Postcards From Jamie by Hilary Pugh

Postcards From Jamie by Hilary Pugh
Publisher: Housemouse Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Can Ian and Lottie solve the puzzle of the postcards?

World famous concert pianist Felix Lansman has a collection of postcards sent to him anonymously. He is sure they are from the love of his life, Jamie McLeash. But Jamie disappeared six years ago – the night Felix’s father was murdered. Police failed to make any arrests and the case was closed. Was Jamie a suspect and if so, why is he sending the postcards? Felix wants Ian to find out.

The trail takes Ian all over Scotland and the more he discovers about Jamie the more he is convinced of his innocence. If he finds him, he could help him clear his name. But it soon becomes evident that Ian is not the only one looking for Jamie. He should report his findings to the police, but this could lead to the arrest of an innocent man.

Can he find the real murderer before the murderer finds Jamie?

Ian Skair has just returned home from a week away and is answering a few work related emails about new investigations that he’s been offered. Remembering a phone call from a friend in London prior to his holiday, he returns the call and is drawn into helping to look for a missing person. Can Ian solve this old crime and stop another injustice from happening?

I found this to be an enjoyable Scottish based PI novel, the second in a series and one I really enjoyed. I thought this author’s tone and style was chatty and enjoyable, very easy to pick up. While this is the second book in the series I absolutely feel like readers could easily start here and read it by itself having no previous understanding. The story and indeed even most of the characters stood well by themselves and there isn’t really much history to delve into.

While I do admit the mystery was a little slow to unfold, I enjoyed watching Ian slowly piece everything together. As a regular citizen and private investigator he doesn’t have a bunch of police resources – nor the huge numbers of other officers – on hand and he has to put the puzzle together in a far more normal and rudimentary way. I found this very interesting and quite eagerly turned the pages.

Finding this an easily readable story and a good and solid plot, this was a lovely book and one I really enjoyed. I’ll definitely be purchasing more books by this author. Recommended.