When an emergency call comes in from Glen Ross, a small village a short twenty minute drive from MacDuff, Mornay catches the case. The body of a young woman has been found in the cemetery adjoining the Episcopal church. The woman, identified as Ina Matthews, has been brutally stabbed especially around her face. Matthews was a botanist, known for her work in the development of several new species of roses. While not reclusive, Matthews took her work seriously and spent little time socializing with others in the small community.

Although the cause of death seems obvious from the repeated stab wounds, an autopsy is required for deaths due to unnatural causes. The results of the autopsy are somewhat surprising to Mornay leading him to probe further into past, unsolved crimes. Mornay's fondness for alcohol and women puts his investigation of the crime and his career at risk, complicating an already confusing enquiry.

The Last Victim in Glen Ross is the first in a planned series of mysteries set in a remote area of Scotland. While the premise for the series is reasonable, there are a number of flaws in the execution of the plot. The author, an American, fails to provide a convincing authenticity to the description of the geography or feel for the setting. Kincaid uses too many distinctively American words or patterns of speech.

The victim, for instance, is described as being clad in a jumper. If this word is to be interpreted in the British sense, she is wearing a sweater, but it is obvious from the context that the garment is a dress with a blouse beneath. Kincaid also refers to a building as old which dates to 1712. In the British Isles where habitation goes back to the Vikings around 900 or 1000, 1712 isn't particularly old. It is considered rather old in the United States. She also mentions a person's address as being on a street, not in one as a Brit would say.

The plot is slow to develop. While this criticism is subjective and arbitrary, it is not beneficial in this work. Slowly developing plots can be used to advantage to enhance character portrayal or implement geographical or technical description germane to the plot. Neither scenario applies to this novel. In fact, Mornay, who one hopes as the main protagonist of the series to have a good brain and at least a modicum of common sense, drinks way too much for no apparent reason, and hops into bed with any member of the opposite sex at the least provocation.

It is difficult to garner any sympathy for such an individual.

In addition, author Kincaid constructs unlikely situations which must be true in order for the plot to work. A local lady of means who definitely does not want Mornay probing into the family secrets, allows - no, actually encourages - Mornay to put her somewhat inebriated adult son to bed. Mornay then is presented with the perfect opportunity to search said son's room. Is the lady really likely to do this?

To my mind, The Last Victim in Glen Ross has too many flaws to make it an enjoyable read. While the perpetrator is believable from the viewpoint of opportunity and, probably, motive, most readers will guess the identity for a variety of reasons. If Kincaid aspires to be a successful American writer of novels with a British setting, studying the works of Deborah Crombie should be a high priority for her.

--Andy Plonka