Loch Down Abbey: Downton Abbey meets locked-room mystery in this playful, humorous novel set in 1930s Scotland

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We were taken to Scarinish Hotel. There we found out the crew members that had been in the lifeboat were in the hotel before us.” On the open seas, he did not know the fate of that third lifeboat. Royal residents of Loch Down Abbey are not very interested in being out or do something but, they always are busy. The head housekeeper, After fifteen years, didn’t understand what it was they did all day. They hardly can even be dressed, and of course, they don't know the way of the kitchen. Its safety record is impeccable. CalMac provide a safe, comfortable journey for thousands of passengers every day, in waters that are not hospitable. People ought to be glad there are cancellations, because masters are using their judgement not to risk customers’ lives in these treacherous situations.” The Loch Seaforth sunk by Scarinish pier. Photograph courtesy of Peter Knapman. 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."

The first vessel in the fleet to be fitted out with radar, she was also the biggest MacBrayne ship until car ferries came in 1964. In truth, Clarkson was right about one thing in his life: the worst car in the world is American. In a field, six cars including two Chryslers and a Pontiac Aztek raced in circles in a kind of ground-based balloon race cum demolition derby. The loser would be the first car to crash out. It was the Pontiac (a car so terrible it figured in Breaking Bad as Walter White’s ride of choice to show what a loser he was) that was proven – scientifically, mind – to be the world’s worst car. The next morning, they switch to classic muscle cars to pay tribute to them. However, wanting to balance out these amazing cars, they showcase the worst in a "recreation" of the Cold War. This is done with a demolition derby of three rubbish cars from the Soviet Union and three from America. Those reports match up with further comments made by May earlier this year: “In the short term, we might have to reduce our travel ambitions, and we’ll have a better chance of [filming]. The Grand Tour may become a little more domestic. But it will still be us three which is the important thing. And cars." On the surface this book is a cosy mystery, but I found it to be much more, and the references to the shortage of toilet rolls and flour, were a reminder of the position we were all faced with in March 2020. There were elements that demanded the reader suspended belief, some bits were perhaps a little contrived, but I thoroughly enjou]yes it.In a massive salvage operation the Loch Seaforth was lifted right out of the water by a mammoth German crane and beached half a mile away – out of the way,” reported The Scottish Daily Express on May 24 1973. “Her owners said she would never sail under her own power again.

Tthis very funny and unputdownable novel is a sure winner from start to finish! To be enjoyed without moderation.' - 5 STARS The community showed its appreciation of the removal of the boat by throwing a party for the salvage crew – it was a British operation with some German equipment and crew. Gotham Awards: 'Anatomy Of A Fall' An Early Double Winner; 'Four Daughters' Best Doc - Updating Live We could not do anything. They were open rowing boats, totally exposed to the weather, and everything that the sea was going to throw at you. One moment you are on the crest of a wave and the next moment at the bottom, and then the next one is on top of you. You could not see anything because the seas were so rough.The trio want to find a community that would enjoy the style and flamboyannce of the American cars, embarassing to Europeans. So they drive up to North Uist, but find a body of water in the way. To get over, they build a pontoon-like bridge and reach the American community. However, they are disappointed. 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. However, there are so many characters it’s overwhelming and this means that apart from one or two they’re not well fleshed out and some seem to serve little purpose other than to baffle me. The style at times is somewhat ponderous especially at the beginning with over descriptions and explanation which slows the pace though this does improve in the second half which is much better than the first. The plot is really convoluted with so much going on it becomes bewildering and truthfully apart from recognition of our Covid reality I’m not that sure their pandemic actually adds much to the plot????

I found Loch Down Abbey in the mystery and thriller section and thought it sounded appealing - 1930s country house murder, but it’s not quite that and I didn’t find it particularly mysterious or thrilling. It is more an unraveling of family secrets than murder mystery and I found it hard to maintain my interest in a bunch of entitled aristos acting like children. I think it is intended as satire, but if so it passed me by.

I am actually always stunned how it takes such a short time for some atrocious series of events in the world to come to such a complex medium as a book. And sometimes I'm just bored to death by it. Not with Loch Down Abbey. The thing I respect about this book is that, although it does use some current events, it simply does not revolve the whole novel around it, it is used just as a pinch of spice to the whole story.

Beside me was an army sergeant and his wife. She was still in her night clothes. They had just run up without getting any layer of clothing on themselves. There was a stewardess. She was trying to look after a couple of kids. She kept her arms around the children, and tried to shelter them from the spray. The characters were quite 2-dimensional as well, although I think the servants were the most interesting, and I quite enjoyed the relations between the family and servants, highlighting the invisibility of 'the help' in these situations, contrast with the power they actually have and the skill set they must possess to do their jobs.Proprio per questo motivo mi sento di dire che questa lettura non è rivolta principalmente a chi è cresciuto con pane, Poirot e Miss Marple. 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. There's a lot of characters to try and remember. Most of the family members aren't very likable and hardly any of them can do anything without their maids. The story is told from multiple perspectives but the sudden switches of perspective makes it a bit confusing. Filled with secrets, betrayals, lies and some humour, this is an enjoyable read. 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.