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ScotShop Mystery #1
A Wee Murder in My Shop
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES!
Hamelin, Vermont, isn’t the most likely place for bagpipes and tartan, but at Peggy Winn’s ScotShop, business is booming…
While on a transatlantic hunt for some authentic wares to sell at her shop, Peggy is looking to forget her troubles by digging through the hidden treasures of the Scottish Highlands. With so many enchanting items on sale, Peggy can’t resist buying a beautiful old tartan shawl. But once she wraps it around her shoulders, she discovers that her purchase comes with a hidden the specter of a fourteenth-century Scotsman.
Unsure if her Highland fling was real or a product of an overactive imagination, Peggy returns home to Vermont—only to find the dead body of her ex-boyfriend on the floor of her shop. When the police chief arrests Peggy’s cousin based on some incriminating evidence, Peggy decides to ask her haunting Scottish companion to help figure out who really committed the crime—before anyone else gets kilt…
Hamelin, Vermont, isn’t the most likely place for bagpipes and tartan, but at Peggy Winn’s ScotShop, business is booming…
While on a transatlantic hunt for some authentic wares to sell at her shop, Peggy is looking to forget her troubles by digging through the hidden treasures of the Scottish Highlands. With so many enchanting items on sale, Peggy can’t resist buying a beautiful old tartan shawl. But once she wraps it around her shoulders, she discovers that her purchase comes with a hidden the specter of a fourteenth-century Scotsman.
Unsure if her Highland fling was real or a product of an overactive imagination, Peggy returns home to Vermont—only to find the dead body of her ex-boyfriend on the floor of her shop. When the police chief arrests Peggy’s cousin based on some incriminating evidence, Peggy decides to ask her haunting Scottish companion to help figure out who really committed the crime—before anyone else gets kilt…
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
53 people are currently reading
1126 people want to read
About the author
Fran Stewart
41 books155 followersAuthor of the Biscuit McKee Mystery Series and the ScotShop Mysteries. Lives with various rescued cats beside a creek on the other side of Hog Mountain GA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
July 17, 2017
I tried to like this, really, I did. I even gave it way longer to try to convince me than I usually do with a book that isn't grabbing me, but at the halfway mark I just was done so I gave up on this.
First off, it starts REALLY slowly with the murder not even happening until well into the story. Peggy's trip to Scotland bored me out of my mind, waiting for something, ANYTHING to happen. Even when she acquires a ghost [which isn't a spoiler, the blurb talks about it] the whole thing felt anti-climactic, and well, dull.
And then, when Peggy returns home with her ghost in tow, and the murder finally happens - I will say that the author gets points for one of the most creative ways to murder someone I think I've ever read in a cozy! - it drove me right up a wall how the ghost constantly - and I do mean CONSTANTLY - asks Peggy to explain what EVERYTHING is while she is having conversations with people who obviously can't see or hear the ghost. I get that the ghost doesn't know what a drill is, or a bookcase, or anything else that happened after 1300 when the ghost was living. But geez, get it through your transparent head that Peggy cannot be talking to an invisible person in the middle of conversations with people. SHUT UP and wait till she's alone to insist she explain every advance in the past 700 year to you ghost!!! I really wanted to pound the ghost for that alone.
I liked the characters for the most part, but the ghost just irritated me, and I simply could not stand anymore of his demanding to have everything explained to him when Peggy would have ended up in the loony bin if she had answered while with other living people. I just didn't want to hear any more of that and eventually I had to give up on this.
First off, it starts REALLY slowly with the murder not even happening until well into the story. Peggy's trip to Scotland bored me out of my mind, waiting for something, ANYTHING to happen. Even when she acquires a ghost [which isn't a spoiler, the blurb talks about it] the whole thing felt anti-climactic, and well, dull.
And then, when Peggy returns home with her ghost in tow, and the murder finally happens - I will say that the author gets points for one of the most creative ways to murder someone I think I've ever read in a cozy! - it drove me right up a wall how the ghost constantly - and I do mean CONSTANTLY - asks Peggy to explain what EVERYTHING is while she is having conversations with people who obviously can't see or hear the ghost. I get that the ghost doesn't know what a drill is, or a bookcase, or anything else that happened after 1300 when the ghost was living. But geez, get it through your transparent head that Peggy cannot be talking to an invisible person in the middle of conversations with people. SHUT UP and wait till she's alone to insist she explain every advance in the past 700 year to you ghost!!! I really wanted to pound the ghost for that alone.
I liked the characters for the most part, but the ghost just irritated me, and I simply could not stand anymore of his demanding to have everything explained to him when Peggy would have ended up in the loony bin if she had answered while with other living people. I just didn't want to hear any more of that and eventually I had to give up on this.
May 30, 2023
These days there are so many cozy mysteries they all feel pretty much alike. This one fits the mold - young, single business owner, quirky friends and relations, small town, handsome cop... The difference here is the ghost, a Scotsman the MC acquired along with an ancient shawl on a visit to Scotland. I enjoyed him a lot - he adds some fun and occasionally makes the MC look like a nut to her friends.
The mystery wasn't a huge part of the story, it's much more about our heroine and her friends, but the book was well written and I enjoyed it. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next one in this series. Which is more than I can say for most of the new cozies I read. Very encouraging!
NB - Upon rereading I'm downgrading this book. Yes, I enjoyed the Scotland/ghost stuff, and the humor of watching her try to cope with a talkative being no one else knew about. But by the end I was pretty disgusted with the story. I don't think you should write a mystery with several different elements and then refuse to explain them. Just saying, "I guess we'll never know why..." isn't good enough for me. And the author did that several times. Also, the very awkward way she covered the back story at the end was off putting. And note - I was unable to finish the second volume of this series, it was so boring. Too bad, there were some cute ideas here, but they didn't work for me.
The mystery wasn't a huge part of the story, it's much more about our heroine and her friends, but the book was well written and I enjoyed it. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next one in this series. Which is more than I can say for most of the new cozies I read. Very encouraging!
NB - Upon rereading I'm downgrading this book. Yes, I enjoyed the Scotland/ghost stuff, and the humor of watching her try to cope with a talkative being no one else knew about. But by the end I was pretty disgusted with the story. I don't think you should write a mystery with several different elements and then refuse to explain them. Just saying, "I guess we'll never know why..." isn't good enough for me. And the author did that several times. Also, the very awkward way she covered the back story at the end was off putting. And note - I was unable to finish the second volume of this series, it was so boring. Too bad, there were some cute ideas here, but they didn't work for me.
May 11, 2015
Really 4.5 stars but I rounded up.
I'd heard some not-so-great things about this book, but I'm extremely pleased to say that this book was excellant!
The mystery was good, I suspected who it was, but it was still a surprise in the end.
I loved the characters they were all well-rounded without being obnoxious, and I can see some room for growth in a few of the secondary characters. I loved the ghost, but at the same time he was slightly overbearing during parts with Harper, the love interest.
The only thing I really didn't like about this book was the common cozy cliches of having a slightly overbearing ghose and a MC with an annoying, overbearing mother.
Overall a really good book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
I'd heard some not-so-great things about this book, but I'm extremely pleased to say that this book was excellant!
The mystery was good, I suspected who it was, but it was still a surprise in the end.
I loved the characters they were all well-rounded without being obnoxious, and I can see some room for growth in a few of the secondary characters. I loved the ghost, but at the same time he was slightly overbearing during parts with Harper, the love interest.
The only thing I really didn't like about this book was the common cozy cliches of having a slightly overbearing ghose and a MC with an annoying, overbearing mother.
Overall a really good book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
June 19, 2018
I liked the idea behind this one (kind of ghostly Outlander in reverse), but I felt it was rather repetitive and I got a bit tired of the whole having to explain words to a ghost and people thinking she was nuts thing.
September 20, 2025
Sadly, this was very boring. I was not at all interested in the mystery and couldn’t care less who did it. I should’ve stopped reading after the description on the back of the book because that was the best part. 🏴 👻🧣
May 6, 2015
I want a ghost. Preferably a hunky Scottish one in a kilt. I blame Fran Stewart for this.
A Wee Murder in My Shop is light, fun, humorous, and made for a long sunny afternoon. Or a long rainy evening. I started it during the former and finished it during the latter. Peggy Winn and her ghost Macbeth (not THAT Macbeth) made me laugh more than once.
And then there's the murder. If ever a character deserved to be murdered, Peggy's cheating ex-boyfriend did. Which reminds me, he's responsible for one of the best opening paragraphs I've read in a while.
So: A handsome fish-out-of-water ghost. A MC whose voice is like that best friend you've had all your life and can talk to about anything. A cast of minor characters with their own quirks to move the plot along. A mystery. And a hot guy--ghost--in a kilt. I do love me a hot guy in a kilt.
A Wee Murder in My Shop is one of the more enjoyable books I've read in the last several months. Recommended with pleasure.
A Wee Murder in My Shop is light, fun, humorous, and made for a long sunny afternoon. Or a long rainy evening. I started it during the former and finished it during the latter. Peggy Winn and her ghost Macbeth (not THAT Macbeth) made me laugh more than once.
And then there's the murder. If ever a character deserved to be murdered, Peggy's cheating ex-boyfriend did. Which reminds me, he's responsible for one of the best opening paragraphs I've read in a while.
So: A handsome fish-out-of-water ghost. A MC whose voice is like that best friend you've had all your life and can talk to about anything. A cast of minor characters with their own quirks to move the plot along. A mystery. And a hot guy--ghost--in a kilt. I do love me a hot guy in a kilt.
A Wee Murder in My Shop is one of the more enjoyable books I've read in the last several months. Recommended with pleasure.
March 15, 2015
A great idea that was not executed very well.
Read
April 21, 2018Anticlimactic.
The ending felt rushed. Almost as if the author was sick of her own story?
The romances were stiff at best.
The beginning held such promise.
The best part was the ghost and the mystery shop. Oh, and the MCs time with the Sinclair's.
I liked the educational stuff, but some of it, a bit of it, just felt like facts added from a quick Google search.
None of the characters were lovable, or even memorable... Mayhap the twin brother?
Didn't feel like it could be a true story. I get it, it's fiction. but I like a story that makes me feel like it really happened. Her whole Andrea is my bestfriend, but wasn't really, so now I'm BFFs with K and she takes care of me, was... well, I think that's what did me in to start with. It would have been nice if the author at bare minimum mentioned having to uninvite her from the birthday party...
I mean, she would have had some part in the planning and all, being the best friend up till a week ago, right???
So yeah, it's a solid 2 for me.
The ending felt rushed. Almost as if the author was sick of her own story?
The romances were stiff at best.
The beginning held such promise.
The best part was the ghost and the mystery shop. Oh, and the MCs time with the Sinclair's.
I liked the educational stuff, but some of it, a bit of it, just felt like facts added from a quick Google search.
None of the characters were lovable, or even memorable... Mayhap the twin brother?
Didn't feel like it could be a true story. I get it, it's fiction. but I like a story that makes me feel like it really happened. Her whole Andrea is my bestfriend, but wasn't really, so now I'm BFFs with K and she takes care of me, was... well, I think that's what did me in to start with. It would have been nice if the author at bare minimum mentioned having to uninvite her from the birthday party...
I mean, she would have had some part in the planning and all, being the best friend up till a week ago, right???
So yeah, it's a solid 2 for me.
April 6, 2015
In a cozy mystery the amateur detective is supposed to try to solve the case. There is precious little detecting going on in this one. It reads more like chic lit with a ghost thrown in. Very disappointing.
September 10, 2018
If you care for a whacky mystery/ghost story with a lot of fun and a clever plot, this one’s just right for you… I had a GREAT time reading “A Wee Murder in My Shop”!
Peggy owns a Scottish shop in a village in Vermont; in order to get over her breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend, she goes on one of her shopping trips to Scotland to find merchandise for her shop at home. She finds a very old tartan shawl – and on a mountain trip the next day, she also finds a 600-year old ghost who claims the shawl belonged to his ‘Peigi’! And he follows her and the shawl back to the USA…
Not enough with that, though: the morning Peggy wants to open up her shop again, she finds the big, heavy bookshelf upturned – and underneath her ex, Mason, dead! He wasn’t killed by the bookshelf, though, but by a blow on the head with a baseball bat; and he’s got a mysterious note in his sporran…
Even though Peggy gets quite annoyed sometimes with her ghostie’s perpetual questions about life in the 21st century, she’s got to admit it: he’s a very good detective, and he starts giving her vital clues in order to catch the murderer!
A wonderful read that never gets boring for a moment; Peggy’s ‘ghostie’ with his funny Scottish accent makes us laugh out loud in the middle of a murder investigation! And the plot is brilliant, too; all the loose ends tie up beautifully in the end without any gaps. Perfect even for the most demanding cosy mystery fans – provided they’re prepared to accept the fact that ghosts simply exist, full stop… As for myself, I really can’t wait to read the next adventure of Peggy and her ghostie!
Peggy owns a Scottish shop in a village in Vermont; in order to get over her breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend, she goes on one of her shopping trips to Scotland to find merchandise for her shop at home. She finds a very old tartan shawl – and on a mountain trip the next day, she also finds a 600-year old ghost who claims the shawl belonged to his ‘Peigi’! And he follows her and the shawl back to the USA…
Not enough with that, though: the morning Peggy wants to open up her shop again, she finds the big, heavy bookshelf upturned – and underneath her ex, Mason, dead! He wasn’t killed by the bookshelf, though, but by a blow on the head with a baseball bat; and he’s got a mysterious note in his sporran…
Even though Peggy gets quite annoyed sometimes with her ghostie’s perpetual questions about life in the 21st century, she’s got to admit it: he’s a very good detective, and he starts giving her vital clues in order to catch the murderer!
A wonderful read that never gets boring for a moment; Peggy’s ‘ghostie’ with his funny Scottish accent makes us laugh out loud in the middle of a murder investigation! And the plot is brilliant, too; all the loose ends tie up beautifully in the end without any gaps. Perfect even for the most demanding cosy mystery fans – provided they’re prepared to accept the fact that ghosts simply exist, full stop… As for myself, I really can’t wait to read the next adventure of Peggy and her ghostie!
March 5, 2015
More like 2.5 stars. A Wee Murder In My Shop had a cute idea and an interesting plot involving murder, greed and a time traveling Scottish ghost. Cute, and not bad for the first in a series, but needed some extensive editing. It took 3 chapters just for the MC to find the body because all the characters were standing around talking about nonsense. The MC indulges in too much inner dialogue, and the Scots dialogue got old after awhile.
Pared down, this could be one lean, mean cozy mystery machine and I'll probably give the next one a try to see if the writing gets any better. But for now, rating this one a strong Just Ok.
Pared down, this could be one lean, mean cozy mystery machine and I'll probably give the next one a try to see if the writing gets any better. But for now, rating this one a strong Just Ok.
September 6, 2017
An excellent mystery, interesting characters and the odd trip to Scotland. This series has promise. I look forward to the next in the series.
May 9, 2025
This was great! Peggy came home with the most unique souvenir of Scotland ever - a ghost from 1359! Once again I thought I knew who was behind things and I was wrong. The story was really good and interesting, I didn't even notice that while the police were working on solving the murder that really wasn't Peggy's main focus, even though she did stumble over the murderer. I'm looking forward to the other books in the series. #readforkimberly
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Peggy Winn’s ScotShop is in Vermont but each year she travels to Scotland in search of new vendors with new and unique items to sell. On her recent trip to the Highlands she comes home with much more than new connections and a new shawl. She discovers a 14th century Scotsman has traveled home with her, well his ghost has. Not quite sure what to do with her new Scottish “friend” she decides to make the best of it. When a dead body is found in her shop she quickly realizes this specter may be able to help her catch the culprit that left her ex-boyfriend buried under her Scottish wares.
This was a fun read. It reminded me of J.J. Cook’s Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mysteries in that ghosts are great once you figure out how to handle them. In Peggy’s case all her friends think she is losing it because she keeps talking to herself as her ghost, Dirk, has so many questions. She sometimes gets very tongue tied as she tries to discreetly answer him only to find her friends looking at her strangely.
The author gives us a small cast of quirky characters and a even smaller suspect pool. There were several interesting twists to the mystery too. The story was brimming with humor as well. Trying to explain modern things to an old ghost can be quite funny. See the excerpt below when Peggy tries to have a private talk with her new friend:
I opened the blue door. “Inside, you,” I whispered with my teeth clenched.
We were fairly cramped. These things were designed for one person at a time. His head brushed the top. Damn, he was tall. I thought people had been short in the fourteenth century. As close as we were standing, I had to tilt my head back. I got an unexpectedly good look at his upper incisors. They were big, strong, and very white. This would be a great place for him to turn into a vampire. Stop it, Peggy.
“What is this place?” He sounded a bit awed. Maybe that was why his mouth had been hanging open.
“It’s a porta potty.” When he looked blank, I added, “A loo.” Still blank. “A privy.”
Understanding dawned. “A necessary?”
I nodded.
“Why did ye bring me in here? I dinna have to pass water.”
“We’re here because it’s the only place I can speak to you in private. Now, you listen. We’re about to get into a car—”
“A what?”
“Hush. A car. It’s like a little house on wheels.”
“Why would we get into—?”
“No, wait, it’s more like a wagon that’s all closed up.”
“And how d’ye open it?”
“That’s not the point!” It’s hard to shout when you’re whispering. “The point I’m trying to make is that you have to be absolutely quiet. You cannot ask a single question while we’re in the car. Do you understand?”
“Why not?”
“Because I won’t be able to answer you. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair are already looking at me funny. I don’t want them to think I’ve gone barmy.”
“What is barmy?”
“Mad. Crazy.” I threw up my hands. “Now, will you keep your mouth closed until we’re alone again.” It wasn’t a question.
“Ye tell me I have been deid for more than six hundred years. In all that time I have not said a word, and now ye want me to keep my mouth closed?”
“Yes. That’s right.” I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
I was quite taken with Peggy and Dirk and am excited to see what kind of mystery they get wrapped into next. Fran is off to a great start with this series!
July 14, 2015
Humor, Murder and a fourteenth-century Scotsman provided an entertaining mystery.
Peggy Winn owns a Scotshop in Hamelin, Vermont where they sell everything from dragons to tartan kilts. While on a transatlantic trip to Scotland in search of authentic wares for her shop she ends up buying an enchanted tartan shawl. It comes complete with a specter.
When Peggy returns to Vermont, things get interesting when she discovers the dead body of her ex-boyfriend in her shop. Things get more complicated by the minute as Peggy’s cousin is arrested and charged with the murder. Convinced of his innocence she seeks the help of her Scottish ghost, her brother and a local detective named Harper.
Stewart provided a lively cast of characters and I enjoyed spending time with Peggy and her circle of friends. The banter between them at times made me laugh aloud. Trying to answers her specters questions about twentieth century expressions and technology and solving the mystery had Peggy exasperated at times. We see a little smidgeon of a romance and I will be curious to see how it develops throughout the series. Our Scottish specter is quite fun, overly protective of Peggy and did a good job of assisting in solving the case.
The murder mystery Stewart provided was well done and kept me engaged throughout the tale. A few twists and discoveries were well placed. I was impressed by how skillfully she tied all of the threads together keeping things edgy and interesting without overly stretching on plausibility. Clues were provided allowing the reader to put things together and while I pieced things together the reveal and why all proved interesting.
Tanya Eby narrated the tale and I felt she did a great job of bringing the characters to life. She was pleasant to listen to and I quickly devoured the story.
If you are looking for a satisfying cozy with a solid mystery and delightfully charming characters then A Wee Murder in My Shop is an excellent choice.
Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Peggy Winn owns a Scotshop in Hamelin, Vermont where they sell everything from dragons to tartan kilts. While on a transatlantic trip to Scotland in search of authentic wares for her shop she ends up buying an enchanted tartan shawl. It comes complete with a specter.
When Peggy returns to Vermont, things get interesting when she discovers the dead body of her ex-boyfriend in her shop. Things get more complicated by the minute as Peggy’s cousin is arrested and charged with the murder. Convinced of his innocence she seeks the help of her Scottish ghost, her brother and a local detective named Harper.
Stewart provided a lively cast of characters and I enjoyed spending time with Peggy and her circle of friends. The banter between them at times made me laugh aloud. Trying to answers her specters questions about twentieth century expressions and technology and solving the mystery had Peggy exasperated at times. We see a little smidgeon of a romance and I will be curious to see how it develops throughout the series. Our Scottish specter is quite fun, overly protective of Peggy and did a good job of assisting in solving the case.
The murder mystery Stewart provided was well done and kept me engaged throughout the tale. A few twists and discoveries were well placed. I was impressed by how skillfully she tied all of the threads together keeping things edgy and interesting without overly stretching on plausibility. Clues were provided allowing the reader to put things together and while I pieced things together the reveal and why all proved interesting.
Tanya Eby narrated the tale and I felt she did a great job of bringing the characters to life. She was pleasant to listen to and I quickly devoured the story.
If you are looking for a satisfying cozy with a solid mystery and delightfully charming characters then A Wee Murder in My Shop is an excellent choice.
Audio provided by publisher. This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer
December 17, 2015
Peggy owns a shop in Vermont that carries all things Scottish. She takes a trip to Scotland to pick up some authentic items for her shop and finds an old Tartan shawl that she buys for herself. She soon finds out that the shawl is haunted by the ghost of a man who was in love with the lady who use to own the shawl several centuries ago.
She thought when she left Scotland that the ghost would stay there but it travels where ever the tartan goes and so now she has her own resident ghost living with her.
When she gets home she finds her ex-boyfriend murdered in her shop and soon after her cousin is arrested for murder as she owned he murder weapon. Soon she is trying to find out what happened along with her ghostly new friend.
The ghost (can't remember his name) isn't a fan of Harper the cop who is in charge, but I think that has more to do with the fact that Peggy likes him. He said he doesn't trust him, I think it's kind of funny.
I thought the mystery in this book was done well as I didn't have a clue who had done it until it was revealed.
I liked Peggy and can't wait to get to know her as well as Harper and the others in the town. It's full of Scottish things so what is not to love. :)
I thought it was a cute cozy and if you like cozies then you will like this one.
She thought when she left Scotland that the ghost would stay there but it travels where ever the tartan goes and so now she has her own resident ghost living with her.
When she gets home she finds her ex-boyfriend murdered in her shop and soon after her cousin is arrested for murder as she owned he murder weapon. Soon she is trying to find out what happened along with her ghostly new friend.
The ghost (can't remember his name) isn't a fan of Harper the cop who is in charge, but I think that has more to do with the fact that Peggy likes him. He said he doesn't trust him, I think it's kind of funny.
I thought the mystery in this book was done well as I didn't have a clue who had done it until it was revealed.
I liked Peggy and can't wait to get to know her as well as Harper and the others in the town. It's full of Scottish things so what is not to love. :)
I thought it was a cute cozy and if you like cozies then you will like this one.
July 12, 2017
Hamelin, Vermont, isn't the most likely place for bagpipes and tartan, but at Peggy Winn's ScotShop, business is booming.
While on a transatlantic hunt for some authentic wares to sell at her shop, Peggy is looking to forget her troubles by digging through the hidden treasures of the Scottish Highlands. With so many enchanting items on sale, Peggy can’t resist buying a beautiful old tartan shawl. But once she wraps it around her shoulders, she discovers that her purchase comes with a hidden fee: the specter of a fourteenth-century Scotsman.
Unsure if her Highland fling was real or a product of an overactive imagination, Peggy returns home to Vermont—only to find the dead body of her ex-boyfriend on the floor of her shop. When the police chief arrests Peggy’s cousin based on some incriminating evidence, Peggy decides to ask her haunting Scottish companion to help figure out who really committed the crime—before anyone else gets kilt
A really great read. Loved everything about it. 5 stars.
While on a transatlantic hunt for some authentic wares to sell at her shop, Peggy is looking to forget her troubles by digging through the hidden treasures of the Scottish Highlands. With so many enchanting items on sale, Peggy can’t resist buying a beautiful old tartan shawl. But once she wraps it around her shoulders, she discovers that her purchase comes with a hidden fee: the specter of a fourteenth-century Scotsman.
Unsure if her Highland fling was real or a product of an overactive imagination, Peggy returns home to Vermont—only to find the dead body of her ex-boyfriend on the floor of her shop. When the police chief arrests Peggy’s cousin based on some incriminating evidence, Peggy decides to ask her haunting Scottish companion to help figure out who really committed the crime—before anyone else gets kilt
A really great read. Loved everything about it. 5 stars.
October 18, 2017
A Wee Murder in My Shop by Fran Stewart falls under the cozy mystery category, which is nice, but sometimes tiresome. Stewart employs many Scottish words and sayings that the reader does not understand. The fact that a very old ghost stands as one of the main characters fall sadly to oblivion. This is not the tale of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, but a sad attempt to bring history into the novel. Plus, the main character, Peggy Winn, has relatives everywhere---working for her and as best friends. Peggy also has a twin brother who is paralyzed from the waist to his legs. The story does not begin with a murder, but with a buying trip to Scotland for Peggy, as she owns a Scotland themed shop. The story missed many elements that were exposed in the beginning, but never came to fruition. The series does not interest me.
February 12, 2020
This wee mystery is so charming I can hardly wait to hear the next one.
Peggy owns The Scot Shop" and goes on a buying trip to Scotland.
She buys a beautiful antique shawl, more for herself than for the store. Little does she know it carries something special ... a ghost. MacBeth. The boyfriend of the woman who made the shawl. Killed around 600 years ago.
This is a delight and to hear it so well ready by Tanya Eby I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Peggy owns The Scot Shop" and goes on a buying trip to Scotland.
She buys a beautiful antique shawl, more for herself than for the store. Little does she know it carries something special ... a ghost. MacBeth. The boyfriend of the woman who made the shawl. Killed around 600 years ago.
This is a delight and to hear it so well ready by Tanya Eby I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
April 4, 2017
This was the best first in a series I've read in a while. Hope the other books hold up as well. I love the wee ghostie. And the haunted shawl. Hope some answers are forthcoming. But who knows the rules right?
June 24, 2020
Great new series. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
December 26, 2017
not much of a murder mystery but still an interesting story
June 16, 2021
Peggy Winn owns The Scotshop, a Scottish store in the small tourist town of Hamlin, Vermont. When she discovers her boyfriend cheating, she dumps him on the spot. Then she continues with a planned visit to Scotland, where she's visited shops before to find treasures to sell back in America. But this time she finds another shop with the same name as hers -- and inside finds a lovely, ancient shawl that she is urged to purchase by the women at the shop. But when she wears it later on a picnic with the hosts of her B&B, the shawl conjures up the ghost of a fourteenth-century Scotsman, complete with full kilt attire and dagger.
