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Last Ditch Mystery #1
Scot Free
Lexy Campbell fell in love and left her native Scotland for a golden life in California--hitched to a hunk, building her marriage counseling practice, living the dream. Six months later she's divorced, broke, and headed home. There's just one last thing. Lexy's only client--sweet little old Mrs. Bombarro--is in jail for murdering her husband with a fireworks rocket. Lexy knows the cops have got it wrong; all she needs is a few days to prove it and somewhere cheap to sleep at night. But checking into the Last Ditch Motel leads Lexy to a whole new cast of characters with troubles of their own.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2018
75 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
About the author
Catriona McPherson
52 books526 followersCatriona McPherson (she/her) was born in Scotland and immigrated to the US in 2010. She writes: preposterous 1930s private-detective stories about a toff; realistic 1940s amateur-sleuth stories about an oik; and contemporary psychothriller standalones. These are all set in Scotland with a lot of Scottish weather. She also writes modern comedies about a Scot-out-of-water in a “fictional” college town in Northern California.
She has won multiple Anthonys, Agathas, Leftys and Macavitys for her work and been shortlisted for an Edgar, three Mary Higgins Clark awards and a UK dagger
Catriona is a proud lifetime member and former national president of Sisters in Crime.
She has won multiple Anthonys, Agathas, Leftys and Macavitys for her work and been shortlisted for an Edgar, three Mary Higgins Clark awards and a UK dagger
Catriona is a proud lifetime member and former national president of Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
March 27, 2018
I am usually a fan of Catriona McPherson's books, but this more light hearted humorous new crime fiction series featuring Lexy Campbell, a marriage counsellor who marries in haste, to what seems instantly like a narcissist man after meeting him in Scotland, felt more like hard work when it comes to reading it. You wonder just how good at marriage counselling Lexy is when her personal life is just so disastrous! There are times Lexy comes across as an airhead and the humour, often slapstick, missed its mark for me. It is well written, but the plotting, characterisation and storyline is not strong enough in my opinion. Lexy settles down in California, starting her counselling practice from scratch, living in a soulless clinically clean beige home, but finds herself short on funds when she gets divorced. She is heading home back to Scotland, when the wife of a couple she had been counselling, fragile elderly Mrs Bombarro, is arrested for murdering her husband. Lexy finds herself a suspect, until a police prostitution ring surveillance clears her. Lexy feels she cannot just abandon Mrs Bombarro to her fate and gets involved in trying to find out what is going on. Many may well find this an enjoyable, entertaining and comic cozy mystery. It just did not work so well for me. Many thanks to Midnight Ink for an ARC.
April 6, 2018
Scot Free by Catriona McPherson is the first book in the new cozy Last Ditch Mystery series. Lexy Campbell is the new leading lady is this cozy series. She’s originally from Scotland but had married and moved to California where she’s been working as a marriage counselor.
Unfortunately for Lexy though her own marriage has failed and she plans on returning to Scotland right after meeting with a couple she has been counseling. Instead of the couple turning up at the meeting though the police are at her door with questions when the husband is found murdered.
When Lexy finds out that her sweet little client, Mrs. Bombarro, is in jail for the crime she puts her own plans on hold to help her out. Lexy believes that the police are on the wrong track with her aging client and helps her bond out of jail but with no place now to stay after postponing her trip she finds herself at the Last Ditch Motel.
One thing I always hope to find in a cozy mystery is some unique and quirky characters that bring humor to the book, Scot Free is full of quirkiness and humor but with this one it brought to mind the saying of too much of a good thing for me. The book felt a bit scattered at times and I had a hard time reminding myself the main character was a therapist with her a bit all over the place. If this one gets tightened up a bit it could grow into a series I’d love but so far this was only an Ok beginning to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Unfortunately for Lexy though her own marriage has failed and she plans on returning to Scotland right after meeting with a couple she has been counseling. Instead of the couple turning up at the meeting though the police are at her door with questions when the husband is found murdered.
When Lexy finds out that her sweet little client, Mrs. Bombarro, is in jail for the crime she puts her own plans on hold to help her out. Lexy believes that the police are on the wrong track with her aging client and helps her bond out of jail but with no place now to stay after postponing her trip she finds herself at the Last Ditch Motel.
One thing I always hope to find in a cozy mystery is some unique and quirky characters that bring humor to the book, Scot Free is full of quirkiness and humor but with this one it brought to mind the saying of too much of a good thing for me. The book felt a bit scattered at times and I had a hard time reminding myself the main character was a therapist with her a bit all over the place. If this one gets tightened up a bit it could grow into a series I’d love but so far this was only an Ok beginning to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 1, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for a digital galley of this book.
I'm sorry to say this book just did not do a thing for me. I have bought and read every Catriona McPherson book in the Dandy Gilver series and absolutely love them. This first book in a new series was completely the opposite of those novels and I was very disappointed. Perhaps the whole story was meant as a joke and a satire of the cozy mystery/amateur sleuth novel. If that is so, then the main character who is a marriage counselor that makes every mistake possible in her own marriage was a suitable leading lady. This one has lots of profanity and unnecessarily intimate social situations.
I'm sorry to say this book just did not do a thing for me. I have bought and read every Catriona McPherson book in the Dandy Gilver series and absolutely love them. This first book in a new series was completely the opposite of those novels and I was very disappointed. Perhaps the whole story was meant as a joke and a satire of the cozy mystery/amateur sleuth novel. If that is so, then the main character who is a marriage counselor that makes every mistake possible in her own marriage was a suitable leading lady. This one has lots of profanity and unnecessarily intimate social situations.
September 15, 2021
A hilarious romp of a mystery, this fish-out-of-water story about a Scottish woman navigating the culture and criminal procedure of Northern California had me (a native Californian) laughing out loud. But wherever you are from, you’ll be swept up by the adventures of Lexy Campbell and her cohorts at the Last Ditch Motel as they investigate the death of Clovis Bombaro—who, true to his name, came to an untimely end by way of a fireworks rocket.
July 15, 2018
I've been an ardent fan of Catriona McPherson's writing through 15 of her books at this point. I was curious about this new series of hers which focuses on living the American Dream - California style. It was certainly humorous and really picks up on the stereotypical folks drawn to the sunshine of our far left-side-of-the-country state. It's quite snarky in its conversational banter yet does demonstrate how disparate folks of differing backgrounds bond together to see justice being served, right through to the bitter end.
The writing is good and McPherson does build well the details of unraveling the mystery. It will be curious how she works out Lexy's change of residency status. However, the snarkiness being too much for my taste will probably cause me to pass up the next one in series. I guess I just like my cozies a bit cozier.
The writing is good and McPherson does build well the details of unraveling the mystery. It will be curious how she works out Lexy's change of residency status. However, the snarkiness being too much for my taste will probably cause me to pass up the next one in series. I guess I just like my cozies a bit cozier.
April 15, 2018
Thank you Netgalley and Midnight Ink for this ARC.
This book was the type I consider "fluff". Nothing wrong with "fluff." I need "fluff" from time to time. Fluff= zany characters indulging in mad-cap antics with a completely bizarre story. a la Stephanie Plum.
I did enjoy the Scot's views/social commentary on the somewhat idiotic California lifestyle and practices.
This book was the type I consider "fluff". Nothing wrong with "fluff." I need "fluff" from time to time. Fluff= zany characters indulging in mad-cap antics with a completely bizarre story. a la Stephanie Plum.
I did enjoy the Scot's views/social commentary on the somewhat idiotic California lifestyle and practices.
April 9, 2018
Usually I am a fan of Catriona McPherson's books, but her foray into lighthearted cozy didn't work for me. While the hilarity was over the top, the characterizations and plot were underwhelming. Still McPherson's technique and ability to wordsmith shine through and add some enjoyable elements. I'm sure some readers will enjoy this one more than I did.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2018
Terrific fun, and now I know what Catriona thinks about Americans.
