I was not able to get interested in this book and I did not finish it. The characters and the plot were not able to catch or keep my attention.

A VIEW TO A KILT is the thirteenth book Kaitlyn Dunnett’s “Liss MacCrimmon” cozy mystery series set in the small town of Moosetookalook, Maine. This story opens with Liss MacCrimmon going about her normal daily routine with a few minor blips on her radar – she’s watching her aunt’s two Scotties while she’s out of town, and she’s preparing for the annual March Madness Mud Season Sale. Using some foreshadowing, Kaitlyn Dunnett introduces the huge conglomerate Merveilleuse International and their plans for Moosetookalook. There is nothing overtly sinister about this company, but you just know it will factor in the conclusion of this mystery in some major way.

In addition to everything else Liss must handle, a dead man is found in her backyard. Even more perplexing is the fact that the victim turns out to be Charlie MacCrimmon – her uncle who was thought dead during the Vietnam War. It’s a lot to take in. Local friends and her levelheaded husband provide feedback and support as Liss tries to figure out what brought her uncle to his unfortunate end. There are a wide range of suspects to choose from in A VIEW TO A KILT – from town locals, friends and acquaintances from her uncle’s secret life as a PI in Florida, shady business types, and even Liss’ own father. Kaitlyn Dunnett creates a nice mix of cozy mystery staples and suspense in this book. One amusing aspect of this mystery is when Liss’ somewhat overbearing mom wants to team up with her daughter to be a kind of investigative team. Added b to this mix is Liss and her husband going through a few issues with their current cat after the somewhat recent loss of their other cat. For me, the mother-daughter relationship and the pet dynamics ring true.

A VIEW TO A KILT has a lot of moving parts, but Kaitlyn Dunnett can tie everything together in an entertaining way that is realistic. Liss is a strong female protagonist and believable, without being obnoxious in any way. t’s not hammered home but having Liss acting as a detective is a nice connection to her late uncle since he built a career as a PI. I love the mellow but strong relationship between Liss and her husband Dan. He worries about Liss when danger becomes a reality but doesn’t act like a father figure to her. I look forward to Kaitlynn Dunnett’s next mystery.

This is book 13 in the Liss MacCrimmon Cozy series and it's a winner. Set in Moosetookalook, Maine it's time for the March Madness Mud Season sale. Liss is in charge this year and hopes the town gets the tourist season off to a good start. When they find a dead body in her back yard the family is shocked to discover it's an uncle who they thought died in Vietnam during the war. What was he doing in town and why was he killed? This book can be read as a stand alone but the previous books are all fun and good reads. This story certainly brings a twist into Liss's life and the whole town. Looking forward to # 14 to see what develops. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the 13th in one of my favorite mystery series, though the plot was a little boring at times to me I love the characters and can't wait for the next one to find out more about them.

This book is the 13th book in the Liss McCrimmon cozy mystery series. I thought this book was delightful! The premise is, Liss, who is our amateur sleuth, finds a dead man in her back yard.. When authorities identify him, he is a long-lost uncle who was declared deceased in the Vietnam war.

Liss and her family start to uncover clues about Charlie, and travel to Florida for answers about his past. It seems Charlie was in the private detective business in Florida. In all these years, why had he never contacted his brother or the rest of the family?

I enjoyed this story very much and had no problem jumping right in, even though I had not read the previous stories in the series. I love Liss and her quirky family.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a Scottish flair (Liss and her family own the Scottish Emporium).

My thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.


Book 13 in the series.

This one took me some time to get into, which is weird, because it started off with a bang, and had two of my favorite characters in it (Dandy and Dondi!). But it really just had a slow pace after that. And Liss' mother is annoying as all get out.

In the end, it all wrapped up nicely and it was an okay story.

I like this series, and I will continue to read it, but this one is definitely not one of my favorites.

Another great cozy mystery in the Lissa Maccrimmon series. Back to Moosetookalook, Maine.
Lissa and her husband found a body in their back yard. The person was supposedly been dead for 50 yrs.
Jump in and read the next installment.

