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Scottish Shire Mystery #5
Murder at a Scottish Castle
Sweater shop owner Paislee Shaw never feels more at home in Scotland than when she hears the bagpipes. But a murderer is about to introduce a sour note . . .
With the summer days getting shorter in the seaside village of Nairn, the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle promises to be quite the end-of-season blowout. Paisley has snagged a special invitation from the dowager countess, who wants to showcase her cashmere goods in the castle gift shop, and she’s brought her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace.
There’s a fierce rivalry between Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and last year’s winner Jory Baxter, with Grant loudly vowing to show up the blowhard Baxter and claim clan bragging rights. But the reigning champion has barely put the reed to his lips when he turns red and collapses, soon to take his dying breath. DI Zeffer suspects foul play.
With a possible murderer in their midst, the rest of Nairn won’t breathe easy until Paisley applies her sleuthing skills to make sure justice is served and the killer pays the piper . . .
With the summer days getting shorter in the seaside village of Nairn, the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle promises to be quite the end-of-season blowout. Paisley has snagged a special invitation from the dowager countess, who wants to showcase her cashmere goods in the castle gift shop, and she’s brought her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace.
There’s a fierce rivalry between Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon, and last year’s winner Jory Baxter, with Grant loudly vowing to show up the blowhard Baxter and claim clan bragging rights. But the reigning champion has barely put the reed to his lips when he turns red and collapses, soon to take his dying breath. DI Zeffer suspects foul play.
With a possible murderer in their midst, the rest of Nairn won’t breathe easy until Paisley applies her sleuthing skills to make sure justice is served and the killer pays the piper . . .
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2024
109 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Traci Hall
109 books401 followersalso writing as Traci Wilton and Ellie Brannigan
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.
Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it's her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.
Traci wants to hear from you!
Traci@TraciHall.com
Facebook.com/BytheSeaSeries
Twitter.com/Tracihallauthor
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.
Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it's her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.
Traci wants to hear from you!
Traci@TraciHall.com
Facebook.com/BytheSeaSeries
Twitter.com/Tracihallauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 16, 2024
The fifth book in this series. I have already read #4 so I was familiar with the main characters.
Paislee Shaw owns a knitwear business and sells beautiful cashmere knitted goods. She has just entered into an arrangement with the family at Ramsey Castle to sell her wares in the castle gift shop and she is getting to know Lord Robert and his family. Sadly a piper at the annual bagpiping competition in the Castle grounds dies during the performance in suspicions circumstances. Paislee and D.I.Zeffer are soon both on the case.
I enjoyed the mystery, was interested in the information about bagpipes, felt a bit sorry for Hamish and loved the hints about a new love interest for Paislee. Great fun!
Thans to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Paislee Shaw owns a knitwear business and sells beautiful cashmere knitted goods. She has just entered into an arrangement with the family at Ramsey Castle to sell her wares in the castle gift shop and she is getting to know Lord Robert and his family. Sadly a piper at the annual bagpiping competition in the Castle grounds dies during the performance in suspicions circumstances. Paislee and D.I.Zeffer are soon both on the case.
I enjoyed the mystery, was interested in the information about bagpipes, felt a bit sorry for Hamish and loved the hints about a new love interest for Paislee. Great fun!
Thans to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 14, 2023
I loved #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley and I couldn't put it down until I was finished.
I really like Paislee Shaw, her son Brody and Grandpa Angus complete the unique family trio.
Paislee owns her own yarn store, and when she's invited to place her beautifully knit cashmere pieces in a castle gift shop, Paislee hopes for some financial stability.
Things don't go as planned, and when a sudden medical emergency interrupts the bagpipe competition, Paislee soon finds herself wrapped up in a another murder investigation.
Paislee navigates the twists and turns until she unravels the clues that lead directly to the murderer.
I'm very happy to recommend this series and particularly #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley to other readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I really like Paislee Shaw, her son Brody and Grandpa Angus complete the unique family trio.
Paislee owns her own yarn store, and when she's invited to place her beautifully knit cashmere pieces in a castle gift shop, Paislee hopes for some financial stability.
Things don't go as planned, and when a sudden medical emergency interrupts the bagpipe competition, Paislee soon finds herself wrapped up in a another murder investigation.
Paislee navigates the twists and turns until she unravels the clues that lead directly to the murderer.
I'm very happy to recommend this series and particularly #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley to other readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
November 12, 2023
Murder at a Scottish Castle was a okay book but I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight and the accents were so hard to read and get past. Sometimes I had no idea what people were saying and I did not like the attitudes of some of the characters. The mystery part of this was that there was no investigating. I truly just could not get into this book sadly. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review.
December 18, 2023
"Murder at a Scottish Castle” the 5th instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall. This has become one of my favourite Scottish cozy mysteries! I absolutely loved this instalment and can’t wait for book 6
Sweater shop owner Paislee Shaw never feels more at home in Scotland than when she hears the bagpipes. But a murderer is about to introduce a sour note . . .
I find the characters to be wonderful, full of Scottish pride and small village life, I wouldn’t mind living there myself and attending the Sip and Stitch. I love visiting Nairn and Paislee, her son Brody, grandpa Angus and of course Wallace the dog.
The mystery is interesting, well plotted, full of lots of twists and kept me guessing on whodunnit right to the reveal.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Sweater shop owner Paislee Shaw never feels more at home in Scotland than when she hears the bagpipes. But a murderer is about to introduce a sour note . . .
I find the characters to be wonderful, full of Scottish pride and small village life, I wouldn’t mind living there myself and attending the Sip and Stitch. I love visiting Nairn and Paislee, her son Brody, grandpa Angus and of course Wallace the dog.
The mystery is interesting, well plotted, full of lots of twists and kept me guessing on whodunnit right to the reveal.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All opinions are my own
February 24, 2024
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This is becoming another of my favorite cozy series. The author brings the engaging characters to life. Sufficient backstory on individuals or past events so that each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Descriptions of Ramsey Castle, including the gardens and the castle itself, add texture and beauty to its almost completely self-sustaining nature. The author writes their Scottish brogue in such a way that I almost have an accent by the time I turn the last page! The complexity of the mystery kept me guessing throughout. The author has done extensive research on a component of the story that was fascinating to read about. And of course, Scotland!
Each person is well-depicted through realistic conversations, concerns, and behaviors. My favorites are Paislee and her childhood best friend, Lydia. Their lifestyles are vastly different, but their close-as-sisters relationship reflects love and loyalty that few could separate. Paislee is not quite 30, and had been a single, teen mum when her late grandmother had taken her in. She has a keen sense of responsibility and is not afraid of hard work. Paisley had an on-line store for her one-of-a-kind knitted goods to support her and her son, Brody. When she inherited her grandmother’s cozy house, Paislee was able to open her yarn and custom knit goods business in a leased storefront while maintaining her on-line store. Grandpa Angus lives with Paislee and Brody. Brody, at twelve, is mature enough to grasp that his mom has lived all of his lifetime without dating anyone, making him her number one priority.
One of her clients, Lady Shannon, helped Paislee get her foot in the castle door of the Dowager Countess Sorcha, who just opened a gift shop in Ramsey Castle. Sorcha will carry some of Paislee’s cashmere knit goods, so she will deliver stock to the castle early on the day of the Annual End of Summer Bagpiping event. The manager of the gift shop admires the items. Sorcha is happy with the products, and gives Paislee and her family a quick tour of the castle grounds.
There were a dozen clan bands in the competition, and each competitor’s set includes a solo for the best bagpiper in that band. The Earl of Lyon, Lord Robert, and Sorcha’s oldest son, does the solo for their clan. Lord Patrick, his younger brother, is in charge of preparing the huge barbecue that is prepared for approximately 200 guests that takes place after the competition. Lady Lissia, Sorcha’s only daughter, is a snare drummer in the band.
The final clan is playing, and Jory is beginning his bagpipe solo when he turned red and collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, where he died. Much blame was cast around, especially to Lord Robert, who was suspected of sending anonymous notes to the leader of the band Jory played for and one of the competition judges, stating that Jory had cheated in last year’s competition. It was the first time in six years that Robert did not win the competition. The money awarded is very small, but the winner gets recognition and “bragging rights”.
Paislee has helped solve several murders in Nairn, including one in which Lady Shannon’s son was the person of interest. Shannon had shared that with DC Sorcha. Sorcha now wants her to do the same for her son Robert, the Earl. He is the main suspect in Jory’s murder for several reasons, including Jory breaking Robert’s winning streak the prior year. Robert is steadfastly avoiding talking with the constables, and his “big man at the castle” attitude doesn’t do him any favors. He won’t even talk with Paislee unless his mother tricks him into joining luncheons she was invited to.
Paislee has so many things on her plate that she doesn’t have time for one more thing, but she does want to have her work sold at the castle…She talks with several people, but it is a slow process. Nobody wants to talk poorly about the dead man – Jory – or the earl, Robert. I couldn’t get a feel for who was responsible, even when the murder weapon was finally discussed. The bad guy was hiding in plain sight, and when it was revealed, I was stunned. The mystery was complete and the ending satisfactory. I highly recommend this delightful cozy mystery, especially to anyone who enjoy novels set in Scotland.
