Reviews

Murder in a Scottish Garden by Traci Hall

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

4.0

Murder in a Scottish Garden by Traci Hall has Paislee Shaw acting as chaperone on her son’s class field trip to the Leery Estate. Paislee is hoping to see her wayward landlord, Shawn Marcus while there because there is only five days left on the thirty days’ notice he served her. While waiting for one of her charges to exit the restroom, Paislee hears a pop and then Lady Leery’s nephew, Charles Thomson falls through the hedges dead. DI Mack Zeffer is on the case, and he is interested in Paislee’s keen observations. DI Zeffer, though, does not want Paislee investigating, but her curiosity gets the best of her. She soon discovers that there are more suspects than sprouting weeds in a spring garden. Paislee needs to narrow down the list and zero in on the guilty party. Murder in a Scottish Garden is the 2nd A Scottish Shire Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in Murder in a Scottish Shire. I like that the main characters (Paislee, Brody, Gramps) are developed. We continue to learn more about this little family. I enjoyed the descriptions of Nairn, Scotland with its nosy residents and charming shops. Not as much time was spent in Cashmere Crush this time which is a shame because I love the cozy shop. I enjoy reading about the beautiful yarns Paislee carries and the items she creates with them. The mystery was complex and thought-out. There are a handful of suspects along with good clues. I enjoyed solving this whodunit. I did feel, though, that the book lacked action. The pacing was sluggish in the middle. I am surprised Cashmere Crush makes money with the amount of time Paislee spends running around town with the shop closed. There is a way to balance work and sleuthing (hint to the author). I was not a fan of the lawsuit storyline (parents sued Paislee—who has no money—because she protected a little girl from seeing a dead man). It seemed silly and unnecessary. There are two potential suitors for Paislee, but issues keep her from getting together with her son’s headmaster who runs hot and cold. Grandpa is still looking for his missing son. This storyline started in Murder in a Scottish Shire and is touched on in this book. I wonder how long the author will stretch out this thread. Murder at a Scottish Social is the next book in the series. Murder in a Scottish Garden is a charming whodunit with a mystifying maze, a striking sculptor, a dedicated detective, a trivial lawsuit, real estate miseries, and a mysterious murder.

darcerenity's review

funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Better pacing than the first. The bit about the landlord seemed to be dubious at best. But it was an enjoyable read. 

maggienificient's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.0

jill24's review

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

thisandthatwithkaren's review

5.0

"Murder in a Scottish Garden” is the 2nd instalment in the Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall. What a great sequel to book one! I loved finding out more about the Leery estate and especially the life Lady Shannon has lead . Also that Paisley, her son Brody and grandpa were still together. Lydia always has Paislee’s back and who wouldn’t want a BFF like that. I find the characters to be wonderful, full of Scottish pride and small village life.

The mystery is interesting, well plotted, full of lots of twists and kept me guessing on whodunnit right to the reveal.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

peggyemi's review

4.0

The second book in the Scottish Shire Mystery series is an entertaining read. In my opinion, this book can be read as a stand-alone without being lost, even if you haven't read the first book. The characters in this series are developing nicely. Paislee is not what I would call a busy body or nosey type of sleuth, she is just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think her relationship with her grandfather and the family dynamics that are developing add a nice dimension to the story. The secondary cast of characters is comprised of fellow shop owners and Paislee's best friend Lydia.

This time around, Paislee is innocently accompanying her son's class as a chaperone on a field trip to the local gardens. However, as seems to be her luck, upon taking one of her charges to the restroom, she sees a dead body next to the building. The mystery has intrigue and dysfunctional family dynamics that the reader needs to wade through before determining the killer's identity. There is plenty going on during the story and it is up to the reader to determine if and/or how the events are related. I thought the mystery was wrapped up nicely. There is one underlying mystery that I think will carry through the series for a while and that is what happened to her grandfather's son. That's a thread running through this book but no resolution yet.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

ewil6681's review

emotional lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sg911911's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

rants_n_reads's review

adventurous emotional 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

annarella's review

5.0

I liked the first book in this series and loved this one.
An engrossing and entertaining story that kept me reading and guessing.
Likable and fleshed out characters, a solid mystery full of twists and turns, a lovely setting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine