Death At A Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly

I’ve been following Lucy Connelly’s exceptional Scottish Isle Mystery series since the beginning. Death At A Scottish Wedding, like the first two in the series, is hard to put down. Both the setting and the characters are seriously unique and authentic.

Up until a few months ago Dr. Emilia McRoy was living in the United States, anxious to get away and start over. Following her family’s heritage, she finds herself transplanted to Sea Isle, Scotland. Things are very different in Sea Isle than back in the States. The down-to-earth wholesomeness, individual caring and camaraderie among the townsfolk is a new experience for Emilia.

Also new to Emilia is the fact that when you’re the doctor of Sea Isle, you’re also the coroner (a lesson in the importance of reading the “fine” contract print when you accept a job)! Another difference: during the holiday season, it seems almost everyone in Sea Isle takes a whole month off to celebrate!

A prominent rock band, Bram and the Stokers, blows into town to kick off the holiday season, jamming the local pub to the max. Everyone is having a great time. But it’s short-lived. After the show someone is sitting on the beach “not” having a great time. It’s a member of the band and he’s dead!

Murder doesn’t stop, not even for the holidays. It’s becomes a challenging balancing act for Emilia: reveling in the celebration of the holiday season while helping the local Laird of Sea Isle, Ewan Campbell, solve a sinister murder.

Readers will feel they’re among the residents of Sea Isle, a most charming place for cozy mystery fans to be during the holidays. A missing notebook, blackmail, old wounds that haven’t healed and that green-eyed monster known as jealousy – all potential motives. But it’s not going to be easy unmasking this killer.

The author, Lucy Connelly, gives us a superior twisty plot and plenty of reasons for someone to commit a brutal murder. Both Emilia and Ewan highly suspect the killer was one of the other band members – but a stalker-fan can’t be ruled out. And then much to Emilia’s dismay, even Ewan becomes a top suspect – and that just won’t do! After all, Ewan is as good a man as there ever was. Loyal, honest, everybody’s friend, a pillar to the community – and Emilia’s boss!

Hats off to the author! This is so much more than a clever holiday mystery. It has a mix of characters that are heartwarming, savvy, gruff and tough – and one is downright deadly. The holiday festivities celebrating multiple cultures in Sea Isle add extra shots of charm and freshness. The community comes together, bringing their own varied traditions from Iceland, Switzerland, France and more. Even Krampus makes an appearance!

Death At A Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly is one of my favorite holiday mysteries. Grab your copy now so you have it when you’re in the mood for a perfect cozy mystery because THIS ONE IS!

A copy of the cover photo and book were provided by: Crooked Lane Publishing.