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This is becoming another of my favorite cozy series. The author brings the engaging characters to life. Sufficient backstory on individuals or past events so that each book in the series can be read as a standalone. Descriptions of Ramsey Castle, including the gardens and the castle itself, add texture and beauty to its almost completely self-sustaining nature. The author writes their Scottish brogue in such a way that I almost have an accent by the time I turn the last page! The complexity of the mystery kept me guessing throughout. The author has done extensive research on a component of the story that was fascinating to read about. And of course, Scotland!
Each person is well-depicted through realistic conversations, concerns, and behaviors. My favorites are Paislee and her childhood best friend, Lydia. Their lifestyles are vastly different, but their close-as-sisters relationship reflects love and loyalty that few could separate. Paislee is not quite 30, and had been a single, teen mum when her late grandmother had taken her in. She has a keen sense of responsibility and is not afraid of hard work. Paisley had an on-line store for her one-of-a-kind knitted goods to support her and her son, Brody. When she inherited her grandmother’s cozy house, Paislee was able to open her yarn and custom knit goods business in a leased storefront while maintaining her on-line store. Grandpa Angus lives with Paislee and Brody. Brody, at twelve, is mature enough to grasp that his mom has lived all of his lifetime without dating anyone, making him her number one priority.
One of her clients, Lady Shannon, helped Paislee get her foot in the castle door of the Dowager Countess Sorcha, who just opened a gift shop in Ramsey Castle. Sorcha will carry some of Paislee’s cashmere knit goods, so she will deliver stock to the castle early on the day of the Annual End of Summer Bagpiping event. The manager of the gift shop admires the items. Sorcha is happy with the products, and gives Paislee and her family a quick tour of the castle grounds.
There were a dozen clan bands in the competition, and each competitor’s set includes a solo for the best bagpiper in that band. The Earl of Lyon, Lord Robert, and Sorcha’s oldest son, does the solo for their clan. Lord Patrick, his younger brother, is in charge of preparing the huge barbecue that is prepared for approximately 200 guests that takes place after the competition. Lady Lissia, Sorcha’s only daughter, is a snare drummer in the band.
The final clan is playing, and Jory is beginning his bagpipe solo when he turned red and collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, where he died. Much blame was cast around, especially to Lord Robert, who was suspected of sending anonymous notes to the leader of the band Jory played for and one of the competition judges, stating that Jory had cheated in last year’s competition. It was the first time in six years that Robert did not win the competition. The money awarded is very small, but the winner gets recognition and “bragging rights”.
Paislee has helped solve several murders in Nairn, including one in which Lady Shannon’s son was the person of interest. Shannon had shared that with DC Sorcha. Sorcha now wants her to do the same for her son Robert, the Earl. He is the main suspect in Jory’s murder for several reasons, including Jory breaking Robert’s winning streak the prior year. Robert is steadfastly avoiding talking with the constables, and his “big man at the castle” attitude doesn’t do him any favors. He won’t even talk with Paislee unless his mother tricks him into joining luncheons she was invited to.
Paislee has so many things on her plate that she doesn’t have time for one more thing, but she does want to have her work sold at the castle…She talks with several people, but it is a slow process. Nobody wants to talk poorly about the dead man – Jory – or the earl, Robert. I couldn’t get a feel for who was responsible, even when the murder weapon was finally discussed. The bad guy was hiding in plain sight, and when it was revealed, I was stunned. The mystery was complete and the ending satisfactory. I highly recommend this delightful cozy mystery, especially to anyone who enjoy novels set in Scotland.
January 16, 2024
Thanks are due to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is the latest in Traci Hall’s Scottish Shire mystery series, featuring knitting shop owner and amateur sleuth Paislee Shaw. I will own up to having loved every one of them. Set in one of those idyllic rural villages of Scotland where sheep roam, brawny kilted men abound, and the sound of bagpipes fills the air, Hall writes the best sort of cozy mystery. It’s not just cozy, there’s an actual loop mystery to solve. And a bonus couple of potential romances for the intrepid Paislee.
This volume actually involves bagpipes, and their kilted pipers. Every year the local laird, Robert Grant, Earl of Lyon, is tradition-bound to host a bagpipe competition for bands representing each resident clan. Three are selected for a final round, presided over by an experienced judge who keeps a strict eye to all regulations. Held at Ramsey Castle, this year’s finals include the Earl himself, a renowned bagpiper who had led his clan to victory many years running.
Except for the previous year, that is, when Clan Cunningham took the prize, upsetting a great many villagers who were not that impressed by their piper. Jory Baxter, though strikingly handsome and charming, was a somewhat mediocre player and, it turns out, not precisely a clan member as required. There were murmurs of cheating, though how that might be done in piping had even seasoned aficionados wondering.
Much bigger questions emerged when Jory suddenly lost consciousness during his band’s set. It was not unheard of for inexperienced pipers who failed to regulate their breathing to faint, but he was a winning piper, not a beginner. And what happened to the dropped bagpipes that were picked up by his good friend and Paislee’s delivery man, Jerry McFadden, and stored under a bench for safekeeping?
What followed in very short order pitted clan against clan, established pipers against upstarts, ordinary village folk against the local nobility, even the local constabulary against Scotland Yard. The latter is a feature of the four previous volumes and is carried on here.
Paislee was an eyewitness as she sat in the audience with her Grandpa Angus, and had in fact phoned for the ambulance. She was quickly drawn into this tempest, mulling over the cheating charges, Jory’s collapse on stage, the bagpipes’ disappearance, and the sudden arrival of Detective Zeffer of Scotland Yard. She knows him, and has been both attracted to and annoyed by him in the previous cases. Her innate curiosity has never allowed her to stay out of it and let the police do their job. She knows her community and the local culture. People trust her and reveal secrets. Neither the village police nor Zeffer are ultimately any match for her investigative abilities. Or does Zeffer keep showing up for more personal reasons? And what about the less exciting but eminently reliable local school principal, Hamish McCall?
Series fans will be pleased to see that Grandpa, her lively son, the 12-years-going-on-20 Brody, and her best friend-greatest supporter Lydia Barrow, are all here. The ladies of the knitting circle at her shop, Cashmere Crush, that includes the non-knitter Lydia, return. Best of all is the continued participation of Wallace, the Shaw’s beloved Scottish terrier, keen, smart, loyal, and quick to take action himself for their protection.
This volume stands on its own, so it’s not necessary to have read the earlier books, but I imagine those who haven’t yet might hurry to fix that. Hall’s characters are warm and witty, interacting humorously and mostly with kindness. I really hope this isn’t the final adventure of Paislee Shaw.
This is the latest in Traci Hall’s Scottish Shire mystery series, featuring knitting shop owner and amateur sleuth Paislee Shaw. I will own up to having loved every one of them. Set in one of those idyllic rural villages of Scotland where sheep roam, brawny kilted men abound, and the sound of bagpipes fills the air, Hall writes the best sort of cozy mystery. It’s not just cozy, there’s an actual loop mystery to solve. And a bonus couple of potential romances for the intrepid Paislee.
This volume actually involves bagpipes, and their kilted pipers. Every year the local laird, Robert Grant, Earl of Lyon, is tradition-bound to host a bagpipe competition for bands representing each resident clan. Three are selected for a final round, presided over by an experienced judge who keeps a strict eye to all regulations. Held at Ramsey Castle, this year’s finals include the Earl himself, a renowned bagpiper who had led his clan to victory many years running.
Except for the previous year, that is, when Clan Cunningham took the prize, upsetting a great many villagers who were not that impressed by their piper. Jory Baxter, though strikingly handsome and charming, was a somewhat mediocre player and, it turns out, not precisely a clan member as required. There were murmurs of cheating, though how that might be done in piping had even seasoned aficionados wondering.
Much bigger questions emerged when Jory suddenly lost consciousness during his band’s set. It was not unheard of for inexperienced pipers who failed to regulate their breathing to faint, but he was a winning piper, not a beginner. And what happened to the dropped bagpipes that were picked up by his good friend and Paislee’s delivery man, Jerry McFadden, and stored under a bench for safekeeping?
What followed in very short order pitted clan against clan, established pipers against upstarts, ordinary village folk against the local nobility, even the local constabulary against Scotland Yard. The latter is a feature of the four previous volumes and is carried on here.
Paislee was an eyewitness as she sat in the audience with her Grandpa Angus, and had in fact phoned for the ambulance. She was quickly drawn into this tempest, mulling over the cheating charges, Jory’s collapse on stage, the bagpipes’ disappearance, and the sudden arrival of Detective Zeffer of Scotland Yard. She knows him, and has been both attracted to and annoyed by him in the previous cases. Her innate curiosity has never allowed her to stay out of it and let the police do their job. She knows her community and the local culture. People trust her and reveal secrets. Neither the village police nor Zeffer are ultimately any match for her investigative abilities. Or does Zeffer keep showing up for more personal reasons? And what about the less exciting but eminently reliable local school principal, Hamish McCall?
Series fans will be pleased to see that Grandpa, her lively son, the 12-years-going-on-20 Brody, and her best friend-greatest supporter Lydia Barrow, are all here. The ladies of the knitting circle at her shop, Cashmere Crush, that includes the non-knitter Lydia, return. Best of all is the continued participation of Wallace, the Shaw’s beloved Scottish terrier, keen, smart, loyal, and quick to take action himself for their protection.
This volume stands on its own, so it’s not necessary to have read the earlier books, but I imagine those who haven’t yet might hurry to fix that. Hall’s characters are warm and witty, interacting humorously and mostly with kindness. I really hope this isn’t the final adventure of Paislee Shaw.
January 28, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall has Paislee Shaw solving the mystery of why Jory Baxter collapsed while playing the bagpipes.
Will Paislee get to the bottom of the mystery?
Paislee Shaw
Paislee Shaw is a young mum to a twelve-year-old boy and lives on a budget. She is also the owner of a specialty sweater shop from which one can also buy yarn. Pasilee has made it to the big time if the dowager countess wants to have some of Paislee’s cashmere knitting projects in her gift shop at the castle. Paislee is a good person who has a lot on her plate and two budding romances. I like Paislee, and I think she is doing a great job raising her son and her store and life. However, Paislee would probably beg to differ on that last one.
Jory Baxter, the Victim
Jory Baxter is a new bagpiper that Clan Cunningham found for last year’s competition to beat Clan Grant, who are the owners of the castle where the competition is held. He thought of himself as this gift to the ladies. This was also showcased while playing the bagpipes as he thought he had all the ladies swooning after him. Sadly, that wasn’t the case with most of everyone at the competitions. Jory kept many things about himself a secret, including from his teammates. Jory Baxter, while alive and dead, was not a good person. I feel sad that he died so young, but it was the way he acted alive that got him killed in the end.
Five Stars
I am giving Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall five stars and a recommendation. Ms. Hall did a fantastic job of writing, making me feel like I was actually in Scotland helping out Paislee. This story had me captivated from the beginning to the end. I adored Wallace, and I loved the idea of Paislee’s shop. Paislee has a great friend who supports her while pushing her out of her comfort zone on a few things. I know that almost everyone deserves a friend like that.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Paislee get to the bottom of the mystery?
Paislee Shaw
Paislee Shaw is a young mum to a twelve-year-old boy and lives on a budget. She is also the owner of a specialty sweater shop from which one can also buy yarn. Pasilee has made it to the big time if the dowager countess wants to have some of Paislee’s cashmere knitting projects in her gift shop at the castle. Paislee is a good person who has a lot on her plate and two budding romances. I like Paislee, and I think she is doing a great job raising her son and her store and life. However, Paislee would probably beg to differ on that last one.
Jory Baxter, the Victim
Jory Baxter is a new bagpiper that Clan Cunningham found for last year’s competition to beat Clan Grant, who are the owners of the castle where the competition is held. He thought of himself as this gift to the ladies. This was also showcased while playing the bagpipes as he thought he had all the ladies swooning after him. Sadly, that wasn’t the case with most of everyone at the competitions. Jory kept many things about himself a secret, including from his teammates. Jory Baxter, while alive and dead, was not a good person. I feel sad that he died so young, but it was the way he acted alive that got him killed in the end.
Five Stars
I am giving Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall five stars and a recommendation. Ms. Hall did a fantastic job of writing, making me feel like I was actually in Scotland helping out Paislee. This story had me captivated from the beginning to the end. I adored Wallace, and I loved the idea of Paislee’s shop. Paislee has a great friend who supports her while pushing her out of her comfort zone on a few things. I know that almost everyone deserves a friend like that.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
January 6, 2024
Thank you to @kensingtonbooks for an eARC of Murder at a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall. I did enjoy this, although it wasn’t my favorite in the series. I love visiting Nairn, and it was fun learning about bagpipes in this particular storyline.
I hope the next book in the series has less focus on the entitled Scottish nobility that think they can treat other people poorly. I was very annoyed that characters who Paislee helped/saved in a previous book were back acting really manipulative and rude. The annoying rich people storyline is getting repetitive.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is that Paislee’s life as a single mom and small business owner is not glamorized. This book really pushed her to the limit in terms of stress about her business, home, and family. I love that she and Grandpa get along and help each other now. I find it so relatable that she picks her parenting battles and has to make quick decisions when things get crazy.
At this point, I consider Paislee a friend. I don’t always understand her decisions, but I love her and really really hope she can find success and happiness - and maybe some steady romance?? - in future books.
I hope the next book in the series has less focus on the entitled Scottish nobility that think they can treat other people poorly. I was very annoyed that characters who Paislee helped/saved in a previous book were back acting really manipulative and rude. The annoying rich people storyline is getting repetitive.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is that Paislee’s life as a single mom and small business owner is not glamorized. This book really pushed her to the limit in terms of stress about her business, home, and family. I love that she and Grandpa get along and help each other now. I find it so relatable that she picks her parenting battles and has to make quick decisions when things get crazy.
At this point, I consider Paislee a friend. I don’t always understand her decisions, but I love her and really really hope she can find success and happiness - and maybe some steady romance?? - in future books.
August 23, 2024
Okay, this is currently a DNF for me, and I've liked the others in the series. At the 25% mark I'm just finding this boring, with endless questons about bagpipes (action starts at bagpipe contest where someone is murdered). There are seemingly hundreds (okay, I exaggerate) bagpipers being questioned (and of course, Paisley is asked to help with the interviews). But what is completely throwing me out of the story this time is the author writing how the people in Scotland speak phoenetically. I'm sure she's done this in the past, but this time the story isn't holding my interest, so all I'm seeing is"tae," "wouldnae," "wasnae," "didnae," "mebbe," etc. I don't need how words are proncounced spelled out phoenetically. I can imagine the accent. Perhaps once in a great while, but constantly just isn't working. Okay, off to find something else to read.
October 22, 2024
A murder during a bagpipe competition starts this mystery off just right. When Paisley is at the competition, a bagpiper falls over nearly at her feet, and at first she thinks it is an accidental death. But as the story continues, there are more and more suspicious events and people, and she and her son and grandfather, along with the local police, set out to find the real murderer.
June 2, 2024
My least favorite of the series. I wanted more Castle hijinks.
I'm glad I read it and won't miss the next.
I'm glad I read it and won't miss the next.
Read
November 6, 2025Scottish dialect is always difficult for me. Mushrooms, knitting & bagpipes in this murder mystery.
March 18, 2024
31/2
Fun read
Fun read
October 11, 2024
Very enjoyable series. I do love all things Scottish. This is my favorite book in the series so far. 📕
December 2, 2025
Murder at a Scottish Castle is a wonderfully written cozy mystery with a large cast of characters and well written with detailed information that makes you enjoy and learn new and exciting pieces of the lives of our Scottish family and their beloved community in Nairn, Scotland.
We are back with Paislee, Brody, Grandpa and Wallace Shaw and we are invited to the annual end of the summer bagpipe competition on the grounds of Ramsey Castle. Paislee is expanding her business and selling some of her high-quality cashmere items at the castle’s gift shop. We get to know more about our yarn delivery man, Jerry. The nobility of Clan Grant host the annual competition on their castle grounds and the head of the family Dowager Countess Sorcha Grant was introduced to Paislee by Lady Shannon Leery that we were introduced to in Book 2 – Murder in a Scottish Garden, both Lady Shannon Leery and her son Shawn Marcus join us for a short time in this journey with Paislee.
What could possibly be dangerous or even deadly at a bagpipe competition? Could it be the pride of your Clan that makes it dangerous or deadly? Could it be something in the air? Could it be lost love? Could it be money? Could it be revenge? --- Let’s discuss it over lunch….this mystery plot is woven in such a fantastic way, that any advanced knitter would be envious!!
There is much to learn in this mystery for our Paislee – who knew bagpipes could be so detailed – but for us the readers – our author does a tremendous job at giving us the information so we can process in our thoughts as we read, and we can really bring it all to life in our minds. Paislee also has to deal with the pressures of the nobility – it seems Lady Leery has put Paislee’s investigative skills out for hire to her friend the Dowager Countess Sorcha Grant when her family comes in the crosshairs of DI Zeffer.
We as the reader finally get to see Paislee start to have a little part of personal life outside her shop and raising Brody and it is Hamish McCall, the Headmaster at Fordythe primary. Now that our Brody is 12 and in secondary (S1), Hamish can pursue our Paislee with no unethical issues or rules to be broken. I know we all look for signs when it comes to romance but the pipes bursting and the ceiling falling on you can either be a sign or just old pipes, but for our sweet Paislee, she views it as both and it puts her mind on an emotional rollercoaster! Enter our BFF Lydia to save the day and Paislee’s sanity. (For all the series readers this special hint is for you – looks like those stainless-steel appliances in Paislee’s dreams just might come out of the nightmare she has weathered.)
