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darcerenity's review
2.75
would have liked more resolution to the mystery at the end. very annoying that the landlord with kidney disease suddenly had liver disease (mentioned multiple times) and a magical recovery when he previously had such trouble with donor matching.
but paislee and grandpa and grandpa and brody and paislee and zeffer are fun to read.
but paislee and grandpa and grandpa and brody and paislee and zeffer are fun to read.
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the_sassy_bookworm's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Book Review: Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall
Rating: 3 Stars
Traci Hall's "Murder at a Scottish Castle" takes readers on a cozy mystery journey with sweater shop owner, Paislee Shaw, as she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation during the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland.
In this installment, Paislee Shaw, along with her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace, find themselves in the midst of a rivalry between the Earl of Lyon and the previous year's bagpiping champion. When the reigning champion suddenly collapses and dies, suspicion falls on foul play, prompting Paislee to use her sleuthing skills to uncover the truth.
While the cover of the book is visually appealing and the setting in the charming coastal town of Nairn adds a cozy atmosphere to the story, I found it challenging to fully engage with the plot. The narrative seems to focus more on Paislee's personal life rather than the mystery itself, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more fast-paced and suspenseful read.
On a positive note, fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the intricate details about bagpipes woven into the storyline and the endearing presence of Wallace, the Scottish terrier. Despite some pacing issues and a heavier emphasis on personal relationships, "Murder at a Scottish Castle" offers a picturesque setting and an intriguing cast of characters that will appeal to readers looking for a light-hearted whodunit set against the backdrop of a Scottish castle.
Overall, while the book was not perfect fit for me, it provides a pleasant escape to the Scottish countryside and delivers a blend of quaint charm and amateur sleuthing that can be enjoyed by fans of cozy mysteries.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 3 Stars
Traci Hall's "Murder at a Scottish Castle" takes readers on a cozy mystery journey with sweater shop owner, Paislee Shaw, as she finds herself entangled in a murder investigation during the annual bagpiping competition at Ramsey Castle in the seaside village of Nairn, Scotland.
In this installment, Paislee Shaw, along with her son Brody, Grandpa, and their black Scottish terrier Wallace, find themselves in the midst of a rivalry between the Earl of Lyon and the previous year's bagpiping champion. When the reigning champion suddenly collapses and dies, suspicion falls on foul play, prompting Paislee to use her sleuthing skills to uncover the truth.
While the cover of the book is visually appealing and the setting in the charming coastal town of Nairn adds a cozy atmosphere to the story, I found it challenging to fully engage with the plot. The narrative seems to focus more on Paislee's personal life rather than the mystery itself, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more fast-paced and suspenseful read.
On a positive note, fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the intricate details about bagpipes woven into the storyline and the endearing presence of Wallace, the Scottish terrier. Despite some pacing issues and a heavier emphasis on personal relationships, "Murder at a Scottish Castle" offers a picturesque setting and an intriguing cast of characters that will appeal to readers looking for a light-hearted whodunit set against the backdrop of a Scottish castle.
Overall, while the book was not perfect fit for me, it provides a pleasant escape to the Scottish countryside and delivers a blend of quaint charm and amateur sleuthing that can be enjoyed by fans of cozy mysteries.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
aly_saurusrex's review
4.0
Book 3 of 6, have not read the first two. That being said, I did enjoy the story and felt like it would definitely be better having read the other two, but can be read as a standalone. Mystery, dogs and Scots. What's not to like though?
Thank you Netgalley for this book!
Thank you Netgalley for this book!
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall has Paislee Shaw solving the mystery of why Jory Baxter collapsed while playing the bagpipes.
Will Paislee get to the bottom of the mystery?
Paislee Shaw
Paislee Shaw is a young mum to a twelve-year-old boy and lives on a budget. She is also the owner of a specialty sweater shop from which one can also buy yarn. Pasilee has made it to the big time if the dowager countess wants to have some of Paislee’s cashmere knitting projects in her gift shop at the castle. Paislee is a good person who has a lot on her plate and two budding romances. I like Paislee, and I think she is doing a great job raising her son and her store and life. However, Paislee would probably beg to differ on that last one.
Jory Baxter, the Victim
Jory Baxter is a new bagpiper that Clan Cunningham found for last year’s competition to beat Clan Grant, who are the owners of the castle where the competition is held. He thought of himself as this gift to the ladies. This was also showcased while playing the bagpipes as he thought he had all the ladies swooning after him. Sadly, that wasn’t the case with most of everyone at the competitions. Jory kept many things about himself a secret, including from his teammates. Jory Baxter, while alive and dead, was not a good person. I feel sad that he died so young, but it was the way he acted alive that got him killed in the end.
Five Stars
I am giving Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall five stars and a recommendation. Ms. Hall did a fantastic job of writing, making me feel like I was actually in Scotland helping out Paislee. This story had me captivated from the beginning to the end. I adored Wallace, and I loved the idea of Paislee’s shop. Paislee has a great friend who supports her while pushing her out of her comfort zone on a few things. I know that almost everyone deserves a friend like that.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
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