The Gathering of Clan McFee

Heathcliff Lennox #14

by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction. Heathcliff Lennox investigates.
Book 14 in the Heathcliff Lennox series
Spring 1924. Scotland. The ancient halls of Clan McFee’s castle echo with the whispers of history—and now, the stirrings of ambition and rivalry. The old Laird has passed away, leaving no will, no children, and no clear heir. The task of naming a successor falls to Lady Peggie, the widow of the reclusive Laird.

Summoned to the castle are ten distant cousins of the McFee family, hailing from England, Canada, America, and Sweden. As the castle fills with strangers bound by blood but divided by self-interest, tensions rise despite the efforts of Lady Peggie and Sir Richard Fitzroy, the Laird’s unflappable lawyer, to maintain order.

But then the fragile peace is shattered by a murder in the night—a body found at the foot of the grand stone staircase the stakes grow even deadlier.

Sir Richard calls DCI Billings of Scotland Yard, who calls Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex Inspector Jonathan Swift, and orders them to go and find out what the devil is going on.

Major Heathcliff Lennox - ex WW1 war pilot, 6feet 3inch, tousled dark blond hair, age around 30 – named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother – much to his great annoyance.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Historical Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

1920's, Cozy crime, Traditional Detectives, Downton Abbey - I love them!
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🏰

This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book14 of 15

I discovered something about my listening 🎧 to books. It is travel to places that I wanted to go to but did not! Happy reading 😀

Lennox and Swift are ask by Scotland Yard to go to McFee castle to investigate a death. It turns out to be murder. Then another! Then an attempt at murder. Then another! They uncover the killer! 😎

I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationship adventure mystery novels 🎧😏 2025 😀😋
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Eadle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite, though I dearly love the Lennox series. It is cozy, indeed! The premise of the story seemed weak, as I wasn’t convinced Lennox and Swift had the right to keep the prospective heirs at the castle, virtual captives—especially when they kept getting knocked off! I also couldn’t get how Lennox determined the identity of the murderer. It’s late and I pushed myself to finish it. Maybe I missed it….whatever. I’m always glad to spend time with these familiar characters that seem very much like old friends.

[Clemmie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder st the castle

The main character & his crew always makes the historical mystery interesting. As usual interesting suspects. Looking forward to the next book.

[PR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best. This ps one was okay.

Would love to know more about Persi and Florence and Angus! Love the main characters...Lennox is well drawn...written...love the doggie and the kitty!
Love Greggs.
This one seemed rushed, iba way...maybe just TBE ending felt rushed. Could not figure our how Lennox knew who was the murderer.
Don't understand what exactly led them to the person who did it.
A puzzling puzzle.
Liked TBE letter at the end that described what happened to al! the rest of those involved.
The descriptions of the clothing has always puzzled me...though Lennox pays attention it was a wonder that he could always described everyone's clothing as if he was a seamstress or a clothing connoisseur of some expertise...nice to give his Mom the credit
for teaching him about clothes so well.
Some nice descriptions of the settings and the scenery...and of course, the Food...I swear I gained two pounds at least reading the book...th scones and cakes alone did it!
A fast read. A decent read. I will wait for the next book in this series and the Miss Busby series worth hope for even better syptories.B
Hope the little one has arrived by tgen...would love to hear about the new person as well as the folks who inhabit the homes of Lennox and Swift.
Thanks for writing these boos...Ms Menuhin.

[Cheryl Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a wonderful read!❤️

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scottish Highlands, April 1924. At Castle McFee, the old Laird has passed away, leaving no will and having no children. His widow, Lady Peggie, and their solicitor, Sir Richard Fitzroy, invite all claimants to the castle to determine the heir. Cousins arrive from England, Canada, America and Sweden and, although bound by blood, their ambitions get in the way of good relations. Soon a man is found murdered, made to look like suicide, and Major Heathcliff Lennox and Scotland Yard Inspector Jonathan Swift are called to investigate. In between sorting out the infighting and trying to classify authentic documents, another person is killed, and yet another attempted murder takes place. Lennox and Swift must uncover the murderer and motive before ownership of the estate can be determined.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen's books never disappoint, although this one was perhaps not her best. I enjoyed the plot and the setting was marvellous, but I'm at a loss as to how Lennox figured out who the culprit was. No matter, I still love how Lennox refuses to follow procedure and just goes for a walk when Swift becomes too overbearing, along with Greggs puffing out his chest in self importance- although this time around it's warranted when they promote him from butler to assistant detective. The cast of suspects were all very different, some of them not at all likeable, but the prize goes to Craggie the butler and his umbrella

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this case was very interesting. I listen to them because Sam Dewhurst-Phillips is fantastic reading these. He does all the different characters so well, while listening to it in the car, my 21 year old son was with me one of the days and I said, "How many actors do you hear talking" and he said, "I think that was 3 right?" No, it's just one guy! Amazing!! He's so good and I can tell when Lennox vs Swift is talking, and all the different women characters, all the different accents.
The story itself was great. I love the continued story lines but the cleverness of new cases. Can't wait for the next one!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, not only because it's well written with excellent mysteries, but also because Karen Menuhin always provides great characters, both good and bad, to challenge the reader to guess who is the culprit. In this book, an odd group gathers in an old, very decripid Scots castle to prove who has the best claim to inherit. Of course murder ensues and Lennox and Swift get called in to find the culprit. Fogg the spaniel and Mr. Tubbs the little black cat have to come along, too, as well as Greggs the butler. After all, no mystery has been solved without their help. A great entry in this series and I always look forward to the next!

