Review: A Very Bookish Murder by Dee MacDonald

A Very Bookish Murder is book three in Dee MacDonald's Ally McKinley series.

Ally is the owner of a B&B in the tiny Highland village of Locharran. Ally is also an amateur sleuth. 

A Very Bookish Murder is another fun cosy mystery read from Dee MacDonald. Ally is such a likeable character and she loves to do a bit of investigating. There is plenty of opportunity for her to show her skills when not one but two people are murder whilst on a writing retreat.

Lots of name calling and shouts of plagiarism amongst the group of authors generated plenty of suspects and kept the plot moving along at a steady pace.

There is enough backstory dispersed throughout for those who are new to the series and also provides a refresher for return readers.

Some of my favourite side characters make an appearance in the story as this series is not only about the murders it is also about the little town of Locharran and its eccentric residents. Occasionally the murder investigation takes a backseat to the everyday life of the town.

If you love Midsomer Murders you will enjoy the Ally McKinley series.

A Very Bookish Murder is a fun, light cosy mystery, perfect for reading over a quiet weekend.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 19th September 2025

Series: Ally McKinley #3

Genre: Cosy Crime / Mystery

Pages: 273

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

Follow along on the book tour below:

#averybookishmurder #cosymystery #deemacdonald #allymckinley #bookouture #blogtour #newrelease