Realizing she's stuck with him, she names him Dirk since she can't pronounce his given names, and once back in America she urges him to keep quiet so people won't think she's talking to herself. But when she finds the body of her ex-boyfriend buried under a bookcase after what appears to be a break-in, there's more than a ghost to worry about. Now her cousin is arrested for the crime, and if she doesn't find out what the burglar was looking for and who really killed her ex, her cousin might be sent away for good...
I really wanted to like this story because I love stories with ghosts in them, and there are several very good ones out there. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. It started out with promise in Scotland, but when they got back to Vermont it steadily went downhill. More so because of the many unanswered questions throughout the book (and here you're going to have spoilers, so do not read on if you haven't read the book):
I know that there are two more books in this series, but I won't be reading either of them because of this. I abhor cliffhangers and things that aren't explained, it makes me feel cheated as a reader. I just felt that I wasted my time on this book. Sorry.
Realizing she's stuck with him, she names him Dirk since she can't pronounce his given names, and once back in America she urges him to keep quiet so people won't think she's talking to herself. But when she finds the body of her ex-boyfriend buried under a bookcase after what appears to be a break-in, there's more than a ghost to worry about. Now her cousin is arrested for the crime, and if she doesn't find out what the burglar was looking for and who really killed her ex, her cousin might be sent away for good...
I really wanted to like this story because I love stories with ghosts in them, and there are several very good ones out there. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. It started out with promise in Scotland, but when they got back to Vermont it steadily went downhill. More so because of the many unanswered questions throughout the book (and here you're going to have spoilers, so do not read on if you haven't read the book):
I know that there are two more books in this series, but I won't be reading either of them because of this. I abhor cliffhangers and things that aren't explained, it makes me feel cheated as a reader. I just felt that I wasted my time on this book. Sorry.
February 15, 2019
The main character is Peggy Winn who while in Scotland buys a 700 hundred year old shawl that comes with a ghost. Back in Hamelin, Vermont, Peggy and her employees discover a dead body in her shop that turns out to be her former boyfriend. Peggy's cousin is arrested and Peggy wants answers but has problems because of the ghost who goes wherever she goes and is always asking questions. The book was an easy read.
November 23, 2024
Audiobook. Maybeeeeee a 2.75. I started this veryyyy slow starting book and decided to keep going because I loved Dirk's Scottish accent. However it got tedious. If I heard the word "crud" or "crud buckets" one more time I think I may have poked "me own eyes out". The sudden jump to the past was bizarre and out of place. Maybe I want paying attention well enough but the characters lacked depth and interest.
July 18, 2020
I've had this book on my shelf for a while and it's been on various challenge lists forever. Finally got it read, with mixed feelings. The story was entertaining, but the constant questioning from the ghost got really annoying. And the whole thing felt more like an into to a series than a real mystery. So, it was okay, but not 3 star worthy. Progression in this series remains to be seen.
November 11, 2018
Loved the ghost but dragged a bit with storyline
September 6, 2020
Despite a promising premise and acceptable writing skill, I felt the book never really got off the ground, and in the end persistence reading it was not rewarded.
October 12, 2019
I loved the book. I don't usually read paranormal, but it was fun.
Looking forward to the next book.
Looking forward to the next book.
October 17, 2019
I read this book under protest. Because I bought it, I felt I had to read it but it was one of the most frustrating experiences.
I do not like a book that tries to merge a cozy mystery with the supernatural . The ghost in this story added nothing to the mystery and continually interrupted the flow of the story. Very annoying.
Also, I resent an author who leaves some questions "up in the air" with the hope you will buy the next book in the series, I guess.
I do not like a book that tries to merge a cozy mystery with the supernatural . The ghost in this story added nothing to the mystery and continually interrupted the flow of the story. Very annoying.
Also, I resent an author who leaves some questions "up in the air" with the hope you will buy the next book in the series, I guess.
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