The Orkney Scroll (Archaeological Mysteries, No. 10)

Lyn Hamilton's series of archaeological mysteries involving Lara McClintock and her friends is a good archaeological mystery. The author is very thorough with her research and her novels are intriguing. "The Orkney Scroll" is based in the Orkney islands off the coast of Scotland, a little-known area with a lot of history. The Vikings settled there and raided England and the other surrounding countries returning with their plunder. This story features the adventures of one of these Vikings; Bjarni the Wanderer. Lara McClintock is horrified when one of her customers destroys a rare and valuable writing cabinet with an axe. When he is subsequently accused of murdering a fellow antique dealer with the same axe, she is convinced he is innocent and sets off to prove it by following the past history of the writing cabinet. She goes to Orkney and finds that everywhere she turns the legend of Bjarni the Wanderer shrouds the island in mystery. As she delves deeper into the mystery of the writing cabinet, she is befriended by several of the islanders and becomes immersed in their lives and the history of the islands. Lara and her friends are believable, amusing and lifelike to the point that they are almost predictable. Lara's travels are always to interesting and little-known areas. Lyn Hamilton draws the local area and its weather, flora and fauna into the story. I enjoy reading her books and enthusiastically recommend them to my friends.

Once again Lyn Hamilton takes us into an almost unknown, fascinating world. Her history "lessons" are painless (for us the readers) and full of excitement and danger (for her characters). Ms. Hamilton's descriptions and characters are so lifelike that you feel as if you are experiencing the events in the places and with the people she writes about. The motives are complex, the crimes are "real" and you will really never guess "who did it."

This book is wonderful. I love murder mysteries set in unusual places but to find one set in Orkney was even better. As a native Orcadian now living in the U.S., it was unbelievable to find myself walking down the streets of my childhood passed St. Magnus Cathedral, Tankerness House and visiting the incredible archealogical sites of Orkney. The book is worth reading for the descriptions of Orkney and Orcadians. I was stunned how accurate it was and very happy about it. Even the restaurant (The Foveran) where the characters had dinner one evening was right on - I've eaten there on both of my recent trips to Orkney. The story in itself is spell binding and believable. I'd recommend this to everyone who loves a good murder mystery not to mention a wonderful place to visit. I've got to read more of Lyn Hamilton's books. I am sure that they will be as accurate as this one.

Wow! This is my first Lyn Hamilton book. In it, antiques store owner Lara McClintoch uncovers a mystery, dogs it to Scotland, and... the adventures begin! Hamilton has developed an intelligent and thoughtful character in one Lara McClintoch. Whether this shows my ignorance, gullibility, or quick wit, I felt like I was learning history, the antiques business, and the geography of this part of Scotland. And if a novel can make me feel that way... more power to it! The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the interspersion of the legend/history of Bjarni the Wanderer with Lara's travels was well coordinated. Recommended! And I hope I get another chance to read more of Hamilton's work.

Toronto antique dealer Lara McClintoch owns McClintoch & Swain in partnership with her husband Clive. She has a terrific reputation one that she proudly wants to keep because multibillionaires like Blair Baldwin buy from her as much for her honesty as her expertise. Blair is purchasing an expensive writing desk from dealer Trevor Wylie if Lara authenticates it as an original. Although she does not have enough time to examine the desk in minute detail, Lara believes it is genuine; Blair buys it and invites high society to attend a gala showcasing it. However, Lara realizes from the design of the lock that the desk is a fake. Blair goes berserk chopping the desk up with an ax, and soon afterward Trevor is dead and the wealthy patron is arrested as the person with motive and the weapon an ax. Lara checks Trevor's records along with the police and notices two object that look like the desks came from the Orkney Islands off Scotland. Wanting to repair her damaged name, Lara travels to the Orkney Islands not realizing the danger that awaits her there with a second murder occurring. Armchair travelers love the Lara McClintoch mysteries as she always visits an exotic locale that is vividly drawn so that readers will believe they accompany the heroine as she conducts a fantastic whodunit investigation. Filled with plenty of historical information cleverly interwoven into a fabulous whodunit, THE ORKNEY SCROLL is one of the best entries in a powerful amateur sleuth series as Lara knows what is at stake for her and for her client. Lyn Hamilton has produced another exemplary winner. Harriet Klausner