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Ally McKinley Mystery #4
Murder at the Highland Games
When 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?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2026
About the author
Dee MacDonald
17 books293 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 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 20, 2026
Murder at the Highland Games is the 4th-installment in the Ally McKinley Mystery series. Set in Scotland, these books follow Ally McKinley, a recent retiree and widow, who fell in love with the village of Locharran whilst on vacation and decided to move there.
Ally purchased an old malthouse, renovated it and turned it into a successful Bed & Breakfast. She runs it herself, with only the help of one local lady, Morag, who comes in and helps her with cleaning when there are guests in.
In this installment, Locharran is hosting their annual Highland Games. A lot of the local lads have been training hard and they're excited to get the chance to compete against their friends, and maybe even show off a little for their loved ones. The excitement in the village is high.
Just in time for the games though, a Canadian family, the Armstrongs, arrive for a stay a Ally's B&B.
The traveling group is comprised of a father, mother, their two teen daughters, as well as the father's sister and her husband. It turns out, the father, Archie, is a successful Highland Games competitor in Canada and he's started touring around to compete in games in other locations.
The locals are disgruntled this outsider, a ringer no less, has come to town to compete in their games. They don't think it's fair for him to even be allowed in, when so many of their boys have worked so hard to get ready for the competition.
Nevertheless, of course Archie is allowed to compete. It's an open games, but that doesn't mean everyone is okay with it. When Archie drops dead during the caber toss, it quickly becomes apparent that his death is no accident. Archie has been murdered, right there in the open, in the middle of a fully attended event. All eyes were upon him.
Ally can't believe it. Who could have pulled something like this off, and why? With Archie's death under investigation, the rest of his family is forced to stay in place at the malthouse until they're cleared to leave.
When no easy answers present themselves to the local authorities, Ally decides to take matters into her own hands. Ally's not sure who the killer might be, but it's clear to her that the killer could just as easily be one of her guests as a local, and she's determined to get to the bottom of it.
Ally has gained a bit of a reputation locally as an amateur sleuth, so much so that the lead investigator often seeks her out to bat ideas around with. She's a trusted member of the community and she uses her relaxing attitude to get people to spill the beans.
Just as Ally thinks she's approaching a final answer, her lead suspect ends up dead by the loch, clutching a mysterious note in his death grip. With the killer still at large, will Ally be able to determine their identity before it's too late?
I'm so sad another Ally McKinley mystery has come to a close. I love Ally so much at this point. She's like a Grandma to me, and it's not just her either, it's all the locals that I've come to know and love over the course of these 4-books.
This series has quickly become one of my favorite, currently-running, Cozy Mystery series and the warm vibes of Locharran is one of the main reasons why. Settling in with one of these mysteries is like snuggling in with a hot cup of tea on a rainy day.
This mystery got really messy and poor Ally, I wanted this family out of her house. The two adult women, Archie's wife and his sister, Patti and Wendy, they were stressful. A little high maintenance and I started to really feel for Ally having to deal with them every moment of the day.
The girls, Julie and Janey, were super sweet though. I feel like they came to love Ally as much as I do. I wish they could become regular characters. They'd be such cute additions to the series. They loved Ally's dog, Flora, and I feel like Flora really helped them get through the difficult circumstances they found themselves in. Dogs are the best.
There were a lot of twists in this one. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there would be some new development that would send me in a different direction. I loved how it ultimately all came together though. I think MacDonald did a great job with the plot progression, revealing things just when you needed them most.
I'm looking forward to whatever comes next in this series. I'm not sure how many books the series is slated to be, but I'm here for the long haul. I'd love for Ally's children to come for a visit. Maybe if they saw her solve a mystery, they'd realize what a great life she has now.
Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would absolutely recommend this series to any Cozy Mystery fan, particularly if you enjoy more mature protagonists and small village vibes. 10/10 recommend!
Ally purchased an old malthouse, renovated it and turned it into a successful Bed & Breakfast. She runs it herself, with only the help of one local lady, Morag, who comes in and helps her with cleaning when there are guests in.
In this installment, Locharran is hosting their annual Highland Games. A lot of the local lads have been training hard and they're excited to get the chance to compete against their friends, and maybe even show off a little for their loved ones. The excitement in the village is high.
Just in time for the games though, a Canadian family, the Armstrongs, arrive for a stay a Ally's B&B.
The traveling group is comprised of a father, mother, their two teen daughters, as well as the father's sister and her husband. It turns out, the father, Archie, is a successful Highland Games competitor in Canada and he's started touring around to compete in games in other locations.
The locals are disgruntled this outsider, a ringer no less, has come to town to compete in their games. They don't think it's fair for him to even be allowed in, when so many of their boys have worked so hard to get ready for the competition.
Nevertheless, of course Archie is allowed to compete. It's an open games, but that doesn't mean everyone is okay with it. When Archie drops dead during the caber toss, it quickly becomes apparent that his death is no accident. Archie has been murdered, right there in the open, in the middle of a fully attended event. All eyes were upon him.
Ally can't believe it. Who could have pulled something like this off, and why? With Archie's death under investigation, the rest of his family is forced to stay in place at the malthouse until they're cleared to leave.
When no easy answers present themselves to the local authorities, Ally decides to take matters into her own hands. Ally's not sure who the killer might be, but it's clear to her that the killer could just as easily be one of her guests as a local, and she's determined to get to the bottom of it.
Ally has gained a bit of a reputation locally as an amateur sleuth, so much so that the lead investigator often seeks her out to bat ideas around with. She's a trusted member of the community and she uses her relaxing attitude to get people to spill the beans.
Just as Ally thinks she's approaching a final answer, her lead suspect ends up dead by the loch, clutching a mysterious note in his death grip. With the killer still at large, will Ally be able to determine their identity before it's too late?
I'm so sad another Ally McKinley mystery has come to a close. I love Ally so much at this point. She's like a Grandma to me, and it's not just her either, it's all the locals that I've come to know and love over the course of these 4-books.
This series has quickly become one of my favorite, currently-running, Cozy Mystery series and the warm vibes of Locharran is one of the main reasons why. Settling in with one of these mysteries is like snuggling in with a hot cup of tea on a rainy day.
This mystery got really messy and poor Ally, I wanted this family out of her house. The two adult women, Archie's wife and his sister, Patti and Wendy, they were stressful. A little high maintenance and I started to really feel for Ally having to deal with them every moment of the day.
The girls, Julie and Janey, were super sweet though. I feel like they came to love Ally as much as I do. I wish they could become regular characters. They'd be such cute additions to the series. They loved Ally's dog, Flora, and I feel like Flora really helped them get through the difficult circumstances they found themselves in. Dogs are the best.
There were a lot of twists in this one. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there would be some new development that would send me in a different direction. I loved how it ultimately all came together though. I think MacDonald did a great job with the plot progression, revealing things just when you needed them most.
I'm looking forward to whatever comes next in this series. I'm not sure how many books the series is slated to be, but I'm here for the long haul. I'd love for Ally's children to come for a visit. Maybe if they saw her solve a mystery, they'd realize what a great life she has now.
Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I would absolutely recommend this series to any Cozy Mystery fan, particularly if you enjoy more mature protagonists and small village vibes. 10/10 recommend!
April 3, 2026
This is the second book in the series that I’ve read. I deducted one star due to occasional profanity. I didn’t know until the end who the murderer was. I love Ally and Ross, and the setting. I plan to read the first two and I’m looking forward to the next. A charming and engaging cozy. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased
May 7, 2026
Book 4 in this great series sees us returning to the Scottish village of Locharran where this time there is a murder at the annual Highland Games!!
All the favourite characters are back, happy to see Morag the guesthouse cleaner always with a tale to tell and her village postman hubby Murdo who drinks more tea than has letters to deliver, and then the 2 gossips, sisters Queenie and Bessie who run the local store and their mouths plus the Earl and his wife Magda and of course the star of the show Ally and her partner Ross
I think as it’s Book 4 they are best read as a series but tbh once you read one of these books you will want to read the rest
Warm but nosey village life, cakes and chit chat and a mystery to be solved, an enticing read from this welcoming series and great author, an uncomplicated character led mystery
All the favourite characters are back, happy to see Morag the guesthouse cleaner always with a tale to tell and her village postman hubby Murdo who drinks more tea than has letters to deliver, and then the 2 gossips, sisters Queenie and Bessie who run the local store and their mouths plus the Earl and his wife Magda and of course the star of the show Ally and her partner Ross
I think as it’s Book 4 they are best read as a series but tbh once you read one of these books you will want to read the rest
Warm but nosey village life, cakes and chit chat and a mystery to be solved, an enticing read from this welcoming series and great author, an uncomplicated character led mystery
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.
April 16, 2026
**My thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
3.5 stars
Once again, MacDonald leans into what makes a cozy mystery series work: the involvement of the protagonist in her community and the case breakthroughs made through that involvement. Ally advances the solve by participating in the village, supporting her friends and neighbors, and thereby getting the right people in contact with each other to connect the threads to piece the mystery together. Ally is really in her element in this case and I enjoyed seeing her cheerfully meddle her way to the conclusion.
I also enjoyed getting a little more time with Amir, our local friendly detective. Morag’s family is given more spotlight in this novel as well, though not to very flattering effect—something I partly appreciated, as the novel resists the ‘sweet wee village where everyone is lovely’ stereotype, but which definitely lent some tension to Ally’s household.
There were however two bits of the novel I had to take issue with. The first is that the marriage between the Armstrongs (Mr. Armstrong being the murder victim) was described as allegedly abusive, and yet this aspect to their relationship was treated very lightly, and in fact given much less weight or consideration than the allegations of infidelity also in the marriage. The second is that Ally spends this novel constantly spewing diet talk and bemoaning the calories she’s consuming. I understand that this is probably a ‘realistic’ portrayal of a certain type of older woman, but it adds absolutely nothing to the plot, is never relevant, and frankly feels wildly unnecessary. I don’t want to spend my cozy reading hearing a strong, attractive, intelligent woman constantly hedging about being ‘bad’ by enjoying a slice of cake. If that sort of thing bothers you, I’d say you can skip this installment; hopefully Ally will be over all the calorie talk in the next book.
3.5 stars
Once again, MacDonald leans into what makes a cozy mystery series work: the involvement of the protagonist in her community and the case breakthroughs made through that involvement. Ally advances the solve by participating in the village, supporting her friends and neighbors, and thereby getting the right people in contact with each other to connect the threads to piece the mystery together. Ally is really in her element in this case and I enjoyed seeing her cheerfully meddle her way to the conclusion.
I also enjoyed getting a little more time with Amir, our local friendly detective. Morag’s family is given more spotlight in this novel as well, though not to very flattering effect—something I partly appreciated, as the novel resists the ‘sweet wee village where everyone is lovely’ stereotype, but which definitely lent some tension to Ally’s household.
There were however two bits of the novel I had to take issue with. The first is that the marriage between the Armstrongs (Mr. Armstrong being the murder victim) was described as allegedly abusive, and yet this aspect to their relationship was treated very lightly, and in fact given much less weight or consideration than the allegations of infidelity also in the marriage. The second is that Ally spends this novel constantly spewing diet talk and bemoaning the calories she’s consuming. I understand that this is probably a ‘realistic’ portrayal of a certain type of older woman, but it adds absolutely nothing to the plot, is never relevant, and frankly feels wildly unnecessary. I don’t want to spend my cozy reading hearing a strong, attractive, intelligent woman constantly hedging about being ‘bad’ by enjoying a slice of cake. If that sort of thing bothers you, I’d say you can skip this installment; hopefully Ally will be over all the calorie talk in the next book.
May 17, 2026
An excellent book that keeps you guessing to the end.
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.
May 3, 2026
Dee MacDonald’s Murder at the Highland Games is the fourth installment in her delightful cozy mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Ally McKinley. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the annual Locharran Highland Games, the book captures the excitement of a Scottish village in full festive swing—complete with bagpipes, traditional dancing, and the roar of the crowd cheering on athletes in events like the caber toss.
When champion challenger Archie Armstrong collapses dead mid-toss, Ally is quickly on the scene and realizes this is no tragic accident but cold-blooded murder. What follows is a classic cozy investigation: Ally, powered by her famous shortbread, copious cups of tea, and plenty of determination, begins piecing together suspects. The stakes rise when her chief suspect turns up dead by the loch, a threatening note clutched in their hand. As the killer remains at large, the question looms—can Ally solve the case before the sun sets on her own Highland adventure?
