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Ally McKinley Mystery #4
Murder at the Highland Games
Not yet published
Expected 16 Apr 26When a fun day out in the Scottish Highlands turns fatal, there’s only one solution: call for Ally McKinley!
It’s the annual Locharran Highland Games and Ally McKinley has never seen her little village so busy or excited. Everyone’s enjoying the Scottish dancing, the bagpipes, and cheering the competitors on. But there’s a hitch in the proceedings when champion challenger Archie Armstrong drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. Rushing to the scene, Ally is the first to spot that Archie’s death was no accident – this was murder!
Ally flings herself into a new investigation and soon discovers that more than one person may have had a murderous motive, including some of the current residents of her cosy little guesthouse. Patti, Archie’s glamourous wife, seems intent on acting like the perfect widow, but rumours of infidelity have been flying. Is her performance too good? Could her uncle, cranky gamekeeper Angus, have finally snapped, furious at Archie’s treatment of his niece? Or was it one of the frustrated local competitors, desperate to end Archie’s winning streak?
Determined to crack the case and fuelled by more than one piece of her famous shortbread, Ally begins to narrow down her list of possible culprits, but is thrown for a loop when her chief suspect is found dead by the loch, a mysterious and threatening note clutched in their fingers. With a killer at large, can Ally finally uncover the truth? Or, as the sun sets over the highlands, will this game be her last?
It’s the annual Locharran Highland Games and Ally McKinley has never seen her little village so busy or excited. Everyone’s enjoying the Scottish dancing, the bagpipes, and cheering the competitors on. But there’s a hitch in the proceedings when champion challenger Archie Armstrong drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. Rushing to the scene, Ally is the first to spot that Archie’s death was no accident – this was murder!
Ally flings herself into a new investigation and soon discovers that more than one person may have had a murderous motive, including some of the current residents of her cosy little guesthouse. Patti, Archie’s glamourous wife, seems intent on acting like the perfect widow, but rumours of infidelity have been flying. Is her performance too good? Could her uncle, cranky gamekeeper Angus, have finally snapped, furious at Archie’s treatment of his niece? Or was it one of the frustrated local competitors, desperate to end Archie’s winning streak?
Determined to crack the case and fuelled by more than one piece of her famous shortbread, Ally begins to narrow down her list of possible culprits, but is thrown for a loop when her chief suspect is found dead by the loch, a mysterious and threatening note clutched in their fingers. With a killer at large, can Ally finally uncover the truth? Or, as the sun sets over the highlands, will this game be her last?
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 16, 2026
2 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Dee MacDonald
16 books271 followersThe Runaway Wife is Dee’s first (published) novel but in fact she wrote her very first book – at around seven years of age! This was a love story which she duly illustrated before sewing all the pages together up one side. Writing was what she ‘was good at’ in school and she won several essay competitions, but then life got in the way and she didn’t pick up a pen again until after retirement.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
Dee left Scotland and headed for London at the beginning of the swinging sixties. After typing her way round the West End she became an air stewardess on long haul routes with BA (then BOAC) for eight years. After that she did market research at Heathrow for both the government statistics and for BA, she became a sales rep and was the receptionist at the Thames Television Studios in Teddington when they had the franchise.
She then ran a small B&B for ten years in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband. Dee has one son and two grandsons who live locally.
Her second book, The Getaway Girls, will be published in July.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Locharran is hosting its annual Highland Games where most of the locals will be competing for neighbourhood glory. There is however, a slight problem in the shape of newcomer Archie Armstrong, a Canadian champion in all of the main events, and therefore eyed with distrust by all those taking part, and their families. Ally McKinlay, whose guesthouse the Armstrong family are staying in, is first on the scene when the caber toss is halted by a fatality! With no shortage of people having a reason to kill the victim, including those in her own B&B, it seems she is about to begin another investigation. With furious villagers, upset guests, and an incensed Earl of Locharran to deal with Ally's days are full of intrigue and contemplation until a second body is discovered. Can Ally find the killer as the danger to herself moves ever closer?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. Although I worked out whodunit a little early it didn't spoil anything as the storyline was excellent and it was, as always, a pleasure to continue reading about Ally and her Highland adventures. The inclusion of the Highland Games was great, the atmosphere, which came across very well, reminded me of the many different fetes and fairs I've attended in the past and added a definite sense of reality. The main protagonists were all present and correct with Morag and Queenie both in great form. This is a great addition to a favourite series. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. Although I worked out whodunit a little early it didn't spoil anything as the storyline was excellent and it was, as always, a pleasure to continue reading about Ally and her Highland adventures. The inclusion of the Highland Games was great, the atmosphere, which came across very well, reminded me of the many different fetes and fairs I've attended in the past and added a definite sense of reality. The main protagonists were all present and correct with Morag and Queenie both in great form. This is a great addition to a favourite series. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder at the Highland Games is a charming, gently paced cozy mystery set against the colorful backdrop of a Scottish Highland festival. With bagpipes, kilts, and village traditions woven throughout, the setting is easily the star—rich in atmosphere and full of small-town personality.Fans of traditional cozy mysteries—those who enjoy community settings, a touch of humor, and a murder that doesn’t overwhelm the charm—will feel right at home here. A solid choice if you’re in the mood for something comforting, scenic, and gently engaging rather than dark or intense.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Murder at the Highland Games is the fourth cozy mystery in Dee MacDonald’s beloved Ally McKinley Mystery series, set against the scenic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. Once again, retired amateur sleuth Ally McKinley finds herself drawn into a puzzling case in her charming village of Locharran—this time amid the excitement of the annual Highland Games.
The story begins with the village buzzing over the games—complete with bagpipes, dancing, and traditional Scottish athletic contests. But the festive atmosphere quickly sours when a champion competitor, Archie Armstrong, collapses and dies while tossing the caber. Ally, ever observant, suspects foul play rather than a tragic accident and begins piecing together clues.
Much of the book’s appeal lies in its cozy, character-rich world: Ally’s warm interactions with locals and visitors alike, her witty observations, and the vivid Highland setting create a comforting yet engaging backdrop for the mystery. As suspects emerge—including Archie’s glamorous wife, his disgruntled gamekeeper uncle, and other competitors—Ally’s dogged curiosity and local knowledge keep the investigation lively and fun.
The pacing is steady, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing while maintaining the gentle tone typical of cozy mysteries. Fans of the series will enjoy returning to Locharran and catching up with familiar faces, and new readers can easily be drawn into Ally’s world without prior knowledge of earlier books.
Overall, Murder at the Highland Games delivers another delightfully puzzling whodunit full of small-town charm, quirky characters, and a satisfying mystery that combines traditional Scottish culture with clever sleuthing.
Murder at the Highland Games è il quarto cozy mystery della amata serie Ally McKinley Mystery di Dee MacDonald, ambientato nello splendido scenario delle Highlands scozzesi. Ancora una volta, l’investigatrice dilettante in pensione Ally McKinley si ritrova coinvolta in un caso intricato nel suo affascinante villaggio di Locharran, questa volta durante l’entusiasmante Highland Games annuale.
La storia si apre con il villaggio in fermento per i giochi, tra cornamuse, danze e le tradizionali competizioni atletiche scozzesi. Ma l’atmosfera festosa si guasta rapidamente quando un campione in gara, Archie Armstrong, crolla a terra e muore mentre lancia il tronco del caber. Ally, sempre attenta ai dettagli, sospetta subito che non si tratti di un semplice incidente e inizia a ricostruire gli indizi.
Gran parte del fascino del libro risiede nel suo mondo accogliente e ricco di personaggi: le calorose interazioni di Ally con abitanti del luogo e visitatori, le sue osservazioni argute e la vivida ambientazione delle Highlands creano uno sfondo confortevole ma coinvolgente per il mistero. Man mano che emergono i sospettati—including la moglie affascinante di Archie, lo zio guardiacaccia rancoroso e altri concorrenti—la curiosità instancabile di Ally e la sua profonda conoscenza del territorio rendono l’indagine vivace e divertente.
Il ritmo è equilibrato, con colpi di scena sufficienti a tenere il lettore con il fiato sospeso, mantenendo al tempo stesso il tono delicato tipico dei cozy mystery. I fan della serie apprezzeranno il ritorno a Locharran e l’incontro con volti familiari, mentre i nuovi lettori potranno entrare facilmente nella storia anche senza aver letto i volumi precedenti.
Nel complesso, Murder at the Highland Games offre un altro delizioso giallo da risolvere, ricco di fascino da piccolo paese, personaggi eccentrici e un mistero appagante che unisce la tradizione scozzese a un’indagine intelligente.
The story begins with the village buzzing over the games—complete with bagpipes, dancing, and traditional Scottish athletic contests. But the festive atmosphere quickly sours when a champion competitor, Archie Armstrong, collapses and dies while tossing the caber. Ally, ever observant, suspects foul play rather than a tragic accident and begins piecing together clues.
Much of the book’s appeal lies in its cozy, character-rich world: Ally’s warm interactions with locals and visitors alike, her witty observations, and the vivid Highland setting create a comforting yet engaging backdrop for the mystery. As suspects emerge—including Archie’s glamorous wife, his disgruntled gamekeeper uncle, and other competitors—Ally’s dogged curiosity and local knowledge keep the investigation lively and fun.
The pacing is steady, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing while maintaining the gentle tone typical of cozy mysteries. Fans of the series will enjoy returning to Locharran and catching up with familiar faces, and new readers can easily be drawn into Ally’s world without prior knowledge of earlier books.
Overall, Murder at the Highland Games delivers another delightfully puzzling whodunit full of small-town charm, quirky characters, and a satisfying mystery that combines traditional Scottish culture with clever sleuthing.
Murder at the Highland Games è il quarto cozy mystery della amata serie Ally McKinley Mystery di Dee MacDonald, ambientato nello splendido scenario delle Highlands scozzesi. Ancora una volta, l’investigatrice dilettante in pensione Ally McKinley si ritrova coinvolta in un caso intricato nel suo affascinante villaggio di Locharran, questa volta durante l’entusiasmante Highland Games annuale.
La storia si apre con il villaggio in fermento per i giochi, tra cornamuse, danze e le tradizionali competizioni atletiche scozzesi. Ma l’atmosfera festosa si guasta rapidamente quando un campione in gara, Archie Armstrong, crolla a terra e muore mentre lancia il tronco del caber. Ally, sempre attenta ai dettagli, sospetta subito che non si tratti di un semplice incidente e inizia a ricostruire gli indizi.
Gran parte del fascino del libro risiede nel suo mondo accogliente e ricco di personaggi: le calorose interazioni di Ally con abitanti del luogo e visitatori, le sue osservazioni argute e la vivida ambientazione delle Highlands creano uno sfondo confortevole ma coinvolgente per il mistero. Man mano che emergono i sospettati—including la moglie affascinante di Archie, lo zio guardiacaccia rancoroso e altri concorrenti—la curiosità instancabile di Ally e la sua profonda conoscenza del territorio rendono l’indagine vivace e divertente.
Il ritmo è equilibrato, con colpi di scena sufficienti a tenere il lettore con il fiato sospeso, mantenendo al tempo stesso il tono delicato tipico dei cozy mystery. I fan della serie apprezzeranno il ritorno a Locharran e l’incontro con volti familiari, mentre i nuovi lettori potranno entrare facilmente nella storia anche senza aver letto i volumi precedenti.
Nel complesso, Murder at the Highland Games offre un altro delizioso giallo da risolvere, ricco di fascino da piccolo paese, personaggi eccentrici e un mistero appagante che unisce la tradizione scozzese a un’indagine intelligente.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Murder at the Highland Games" in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is book #4 in the wonderful Ally McKinley Mystery series. Ally runs The Auld Malthouse B & B which she converted against the advice of her son Jamie who lives in Edinburgh, he liked his mom living close so he could keep an eye on her. Daughter Carol lives in Wiltshire who was a bit more encouraging realizing their mum loved adventure. She also looks forward to free holidays. Both of her children at first thought their mother had lost her senses moving to such an isolated spot. Ally has fit into the community and has made many friends. The Malthouse came with it's resident ghost 'Wailing Willie'. A couple hundred years back he broke into the malthouse and drank his way through a stash of bottles, he died playing the bagpipes, drunk as a skunk. When wailing is heard from the ensuite bathroom to bedroom 2 - it usually means death is coming.
This time Ally's guests are from Canada, visiting the Locharran Highland Games. Archie "The Atlantic Warrior" Armstrong, his wife Patti - who is the niece of Earl Hamish Sinclair's ghillie Angus. They have two daughters - Julie and Janey. Archie's sister Wendy and her husband Greg Watson are also staying at the B & B.
During the caber toss one of the contestants is killed by a bullet grazing him and then the caber falling on him. The shot came out of nowhere. DI Amir Kandahar values Ally's insights into cases and often uses her as a sounding board.
I did not care for Morag, Ally's cleaner in this story. She is more opinionated than usual, as well as grumpy and rude to Amir. She feels that the person's death was justified because they were going to village gatherings and winning prizes, when her sons should be winning everything.
When a stolen rifle enters the mix, and the bullet found in the caber matches it, Angus finds himself in a spot of trouble.
When Willie starts to wail again and another guest goes missing, Ally is sure that everything is linked. Wendy's son arrives from Canada and announces that he will solve the case because Amir isn't doing anything. He is not a popular person with the locals.
There are many red herrings, with people being arrested and then released. The story reaches it's conclusion with what Ally terms "The Day From Hell". Another guest is in danger and Ally once again ends up in grave danger when she puts the pieces of the puzzle together and comes up with the murderer.
Once again it was fantastic writing from Ms. MacDonald with descriptions of the landscape, characters that the reader has come to care about. Looking forward to Ally's next adventure.
This is book #4 in the wonderful Ally McKinley Mystery series. Ally runs The Auld Malthouse B & B which she converted against the advice of her son Jamie who lives in Edinburgh, he liked his mom living close so he could keep an eye on her. Daughter Carol lives in Wiltshire who was a bit more encouraging realizing their mum loved adventure. She also looks forward to free holidays. Both of her children at first thought their mother had lost her senses moving to such an isolated spot. Ally has fit into the community and has made many friends. The Malthouse came with it's resident ghost 'Wailing Willie'. A couple hundred years back he broke into the malthouse and drank his way through a stash of bottles, he died playing the bagpipes, drunk as a skunk. When wailing is heard from the ensuite bathroom to bedroom 2 - it usually means death is coming.
This time Ally's guests are from Canada, visiting the Locharran Highland Games. Archie "The Atlantic Warrior" Armstrong, his wife Patti - who is the niece of Earl Hamish Sinclair's ghillie Angus. They have two daughters - Julie and Janey. Archie's sister Wendy and her husband Greg Watson are also staying at the B & B.
During the caber toss one of the contestants is killed by a bullet grazing him and then the caber falling on him. The shot came out of nowhere. DI Amir Kandahar values Ally's insights into cases and often uses her as a sounding board.
I did not care for Morag, Ally's cleaner in this story. She is more opinionated than usual, as well as grumpy and rude to Amir. She feels that the person's death was justified because they were going to village gatherings and winning prizes, when her sons should be winning everything.
When a stolen rifle enters the mix, and the bullet found in the caber matches it, Angus finds himself in a spot of trouble.
When Willie starts to wail again and another guest goes missing, Ally is sure that everything is linked. Wendy's son arrives from Canada and announces that he will solve the case because Amir isn't doing anything. He is not a popular person with the locals.
There are many red herrings, with people being arrested and then released. The story reaches it's conclusion with what Ally terms "The Day From Hell". Another guest is in danger and Ally once again ends up in grave danger when she puts the pieces of the puzzle together and comes up with the murderer.
Once again it was fantastic writing from Ms. MacDonald with descriptions of the landscape, characters that the reader has come to care about. Looking forward to Ally's next adventure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Every year Locharran organises the Highland Games (like almost every other self-respecting Scottish village), but this year there is a new Canadian star who is winning every prize there is to be had. That is, until someone shoots at him and he drops the caber he is tossing on himself, ending in his death. That was a new one on my bingo card: death by caber.
Ally McKinley has multiple connections to this murder as she is hosting the Canadian family and a couple of friends and acquaintances are suspects in the murder, amongst whom her friend the earl of Locharran and the sons of her cleaner. There are lots of suspects to be picked from, both from the Canadian family as well as the locals, but things get more confusing when there is a second victim, in the form of the first victims brother in law, effectively eliminating Ally's main suspect.
This book has just enough red herrings to make it interesting without overly confusing the story. The setting is interesting and the description of the highland games made me remember the time I went to one of these games in the past: bagpipes, kilts, and village traditions galore. And endless highland dances of-course. Cleaner Morag is at her grumpy best, constantly nagging that her sons are under suspicion and the labradors make an abundance of presence.
I think the presence of the two girls ads a nice touch to this book.
Looking forward to the next episode.
Review based on an advance copy received from Netgalley
Ally McKinley has multiple connections to this murder as she is hosting the Canadian family and a couple of friends and acquaintances are suspects in the murder, amongst whom her friend the earl of Locharran and the sons of her cleaner. There are lots of suspects to be picked from, both from the Canadian family as well as the locals, but things get more confusing when there is a second victim, in the form of the first victims brother in law, effectively eliminating Ally's main suspect.
This book has just enough red herrings to make it interesting without overly confusing the story. The setting is interesting and the description of the highland games made me remember the time I went to one of these games in the past: bagpipes, kilts, and village traditions galore. And endless highland dances of-course. Cleaner Morag is at her grumpy best, constantly nagging that her sons are under suspicion and the labradors make an abundance of presence.
I think the presence of the two girls ads a nice touch to this book.
Looking forward to the next episode.
Review based on an advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think that it's almost inevitable that a murder mystery series that is set in the Scottish Highlands might at some point feature some highland games. That's where we find ourselves this time. In fact, the first murder in this story takes place during the games when one of the competetors are killed.
Ally soon finds herself in the thick of things, seeing as the murdered man and his family had been staying with her, putting her in the ideal place to look into what's going on. I have to say, I think that I might think twice about booking into her B and B with the amount of deaths surrounding her now.
Although Ally is quite good at getting people to open and up and talk to her, telling her their secrets and some things the police haven't been able to uncover, I did feel that this time she was a little trusting and slow. I had an idea early on who might be behind it all and as it turned out, I was right. It may have been some lucky guesswork on my part, but I still think Ally might have got there a little sooner.
This was an enjoyable murder mystery and one that I enjoyed trying to solve. I'm sure that we'll be seeing more of Ally and her friends soon and I'll certainly be keen to read more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Ally soon finds herself in the thick of things, seeing as the murdered man and his family had been staying with her, putting her in the ideal place to look into what's going on. I have to say, I think that I might think twice about booking into her B and B with the amount of deaths surrounding her now.
Although Ally is quite good at getting people to open and up and talk to her, telling her their secrets and some things the police haven't been able to uncover, I did feel that this time she was a little trusting and slow. I had an idea early on who might be behind it all and as it turned out, I was right. It may have been some lucky guesswork on my part, but I still think Ally might have got there a little sooner.
This was an enjoyable murder mystery and one that I enjoyed trying to solve. I'm sure that we'll be seeing more of Ally and her friends soon and I'll certainly be keen to read more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
January 12, 2026
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Bookouture, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘Murder at the Highland Games’, by Dee MacDonald.
Since this is the 4th book in the Ally McKinley Mystery series, the local characters in the book are well established, but the visitors from Canada are central to the story. They are staying at Ally’s B & B, and Archie Armstrong is expected to win all of the events in the games, much to the dismay of the local competitors. When a gunshot brings an end to the caber toss event, the search for a killer begins. DI Amir Kandahar relies on Ally’s assistance in the investigation, since she always has her ‘ear to the ground’. When Ally gets too close to solving the case, however, she finds herself in the sights of the killer.
I loved the setting, the descriptions of the landscape, the characters, and the storyline, as the author sets out another adventure in this series.
Since this is the 4th book in the Ally McKinley Mystery series, the local characters in the book are well established, but the visitors from Canada are central to the story. They are staying at Ally’s B & B, and Archie Armstrong is expected to win all of the events in the games, much to the dismay of the local competitors. When a gunshot brings an end to the caber toss event, the search for a killer begins. DI Amir Kandahar relies on Ally’s assistance in the investigation, since she always has her ‘ear to the ground’. When Ally gets too close to solving the case, however, she finds herself in the sights of the killer.
I loved the setting, the descriptions of the landscape, the characters, and the storyline, as the author sets out another adventure in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this instalment, Ally welcomes the Armstrong family from Nova Scotia Canada, for the Highland Games. But there’s a hitch in the proceedings when champion challenger Archie Armstrong drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. Rushing to the scene, Ally is the first to spot that Archie’s death was no accident – this was murder!
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..
Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.
My rating 4.5
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Bookouture and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Annie did..
Overall, I'm thoroughly invested in this series and excited to see where the author takes these endearing characters.