April 4, 2018
#ScotFree #NetGalley
I want to thank Midnight Ink and NetGalley for providing me a copy for an honest review.
I tried real hard but this just didn’t do it for me. The beginning seemed kind of slow to me but maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. So I put it down and picked it back up a few days later. It did get better and I was curious to find out who actually murdered Mr Bombaro. There were all kinds of eccentric characters but none of them really did much for me. They all felt sinister in a way. The dialog at times seemed confusing. Again, some of that could’ve been me because the main character is British and I don’t understand some of the expressions, for lack of a better term. I did like Todd, the gay next door neighbor at the Lassditch Motel. He is every girls dream. What more could you ask for? He did Lexy’s Shopping for clothes and had her correct size in bras, which up until then, had been wearing the incorrect size. He also decorated her room. I would love my house decorated by someone who knew how. I think my main complaint is that the majority of the book was unnecessary ramblings. Sometimes so much so that I couldn’t understand what was being said. It seemed to need condensing. There were some funny times, don’t get me wrong. And I loved the main character, but other times it seemed the author was trying too hard. The middle part of the book seemed to be the main part that needs condensing. As far as the story plot, I liked it and all the side characters that made you think of other possibilities but at times it seemed convoluted. I hate saying anything negative in a review. Authors work so hard writing. Others will love this I’m sure. It does give the reader a relaxed feeling. And I’m sure if you’re British you will understand the writing better than me. I am going to read some of the author’s other work because I’ve heard so many good things about it. And I will still try another one of her books written in this genre. This was a good first attempt and I can tell she knows how to line up a great mystery.
I want to thank Midnight Ink and NetGalley for providing me a copy for an honest review.
I tried real hard but this just didn’t do it for me. The beginning seemed kind of slow to me but maybe I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. So I put it down and picked it back up a few days later. It did get better and I was curious to find out who actually murdered Mr Bombaro. There were all kinds of eccentric characters but none of them really did much for me. They all felt sinister in a way. The dialog at times seemed confusing. Again, some of that could’ve been me because the main character is British and I don’t understand some of the expressions, for lack of a better term. I did like Todd, the gay next door neighbor at the Lassditch Motel. He is every girls dream. What more could you ask for? He did Lexy’s Shopping for clothes and had her correct size in bras, which up until then, had been wearing the incorrect size. He also decorated her room. I would love my house decorated by someone who knew how. I think my main complaint is that the majority of the book was unnecessary ramblings. Sometimes so much so that I couldn’t understand what was being said. It seemed to need condensing. There were some funny times, don’t get me wrong. And I loved the main character, but other times it seemed the author was trying too hard. The middle part of the book seemed to be the main part that needs condensing. As far as the story plot, I liked it and all the side characters that made you think of other possibilities but at times it seemed convoluted. I hate saying anything negative in a review. Authors work so hard writing. Others will love this I’m sure. It does give the reader a relaxed feeling. And I’m sure if you’re British you will understand the writing better than me. I am going to read some of the author’s other work because I’ve heard so many good things about it. And I will still try another one of her books written in this genre. This was a good first attempt and I can tell she knows how to line up a great mystery.
February 1, 2018
Didn't finish. There was nothing wrong with this, it just wasn't holding my attention at all. It felt very long and I really didn't care what happened, so I threw in the towel about halfway through. I would recommend this to fans of the Stephanie Plum books, as it's a very similar sort of zany mystery/adventure.
*I received a free pre-release copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a free pre-release copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2018
Great mystery and LOL funny. Love the main character, Lexy, and how she is trying to adapt to both being divorced and living in the US. Before she can return home to Scotland she needs to help a client whose husband has apparently been murdered in a most unique way (it gives new definition to the phrase “up yours”). I may never see fireworks in quite the same way again. Meanwhile, unable to return home until her client is free of the bail bond Lexy co-signed, Lexy and some hilarious new friends work together to solve the mystery of the death of the fireworks manufacturer, possible incursion of an Italian mob family, and what is behind the series of Biblical plagues at their motel. Whew!
“And so, despite the mission we were on, and the mess his mother was in, and the mob and the bugs and the dead raccoon, when we got to the gate we were laughing.” As were the readers. Eventually we get answers and Lexy settles into her new home and new "family" while restarting her counseling practice. Can't wait to see what they all get up to next.
“And so, despite the mission we were on, and the mess his mother was in, and the mob and the bugs and the dead raccoon, when we got to the gate we were laughing.” As were the readers. Eventually we get answers and Lexy settles into her new home and new "family" while restarting her counseling practice. Can't wait to see what they all get up to next.
January 24, 2022
I bought this one which starts the series because I read the one coming out in 2022 (Scot Mist) and ab-so-lute-ly laughed my sox off!
This is the beginning where Lexy (native to Scotland) has recently divorced her American dentist for shagging his first wife after living in California for months and trying to get her counselling license transferred to the US. That's just the set-up. From there she goes with her 86-year-old client to the jail, meets an interesting police detective, takes refuge in the Last Ditch Hotel, meets some very quirky tenants, and moves in for real. And the sleuthing has already begun!
DON'T MISS THIS!
This one does not have COVID in the background, but it IS guaranteed to make you forget about lockdowns and stuff for an afternoon!
This is the beginning where Lexy (native to Scotland) has recently divorced her American dentist for shagging his first wife after living in California for months and trying to get her counselling license transferred to the US. That's just the set-up. From there she goes with her 86-year-old client to the jail, meets an interesting police detective, takes refuge in the Last Ditch Hotel, meets some very quirky tenants, and moves in for real. And the sleuthing has already begun!
DON'T MISS THIS!
This one does not have COVID in the background, but it IS guaranteed to make you forget about lockdowns and stuff for an afternoon!
August 18, 2018
I bought a copy of Scot Free at Left Coast Crime a few weeks before the publication date and was intrigued by premise: a Scottish woman’s California dream becomes a nightmare and she finds herself checking into the Last Ditch Motel.
This book is funny. There are few people who can tell you how hot it is and make you laugh, but Catriona McPherson can. This book is so funny that after my ex-husband called while I was reading, I was still in a good mood. The characters are charming. The story is captivating. The humor is sometimes sly and sometimes earthy. And there are big belly laughs throughout the story. When you least expect it, expect it.
This book is funny. There are few people who can tell you how hot it is and make you laugh, but Catriona McPherson can. This book is so funny that after my ex-husband called while I was reading, I was still in a good mood. The characters are charming. The story is captivating. The humor is sometimes sly and sometimes earthy. And there are big belly laughs throughout the story. When you least expect it, expect it.
June 12, 2023
Lordy, what a fun read! Much as I like McPherson's Dandy Gilver books, I wasn't sure how her style would translate to contemporary California. No worries--she has a style for that, too. Scottish Lexie falls in love with and marries an American dentist--and she a marriage counsellor, too--only to repent quite rapidly. After her Nevada divorce, she has only one loose end to tie up before heading home--ending her consultations with an elderly couple. But the husband dies suddenly, and the police tell Lexie not to leave town. With nowhere else to stay, she lands in a cheap motel and befriends the various residents, some of whom have connections to the couple she's been advising.
September 13, 2018
Picked this one up on impulse, and just like that I have another new favorite author. I described this book to my husband as "Angie Tribeca in book form." It takes a special kind of writing to make me laugh out loud, and the mystery element is the secret sauce that pulls the whole narrative together. Very much looking forward to the next book in this series, and reading other works by this writer.
May 22, 2022
Thank you to my public library system for carrying tis series and thereby helping me get hooked on a new-to-me series!
I read the last book first - and it did great as a stand-alone - but it made me want to start at the beginning. Scot Free grabbed me from the beginning and took me on a fun, funny, action-packed ride. The characters sparkle, the setting is relatable, and the plot twists kept me guessing. Love the snark and the heart!
I'm reserving Book 2 today!
I read the last book first - and it did great as a stand-alone - but it made me want to start at the beginning. Scot Free grabbed me from the beginning and took me on a fun, funny, action-packed ride. The characters sparkle, the setting is relatable, and the plot twists kept me guessing. Love the snark and the heart!
I'm reserving Book 2 today!
July 4, 2019
A romping beach read
Catriona McPherson’s writing skills cross genres with astonishing grace. Scot Free is a wild romp that pulls no punches. A cast of quirky characters, a wild twisting plot and a cheeky Scottish therapist who crosses every ethical boundary to help an 85 year old client with secrets of her own.
Catriona McPherson’s writing skills cross genres with astonishing grace. Scot Free is a wild romp that pulls no punches. A cast of quirky characters, a wild twisting plot and a cheeky Scottish therapist who crosses every ethical boundary to help an 85 year old client with secrets of her own.
May 1, 2018
I bought this book at Malice Domestic and started reading it while at the airport. I nearly missed my flight back home because the book was so funny and engaging, I missed the initial boarding call for my flight!
Great fun and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Great fun and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
April 9, 2019
Lexy (although the correct Gaelic spelling is actually LEAGSAIDH) meets and falls for a handsome American dentist visting her native Scotland and follows him to a small town outside San Francisco.
She divorces him when she comes home to find him in bed with his partner, Brandeee (yes, 3 e's), To add insult to injury, she learns that they were once married and Bran only married Lexy out of spite after Brandeee re-married. It was just as well. Although Lexy loved everything about the town she was now living in, her Scottish habits, her Scottish word choices, sense of humour, and well, just about everything seemed to irritate the uptight dentist.
So Lexy buys her return ticket to Scotland but checks into a cheap (but very, very clean) motel) while she finishes up with her one pair of clients, providing marriage counselling to the elderly couple.
When the old men is blown up by his own fireworks, the sweet little old wife is suspected by the police. The police question Lexy, as at the time of his death the couple should have been with Lexy having their divorce papers notarized. She misses her plane and ends up staying on at hotel, which also has it's problems. Someone is cursing them with the 7 plagues of Egypt. First bugs, finally boils when something is put in the water of their pool to make them break out.
While Lexy is trying to help the old woman, she bonds with her new neighbours, including Todd. the gay doctor with no boundaries, and his black former gang member now pediatric surgeon husband Roger. One of the lesbian owners is a compulsive cleaner.
To thank Lexy for her help and friendship, Lexy finds she has inherited a houseboat, thus providing the scene for future books.
This is a fun book. They play up her "Scottish girl in crazy California" a lot. I can't wait to read the next book, which was just released yesterday (April 8, 2019)
She divorces him when she comes home to find him in bed with his partner, Brandeee (yes, 3 e's), To add insult to injury, she learns that they were once married and Bran only married Lexy out of spite after Brandeee re-married. It was just as well. Although Lexy loved everything about the town she was now living in, her Scottish habits, her Scottish word choices, sense of humour, and well, just about everything seemed to irritate the uptight dentist.
So Lexy buys her return ticket to Scotland but checks into a cheap (but very, very clean) motel) while she finishes up with her one pair of clients, providing marriage counselling to the elderly couple.
When the old men is blown up by his own fireworks, the sweet little old wife is suspected by the police. The police question Lexy, as at the time of his death the couple should have been with Lexy having their divorce papers notarized. She misses her plane and ends up staying on at hotel, which also has it's problems. Someone is cursing them with the 7 plagues of Egypt. First bugs, finally boils when something is put in the water of their pool to make them break out.
While Lexy is trying to help the old woman, she bonds with her new neighbours, including Todd. the gay doctor with no boundaries, and his black former gang member now pediatric surgeon husband Roger. One of the lesbian owners is a compulsive cleaner.
To thank Lexy for her help and friendship, Lexy finds she has inherited a houseboat, thus providing the scene for future books.
This is a fun book. They play up her "Scottish girl in crazy California" a lot. I can't wait to read the next book, which was just released yesterday (April 8, 2019)
November 13, 2021
Having read an ARC of the fourth book in the series I was sufficiently intrigued to buy the first book and see where it all began.
Lexy Campbell is originally from Dundee, Scotland. A marriage counsellor she moved to California in a whirlwind romance and marriage. Unfortunately, things went rapidly downhill, the things she found charming about the small (fictional) town of Cuento, Beteo County are just what her husband hates. He has a beige house and doesn't understand her humour (I have to say taking Spotted Dick to a potluck party seems odd, done just for the novelty factor of the name rather than something anyone would want to eat!). Anyway, the marriage implodes when Lexy finds her husband boinking his ex-wife in their bed and four weeks later, thanks to Reno, the two of them are divorced. Lexy is about to leave California for good, she just has one last couples guidance session booked for a sweet old couple in their eighties called the Bombaros who are finally divorcing. Mrs Bombaro has asked Lexy to witness the signatures on their divorce papers and Lexy is happy to oblige.
Unfortunately, the Bombaros never arrive. Mr Bombaro, a famous firework manufacturer, has been murdered, Mrs Bombaro has been arrested for his murder, and she is asking for Lexy's support. So Lexy shelves her plans to return to Scotland and tries to find a motel room (on the Fourth of July) which is how she comes across the Last Ditch Motel.
The mystery is very reminiscent of the early Stephanie Plum novels (a firework manufacturer being murdered by having a firework inserted in his anatomy), as are the inhabitants of the motel. There's a lot of comedic value drawn from the differences between American English and Scottish English which might get a bit repetitive after a while.
If you like zany or kooky comedy and/or cosy detective stories then I think this series may be for you.
Lexy Campbell is originally from Dundee, Scotland. A marriage counsellor she moved to California in a whirlwind romance and marriage. Unfortunately, things went rapidly downhill, the things she found charming about the small (fictional) town of Cuento, Beteo County are just what her husband hates. He has a beige house and doesn't understand her humour (I have to say taking Spotted Dick to a potluck party seems odd, done just for the novelty factor of the name rather than something anyone would want to eat!). Anyway, the marriage implodes when Lexy finds her husband boinking his ex-wife in their bed and four weeks later, thanks to Reno, the two of them are divorced. Lexy is about to leave California for good, she just has one last couples guidance session booked for a sweet old couple in their eighties called the Bombaros who are finally divorcing. Mrs Bombaro has asked Lexy to witness the signatures on their divorce papers and Lexy is happy to oblige.
Unfortunately, the Bombaros never arrive. Mr Bombaro, a famous firework manufacturer, has been murdered, Mrs Bombaro has been arrested for his murder, and she is asking for Lexy's support. So Lexy shelves her plans to return to Scotland and tries to find a motel room (on the Fourth of July) which is how she comes across the Last Ditch Motel.
The mystery is very reminiscent of the early Stephanie Plum novels (a firework manufacturer being murdered by having a firework inserted in his anatomy), as are the inhabitants of the motel. There's a lot of comedic value drawn from the differences between American English and Scottish English which might get a bit repetitive after a while.
If you like zany or kooky comedy and/or cosy detective stories then I think this series may be for you.
April 23, 2018
This is a fun cozy mystery. Lexy is Scottish, and leaves Scotland for her new love in California. Lexy quickly realizes that California folks are a different breed. Lexy is divorced from her husband before we meet her. Sometimes, I laughed out loud at the antics and outlook Lexy has on her California neighbors. Lexy is a marriage counselor, who is closing up shop. She plans on returning to Scotland after her only clients, the Bombaro's come in to sign their divorce agreement.
Instead of meeting the couple, Lexy is met by police at her office, as one of her clients is found dead. Lexy tries to support and stand by her other client, Mrs. Bombardo. Because Lexy must remain in the US during the investigation, she ends up staying a motel where she meets a fun cast of characters that I hope to see again. I really enjoyed this book! It was a great cozy mystery.
Instead of meeting the couple, Lexy is met by police at her office, as one of her clients is found dead. Lexy tries to support and stand by her other client, Mrs. Bombardo. Because Lexy must remain in the US during the investigation, she ends up staying a motel where she meets a fun cast of characters that I hope to see again. I really enjoyed this book! It was a great cozy mystery.
April 16, 2018
This book sounded more interesting than it was. Lexy falls in love and leaves her native Scotland for life in Calif with a dentist. There are a few funny parts involving the differences in language and customs but mostly it was just odd. Six months after she moves to America she is broke, homeless and plans on going back to Sweden. Lexy is a marriage counselor and has one client left a sweet little old lady in her 80’s who is put in jail for killing her husband. Lexy checks into the last ditch motel while she tried to help her client before moving home.
May 2, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: Lexy is the proverbial fish out of water. A Scottish lass who has endured a whirlwind marriage and equally whirlwind divorce, cannot wait to return to Scotland from Southern California. She has one final job to do with her only therapy clients and then she is headed off to the airport.
What do they say about best laid plans? It seems the elderly husband of the couple will not make the appointment as he has been blown up by a firecracker placed in a rather uncomfortable place. His equally elderly wife is arrested for the murder even though she has an iron clad alibi for the time of the explosion. It gets wilder and wilder from here on.
If you are a fan of black humour and sardonic wit, which I am, you will be chuckling through one oddball adventure after another. Lexy becomes friends with an array of bizarre Californians who aid and assist her as she tries to keep Miss Viz, the old girl, out of jail. She wants to find who decided to use the old gent’s own product to launch him into the next world. She has her work cut out for her because there are lots of twists and turns and surprises.
It is quite a romp and a blast, if you will forgive the pun.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
What do they say about best laid plans? It seems the elderly husband of the couple will not make the appointment as he has been blown up by a firecracker placed in a rather uncomfortable place. His equally elderly wife is arrested for the murder even though she has an iron clad alibi for the time of the explosion. It gets wilder and wilder from here on.
If you are a fan of black humour and sardonic wit, which I am, you will be chuckling through one oddball adventure after another. Lexy becomes friends with an array of bizarre Californians who aid and assist her as she tries to keep Miss Viz, the old girl, out of jail. She wants to find who decided to use the old gent’s own product to launch him into the next world. She has her work cut out for her because there are lots of twists and turns and surprises.
It is quite a romp and a blast, if you will forgive the pun.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
May 27, 2019
this was a so-so mystery. Very light - but went on a bit too long. I didn't find the story very captivating and by the end of the week probably won't remember what I read. But if you are stuck on a plane or on the beach this will carry you through as it is easy reading.
April 18, 2018
Review to follow
May 10, 2020
A funny read! Perfect for spring of 2020. However, all of the folks at my Zoom book club agreed that we would not be consulting Lexy as a therapist. Glad that she became an amateur sleuth.
November 17, 2020
Did not finish. Just could not get into the characters who all seemed extreme. I have to like the characters and plot line to enjoy a book.
February 3, 2018
Reading McPherson's darker, more sinister novels, you could always feel a strong pulse of humor under the horror and suspense. Her characters always had an eccentric and witty flavor, and it was a joy to see her unleash the full force of her humor in this novel.
Featuring a Scottish expat divorcee thrust into a murder investigation with a truly unique and loveable cast of characters, she explores friendship and the meaning of home. All while solving a murder whose circumstances are so bizarre but hilariously described that you don't even feel guilty for laughing about it.
Of special note to me was how well she describes the expatriate "stranger in a strange land" experience of a Scottish woman in California. It's always refreshing to see a different perspective of the American dream, especially one so comically and honestly rendered. Her descriptive ability is uncanny and will make you laugh so hard your face hurts.
I recommend this for thriller fans who prefer a romp in the sun to a trudge through a tundra.
*I received a free pre-release copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Featuring a Scottish expat divorcee thrust into a murder investigation with a truly unique and loveable cast of characters, she explores friendship and the meaning of home. All while solving a murder whose circumstances are so bizarre but hilariously described that you don't even feel guilty for laughing about it.
Of special note to me was how well she describes the expatriate "stranger in a strange land" experience of a Scottish woman in California. It's always refreshing to see a different perspective of the American dream, especially one so comically and honestly rendered. Her descriptive ability is uncanny and will make you laugh so hard your face hurts.
I recommend this for thriller fans who prefer a romp in the sun to a trudge through a tundra.
*I received a free pre-release copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
April 8, 2018
I've had a hit-or-miss affair with Catriona McPherson's writing. Her Dandy Gilver historical series is so period correct that the one book of the series that I read reminded me too much of those Golden Age mysteries, which I really don't care for all that much. On the other hand, I loved the one standalone psychological suspense novel of hers that I read, The Child Garden. When I learned of Scot Free, which appeared to be written for laughs, I simply had to try it because I've witnessed McPherson's humor firsthand. This woman is a riot, and she kept us all laughing at Left Coast Crime in 2016.
Scot Free was a tad uneven, staggering a little between the humor and solving the mystery, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The residents of the Lassditch Motel are a quirky bunch who rapidly became Lexy's family. And-- wonder of wonders-- as a first-time amateur sleuth, Lexy's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Her gullibility muddles her investigation more than once. At first, this annoyed me, but it finally dawned on me that most first-timers are going to be gullible and not know what to do from one step to the next. Silly me!
What's more, I loved the humor-- especially Lexy's comparisons between the California lifestyle (which is where McPherson lives now) and that of her native Scotland (where she grew up). Some readers may find these comparisons off-putting and anti-American but it's spot-on social commentary, plain and simple.
With a brilliant cast of characters and the oftentimes hilarious social commentary, I'm really looking forward to the next Last Ditch mystery. You will be, too.
Scot Free was a tad uneven, staggering a little between the humor and solving the mystery, but I still enjoyed it a lot. The residents of the Lassditch Motel are a quirky bunch who rapidly became Lexy's family. And-- wonder of wonders-- as a first-time amateur sleuth, Lexy's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Her gullibility muddles her investigation more than once. At first, this annoyed me, but it finally dawned on me that most first-timers are going to be gullible and not know what to do from one step to the next. Silly me!
What's more, I loved the humor-- especially Lexy's comparisons between the California lifestyle (which is where McPherson lives now) and that of her native Scotland (where she grew up). Some readers may find these comparisons off-putting and anti-American but it's spot-on social commentary, plain and simple.
With a brilliant cast of characters and the oftentimes hilarious social commentary, I'm really looking forward to the next Last Ditch mystery. You will be, too.
April 5, 2019
Scot Free, a Last Ditch Mystery #1 by Catriona McPherson is a mystery character trying to be Stephanie Plum. I am swimming upstream here, but I don't think she pulled it off. In trying to be quirky McPherson was simply ridiculous. The amusing parts were entirely the British word and phrases use throughout the story. The cover says it is "the lighter side of the dark underbelly of the California dream." If that was the target, I'm afraid she missed it. I cannot recommend this book, which breaks my heart since I have read some others by Catriona McPherson and loved them.
The leading character and amateur detective is Lexy Campbell, a family therapist who left Scotland to marry a dentist in California. The marriage only lasted four months. She discovered (by finding them in bed together) that he had brought her home to convince his previous wife to give him another chance. That, apparently, worked. He current clients are Mr and Mrs Bombaro, a couple in their eighties, well actually Mr. Bombaro is the murder victim and Lexy is Mrs. Bombaro's alibi. A wide assortment of people become involved in this case, all odd and together they determine the murderer.
I received a free ARC of Scot Free. All opinions and statements are my own.
The leading character and amateur detective is Lexy Campbell, a family therapist who left Scotland to marry a dentist in California. The marriage only lasted four months. She discovered (by finding them in bed together) that he had brought her home to convince his previous wife to give him another chance. That, apparently, worked. He current clients are Mr and Mrs Bombaro, a couple in their eighties, well actually Mr. Bombaro is the murder victim and Lexy is Mrs. Bombaro's alibi. A wide assortment of people become involved in this case, all odd and together they determine the murderer.
I received a free ARC of Scot Free. All opinions and statements are my own.
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