From the cast of characters (the locals really make the story work) to the setting (quaint and intriguing) to the mystery itself, An American in Scotland does a great job of keeping the reader engaged. I enjoyed the main character, Dr. Emilia McRoy. Her reasons for wanting to move from Seattle to Scotland become clearer as the story progresses, like small reveals as we learn more about her past. It provided depth/layers to the character as well as insight into why Dr. McRoy approaches her work/interactions with others a certain way. She was a relatable main character who was more than one-dimensional. The setting itself could be considered a character in the story. It serves as a way to imagine the physical location where the story takes place as well as provide the stage for exploring the number of secondary characters in the book (Dr. McRoy’s residence/workplace is a great example of this). Overall, I found this book to be enjoyable and easy to read.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

An American in Scotland gets high marks as a delightful beginning to A Scottish Isle Mystery series.
Dr. Emilia McRoy comes to Scotland to practice medicine on a small isle offshore of Scotland. She has no idea how many roles she is meant to play.
Ewan is laird, mayor and constable. He is overbearing but always caring.
An older man, Smithy, is rude to Emilia and then she finds him dead.
The book is a bit of a merry-go-round as Em investigates. The culprit is one I was not expecting and the danger quite real.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. Thanks to #DreamscapeMedia.
I enjoyed reading and listening to this book. Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for early copies for review.

This cozy mystery introduces Doctor Emilia McRoy who has given up her life in a fast-paced Emergency Room in Seattle for a rural post in Scotland. She isn't even over her jet lag when she discovers the body of Smithy in an unused bothy.

When the laird lets her know that she's also the coroner, it is up to her to discover the cause of death for this unsavory character who may or may not be a blackmailer. Only the body disappears before Em can begin her autopsy.

She's convinced that there was foul play and the disappearing body seems to indicate that she's right. But the laird who is also the constable seems to be downplaying the murder leaving Em to begin her own investigation.

The story is filled with a wide variety of interesting characters and Em quickly finds herself finding a new circle of friends and a few possible romantic possibilities too. However, she's coming off a bad relationship and isn't interested in romance.

As the dangers mount, Em has to decide who she can trust if she wants to solve the murder and keep herself alive.

I enjoyed the setting and enjoyed Em who is a real mystery buff in addition to being an excellent physician.

At first I was a tad embarrassed for Emilia inserting herself in the murder and asking questions to the townspeople. But the book got better and I enjoyed her doctoring the townspeople. I somehow figured out who the killer was way before she did. I really like her friend group. This is a fun new series that I'm excited to read more of.

An American in Scotland
Lucy Connelly
April 4, 2023


In her latest book Connelly takes us to Sea Isle in Scotland. Our protagonist is Dr. Emilia McRoy of Seattle, Washington. She and her husband were physicians in Seattle. She was head of the Emergency department until the years took their toll, it was time to leave. Emilia wanted to find out about her Scottish relations. She accepted a position as the doctor on the island. After long flights and travel to the northern isle she found herself walking uphill to what appeared to be a church. Once upon a time it had been, until Laird Ewan Campbell bought the old building and made it into a medical building and apartment for the doctor who cared for the townsfolk. Months after he passed the people were tired of the difficult journey to Edinburgh. After moving in, Dr. McRoy began discovering life on the strange little island.
An American in Scotland will be published by Crooked Lane Books on April 4, 2023. I was invited to read the advanced copy via NetGalley. This cozy mystery was like reading an episode of Vera and Shetland combined. Such a fun and delightful book. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from start to finish. Complete with Gaelic antidotes, the conversations are never boring. Be certain to find a copy of Lucy Connelly’s latest book, An American in Scotland and do enjoy!

An American in Scotland Earns 5/5 Scottish Breakfasts … Engaging Gem!

There was nothing to keep Dr. Emilia McRoy in Seattle after her husband’s death and the scandal hospital officials covered up. Fortuitously, an offer presented itself for a position as town doctor, so she emigrated to Sea Isle, Scotland. A DNA test had proved her ancestors had originated from the area, so in some way, she felt home. Her office and residence was oddly in a converted church, but it’s a high-tech dream, well stocked, and the young woman hired to assist her, is extremely capable. Em is pleased, and exploring the area, she meets many friend-worthy locals.

There were some surprises, though, that made her question her impulsive decision. On her first day, she was verbally threatened by a local curmudgeon, later finding him murdered, discovering the deputy chief constable, mayor, laird of Sea Isle, and her employer is an annoying “Highland hunk,” and her additional responsibilities include being the coroner. She takes her job seriously, but is hampered by the victim’s body going missing, and with her own outlier motive, locals think she might be a murderer. Later, the victim’s body is found, devoid of any useable evidence, and with an increasing sense she’s being watched, she becomes a target of the killer actively trying to stop her snooping, even permanently. Welcome to Scotland?

Lucy Connelly’s first book in her Scottish Isle Mystery is a Highland hit! It is an engaging and fun cozy with the Scottish highlands as the backdrop, a small town dynamic, a controlling, yet handsome, laird of the land, and a ex-pat doctor navigating it all. I like having the crime discovered early in the story, with an interesting motive linked to the new doctor, and the immediate tension between Dr. Em and DCC Campbell makes their partnership an intriguing mix of snarky retorts and a fight for control. Secrets, hidden agendas, interesting connections, and a cold case death make for an intriguing read.

Lori Connelly writes well depicting the rural environment, the unpredictable weather, and a diverse, multigenerational cast of characters. To enrich the drama and provide informal opportunities to garner clues and insights, Connelly includes everyday experiences from savoring treats and gossip at the tea shop to hanging out at the pub, from exploring tartan patterns to learning to drive in a left side world, from interacting with patients to enjoying the annual “Gathering.” She’s made good friends with them all eager to be Watson to her Sherlock. Romance is an important element to me, and Em has a couple interesting options, but the dark horse is the laird Ewan; nothing like a bit of tension to inflame the emotions. Em is not your traditional amateur detective; as a doctor, she has the skill set to scrutinize a crime scene, examine a victim’s remains, and evaluate evidence, and when Connelly mentioned Em had her “detective sergeant’s degree from BritBox,” it made me giggle out loud realizing that’s where I got mine, of course, with an additional degree thru AcornTV! Highly recommend!

3.5 stars
Dr. Emilia McRoy is a dedicated and competent Seattle E.R. doc. But after a personal tragedy, she is at risk of burnout and jumps at the chance to be the community physician for a small Scottish town.

A local laird is the town's benefactor and he recruited Em and provided housing and modern equipment for the clinic.

But Em has barely arrived when she stumbles over the dead body of a man who picked a fight with her earlier - and she is certain he has been murdered.

She and the laird tangle over that and several other things. She finds him generous but controlling and domineering. She does find friends and begins to come out of her shell but has one big problem: she is being targeted by the killer who keeps finding ways to leave threats in her home. The Scottish setting and Em's interactions with the locals make this an entertaining read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The first in the Scottish Island Mysteries, An American in Scotland is a light, entertaining and quirky murder mystery with elements of romance.

Dr. Emilia McRoy needs a fresh start after suffering from personal loss so she leaves America and moves to a wee village on glorious Sea Isle in Scotland. She is surprised to discover her job includes being the coroner. Though most locals are welcoming, some including Smithy regard her with suspicion. When Em finds Smithy's murdered body, Constable Ewan enters the scene. Not only is he police but also a wealthy laird and mayor. During the course of practicing medicine and investigating, Em quickly makes friends including Abigail, Mara and Angie. There is also potential love interest.

My favourite aspects are the lovely Scotland setting (Scotland is chock full of atmosphere, history and fascinating people), food descriptions and the medical slant. The story and characters are predictable and therefore I did not feel any suspense or tension. Em and Ewan are intelligent yet lackluster with investigating. However, the series has oodles of potential and I look forward to subsequent adventures. As an expat I am always fascinated with experiences of foreigners taking the plunge and moving to other countries/continents. Very relatable. Em surprisingly knows very little about Scotland and had not researched her new home and medical practice which does not seem realistic.

My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this fun novel.

Dr Emilia McRoy moves to Sea Isle, Scotland to change her life. A fresh start. Something less hectic than a big metro hospital. Surely life as a doctor in a small Scottish town will be idyllic, right?

Finding a dead body that then disappears before she can conduct an autopsy soon has Emilia rethinking her life choices......

I absolutely loved this book! The local residents are quirky. The local constable is difficult. And Emilia is a strong and stubborn main character determined to get to the bottom of what happened.

Just a delightfully fun and entertaining story to read! This is one story that will be wonderful on audio. When the audio book comes out, I'm going to listen to the story a second time!

I'm definitely going to keep reading this series. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Dr. Emilia McRoy is a well written character, she acts like a smart doctor which I really appreciate. We've all read stories where the heroine is supposed to be smart, but sure doesn't act that way. I enjoyed how she and Laird Ewan Campbell, the head honcho of the land in Irish tradition, butt heads at first. I felt that was realistic with her being an emergency room doctor/surgeon and used to being revered in her circles. The townspeople soon become the family she didn't know she needed and that makes this new series special. Abigail and her autistic brother Tommy are gems and the pub owner, Mara, becomes fast friends with Emilia.

The murder mystery is well thought out and a nice puzzle, particularly since everybody in town is new to Emilia. The sense of a lurking threat is palpable and the suspense is high with somebody getting into her Doctor's office in the repurposed church where she also lives.

The Scottish sea-side landscape is vividly portrayed. I've always wanted to visit, more now than ever. Emilia meets town's people as she employs her emergency room skills with farm accidents to delivering babies.

This new series is a perfect combination of developed, realistic characters and good plotting with a steady pace. I have many series I follow, but this just shot up to the top of my list of must reads. It will be hard to wait for the next in this series to release. I can't recommend this new cozy mystery series highly enough, I think you will enjoy this too.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Set in the charming village of Sea Isle, #AnAmericaninScotland is the first in a planned series of cozy mysteries by Lucy Connelly. The h is Dr. Emilia McRoy, who has moved to Scotland from Seattle to start over after a marriage that ended badly and a job as an ER doc that left her burned out. Happily, her initial impressions of her new home are fairly positive: her office is very well equipped, her home is lovely, and the townspeople, for the most part, are friendly and appreciative of their new doctor. One person who is not happy with Em is Smithy, a dreadful older fisherman who has a grudge against the McRoys—and who seems to be feuding with everyone.

Emilia is out walking when a sudden storm blows in and takes refuge in an uninhabited cottage. She discovers the dead body of Smithy and also finds out that her duties include acting as coroner. Before she can begin her autopsy, the body disappears from her office where it was being held. As coroner, she works with the local laird and constable, Ewan Campbell, to establish the cause of death. With the body missing, she begins doing some investigating on her own, and continues even after the body washes up and she is able to complete her autoposy.

The story is an easy to read, light mystery with an interesting cast of characters. A lot of time is spent introducing three women who become friends of Emilia’s (Abigail, Mara and Angie) and there are hints of a relationship that might develop with Ewan. Not the most challenging or substantial mystery, but a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBks for the ARC!

The sheer joy of blindly going into a book on the basis of the cover image and a title and finding it exciting beyond words, now that is what I would call a blessing.

An American In Scotland by Lucy Connelly is a dream of a book. A murder mystery set in Scotland and a lovely set of women characters to die for, this story had everything and more going for it. Sea Isle has never had any serious crimes in its history, but Dr. Emilia McRoy’s arrival is kind of the spark that ignites the powder keg bringing about a murder and a body missing even before her jet lag is cleared.

The investigation into the death of the crooked Mr. Smithy leads Em into unexpected dangers even escaping attempts on her own life. The author has sketched Sea Isle as this cozy idyllic town so charming that I wish I were living there, ok, maybe not in the winter thou. But the quirky residents in the town with all their loving characteristics come alive in the reader’s mind. Mara, Angie, and the more than capable Abigail forming the band of girls around Em and protecting her was, sigh, the stuff of dreams. The slight inkling of a developing romance between Ewan Campbell and Emilia was another beautiful touch. I loved how the author focused more on the angle of friendship in the story and Em’s settling into Sea Isle rather than any romance.

Well that said, the romance-craving soul in me is keeping my fingers crossed that Ewan Campell, the multi-millionaire, laird, mayor, and constable all rolled into one Ewan Campbell and Em have a change in their relationship status. I know I am all in for a bit of suspension of disbelief but a full fledged hospital set up with an MRI, all kinds of testing apparatus, and an assistant who knows everything including suturing was kinda over the top, and the only reason why I am going for 4.5 stars rather than the full 5 star this deserves.

This is the first book in the Scottish Isle Mystery and I hope Em and her gang have a lot more mysteries to solve.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

'An American in Scotland' is a spectacular start to what I hope will be a long run in Lucy Connelly's A Scottish Isle Mystery series. From the first page to the last I was completely engrossed in the locale, the characters and the plot. I would give this 10 stars if I could, and can't wait for more. I hope it is soon!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I discovered this cozy mystery from fellow GR member, and award-winning author, Linda Castillo, who I follow as well as a die-hard fan of her Kate Burkholder series. I am also obsessed with crime thrillers and murder mysteries, especially ones with a strong, female MC and centered around small-town crime, especially of the unusual and quirky type.

One of the first things that I loved about this book was the humor and comedy. So much so that the first night after starting the book, I was banished to the living room because hubby complained that my laughing was keeping him awake. Quite often, the interactions between Em and the townspeople were hilarious, especially when Mara was around. The whole disappearance of the body was like a comedy skit. For Em, her introduction to the intricacies and workings of her home/office was like being transported to an alternate reality (her words, not mine). I immediately liked Em; she’s sassy, spunky, and brave with a great sense of humor😊

The book summary pretty much lays out the first half of the book with the primary storyline being the discovery of a dead body and its disappearance, and the subsequent investigations of the two. The other secondary storylines are Em’s assimilation into the community, the weird and creepy things that keep happening to Em since the body went missing, and the negative attitudes and tension between Em and the constable/laird, Ewan.

In the second half, while the constable and his department investigate the two incidents, their investigations are actually secondary to Em’s own investigation. With the help of her new BFF’s, Mara and Angie, the ladies actually collect more clues and evidence than the constable and his department, adding to Ewan’s growing frustration. This also angers the killer. The end is very scary and intense for Em with a very satisfying conclusion to the case. The last chapter was a bit of a tear-jerker😊 I look forward to future installments.

I want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

@NetGalley @CrookedLaneBooks @AnAmericaninScotland

This was a great start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the setting and the characters. I will definitely pick up the next book in the series.

An American in Scotland i the first book in A Scottish Isle Mystery. I really enjoyed this book and the characters that made up this story. Dr. Emilia (Em) McRoy is a new doctor that came to the island of Sea Isle for a change from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. She has found that some of her ancestors have lived there and would like to find out more about her family. Her grandmother, mother and husband have all passed away. She has arrived with Mr. Wilson who's family owns the Pig and Whistle pub. He drops her off at the church on the hill that is the doctor's office and dwelling. He tells her that when she gets settled she should come to the pub for something to eat. While there she meets Mara, Mr. Wilson's granddaughter who works in the pub. An old man, named Smithy comes in and is nasty to her. He does not like the McRoy family. When she heads back home a bad rain storm starts. Em runs into a small cottage for shelter. When there she comes across a dead body who is Smithy. She runs out of the cottage. Ewan Campbell comes to check on the cottage that has been closed for repairs. He asks her what she is doing there. He is the constable, mayor and laird of Sea Isle. This is where the story takes off with much happening. I will leave the story which is full of suspense to the reader to enjoy. There are other characters in this story that add to the excitement of finding out what happened to Smithy and who killed him.

I loved this story and could not stop reading until the end. I look forward to hopefully a second book in this series. I loved the dynamics between Emilia and Ewan as well as other members of the town.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

This was a lovely read.
Just by the description of the church/office/house, I was already hoping for a next book.
I loved her character, she is well rounded, she has life experience (great to read a main character who is over 28 years old). I enjoyed the side characters, the people who accept her in their village. I am looking forward to seeing them again.

Emilia McRoy has had enough of life as an ER doctor in Seattle and decides that moving to Scotland to be a small town doctor is just what she needs. Upon her arrival in Sea Isle the locals welcome her warmly and she’s ready for the change of pace. Until she comes across a body and finds that she not only has to work with less than helpful local constable, but she’s also the local coroner.

Before she can even perform the autopsy the body disappears and people start to believe that may there was no body. With threats and break-ins, Emilia has to figure out what is going on, because this is one girl who is not going to be run out of town before she even settles in.

A great start to a new series. If you like Scotland, Cozies and a good mystery this series is for you!

A promising debut. that was not easy to put down. I highly recommend it. Love the characters who inhabit the village and the local Laird. And there are misunderstandings aplenty that that are very humorous and help you fall into the story.
Dr. Emilia McRoy is in need of a new start in life. She takes a position as the general practitioner in a small Scottish town-which is as far away from her life in Seattle and the bad memories there as she can get. Almost immediately, she gets drawn into a mystery when she discovers the dead body of a cantankerous fellow that she had met earlier, in a rundown hut (bothy) she enters to get away from a bad rainstorm. She soon discovers that her contract requires her to act as the coroner and the large walk-in refrigerator in her new living space is for the morgue. Everyone believes he was drunk and hit his head, but Em is positive he was murdered. And when she goes to do the autopsy the next day, the body is missing.

What follows is Emilia's attempt to investigate the crime using skills she developed watching British mysteries on Brit Box because it is within the duties of a coroner, and she doesn't feel the laird/constable believes her when she said it was murder. Following along with her was fun and interesting as she meets more of the inhabitants of the village and the reasons someone may have wanted Smithy dead.

Great plotted mystery-the clues are there but I was totally surprised by the ending. Looking forward to further installments in

I received an ARC from the pubisher but the opinion expressed is my own.

Love this cozy mystery in which we find an American finds themselves in Scotland trying to solve a mystery. I ended up loving it more than I thought I would.