This is one of my favorite histmyst series, evoking late 15th century Scotland with its study of the language, lifestyle, beliefs and industries of first Glasgow and now the country beyond. Gil and Alys make a great couple of sleuths and now a loving married couple, in contrast to the less idyllic marriages of other people in the story. This is a tortuous case, which had me guessing. And I particularly enjoyed the well-researched description of the mine, the salt panning industry and the peat cutting. Having a fascinated Alys taken around and asking questions is a good way of finding out about the way these tasks were carried out. Here too is a portrait of a female menage, all forceful characters in their own right and their place in society, as well as the sometimes difficult but authentic dialect. Maybe I should give up asking for a glossary, but at least this book (the fifth in the series) provides the reader with a map.