The mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T.L. Huchu

The third in the Edinburgh Nights series following The Library of the dead and Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments finds Ropa Moyo back this time on the Isle of Skye, where a magical convention is being held in Dunvegan Castle. Still stuck in an unpaid internship with Sir Ian Callander and aiming to become an apprentice, she hopes to prove herself on the island. When a priceless scroll from Ethiopia is stolen and a librarian murdered Ropa is given the unenviable task of trying to find the murderer. Callander raises a magical dome over the castle, trapping everyone inside, while Ropa and her friends set out to investigate.

Ropa has been studying Machiavelli’s writings and she sees the extent of corruption and power plays between the members of the magical institutions, the MacLeod and McDonald clans and the students of the four magic schools. Politics dominates the story and I found it difficult to see Ropa's skill not being recognised by the ambitious members of the magical societies. Her snarky wit and astute observations about the people around her provide many moments of hilarity and lighten the tension of the chase and the anxiety that overtakes her at crucial times. She is ably supported by her friend Prya, while Jomo plays a lesser role than in the previous books. There are wild chases across the castle roof and in the gardens, a ghost or two to set free and many red herrings to pursue before the thrilling and unexpected denouement.

Huchu mixes in history with the background of the Isle of Skye and an old, haunted castle. He explores themes of Scottish and English magical rivalry between the two countries, the theft of valuable books by the Library of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the effects of colonialism on African countries and the Fae.

I look forward to the next in the series, hoping to see more of Gran and the red fox and the ending left me wondering what will happen to Ropa in the future.

Pat Pledger