I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment to see how the series evolves. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Scottish settings, or amateur sleuths, this book is a great choice.
My rating 4.5
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Bookouture and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 25, 2026
I’m very grateful to have received an advance reader copy of Murder at the Highland Games. This was a thoroughly enjoyable cosy murder mystery with all the charm I love in the genre. It really reminded me of watching Midsomer Murders, Miss Marple, and Rosemary and Thyme with my mum when I was younger — it had all the best elements of those classics.
The setting was fun, the mystery kept me guessing, and Ally is a great main character who has developed over the 4 book series.
I especially enjoyed the twists along the way, which kept things engaging without losing that comforting cosy feel. A delightful read for fans of traditional whodunnits.
The setting was fun, the mystery kept me guessing, and Ally is a great main character who has developed over the 4 book series.
I especially enjoyed the twists along the way, which kept things engaging without losing that comforting cosy feel. A delightful read for fans of traditional whodunnits.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is yet another cozy mystery set in Locharran, Scotland. Ally McKinley, a recent retiree who runs a B&B in an old malthouse funds herself in the middle of yet another murder with way too many suspects and almost no definite witnesses. When she thinks she is close to finding the murderer's identity, her chief suspect is found dead and she is truly baffled.
I totally loved the previous mystery in this series, but this one isn't my favourite. The presumed reasons for the murder seemed ridiculous and the reactions and behavior of the family, extremely unrealistic (they were an unlikeable bunch overall and it was hard to feel sorry for any of them). The attitude of the villagers (and Ally's cleaner) towards the grieving family seemed a bit callous. So the coziness factor was missing as well—Locharran seemed to be far from the charming, welcoming towns we feel drawn to in cozy small-town mysteries.
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I totally loved the previous mystery in this series, but this one isn't my favourite. The presumed reasons for the murder seemed ridiculous and the reactions and behavior of the family, extremely unrealistic (they were an unlikeable bunch overall and it was hard to feel sorry for any of them). The attitude of the villagers (and Ally's cleaner) towards the grieving family seemed a bit callous. So the coziness factor was missing as well—Locharran seemed to be far from the charming, welcoming towns we feel drawn to in cozy small-town mysteries.
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
The 4th in the Ally McKinley series finds us at the Highland Games and boy are the locals competitive - competitive enough to resort to murder?
An enjoyable read.
The 4th in the Ally McKinley series finds us at the Highland Games and boy are the locals competitive - competitive enough to resort to murder?
An enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
fun cozy mystery with some good plotting. I'm going to have to go back and take a check at the previous ones in this series, because the vibe here was simply impeccable. the plotting, too! and the final culprit reveal worked well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another amazing addition to the Ally McKinley series. A lovely cosy murder mystery with twists and turns. I am absolutely loving this series
January 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review 'Murder at the Highland Games' by Dee MacDonald.
I love the Ally McKinley Mystery series. Four books in and we have our first murder set during a Highland games. When a Canadian entrant in the local Locharran Highland games is killed during the middle of the competition, B&B owner Ally McKinley finds herself with a new mystery on her hands. Was he killed by a disgruntled local taking revenge on the man who in their eyes is stealing prizes from hardworking local lads? Or could his murder be a family matter? Luckily, or unluckily as Ally may see it, the murdered man's family are booked into her B&B and will be staying for the foreseeable future until the murderer is apprehended. With the help of her boyfriend Ross, her Locharran friends, DI Kandahar, and her murder board Ally gets to work uncovering the truth behind this very public murder.
Another great read from Dee MacDonald. I hope one-day to see Ally's adventures played out of TV.
I love the Ally McKinley Mystery series. Four books in and we have our first murder set during a Highland games. When a Canadian entrant in the local Locharran Highland games is killed during the middle of the competition, B&B owner Ally McKinley finds herself with a new mystery on her hands. Was he killed by a disgruntled local taking revenge on the man who in their eyes is stealing prizes from hardworking local lads? Or could his murder be a family matter? Luckily, or unluckily as Ally may see it, the murdered man's family are booked into her B&B and will be staying for the foreseeable future until the murderer is apprehended. With the help of her boyfriend Ross, her Locharran friends, DI Kandahar, and her murder board Ally gets to work uncovering the truth behind this very public murder.
Another great read from Dee MacDonald. I hope one-day to see Ally's adventures played out of TV.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews