A Very Scottish Murder

by Greta Sinclair

What was meant to be a memorable New Year’s celebration— turned into a baffling murder mystery.

International food critic Darcy Finnegan, her loyal Schnoodle Mozart, and her best friend arrive in Scotland ready for festive cheer, only to be swept into cousin Ailsa’s traditional Hogmanay house-cleansing ritual.

Covering the culinary delights of Scotland’s New Year was the plan—not house cleaning and investigating a sudden death at the dinner festivities.

When renowned filmmaker Dougal Fraser drops dead at the celebration, it’s clear he wasn’t without enemies.

From a bitter ex-wife, to a young politician, and a resentful business partner, suspects are everywhere, and Darcy is determined to unravel each one.

Then, holidaying Irish detective Marcus Evans appears in Edinburgh, and he and Darcy dive headfirst into the investigation.

As the clock ticks down to the new year, Darcy must piece together the clues before the midnight fireworks fade and the killer disappears into the night.


Bonus Recipe Included!

See what readers are

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful mystery, witty and a cute dog. I loved this book.
I recommend this cozy highly.
"I felt like I was right in the story with them.
I loved Darcy and Dizzy and Mozzie most of all. The author wrote this book to come "alive".
-Amazon Reader DLV

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Clean Cozy "Darcy, along with her hilarious sidekick Lizzie and her adorable pooch hit the ground running in this clean cozy mystery. I love everything Scottish and this book didn’t disappoint!!" -Diane S.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Delightful "A lovely romp through Scotland complete with good food, good drink, and of course, murder. I enjoyed every page! Great story." -Sultonna

Genres: Cozy Mystery

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2024

Reviews

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable adventure. This book picked up meer hours (?) after the last book as Darcy, Lizzie and Mozzie were off to Scotland to celebrate Hogmanay/NYE with Ailsa and guests. During said get together, things go from bad to worse when the arrogant (and potentially unscrupulous) documentary filmmaker mouths off a little too much, and winds up dead as a doorknob just before the clocks strike 12. And so our adventure begins...

I quite enjoyed this outing. A bit longer than the first book, 225 pgs, I feel like it gave the author enough room to slightly flesh out the characters, plot and investigation, but didn't feel too long. I liked the beginning of the story. The dinner party was certainly eventful, and the arrival of the surprise guest was timed to perfection. Yet, I did find my attention wandering slightly as the book progressed. Perhaps I should not have picked this up directly after reading the first book? Oh well, it's too late now. In regards to the murder investigation it was quite baffling. There was no direct police involvement, and with only Marcus as a 'friend of a cop' in Scotland, their rag-tag investigation really doesn't make sense. It's entertaining, don't get me wrong, but with no police presence - especially regarding the death of a well known filmmaker and a political familys heir apparent - it was weird to have no official police presence... or perhaps that's just me?

So, I will definitely be continuing on with the series. I'll just give it a little time before I do.

3.75 stars

[MsBitsyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Scottish Murder
By: Greta Sinclair

This festive New Year storyline happens in Scotland & features the most wonderful things it’s famous for, including amazing landscapes & attractions alike. The author’s excellent descriptions of winter time, gourmet foods & such, actually brings so much to real life! Beside feeling a winter chill, I could smell the earthy undertones, the bright spices, & my mouth watered for dishes I’ve never had.

As the story begins, thoughts of traditions & memories of the past make for a much different welcome than our amateur sleuth, Darcy, her beloved Schnoodle, Mozart (Mozzie), & her bestie, Lizzie had hoped for. (Their unique connection had me missing my sister more than usual!)

Add to this page turner, townspeople who insist on stoking the fires of the past, the present & the future. Could everyone be in danger? Will past rumors stay buried where they lay, or brought to the surface in a much more grandiose manner? Don’t miss this exciting page-turner of entertainment at its best!

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) for my honest opinion & review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!! A memorable New Year’s check ✔️ Darcy Finnegan and her Schnoodle Mozart along with her best friend arrive just at the right time to help with her cousin Ailsa , Hogmanay house clean?… where’s the festivities at? Housecleaning wasn’t on their schedule. Only the foodie delights of a typical Scotland New Year. So here we have the dream team. When there’s a sudden death , Filmmaker Dougan Fraser drops dead mid celebration ,and the Irish holidaying detective Marcus Evans appears in Edinburgh,he and Darcy delving into the investigation. Greta Sinclair has the flair to place you right there to soak up the feel of the mystery in Bonnie Scotland no less but they have to find a killer before Mr Fraser is laid to rest. The author leaves no stone unturned , the descriptors are second to none immersing you into the drama as well as the panorama and vistas too and maybe a castle or two in her books . Excellent writing , storytelling too. I heartily recommend this one to you

[Willow Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy Finnegan, international food critic, her Schnoodle Mozart, and her best friend and photojournalist Lizzie Hayes have traveled to Scotland covering the Hogmanay celebration at her cousin Ailsa’s B&B.
The guest list is a group of people sure to bring conflict to the party- a renowned filmmaker, his ex-wife, a young ambitious politician and a resentful business partner.
When one of the guests drops dead at the celebration dinner, Darcie tries to stay out of things, but the arrival of Marcus Evans, an Irish detective and her former flame, makes Darcy even more determined to find the killer.

I love this book! The author has descriptive powers that bring the story to life and I learned so much about Hogmanay. The characters work so well together I can't wait for the next book.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am pleased to leave this voluntary review.

[Teresa Collins]

A Very Scottish Murder is a delightful and informative cozy mystery. I loved that Ms. Sinclair included all the Scottish culture (Looney Dook, anyone?) and food tidbits. It made the setting come alive which added extra layers to the story. And even though cozies by their very nature include amateur detectives, here, even though I'm not sure exactly how Darcy and her crew got involved in investigations (I need to read the first book in the series) it at least made sense, especially since Marcus had a friend in law enforcement. Sometimes the premise on which the "detective" is built is rather flimsy.
There is plenty of action, twists and turns, unexpected revelations, family history and fights, and family connections; everything a cozy fan wants to find in the newest book.
I recommend this series and can't wait to read Book 1 and then Book 3.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edinburgh during Hogmanay with all the Scottish treats, including murder!

When Darcy, Lizzie and of course, Mozart show up at her cousin, Ailsa’s B&B to celebrate Hogmanay with all the food and festivities, no one expected the guest of honor to fall over dead during the desert. Of course, Darcy can’t leave it alone when she suspects foulplay. I really do enjoy these stories. The friendship between Darcy and Lizzie is very real, the food and surroundings are so well described, I find myself to be a bit on the chilly side, even though I’m not in Scotland, and the stories are so very well thought out, that the ending always comes as a surprise. I can’t wait to see what Darcy, Lizzie and Mozart get up to next!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

International food critic, Darcy, her intuitive dog, Mozart and her best friend and photo journalist Lizzy go to Scotland to cover the Hogmanay celebration for New Years. They are staying at her cousin, Ailsa’s B&B. While at dinner, one of the guest drops dead. Of course, Darcy, Lizzie and Mozart have to investigate along with Marcus a police friend have to investigate. With so many suspects, twists and turns and miscues, we are taken on a ride until the surprising end. Greta Sinclair, the author not only takes us through a really good mystery, but the descriptions of the location and food is fantastic as well. I highly recommend this book as well as the first book in the series and can't wait for more. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You need to read this one with a cup of tea. The descriptions of the chilly Scottish weather will make you shiver. Full of great characters and a loveable dog, A Very Scottish Murder is a fun escape from the chaos of everyday life. Darcy and Lizzie's banter will have you in stitches. Darcy is lucky to have Lizzie both for her unwavering support and comic relief. You can count on her to lighten the moment. Ms. Sinclair manages to invoke a Scottish atmosphere with the legends and traditions and her description of the foods are mouth-watering. In true cozy mystery fashion suspense, laughter and friendship are all corner stones of the story. Darcy puts together the clues quickly but has the help of her friends to bring the murderer to justice even with they think they are untouchable.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a nice cozy mystery and is the second in the series. In this installment, Darcy and her dog, Mozart, are in Scotland for New Year’s. During dinner, one of the guests dies, and it quickly becomes clear that everyone is a suspect. Darcy decides to figure out who the culprit is.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was learning about the traditions celebrated in Scotland for the New Year, as well as some of the traditional foods. The book started off a bit slow for me, but I really got into it once the investigation began. My only complaint is that at times, it dragged on about unrelated topics.

I received an arc

[Trina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was suck right in this cozy story. Darcy and her dog had to solve the case of the mystery culinary madness. It was a page turner and the suspense was horrified of death. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't even put it down. Will they be able to solve this case in this little town. Will she be the next victim of this moment do she know the killer or why this person murder in this time. Will the killer be caught in time.
I highly recommend this book and you won't be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A not so Happy New Year.
Darcy and Lizzie along with Mozart are in Scotland to do an article on Foods related to Hogmanay, the New Years celebration. They are staying at her cousin Ailsa's B & B, as are a crew doing a documentery on a prominent local family. When the filmaker drops dead after ingesting the black bun desert the food article/vacation becomes an investigation into who would murder Dougal Fraser. Working with Darcy's ex, Marcus Evans, our intrepid investigators sift through a mountain of suspects and clues. Plenty of local color and an interesting mystery make this a fine read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy, Mozart and Lizzie are on another work vacation. This time in Scotland during the New Year celebration of Hogmanay. The Bed and Breakfast they are staying at, is hosting a traditional Hogmanay dinner. With guests from a filmmaker and a few others, the tension between them is thick and noticeable.
When the traditional black bun was served, everything changed and the mystery begins.
Some secrets are buried for a reason and people will kill any and every one that gets in the way of keeping it there.
Twists and turns with danger looming around every turn, Darcy and Lizzie put their lives on the line to discover the secrets of the past.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy and Izzie are in Scotland for the New Year's events and food at Ailsa's B&B in Edinburgh. There are also a few esteemed guests at the same time. Dougal Fraiser and cinema documentary maker and his his ex-wife Fiona, who still works with him. Lachlan MacBrayne is also there for the feast. Some very Scottish dishes and eaten and the celebrated Black Bun is their dessert. Dougal grabs the first piece and ends up falling dead. The girls with their police friend Marcus investigate the murder and end up in some real trouble. Great story for the second book in the series.

[Roxanne Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author but hopefully not my last. Darcy, her friend Lizzie and dog Mozart are in Scotland covering a Scottish New Year's celebration when a murder occurs.
Having never been to Scotland and knowing nothing of their celebrations, I really enjoyed this book as the author is great at descriptions and great at creating awesome characters and believable relationships and I now feel like I've been to Scotland.
I received this book for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the authors descriptions of Scotland and the traditions surrounding the Hogmany holiday. When a murder takes place during the celebration, Darcy the food critic and her friend Lizzie a photo-journalist get involved in following clues to find out who had it in for Dougal a documentary film producer. Darcy's dog Mozart always seems to find an important clue to help Darcy. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tartan of a plot!
Intricately woven like tartan the plot of this mystery will keep you guessing and rethinking at every turn. Lots of misleads and clues that take you in the wrong direction ~ fantastic for the reader! The guilty come to justice but we never exactly find out the 'big' family secret that was being covered ~ perhaps that's because they are a totally unscrupulous bunch with multiple nefarious deeds under their tartan. Loved the two recipes at the end and look forward to more of Darcy, Lizzie, Mozzie, and Marcus in their next adventure.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of the book. This is my review. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Darcy, who is an international food critic, has traveled to Scotland with her friend Lizzie. Darcy also has her dog, Mozart with her. They are visiting Darcy’s cousin Ailsa. While Darcy and Lizzie are there, a well know film maker, Douglas Fraser. Is murdered. A friend of Darcy’s, Marcus, who is a detective, is also in Scotland on holiday. The 3 team up to help solve the murder. Very good book. I plan on reading more of Greta’s books

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to try Greta Sinclair’s cozy mystery as soon as I read the premise. Darcy, a food critic, travels to Scotland with her good friend and dog to celebrate Hogmanay. Having traveled extensively in Scotland, with Edinburgh being one of my favorite places, I was eager to see how it was portrayed. The city, its food, and the celebrations weren’t just a backdrop but a vibrant part of the plot. The author’s use of real knowledge added authenticity, and the murder mystery tied it all together perfectly. This was my first story by Sinclair—and definitely won’t be my last.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elite secrets.

