ARC Review: Death at a Scottish Christmas by Lucy Connally

Death at a Scottish Christmas
Author: Lucy Connelly
Series: Scottish Isle Mysteries (Book 3)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (October 15, 2024)

Description: Merriment, mistletoe, and murder await in the third installment of the Scottish Isle mystery series, perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Joanne Fluke.

Sea Isle, Scotland, is magical during the holiday season, and Dr. Emilia McRoy can’t wait to enjoy everything her village has to offer. But when the lead singer of a famous band is murdered in the village, just as they were about to launch a world tour, her holiday instantly comes to a halt.

As the band’s future hangs in the balance, Emilia discovers that the victim was working on new music that has since disappeared. Were these new lyrics worth killing for? And if so, who is the culprit? It seems more than one person wanted this music star dead. Shockingly, beloved constable Ewan Campbell becomes the prime suspect in the investigation, putting a damper on the town’s festivities.

With an ever-growing list of suspects, Emilia will need all the help she can get to figure out who is framing poor Ewan. Between a secret Santa that wants her dead, stalkers, and killer holiday celebrations, Emilia must see the devil in the details and discover the truth before it’s too late.

My Thoughts: It is December in Sea Isle, Scotland, and Dr. Emilia McRoy is getting her first taste of the holidays in her new home. However, the death of a musical icon who performed with his group at the pub leads Emilia into another murder investigation.

Bram was a charismatic character who just happened to have an affair with Constable Ewan Campbell's fiancée many years ago. Ewan isn't happy to have him back in his hometown, but he didn't murder him despite the opinion of an imported cop. 

As Emilia tries to look into the cause of death and Bram's medical records, she also has to deal with one of the other members of the band who is hysterical and who drugs herself into a coma. Then there is the band's manager who is looking for a way to capitalize on Bram's death to make money until he dies suspiciously himself. 

Then Ewan is attacked and requires emergency surgery to prevent a brain bleed which is up to Emilia since a blizzard has rolled in preventing moving him to another hospital. 

I enjoyed this mystery. It is the third in a series and I have been enjoying how Emilia is fitting in at her new community and making some close friends. 

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