Death at a Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connelly

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Christmas, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Death at a Scottish Christmas (A Scottish Isle Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery #3
Publication Date: 10/15/24
Period: Contemporary – Sea Isle, Scotland
Number of Pages: 256

Dr. Emilia (Em) McRoy is looking forward to her first Christmas at Sea Isle. Em, in need of a change of pace from her job as head of ER at a major US hospital, relocated to become the village doctor and coroner for Sea Isle, Scotland. Em absolutely loves Sea Isle’s slower pace and friendly people and has made many friends since arriving in August. Now, Christmas is almost here and the village is awash in festivities gathered from cultures everywhere. The biggest event for this Christmas will be a concert in the local pub – by a renowned rock group, Bram and the Stokers. They’ve been touring in Europe and are set to tour the USA next. Normally, such a famous group wouldn’t look twice at tiny Sea Isle, but a couple of the members grew up on the Isle and they want a quiet break before heading to the US. Sadly, the break will not be the respite they had hoped for.

After a wildly successful concert, the lead singer, Bram Stoker, was found dead on the beach the following morning – and it wasn’t natural causes. Who would want to murder the charismatic, handsome singer and lyricist? Could it be a member of the band? A groupie? A stalker? A rejected lover? Or, is it someone with a long-ago past with the singer – such as Constable Ewan Campbell? With so many suspects, how can Em help to narrow them down?

All of the supporting characters we’ve come to know and love over the previous two books have roles in this tale as well. Their assistance in gathering evidence, and helping Em and Ewan work through the clues is invaluable. With so many suspects and clues, it is hard to weed out the red herrings from the actual culprit, but Em and the crew manage to do it – but not before there is a second death. You won’t know the murderer until the end, but you’ll be convinced you know with each red herring.

This was an entertaining murder mystery with a well-thought-out plot, an interesting victim, and even more interesting suspects. The author wove the investigation into all of the Christmas celebrations in a way that made you want to spend your Christmas with the residents of Sea Isle even if there was a murder being investigated. It was an enjoyable read, and I am glad to have had another visit with all of the Sea Isle residents.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews

The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest by Heather McCollum

On By TracyIn OtherLeave a comment

The Highlander's Untamed Tempest (The Brothers of Wolf Isle Book 5)The Highlander’s Untamed Tempest by Heather McCollum

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Brothers of Wolf Isle, #5

Release Date: September 30, 2024

With all his brothers happily married, Eagan Macquarie is getting sick of everyone looking to him to marry and finally breaking the curse cast on his clan. He has nothing against love or marriage, but he isn’t sure if that is his destiny, he wants to broaden his horizons and travel before he has to think about that. In fact, his bag is packed, and he plans on leaving in the morning following tonight’s Samhain celebration. But when he is asked to row over to Wolf Island to collect Grissell to help with a difficult birth – all his plans go awry when he meets Claudette “Tessa” Tempest Ainsworth, and soon more than just his plans change when her connection to the Macquarie’s great enemy is revealed.

Tessa has been living on Wolf Isle for the last year. Her father found her in Paris barely getting by after the death of her mother and brought her to Wolf Isle with the promise to return for her soon. Tessa believes he will return her to France, and they will live on his family’s estate and she will finally have the security that has been missing in her life. But for now, she waits, and as an accomplished midwife, she is sent in Grissell’s stead to help with a birth on Mull and feels an immediate connection and attraction to Eagan. Soon the two become lovers, and at first neither is willing to change their future plans for the other. But the more time spent together, the deeper their connection grows, and she isn’t sure what she will do when/if her father returns. But when he does, everything she thought she knew is challenged and it becomes clear that heartbreak will be inevitable.

This was a very good end to the Wolf Isle series; it is well-written and ties up all the story lines that have been ongoing throughout the series. It did start a bit slow and took a couple of turns that made me wonder where the author was going and how it was going to all work out – but it does, and it is very satisfying. This book has a bit of everything; intrigue, insta-lust, great characters, witch hunters, old enemies, impossible choices, steamy love scenes, the entire Macquarie family, a centuries old curse, twist and turns, shocking revelations, heartache, and a happily ever after that didn’t seem possible as well as an epilogue. This is the fifth and final book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would strongly recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience. It also should be mentioned that there are some scenes that might be upsetting to some readers, and I would suggest checking out the content warning before reading this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *