Murder at a Scottish Christmas - (A Scottish Shire Mystery) by Traci Hall (Paperback)

About the Book

"All Paislee wants for Christmas is for her new home to be finished, but it looks like she'll have to wait for New Year's Day. Whether the paint on the walls has dried or not, she'll host a feast for her twelve-year-old son Brody, Grandpa, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and friends--including police station receptionist Amelia Henry and her brother McCormac, whose black locks can fulfill the Scottish first-footer tradition that a tall, dark-haired man should be the first person to enter your home on New Year's to bring good luck. But McCormac's luck is about to run out. During Hogmanay--when the Scots welcome the New Year with dancing, bonfires, and midnight fireworks--he collapses as the sky brightens in a blaze of color. A shooter has used the noise of the fireworks to hide a gun's blast. Amelia is inconsolable, and Paislee vows to do whatever she can to help DI Zeffer solve the murder--even if it puts her in the killer's sights next..."--

Book Synopsis

The holidays in the charming seaside village of Nairn hold bright hope for sweater shop owner and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw--but a fireworks celebration provides cover for a killer in the sixth installment of USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall's Scottish Shire Mystery series.

All Paislee wants for Christmas is for her new home to be finished, but it looks like she'll have to wait for New Year's Day. Whether the paint on the walls has dried or not, she'll host a feast for her twelve-year-old son Brody, Grandpa, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and friends--including police station receptionist Amelia Henry and her brother McCormac, whose black locks can fulfill the Scottish first-footer tradition that a tall, dark-haired man should be the first person to enter your home on New Year's to bring good luck.

But McCormac's luck is about to run out. During Hogmanay--when the Scots welcome the New Year with dancing, bonfires, and midnight fireworks--he collapses as the sky brightens in a blaze of color. A shooter has used the noise of the fireworks to hide a gun's blast. Amelia is inconsolable, and Paislee vows to do whatever she can to help DI Zeffer solve the murder--even if it puts her in the killer's sights next . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Traci Hall's Scottish Shire Mysteries

"Plenty of suspects and a touch of romance set against a delightful Scottish backdrop." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder at a Scottish Castle

"Hall expertly juggles multiple story lines...Fans of all things Scottish will have fun." --Publishers Weekly on Murder at a Scottish Wedding

"Down-to-earth characters and two mysteries to solve add up to a solid read." --Kirkus on Murder at a Scottish Wedding

"Inquisitive and down-to-earth, Paislee makes a charming sleuth in this suspect-packed mystery." --Kirkus Reviews on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"In her second Scottish Shire mystery, Hall capably juggles multiple story lines and vividly evokes the Scottish backdrop." --Booklist on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"Traci Hall keeps it real in the second Scottish Shire Mystery--and the gorgeous seaside setting and delectable descriptions of Scottish treats add to the enjoyment." --Criminal Element on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"All in all, Murder in a Scottish Garden is a fast-paced read with a nice puzzle that offers a slight twist on the English country house cozy, and there are enough open-ended story lines at the end to hint at more Paislee Shaw mysteries to enjoy." --Reviewing the Evidence on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"Murder in a Scottish Garden is an excellent murder mystery. With the word "Scottish" in the title, I was pretty sure I would love it, as I tend to enjoy all things Scottish. The plot is intriguing and moves along at a good pace. The suspense is well done." --Fresh Fiction on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"I enjoyed the mystery, which had me guessing to the very end and the characters are very realistic. A very enjoyable read." --Knit N Read on Murder in a Scottish Garden

"The mystery is a good one with plenty of clues, motives and suspects to choose from." --Kings River Life Magazine on Murder in a Scottish Shire

"If I have to compare the character development with that of other cozy series debuts, I would say Murder in the Scottish Shire beats all expectations. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I absolutely loved reading Murder in a Scottish Shire. Wonderful character development, excellent storytelling and a murder mystery that keeps you guessing, Murder in a Scottish Shire is definitely one of the best cozy debuts of this year." --The Book Decoder on Murder in a Scottish Shire

About the Author

Traci Hall is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty books across an array of genres, from cozy mysteries to contemporary seaside romances, YA, and nonfiction. She is also the co-author of the Salem B&B Mystery series as Traci Wilton. A member of Mystery Writers of America, RWA and former President of the Florida Romance Writers Association, Hall co-runs CommunityAuthors.com and provides editing services for many accomplished novelists. She lives in South Florida and can be found online at TraciHall.com.