The Stolen Letter

Bestseller Shelton’s whimsical fifth Scottish Bookshop mystery (after 2019’s The Loch Ness Papers) finds Delaney Nichols back in Edinburgh from her honeymoon, eager to return to her job at the Cracked Spine, “the most wonderful bookstore in the entire world.” On the street, she literally bumps into a woman who looks a lot like herself—the same frizzy red hair and lots of freckles. By chance, the woman, who introduces herself as Mary Stewart, was on her way to the Cracked Spine. At the bookshop, Mary reveals that she’s the reincarnation of Mary, Queen of Scots. Delaney and Mary soon become friends. Meanwhile, the Edinburgh City Council threatens to close the bookshop for code violations. Eventually, other people who believe they have past lives end up playing supporting roles in the main action: Delaney’s investigation of the death of Mary’s husband, a member of the council, in a car bombing. Vivid descriptions of Edinburgh enhance the well-crafted plot. Cozy fans will look forward to the further adventures of smart and intuitive Delaney. Agent: Jessica Faust, Bookends Literary. (Apr.)