A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery as Darcy & Lizzie travel to Edinburgh during the holiday season. As Darcy experiences her first Hogmanay dinner, a murder occurs. Was the murderer sitting at the dinner table? Who has the most to hide? His ex-wife, an aspiring politician or someone else? Clever, intriguing story worth reading!

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on at Ailsa's dinner for Hogmanay between  her guest and Darcy and her friend Lizzie notice this as soon as they arrive at Scotland.  The death of Dougal Fraser at the dinner celebrations brings unrest . Darcy and Marcus together work on the investigation as time runs out and there was a lot going on than meets the eye. An intriguing read which is unputdownable  . I received this ARC copy and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers .

 

[Eliz Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review. A good cozy mystery that has Darcy, her dog Mozart and her friend Lizzie solving a murder while sampling treats in Scotland for the New Years. A good exciting mystery that keeps the readers attention while we also read about Scottish customs for the New Years. The food sounds tasty except I don't know if I would want to try Haggis. I can't wait to see where the three travel to next and I just love the dog and the adorable covers for the book.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy and Lizzie travel to Edinburgh to experience Hogmanay, when during the festivities a guest suddenly dies.
A really great mystery. I enjoyed the details and descriptions of the Scottish traditions. The characters are great and the storyline kept you going throughout. A wonderful cozy mystery to read and learn a bit about other traditions.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great addition to the series. This time, Darcy, Lizzie, and Marcus find themselves in Edinburgh, in time for Hogmanny. As in the other books in the series, somebody is murdered, and the trio set out to figure out who did it. Surprisingly, it isn't until the last part of the book that the true murderer comes to light, and that's something that can be rare in this genre. Highly recommended!

[Emmy McCabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy, Lizzie and Mozart are in Scotland for New Year Eve, Hagmanay celebration at Darcy's cousin Ailsa's Bed and Breakfast. At dinner, Dougal Fraser, dies, he has been poisoned. Just as this is happening, an unexpected guest, Marcus, arrives. Dougal was filmmaker who was working on a film about the MacBraynes family, he said he had some very telling information, is this what got him killed and who is the killer. Another great mystery!!

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greta Sinclair did it again with this book. She gives you enought background on Scotland's New Year Eve celebration to make you feel as if you are there with Darcy and her friends. There are lots of twist and turns regarding the murder of the filmmaker. But she makes you really think about who the murderer could be there are lots of suspects to choice from. But it was very interesting trying to put it all together by the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good David and Goliath story. The little guy going up against a powerful enemy is done really well in this one.
I must admit I knew next to nothing about Scottish traditions going into this. The addition of an ignorant to Scotland friend having everything explained to her was lovely. It really helped me get a feel for the atmosphere there.
There will be no winter dips in frozen waters for me. No thanks.

I was given this for free, the opinions are my own.

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greta has a lovely series going here. I've never been to Scotland, but I've now experienced Hogmanay and almost tasted black bun. (Not sure I'd risk it if Darcy was around — trouble seems to follow her!) This story follows a career-hungry politician, always eager for a photo opportunity. It's really cold at the moment here in the UK, and here I was, reading about a freezing dip in the briny!
A good read — and a lot of humour — and I'm loving Mozart ☺️.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy and Lizzy arrive in Edinburg for a New Year's celebration and all the traditions that come with the holiday. Then there is a body at the table and things go downhill from there. This was a great read and takes you all through Edinburg so you get a travel mystery as well. This was such fun and I am looking forward to more adventures with these ladies and Mozzie of course!

[Cottage_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an atmospheric read and I wanted to cozy up while reading it.

Mozzie is just an adorable sidekick and the plot was well done.

I will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you Booksprout for the ARC.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book Darcy Finnegan is visiting a Cousin in Scotland and writing about the Black Bun for Hogmaney for an article about the festival food. At the dinner a guest dies after eating the Black Bun. Darcy and her friend along with Marcus try to solve the murder. I enjoyed reading about Scotland and the mystery was exciting to solve. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.