Turns out Nairn has enough crime to have a DI on full-time with the police force and our DI has put in for a transfer to stay. Paislee and DI Zeffer work well together on this mystery. They are becoming very familiar and comfortable together! DI Zeffer might not be sending the flowers, but he is staying and even asking for Lydia’s help in finding a house there and those close moments together with Paislee are still sending shivers down her spine!
We are back with Paislee, Brody, Grandpa and Wallace Shaw and we are invited to the annual end of the summer bagpipe competition on the grounds of Ramsey Castle. Paislee is expanding her business and selling some of her high-quality cashmere items at the castle’s gift shop. We get to know more about our yarn delivery man, Jerry. The nobility of Clan Grant host the annual competition on their castle grounds and the head of the family Dowager Countess Sorcha Grant was introduced to Paislee by Lady Shannon Leery that we were introduced to in Book 2 – Murder in a Scottish Garden, both Lady Shannon Leery and her son Shawn Marcus join us for a short time in this journey with Paislee.
What could possibly be dangerous or even deadly at a bagpipe competition? Could it be the pride of your Clan that makes it dangerous or deadly? Could it be something in the air? Could it be lost love? Could it be money? Could it be revenge? --- Let’s discuss it over lunch….this mystery plot is woven in such a fantastic way, that any advanced knitter would be envious!!
There is much to learn in this mystery for our Paislee – who knew bagpipes could be so detailed – but for us the readers – our author does a tremendous job at giving us the information so we can process in our thoughts as we read, and we can really bring it all to life in our minds. Paislee also has to deal with the pressures of the nobility – it seems Lady Leery has put Paislee’s investigative skills out for hire to her friend the Dowager Countess Sorcha Grant when her family comes in the crosshairs of DI Zeffer.
We as the reader finally get to see Paislee start to have a little part of personal life outside her shop and raising Brody and it is Hamish McCall, the Headmaster at Fordythe primary. Now that our Brody is 12 and in secondary (S1), Hamish can pursue our Paislee with no unethical issues or rules to be broken. I know we all look for signs when it comes to romance but the pipes bursting and the ceiling falling on you can either be a sign or just old pipes, but for our sweet Paislee, she views it as both and it puts her mind on an emotional rollercoaster! Enter our BFF Lydia to save the day and Paislee’s sanity. (For all the series readers this special hint is for you – looks like those stainless-steel appliances in Paislee’s dreams just might come out of the nightmare she has weathered.)
Turns out Nairn has enough crime to have a DI on full-time with the police force and our DI has put in for a transfer to stay. Paislee and DI Zeffer work well together on this mystery. They are becoming very familiar and comfortable together! DI Zeffer might not be sending the flowers, but he is staying and even asking for Lydia’s help in finding a house there and those close moments together with Paislee are still sending shivers down her spine!
September 12, 2023
Paislee Shaw owns Cashmere Crush, a yarn shop specializing in high-end products. She also sells her own designs online and has garnered a following so well that the Dowager Countess of Lyon, Sorcha, has asked her to bring some items to sell in her castle's gift shop. Paislee is surprised but happy, especially when it coincides with the annual bagpiping completion which is to be held at Ramsey Castle. Along with her is her son Brody, her grandpa, and their Scottish terrier, Wallace. All seems to be going well until one of the pipers -- last year's winner -- blows a couple of notes and collapses. When he dies at the hospital, it's at first deemed an accident, but then DI Zeffer steps in and isn't so sure.
Neither is the Dowager Countess. She asks for Paislee's help in proving her son Robert's innocence. While Paislee isn't thrilled, she's rather stuck as she doesn't want to risk not selling her items, nor the displeasure of both the countess and her friend Lady Leery. So Paislee agrees, but she doesn't expect what happens next...
There's an unavoidable disaster that puts part of her life on hold, and she starts falling into depression; but her best friend Lydia steps in and won't allow it. Unfortunately, Lydia can temporarily fix one, but not the other, which means there's a killer still out there somewhere...
This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. I'm even reading Scottish idioms without a problem, and just breezing through these books. The plot is done very well, and Ms. Hall is very good at what she does -- which is to bring the reader into her books and these in particular, almost as if we were visiting Scotland ourselves (not a bad idea!)
I have become quite fond of all of the characters and their quirks, and Paislee has begun to grow a little bit more, which is a good thing. I hope to see her let go a little and let life happen, but time will tell. The 'guest' characters -- those of Castle Ramsey -- are written as they should be, although like Paislee, I do believe that the earl is a bit arrogant, but then again, he was probably raised that way. And I do like Zeffer quite a bit as well. He's intelligent and knowing, but reserved; just as a DI should be.
The murderer was unexpected and came out of left field, but that's what a good mystery should do, right? In the end, the reason for the murder was as twisted as can be in a murderer's mind, but ah, well, it all turned out right after all, and I await the next mystery eagerly. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Paislee and her clan. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Neither is the Dowager Countess. She asks for Paislee's help in proving her son Robert's innocence. While Paislee isn't thrilled, she's rather stuck as she doesn't want to risk not selling her items, nor the displeasure of both the countess and her friend Lady Leery. So Paislee agrees, but she doesn't expect what happens next...
There's an unavoidable disaster that puts part of her life on hold, and she starts falling into depression; but her best friend Lydia steps in and won't allow it. Unfortunately, Lydia can temporarily fix one, but not the other, which means there's a killer still out there somewhere...
This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. I'm even reading Scottish idioms without a problem, and just breezing through these books. The plot is done very well, and Ms. Hall is very good at what she does -- which is to bring the reader into her books and these in particular, almost as if we were visiting Scotland ourselves (not a bad idea!)
I have become quite fond of all of the characters and their quirks, and Paislee has begun to grow a little bit more, which is a good thing. I hope to see her let go a little and let life happen, but time will tell. The 'guest' characters -- those of Castle Ramsey -- are written as they should be, although like Paislee, I do believe that the earl is a bit arrogant, but then again, he was probably raised that way. And I do like Zeffer quite a bit as well. He's intelligent and knowing, but reserved; just as a DI should be.
The murderer was unexpected and came out of left field, but that's what a good mystery should do, right? In the end, the reason for the murder was as twisted as can be in a murderer's mind, but ah, well, it all turned out right after all, and I await the next mystery eagerly. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Paislee and her clan. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
January 16, 2024
Paislee Shaw runs Cashmere Crush, a knitting shop, in the small town of Nairn, Scotland. She has been offered an exciting opportunity to sell her cashmere goods in the new gift shop at Ramsey Castle, and decides to make her first delivery to the castle on the day of the annual Bagpipe competition.
Paislee loves the annual competition and the barbecue that follows, but for the Grant clan of Ramsey Castle, winning is a matter of pride. When the Cunningham clan defeated the Grant clan the previous year, the family had taken the loss badly. Robert, the current Earl, is determined to retake the bagpiping crown.
When the Cunningham’s star piper dies, pressure is put on Paislee to help figure out what happened. The problem is that Paislee is facing so much pressure in her personal life that she isn’t sure how she can possibly manage.
My Thoughts
This was a good book. The writing was engaging, and the story was well-plotted. The mystery had a good number of clues and red herrings.
The backdrop of a yarn shop in a small village in the Scottish highlands makes for a cosy atmosphere. From the castle grounds, to cottages and pubs, to a shop that specializes in making bagpipes, the settings were well-described. I appreciate the amount of research that clearly went in to this book.
For the most part, the characters were likable and well-developed. However, though she’s very well-developed, I don’t find Paislee a character who is easy to like.
She’s a young single mother who runs her own business and money is a constant struggle for her, and as a result she has very high levels of anxiety, which is certainly understandable. At the same time, she does tend to make things harder for herself by holding herself to ridiculously high standards. She sees a broken pipe as a personal failing. She’s also prickly, judge-y, and has a tendency to strike out at people who care about her. While all of that makes her character three-dimensional, spending 300 pages with someone who is almost perpetually either angry or angst-y is not enjoyable for me in a mystery setting.
One thing that I struggled with was the inconsistent use of dialect. In some conversations, “to” was always spelled as “tae”, “good” as “guid”, and so on, but that wasn’t always the case. Even the same individual didn’t always use it consistently in conversations with the same people. The first chapter was so heavy with dialect that reading it was tiring. Rather than contributing to the atmosphere, it began to grate on my nerves because it felt inauthentic.
Though I have read others in the series, it was a few years ago, and I didn’t remember the characters or stories very clearly. I didn’t find that a problem in my enjoyment of this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Paislee loves the annual competition and the barbecue that follows, but for the Grant clan of Ramsey Castle, winning is a matter of pride. When the Cunningham clan defeated the Grant clan the previous year, the family had taken the loss badly. Robert, the current Earl, is determined to retake the bagpiping crown.
When the Cunningham’s star piper dies, pressure is put on Paislee to help figure out what happened. The problem is that Paislee is facing so much pressure in her personal life that she isn’t sure how she can possibly manage.
My Thoughts
This was a good book. The writing was engaging, and the story was well-plotted. The mystery had a good number of clues and red herrings.
The backdrop of a yarn shop in a small village in the Scottish highlands makes for a cosy atmosphere. From the castle grounds, to cottages and pubs, to a shop that specializes in making bagpipes, the settings were well-described. I appreciate the amount of research that clearly went in to this book.
For the most part, the characters were likable and well-developed. However, though she’s very well-developed, I don’t find Paislee a character who is easy to like.
She’s a young single mother who runs her own business and money is a constant struggle for her, and as a result she has very high levels of anxiety, which is certainly understandable. At the same time, she does tend to make things harder for herself by holding herself to ridiculously high standards. She sees a broken pipe as a personal failing. She’s also prickly, judge-y, and has a tendency to strike out at people who care about her. While all of that makes her character three-dimensional, spending 300 pages with someone who is almost perpetually either angry or angst-y is not enjoyable for me in a mystery setting.
One thing that I struggled with was the inconsistent use of dialect. In some conversations, “to” was always spelled as “tae”, “good” as “guid”, and so on, but that wasn’t always the case. Even the same individual didn’t always use it consistently in conversations with the same people. The first chapter was so heavy with dialect that reading it was tiring. Rather than contributing to the atmosphere, it began to grate on my nerves because it felt inauthentic.
Though I have read others in the series, it was a few years ago, and I didn’t remember the characters or stories very clearly. I didn’t find that a problem in my enjoyment of this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC of this book which I received in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2023
How does one cheat in a bagpipe contest?
Actually, the answer turned out to be fairly fascinating. Who knew? Definitely not me. Heck, even most of those gathered at the contest or even involved didn't really know. That question, of course, is important to find the answer to when the man accused of cheating die during said contest. Was it accidental? Did someone kill him? If so, how? He was in plain view of spectators on the castle grounds and, in fact, the focus of attention when he collapsed.
Like the rest, Paislee is curious but only allows herself to be fully pulled into investigating when the Dowager Countess asks her to find answers. True, that gives Paislee a minor thrill being able to tell someone honestly that she's having lunch at "the castle" but it's a puzzle. Even worse, she has her own worries to deal with. After an unexpected personal catastrophe, Paislee is feeling overwhelmed but, thank goodness, best friend Lydia steps in to help. Grandpa is there for her, too, and son Brody is proving to be fairly reliable but, well, though he walks their feisty Scottish terrier William, he's still at the age when fun rules over brains occasionally. In other words, normal almost-teen.
You'll like the characters, who seem like genuine people. We all need friends like Lydia, always there when needed. Even better, she knows things and people and is there with a plan. The aristocratic Grant family is, well, born to the title, but tend to come off well, revealing both strengths and weaknesses, not to mention grievances. Well, if Robert could only tone down his aristocratic manner. And, oh, yes, there's even some romance in the air, though all does not flow smoothly. Paislee still feels uneasy about dealing with DI Zeffer. He does seem to be taking her more seriously this go-round, however. They do seem to work well together despite the...friction? Is that friction or attraction? We shall see, we shall see. Change is in the air.
Bottom line, a fun, relatively quick read that'll teach you a great deal about the art of bagpipes in the process. Both playing and constructing them. You'll meet some interesting characters and be left wondering how much family pride guides many. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me to tag along to lunch at the castle and the bagpipe contest, not to mention check out Paislee's latest knit fashions. Cashmere! Love cashmere.
Actually, the answer turned out to be fairly fascinating. Who knew? Definitely not me. Heck, even most of those gathered at the contest or even involved didn't really know. That question, of course, is important to find the answer to when the man accused of cheating die during said contest. Was it accidental? Did someone kill him? If so, how? He was in plain view of spectators on the castle grounds and, in fact, the focus of attention when he collapsed.
Like the rest, Paislee is curious but only allows herself to be fully pulled into investigating when the Dowager Countess asks her to find answers. True, that gives Paislee a minor thrill being able to tell someone honestly that she's having lunch at "the castle" but it's a puzzle. Even worse, she has her own worries to deal with. After an unexpected personal catastrophe, Paislee is feeling overwhelmed but, thank goodness, best friend Lydia steps in to help. Grandpa is there for her, too, and son Brody is proving to be fairly reliable but, well, though he walks their feisty Scottish terrier William, he's still at the age when fun rules over brains occasionally. In other words, normal almost-teen.
You'll like the characters, who seem like genuine people. We all need friends like Lydia, always there when needed. Even better, she knows things and people and is there with a plan. The aristocratic Grant family is, well, born to the title, but tend to come off well, revealing both strengths and weaknesses, not to mention grievances. Well, if Robert could only tone down his aristocratic manner. And, oh, yes, there's even some romance in the air, though all does not flow smoothly. Paislee still feels uneasy about dealing with DI Zeffer. He does seem to be taking her more seriously this go-round, however. They do seem to work well together despite the...friction? Is that friction or attraction? We shall see, we shall see. Change is in the air.
Bottom line, a fun, relatively quick read that'll teach you a great deal about the art of bagpipes in the process. Both playing and constructing them. You'll meet some interesting characters and be left wondering how much family pride guides many. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for inviting me to tag along to lunch at the castle and the bagpipe contest, not to mention check out Paislee's latest knit fashions. Cashmere! Love cashmere.
May 25, 2024
Etwas weniger Superfrau wäre mehr gewesen
Buchmeinung zu Traci Hall – »Mord im Schloss«
»Mord im Schloss« ist ein Kriminalroman von Traci Hall, der 2024 im dp Verlag in der Übersetzung von Silja Mende erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet »Murder at a Scottish Castle« und ist 2024 erschienen. Dies ist der fünfte Band aus der Serie Cashmere, Tartan und ein Mord.
Zum Autor:
Traci Hall ist USA Today-Bestsellerautorin von über fünfzig Büchern verschiedenster Genres. Von Cozy Crime über zeitgenössische Liebesromane bis hin zu Jugendbüchern und Sachbüchern. Sie lebt in Südflorida.
Zum Inhalt:
Paislee betreibt einen Strickwarenladen im idyllischen schottischen Küstenort Nairn. Sie lebt mit Sohn Brody, ihrem Großvater und Terrier Wallace in einem baufälligen Haus. Als sie den alljährlichen Dudelsackwettbewerb auf Ramsey Castle besucht, bricht einer der Musiker auf der Bühne zusammen und stirbt kurze Zeit später. Paislee hat einen neuen Fall.
Meine Meinung:
Dieses Buch lebt neben der atmosphärischen Schilderung von Ort und Leuten von der Hauptfigur Paislee, die als Ich-Erzählerin die Leser durch die Geschichte führt. Sie ist hilfsbereit und überaus sympathisch und kämpft mit diversen Schwierigkeiten. Das alte Auto muss zur Reparatur und dann macht ein Wasserrohrbruch ihr Haus zeitweilig unbewohnbar. Das war mir dann doch ein bisschen viel der Probleme, die die Heldin meistern und vor allem zeitmäßig unter einen Hut bringen muss. Die anderen Figuren sind alle etwas eigen bis skurril, also typisch für einen Cosy Krimi. Alle sind mit Liebe gezeichnet, aber der ein oder andere verhält sich schon verdächtig. Paislee findet reichlich Unterstützung in ihrem Umfeld und kann sich so um die Ermittlungen kümmern. Sogar der ermittelnde Polizist ist ein sympathischer Kerl. Es gibt viele Nebenhandlungen, Wissenswertes über Dudelsäcke und sogar eine kleine Romanze. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und die Seiten fließen nur so dahin. Die Spannung ist eher moderat, steigt aber zum Finale deutlich. Paislee war mir ein bisschen zu sehr Superfrau, die einfach alles Unbill im Griff kriegt. Trotzdem habe ich mich gut unterhalten.
Fazit:
Ein angenehm zu lesender Cosy Krimi mit den gewohnten Zutaten und einer Protagonistin, die mir überzeichnet erschien. Ich habe mich gut unterhalten und bewerte den Titel mit drei von fünf Sternen (60 von 100 Punkten). Für die Freunde atmosphärischer Cosy Krimis spreche ich eine Leseempfehlung aus.
Buchmeinung zu Traci Hall – »Mord im Schloss«
»Mord im Schloss« ist ein Kriminalroman von Traci Hall, der 2024 im dp Verlag in der Übersetzung von Silja Mende erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet »Murder at a Scottish Castle« und ist 2024 erschienen. Dies ist der fünfte Band aus der Serie Cashmere, Tartan und ein Mord.
Zum Autor:
Traci Hall ist USA Today-Bestsellerautorin von über fünfzig Büchern verschiedenster Genres. Von Cozy Crime über zeitgenössische Liebesromane bis hin zu Jugendbüchern und Sachbüchern. Sie lebt in Südflorida.
