by Elizabeth C. Bunce
publisher’s synopsis
When her governess inherits an estate on a Scottish island, amateur detective Myrtle Hardcastle couldn’t be more excited. Unfortunately, the ancestral castle is both run-down and haunted. Ghostly moans echo in the walls, and there are rumors of a cursed treasure lost on the island—an ancient silver brooch that may have cost the former lord his life. But who had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill him? And could this Scottish trip mean the end of Myrtle’s plans to get her father and governess together?
Then Myrtle’s investigation stirs a villain out of hiding. The estate’s boat is stolen, so there’s no escape from the island. Myrtle is forced to play a deadly game, hunting for the brooch with a thief breathing down her neck—someone who will stop at nothing to get the treasure, even if it means murder.
This series is one of my favorites.
Myrtle is fantastic. Her character voice is brilliant, and I love the footnotes sprinkled throughout the novel. I also really love how her character has developed and grown over the series so far.
As always, the side characters shine as well. There are a number of new characters, as Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity takes place in Scotland, but some old friends from Swinburne appear as well. Honestly, Bunce does a wonderful job with her characters.
Like I said above, there are several Scottish characters, and Bunce writes their dialogue with a Scottish accent. I liked how that added to the mood and setting, though there were a few times when I had to slow down reading and figure out what they were saying. 😂
Like with the rest of Myrtle’s books, you can expect some twists and turns that will keep you wondering what will happen next to Myrtle and company. The ending is such that Bunce could end the series here, but I sincerely hope that she doesn’t. Besides, the ending also has hints of what might be next for Myrtle, in my opinion.
Another satisfying Myrtle mystery that has me waiting for the next one.
Cautions: one bleeped-out swear word; brief, non-graphic violence *
*It’s been a little bit since I finished Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity, so I may have forgotten a caution
Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity releases October 24, 2023. I received an eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Hailey Huntington 
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