Happy Monday! Ginger Snapped by Gail Oust will be published on December 12. It is the fifth book in A Spice Shop Mystery series.
X Marks the Scot by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the eleventh book in A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series. Liss MacCrimmon is attending the auction of
the Chadwick mansion and purchases a painting of a Scottish bagpiper. While trying to load the painting into the
car, it falls (cracks) and reveals a treasure map tucked into the back of the
painting. Liss’ curiosity is peaked and
Aunt Margaret suggests a trip to Chadwick, Nova Scotia to obtain details on the
Chadwick family (it is on the way to the Antigonish Highland Games—they can
obtain new items for the shop). They
arrive for their meeting with Orson Bailey at the Chadwick Historical and Genealogical
Society to find the place locked up.
When they gain entrance, Liss finds Orson dead under the kitchen
table. Who knew of their trip to
Chadwick? What had Orson uncovered? While at the highland games, their motel room
is broken into and ransacked. Liss
returns home determined to find out where the map leads and what is hidden
where X marks the spot. It seems that
trouble has followed Liss home. Someone
has broken into the shop and her home. What
will Liss uncover in her latest investigation in Moosetookalook, Maine?
X Marks the Scot is not a
standalone. Some readers may find it
confusing with the various characters and relationships. It becomes clearer the further you read into
the book. I have read all the books in A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series, and X Marks the Scot is my least
favorite. I knew the killer’s identity
long before the murder took place. The
mystery had some interesting aspects (a treasure map, hidden tunnels), but it
could have done with a little tweaking.
I wish the mystery had been stronger (it was light). I want to be gobsmacked! Moosetookalook is a charming Maine town with
unique characters and plenty of charm. It
will be interesting to see what happens now that Liss’ parents have returned to
town and Liss is dreading it (she gets along better with her mother when there
are a couple of states between them). I
found the pace of the novel to be too slow (made the book seem long). I will read the next book in A LissMacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series in the hopes that the series will get back
on track. I have a feeling, though, that
the series has run its course. X Marks the Scot will be available on Tuesday, November 28.
Kris
The Avid Reader
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