Zum Inhalt:
Paislee betreibt einen Strickwarenladen im idyllischen schottischen Küstenort Nairn. Sie lebt mit Sohn Brody, ihrem Großvater und Terrier Wallace in einem baufälligen Haus. Als sie den alljährlichen Dudelsackwettbewerb auf Ramsey Castle besucht, bricht einer der Musiker auf der Bühne zusammen und stirbt kurze Zeit später. Paislee hat einen neuen Fall.
Meine Meinung:
Dieses Buch lebt neben der atmosphärischen Schilderung von Ort und Leuten von der Hauptfigur Paislee, die als Ich-Erzählerin die Leser durch die Geschichte führt. Sie ist hilfsbereit und überaus sympathisch und kämpft mit diversen Schwierigkeiten. Das alte Auto muss zur Reparatur und dann macht ein Wasserrohrbruch ihr Haus zeitweilig unbewohnbar. Das war mir dann doch ein bisschen viel der Probleme, die die Heldin meistern und vor allem zeitmäßig unter einen Hut bringen muss. Die anderen Figuren sind alle etwas eigen bis skurril, also typisch für einen Cosy Krimi. Alle sind mit Liebe gezeichnet, aber der ein oder andere verhält sich schon verdächtig. Paislee findet reichlich Unterstützung in ihrem Umfeld und kann sich so um die Ermittlungen kümmern. Sogar der ermittelnde Polizist ist ein sympathischer Kerl. Es gibt viele Nebenhandlungen, Wissenswertes über Dudelsäcke und sogar eine kleine Romanze. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und die Seiten fließen nur so dahin. Die Spannung ist eher moderat, steigt aber zum Finale deutlich. Paislee war mir ein bisschen zu sehr Superfrau, die einfach alles Unbill im Griff kriegt. Trotzdem habe ich mich gut unterhalten.
Fazit:
Ein angenehm zu lesender Cosy Krimi mit den gewohnten Zutaten und einer Protagonistin, die mir überzeichnet erschien. Ich habe mich gut unterhalten und bewerte den Titel mit drei von fünf Sternen (60 von 100 Punkten). Für die Freunde atmosphärischer Cosy Krimis spreche ich eine Leseempfehlung aus.
January 27, 2025
Sofort sind wir mitten im Geschehen und erfahren, wie es Paislee Shawn, ihrem Sohn Brody und ihrem Großvater Angus inzwischen ergangen ist. Dann geht es auch schon an die Ermittlungen, als der Dudelsackspieler Jory Baxter bei dem alljährlichen Dudelsackwettbewerb auf Ramsey Castle zusammenbricht und wenig später stirbt. Ich habe Paislee gern bei ihrer Spurensuche begleitet, bei der es einige Verdächtige und Ungereimtheiten gibt. Zudem gibt es einige Verdächtige, da der Dudelsackwettbewerb sehr ernst genommen wird und ihm Raum steht, dass Jory Baxter beim letzten Wettbewerb geschummelt hat. Da ich immer auf dem gleichen Wissensstand wie Paislee war, habe ich versucht, die einzelnen Hinweise zusammenzufügen, um der Person hinter der Tat auf die Schliche zu kommen. Was ich schade fand war, dass Paislees Spurensuche durch die ganzen anderen Dinge, die in ihrem Leben passieren, immer wieder unterging. Dennoch war für eine gute Portion Spannung gesorgt.
In diesem Band zeigt sich mal wieder, was für ein gutes Herz Paislee hat und wie hilfsbereit sie ist. Denn egal wie stressig ihr Alltag ist, versucht sie dennoch immer wieder zu helfen und vor allem die Unschuld von Robert Grant zu beweisen. Gerade deswegen fand ich es schön, wie ihre Freundin Lydia und ihr Großvater Angus versuchen Paislee zu unterstützen, wenn ihr mal wieder etwas über den Kopf wächst. Man merkt zwar, wie schwer es Paislee fällt, die Hilfe anzunehmen, aber auch, wie gut ihr diese und der Zuspruch der beiden tut.
Der Autorin ist es gelungen, den besonderen Charme von Land und Leute einzufangen ebenso wie den Stellenwert des Adels. Zudem hat sie die Schauplätze und Figuren so anschaulich beschrieben, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, selbst auf Ramsey Castle zu sein oder in Paislees Strickwarengeschäft „Cashmere Crush“.
Fazit:
Ein unterhaltsamer und spannender Krimi, in dem wie Paislee Shaw bei der Spurensuche im Fall des Dudelsackspielers Jory Baxter begleiten. Ich habe dies wieder gern gemacht und da ich immer auf dem gleichen Wissensstand wie Paislee war, habe ich versucht, die Hinweise zusammenzufügen, um der Person hinter der Tat auf die Schliche zu kommen. Schade fand ich, dass Paislees Spurensuche durch alle anderen Dinge, die in ihrem Leben geschehen, immer wieder untergegangen ist. Dennoch finde ich, war für eine gute Portion Spannung gesorgt.
In diesem Band zeigt sich mal wieder, was für ein gutes Herz Paislee hat und wie hilfsbereit sie ist. Denn egal wie stressig ihr Alltag ist, versucht sie dennoch immer wieder zu helfen und vor allem die Unschuld von Robert Grant zu beweisen. Gerade deswegen fand ich es schön, wie ihre Freundin Lydia und ihr Großvater Angus versuchen Paislee zu unterstützen, wenn ihr mal wieder etwas über den Kopf wächst. Man merkt zwar, wie schwer es Paislee fällt, die Hilfe anzunehmen, aber auch, wie gut ihr diese und der Zuspruch der beiden tut.
Der Autorin ist es gelungen, den besonderen Charme von Land und Leute einzufangen ebenso wie den Stellenwert des Adels. Zudem hat sie die Schauplätze und Figuren so anschaulich beschrieben, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, selbst auf Ramsey Castle zu sein oder in Paislees Strickwarengeschäft „Cashmere Crush“.
Fazit:
Ein unterhaltsamer und spannender Krimi, in dem wie Paislee Shaw bei der Spurensuche im Fall des Dudelsackspielers Jory Baxter begleiten. Ich habe dies wieder gern gemacht und da ich immer auf dem gleichen Wissensstand wie Paislee war, habe ich versucht, die Hinweise zusammenzufügen, um der Person hinter der Tat auf die Schliche zu kommen. Schade fand ich, dass Paislees Spurensuche durch alle anderen Dinge, die in ihrem Leben geschehen, immer wieder untergegangen ist. Dennoch finde ich, war für eine gute Portion Spannung gesorgt.
November 5, 2024
I fully enjoyed this cozy mystery, set in a village in Scotland. While I may never get to see a castle in person, this castle and property are described in such a way that it was the next best thing to being there. The author brings the characters – and the mystery – to life with realistic people and the excitement of a dozen clans competing in a bagpipe playing competition. One number in each clan’s set is played by their best piper. The twelfth clan has played, and their best piper barely takes a breath to start, when he collapsed. Unable to find the cause or how to help him, Jory died at the hospital.
The main suspect is the oldest son of Dowager Countess Sorcha, from Ramsey Castle, The Earl of Lyon, Lord Robert. Robert had hoped to win this year. He had won several years in a row until last year, when Jory took first place. Very upset, he had claimed over the past year that Jory cheated. He wasn’t sure how, but he cheated for the win.
Paislee had recently begun selling her upscale hand-knit goods at the new gift shop in Ramsey Castle. She had once helped the son of Lady Shannon, who recommended her products to Sorcha, discover the person who did the killing he was accused of. Knowing that, and that Paislee has helped with other murder cases, Sorcha desperately wanted her son off the suspect list and asked for her help. The author did great research, as there was interesting information woven into the mystery about various kinds of bagpipes, including the type Jory used.
Paislee has lived the challenging life of a single mum for over twelve years, as well as becoming the owner of a growing business. She had not dated since before her son’s birth, and there is a very interested man in her life. Nervous and trying to keep her priorities in order, she is blessed with a son who has seen her sacrifices and would not dream of keeping her from going out with someone.
This cozy mystery has all the elements to quickly grab and keep my attention throughout. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries in the beauty of Scotland, with emphases on bagpipers, knitting, and the first date after many years.
The main suspect is the oldest son of Dowager Countess Sorcha, from Ramsey Castle, The Earl of Lyon, Lord Robert. Robert had hoped to win this year. He had won several years in a row until last year, when Jory took first place. Very upset, he had claimed over the past year that Jory cheated. He wasn’t sure how, but he cheated for the win.
Paislee had recently begun selling her upscale hand-knit goods at the new gift shop in Ramsey Castle. She had once helped the son of Lady Shannon, who recommended her products to Sorcha, discover the person who did the killing he was accused of. Knowing that, and that Paislee has helped with other murder cases, Sorcha desperately wanted her son off the suspect list and asked for her help. The author did great research, as there was interesting information woven into the mystery about various kinds of bagpipes, including the type Jory used.
