What do you think?
Rate this book
Ian Skair Private Investigator #4
The Diva of Dundas Farm: A twisty Scottish mystery
She is going to be murdered on stage every night. All Ian has to do is make sure she is safe off stage.
No one would want to murder the leading lady, would they?
Don’t be too sure.
After a few days at the Dundas Farm opera camp, Ian is beginning to think that everyone the diva meets would be more than pleased to see the back of her. An easy two weeks listening to music on a Scottish alpaca farm is twisting and turning in a distinctly sinister direction. And if she continues to treat him like one of the servants, refusing to tell him anything about her fears, how on earth is Ian going to prevent a tragedy?
If you enjoy mystery novels with a hint of black humour, the stories of charming if hapless private investigator Ian Skair and his cute dog Lottie are for you.
No one would want to murder the leading lady, would they?
Don’t be too sure.
After a few days at the Dundas Farm opera camp, Ian is beginning to think that everyone the diva meets would be more than pleased to see the back of her. An easy two weeks listening to music on a Scottish alpaca farm is twisting and turning in a distinctly sinister direction. And if she continues to treat him like one of the servants, refusing to tell him anything about her fears, how on earth is Ian going to prevent a tragedy?
If you enjoy mystery novels with a hint of black humour, the stories of charming if hapless private investigator Ian Skair and his cute dog Lottie are for you.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
83 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 11, 2022
🎼Carmen💃 in mortal danger? Ian & Co. to the rescue!🔍
4-4.5 🌟 stars
I definitely enjoyed the plot and the cast of characters in this latest private investigator Ian Skair adventure. I love fiction set in Scotland and although the main character is male, author Hilary Pugh creates strong female characters, smart, determined and, at least some, not averse to facing danger head on. The story has a good, lively pace with lots of action throughout and an exciting climax. Lots of investigative legwork with some leisurely walks with Lottie, Ian's dear doggie companion.
I am a bit conflicted about whether I would prefer a mystery with a totally unexpected solution or one I can figure out well before the big reveal. The former has great shock value but the latter allows me to pride myself on my intuition and ability to catch on to details, unmasking the villain even before the detective team. In this case, I experienced a mixture of both: a large pool of characters with access and possible motive to sift through that failed to stump me, but some totally unexpected curves I could not have anticipated.
No gore, some snobbish manners from the damsel in danger and emotional conflict with a little light flirtation and romancing on the side. Overall, a good, well-written and relaxing read with some adrenaline pumping at the end.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4-4.5 🌟 stars
I definitely enjoyed the plot and the cast of characters in this latest private investigator Ian Skair adventure. I love fiction set in Scotland and although the main character is male, author Hilary Pugh creates strong female characters, smart, determined and, at least some, not averse to facing danger head on. The story has a good, lively pace with lots of action throughout and an exciting climax. Lots of investigative legwork with some leisurely walks with Lottie, Ian's dear doggie companion.
I am a bit conflicted about whether I would prefer a mystery with a totally unexpected solution or one I can figure out well before the big reveal. The former has great shock value but the latter allows me to pride myself on my intuition and ability to catch on to details, unmasking the villain even before the detective team. In this case, I experienced a mixture of both: a large pool of characters with access and possible motive to sift through that failed to stump me, but some totally unexpected curves I could not have anticipated.
No gore, some snobbish manners from the damsel in danger and emotional conflict with a little light flirtation and romancing on the side. Overall, a good, well-written and relaxing read with some adrenaline pumping at the end.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
September 16, 2022
Following a much deserved holiday, Ian Skair (P.I) receives a request for security services for an opera singer, Lucia. She had recently received a death threat and the owner of the theater was worried so he wanted to hire Ian and Molly for the two weeks of production and performances. Lucia was horrible! Lottie despised the alpacas! Ian was losing sleep!
After reading this book I can reflect that it is very well written. Great care was taken into the story detail into this book. The characters are fully developed and vividly alive in the storyline. I particularly love that the Author, Hilary Pugh, has no use for vulgar or sexual undertones as well as no foul or crude language. Very wholesome family friendly storyline.
If I could find any fault with the story it would be only one thing. The story length for me was a bit long winded, don’t get me wrong the great details in the stories was a particularly great bonus in the storyline. However there were parts of my readings that are long winded and you wish they would hurry up a bit!
With all that in a nutshell I really rather throughly enjoyed this book, more importantly the entire series is amazing! I would wholeheartedly recommend this book/series to anyone looking for an adventure/mystery/family fun. 5 star recommended from me!
I was blessed with an ARC of this book in response for my honest review.
After reading this book I can reflect that it is very well written. Great care was taken into the story detail into this book. The characters are fully developed and vividly alive in the storyline. I particularly love that the Author, Hilary Pugh, has no use for vulgar or sexual undertones as well as no foul or crude language. Very wholesome family friendly storyline.
If I could find any fault with the story it would be only one thing. The story length for me was a bit long winded, don’t get me wrong the great details in the stories was a particularly great bonus in the storyline. However there were parts of my readings that are long winded and you wish they would hurry up a bit!
With all that in a nutshell I really rather throughly enjoyed this book, more importantly the entire series is amazing! I would wholeheartedly recommend this book/series to anyone looking for an adventure/mystery/family fun. 5 star recommended from me!
I was blessed with an ARC of this book in response for my honest review.
October 7, 2022
Ian and Molly have the opportunity to spend some time in a very unusual place: an alpaca farm where the owner is a former teen idol who has decided to invest in other people and not just himself (which I thought marvelous). One of the guest opera stars invited to the farm has received a death threat; Ian and Molly (with Lottie) are on the case.
So much detail and vivid descriptions in this story! I could easily imagine the parking lot; the camping grounds; the barn-cum-stage; the bistro and gift shop (with eye-popping prices!); the surrounding countryside. Lovely!
The mystery pulls you in; while you are pondering who the culprit or culprits might be, you also end up shaking your head at some of the less-than-stellar choices Ian makes with his various lady-friends. He comes across as somewhat oblivious, which is rather ironic given that he's an investigator.
Thank you Ms. Pugh for the ARC copy. This is my honest review.
So much detail and vivid descriptions in this story! I could easily imagine the parking lot; the camping grounds; the barn-cum-stage; the bistro and gift shop (with eye-popping prices!); the surrounding countryside. Lovely!
The mystery pulls you in; while you are pondering who the culprit or culprits might be, you also end up shaking your head at some of the less-than-stellar choices Ian makes with his various lady-friends. He comes across as somewhat oblivious, which is rather ironic given that he's an investigator.
Thank you Ms. Pugh for the ARC copy. This is my honest review.
December 18, 2025
The Diva of Dundas Farm was a thoroughly entertaining Scottish mystery with just the right mix of intrigue and dark humor. The premise alone, protecting a diva who’s “murdered” on stage nightly while making sure no one does it for real, pulled me in immediately.
Ian Skair continues to be a charming, slightly hapless private investigator, and I loved seeing him navigate the egos, secrets, and simmering tensions at the opera camp. The setting of a Scottish alpaca farm was both cozy and delightfully odd, adding to the story’s unique atmosphere. And of course, Lottie the dog remains an absolute highlight.
I’ll admit it, I’m Team Caroline. Her character added complexity to the story, and I genuinely liked how everything wrapped up in the end. The mystery kept me guessing, even as the black humor lightened the darker moments.
I listened to the audiobook, and once again Charles Robert Fox did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. His narration fits this series perfectly.
Four stars for a twisty, witty mystery that’s clever, cozy, and just a little bit sinister in the best way.
Ian Skair continues to be a charming, slightly hapless private investigator, and I loved seeing him navigate the egos, secrets, and simmering tensions at the opera camp. The setting of a Scottish alpaca farm was both cozy and delightfully odd, adding to the story’s unique atmosphere. And of course, Lottie the dog remains an absolute highlight.
I’ll admit it, I’m Team Caroline. Her character added complexity to the story, and I genuinely liked how everything wrapped up in the end. The mystery kept me guessing, even as the black humor lightened the darker moments.
I listened to the audiobook, and once again Charles Robert Fox did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life. His narration fits this series perfectly.
Four stars for a twisty, witty mystery that’s clever, cozy, and just a little bit sinister in the best way.
September 27, 2022
The Diva of Dundas is the 4th book in the Ian Skair Private Investigator series by Hilary Pugh.
Ian and Molly have a case at an opera camp and alpaca farm. The leading lady may be in danger so they take on the case.
This is one of my favorite series. Lottie is adorable and I really enjoy Ian’s development as a PI and his constant worries about being the boss. It dragged as they investigated things that they weren’t sure were crimes. It picked up at the end to an unexpected ending.
I can’t wait to see what is up next for Ian since he’s kind of gotten himself in a pickle.
Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Ian and Molly have a case at an opera camp and alpaca farm. The leading lady may be in danger so they take on the case.
This is one of my favorite series. Lottie is adorable and I really enjoy Ian’s development as a PI and his constant worries about being the boss. It dragged as they investigated things that they weren’t sure were crimes. It picked up at the end to an unexpected ending.
I can’t wait to see what is up next for Ian since he’s kind of gotten himself in a pickle.
Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 15, 2025
Audiobook: I enjoyed this book as much as the others in the series. I was amused when Ian thought spending two weeks on a Scottish alpaca farm would be almost like an extra vacation. I was entertained by all the twists which kept Ian and his employee searching for the answers regarding who wanted the diva dead. I appreciated Ian's relationship with his dog, Lottie. I liked Charles Robert Fox's narration as his performance enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
September 9, 2022
I always enjoy the books in this series and was lucky to be an early reader of the first of the series. I highly recommend them for being essentially cozy mysteries but with a slight edge. The only reason for four stars instead of five is one element not being made a bigger deal in the investigation. Otherwise it was a fun gamble through alpacas and opera in a Scottish festival setting. Just enough drama, but also interesting characters. I always look forward to the next instalment.
September 15, 2022
Absolutely brilliant read in one sitting love the plot and background ,particularly loved this for the opera stage set up as an amateur theatre lover and actor I could picture prop tables and wings etc … love all the books in the series and can’t wait for the next instalment already! I received an ARC copy of this book the review is my own thoughts of a wonderful book by an an extremely talented Author ✍️
September 24, 2025
This is the fourth book in this interesting well written series by Hilary. The opera singer, Lucia, Diva, has recently received a death threat. The services of PI Ian Skair are called upon, along with Molly, his employee. The mystery is intriguing, and there’s plenty of detail with vivid descriptions. And who doesn’t love an alpaca. I enjoyed this thoroughly entertaining well narrated audiobook. Recommend.
August 20, 2025
Audiobook review:
I enjoyed the narrator, his voice was pleasant, easy to understand with good inflections.
Story review:
The story was entertaining. The main characters are well written, likeable and smart. The plot lines flow well and held my interest.
I enjoyed the narrator, his voice was pleasant, easy to understand with good inflections.
Story review:
The story was entertaining. The main characters are well written, likeable and smart. The plot lines flow well and held my interest.
January 21, 2026
Ian and Molly are staying at Dundas Farm, owned by a former famous boy band member who is now more interested in Opera. He is running an Opera Camp at the farm and the female soloist is the renowned Lucia Morales. She has received a death threat, hence Ian and Molly being in charge is security.
September 12, 2022
I love getting another Ian Skair story to review. As usual this book does not disappoint, the main characters continue to grow and we always meet new ones too. No gore just a great story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews