Murder at the Scottish Games

Scottish Shire Mystery #7

by Traci Hall

The Highland Games have taken over the quaint seaside village of Nairn, Scotland—and the life of sweater shop owner, knitting enthusiast, and busy single mom Paislee Shaw…especially when a killer enters the competition!

Paislee Shaw is no stranger to managing tricky tangles, but mid-August spins her world into more chaos than she ever could have imagined. Between her teenage son’s moody antics, friends making life-changing decisions, and the looming Nairn Highland Games, evenings with fellow crafters of the Knit and Sip crew are her one escape. But when she joins the games’ organizing committee, Paislee is instantly plunged into a whirlwind of clashing personalities and scandalous mishaps . . . 

The festivities unravel faster than a dropped stitch when heavy throwing competitor Artie Whittle is accused of cheating—and his ill-tempered father is found murdered the next day. With Artie unconscious and pegged as the prime suspect, Paislee and DI Zeffer team up to untangle the truth. Navigating a cast of unusual suspects—from jealous judges to grudge-holding locals—Paislee must weave together clues hidden amidst caber tosses, kilts, and a killer who only plays to win . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

About the author

also 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

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a seaside village in Scotland the story revolves around the shop owner and knitting enthusiast, Paislee Shaw. Paislee is involved in hosting a Highland Games event and the build up to this was slow, slow, slow. Lots of characters were introduced but not a lot happened until the murders eventually happened.

There was a very readable story in there with an interesting mystery and some good characters. However there was just too much information about too many characters. Just three stars for this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoying visiting with Paisley Shaw and her friends and family in Nairn, Scotland. This is the 7th book in the series, and it’s now my favorite. I love the relationship Paisley has with her son and grandfather. Paisley, the owner of the yarn/knit shop in the village, always gets involved with local murders, but never has any “too stupid to live” moments. If you enjoy small town settings, a Scottish location, and great characters, I highly recommend the Scottish Shire mystery series!

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read, I think my favorite in the series so far. Paislee is always a plucky character, pushing on and pushing herself, and that continues here. She has volunteered to work on the Nairn Highland Games committee while also managing her very busy shop and her growing son. While the Games are busy, things are going well until there is a family incident after a father belittles his son's effort in the caber throw, Paislee feels bad as the young man appears to be bullied by his dad and the lad is the boyfriend of one of her employees! When the father is later found dead with the son unconscious not far away, will we be able to put all the pieces together? Is this death connected to an older son's death? Did the father push the boy too far? As well as this mystery, Paislee is dealing with some personal issues with her best friend's possible move, questions about Brody's father, and a possible change in her relationship with DI Zeffer. Come along for an interesting and compelling story! Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for the opportunity to read. #MurderattheScottishGames #ScottishShireMysteries #TraciHall #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Murder at the Scottish Games (A Scottish Shire Mystery #7)" by its late summer (August/September) and Traci Hall has Paislee Shaw's Scottish Shire hosting some Highland Games. Anytime strength competitions happen accusations are going to fly. One contest gets accused of cheating and his dad (who is very verbally abusive) really gets yelling at him. Next thing we know, Paislee and her teen shop worker are discovering the man dead and the son seriously injured.

Well, Paislee doesn't think the boy is the culprit and just does some general gossiping really. She didn't really go much out of her way to investigate. Really she just puts two and two together much faster than the rest of the town gossips. I had two suspects in mind and their motive was pretty much the same.

The other big story line for this book is the reveal of Paislee's baby daddy to the baby (well, teen son). Her potential love interest, in an effort to to prepare her, mentions that her son may want to take advantage of a dna testing science project that gets offered in the class the son is in this particular year. This gets Paislee all worked up and mad at her love interest and wondering if she can trust him. It's not like he asked outright who her son's dad is. He was trying to be nice and prepare her for in case her son asked about who his dad is. Well, that all gets reveal but I wont spoil it further here.

[Star Gater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read and review Murder at the Scottish Games by Traci Hall on NetGalley.

Published: 11/25/25

Stars: 4.5

Aww I read this so quickly, one sitting, and now I have to wait for book eight. I have enjoyed the whole series, this could be my new favorite.

All the regular characters grow in a realistic fashion. The murder is secondary, at one point I thought who cares, and with a laugh I quickly remembered the name of the book. The characters are lifelike and not over the top.

This is a mature, feel good, look forward to cozy mystery. I wholeheartedly recommend the series, and reading them in order.

