Bonnie Macbird - Unquiet Spirits - Whisky, Ghosts, Murder

This book is a new and original work of fiction featuring Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, and other fictional characters that were first introduced to the world in 1887 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, all of which are now in the public domain. The characters are used by the author solely for the purpose of story-telling and not as trademarks. This book is independently authored and published, and is not sponsored or endorsed by, or associated in any way with, Conan Doyle Estate, Ltd. or any other party claiming trademark rights in any of the characters in the Sherlock Holmes canon.

An imprint of HarperColl‌insPublishers

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Copyright © Bonnie MacBird 2017

All rights reserved.

Drop Cap design © Mark Mázers 2017

Bonnie MacBird asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008129743

Ebook Edition © April 2018 ISBN: 9780008129736

Version: 2018-10-26

‘Brilliant, beguiling … delights both Sherlock Holmes aficionados and new fans of the genre.’

Huffington Post

‘Haunting, vivid and beautifully plotted, Unquiet Spirits is both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of everything we love about Sherlock Holmes and his world. Bonnie MacBird has done it again!’

Daniel Stashower, Edgar, Agatha, and Anthony award winning author of Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle

‘If the original 60 Holmes stories aren’t enough for you, read Bonnie MacBird’s Unquiet Spirits for another dram of the Great Detective. MacBird deftly blends a series of grisly murders and dark secrets from Holmes’s past into a strong brew!’

Leslie S. Klinger, editor of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes

‘A superb Sherlockian adventure. Bonnie MacBird’s take on Holmes and Watson is inventive and true to the canon, a splendid blend of fast-paced action and detection in a deliciously gothic Highland setting. I can’t wait for her next book.’

Dana Cameron, BSI, Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity award winning author of the Emma Fielding Mysteries

‘Pour yourself a wee dram, toss another peat on the fire, and prepare to be swept up in the great detective’s Highland fling. MacBird’s spooky, scholarly, thoroughly “spirited” follow up to Art in the Blood is a triumph of voice, place, and plotting. Highly recommended for fans of Sherlock, Scotland, and whisky lovers everywhere.’

Catriona McPherson, bestselling author of the multi-award-winning Dandy Gilver series

‘MacBird’s outstanding sequel to 2015’s Art in the Blood melds a twisty, multilayered plot with a plausible exploration of Sherlock Holmes’s life before Watson … Will make Sherlockians eager for more from her.’

Publishers Weekly Starred Review

‘MacBird could possibly be Conan Doyle reincarnated. I hope this is a lengthy series. A perfect read as the nights draw in.’

CrimeSquad.com

‘Ms MacBird does a fine job of re-creating the familiar Holmesian universe.’

Wall Street Journal

‘A stylish, spirited Sherlock Holmes mystery-thriller, Bonnie MacBird has hit a home run (a “boundary six,” cricket fans). Having established herself as one of the genre’s premier practitioners with her debut Art in the Blood , MacBird infuses this classic Victorian tale of spirits – both liquid and ethereal – with a unique blend of Victorian steam-driven science, Highland scenery, deadly family secrets, and a glimpse into Holmes’ surprising past.’

Craig Faustus Buck, award-winning author of Go Down Hard

‘Bonnie MacBird’s Unquiet Spirits fulfils all Sherlockian desires: the pitch perfect tone evocative of Conan Doyle, the inimitable Holmes & Watson friendship, and brilliant pacing, plotting, deduction, and wit. But wait! There’s more: a road trip from London to the French Riviera to Scotland, a gothic and gloriously gory castle, and in the eleventh hour, a touching origin story shedding light on Sherlock and his attitude toward … women. More, Ms MacBird, more!’

Harley Jane Kozak, Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author of Dating Dead Men

‘A splendid read in the finest tradition of Conan Doyle.’

Paul Annett, director of Granada Television’s Sherlock Holmes

‘ Unquiet Spirits is an elaborately plotted melodrama set in the Scottish whisky trade, nice to read along with a wee dram or two.’

Martin Edwards, author of the prize-winning The Golden Age of Murder

‘Just start reading and you’ll be hooked … Suspense, excitement, intellectual stimulation – and humour: it’s all here.’

Roger Johnson, Sherlock Holmes Journal

‘In her second Sherlock Holmes novel, Bonnie MacBird gives us a rollicking tale worthy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself.’

Historical Novel Society

‘A tour de force.’

Mystery Scene

For Rosemary and Mac

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Praise for Unquiet Spirits

Dedication

Preface

Part One: A Spirited Lass

Chapter 1: Stillness

Chapter 2: Isla

Chapter 3: Rejection

Chapter 4: Brothers

Chapter 5: Nice

Chapter 6: Docteur Janvier

Part Two: Getting Ahead

Chapter 7: Vidocq

Chapter 8: Ahead of the Game

Chapter 9: The Staff of Death

Chapter 10: Unwelcome Help

Chapter 11: A Fleeting Pleasure

Part Three: Northern Mists

Chapter 12: Arthur

Chapter 13: Braedern

Chapter 14: The Highland Magic

Chapter 15: Cameron Coupe

Chapter 16: The Groundsman’s Sons

Chapter 17: Catherine

Chapter 18: Charles

Chapter 19: The Laird’s Sanctum

Chapter 20: Reviewing the Situation

Part Four: A Chill Descends

Chapter 21: Dinner

Chapter 22: Ghost!

Chapter 23: Alistair

Chapter 24: Obfuscation

Chapter 25: Where There Is Smoke

Part Five: The Distillation

Chapter 26: The Whisky Thief

Chapter 27: Divide and Conquer

Chapter 28: Fettes

Chapter 29: Thin Ice

Chapter 30: Romeo and Juliet

Chapter 31: Getting Warmer

Part Six: Maturation

Chapter 32 : The Angel’s Share

Chapter 33: Circles of Hell

Chapter 34: The Missing Man

Chapter 35: You Must Change Your Thoughts

Chapter 36: The Ghost of Atholmere

Chapter 37: Charlotte

Chapter 38: Golden Bear and Silver Tongue

Part Seven: The Pour

Chapter 39: The Lady

Chapter 40: A Wash

Chapter 41: 221b

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Also by Bonnie MacBird