Death of a Lovable Geek

Dotsy Lamb #2

by Maria Hudgins

American medieval history professor Dotsy Lamb and her best friend Lettie Osgood are working an archaeological dig in the Scottish Highlands on the grounds of Dunlaggan Castle when murder strikes. The victim is genial, well-liked graduate student Froggy Quale, the on-site pollen and spore expert. His roommate, the dig's media man, is the prime suspect, but Dotsy, quite fond of both boys, is convinced otherwise.

When the head of the dig, Dr. John Sinclair, dies of unnatural causes soon thereafter, Dotsy shovels a little deeper, suspecting there are some buried secrets in a dark family history. Closing in on a clever and desperate killer, Dotsy makes a stunning connection to poisoned mushrooms, ghostly noises echoing through the halls and the discovery of a centuries-old gold coin that could rewrite the history of the eleventh century….

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Travel, Ebooks

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Maria is an avid traveler and mystery lover. She is a retired teacher living in Hampton, Virginia. She started writing fiction when she retired six years ago and now has two books in print.

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The heroine Dotsy is an American teacher who has come to Scotland to work on an archaeological dig. One of the college students who is there is found murdered, and Dotsy wants to help the student who is the main suspect for the crime.

The characterizations are terrific. We meet the family who owns the castle, we meet other local Scots and we meet many of the staff and students who are working at the dig site. Each of them is interesting, not necessarily always likable, but very interesting.

There is a great deal of information about archeology and the method of digging at sites with different levels history. At this site the possible finds go all the way back to the time of Macbeth. And yes, that is a real king, not just the character in a Shakespearean play.

There is also much discussion of mushrooms as they play a role in the plot. I love mushrooms, but may never eat them again. It would be easy to get the wrong kind in my soup.

I liked this book. The author presents Dotsy and her traveling companion Letty, as the kind of friends who not only like one another but work well together as a team. Each of them have strengths which help solve the mystery. There is good plot development and the mystery is not really easy to solve. This book has all the qualities of a cozy that is enjoyable, educational and fun.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I keep reading these book, they aren't terribly good, they are pretty formulaic and I can't figure out how Dotsy Lamb is ever the smartest person in the room.

This one is set in a Scottish castle, so no hunky Italian cops dropping by.

It's fine,

[Jeanne Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to say, if Dotsy Lamb invites you to go on vacation with her, just say NO. Every time Dotsy goes someplace, dead bodies seem to follow her! Dotsy is vacationing at a castle in Scotland. She is participating in an archaeological dig. Her friend Lettie is with her again. Froggy Quale is the first dead body found. He is one of the students at the dig. Who killed him and why. There were certainly no one that would benefit from his death. Everyone seemed to like him. So why was he killed. John Sinclair was the next dead body. There were a lot of people that would benefit from his death, being from a rich family and all. My favorite people at the castle were Alf and Eleanor Downes. They were a big nutty but knew how to have a good time. They loved to travel and love kind of playing the part of wherever they were. Loved them. Back to the dead bodies, Dotsy took it upon herself to try and solve the murders. Just loved her thought process and the lengths she went to in order to find clues. You will have a great time trying to solve the murders right along with Dotsy. Sit back and enjoy the castle, Scotland, the guests, the food, and have a great time reading!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

History teacher Dotsy Lamb is working on an archaeological dig when a young man she's befriended is murdered. Unfortunately, the local police suspect his roommate, another friend of Dotsy's. So naturally she wants to clear him, even if it means putting herself and her trusty friend Lettie in danger. She and Lettie are staying at a Scottish castle near the dig. The head of the dig is the younger brother of the laird, and he seems to have a large number of enemies.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Dotsy Lamb Travel mystery and I'm hooked. An American history teacher solving mysteries abroad, what more could you ask for? In this outing it is the Scottish Highlands. I enjoyed the setting, loved the charcters and did not figure out the murders till the end. My reservation is in for the first in series.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once it gets past the 'Oooh, look at the strange foreign land' about Exotic Scotland and settles into the story, it's pretty good. The whodunnit kind of bludgeons you over the head in the last quarter of the book and is pretty much unhinted at before then, but Dotsy's an engaging character.

(Although, for the record, one does not wear a tuxedo jacket with a kilt on formal occasions.)