3.5 Stars

Liss MacCrimmon runs the family’s shop, the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine. She has been put in charge of the town’s March Madness Mud Season sale and she won’t have the help of her Aunt Margaret who is out of the country. Liss is watching Margaret’s two Scottie dogs and they make a gruesome discovery in Liss and her husband Dan’s backyard. There is a dead body of a man not known to Dan and Liss in their yard. Liss gets another shock when the identity of the victim is revealed and her father, Mac, becomes the prime suspect of the hard-nosed state police officer in charge of the case. In spite of not wanting to be involved in another murder investigation, Liss can’t stand by and watch her father imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit so she begins looking for clues that will lead her and the police to the truth.

This is the thirteenth book in this series and the fifth I have read. What got me interested in this series was that Liss was a former professional Scottish dancer and the information about Scottish customs and items sold in her store. Unfortunately, neither Liss’s dancing background nor anything to do with the Scotland plays a part in the book. That is what made the earlier books in this series so unique and it’s been missing in the last couple of books. Liss and her husband are still likable characters and the author does make the most of the Maine setting in this book both in providing an interesting background and in a central part of the storyline. I love Liss and Dan’s relationship although it isn’t central to this book. Liss’s mother Vi is not one of my favorite characters, but I enjoyed the scenes when she and Liss go to Florida as part of the investigation. Unfortunately, Vi is just not a pleasant person and quickly spoils any of the ground she makes in the relationship with her daughter.

The case itself starts out very intriguing. Without spoiling anything, the identification of the victim is a shock to Liss and her family and many other residents of their small town because it’s someone who had been presumed dead many years ago. Liss’s investigation into the murder and into the life of this person caught my interest right away. Liss makes some missteps, but I found the investigation very interesting. They way the case mixes in with an issue the town is facing regarding rights to their water supply is well-done. Less successful is the mystery surrounding the “twice-dead” victim. When all the details come out, the solution is so improbable and incompletely explained, it left me very disappointed. The premise hooked me and the build-up kept me going, but the ultimate payoff isn’t there. This isn’t my favorite of Dunnett’s books, but I am still a fan of her writing and this series. I hope future books get back to basics and have more of a focus on Liss and her husband’s loving relationship and all things Scottish.

~ Christine

Princess Fuzzypants here: As Liss prepares for March Mud Madness, her entire family is spiralled into turmoil. Her father’s brother who was reported MIA in Vietnam and declared dead not only shows up in Moosetookalook but in Liss’ backyard very dead. Where has he been for more than 40 years and why has he never contacted any of his family before? Moreover, what did he know that was enough to get him killed and who did it?
When Liss’s father is suspected of the crime, and the family discover he is the sole beneficiary of his brother’s substantial estate, Liss and her mother fly off to Miami where he has lived for the past several years and worked as a PI. Each day brings new revelations and as they search through his belongings and talk to those who knew him during his absence, they learn he uncovered some very important information that could have far reaching effects on the people of his home town.
When Liss finds out what it is and shares that information, she does not make any new friends. In fact, she feels threatened by those most impacted by the information. But danger lurks in unexpected places and unexpected people. Will Liss get out of this unscathed?
You will just have to read the book to find out. Four purrs and two paws up.

Liss MacCrimmon came back to her hometown, Moosetookalook, Maine, to run her family's Scottish souvenir shop. She's happily settled in with her husband, friends, and family, and looking forward to the annual celebration of muddy weather.
But then a dead man turns up in her backyard. And her father becomes suspect #1.
As she and her friends and relatives try to clear her father's name, secrets from the town's past are uncovered, and life gets dangerous.
The story has plenty of twists and turns, with surprises right up to the end.

This is the 13th in the series and I have read 3 of the series now. Each book is a enjoyable fun cozy with a well crafted mystery. I enjoyed this next in series and always enjoy returning to this series. Thank you to Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity.. My review is my own.

Our protagonist Liss MacCrimmon manages her family’s shop, the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine. Part of the charm of this series are the descriptions of Maine and the Scottish shop. Liss is now in charge of running a sale while her Aunt who helps in the shop is gone on a trip. She is pet sitting her aunt's dogs.
When the dogs find a body in their backyard she is shocked to find who the victim was and that her Father may be suspect number one due to his relationship with the victim. Liss decides to step up and help her Father clear his name . Soon clues abound and she has a suspect list that is growing with every question.