Paislee has lived the challenging life of a single mum for over twelve years, as well as becoming the owner of a growing business. She had not dated since before her son’s birth, and there is a very interested man in her life. Nervous and trying to keep her priorities in order, she is blessed with a son who has seen her sacrifices and would not dream of keeping her from going out with someone.
This cozy mystery has all the elements to quickly grab and keep my attention throughout. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys well-written cozy mysteries in the beauty of Scotland, with emphases on bagpipers, knitting, and the first date after many years.
February 13, 2024
Book Review: Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall
Rating: 3 Stars
Traci Hall's "Murder at a Scottish Castle" takes readers on a cozy mystery journey with sweater shop owner, Paislee Shaw, as she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation during the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland.
In this installment, Paislee Shaw, along with her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace, find themselves in the midst of a rivalry between the Earl of Lyon and the previous year's bagpiping champion. When the reigning champion suddenly collapses and dies, suspicion falls on foul play, prompting Paislee to use her sleuthing skills to uncover the truth.
While the cover of the book is visually appealing and the setting in the charming coastal town of Nairn adds a cozy atmosphere to the story, I found it challenging to fully engage with the plot. The narrative seems to focus more on Paislee's personal life rather than the mystery itself, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more fast-paced and suspenseful read.
On a positive note, fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the intricate details about bagpipes woven into the storyline and the endearing presence of Wallace, the Scottish terrier. Despite some pacing issues and a heavier emphasis on personal relationships, "Murder at a Scottish Castle" offers a picturesque setting and an intriguing cast of characters that will appeal to readers looking for a light-hearted whodunit set against the backdrop of a Scottish castle.
Overall, while the book was not perfect fit for me, it provides a pleasant escape to the Scottish countryside and delivers a blend of quaint charm and amateur sleuthing that can be enjoyed by fans of cozy mysteries.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 3 Stars
Traci Hall's "Murder at a Scottish Castle" takes readers on a cozy mystery journey with sweater shop owner, Paislee Shaw, as she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation during the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland.
In this installment, Paislee Shaw, along with her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace, find themselves in the midst of a rivalry between the Earl of Lyon and the previous year's bagpiping champion. When the reigning champion suddenly collapses and dies, suspicion falls on foul play, prompting Paislee to use her sleuthing skills to uncover the truth.
While the cover of the book is visually appealing and the setting in the charming coastal town of Nairn adds a cozy atmosphere to the story, I found it challenging to fully engage with the plot. The narrative seems to focus more on Paislee's personal life rather than the mystery itself, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more fast-paced and suspenseful read.
On a positive note, fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the intricate details about bagpipes woven into the storyline and the endearing presence of Wallace, the Scottish terrier. Despite some pacing issues and a heavier emphasis on personal relationships, "Murder at a Scottish Castle" offers a picturesque setting and an intriguing cast of characters that will appeal to readers looking for a light-hearted whodunit set against the backdrop of a Scottish castle.
Overall, while the book was not perfect fit for me, it provides a pleasant escape to the Scottish countryside and delivers a blend of quaint charm and amateur sleuthing that can be enjoyed by fans of cozy mysteries.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
December 30, 2024
Yep lots of spoilers.
This has been a cute light read series. Nothing earth shattering here. Would love it for the genre it is but for me, there are a few fatal flaws I can’t get over in any series.
The big one that got me was when they started rehashing a previous book. The story reminds us that her landlord was shady and had to have a liver transplant. Wtf. The whole plot of that book was that he was trying to buy a kidney. His half sister donated a kidney that failed. Another family was trying to extort money to donate his kidney. We were working with the knowledge that said landlord was an alcoholic but never was any mention made that his liver failed and he needed a liver transplant too. So when this book comes along and states that his half sister had donated her liver, and the liver transplant he has now had, and multiple mentions of his liver, I just cringe. Not one word about his kidney in this book. But more than enough about his sudden liver transplant and how his sister donated hers 🤦♀️.
The other glaring annoyance for me is when you change a characters basic personality traits. Another previous book talked about how she is too practical to believe in curses or superstition yet in this book she gets her first kiss in over 10 years just when her broken water pipes lead to a ceiling falling in and that is the sole reason that she can no longer entertain the idea of even casually dating this guy. Because it is a sign that she just can’t date him. Now who is this character? So many other directions the plot could have made her decide to back off from dating but instead we have to have a huge contradiction in the characters entire personality profile.
Many other littles things jump out at me in the story but I usually just let things go. These 2 things are the ones I just struggle to get past. I won’t mention I do t know where she gets the idea in every book that the detective owes her any information on his police investigations but whatever.
This has been a cute light read series. Nothing earth shattering here. Would love it for the genre it is but for me, there are a few fatal flaws I can’t get over in any series.
The big one that got me was when they started rehashing a previous book. The story reminds us that her landlord was shady and had to have a liver transplant. Wtf. The whole plot of that book was that he was trying to buy a kidney. His half sister donated a kidney that failed. Another family was trying to extort money to donate his kidney. We were working with the knowledge that said landlord was an alcoholic but never was any mention made that his liver failed and he needed a liver transplant too. So when this book comes along and states that his half sister had donated her liver, and the liver transplant he has now had, and multiple mentions of his liver, I just cringe. Not one word about his kidney in this book. But more than enough about his sudden liver transplant and how his sister donated hers 🤦♀️.
The other glaring annoyance for me is when you change a characters basic personality traits. Another previous book talked about how she is too practical to believe in curses or superstition yet in this book she gets her first kiss in over 10 years just when her broken water pipes lead to a ceiling falling in and that is the sole reason that she can no longer entertain the idea of even casually dating this guy. Because it is a sign that she just can’t date him. Now who is this character? So many other directions the plot could have made her decide to back off from dating but instead we have to have a huge contradiction in the characters entire personality profile.
Many other littles things jump out at me in the story but I usually just let things go. These 2 things are the ones I just struggle to get past. I won’t mention I do t know where she gets the idea in every book that the detective owes her any information on his police investigations but whatever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2024
Book 5 of a Scottish Shire Mystery. This cozy mystery centers around a murder at Ramsay Castle when a champion bagpiper is murdered during a competition.
I love this series. The setting in the quaint coastal town of Nairn, Scotland is so charming. I’ve enjoyed watching Paislee’s shop, Cashmere Crush, thrive and begin to expand. In this story, she is asked to provide hand knitted wears for the castle’s gift shop.
The cast truly makes this series extra enjoyable. I love the interactions between Paislee, her son Brody and the cantankerous grandpa who deep down is quite lovable. I’ve always liked the fact that Paislee is hardworking and struggles with everyday life of being a single mom. This is put to the test when her limited funds are stretched due to car and major house problems in this story. The love triangle is going strong. I clearly have a fav .. and it’s not Hamish. His incessant actions made me cringe a few times.
The mystery was well paced, captivating and quite frankly kept me stumped until the big reveal. There were plenty of plausible suspects and lots of hidden secrets to work through. I enjoyed learning a bit about bagpipes along with Paislee.
I can’t recommend this series enough and look forward to seeing more character development in the next adventure. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington - all opinions are my own. Murder at a Scottish Castle published January 23, 2024.
I love this series. The setting in the quaint coastal town of Nairn, Scotland is so charming. I’ve enjoyed watching Paislee’s shop, Cashmere Crush, thrive and begin to expand. In this story, she is asked to provide hand knitted wears for the castle’s gift shop.
The cast truly makes this series extra enjoyable. I love the interactions between Paislee, her son Brody and the cantankerous grandpa who deep down is quite lovable. I’ve always liked the fact that Paislee is hardworking and struggles with everyday life of being a single mom. This is put to the test when her limited funds are stretched due to car and major house problems in this story. The love triangle is going strong. I clearly have a fav .. and it’s not Hamish. His incessant actions made me cringe a few times.
The mystery was well paced, captivating and quite frankly kept me stumped until the big reveal. There were plenty of plausible suspects and lots of hidden secrets to work through. I enjoyed learning a bit about bagpipes along with Paislee.
I can’t recommend this series enough and look forward to seeing more character development in the next adventure. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington - all opinions are my own. Murder at a Scottish Castle published January 23, 2024.
November 30, 2023
Paislee's knit shop is doing well and the Dowager Countess has asked her to put some of her work in the castle gift shop. Granddad is helping at the shop and Brody is now twelve! The family is excited about attending the annual bagpipe competition at Ramsey Castle. Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon has always won the contest until last year when newcomer Jory Baxter was declared champion. Robert is determined to reclaim the title this year. But the contest is cut short when Jory collapses during his performance. His death is considered suspicious and Robert is in the limelight as a suspect. When Jory is declared dead at the hospital Inspector Zeffer is on the scene and involved in the investigation. Paislee once again employs her sleuthing skills in an attempt to discover the cause of death. The key lies in finding and examining Jory's bagpipes that have disappeared. As if playing detective isn't enough, her car is on the fritz and the kitchen ceiling of the cottage collapses due to a burst pipe. Can Paislee juggle all this while running a business, being a Mom and trying to figure out her relationship with Hamish? This is the fifth title in the Scottish Shire series. The plot will keep readers guessing and also teach them lots about bagpipes. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the advanced reader's copy.
January 16, 2024
One less piper piping and Paislee wants to know why🤔
This unpredictable cozy focusing on one of Scotland's most iconic activities was good; it certainly kept me guessing. And Paislee, the single mom shopowner at the heart of story, has no moments to spare and is plagued with a frustrating list of concerns that conflict with her desire to help solve the mystery surrounding a star bagpiper who collapses and dies in the midst of a piping competition.
Interestingly, probably the least appealing characters are the aristocratic families who appeal to Paislee for her assistance. They're bathed in entitlement and, unfortunately for Paislee, she must play nice with their demands because their influence and patronage can bring important business advantages for her knitting business. Hobnobbing with the titled classes quickly turns into more of a painful chore than a privilege.
My favorite characters: Paislee's little family and Jerry, a delivery man who feels poorly done by.
I do think that references to past cases from earlier books in the series could have been eliminated as, for me, they did not add anything to the story.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
This unpredictable cozy focusing on one of Scotland's most iconic activities was good; it certainly kept me guessing. And Paislee, the single mom shopowner at the heart of story, has no moments to spare and is plagued with a frustrating list of concerns that conflict with her desire to help solve the mystery surrounding a star bagpiper who collapses and dies in the midst of a piping competition.
Interestingly, probably the least appealing characters are the aristocratic families who appeal to Paislee for her assistance. They're bathed in entitlement and, unfortunately for Paislee, she must play nice with their demands because their influence and patronage can bring important business advantages for her knitting business. Hobnobbing with the titled classes quickly turns into more of a painful chore than a privilege.
My favorite characters: Paislee's little family and Jerry, a delivery man who feels poorly done by.
I do think that references to past cases from earlier books in the series could have been eliminated as, for me, they did not add anything to the story.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
January 24, 2024
It is always a pleasure to spend time in Scotland with Paisley and the crew! Murder at a Scottish Castle is the fifth installment in this engaging series. I enjoyed it so much, and I am looking forward to book six.
Paisley has been asked to display some of the wares from her knit shop in the castle gift shop. A new way to grow her business, even though she must contend with the rascally aristocrats. As a single mother Paisley has a great deal to wrestle, even though Granddad helps out. I like the realism shown in her relationships with her family and friends---single parenthood is challenging and rewarding---Traci Hall did a great job with her descriptions.
There is to be a bagpipe competition in Nairn, and Paisley has scored tickets for her small family to attend. Unfortunately, one of the pipers faces an untimely demise that sets the mystery on its path, (and Paisley right along with it). There are red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing.
I recommend this to all cozy readers, especially those who enjoy armchair travels.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy of #Murderata ScottishCastle #NetGalley, #Kensington Publishing and #TraciHall. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Paisley has been asked to display some of the wares from her knit shop in the castle gift shop. A new way to grow her business, even though she must contend with the rascally aristocrats. As a single mother Paisley has a great deal to wrestle, even though Granddad helps out. I like the realism shown in her relationships with her family and friends---single parenthood is challenging and rewarding---Traci Hall did a great job with her descriptions.
There is to be a bagpipe competition in Nairn, and Paisley has scored tickets for her small family to attend. Unfortunately, one of the pipers faces an untimely demise that sets the mystery on its path, (and Paisley right along with it). There are red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing.
I recommend this to all cozy readers, especially those who enjoy armchair travels.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy of #Murderata ScottishCastle #NetGalley, #Kensington Publishing and #TraciHall. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 30, 2024
Unterhaltend - Mord im Schloss
Paislee Shaw ist die stolze Besitzerin des Strickwarengeschäfts "Cashmere Crush" und hat für sich, ihren Sohn Brody, ihren Großvater und ihren Terrier Wallace im charmanten Küstenort Shir Nairn ein wunderschönes Zuhause gefunden. Mit dem jährlichen Dudelsackwettbewerb wird in dem idyllischen Örtchen stets die Sommersaison beendet. Deshalb freut sich Paislee sehr, an diesem besonderen Tag im Schlossmuseum auf Ramsey Castle ihre selbst gestrickten Sachen ausstellen und verkaufen zu dürfen. Und es dauert nicht allzu lang, da geht Hobby-Detektivin Paislee Shaw erneut auf Mörderjagd - obwohl sie durch einen Rohrbruch eigentlich ganz andere Probleme zu meistern hat.
Da ich die anderen Bände nicht gelesen habe, fehlen mir einige Entwicklungen. Dennoch kann dieser Band auch gut ohne Vorkenntnisse gelesen werden.
Die Atmosphäre und die Beschreibung der Charaktere sind gut nachzuvollziehen und der Schreibstil ist angenehm – manchmal ein wenig zu langatmig - zu lesen. Der Spannungsbogen des Romans entsprach in etwa einem klassischen cosy crime, und obwohl es für mich viel mehr „britischen“ Humor und viel mehr Spannung sein dürfte, war es dennoch ein unterhaltsames Buch.
Paislee Shaw ist die stolze Besitzerin des Strickwarengeschäfts "Cashmere Crush" und hat für sich, ihren Sohn Brody, ihren Großvater und ihren Terrier Wallace im charmanten Küstenort Shir Nairn ein wunderschönes Zuhause gefunden. Mit dem jährlichen Dudelsackwettbewerb wird in dem idyllischen Örtchen stets die Sommersaison beendet. Deshalb freut sich Paislee sehr, an diesem besonderen Tag im Schlossmuseum auf Ramsey Castle ihre selbst gestrickten Sachen ausstellen und verkaufen zu dürfen. Und es dauert nicht allzu lang, da geht Hobby-Detektivin Paislee Shaw erneut auf Mörderjagd - obwohl sie durch einen Rohrbruch eigentlich ganz andere Probleme zu meistern hat.
Da ich die anderen Bände nicht gelesen habe, fehlen mir einige Entwicklungen. Dennoch kann dieser Band auch gut ohne Vorkenntnisse gelesen werden.
Die Atmosphäre und die Beschreibung der Charaktere sind gut nachzuvollziehen und der Schreibstil ist angenehm – manchmal ein wenig zu langatmig - zu lesen. Der Spannungsbogen des Romans entsprach in etwa einem klassischen cosy crime, und obwohl es für mich viel mehr „britischen“ Humor und viel mehr Spannung sein dürfte, war es dennoch ein unterhaltsames Buch.
September 24, 2023
Murder at a Scottish Castle is the fifth book in this highly engaging scottish series. During the annual bagpipe competition at Ramsey Castle, Jory Baxter, bagpiper and last years winner, turns bright red and suddenly collapses, later dying at the hospital. With all the commotion, his bagpipes mysteriously disappear. There was a fierce rivalry between Jory and Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon. Fearing for her son, his mother, the countess of Lyon asks Paislee to find the real killer. Paislee isn't all that sure of the very rude and obnoxious Robert Grant's innocence, but puts her sleuthing skills to use bring the guilty party to justice. This book was a wonderful installment to this series. I enjoy the interactions between Paislee, her son Brody, her feisty grandpa, and best friend Lydia. There is a lot of red herrings, a very twisty plot, and even a little romance. I was truly surprised by who the murderer turned out to be! I look forward to reading book six in this series. My thanks to Kensington books and netgalley for this ARC to read and review.
5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆
5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆
January 17, 2024
Oh my! This fifth Scottish Shire mystery is quite the story. The initial focus is a bagpipe competition at which a Piper collapses. Jory Baxter is quite the flirt and the favorite to bring his team the title for a second year. He dies at the hospital.
From there the story gets complicated because Paislee, our main character, has so many threads that I can understand why some reviewers had a hard time keeping track of characters. The reader is benefited by having read the series in order for then we know who Brody, Hamish, Lydia, Corbin, Jerry, Edwin, Bennet and Lady Leery are. That allows space to add a host of characters for the bagpipe competition and another family of the aristocracy- the Grants.
Paislee has quite the tough go of it to with issues involving house, car and family and swallowing her pride.
The author must have done serious research into bagpipes. They play a big role in the mystery.
I didn’t peg the murderer until reveal. For me there were just too many possibilities and successful red herrings.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Murder in a Scottish Castle.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to review this book.
From there the story gets complicated because Paislee, our main character, has so many threads that I can understand why some reviewers had a hard time keeping track of characters. The reader is benefited by having read the series in order for then we know who Brody, Hamish, Lydia, Corbin, Jerry, Edwin, Bennet and Lady Leery are. That allows space to add a host of characters for the bagpipe competition and another family of the aristocracy- the Grants.
Paislee has quite the tough go of it to with issues involving house, car and family and swallowing her pride.
The author must have done serious research into bagpipes. They play a big role in the mystery.
I didn’t peg the murderer until reveal. For me there were just too many possibilities and successful red herrings.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Murder in a Scottish Castle.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to review this book.
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