book in the series, and had a hard time keeping up with the many secondary characters in this book, so I suspect it would work best if the books were read in order.
This is a leisurely paced book, which I think adds to the immersive quality.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book and the way it slowly unfolded.
Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy Captive Heart at Branmar Castle, and it will be especially of interest for readers who also like the Scotland and castle setting.
Book Synopsis
Gabby Heart travels to a remote Scottish castle with her best friend, Abe—a bestselling children’s author—expecting misty views, historic charm, and quiet time to plan their next book series. But Brantmar Castle holds more than ghosts of the past. When the women are taken hostage, Gabby must rely on her instincts, her resilience, and the help of men who may not deserve her trust to survive.
Meanwhile, on Dost Island, young residents are vanishing without a trace. As those left behind scramble for answers, unsettling clues emerge—leading to a dark motive no one could have predicted.
From the storm-swept highlands of Scotland to the rocky shores of New England, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle blends mystery, emotional grit, simmering romance, and humor, in a story where secrets run deep… and time is running out.
Two mysteries. One fight for survival. And danger closing in from both sides of the sea.
A slow-burn romantic suspense with an edgy cozy mystery twist peppered with humor, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle is perfect for fans of strong women over 40, amateur sleuths, brooding men with buried secrets, and adventure in small seaside towns and exotic locales hiding deadly truths.
Author Bio
My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense.
When I’m not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.
Author Links
Website https://celestefenton.com
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