The sleuth was pleasing to conclusion. I love the shop, the setting and supporting charcters. I look forward to the next in this cozy series.

A View to a Kilt by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the 13th A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery. Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin has trouble saying “no” which is how she finds herself in charge of the Moosetookalook’s March Madness Mud Season Sale. Aunt Margaret will not be around to help because she is taking off for Ireland with the local genealogy group. The day after Aunt Margaret’s departure, Dan Ruskin finds a dead man in their backyard. Since Gordon Tandy was promoted, no-nonsense Detective Kelly Cussler is the lead investigator. Liss is shocked when the victim is identified as her uncle, Charlie MacCrimmon. Charlie had served in the Vietnam war where he had been declared MIA and was never heard from again. Detective Cussler deems Mac MacCrimmon, Liss’ dad, as the prime suspect which has Liss donning her sleuthing cap. A View to a Kilt can be read as a standalone for those new to this series. I always enjoy returning to Moosetookalook, Maine to catch up with Liss, Dan, Aunt Margaret and the other residents. Liss is considering closing the shop and doing online sales only. I hope she reconsiders since she has a unique shop and I like what it adds to the town as well as the series. The mystery was intriguing with an uncle being found dead in Liss’ backyard. They were told Charlie was MIA in Vietnam. Now the family learns he has been alive and living in Florida. Violet, Liss’ mother, drags Liss down to Florida to search for clues. There are several suspects, but one sticks out like a sore thumb. The whodunit was interesting with some unique qualities. Liss did miss a great opportunity to search for clues in the story which surprised me. When an amateur sleuth stumbles upon papers, they really should go through them before summoning the police. I could do with less of Violet MacCrimmon and her overbearing personality (she drives me batty). Liss is trying to get along with her, but I can see why it is a challenge (and why she liked her mother living in a different state). Liss has good relationships with her aunt and father which I find sweet. She is working on her relationship with her mother (it is like riding a bike up a steep hill). A View to a Kilt is a lighthearted cozy mystery with sweet Scotties, missing mud, a disdainful detective, and a wild whodunit.

Liss is excited about being in charge of the March Madness Mud Sale that is a town wide celebration. You see after a series of blizzards and a harsh winter everyone is looking forward to the much needed boost to the economy. Things are moving forward until Liss's husband discovers a body in their yard and he didn't die from natural causes. The shock of having a dead man in her yard hasn't worn off before she is dealt another blow. Liss soon learns the identity of the dead man and can't believe it, it's an uncle who she thought had died eleven years ago. There are so many questions that need to be answered among them who would kill a man perceived to be dead. Liss looks to her family for answers hoping to uncover some clues that will help her figure out just what happened to her Uncle. Can she find this murderer before something.else horrible happens maybe to her? This book pulled me in and I couldn't wait to figure out who the killer was.and why they chose to murder!

A View to a Kilt earns 5/5 Bottles of Spring Water...Entertaining!

I must say I’ve been interested in Kaitlyn Dunnett’s Liss MacCrimmon Mystery for awhile: young girl returns home, small village in a Northeast setting, shop with a Scottish flair, and pesky murders to solve...all good things! I am lucky to finally join in with this thirteenth installment and becoming a eager fan with a dozen more cozies in the future! Liss is hoping the winter thaw will bring the tourists back to the small Maine township of Moosetookalook (try quickly saying that three times), and to her Scottish Emporium. With the sloshy soon-to-be Spring arriving the town prepares for the March Madness Mud Season Sale, an annual event to help boost the local economy and help bring residents and businesses out of its winter doldrums. But, her husband finding a dead man on their property isn’t the worst of it, even being determined as murder isn’t the worst of it. The worst of it is that the victim is Liss’s uncle who has not been seen for decades, long before she was born, not since her was deployed to...Vietnam. Where has he been? Why has he reappeared? Who killed him? Delightfully entertaining page-turner! Kaitlyn’s well-written drama uses a third-person narrative and included enough background and character connections to make it a nice standalone. The mystery was very compelling with Liss’s family shocked by the identity of the dead-alive-dead victim made more complicated by cryptic notes by the victim, Liss and her mother being surveilled, and her father as law enforcement’s major suspect. Her investigative style is realistic, trying to be thorough with a last-minute trip to Florida, but hampered by the new detective on the case. The additional drama of the town’s water rights adds a contemporary issue into the mix and its increasing importance was engaging. The story had little of the Scottish flair I expected from the cover and knowledge of the series, the dynamics between mother and daughter was frustrating at times, and the ending is satisfactory, but also not what I expected. I enjoyed the characters and the story, so I recommend this book, and I’m off to check out the rest of the series.

It’s a snowy time in Moosetookalook where Liss and Dan are dogsitting two Scotties, Dandy and Doni. Liss runs a specialty gift store ,and Dan is on the way to his carpentry shop when they discover a dead body in the garden. Liss immediately recognizes something familiar about the dead man, but can’t figure out what. It seems he is someone from her father’s past who has come back to town for a reason. This is the thirteenth book in this series, but my first time enjoying these characters and the little town of Moosetookalook, Maine. I would recommend this if you are a cozy mystery fan.

I obtained this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

“A View to a Kilt” the 13th instalment in the “Liss MacCrimmon Mystery“ series by Kaitlyn Dunnett. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am in the process of purchasing the previous books. Even though this is only the second or third book I have read in the series I was able to follow along easily so it can be read as a stand alone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish, there was so much happening with the March Madness Mud Season Sale, dog sitting, family secrets and a little murder. I liked how it was all woven together so neatly that nothing seemed out of place. We got to know the characters their feelings , relationships and care about the outcome of Moosetookalook, Maine and the
Merveilleuse International Water company deal.

Amongst all this there were plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing on the identity of the killer.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series and book 14 when it comes out.

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

A View to a Kilt, is the thirteenth in the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries by Kaitlyn Dunnett. Liss's Aunt Margaret is off to Ireland to research the MacCrimmon's family history while Liss and Dan watch the two Scotties, Dandy and Dondi. The next morning Dan and Liss are enjoying their coffee after letting the Scotties out to the backyard. When Dandy and Dondi start barking up a storm, Liss assumes they must have seen the neighbor's French poodle but when the barking continued for 15 minutes or so, Dan went out to see what was causing it. Coming in carrying one dog under each arm, he calls 911. When Liss hears why the dogs were barking, Dan wraps his arm around her. When the State Police send a Detective Cussler to check out the situation, Liss is disappointed to find out her friend Gordon Tandy has been promoted. As if Liss doesn't have a full plate planning for the annual Mud Season Sale in Moosetookalook, running the Emporium, now there's a dead body too. Also thrown into the mix is the town's selectmen's have been given a proposal that would allow for income for the town budget by Merveilleuse International to tap the natural springs in the local area by building a bottling company. Can Liss figure out when this company and the death have to do with each other?

Every book in this series gets better and better. The component I love the best is that the main character is far from perfect. She feels and reacts the same way a regular person would. The author does a perfect job in conveying the " real" when it comes to her stories and characters. A mystery that is filled with family, twists and intrigue, this story is a great compliment to the series.

A View To A Kilt was a fun and fast paced cosy mystery with a well developed plot that kept me guessing until the very end. The characters are well developed too.

3.5 Stars


Liss seems to find herself tangled into trouble whether she is trying or not. She’s a fun and strong woman that has a caring streak that runs deep. Lover of cats and amateur sleuth, she will make you laugh while getting the information she wants. She’s a small town girl will a mind that thinks outside the box. A wonderful main character.

A View to a Kilt was a fun cozy read. Ms. Dunnett keeps the reader going with a well developed, keep you thinking plot. You can tell this was part of a long going series, however new readers like myself are easily about to jump right in and not feel lost. I love when the town or setting of the book is almost like a character. Moosetookalook is an interesting town with personality and flair. The residents are even more so. Small towns are always full of secrets and sometimes they end up in your own backyard. The backyard is Liss’ this time and hits close to home. From the quaintness of the town, to the colorful personalities of the people within it, to a plot that spins an excellent tale, Ms. Dunnett’s A View to a Kilt was a one sit read for me.