[Shirley Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and Informative

I’ve Ben a reader of this series since it began. But realized I had fallen behind. So my summer treat has been reading the last 6 books back to back. So fun to feel like I really understand the characters I’ve come to love and to learn fascinating English/Scottish history as well. Don’t recommend a marathon reading - their annoying traits feel like they are magnified, but I highly recommend this series and look forward to the new book in a few months.

[Melanie Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series & the narrator, but the pacing of both the plot and the narration of this novel was plodding at best. I actually changed the narration speed because everything was so slow. The best part of this book is the song. I listened to the first four chapters repeatedly because I lost interest in the plot. If this book was my introduction to the series, I’d never read another one. I normally purchase both the ebook & audiobook versions but I’m glad I chose just the audio version. The song is lovely.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gathering of the Clan McFee offers a fresh twist on the classic cozy mystery. With its eccentric Scottish setting, family secrets, and a murder among relatives, it plays with familiar tropes but keeps things feeling fresher than one would expect. While the pacing occasionally meanders, the charm and cleverness of the story carry it through. A fun, atmospheric addition to the Heathcliff Lennox series.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

With the help from his loyal butler, his dog Fog and cat Tubs Lennox and Swift are tasked to solve a murder deep in the Highlands of Scotland. Multiple potential candidates have gathered at a castle in Scotland wanting to be chosen as the next Laird of the clan but who wants it so badly to murder for it. Wonderfully written with fascinating characters, this is another of Karen Menuhin's great book to read.

[Karen Fillbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Karen Baugh Menuhin and the Heathcliff series. I did enjoy reading this book However, I kept feeling like reading this was DeJa'Vu. There are many books out there with castles in them. Story line similar. I guess it was the way they lived. This reminded me of some I had previously read by different authors. I kept wondering if I read this before.
If was fine. Not my favorite tho. Wish they would include more of Persi, Florence and the bairn's.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Coins

Another fine story, if one can call murder,mayhem and thievery a fine story. Lennox, Swift and Greggs are involved in ferreting out the murderer of three men who had come to the Clan McFee meeting to show genealogical proof of their line to be the next Chief or leader of the Clan. And did I mention there are some very interesting stories told as well? You will enjoy reading how they exposed the villain.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Usual Suspects Solving Too Many Murders

I like reading Lennox and Swifts adventures but this one seemed pretty much the same as an earlier one. I also think the author is getting a little lazy. Instead of planting subtle clues and our duo gathering information. The solution just happens. With all my criticisms, I still like escaping our reality to a simpler (and fictional) 1920’s English countryside.

[Georgia Pankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good plot as usual

When I 1st started reading this series quite a while ago, I really wasn't that enthused, but little by little Heathcliff grew on me and I've enjoyed his and Greggs adventures. Good story, characters and murders as always. I'm thinking I may start rereading the stories again.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gathering of Clan McFee

An intriguing mystery for Lennox and Swift. Upon the death of the Laird prospective heirs are invited to present their cases but of course murder follows murder with very little to determine who the killer is. Set in a remote Scottish glen we are once more provided with a perplexing conundrum.

[Jim May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as always!

Karen Menuhin gives such amazing descriptions of the settings in her novels making it so vivid one can almost see the areas in which she sets her novels. She develops wonderful characters and I have yet to discover the culprit before they are revealed. Love her books!!

[Beth Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, as usual

Ms Baugh-Menuhin has once again provided an entertaining, heart warming mystery. The characters continue to touch one’s heart and the plots are always filled with descriptions of the beautiful surroundings. Thanks so much for your work, Ms. Baugh-Menuhin. I will wait on pins and needles for the next chapter of the Lennox series.

[Lana Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most Satisfying

I've read them all. The best one thus far. But then I say that every time. Ms. Menuhen has mastered the skills to craft an excellent story and the enticements to keep the reader engaged. Lennox stories are my favorites. However, all her growing series are delightful.

[Kathy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful cozy mystery. I'm delighted that the Sam Dewhurst-Phillips is back as the audible narrator of the series. The books took a slight dip with a different narrator so I'm thrilled Sam is back. He could make reading a phone book and amazing thing!
This story was delightful and a breath of fresh air after the last book I read!

[Lulu]

"‘I do not like to get my clothes wet.’ Lars was still poised with thumbs at the ready. ‘There are ladies present,’ Daniel told him. ‘You can’t strip to the buff in front of them. It’s not done.’ Lars looked around at the bright-eyed women watching closely. ‘They are grown, it is nothing they do not know of.’"

[Sharon Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

great mystery again!

Was thrilled to read the latest adventures of Heathcliff, Swift, and Greggs. The twists and turns, along with the wry and subtle humor, are a delight and you just keep turning the page.

[John Keeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Interesting

I have really enjoyed most of the books in this series and this one was so good. As usual I had no clue as to who the murderer was. And needless to say whoever I thought may have been the murderer was way off. If you like a good mystery don’t bypass this one.

[Marcia Collette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the entire series of Heathcliff Lennox stories and in my opinion, The Gathering of Clan McFee is the best one yet!

So many colorful characters, so much going on, it was really a great read. Thanks, Karen!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always....

A pleasure to read. Games one away from the drab world of today to a world of tea and woolly sweaters. The mystery is just the icing, the cake is excellent world and character building. Love this seeries.

[Sally Orchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Scottish tale

Lennox and Swift are sent to Scotland to investigate a suspected murder made to look like an accident.
Everyone is a suspect but who is the murderer?
I really enjoyed this book as I do all of Karen's books. I eagerly await the next one.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed 12 of the 14 books in this series and found myself smiling through most of the plot peopled with lively characters set in old house in entertaining setting.

Kindle Unlimited

[Sallie-ann Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book

I love these books and always get the audible versions when available. The characters have developed nicely and each one contributes to the overall story. Looking forward to the next one and can't wait for the baby to be part of the stories.