GHOST OF THE VIKINGS

The fifth in Marsali Taylor's Cass Lynch series, and Cass's most colourful adventure yet.

Liveaboard sailor Cass Lynch is meeting her mother's opera company in restored Belmont House, Unst, Shetland. She's already spotted tensions backstage: brooding tenor Nicolas Moreau wants to resume his relationship with mezzo Kamilla, the latest sparkling classical celebrity, but she's more interested in Caleb, a young bass who seems to have Shetland links he wants to keep secret. Cass is also busy patrolling Viking sites to warn off treasure-seekers after a treasure hoard is found – but who's the mysterious horned Viking who seems able to vanish at will? Then there's a death in the opera company, and she calls her friend DI Gavin Macrae for help. Gradually they make sense of the jealousy, love, ambition, and fear swirling around them, and become lovers themselves. The perp and motive are a total surprise.

MARSALI TAYLOR studied English at Dundee University, and now teaches English, French and Drama part-time. She is a qualified STGA guide for Shetland. She writes articles for the magazine Shetland Life, and is a sailing instructor at her local boating club. Her hobbies include women's history, amateur drama and exploring the waters round Shetland in her 8m yacht.