Death by Appointment by Mairi Chong

Release: December 13, 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Source: LoveBook Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle

A doctor retreats to the Scottish coast for a fresh start—but finds herself in harm’s way—in this compelling murder mystery.

Physician Cathy Moreland needs time to heal, having recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder while struggling with a painkiller habit. The little village of Kinnaven promises respite, but after Cathy attempts to get an opiate prescription, things don’t go well. When she discovers the body of the local Dr. Cosgrove, her sanctuary is shattered.

Before long, Cathy is swept up in local gossip about the death. Decades earlier, the cliff where Cosgrove died had been the site of another tragedy, leading some to suspicions about the doctor’s demise. But as Cathy determines to learn the truth, she will find herself in grave danger.

About the Author:

After graduating from medical school, Mairi qualified as a general practitioner, with special interests in addictions psychiatry and women’s health. She found the grittier side to medicine especially rewarding, working for homeless practices before gaining a partnership in a semi-rural practice in the northeast of Scotland.

Having taken early retirement, Mairi now writes full-time and signed a seven-book contract with Bloodhound Books earlier in the year. She lives in Scotland with her horses, cats, husband and son. Any free time is given to reading her ever-expanding British Classic Crime collection!

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Death by Appointment Review:

“Death by Appointment” is a lovely start to the “Dr. Cathy Moreland Mystery” series and did not disappoint.

The first aspect that struck me about the story is the characters. Whether Cathy, Jean, or Dr. Cosgrove, each character stands out, and it was interesting to see how they all interconnected. The author gets personal with the characters, and you strongly feel towards them. For instance, I adored Jean’s relationship with Mrs. Spratt and thought the Ross, Jean, and Cathy angle was also captivating. Dr. Cosgrove was also fascinating, and I thought the author portrayed her emotions well in the story’s theme. Cathy and Jean were my favorites, and while initially, their storylines feel disconnected, I like how the author merged their plots.

Also, when I initially started reading the tale, I thought it would be a simple mystery. The author has a lovely talent for surprising you when you least expect it. Set in the miniature landscape of Kinnaven, with just a small cast, I didn’t expect much. However, I was surprised when some of the core characters got murdered, as I did not expect the death count to be more than one. Another reason why I found this book memorable was because I was shocked when I couldn’t figure out who the murderer was. The climax was exciting and surprised me, as I did not see it coming. The author does an excellent job of giving a sense of foreboding, and I enjoyed the cozy mystery angle to the story.

Overall, “Death by Appointment” is a captivating start to the series, and I would love to see how it continues.