November 10th, 2022
| Published: April 2021, Hodder & Stoughton |
| Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction |
| Length: 300 Pages |
| Age: Adult |
| Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ |

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.
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.

‘The women were often the heroes in the family, but it was the men who had their portraits on the walls.’
This historical fiction mystery has all the elements of a novelised game of Cluedo. Of Downton Abbey, but it’s murder. And it started so well! I loved the setting and the characters were just suspicious enough to keep me guessing the whole time. But the ending really let this book down for me.
I just felt like the mystery of this book took a back seat to the family drama. There are many characters in this novel and they’re all up to, well, something they shouldn’t be, lets put it that way. There are a couple of revelations I really enjoyed, but neither were connected to the murder of Lord Inverkillen (which is in the premise of the novel). In fact, I found the actual murder boring.
I also found the whole ‘Loch Down’ to be quite gimicky. I really can’t see how it impacted the novel at all. It made for a couple of funny lines about this rich, spoilt family running out of toilet roll but that’s pretty much it.
If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey (but the character are a lot more unlikable) and you think it would be interesting if Lord Grantham suddenly died of mysterious causes, you might enjoy this book. It also has a VERY satisfying ending going for it.
Thanks For Reading,
Jess X