Now May You Weep: A Novel

By Deborah Crombie

Newly appointed Detective Inspector Gemma James has never thought to question her friend Hazel Cavendish about her past. So it is quite a shock when Gemma learns that their holiday retreat to a hotel in the Scottish Highlands is, in fact, Hazel's homecoming -- and that fellow guest Donald Brodie was once Hazel's lover, despite a vicious, long-standing feud between their rival, fine whiskey distilling families. And the fires of a fierce and passionate affair may not have burned out completely -- on Brodie's part at least, since he's prepared to destroy Hazel's marriage to win back his "Juliet." But when a sudden, brutal murder unleashes a slew of sinister secrets and long-seething hatreds, putting Hazel's life in peril, Gemma knows she will need help unraveling this very bloody knot -- and calls for the one man she trusts more than any other, Duncan Kincaid, to join her far from home ... and in harm's way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 13, 2009
• ISBN: 9780061830020

Deborah Crombie

Deborah Crombie is a native Texan who has lived in both England and Scotland. She now lives in McKinney, Texas, sharing a house that is more than one hundred years old with her husband, two cats, and two German shepherds.

Reviews for Now May You Weep

[vivienner_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A combination of history, a touch of romance, and whisky, naturally, in the Scottish Highlands. This is a decent whodunnit from Crombie who has woven the past with the present and brought them together with a satisfying conclusion. Gemma James is obliged to investigate this one alone, even though the Scottish police don't welcome her help. Kincaid is left in London trying to solve a problem of his own related to his son Kit.

[diana.hauser · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

NOW MAY YOU WEEP by Deborah Crombie is the 9th installment of the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mystery series.I did enjoy this title. The maps are gorgeous. We are transported to Scotland. We are learning about the whiskey trade and its history and importance to the area. Every chapter has a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson. (Duncan’s son, Kit, is even reading KIDNAPPED by Robert Louis Stevenson for a school assignment.)NOW MAY YOU WEEP is like many of of Ms. Crombie’s previous titles - a mystery, a crime drama, a police procedural, historical fiction, and instructional (in this case, whiskey making).The characters (new and familiar), the interweaving of plot and many background stories, the ‘sense of place’ - all come together in the end for a very satisfying read.I was a bit ‘sad’ reading NOW MAY YOU WEEP, as it related to the strain and breakdown of Hazel and Tim’s marriage. Hazel and Tim have been Gemma’s ‘rocks’ and Gemma will have many adjustments to make in her personal life as a result of Hazel’s crisis.Hazel grew up in Scotland and was involved in her family’s distillery - Carnmore. When Gemma accompanies Hazel on a cookery course/get-away weekend, she realizes early on that Hazel is being pursued by long ago lover, Donald Brodie, owner of the popular and prosperous Benvulin Distillery.If only for the sense of place, Robert Louis Stevenson and the whiskey tastings, I think you will enjoy this title.

[empressreece · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Her writing and stories get better with each book! Looking forward to the next...

[newsieq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Detective Sergeant Gemma Jones is headed to Scotland for a cooking weekend with her friend, psychologist Hazel Cavendish. What Gemma doesn’t know is that Hazel will be meeting with a former beau, Donald Brodie. Brodie owns the controlling interest in a family whiskey distillery that’s been around for more than 100 years. The B & B where cooking class participants are staying at the B&B owned by John and Louis Innes. All but Gemma and Hazel are related in some way, or neighbors of the Inneses. When a murder occurs, suspicion falls on Hazel … and Gemma decides to circumvent the local cop, Inspector Ross, to figure out who among the party could be a murderer. She’s certain it’s NOT Hazel. Meanwhile on the home front, Duncan Kincaid, a higher-up at Scotland Yard and Gemma’s domestic partner, has some bad news involving Kit, the twelve-year-old son he recently learned about. Kit has been staying with Duncan and Gemma and Gemma’s young son Toby. Things have been going well. But now Kit’s maternal grandmother has announced she will seek custody. A DNA test would prove any relationship between Kit and Kincaid, but Kit is thumbs-down on that idea, perhaps afraid that the DNA test would prove the two are NOT related.This is a lovely entry in the series, but being outside of Gemma and Duncan’s usual domain makes it less appealing to me. As a compensation, readers get to learn about the distilling of Scotch whiskey. Deborah Crombie is a wonderful writer and her characters are top-notch.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[rosalita_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoy this mystery series, featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James of Scotland Yard. In this ninth book, the spotlight is largely on Gemma, who stumbles into a mystery when she accompanies her friend Hazel for a weekend in the Scottish Highlands. One of the things I like about this series is the way Crombie balances the mystery with the development of the characters and their home lives, and this one is no exception. I highly recommend this series, which does need to be read in order because of that aforementioned character development.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[stitchersflock · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Scots Highlands, atmosphere galore and a well written novel what more could you ask for?

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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!

[rvhatha · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was probably my least favorite book in the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series thus far. The plot seemed to hinge on a lot of improbabilities and coincidences, plus some woo-woo stuff (Gemma's friend Hazel is somehow dreaming the dreams of her long-dead great-grandmother?). I also could have done without the faux Scots dialect that some of the characters speak--it's stereotypical and intrusive, and doesn't really add much to the characterization. Still, that's not much to complain about in a series that is otherwise very well-written and plotted. By this, the ninth book in the series, she's earned the right to a miss.

[pennykaplan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gemma and her friend Hazel are the leads in this mystery set in the Scottish Highlands. An old love rekindled when one of the parties is married to another, an old family fued, and an exotic location make this an excellent entry in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series

[scottkalas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It dragged a bit, but still was a good read.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gemma and her friend Hazel go to Scotland for a cooking weekend. Gemma wasn't aware of Hazel's connection to the community until they arrived, and it's obvious that Hazel knows many of the locals. When Hazel's former lover turns up dead, she is taken in for questioning. In the meantime, Duncan who is back in London receives a notice that Kit's grandmother is suing for custody. Gemma has no official status in Scotland, but she intends to do everything she can to bring the killer to justice. Duncan comes up to support Gemma. Hazel's husband Tim is unable to account for his whereabouts during the time in question as well. There's also a back story to the current situation that is told through diary entries. A great installment to a wonderful series.

[jsharpmd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the early Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid books with their 2 sons Toby 4 and Kit 12. Gemma travels to Scotland with her friend Hazel. They are supposedly going for a "cookery" weekend. Most of story highlights Gemma and Hazel. Hazel's friend Donald from an earlier life is murdered. Duncan shows up near the end to provide more support than detecting. Enjoyed the story.

[tututhefirst_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A well plotted mystery featuring Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid. Gemma goes off on a 'cooking holiday' with her friend Hazel, who, unbeknownst to Gemma is secretly working up toward an assignation with an old lover. When lover-boy is murdered, Gemma discovers the body and then must bite her tongue and sit back while local police handle the case. The characters in this delightful story are richly done. There are motivations and opportunities aplenty so the reader is presented with several possibilities for who dunit...

[cbl_tn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Of all the books I've read in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series, this is my favorite so far. This particular entry in the series leans more toward the cozy genre. Gemma has accepted an invitation from friend and former neighbor Helen Cavendish to participate in a weekend cookery course in the Scottish Highlands. After their arrival, Gemma is surprised to learn that Helen has past ties to the area, to their hosts, and to some of the fellow guests. When one of the weekend guests is murdered, Gemma finds out what it is like to be the investigated rather than the investigator. Helen seemingly has a motive for the murder and was unaccounted for at the time of the murder. Out of loyalty to her friend, Gemma tries to be helpful to the local authorities without interfering with the investigation. While Duncan provides moral support and some assistance, the book primarily features Gemma.The author weaves a second story throughout the book, a historical account that ties into the main plot. I've read other books that use this technique and I usually find it irritating. Typically I'm more interested in one of the stories, and I resent the interruption in the narrative that I'm most interested in. This time, I was equally interested in both stories, and I liked the way that the author brought both the historical and present narratives to a climax at the same moment.

[kellyn_903682 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Deborah Crombie’s ninth book about Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James finds Gemma’s close friend, Hazel, charged with murder. Hazel provided Gemma and her son Toby with stability, support and practical help in the years following Gemma’s divorce. While on a cooking weekend in Scotland, however, Gemma finds she really knows very little about her friend. Hazel’s family once owned one of the whiskey processing companies. Her return to Scotland reunites her with a cousin, a former college roommate and the love of her life, Donald. Gemma had never heard Hazel talk about Donald and is shocked by the depth of Hazel’s feelings for Donald. When Donald is killed and Hazel charged with the crime, Gemma must delve into her friend’s past in order to secure a safe future for her.The behavior of Tim, Hazel’s husband, did not ring true for me and did not add significantly to the story.