ARC Review: Death at a Scottish Wedding by Lucy Connelly

Death at a Scottish Wedding
Author: Lucy Connelly
Series: A Scottish Isle Mystery (Book 2)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (January 9, 2024)

Description: Dr. Emilia McRoy is back on the case in the second book in the Scottish Isle mystery series, perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Charlene O’Connor.

Something old, something new, something borrowed and someone’s blue…

Finally feeling like Sea Isle, Scotland is becoming her new home, American doctor Emilia McRoy is delighted when she is invited to a wedding at Morrigan's Castle. Her friends have warned her that it's a three-day party and it's bound to get wild, not to mention the impending snowstorm. Constable Ewan Campbell, owner of the castle, ensures their safety with the blizzard. What he didn’t ensure, is that all of his guests would survive the night alive. When Emilia explores the impressive castle, she finds a dead man in one of the turrets.

The snowstorm hits and the local police can’t reach the castle until it lets up. With no one able to leave, the family insists they carry on with the wedding, which makes Emilia's job as the coroner a bit easier—the suspects are in one place­––and complicated because the killer has Emilia in his sights. The fact no one claims to know the victim isn't helping. Why would someone no one knows be murdered at a castle in the middle of nowhere?

It’s up to Emilia to uncover the mystery who the victim is, so the killer doesn’t get away Scot free.

My Thoughts: The second Scottish Isle Mystery has Doctor Emilia McRoy back on the case. This time a found body at a Scottish Castle is the start. Emilia and her friends are at the castle to prepare for the wedding on one of the friends. Angie and her fiancé Damien are determined to marry there. However, murder, attempted murders, and a blizzard might get in the way. 

Emilia doesn't have access to her usual medical facilities when the body of a man is discovered in one of the towers. However, her assistant Abigail has packed enough that they can do a preliminary autopsy which reveals a strange finding: poisoning by antifreeze. Perhaps even stranger than the cause of death is that no one recognizes the man or knows how he came to be in the highly guarded castle. 

When the bride and another of Emilia's close friends are also diagnosed with poisoning by antifreeze but manage to survive due to Emilia and Abigail's prompt action, Emilia has even more incentive to want to find out who wants to stop the upcoming wedding and who doesn't think killing the bride is too far to go. 

There are a host of suspects trapped in the castle because of the blizzards. Both the bride and groom's families are there as are the bridesmaids and groomsmen along with Emilia and her friends. While the groom's father who has made no secret of his dislike for the bride and the upcoming wedding is the best suspect, he doesn't seem to have any connection to the dead man. Casually listening to conversations as the group gathers for meal and drinks gives Emilia lots of people who might want to derail the wedding plans. And attempts on Emilia's life indicate that she might be getting close to some answers even though she still has many questions.

This was an entertaining story. I loved the setting. I do think that the book could have done with some editing since I got tired of being reminded that Emilia had only been in Scotland for three months and that she had developed a very close gang of friends in that time. I also thought that the repetition of the clues with each of the friends was unnecessary especially since nothing new was added in each repetition.  

Fans of the first book in the series - An American in Scotland - will want to read this one for further adventures of the characters. 

Favorite Quote:

"You're smart--you'll figure it out."

"I'm glad someone has faith in me."

He snorted again. "Stop. You are like Nancy Drew with the mysteries."

"I think I'm closer to Miss Marple's age."

He hooted with laughter.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.