MacDonald excels at the elements that make this series so enjoyable. The characters feel warm and lived-in, their relationships authentic, and the Highland village setting is vividly charming. I particularly love the snappy, humorous dialogue between characters that often delivers genuinely funny lines and lightens the mood even amid the murders. The author’s affection for the culture, traditions, and community shines through, making Locharran feel like a place you’d want to visit (despite the surprisingly high body count).
While this entry didn’t quite pull me in with the same magnetic grip as the earlier books in the series, it’s still a thoroughly entertaining read. The plotting is solid, the atmosphere immersive, and the cozy comforts—shortbread-fueled sleuthing included—are all present and accounted for. Fans of the series will likely enjoy spending more time with Ally and the quirky villagers.
If you’re new to the series or simply love light-hearted mysteries with a strong sense of place and humor, Murder at the Highland Games is well worth picking up. Dee MacDonald has created a world that would translate beautifully to television, and I’ll certainly be back for Ally’s next case. A fun, breezy addition to a consistently charming series.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When champion challenger Archie Armstrong collapses dead mid-toss, Ally is quickly on the scene and realizes this is no tragic accident but cold-blooded murder. What follows is a classic cozy investigation: Ally, powered by her famous shortbread, copious cups of tea, and plenty of determination, begins piecing together suspects. The stakes rise when her chief suspect turns up dead by the loch, a threatening note clutched in their hand. As the killer remains at large, the question looms—can Ally solve the case before the sun sets on her own Highland adventure?
MacDonald excels at the elements that make this series so enjoyable. The characters feel warm and lived-in, their relationships authentic, and the Highland village setting is vividly charming. I particularly love the snappy, humorous dialogue between characters that often delivers genuinely funny lines and lightens the mood even amid the murders. The author’s affection for the culture, traditions, and community shines through, making Locharran feel like a place you’d want to visit (despite the surprisingly high body count).
While this entry didn’t quite pull me in with the same magnetic grip as the earlier books in the series, it’s still a thoroughly entertaining read. The plotting is solid, the atmosphere immersive, and the cozy comforts—shortbread-fueled sleuthing included—are all present and accounted for. Fans of the series will likely enjoy spending more time with Ally and the quirky villagers.
If you’re new to the series or simply love light-hearted mysteries with a strong sense of place and humor, Murder at the Highland Games is well worth picking up. Dee MacDonald has created a world that would translate beautifully to television, and I’ll certainly be back for Ally’s next case. A fun, breezy addition to a consistently charming series.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2026
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this eARC.
Murder at the Highland Games (An Ally McKinley Mystery Book 4)
by Dee MacDonald
Murder at the Highland Games by Dee MacDonald is a lively, atmospheric installment in the Ally McKinley series that leans fully into the charm of a Scottish cozy mystery while keeping the tension high enough to stay genuinely engaging.
Set against the colorful backdrop of a traditional Highland Games event, the novel excels in creating a vivid sense of place. The sights, sounds, and rhythms of the games—kilts, competitions, community gatherings—aren’t just decorative; they actively shape the mystery and give it a distinct personality. MacDonald clearly enjoys the setting, and that enthusiasm carries through to the reader.
Ally McKinley remains a likable and grounded protagonist. She’s observant without being implausibly brilliant, and her curiosity feels natural rather than forced. Her interactions with the recurring cast add warmth and continuity, making the story feel like part of a lived-in world rather than a standalone puzzle. The supporting characters, while fitting familiar cozy archetypes, are distinct enough to keep you guessing about motives.
The mystery itself is well-paced, with a steady drip of clues and misdirection. It doesn’t rely on shocking twists as much as careful layering—suspects emerge organically, and the stakes gradually build. The “gripping” quality comes less from high danger and more from the tightening net of suspicion and the social dynamics within a small community where everyone seems to know everyone else.
This book maintains the comforting tone expected of a cozy mystery—no excessive darkness or graphic detail—while still delivering a satisfying investigative thread. At times, the pacing in the middle can feel slightly relaxed, but the strong sense of setting and character relationships compensates for it.
Overall, a solid and enjoyable entry in the series, particularly appealing to readers who appreciate immersive settings and character-driven mysteries. It’s the kind of book that invites you to settle in, enjoy the scenery, and unravel a cleverly constructed whodunit at your own pace.
Murder at the Highland Games (An Ally McKinley Mystery Book 4)
by Dee MacDonald
Murder at the Highland Games by Dee MacDonald is a lively, atmospheric installment in the Ally McKinley series that leans fully into the charm of a Scottish cozy mystery while keeping the tension high enough to stay genuinely engaging.
Set against the colorful backdrop of a traditional Highland Games event, the novel excels in creating a vivid sense of place. The sights, sounds, and rhythms of the games—kilts, competitions, community gatherings—aren’t just decorative; they actively shape the mystery and give it a distinct personality. MacDonald clearly enjoys the setting, and that enthusiasm carries through to the reader.
Ally McKinley remains a likable and grounded protagonist. She’s observant without being implausibly brilliant, and her curiosity feels natural rather than forced. Her interactions with the recurring cast add warmth and continuity, making the story feel like part of a lived-in world rather than a standalone puzzle. The supporting characters, while fitting familiar cozy archetypes, are distinct enough to keep you guessing about motives.
The mystery itself is well-paced, with a steady drip of clues and misdirection. It doesn’t rely on shocking twists as much as careful layering—suspects emerge organically, and the stakes gradually build. The “gripping” quality comes less from high danger and more from the tightening net of suspicion and the social dynamics within a small community where everyone seems to know everyone else.
This book maintains the comforting tone expected of a cozy mystery—no excessive darkness or graphic detail—while still delivering a satisfying investigative thread. At times, the pacing in the middle can feel slightly relaxed, but the strong sense of setting and character relationships compensates for it.
Overall, a solid and enjoyable entry in the series, particularly appealing to readers who appreciate immersive settings and character-driven mysteries. It’s the kind of book that invites you to settle in, enjoy the scenery, and unravel a cleverly constructed whodunit at your own pace.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A big thank you to Sarah Hardy and the publisher for issuing me with my review copy of this book. I am reviewing this voluntarily and my views are purely my own.
Murder at the Highland Games in the 4th in the Ally McKinley mysteries and another firm favourite of mine. Set in Locharron, it has everything you want in a cosy crime story, a small local village with an array of neighbours that all know each other (complete with nosy older sisters who run the local shop and know everything before if has happened!) and the odd murder that Ally always seems to find herself mixed up in!
Murder at the Highland Games in the fourth in the Ally McKinley mysteries and another firm favourite of mine. Set in Locharron in the Scottish Highlands, it has everything you want in a cosy crime story, a small local village with an array of neighbours that all know each other (complete with nosy older sisters who run the local shop and know everything before it has happened!) and the odd murder that Ally always seems to find herself mixed up in!
This time we join Ally and her partner Ross as they attend the annual Locharron Highland Games, where there is excitement (and also a bit of resentment) when Canadian Champion Archie Armstrong enters. With Archie and his family staying at Ally’s B&B, Morag, her cleaner isn’t best pleased as her own two sons are also competing. When Archie ends up dead following the Caber Toss, Ally immediately suspects foul play. With quite a list of suspects and with the family staying with Ally, she is determined to get to the bottom of everything.
Murder at the Highland Games was a brilliant addition to the series and it really kept me guessing especially with the suspects, amongst them Patti, Archie’s glamourous wife and niece to the Earl’s gamekeeper and even Morag two sons which causes no end of stress for Ally. When my main suspect turns up dead, I had to go back to the drawing board but I was actually headed in the right direction thanks to some carefully plotted clues!
This is a wonderful cosy crime series that I always enjoy reading, Ally is a lovely likeable main character and despite not being a local, has obviously gained the respect of everyone who knows her, even the local police who like to have her as a sounding board. It was lovely to be back in Locharron with usual community who really add to the cosiness of the story.
Very enjoyable!
Murder at the Highland Games in the 4th in the Ally McKinley mysteries and another firm favourite of mine. Set in Locharron, it has everything you want in a cosy crime story, a small local village with an array of neighbours that all know each other (complete with nosy older sisters who run the local shop and know everything before if has happened!) and the odd murder that Ally always seems to find herself mixed up in!
Murder at the Highland Games in the fourth in the Ally McKinley mysteries and another firm favourite of mine. Set in Locharron in the Scottish Highlands, it has everything you want in a cosy crime story, a small local village with an array of neighbours that all know each other (complete with nosy older sisters who run the local shop and know everything before it has happened!) and the odd murder that Ally always seems to find herself mixed up in!
This time we join Ally and her partner Ross as they attend the annual Locharron Highland Games, where there is excitement (and also a bit of resentment) when Canadian Champion Archie Armstrong enters. With Archie and his family staying at Ally’s B&B, Morag, her cleaner isn’t best pleased as her own two sons are also competing. When Archie ends up dead following the Caber Toss, Ally immediately suspects foul play. With quite a list of suspects and with the family staying with Ally, she is determined to get to the bottom of everything.
Murder at the Highland Games was a brilliant addition to the series and it really kept me guessing especially with the suspects, amongst them Patti, Archie’s glamourous wife and niece to the Earl’s gamekeeper and even Morag two sons which causes no end of stress for Ally. When my main suspect turns up dead, I had to go back to the drawing board but I was actually headed in the right direction thanks to some carefully plotted clues!
This is a wonderful cosy crime series that I always enjoy reading, Ally is a lovely likeable main character and despite not being a local, has obviously gained the respect of everyone who knows her, even the local police who like to have her as a sounding board. It was lovely to be back in Locharron with usual community who really add to the cosiness of the story.
Very enjoyable!
May 3, 2026
An enjoyable murder mystery at the highland games and beyond!
The murder was something very different - I don't think I've ever read a cosy set during games which include the Caber toss, let alone it be connected to the murder. And the mystery itself was a fairly entertaining one. I really liked the cop. Not only was he a good character in his own right, but it was so refreshing and enjoyable to pick up a cosy where the police and the amateur detective work hand in hand, rather than there being that tension. It was a breath of fresh air.
The main characters as a whole were great, Ally and Ross, Amin, even Hamish grew on me, once I got over the age gap thing. They worked well together, even if sometimes it felt more like a vibe and feeling investigation rather than anything else. Ally is clearly someone people want to talk to, which means they came to her and she was able to put the pieces together in peace. Until the obvious dramatic ending of course.
Personally though, I was found this was held back a little by some of the unlikeable characters, and it seems as if this is a book of extremes - either fantastic or awful characters. There seemed to be quite a few of them, from minor ones like Queenie, to ones you were clearly meant to dislike, such a certain later addiction to the book. And then there was Morag, who I found myself cringing at, every time she appeared on page. I'm not sure if I just completely misread her character, but she made it hard going at times. I know the 'strong protective mumma bear' is a good trope but she was enabling terrible behaviour.
The ending was a little rushed and there were some choices made, which seemed to go against everything that had come before, in the name of trying to wrap everything up a little too neatly.
All in all however, this was fun and it's a serious I will be keeping my eye out for, be it the previous ones or number five in the series. Looking forward to learning more about Ally and her murder board of vibes.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
The murder was something very different - I don't think I've ever read a cosy set during games which include the Caber toss, let alone it be connected to the murder. And the mystery itself was a fairly entertaining one. I really liked the cop. Not only was he a good character in his own right, but it was so refreshing and enjoyable to pick up a cosy where the police and the amateur detective work hand in hand, rather than there being that tension. It was a breath of fresh air.
The main characters as a whole were great, Ally and Ross, Amin, even Hamish grew on me, once I got over the age gap thing. They worked well together, even if sometimes it felt more like a vibe and feeling investigation rather than anything else. Ally is clearly someone people want to talk to, which means they came to her and she was able to put the pieces together in peace. Until the obvious dramatic ending of course.
Personally though, I was found this was held back a little by some of the unlikeable characters, and it seems as if this is a book of extremes - either fantastic or awful characters. There seemed to be quite a few of them, from minor ones like Queenie, to ones you were clearly meant to dislike, such a certain later addiction to the book. And then there was Morag, who I found myself cringing at, every time she appeared on page. I'm not sure if I just completely misread her character, but she made it hard going at times. I know the 'strong protective mumma bear' is a good trope but she was enabling terrible behaviour.
The ending was a little rushed and there were some choices made, which seemed to go against everything that had come before, in the name of trying to wrap everything up a little too neatly.
All in all however, this was fun and it's a serious I will be keeping my eye out for, be it the previous ones or number five in the series. Looking forward to learning more about Ally and her murder board of vibes.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really like this series. I love the fact that the main character is a senior, but she doesn't act old. Not to say that sometimes she doesn't feel her age, but she just doesn't act elderly. She is also not overly silly or anything like that.
So in this one there are some foreigners from Canada who are visiting as one of them is a champion in the games from Canada and wanted to compete in Scotland. He is naturally hated because he isn't from Scotland, so it wasn't surprising that he ends up murder at the games, but would someone murder because he was winning?
Of course, Ally is hosting the Canadian family at her B&B, so she is naturally curious and a bit invested in trying to figure out who might have done it from the competitors to the family. Another family member is murdered, and it seems that maybe someone has it out for the family.
I think one of the things I liked about this one is that I felt that Ally was so busy with trying to help the family that she really didn't do a lot of sleuthing, a lot of what she found out just kind of came natural and she really didn't figure things out till it was a bit too late, kind of on accident. I really don't like when sleuths are to overly nosy or it seems like that is all they do and they are never at their actual work. So that was refreshing. I like that the detective doesn't mind her helping a bit with things by asking questions. I really like Ross her boyfriend too.
The mystery was decent, but I figured things out even the motive so maybe it was to easy to figure out or I am just getting better at figuring them out...lol. A few times I found myself asking Ally why she wasn't thinking about this or that as it was on my mind...lol. It was kind of fun to find that I was right, so it didn't really lessen the enjoyment or anything.
I think if you like cozy mysteries this is a fun series and I would highly recommend.
So in this one there are some foreigners from Canada who are visiting as one of them is a champion in the games from Canada and wanted to compete in Scotland. He is naturally hated because he isn't from Scotland, so it wasn't surprising that he ends up murder at the games, but would someone murder because he was winning?
Of course, Ally is hosting the Canadian family at her B&B, so she is naturally curious and a bit invested in trying to figure out who might have done it from the competitors to the family. Another family member is murdered, and it seems that maybe someone has it out for the family.
I think one of the things I liked about this one is that I felt that Ally was so busy with trying to help the family that she really didn't do a lot of sleuthing, a lot of what she found out just kind of came natural and she really didn't figure things out till it was a bit too late, kind of on accident. I really don't like when sleuths are to overly nosy or it seems like that is all they do and they are never at their actual work. So that was refreshing. I like that the detective doesn't mind her helping a bit with things by asking questions. I really like Ross her boyfriend too.
The mystery was decent, but I figured things out even the motive so maybe it was to easy to figure out or I am just getting better at figuring them out...lol. A few times I found myself asking Ally why she wasn't thinking about this or that as it was on my mind...lol. It was kind of fun to find that I was right, so it didn't really lessen the enjoyment or anything.
I think if you like cozy mysteries this is a fun series and I would highly recommend.
April 17, 2026
4/5 stars: This is MacDonald's fourth entry in the Ally McKinley Mystery series which is a British Senior Sleuth B&B Cozy Mystery set in Scotland. Featuring a seventy-one year-old widowed retired Scottish TV researcher, who's lovingly restored an old malthouse as a guesthouse B&B, as she finds herself turning sleuth after a Canadian guest and Highland Games champion challenger drops dead in the middle of tossing the caber. With plenty of suspects, which include the victim's glamorous wife, her cranky gamekeeper uncle and one of the many frustrated local competitors, and their varied murderous motives, she'll have to narrow down her list fast. But her plans are thrown for a loop after her chief suspect's found dead, a threatening note clutched in their hand. With a killer at large, can she finally uncover the truth? Or, as the sun sets over the highlands, will this game be her last?
With plenty of twists and turns, MacDonald has 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, MacDonald's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Features a fun and festive September Highland Games set in a quaint Scottish village.
• For Animal Lovers: MC has an adorable Labrador.
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 the Scottish Highlands.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, MacDonald has 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, MacDonald's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that's well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Features a fun and festive September Highland Games set in a quaint Scottish village.
• For Animal Lovers: MC has an adorable Labrador.
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 the Scottish Highlands.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's 2026 and I live in Minnesota. I've been in need of cozy stories to keep my mind busy and give it a little break from the seriousness of all that's going on around us. I've always had a few favority cozy mystery writers, but I've been working to branch out and read new authors. Dee MacDonald was one of those new authors, in Murder at the Highland Games (An Ally McKinley Mystery Book 4).
Ally McKinley is a woman who has moved to a small village in Scotland, and this is the fourth novel in her series following Ally's adjustment to the village and the circumstances she finds herself in. In the most recent novel, Ally is attending the Locharran Highland Games when one of the contestants, a man generally disliked by many of the participants, dies following a gunshot during the caber event (a caber is essentially a very long tapered pole). The gunshot hits the caber as Archie Armstrong is in the middle of the event, resulting in his death (and no I don't consider this a spoiler it's on the back of the book).
A second death follows shortly after, and Ally finds herself in the middle of an investigation attempting to find the killers, all while meeting the demands of the families of the men who died who are staying at her bed and breakfast. It's an interesting book, and I really am longing for Scotland and Ireland right now, so it was a nice escape into a world I have lived in and loved. Overall, I enjoyed the novel, even without having read the earlier books. So if you're just coming across this and you don't have the earlier books, it isn't a prerequisite to have read them to follow the novel. Enough of the main character's backstories are provided that a reader would not feel lost.
Please be advised that I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Ally McKinley is a woman who has moved to a small village in Scotland, and this is the fourth novel in her series following Ally's adjustment to the village and the circumstances she finds herself in. In the most recent novel, Ally is attending the Locharran Highland Games when one of the contestants, a man generally disliked by many of the participants, dies following a gunshot during the caber event (a caber is essentially a very long tapered pole). The gunshot hits the caber as Archie Armstrong is in the middle of the event, resulting in his death (and no I don't consider this a spoiler it's on the back of the book).
A second death follows shortly after, and Ally finds herself in the middle of an investigation attempting to find the killers, all while meeting the demands of the families of the men who died who are staying at her bed and breakfast. It's an interesting book, and I really am longing for Scotland and Ireland right now, so it was a nice escape into a world I have lived in and loved. Overall, I enjoyed the novel, even without having read the earlier books. So if you're just coming across this and you don't have the earlier books, it isn't a prerequisite to have read them to follow the novel. Enough of the main character's backstories are provided that a reader would not feel lost.
Please be advised that I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve enjoyed this series a lot so far, but this was disappointing.
But first some positives. The cosy elements were present, even if they seem as strong as they have in earlier books. There were still some standout characters, particularly Patti, Helen, and Angus, who added moments of interest, using different emotional or dramatic signals, but they at least were there to keep the story moving.
But here’s the thing. The mystery didn’t fully engage me. And this is a cosy mystery, not just a cosy. While there was some investigation and interaction between characters, many of the conversations felt repetitive and circular. It gave the impression of it being dragged out for not reason for lack of meaningful development. Even though some characters were good in the book, reactions felt off at times. Some responses lacked the emotional realism I would expect, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story. Ally, the protagonist, also came across a little differently in this book. She started to feel superior to other characters, which didn’t match with how she has been developed in the series so far.
One detail that I couldn’t shake was a big clue felt very familiar to how it’s discovered and used if a prior book in the series. I may not be remembering it perfectly, but it felt repetitive.
I will continue with the series because I know this series can be better than one book and I always think a series is destined to have fluctuation. I hope future books return to the stronger character dynamics and more engaging mysteries that made the earlier entries so enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
But first some positives. The cosy elements were present, even if they seem as strong as they have in earlier books. There were still some standout characters, particularly Patti, Helen, and Angus, who added moments of interest, using different emotional or dramatic signals, but they at least were there to keep the story moving.
But here’s the thing. The mystery didn’t fully engage me. And this is a cosy mystery, not just a cosy. While there was some investigation and interaction between characters, many of the conversations felt repetitive and circular. It gave the impression of it being dragged out for not reason for lack of meaningful development. Even though some characters were good in the book, reactions felt off at times. Some responses lacked the emotional realism I would expect, which made it harder to stay immersed in the story. Ally, the protagonist, also came across a little differently in this book. She started to feel superior to other characters, which didn’t match with how she has been developed in the series so far.
One detail that I couldn’t shake was a big clue felt very familiar to how it’s discovered and used if a prior book in the series. I may not be remembering it perfectly, but it felt repetitive.
I will continue with the series because I know this series can be better than one book and I always think a series is destined to have fluctuation. I hope future books return to the stronger character dynamics and more engaging mysteries that made the earlier entries so enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When the annual Locharran Highland Games turned deadly and a Canadian competitor was killed, Ally McKinley was immediately on the case. The family were her guests at her Malthouse B&B and with basically two families, both related, staying, she needed to keep some control over what was happening. When the police came to interview the family, it was Patti, the wife of the deceased who was in the firing line. Plus her brother in law, and his wife, plus Patti's two teenage daughters. Ally's beau, veterinarian Ross, was mostly by her side, whose help Ally was most grateful for. And Hamish from the castle visited Ally as well.
But it wasn't much longer before another person died, and the police were at their wits' end. Ally had her usual board up, filled with suspects, but she couldn't make a lot of sense of it all. Would they discover who the killer or killers were? Would Ally's B&B ever feel safe again?
Murder at the Highland Games is the 4th in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald and I enjoyed it very much. Set in the Scottish Highlands, with Hamish's castle overlooking the village, and friendly locals - and busybodies too - all keeping the action going. Ally is a great character, a good amateur sleuth, and I'm looking forward to the next story when it is released. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
But it wasn't much longer before another person died, and the police were at their wits' end. Ally had her usual board up, filled with suspects, but she couldn't make a lot of sense of it all. Would they discover who the killer or killers were? Would Ally's B&B ever feel safe again?
Murder at the Highland Games is the 4th in the Ally McKinley Mystery series by Dee MacDonald and I enjoyed it very much. Set in the Scottish Highlands, with Hamish's castle overlooking the village, and friendly locals - and busybodies too - all keeping the action going. Ally is a great character, a good amateur sleuth, and I'm looking forward to the next story when it is released. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dee MacDonald returns us to the delightful western highlands of Scotland with “Murder at the Highland Games.”
As the town begins its Highland Games, a Canadian athlete is dominating. Archie Armstrong and his family just happens to be staying at Ally McKinley’s old malthouse that she converted into a B&B, including his wife, two daughters, sister and her husband.
But when Archie is killed in quite a zany way, Ally knows she needs to look into the mysterious death. With the help of her veterinarian boyfriend, Ross, they plow through the clues to figure out what truly happened. And when multiple deadly situations occur, they really have their work cut out for them.
MacDonald does a great job once again creating a unique and quirky cast of characters, all while developing a plot filled with twists and turns, including drama, laugh-out-loud moments, adorable twin babies, aggravating characters and several adorable dogs. Readers will be left hanging until the very end as to “whodunnit.”
Fans of cozy mysteries and series like Ian Moore’s “Follet Valley Mystery” series, Amanda Ashby’s “The Widows’ Detective Club” series and Peter Boland’s “Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love this, which is due out April 16.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
As the town begins its Highland Games, a Canadian athlete is dominating. Archie Armstrong and his family just happens to be staying at Ally McKinley’s old malthouse that she converted into a B&B, including his wife, two daughters, sister and her husband.
But when Archie is killed in quite a zany way, Ally knows she needs to look into the mysterious death. With the help of her veterinarian boyfriend, Ross, they plow through the clues to figure out what truly happened. And when multiple deadly situations occur, they really have their work cut out for them.
MacDonald does a great job once again creating a unique and quirky cast of characters, all while developing a plot filled with twists and turns, including drama, laugh-out-loud moments, adorable twin babies, aggravating characters and several adorable dogs. Readers will be left hanging until the very end as to “whodunnit.”
Fans of cozy mysteries and series like Ian Moore’s “Follet Valley Mystery” series, Amanda Ashby’s “The Widows’ Detective Club” series and Peter Boland’s “Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries” will love this, which is due out April 16.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
April 23, 2026
Favorite Quotes:
Angus had a way of looking at you as if you were completely deranged.
Ally got out the biscuit tin and placed it, open, on the table alongside Morag’s chair. Morag took out a biscuit and dipped it into her tea, then got it into her mouth a split second before it was about to disintegrate into her mug. This was a feat which must have taken Morag years to perfect because she loved these biscuits, and Ally had never seen her drop one crumb into her tea yet.
See you in the mornin’ if the Lord spares us...
My Review:
I was a fast fan of Ms. MacDonald’s clever wordcraft soon after starting the first chapter of Book 1, and have enjoyed each subsequent installment of this delightful series. I live in hope she has no plans in saying goodbye to this quirky Scottish village of gossips and snoops, as I adore the main characters and enjoy their adventures as well as their misadventures, and revel in my time spent with them.
In addition to being well entertained by a puzzling murder mystery, I picked up two new additions to my British Isles Word List with ghillie, which is a gameskeeper, and plus fours, which Mr. Google informed me is a type of knickerbacker: baggy, knee-length trousers that extend four inches below the knee. I plan to continue gathering such important knowledge by perusing this talented scribbler, as I’m a lifelong learner.
Angus had a way of looking at you as if you were completely deranged.
Ally got out the biscuit tin and placed it, open, on the table alongside Morag’s chair. Morag took out a biscuit and dipped it into her tea, then got it into her mouth a split second before it was about to disintegrate into her mug. This was a feat which must have taken Morag years to perfect because she loved these biscuits, and Ally had never seen her drop one crumb into her tea yet.
See you in the mornin’ if the Lord spares us...
My Review:
I was a fast fan of Ms. MacDonald’s clever wordcraft soon after starting the first chapter of Book 1, and have enjoyed each subsequent installment of this delightful series. I live in hope she has no plans in saying goodbye to this quirky Scottish village of gossips and snoops, as I adore the main characters and enjoy their adventures as well as their misadventures, and revel in my time spent with them.
In addition to being well entertained by a puzzling murder mystery, I picked up two new additions to my British Isles Word List with ghillie, which is a gameskeeper, and plus fours, which Mr. Google informed me is a type of knickerbacker: baggy, knee-length trousers that extend four inches below the knee. I plan to continue gathering such important knowledge by perusing this talented scribbler, as I’m a lifelong learner.
May 3, 2026
The Highland Games - a famous annual Scottish tradition. This year, Ally McKinley has a Canadian family staying at her B&B, and one of them is making waves. Archie - the self-titled Atlantic Warrior has come to compete, much to the chagrin of the locals. But is one of them really angry enough to kill?
This was an enjoyable cozy and genuinely offered a little bit of something different. The relationship between Ally and Ross is so lovely and heart-warming, and Ally is a great MFC. I loved that she and the police worked together, and in a very gentle way rather than constantly grating on one another. Although this is the fourth in the series I didn't feel like too much of an outsider, there was always enough information about the village and characters to keep up.
The ending felt like it was a little rushed, it all came together a bit too quickly. There wasn't a huge amount of actual investigation on the part of Ally, much as I liked her - and there were some really unlikeable characters in the mix. Morag in particular, I'm not sure if she's meant to be a likeable but outspoken older lady or what but she definitely wasn't a necessary or helpful addition.
Good fun, I will definitely come back to this series and I'm keen to see more of Ally and Ross in the future.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting m this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
This was an enjoyable cozy and genuinely offered a little bit of something different. The relationship between Ally and Ross is so lovely and heart-warming, and Ally is a great MFC. I loved that she and the police worked together, and in a very gentle way rather than constantly grating on one another. Although this is the fourth in the series I didn't feel like too much of an outsider, there was always enough information about the village and characters to keep up.
The ending felt like it was a little rushed, it all came together a bit too quickly. There wasn't a huge amount of actual investigation on the part of Ally, much as I liked her - and there were some really unlikeable characters in the mix. Morag in particular, I'm not sure if she's meant to be a likeable but outspoken older lady or what but she definitely wasn't a necessary or helpful addition.
Good fun, I will definitely come back to this series and I'm keen to see more of Ally and Ross in the future.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting m this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s the annual Locharran Highland Games and Ally McKinley has never seen her little village so busy or excited. 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 as Archie & his family are staying at her guesthouse. Determined to crack the case Ally begins to narrow down her list of possible culprits, but is thrown for a loop when her chief suspect is found dead.
The fourth outing for Ally & she’s now settled in Lochlarran & has made friends. An interesting case & there are plenty of twists, turns & red herrings. I was left guessing & only worked out who the villain was the same time Ally did. There were plenty of suspects including some villagers & Morag is up in arms that her sons are suspects. Well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed, strong characters, well paced & it left me guessing. It wasn’t my favourite of the series but still a very good book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The fourth outing for Ally & she’s now settled in Lochlarran & has made friends. An interesting case & there are plenty of twists, turns & red herrings. I was left guessing & only worked out who the villain was the same time Ally did. There were plenty of suspects including some villagers & Morag is up in arms that her sons are suspects. Well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed, strong characters, well paced & it left me guessing. It wasn’t my favourite of the series but still a very good book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
May 14, 2026
I requested this book not realizing initially that it was the fourth book in a series that I'd never read. I decided to still give it a chance as reading a cozy mystery set in Scotland intrigued me, and I was curious if I'd be able to understand the story without the context of the first three books.
Despite not being a standalone, and having three previous books in this series, I still feel like I understood about 85% of the characters, their relationships, the story in general, and I felt I had a decent understanding of the major plot points in the previous books.
I do think you'll need to suspend your disbelief a bit on this one. All of the details and private information all of the people living in this area are seemingly able to get related to a murder investigation seems a bit far fetched to me. My other gripe is that there are SO many characters, I had a really hard time keeping track of who everyone was supposed to be, what their relationships were to our main character, and what their relationships were to each other.
This did have a decent pace (although the ending was a bit abrupt), the main character is likable, and I enjoyed reading about Scotland, and the various descriptions of the area the characters lived in.
Despite not being a standalone, and having three previous books in this series, I still feel like I understood about 85% of the characters, their relationships, the story in general, and I felt I had a decent understanding of the major plot points in the previous books.
I do think you'll need to suspend your disbelief a bit on this one. All of the details and private information all of the people living in this area are seemingly able to get related to a murder investigation seems a bit far fetched to me. My other gripe is that there are SO many characters, I had a really hard time keeping track of who everyone was supposed to be, what their relationships were to our main character, and what their relationships were to each other.
This did have a decent pace (although the ending was a bit abrupt), the main character is likable, and I enjoyed reading about Scotland, and the various descriptions of the area the characters lived in.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another enjoyable visit with Ally, Ross, Flora, and the whole gang at The Auld Malthouse. In this tale, the draw is the Locharran Highland Games, Ally has guests from Canada, and all the local lads are excited to compete for bragging rights. Unfortunately for the locals, Ally's guest, a Canadian, is winning all the contests, and this is causing quite a stir! Things are getting tense when the caber throw is up and when the so called Atlanta Warrior is up as he runs with the caber a gun shot rings out and the contestant falls to the ground with the caber landing on top of him. Who would murder the Atlantic Warrior? To add to already multiple questions, the murder weapon was stolen from the Castle, and the Earl's man in charge of the weapons is a relative of the victim's wife. Is this a case of jealousy, local pride, or a family problem? Come along as Ally and Ross try to assist Amir in finding some answers! Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to read. #MurderattheHighlandGames #AnAllyMcKinleyMystery #DeeMacDonsld #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The characters made the read!🤓
Ally the B&B owner and the small Highland community that populates this series are what drew me to this and previous stories in this cozy Scottish mystery series. An innkeeper with a surprising surfeit of slain guests, busybody grocers, a cleaning lady who can't stop complaining about slights against her and hers, ... The list of good characters goes on and then there are the visiting Canadians who so rile the community and, of course, the murder mystery which outdoes even amateur sleuth Ally. I'm afraid I guessed the major villain early on but still greatly enjoyed my romp through the story with all these delightful characters, particularly Morag the cleaner.
An easy, cozy read and, although she was blindsided in this one, I really enjoy how Ally comes up trumps, albeit sometimes barely in the nick of time, with clues that others just don't detect. And her easy working relationship with the local police detective is fun, too.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Ally the B&B owner and the small Highland community that populates this series are what drew me to this and previous stories in this cozy Scottish mystery series. An innkeeper with a surprising surfeit of slain guests, busybody grocers, a cleaning lady who can't stop complaining about slights against her and hers, ... The list of good characters goes on and then there are the visiting Canadians who so rile the community and, of course, the murder mystery which outdoes even amateur sleuth Ally. I'm afraid I guessed the major villain early on but still greatly enjoyed my romp through the story with all these delightful characters, particularly Morag the cleaner.
An easy, cozy read and, although she was blindsided in this one, I really enjoy how Ally comes up trumps, albeit sometimes barely in the nick of time, with clues that others just don't detect. And her easy working relationship with the local police detective is fun, too.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
April 18, 2026
"Murder at the Highland Games" is book #4 in an "Ally McKinley Mystery" by Dee McDonald.
The annual Locharran Highland Games sees a visiting champion competitor killed during the caber toss. Ally quickly realizes this wasn't an accident. The family of the victim is convinced it was a local but don't have proof. Granted the locals weren't thrilled that the strong man was winning their competitions but who would go so far as murder? Just as Ally thinks she is getting closer to solving the case, a second murder occurs creating a whole new set of issues and even more finger pointing.
The visiting competitor and their extended family brought a load of their own drama that made things even more complex - not only for Ally as the owner of The Malthouse where they were staying but also for the earl, the villagers and the police.
Some interesting developments and carefully placed misdirection added to the mystery but I did have a strong hunch as to a good bit of what had really happened. Naturally, there were a couple of dramatic moments (especially for Ally) before all was revealed but the overall story was well told and kept me turning the pages.
The annual Locharran Highland Games sees a visiting champion competitor killed during the caber toss. Ally quickly realizes this wasn't an accident. The family of the victim is convinced it was a local but don't have proof. Granted the locals weren't thrilled that the strong man was winning their competitions but who would go so far as murder? Just as Ally thinks she is getting closer to solving the case, a second murder occurs creating a whole new set of issues and even more finger pointing.
The visiting competitor and their extended family brought a load of their own drama that made things even more complex - not only for Ally as the owner of The Malthouse where they were staying but also for the earl, the villagers and the police.
Some interesting developments and carefully placed misdirection added to the mystery but I did have a strong hunch as to a good bit of what had really happened. Naturally, there were a couple of dramatic moments (especially for Ally) before all was revealed but the overall story was well told and kept me turning the pages.
April 22, 2026
Ally McKinley is looking forward to the end of the summer tourist season and quieter times ahead for the Guesthouse she runs in the Scottish Highlands. Currently, all three of her guest rooms are rented out to a Canadian family visiting to participate in the local Locharran Highland Games. However, when one of the men is killed while tossing the caber after a gun was fired at him, she realises the family will be staying until whoever caused his death is found.
Ally can’t help doing some amateur sleuthing (after all this isn’t the first murder on her home turf that she’s looked into) and she soon has a list of possible suspects to investigate. She’s definitely got a talent for finding information by talking to people and helping the police as much as possible.
In this fourth book in this very enjoyable series, it’s delightful to catch up again with Ally, her new partner Ross, their dogs and Ally’s friends and neighbours, including the elderly Earl and his new family who live in the castle overlooking the village.
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
Ally can’t help doing some amateur sleuthing (after all this isn’t the first murder on her home turf that she’s looked into) and she soon has a list of possible suspects to investigate. She’s definitely got a talent for finding information by talking to people and helping the police as much as possible.
In this fourth book in this very enjoyable series, it’s delightful to catch up again with Ally, her new partner Ross, their dogs and Ally’s friends and neighbours, including the elderly Earl and his new family who live in the castle overlooking the village.
With thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for a copy to read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 upped to 5
This is the sort of lively, feel good mystery that gives me a couple of hours of pure reading joy.
Ally McKinley returns with her usual mix of curiosity, stubbornness and accidental talent for stumbling into trouble, and this time the Highland Games setting adds colour, humour and a lovely sense of community.
The story moves at a brisk pace and I found myself smiling more than once as Ally tries to balance sleuthing with the chaos around her.
The mystery is clever without ever becoming heavy and the clues are scattered in a way that keeps you turning pages while enjoying the atmosphere. It kept me guessing and surprising me.
What I liked most is how the book stays light and entertaining even when the stakes rise. It feels like spending time with characters you know and trust, and the final reveal is satisfying and neatly done. This is a 4.5 star read for me, warm, funny and engaging.
I am already looking forward to the next Ally McKinley adventure.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
This is the sort of lively, feel good mystery that gives me a couple of hours of pure reading joy.
Ally McKinley returns with her usual mix of curiosity, stubbornness and accidental talent for stumbling into trouble, and this time the Highland Games setting adds colour, humour and a lovely sense of community.
The story moves at a brisk pace and I found myself smiling more than once as Ally tries to balance sleuthing with the chaos around her.
The mystery is clever without ever becoming heavy and the clues are scattered in a way that keeps you turning pages while enjoying the atmosphere. It kept me guessing and surprising me.
What I liked most is how the book stays light and entertaining even when the stakes rise. It feels like spending time with characters you know and trust, and the final reveal is satisfying and neatly done. This is a 4.5 star read for me, warm, funny and engaging.
I am already looking forward to the next Ally McKinley adventure.
Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.
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