#NetGalleyNovember

[Manveen Mehdiratta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently i get this book from net gallery and i didn’t know that it was a series. So this was my first book in the whole series so there’s unfamiliarity with the characters, please those who have read the other books just do let me know if i should pick from starting 😬

But anyways, I love this book. The setting was amazing, highland games and everything else like Scottish village and all the games was wow!

The mixture of real life in this book through the protagonist was just brilliant.

For those, who didn’t know it’s a cozy mystery and there’s relatable characters and lots of gossip. So pick it upp!!

[ColleenSC (colleenallbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg if you are a fan of this series, this book is a must-read. It will give you all the feels. Paislee’s parenting woes are so relatable. I liked that this book didn’t focus on snobby rich people and instead had more “regular” characters. Paislee has grown as a character throughout this series, which is something you don’t always see in cozy mysteries.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I loved this latest instalment in Traci Hall’s Scottish Shire Mysteries which is a pleasant blend of cozy mystery and everyday life, and I loved how the protagonist juggles her sleuthing with a jam-packed schedule! From school runs to the Highland Games committee, her life is as hectic as it is charming. The way she navigates staffing issues at her shop, social obligations, and caring for her grandad (health) and teenage son (puberty) feels so authentic – I was rooting for her the whole way.

The murder investigation is gripping, and what makes it even more interesting is how the protagonist's personal connections get tangled up in it. With a junior employee's boyfriend as a prime suspect and the Highland Games committee quick to judge, the stakes are high. The author masterfully keeps the tension going, sprinkling in plenty of suspects with motives, so even with a few hunches, I didn't guess the killer until Paisley did!

The simmering attraction with the local detective? Absolutely swoon-worthy. It adds a lovely layer of warmth to the story without overshadowing the mystery. ( I have been wanting this to happen for a few books now )

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 thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cherise Deeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Loved it!

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5. Another solid installment in this series.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed the last one, but this is a very enjoyable series and I am glad to have gotten this one. The investigation is well done with its twists and more including lots of impending changes and the hope of the series continuing in a new and intriguing way.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Pub Date Nov 25, 2025 ***** #NetGalleyreview @goodreads
#MurderattheScottishGames by @tracihallauthor #ScottishShireMysteriesBk7 @kensingtonbooks
#cozymystery @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble #booksamillion #bookshop_org @Waterstones #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Scotland #Investigations #twisty #familydrama #knitting #cheating #friendship #volunteers #yarnshop #highlandgames #competition #relationships #parenting #policeScotland #romantic #teenagers

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

The engaging characters pulled me into this delightful cozy mystery set in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland. Especially after reading this series, I would love to see Scotland. The festivals and competitions have been particularly interesting. The late summer days, temperatures, the beauty of the Moray Firth, and the games made it sound so inviting!

Spending time with Paislee, her son Brody, and her grandfather, Angus, was a pleasure. Paislee is a hard-working single mom and owner of a yarn and bespoke items shop. Her son, Brody, has reached the awkward age of thirteen, and her grandfather, Angus, was resisting a visit to the doctor for what was diagnosed as pneumonia. I met several of the characters in prior books, such as Lydia, Paislee’s bestie, Meri, who prefers bagpipe events and groups, and Detective Inspector Mack Zeffer, who has been at the local police station for several years. Most of Nairn residents and many tourists would be at the Nairn Highland Games.

Brody entered one of the games, but was injured just before it began. His bones have ached from “growing pains”, his height had shot up and he hadn’t yet adapted to his larger feet. Brody is beginning to notice – and be noticed by – girls. Other participants, organizers, and observers made for an eclectic, quirky gathering of all ages.

Rhona, one of Paislee’s shop assistants, had been dating Artie, a competitor in the games, for several months. Rhona’s mother, Petra, wanted her to date someone with a better background and financial position, but Artie already captured her heart.

There were spats amongst the committee members who organized the games. Then, someone called in an anonymous tip that there could be doping – steroid use – at the games, further causing organizers to be on edge.

The caber toss was the last game Artie entered. When he wasn’t working or doing chores, he practiced. A lot. Someone, however, sabotaged his ability to compete. The tree resin in his jar that helped grip the smooth caber was switched out with a slippery substance, preventing him from the firm hold required. On his last caber throw, it broke and flew in a direction that could have hurt or killed his mother, Gemma, and other fans. He and his father, Joseph, had made the caber, so he was accused of cheating on its materials. Joseph, who constantly bullied Gemma and Artie, spewed ugly insults to Artie.

Monday morning, Paislee gave Rhona a ride to Artie’s, since he had missed their Sunday date. They found both Artie and Joseph covered in blood. Artie was unconscious, and Joseph was dead. Had Artie finally snapped and killed his father? Did Gemma, after seeing Joseph dance suggestively with a woman he was having an affair with? Few people were fond of Joseph, but who else would be angry enough to murder him?

Artie, suffering a head wound requiring emergency surgency, finally regained consciousness to learn that he was the primary suspect in Joseph’s death. Rhona was absolutely certain Artie was innocent, as was his mother. Rhona knew all about murders Paislee had helped solve in the past, and asked for her help to find who really killed him. Paislee would help as much as she could squeeze into her over-busy life. Along with her yarn shop, Paislee made many cashmere knit goods to sell at Ramsey Castle gift shop. Brody’s new school term had started, at a different school. And Detective Inspector Zeffer asked her a question about the secret she most closely guarded, and he wouldn’t stop prying. For the first time since she was pregnant with Brody, she had let down her guard to possibly have more than a friendship with a man…but he crossed a boundary and she told him to never talk to her again.

This was an intriguing and challenging mystery, with red herrings I quickly threw back into the firth. It was difficult to determine just one suspect with a man who was disliked by most of the community. Who would gain by his death? His wife and son would, purely by the peace in their home. Paislee had few leads, and the police had little evidence. The author’s writing wastes no words on inconsequential events or conversations. It is intense, and it is excellent. The ending and resolutions were satisfying, and I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series, especially to those who appreciate needle crafts, Scotland, a potential romance, and highly engaging characters.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who starts a cozy mystery series on book seven? Apparently me. Like a feral raccoon who sees “Scottish” in a title and just commits. But listen, no regrets. If Murder at the Scottish Games is what Traci Hall’s been cooking up this whole time, I will happily eat the entire backlist like it’s a tray of shortbread left unattended.

The vibes? Immaculate. We’re in Nairn, Scotland, where the Highland Games have rolled into town with enough caber tossing, gossip, and tartan to drown a small sheep. Our heroine, Paislee Shaw, is juggling approximately fifteen emotional plotlines: running her yarn shop (adorably named The Cashmere Crush), keeping her teenage son Brody from self-destructing, and helping organize the local Games, which sounds quaint until someone ends up very, very murdered.

The victim? A man so awful he could ruin a ceilidh just by showing up. The suspect? His son, a gentle human boulder accused of cheating, now lying unconscious while the entire town sharpens their pitchforks. And of course, Paislee can’t just sip her tea and knit quietly while injustice happens. No, she has to pull on her amateur detective beanie and start investigating between committee meetings and emotional breakdowns about motherhood.

What I didn’t expect was how much this cozy mystery dips into actual emotional territory. Yes, there’s murder, but there’s also Paislee’s personal chaos, unresolved stuff about Brody’s dad, maybe-romance tension with the detective (Zeffer, please call me), and that soft, relatable panic when you realize your kid is growing up and you might not be ready. Traci Hall threads those emotional beats between the mystery plot so smoothly it sneaks up on you. One minute you’re laughing about duck herding at the Games, the next you’re tearing up because Paislee’s realizing how much her life has shifted.

The mystery itself is classic cozy fare, gossiping townsfolk, jealous competitors, and small-town secrets that unravel faster than bad wool. I’ll be real: Paislee does less “sleuthing” and more “just happening to be in the right place while people overshare,” but that’s kind of the charm. She’s not out here doing CSI: Scotland. She’s just a mom with good instincts and a very sharp nose for nonsense.

And look, maybe I’m biased because we’ve got our own Highland Games nearby this weekend and this book felt like the perfect pregame. There’s something deeply satisfying about reading murder and mayhem set against bagpipes and brawny dudes in kilts. It’s comfort food for people who like their cozies with a side of ancestral pride and mild homicide.

If I have one note, it’s that jumping in at book seven means there’s clearly history I missed, past heartbreaks, inside jokes, and character growth that probably hit harder if you’ve been here since book one. Still, Hall gives enough warmth and context that I never felt lost, just mildly nosy. Like I’d wandered into a close-knit community potluck and instantly started trying to figure out who’s sleeping with who.

Murder at the Scottish Games is like a warm mug of tea spiked with whisky, soothing, a little bittersweet, and guaranteed to keep you cozy while someone inevitably dies off-page. Four out of five stars, and I’ll be back for the next round of knit-club chaos, probably with shortbread crumbs on my Kindle.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect Every Man in a Kilt Before Breakfast

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, and for introducing me to a wonderful new (to me) series that’s as charming as a man in a kilt holding a scone.

[Sara Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite book in this series! We learn so much about our Paislee Shaw and finally have her open up to us in such an emotionally deep way – joy and heartache! Our Brody Shaw is growing up now 13 and we get more time with him too! Growing pains and Family ties that will make you laugh and cry. And Grandpa Shaw gives us a little scare with an illness but is always there for sound advice when Paislee needs him.
Paislee is volunteering at the Highland Games in our beautiful shire of Nairn. She is helping out our friend Meri McVie, who we first met in Book 5 Murder at a Scottish Castle, when Meri was the judge in the bagpipe competition. We get to learn all about the events at the games from the whimsical and adorable Toddler race – to the Dog-herding event that in the end will really Quack you Up! Then the main events that our “strongman and strongwoman” compete in. The Caber Toss is unbelievable and requires “superhuman strength”.
We are introduced to more of our Nairn community members and what a strong bunch they are both in physic and in character. When tensions run high and the win is on the line in the Caber Toss, Joseph Whittle brings out a vicious rage on his son Artie, when Artie can’t bring home the win. The Whittle family has quite the dynamic and it will bring layers of tragic events to the family members. When the second son cannot measure up to the first-born misery will ensue for everyone. Death, Drugs, Murder and Crumbs…like they always say follow the bread--crumbs.
The Team Hamish – Team Zeffer mystery is solved in this book, and I won’t spoil it for you, but I will tell you that my Team won! (so if you have followed my reviews on this series you will know!) And it won in one of the most gut-wrenching, heart-aching ways. When the moments started to be revealed, our author had me in tears. My eyes probably weren’t as red and swollen as Paislee’s but they were close.
Brody, lad! He went through some teetering-times. Growing pains that made us feel for him and also laugh right along with him and Paislee. Oh to be 13 again! The young lasses are coming into play with our handsome young man. His dreams of becoming a pro footballer are taking the initial baby steps and he is fairing rather well and even gets a gift from Aunt Lydia and Uncle Corbin that will help him in achieving those dreams. The Family ties for our Brody will bring you joy to read about as a trip will be coming and these same Family ties will tug at your heart strings when we learn of a tragic loss. Brody has to deal with a lot of learning, loss and love in a short time.
I will leave you with the Epilogue from this book, “it was the perfectly written ending to the new beginning!” So excited for June 2026 when Book 8 – Murder at a Scottish Halloween is released!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paislee Shaw lives with her son Brody and grandfather in their small town of Nairn, Scotland. She owns a yarn shop which fortunately is doing well. Volunteering to help with the annual Nairn Highland games should be easy enough -- that is, until she finds that there is plenty of friction between others involved. Her employee is dating one of the entrants - Artie Whittle -- but her parents think he's not good enough, though she stays close. When Artie is accused of cheating in the caber throw, he denies it, and his father Joseph is angered enough to confront the man who accused him. In fact, Paislee learns later that Artie's father is not only full of anger, he's also a philanderer, and just downright mean.

Which doesn't mean that he should be murdered, but that's exactly what happens -- and Artie is the prime suspect. Paislee wants to believe him innocent; if not for herself, then for her employee, but who would want to kill him? As it turns out, many people, including his long-suffering wife. But would she go that far?

When DI Zeffer turns up, it turns up feelings in Paislee that she never expected to feel. It also turns up questions she never wanted to answer, and even questions her son never knew existed. Now, with the murder first and foremost, Paislee must put her personal feelings aside -- even though she doesn't really want to -- and concentrate on the here and now. And that means Brody comes first, even at her own cost.

But can Paislee find a killer, keep Mack Zeffer at bay, and keep Brody close? These are questions that need answers, and Paislee is at once confused and determined...if she can find a killer before they strike again...

This is the seventh book in the series and I have loved them all. The author brings us to Scotland with ease, and describes the surrounding areas, which makes me want to visit. She also engulfs us in the lives of Paislee, her family, and her close friends; and we find that things are changing; whether it is wanted or not.

As to the murder, there are people to sift through, and they all seem to have secrets of their own that somehow connect them to the dead man. While Zeffer is looking through his clues and conducting investigations, Paislee is sifting through her own.

When the ending comes and we finally figure out the identity of the killer, Paislee discovers it also, and it leads to a climax that is worth the wait. At the end, the epilogue is worth reading the book alone, and I am glad that I was given the chance to do so.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't long ago that my little piece of Alaska had its own Scottish Games, so I was rather smug to realize that I not only recognized most of the events mentioned -- caber tossing anyone -- but wasn't phased by the use of Scottish lingo. Now, true, there weren't any ducks being herded (nope, you'll have to read the book for that scene) but sounded like a nice mix. While the book works as a standalone, as a reader you'll appreciate the growth and maturing of the characters far more if you have some familiarity with the series. Seems like the characters, who are generally realistic and easy to relate to and like, are heading into a period of change, so it'll be interesting to see where the book goes from here. Paisley seemed more absorbed in her own concerns this go round than I remember, so her investigating was occasionally more happenstance and luck of being in the right place at the right time than going out and tracking down clues.

Of course, that didn't stop town gossip from revealing much of the hidden background of the suspects in the killing of Joseph, a stern, bully type, including to his family. He was seen having altercations with more than one person at the games, including belittling his own son. Family secrets go deep, as do town secrets. Paisley, despite distractions, is able to ascertain some info with a few phone calls and, miracle of miracle, isn't one of those amateur sleuths who is TSTL. To Stupid to Live, if you don't know. She shares it asap with the police. She's got a lot to life for and doesn't tend to go rushing into danger without backup. I won't detail the plot further except to say that the past plays a role in more ways than one. Open wounds are prodded and that leads to perhaps more revelations than expected. Past relationships do play a role as does what I'll dub teen angst and the frustrations of growing up.

Family, as always, is front and center. Long suppressed feelings emerge. Is it a smooth transition? Of course not. Real life isn't like that, either. The fact that this series seems largely "real" is one of its strengths, I think. Great characters who seem real, like folks we know, just with a Scottish accent. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for introducing me to Paisley and her circle of friends in Nairn, Scotland, and allowing me this early look at the latest. I am definitely looking forward to the next book. My Scottish ancestors would surely enjoy this series, too, I bet, for the atmosphere and setting alone.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Scottish Games is book 7 in Traci Hall's A Scottish Shire Mystery cozy mystery series.

This is my first book in the series, and I found the town of Nairn, and the people living there interesting I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Despite being a fairly long series, Murder at the Scottish Games is easily read as a standalone.

The story opens just as the Scottish Games are opening in the small town of Nairn where Paislee Shaw, a single mom and owner of a small yarn shop, is part of the committee running the games. While pretty much everyone has a good time, there are several incidents involving one man, Joseph Whittle. When he is found murdered the next day, and his son Artie is found with a headwound nearby, Artie is assumed by many to be the killer, but Paislee thinks otherwise.

I really liked the townspeople of Nairn, they had complex relationships with each other, and seemed to have a good sense of community. And as usual in a cozy mystery, some of them had contentious relationships with the victim, which made for an interesting array of suspects and possible motives.

The secondary mystery involving the death of Artie's older brother years before also made the mystery of Joseph's death interesting, as the police, and Paislee, tried to determine if there was a link between his death and that of his father.

It did take me a while to get used to the dialogue written in the Scottish dialect, but it only took a chapter or two to adjust.

The one thing I did find unrealistic was Paislee's reaction to another character in one scene of the book. I felt like it was way over the top for what he did in that scene, regardless of how she felt about the subject. I don't want to spoil it but I think if you read it, you'll know the scene I mean when you get to it.

Overall, I enjoyed Murder at the Scottish Games and wouldn't mind reading more stories set in this world.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Scottish Shire Mystery #7
This cozy mystery is set to publish November 25, 2025

I love this crafty cozy series that is set in the Scottish Highlands. It's one of the series that I intentionally keep caught up on! I love the setting, I adore the characters and the storytelling always captures my attention.

It's the end of summer in Nairn Scotland and the town is getting really to enjoy the Highland Games. There's competitive dancing, plenty of yummy food to enjoy, humorous dog herding and even some caber tosses. Paislee finds herself as part of the organizing committee for the games and quickly finds herself tangled in a new mystery when one of the athletes is accused of cheating and murder.

The mystery was so well done. There were a lot of characters to keep straight at the start of the book. It almost felt like every single patron of Nairn was mentioned at one point, but once the murder happened and the true suspects were revealed it was easy to keep everyone sorted. The victim was easy to despise making it tricky to solve this murder. There were plenty of surprises, twists and red herrings to keep me guessing until the final reveal. As with the previous book in this series, there is always a touch of action and adventure right at the end.

I love the character development throughout this series. I've been waiting to see what Paislee would decide about letting her mom back into her family. I would love to see my favorite characters take a trip to Arizona to visit them. I was shocked by Lydia and Corbin's announcement. They are such a great dynamic and support system to Paislee so I'm curious how this change with effect everyone. I like the progression of Paislee and Zeffer's relationship towards the end of this story! Grandpa is still a hoot and a handful, but also my favorite character. I have loved watching Brody grown up throughout this series. The depiction of Paislee dealing with a moody teen was spot on.

Can't recommend this series enough and I look forward to more adventures with this Scottish crew.
Thank you to Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many who can't stand the dead guy!🏋

4-4.5🌟 stars
Another enjoyable and unpredictable adventure with craft store owner/single mother Paislee Shaw and her circle of family and friends in a cozy Scotland-set series. Since she's an amateur at investigating (though she really gets into a good, meaty murder mystery), she has to balance her sleuthing with an already chock-a-block schedule of school drop-offs and pick-ups; active participation in community events like the committee in charge of the community's annual Highland Games; running her shop with constantly changing staffing issues; maintaining a social life; and doing her level best to look out for her grandad's health and raise a teenage son going through a difficult patch.

That's a tall order and I found her personal issues, including a simmering attraction to the local police detective inspector, just as good fodder as the murder case. She's drawn into the murder because one of her junior employees has a boyfriend who is a major suspect and her fellow Highland Games committee members are so ready to pass judgment on both dead Joe and his son. In the back of my mind I did have misgivings about the killer, but there were so many people who had real antipathy for Joe, the author kept me in suspense for a long time.

There are a lot of characters to keep straight, maybe too many, especially about the participants in the Games activities. And some non sequitur information drops that really did not add to the story. But, on balance, there were a lot more pluses than I'd expected here, including a heart to heart between Paislee and her son Brody and some positive developments on the romantic front for Paislee.

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Julie Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good cozy mystery, especially when it's set in Scotland, and since this one featured a local highland games competition as well, I was very excited to read it. Paislee Shaw was volunteering at the games and witnessed a number of confrontations between various people there, with the worst one between a young man competing and his verbally abusive father, which only got worse when accusations of cheating were thrown about. When days later Paislee and her shop assistant, who happens to be the girlfriend of Artie, the young man from the games, go to check on him, they find him unconscious, covered in blood, and his father dead in the kitchen. When Artie becomes the main suspect in his father's death, Paislee decides to see if she can unravel the mystery.

This is the seventh book in the Scottish Shire Mystery series, but the first one I've read. The first quarter of the book set the plotline up nicely, but because there were so many people that I assume were introduced in the previous books, I did have trouble following who was whom, but that's on me for not starting on book 1, not the author's.

The mystery itself was very interesting, I just wish there hadn't been so much other stuff going on that didn't have anything to do with it. There was a lot of personal drama, which again, might not have been a problem if I had started the series at book one. The characters were diverse and well developed, and the pacing was very good. The conclusion tied things up nicely and was very satisfying, as well.

All in all, I enjoyed this author's writing style and the mystery was interesting, so I plan on going back to book one and reading this series from the beginning.

4/5 stars.

*** Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Traci Hall for the opportunity to read and review Murder at the Scottish Games.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This is Hall's seventh entry in the Scottish Shire Mystery series which is a British Crafting Cozy Mystery set in Scotland. Featuring a sweater and yarn shop owner, knitting enthusiast and single mom who finds herself turning sleuth to help the local police uncover who killed a Highland Games heavy throwing contestant's ill-tempered father. As a member of the games’ organizing committee, she'll navigate a cast of unusual suspects – from jealous judges to grudge-holding locals. She'll have to weave together clues hidden amidst caber tosses, kilts and a killer who only plays to win.

With plenty of twists and turns, Hall has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Hall's writing and character work are brilliant; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• Book's dialogue is written in Scottish dialect.
• Features a summertime Highland Games.
• For Animal Lovers: MC has an adorably feisty Scottish terrier dog.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Murder in a Scottish Shire.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun ride this was! Murder, mayhem, family drama, teenage angst, and love; what more could you ask? An overly obnoxious and philandering man, Joe is murdered and the race is on to find out who did it. All of my favorite characters from this series were featured in one way of another along with a few new ones. I love the way Paislee Shaw has matured and grown as a mother, friend and woman. She is learning to love and give herself credit for all her accomplishments, especially raising a teenage son, Brodie. I admire her ability to let go of some of the animosity she holds toward her mother so her son can have a relationship with his grandmother. While I'm sure I might have reacted in a somewhat similar way when the matter of Brodie's father comes up, I give her a boatload of credit for addressing it in a healthy manner. I am invested in seeing where her relationship with Mack goes next.
While she is engaged in helping solve the mystery of who killed Joe, she is not the risk taker so many amateur sleuths are. Paislee is a mom first and foremost. She always shares what she has stumbled on or learns to the police. Like most amateurs she does make connections it takes the police a bit longer to make, but she does not rush in, more like most of us I think.
Nairn strikes me as a simply perfect example of what I picture when I think of a Scottish shire and while I do not do needles crafts, I would love to join the ladies at the Knit and Sip group some Thursday evening. Here's to a speedy return to Nairn and The Cashmere Crush!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this in exchange for my honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This read was extremely well-timed, as I read it not long after attending a highland games near me, which was just before, during, and after a trip to Scotland. It was the perfect read to put me in the Scottish frame of mind!

This was another cute entry in this series and might be my favorite so far. What I like about this series is that the characters show growth over the course of the series, and not just Paislee, the main character, but her friends, her son, her grandfather - everyone! It makes the stories a lot more relatable and realistic than other cozies where the characters can sometimes stagnate. In addition to the mystery, the story covers a lot of changes for our characters, as Paislee comes to terms with some of her long-held past issues and traumas. That is another thing that I really like about this series - there is always more going on in the story than just the mystery. Paislee's family struggles are just as much the framework of the story as the mystery is. The ending sets up some possibilities for future stories, which I am excited about (although they involve visits to other countries and I wonder if that will mess with the book titles too much!).

If you've not read the series before, you could start here, but I think it would be best to begin at the beginning to better understand the characters' motivations. Plus, it's a great series, so why not read the whole thing? Looking forward to the next installment!

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an earlier book in this series and gave up on it because the phonetic spelling of the Scottish accent was too distracting. And I used to live in Scotland. Murder at the Scottish Games does a much better job of setting the Highland mood at the start, then trusting readers to fill in the rest.

Set in the small village of Nairn in the Scottish Highlands, this seventh installment of A Scottish Shire Mystery works well as a standalone. Paislee Shaw, owner of a specialty knitwear shop, is juggling the challenges of family life, business pressures, and a new mystery. Her son is now a teenager, with all the complications that come with it.

Paislee faces many changes in her family, friendships, and community in this book, which makes it feel realistic. When an old accidental death resurfaces and new questions arise, Paislee begins to wonder if there is a connection. There are plenty of suspects to keep readers guessing, and Detective Inspector Zeffer is still in the picture. Paislee’s uncertainty about their possible relationship adds another layer to the story.

The pacing is steady, the characters are well-developed, and the setting is charming without feeling overdone. Murder at the Scottish Games is an enjoyable cozy mystery that captures the spirit of Scotland while giving readers a satisfying puzzle to solve.

Thank you to Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Jan Fore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Scottish Games
Traci Hall
November 25, 2025

In Naim Scotland we find Paislee Shaw preparing for the Scottish Games. She is not participating in events but helping to organise the volunteers and match them to help with each sport. She is a busy lady. She runs her yarn shop, organizes a group to help work with participants each week to work on their projects after the shop closes. The newcomers who are learning to knit have other guests to help them. Paislee is a single mum to a young teenage boy. Her grandfather lives with her and also works part-time at the shop. This year the games seem to be a lot of work with entrants needing to know about time slots and necessities for their sport.
Murder at the Scottish Games will be published on November 25,2025 by Kensington Cozies. I was able to read and review Hall’s latest book in her Scottish series via NetGalley. I was not as familiar with the characters as I would have liked but once I found my way through the start of the games Hall’s plot became easier to follow. Many of the main parts flow to stories of friends and family. It’s an interesting book that leads to a mysterious murder. The dialog is meshed with Scottish synonyms so the reader will adapt to meanings as they read. Rather looking forward to the next book in the series Murder at a Scottish Halloween due out in June of 2026. Murder at the Scottish Games is a warm and delightful tale. Do Enjoy!

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paislee Shaw has a busy life being a single parent of a teenage son, running her own knitting business and now volunteering at the Scottish Games in town. Behind the scenes, organizers are arguing about the form of the games and rumors of doping threaten the reputation of the games being held. But it really gets crazy when an over aggressive father of a contestant is found murdered and his injured son is the suspect. Paislee doesn't think the young man is guilty and is determined to find the true killer.

But Paislee is also distracted by family drama. Her son will have access to a DNA test during the school year and may have questions about his father whose identity she has always kept secret. Plus, her best friend may be moving away to Germany. Paislee isn't sure she is ready for these changes and dealing with the fall out takes up a major part of the book.

The mystery is solid. A lot of the drama is around Paislee's personal crisis which I think if I had read the entire series would have a lot more emotional resonance but I think it is handed well. No one comes off a bad person even though there are a lot of emotions to work through. I think it is pretty realistic though people get over their hurt feelings a lot quicker than in real life. After all it is a cozy.

An enjoyable book with real emotional bite but a positive outlook at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books in the series. The mystery itself was very engaging, with plenty of suspects to consider. As the story unfolds, many of them gradually end up with alibis, which made the investigation even more interesting. The victim was widely disliked and had several arguments shortly before the murder, which added another layer of intrigue to the case.

Once again, I did find myself wishing we had seen a bit more of the killer’s motive earlier in the story rather than learning most of it during the final reveal. That aside, the pacing was great and the characters were as enjoyable as ever.

This was also the coziest book in the series in my opinion because it finally gave readers some answers we’ve been waiting for since Book 1. We learn more about Brody’s father and what happened in the past, which was genuinely emotional. Paislee also finally allows herself to be honest about her feelings for Zeffer and begins to consider the possibility of happiness for herself rather than waiting until Brody is grown.

It was really heartwarming to see Brody, Grandpa, and Lydia all support her and welcome Zeffer into their lives. I also enjoyed learning a bit more about Zeffer’s past and seeing Paislee and Brody’s family circle grow in an unexpected way.

All in all, this was such a fun, cozy read. One of my favorites in the series!

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paislee is a busy woman. Running her business and raising a teenager are full time jobs. But she has volunteered to help with the Nairn Scottish Games. The politics and liaisons behind the scenes make her head spin but it is the murder of the father of her newest employees boyfriend that gets her deeply involved in another investigation. Artie was discovered with the body but cannot defend himself. And while DI Zeller keeps an open mind, he and Paislee have some unfinished business that might determine her future.

The characters in the series are wonderful in their imperfections. Paislee’s struggle as a single mother intensifies as her son matures. She often questions whether what she thought was the right decision might no longer be the best one. It is a dilemma that many parents experience. And there were some choices she made as a teenage mother that get challenged. But Paislee is a solid character who can be trusted to come to the right place eventually. As a reader of the previous books, it is so nice to see the evolution of the characters, particularly Paislee, Brody and her grandfather. Definitely a book that would benefit from reading the earlier tales before this one. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Scottish Games is a cozy murder mystery with lots of fun and quirky characters.

Paislee Shaw is a very busy woman. She is helping with the Highland Games in Nairn, Scotland. She is dealing with a teen son who is going through some emotional issues. She also own a special shop named The Cashmere Crush and holds a knitting group as well. The whole town is busy with preparations and some allegations are being spread about the use of steroid for the games. As small towns go, there is always gossip and intrigue. So when a very bad man is found dead, the gossip mill points to his injured son. But our heroine knows better and she sets out to find who the real culprit is.

I enjoyed Paislee's character. She has the games to deal with, her shop, her son and her own personal secret. She is a regular woman who may be finding love, again and I like that about her. I also liked all the characters in the town. They all have their own stories and personalities. Perfect pacing and a wonderful cozy read.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat to visit Nairn, Scotland again in the 7th book of the Scottish Shire series, Murder at the Scottish Games. Traci Hall has created a fresh cozy series with wonderful character growth, a sense of community, and well plotted mysteries.

Paisley Shaw volunteers to help with the annual Scottish games festival not realizing how complicated her life will become. Brody, her son, feels the need to make decisions concerning his time--- he is growing up. A Yarn Shop employee is tangled up after her boyfriend is accused of murder and her parents discover their forbidden relationship. Paisley is neck deep in all of it as she balances her family life, the Yarn Shop, the investigations and a possibility of a personal life.

I think this is one of the best books in the series. A true cozy mystery read,
Thanks to #NetGally #KensingtonPublishing #KensingtonCozies #ScottishShireMysteries @TraciHall for the e-copy advanced reader copy I requested. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#MurderattheScottishGames #NetGalley