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 4 out of 5]

please if you are an American and thinking about writing Scots dialect please make sure you get it right! that was my only irk with this story.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. I love a mystery, but I felt that the authorities would not depend on a history teacher to help solve a crime to that extinct. It was different, but enjoyable.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

You've got to admire a writer who uses Cal Ripken as the go-to desirable man comparison. You might not *agree* with the assessment (although his eyes are a striking color!) but you gotta admire it.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was veeerrryyy lonngggg for a cozy mystery. For its length I would have thought more plot twists would occur. Overall the book was enjoyable and well written. The few details about King Macbeth’s life/death were interesting - a minor history lesson for me. I recommend this series if you like books about travel. The archeology aspect was not featured favorably, in my opinion.

[Wendy H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book with a good storyline and characters I cared about. The setting, in Scotland, is excellent. The reason I have given 4 rather than 5 stars is because I felt the few Scottish characters felt a bit of a caricature. Otherwise, a great book.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not crazy about the first-person narrative, the book was enjoyable enough to keep reading to the end. The characters could have had more depth, and I would have welcomed more time spent describing Scotland. But all in all I would read this author again.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got hooked on the travel aspect of this series. I am sure I will read them all.

[SaraJean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleh. The characters were flat and the mystery and “clues” were not well paced.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this story would have been much better if there had been a different narrator.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good mystery story. Not great, but not bad either. I liked the main character, Dotsy. I liked the setting in Scotland, with the castle playing a role in the story. I would have enjoyed learning even more about the area. Mushrooms also figure heavily in this story. I am not all that interested in mushrooms, but the book does go into some detail over the different types. Dotsy meets a potential love interest. I liked that subplot, and would like to see their relationship develop further, but I don't know how that would work out, with them being in two different countries.

This book gets high points for the setting, and average points for the actual mystery. It was a pleasant read.

[Bette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dotsy Lamb, ancient and medieval history teacher from Virginia USA has been interested (okay more like obsessed) with King Macbeth of Scotland. In her research efforts, she has been corresponding with Professor John Sinclair and he asked her to join, as an unpaid volunteer the archeological dig at Castle Dunlaggan.

Shortly after her arrival one of the paid diggers is found murdered.
The police are called in. Dotsy doesn’t agree with the police’s suspect so she begins her own investigation. And then, another murder!

A relaxing mystery with little blood or guts, just some general snooping. Think and updated Miss Marple. Many possible suspects and more intrigue

[Rachel Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dotsy Lamb, the main character, and her sister Lottie, are staying at a castle in Scotland near an archaeological dig. One day a student is found murdered and his roommate is charged with his murder. Dotsy believes he is innocent so she hires a lawyer and does some investigating on her own (with a little help from her sister).

Loved all the characters and especially how the author wrote their accents. I enjoyed the setting too!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery wrapped up cleanly. Dotsy Lamb makes an interesting and enjoyable detective. The setting was lovely, but I would have appreciated more description of the Scottish countryside. I also loved the use of dialect, it was as if I could hear the characters speaking the dialogue as a read. Over all a great book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dotsy and her friend are in Scotland. Dotsy is helping with an archeological dig and Lettie researching her ancestors. A young dig member is found murdered and then Dotsy starts to figure out the relationships and intricacies of the dig members as well as the bed & breakfast members to figure out why he was killed. Mushrooms, hidden rooms, century long leases...Interesting read.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up, I just couldn't get into the story and didn't like the turn of some of the phrases, for example - 'We Brits and Scots' - no, Scotland is a country within Great Britain just like England. Brighton is not on the 'north coast of the English Channel' it is on the south coast of England.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a freebie on my Kindle & I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It was a fun, easy read with well-drawn characters. I definitely had not figured out "Whodunit." The end was too abrupt thought. I turned the last page, expecting more!

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good basic mystery, this story is set in Scotland at an archeological dig at a centuries-old castle. As happens in mysteries, an innocent person is accused and the main character, who seems to have a peripheral role at the dig, works to find out the real killer.

[Donna]

a bit didactic

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful story. Intriguing plot, appealing characters, thoroughly enjoyable.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable mystery starring an American archaeology fan in Scotland

[Harriet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Archived after 8%. Didn't seem worth finishing. Not anything WRONG with it.

[Myria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It isn't the best mystery I have read but it kept my interest and was well written.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice light enjoyable read. Love the language. The work flows. I would read this author again.

[Sheri]

Loved the book. Great series so far. Just downloaded the third book in the series. I love the author's style of writing. And I feel like I'm vacationing with Dotsy. Can't wait to read about Greece :)