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Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries #10
Kilt at the Highland Games
It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Scottish Emporium proprietress Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival. But as a sinister crime wave washes over the quiet town, this year's celebration might prove a wee bit more eventful--and deadly--than tartan and bagpipes . . .
When a fire ravages the local bookstore late one evening, Liss immediately fears the worst for owner Angie Hogencamp and the two young children who live above the shop. After the terrible blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found among the ruins. It's as if the three just vanished into smoke. Or even stranger--like they never existed at all.
Disturbed by Angie's disappearance and suspecting arson, Liss counts on the weekend-long Western Maine Highland Games--complete with a parade and fireworks display--to offer a temporary distraction from the countless questions filling her head. But when the sound of a gunshot leads Liss to selectman Jason Graye's dead body on opening day, she's drawn into a full-blown homicide investigation like a moth to a flame.
Is Moosetookalook suffering from a streak of bad luck, or are the two grim incidents connected? Unable to shake the notion that new victims are being targeted around town--and despite her worried husband's best protests--Liss races to nab the killer. And with her own life on the line, she'll need to act swiftly. Because when it comes to this kind of game, somebody has to lose . . .
When a fire ravages the local bookstore late one evening, Liss immediately fears the worst for owner Angie Hogencamp and the two young children who live above the shop. After the terrible blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found among the ruins. It's as if the three just vanished into smoke. Or even stranger--like they never existed at all.
Disturbed by Angie's disappearance and suspecting arson, Liss counts on the weekend-long Western Maine Highland Games--complete with a parade and fireworks display--to offer a temporary distraction from the countless questions filling her head. But when the sound of a gunshot leads Liss to selectman Jason Graye's dead body on opening day, she's drawn into a full-blown homicide investigation like a moth to a flame.
Is Moosetookalook suffering from a streak of bad luck, or are the two grim incidents connected? Unable to shake the notion that new victims are being targeted around town--and despite her worried husband's best protests--Liss races to nab the killer. And with her own life on the line, she'll need to act swiftly. Because when it comes to this kind of game, somebody has to lose . . .
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2017
About the author
Kaitlyn Dunnett
20 books356 followersKaitlyn Dunnett is a pseudonym used by Kathy Lynn Emerson, author of the Mistress Jaffrey Mysteries, the Face Down Mysteries featuring Susanna Appleton, 16th century gentlewoman, herbalist, and sleuth, the Diana Spaulding 1888 Quartet, and the award-winning How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, plus an assortment of other books.
As Kaitlyn she writes the Liss MacCrimmon series set in Moosetookalook, Maine and the Deadly Edits series set in rural Sullivan County, New York.
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations and blogs regularly with Maine Crime Writers.
As Kaitlyn she writes the Liss MacCrimmon series set in Moosetookalook, Maine and the Deadly Edits series set in rural Sullivan County, New York.
She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and other professional organizations and blogs regularly with Maine Crime Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 22, 2018
And the read-a-thon to find details I've forgotten continues with book ten of the series. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed revisiting this one. When I was writing it, I was thinking it might be the last in the series, and I struggled with whether or not to round out stories for some of the minor characters. As things turned out, there would be another three-book contract in the offing, so I needn't have worried. I'm about ready to go back to work on Book Thirteen (A VIEW TO A KILT), which will be out in 2019, armed with lots of tidbits about almost all the characters that, I hope, will lead to making them more interesting and well-rounded for my readers. I've also rediscovered some descriptions of places in Moosetookalook that I'd forgotten I invented. Look for them to resurface, too.
October 23, 2016
This cosy mystery occurs not in Scotland but in Maine, a state with many Scots descent inhabitants. A fire in the town bookshop starts us off; luckily the owner and her two children were elsewhere. Where? Nobody knows. Between their disappearance and the prospect of having the library closed down to save money, the town is in a tizzy.
The folks are preparing for visitors to a Highland festival, and our heroine Liss MacCrimmon is putting a stall together of her Scottish shop goods. Fun and games, an unexpected death which turns out to be murder. Characters are well written and motivations realistic. Enjoy.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
The folks are preparing for visitors to a Highland festival, and our heroine Liss MacCrimmon is putting a stall together of her Scottish shop goods. Fun and games, an unexpected death which turns out to be murder. Characters are well written and motivations realistic. Enjoy.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
April 7, 2020
More believable than last installment in this series. Good to see most characters return.
The sudden disappearance of the local bookstore owner and her family have the town concerned, especially when such is discovered after said bookstore is torched to the ground. A break in at the post office, followed you the death of the not-so liked town realtor has Liss and crew thinking there’s a connection.
Admittedly, the ending was easily surmised with each character introduction and casual conversation, but there were no annoyingly stupid risks or unbelievable methods, so it didn’t detract from the read. Still, I am about done with the constant mention of the town’s name. Sure, Moosetookalook is unique, but not when mentioned as often as it is. We KNOW where you are.
No surprises, but did get a couple new Gaelic words to throw around.
The sudden disappearance of the local bookstore owner and her family have the town concerned, especially when such is discovered after said bookstore is torched to the ground. A break in at the post office, followed you the death of the not-so liked town realtor has Liss and crew thinking there’s a connection.
Admittedly, the ending was easily surmised with each character introduction and casual conversation, but there were no annoyingly stupid risks or unbelievable methods, so it didn’t detract from the read. Still, I am about done with the constant mention of the town’s name. Sure, Moosetookalook is unique, but not when mentioned as often as it is. We KNOW where you are.
No surprises, but did get a couple new Gaelic words to throw around.
March 1, 2017
Kilt at the Highland Games was a fun whodunit listen...
An overweight Maine coon cat dozed in an open bedroom window, his bulk pressed against the screen so that the gentle breeze of the summer night could ruffle his long yellow fur. With a start, he went on alert. A moment later, he leapt from the windowsill to the top of the dresser and from there to the foot of the bed. He landed squarely on Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin's bare legs. The impact, not to mention the slash of sharp claws, jerked her out of a sound sleep. …
Cautiously, she sniffed. A tantalizingly familiar smell teased her nostrils. After a second, even in her groggy state, she identified it as wood smoke. Odd, she thought. …
Dreading what she would see, Liss looked out. She made an inarticulate sound of distress at the sight that met her eyes. It was a fire, and it was the bookstore on the far side of the square that was burning… Angie! Where was Angie? Where were her children? The bookstore owner lived in the apartment above her shop with sixteen-year-old Beth and twelve-year-old Bradley.
Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlhyn Dunnett is a cozy mystery set in the fictional small town of Moosetookalook, Maine. IF you are looking for a romance, you should look elsewhere as there was none. The book features an amateur sleuth, Liss MacCrimmon, who calls Moosetookalook home. I’m sure I won’t be the only Scottish lover to be drawn to this book because of the Scottish references in the title. I confess that another lure for me was that I also wanted to listen to Tanya Eby who narrates the book.
Liss MacCrimmon is married to Dan, a woodworker and member of Moosetookalook’s volunteer fire department. Liss is a former Scottish dance troupe dancer. She now operates a Scottish Emporium and the tale finds her busy prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival held in July. Sadly, it seems that a crime wave has afflicted the normally quiet town making this year’s festivities a wee bit more eventful than usual.
As the story opens, Liss awakens to a fire engulfing the town’s bookstore. When the fire dies down, Angie Hogencamp and her two kids are not found among the ruin, so where are they? Then, when a homicide occurs on the opening day of the games, Liss’ sleuthing skills hype up. Unfortunately, they also put her in danger.
This story included a myriad of quirky supporting characters from – but not limited to - a dastardly alderman who wanted to shut down the town’s public library to save money, the town’s librarian who had quite a collection of antique weapons and a particularly nasty town visitor who was a stickler for anything Gaelic. To the author’s credit, I had no issue whatsoever keeping track of the characters.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Kilt at the Highland Games:
“I always thought there were no secrets in a small town, but I’d never guessed that one.”
---
“How on earth did you two end up being the first at the scene of a crime? You didn’t kill him, did you?”
---
“I can’t help wishing that the killer had waited until after this weekend to do him in. Or, better yet, had murdered him somewhere else entirely. Neither the Highland games nor this town needs the bad publicity murder generates.”
“I’m sure Jason Graye would have preferred not to be murdered at all.”
Tanya Eby ably narrated Kilt at the Highland Games. This is the first time I’ve ever listened to Tanya Eby. It appears that this book is the first book in this series to be offered in an audio edition as well. Tanya delivered a solid polished performance with a clear, pleasant voice, differentiating between the characters to where I never had an issue wondering who was speaking. I would not hesitate to pick up another audio by her based upon this listening experience.
Kilt at the Highland Games is the tenth installment in the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries series and I have not read any of the earlier installments. Even so, the book worked well as a standalone read as the development of the danger plot is fully contained within this novel. That said, it’s possible that if I’d had a previous connection to the main character, I may have rated the book higher.
I enjoyed listening to Kilt at the Highland Games. Feeding my love of anything-Scottish, the tale included many references to the games and the associated dancing, Scottish-themed merchandise, tartan kilts, bag piping and brogue. In addition, many of Moosetookalook residents seemed to have roots in Scotland. Kilt at the Highland Games was a fun whodunit listen – perfect for a quick escape. I plan to keep my eye out for future availability of this series in audio.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 1/2 Wine Glasses
Suggested Reading Order:
Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series:
1. Kilt Dead ’07
2. Scone Cold Dead ’08
3. A Wee Christmas Homicide ’09
4. The Corpse Wore Tartan ’10
5. Scotched ’11
6. Bagpipes, Brides, and Homicides ’12
7. Vampires, Bones, and Treacle Scones ’13
8. Ho-Ho-Homicide ’14
9. The Scottie Barked at Midnight ’15
10. Kilt at the Highland Games ’16
An overweight Maine coon cat dozed in an open bedroom window, his bulk pressed against the screen so that the gentle breeze of the summer night could ruffle his long yellow fur. With a start, he went on alert. A moment later, he leapt from the windowsill to the top of the dresser and from there to the foot of the bed. He landed squarely on Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin's bare legs. The impact, not to mention the slash of sharp claws, jerked her out of a sound sleep. …
Cautiously, she sniffed. A tantalizingly familiar smell teased her nostrils. After a second, even in her groggy state, she identified it as wood smoke. Odd, she thought. …
Dreading what she would see, Liss looked out. She made an inarticulate sound of distress at the sight that met her eyes. It was a fire, and it was the bookstore on the far side of the square that was burning… Angie! Where was Angie? Where were her children? The bookstore owner lived in the apartment above her shop with sixteen-year-old Beth and twelve-year-old Bradley.
Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlhyn Dunnett is a cozy mystery set in the fictional small town of Moosetookalook, Maine. IF you are looking for a romance, you should look elsewhere as there was none. The book features an amateur sleuth, Liss MacCrimmon, who calls Moosetookalook home. I’m sure I won’t be the only Scottish lover to be drawn to this book because of the Scottish references in the title. I confess that another lure for me was that I also wanted to listen to Tanya Eby who narrates the book.
Liss MacCrimmon is married to Dan, a woodworker and member of Moosetookalook’s volunteer fire department. Liss is a former Scottish dance troupe dancer. She now operates a Scottish Emporium and the tale finds her busy prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival held in July. Sadly, it seems that a crime wave has afflicted the normally quiet town making this year’s festivities a wee bit more eventful than usual.
As the story opens, Liss awakens to a fire engulfing the town’s bookstore. When the fire dies down, Angie Hogencamp and her two kids are not found among the ruin, so where are they? Then, when a homicide occurs on the opening day of the games, Liss’ sleuthing skills hype up. Unfortunately, they also put her in danger.
This story included a myriad of quirky supporting characters from – but not limited to - a dastardly alderman who wanted to shut down the town’s public library to save money, the town’s librarian who had quite a collection of antique weapons and a particularly nasty town visitor who was a stickler for anything Gaelic. To the author’s credit, I had no issue whatsoever keeping track of the characters.
Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Kilt at the Highland Games:
“I always thought there were no secrets in a small town, but I’d never guessed that one.”
---
“How on earth did you two end up being the first at the scene of a crime? You didn’t kill him, did you?”
---
“I can’t help wishing that the killer had waited until after this weekend to do him in. Or, better yet, had murdered him somewhere else entirely. Neither the Highland games nor this town needs the bad publicity murder generates.”
“I’m sure Jason Graye would have preferred not to be murdered at all.”
Tanya Eby ably narrated Kilt at the Highland Games. This is the first time I’ve ever listened to Tanya Eby. It appears that this book is the first book in this series to be offered in an audio edition as well. Tanya delivered a solid polished performance with a clear, pleasant voice, differentiating between the characters to where I never had an issue wondering who was speaking. I would not hesitate to pick up another audio by her based upon this listening experience.
Kilt at the Highland Games is the tenth installment in the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries series and I have not read any of the earlier installments. Even so, the book worked well as a standalone read as the development of the danger plot is fully contained within this novel. That said, it’s possible that if I’d had a previous connection to the main character, I may have rated the book higher.
I enjoyed listening to Kilt at the Highland Games. Feeding my love of anything-Scottish, the tale included many references to the games and the associated dancing, Scottish-themed merchandise, tartan kilts, bag piping and brogue. In addition, many of Moosetookalook residents seemed to have roots in Scotland. Kilt at the Highland Games was a fun whodunit listen – perfect for a quick escape. I plan to keep my eye out for future availability of this series in audio.
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 1/2 Wine Glasses
Suggested Reading Order:
Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series:
1. Kilt Dead ’07
2. Scone Cold Dead ’08
3. A Wee Christmas Homicide ’09
4. The Corpse Wore Tartan ’10
5. Scotched ’11
6. Bagpipes, Brides, and Homicides ’12
7. Vampires, Bones, and Treacle Scones ’13
8. Ho-Ho-Homicide ’14
9. The Scottie Barked at Midnight ’15
10. Kilt at the Highland Games ’16
December 22, 2017
Liss' friend Angie and Angie's kids have disappeared. Angie's bookstore and home have burned to the ground. Jason Graye is up to his usual awful self, trying to pave over the bookstore before the ashes have cooled, and trying to shut down the library. As more crimes occur, Liss is trying to figure out what's going on.
For the first two thirds of the book, Liss is new and improved, and not sticking her nose in more than she should in police business. It was refreshing. And then she reverts to racing off, trying to solve things, and not always being sure her messages are registering with the people who could help. To be fair, she does try to exercise restraint, but I got aggravated with her loss of good sense. It picks up again, a bit, at the end, so there's hope.
For the first two thirds of the book, Liss is new and improved, and not sticking her nose in more than she should in police business. It was refreshing. And then she reverts to racing off, trying to solve things, and not always being sure her messages are registering with the people who could help. To be fair, she does try to exercise restraint, but I got aggravated with her loss of good sense. It picks up again, a bit, at the end, so there's hope.
August 17, 2016
Kaitlyn Dunnett is a new author for me and I will definitely be looking for more of her books. Even though this is the 10th book in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series, I was not lost as there was enough information given from previous books that I could follow the story. I will however, go back to the beginning and read the series.
It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine and they are hosting the Maine Highland Games. Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin, who runs the Scottish Emporium, is getting ready for the festival. When she is awakened at 3:35 in the morning, she smells smoke and by the time the alarm goes off, she realized it is the bookstore and apartment belonging to her friend Angie Hogencamp and her two children. When the blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found in the crowd or among the ruins. They seem to have vanished. The next day, Liss finds out the the post office has been vandalized and the mail gone through. On opening day of the Highland Games, on their way to watch the fireworks as part of the opening ceremony, Liss and her husband Joe hear a gunshot. When they follow the sound, they find the body of selectman, Jason Graye. Because they found the body, does that make them persons of interest?
Liss can not keep her nose out of the mystery. She is sure that all these crimes tie together in some way. She keeps saying she is not trying to catch a murderer, but she does not back off. Even though the culprit is revealed before the end of the story, the motive is not given right away. There is also suspense regarding the family of Angie and their safety. The characters in this book are multi-dimensional and very interesting. They have hidden strengths and talents that come out in this story. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved. I read this one very quickly as I wanted to find out whether I was correct in my guesses (I wasn't). I also liked some of the Scottish information I learned in the story. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine and they are hosting the Maine Highland Games. Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin, who runs the Scottish Emporium, is getting ready for the festival. When she is awakened at 3:35 in the morning, she smells smoke and by the time the alarm goes off, she realized it is the bookstore and apartment belonging to her friend Angie Hogencamp and her two children. When the blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found in the crowd or among the ruins. They seem to have vanished. The next day, Liss finds out the the post office has been vandalized and the mail gone through. On opening day of the Highland Games, on their way to watch the fireworks as part of the opening ceremony, Liss and her husband Joe hear a gunshot. When they follow the sound, they find the body of selectman, Jason Graye. Because they found the body, does that make them persons of interest?
Liss can not keep her nose out of the mystery. She is sure that all these crimes tie together in some way. She keeps saying she is not trying to catch a murderer, but she does not back off. Even though the culprit is revealed before the end of the story, the motive is not given right away. There is also suspense regarding the family of Angie and their safety. The characters in this book are multi-dimensional and very interesting. They have hidden strengths and talents that come out in this story. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved. I read this one very quickly as I wanted to find out whether I was correct in my guesses (I wasn't). I also liked some of the Scottish information I learned in the story. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2016
It is July in Moosetookalook, Maine, and the town is preparing to host the Highlands Games. Liss MacCrimmon watches in my horror as the bookstore and apartment above burns completely down. The occupants, Annie, and her children are nowhere to be found. The sheriff, back from maternity leave is busy trying to locate the family when a murder of an unpopular selectman adds to her workload. The villain is easy to spot, but the author leads you with many changes of direction making you wonder if you are correct. The motive and how are not very clear. I read this book as a standalone. It was easy reading as there is a lot of backstory story included. I will read this author again.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
June 1, 2016
I won this book in an online contest. A fire burns down a bookstore, Liss fears the worst since her friend and her friends children live above it. No bodies are found and she is very worried about her friend and what happened to her. Liss hopes that the week long Highland games will distract her from worring until a selectman is killed the first day. Liss thinks new victims are being targeted around town and has to figure out why. Intesting information about Scotland's customs.
March 12, 2017
It was good visiting Moosetookalook. Friends have disappeared, there is arson, vandalism, and , gasp! A murder! Are they connected? Has Liss learned her lesson about not getting involved? Will the grouchy Scott finally say something nice?
May 17, 2017
Typical cozy mystery, nothing really unusual. Ok read.
March 9, 2019
It was a little "cheesy."
August 1, 2023
Another exciting adventure for Liss and her friends..... Getting used to how the plot falls and am starting to guess what will happen and who the bad guys are......
It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Scottish Emporium proprietress Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival. But as a sinister crime wave washes over the quiet town, this year's celebration might prove a wee bit more eventful--and deadly--than tartan and bagpipes . . .
When a fire ravages the local bookstore late one evening, Liss immediately fears the worst for owner Angie Hogencamp and the two young children who live above the shop. After the terrible blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found among the ruins. It's as if the three just vanished into smoke. Or even stranger--like they never existed at all.
Disturbed by Angie's disappearance and suspecting arson, Liss counts on the weekend-long Western Maine Highland Games--complete with a parade and fireworks display--to offer a temporary distraction from the countless questions filling her head. But when the sound of a gunshot leads Liss to selectman Jason Graye's dead body on opening day, she's drawn into a full-blown homicide investigation like a moth to a flame.
Is Moosetookalook suffering from a streak of bad luck, or are the two grim incidents connected? Unable to shake the notion that new victims are being targeted around town--and despite her worried husband's best protests--Liss races to nab the killer. And with her own life on the line, she'll need to act swiftly. Because when it comes to this kind of game, somebody has to lose . . .
It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Scottish Emporium proprietress Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival. But as a sinister crime wave washes over the quiet town, this year's celebration might prove a wee bit more eventful--and deadly--than tartan and bagpipes . . .
When a fire ravages the local bookstore late one evening, Liss immediately fears the worst for owner Angie Hogencamp and the two young children who live above the shop. After the terrible blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found among the ruins. It's as if the three just vanished into smoke. Or even stranger--like they never existed at all.
Disturbed by Angie's disappearance and suspecting arson, Liss counts on the weekend-long Western Maine Highland Games--complete with a parade and fireworks display--to offer a temporary distraction from the countless questions filling her head. But when the sound of a gunshot leads Liss to selectman Jason Graye's dead body on opening day, she's drawn into a full-blown homicide investigation like a moth to a flame.
Is Moosetookalook suffering from a streak of bad luck, or are the two grim incidents connected? Unable to shake the notion that new victims are being targeted around town--and despite her worried husband's best protests--Liss races to nab the killer. And with her own life on the line, she'll need to act swiftly. Because when it comes to this kind of game, somebody has to lose . . .
December 16, 2021
Wonderful entertaining mystery listening 🔰😀
Another will written romantic thriller mystery novel 10 in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series by Kaitlyn Dunnett with lots of interesting will developed characters and their relationships. The story line is set in northern western Maine where Liss and Dan her husband become involved in the disappearances and a friend after her bookstore is torched 🔦. Then murder takes place and Liss becomes more involved leading to 👍 the conclusion. I would highly recommend this series to readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚 2021🏡🐈
Another will written romantic thriller mystery novel 10 in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Series by Kaitlyn Dunnett with lots of interesting will developed characters and their relationships. The story line is set in northern western Maine where Liss and Dan her husband become involved in the disappearances and a friend after her bookstore is torched 🔦. Then murder takes place and Liss becomes more involved leading to 👍 the conclusion. I would highly recommend this series to readers of mysteries. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚 2021🏡🐈
May 8, 2024
Growing up in southern California with a Scottish surname, I had a fling at learning Scottish dancing. I was not very good at it--my only medal was when I was the only one not to kick the sword ⚔️ in the sword dance. My dad's unusual midlife crisis hobby was to learn the bagpipes. So this world of highland games in suburban strip malls was familiar to me. My dancing teacher would have infuriated one of the characters in the book by teaching a young Chicano boy the fling. He was very talented, and won medals for his grace, not for his avoidance of sharp pointed objects. A competent good-humored amateur sleuth cozy.
August 17, 2017
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. It is the 10th book in the series. I have not read the previous 9. I may have enjoyed it a bit more if I had, however, I was able to follow along with story just fine. I am not really much of a mystery book fan. I enjoy a complicated plot with so many turns you almost have to take notes to know what is going on. This book is not like that, it is more similar to a cozy mystery. Not bad, well written, just not my particular cup of tea. For those that enjoy this type of mystery it would be a fantastic read. Enjoy!
May 28, 2017
This was my first Dunnett, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A kind of sweet, cozy mystery set in a tiny town where everyone knows everyone else. A series of disasters occur and the owner of the Scottish souvenir shop gets involved (as she apparently has in the past), and with the help of the capable sheriff, all is soon set to rights!! To think there are NINE before this one -- kind of boggles the mind.
December 26, 2022
There is something so satisfying about fiction, especially when people who deserve to die are the ones murdered. I read this out of order back in 2016, and it struck me at the time as the American version of a Hamish Macbeth mystery. Although I still see the resemblance, I know Dunnett has other inspirations, too, which make it fun to look for them as I go through the series in order. This is an excellent series.
January 21, 2018
This series just gets better and better with each installment. My favorite part is that Liss and Dan's relationship is so solid and they support each other's faults (although Liss seems to have a few more than Dan). Dan has accepted his wife's desire to help anyone who is in trouble and he manages to be there at the end when she needs him the most. Please keep the series going!!!
July 22, 2021
An arson at a bookshop is just the first disruption of the Highland Games.
I used to enjoy this kind of light mystery, but I’m starting to find them a little tiresome. Liss is bull-headed and sooooo sure she’s right, and, as she plows ahead with her “investigation,” she ultimately does more harm than good.
I used to enjoy this kind of light mystery, but I’m starting to find them a little tiresome. Liss is bull-headed and sooooo sure she’s right, and, as she plows ahead with her “investigation,” she ultimately does more harm than good.
February 16, 2022
If you read one cozy mystery you have read them all. Just change the setting a little. To me there was a little too much character yacking that I guess some find amusing but I kept thinking "get to the point" Oh well not my thing. I probably shouldn't have even read this book as I prefer Non-fiction.
June 18, 2017
Not A Page Turner
Altogether too much repetition. The red herrings were much too crimson. Too many relatives to keep track of and no reason to care about them. Not looking for any more in this series.
Altogether too much repetition. The red herrings were much too crimson. Too many relatives to keep track of and no reason to care about them. Not looking for any more in this series.
August 14, 2019
2.5* and that’s being generous. I was looking for a cute mystery and this one included the Scottish games, perfect. There is repeating and more repeating that was bad, but add in the inept sheriff and the the busybody heroine that almost got people killed and you have a disaster for a story.
May 6, 2018
One of the best in the series!
August 13, 2018
This was a quick entertaining read. I enjoyed it very much
May 8, 2019
Entertaining
A Liss MacCrimmon book is always a good read. This one has good characters and a great storyline. I especially like the twist at the end.
A Liss MacCrimmon book is always a good read. This one has good characters and a great storyline. I especially like the twist at the end.
May 23, 2019
see comments on Scotched
May 3, 2020
3.75 stars. I enjoyed this book. More later.
March 27, 2021
I'm a little too deep in the series to quit so I just keep on reading. Not awful, and a nice little cosy for a slow weekend.
April 30, 2021
Could not get into it. Didn't finish.
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