This and That with Karen : Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall

Feb 9, 2021

Murder in a Scottish Shire by Traci Hall

Hello my cozy friends,

Today I am reviewing "Murder in a Scottish Shire” the first instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall. What a great start to a new series!

Known as the Brighton of the North, Nairn is both a charming Scottish town and a popular seaside resort—but to Paislee Shaw, it's simply home—unfortunately to a murderer . . .

For a twenty-eight-year-old single mum, Paislee has knit together a sensible life for herself, her ten-year-old son Brody, and Wallace, their black Scottish terrier. Having inherited a knack for knitting from her dear departed grandmother, Paislee also owns a specialty sweater shop called Cashmere Crush, where devoted local crafters gather weekly for her Knit and Sip.

Lately, though, Paislee feels as if her life is unraveling. She’s been served an eviction notice, and her estranged and homeless grandfather has just been brought to her door by a disconcertingly handsome detective named Mack Zeffer. As if all that wasn't enough, Paislee discovers a young woman who she recently rehired to help in the shop dead in her flat, possibly from an overdose of her heart medicine. But as details of the death and the woman’s life begin to raise suspicions for Detective Inspector Zeffer, it’s Paislee who must untangle a murderous yarn . . .

I loved this story right down to the Scottish dialect which just made it all the more charming. Paisley, her son Brody are a delight and then enters grumpy old great grandpa who adds to the overall family dynamics. He turns out to be a godsend for Paislee in many ways. I liked Lydia her BFF and the rest of the Sip & Knit ladies as well as the overall sense of community.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and kept me guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I have pre-ordered book 2 Murder in a Scottish Garden which releases on May 25, 2021 already so excited!