Somewhat confusing mystery interlaced with scenes from past of two distilling families in Scotland

Now You May Weep by Deborah Crombie is a 2005 publication.

After suffering a personal loss, Gemma is trying to move forward with her life. She and Duncan are now co-habitating and raising Kit and Toby together. But, a girls’ only get away with her best friend, Hazel, sounds like fun. However, Hazel has ulterior motives for taking this trip and may have mislead her friend.

Soon enough, Gemma learns things about Hazel that shakes her faith in the possibility of anyone truly enjoying a long lasting and stable romantic relationship. If this weren’t enough to spoil her time away, a ghastly murder puts the proverbial nail in the coffin. Worse still, Hazel has been taken in for questioning-

This is the tenth installment in the Kincaid and James series. As I’ve stated before, this series is very popular and well received. For me, it’s been a bit like fire and ice. Some installments have been simply outstanding, while others were way off the mark.

This one I am happy to report, is one of the good ones. I enjoyed the change of scenery, the historical details, and the truly emotional aspects of the story, which dares to tamper with a character we’ve long relied on for sound reason and balance. This story examines affairs of the heart, and the intense emotions love can evoke. Love can bring out the best in people, but also the worst, and can get pretty twisted when there is unrequited love, forbidden love, and jealousy involved.
As always, Gemma and Duncan have a few domestic issues at play. Here Duncan must deal with Kit’s grandmother who continues to pursue custody, and Kit’s refusal to submit to a DNA test which would prove his paternity once and for all.

Overall, this was an excellent installment in the series. I've been slowly working my way through the series, and I do mean S-L-O-W-L-Y-. Every year, I swear I’m going to finally get all caught up, but as another year winds down, I still have seven more books to go. Oh well, maybe in 2019- Of course by then, there’s bound to be a new release… *Sigh*

Such is the life of an overwhelmed reader. ( )

Now You May Weep by Deborah Crombie is the 9th book in her series that features Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and DI Gemma James. Gemma accepts an invitation to join her friend Hazel on a cooking weekend in the Scottish Highlands. It isn’t until the women arrive and meet the other guests that Gemma learns that Hazel’s purpose for being there is to test the waters between herself and her old love, Donald Brodie, a local distillery owner. When someone murders Donald, Hazel becomes the prime suspect and although Gemma wants to help her, she must tiptoe around the local authority, who obviously wants her to stay out of the investigation.

Meanwhile, Duncan, at home in London with their two boys, receives notice that his ex-Mother-in-Law is seeking custody of Kit, the son of his first wife. Although by appearance, it seems obvious that Kit is Duncan’s natural son, he was brought up believing himself the son of his mother’s second marriage. Kit is in a fragile state having been abandoned or overlooked most of his life. He appears to be resistant to getting a DNA test and Duncan is reluctant to force him. However, a positive DNA test would lay all custody concerns to rest.

Now You May Weep was both a great mystery story and an interesting step forward in the personal lives of the main characters. Duncan does come up to Scotland for a few days to assist and support Gemma, and this gave them a chance to discuss family matters and make plans. The author includes a story from the past which is skilfully done and helps to advance the plot. The setting is vividly described and transports the reader to the Scottish Highlands. I enjoyed this book immensely and look forward to the next one. ( )

I wasn't sure when starting this one that I was going to like it, because I didn't look forward to where the author was going to take some of the characters I really enjoy in the series. However, it was worth sticking with it. On to the next! ( )

Inspector Gemma James fährt mit ihrer alten Freundin Hazel nach Schottland, um dort ein erholsames Wochenende zu verbringen. Im Hotel angekommen, treffen die beiden Frauen auf Donald Brodie, mit dem die verheiratete Hazel anscheinend mehr als nur eine Freundschaft verbindet. Am darauffolgenden Abend kommt es zum erbitterten Streit zwischen Hazel und Brodie. Als Brodie kurz darauf tot im Moor gefunden wird, muss sich Gemma fragen, inwieweit sie Hazel vertrauen kann ...