An American in Scotland was a fun read. I had figured out who was the murderer by 45% into the novel, but since I liked the characters and the story, I did not care that this whodunit was an easy solve. Lucy Connelly is a delightful writer, whose plotting needed a bit more complexity, but whose ideas are fun. The descriptions of the setting are wonderful and the characters are enjoyable.

An American in Scotland is not the typical cosy mystery. Thankfully Connelly takes a break from the usual cat in a bookshop motif and creates a novel with the perfect idyllic setting. Maybe I am just a bit biased, since my own DNA turned out to be more Scots than the Eastern European that I expected. Judging from what friends tell me, Scotland is on a lot of bucket lists for visiting, and since I have only been there twice, An American in Scotland allowed me to visit vicariously.

I want to thank the author and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest review. And big thanks to NetGalley for introducing me to another terrific author. I will look for more Connelly books.

This is one of the best books I have read in a while. An American emergency room physician move to a small seaside village in Scotland where she will wear many hats, to include coroner. She will work with a protective and swoon worthy constable. The author writes in such a way that the reader feels like they are a part of the story. I felt the friendships developing and wanted to partake in the girls' night activities. My heart broke to hear about Emilia's marriage and betrayal. I was scared when she was threatened, apparently more than she was. I'm so hopeful that there will be more books with these characters because there's so much opportunity for relationships to enrich and grow.

Dr. Emilia McRoy leaves a busy Seattle ER for the quiet small town of Sea Isle Scotland wanting a fresh start. No sooner has she arrived; she stumbles into a dead body who then disappears from her morgue. Oh, and yes, she finds out she is not only the village doctor but also the coroner. The deceased is not a well-liked person and there are plenty of people with motives to kill him.

The game is afoot, and Emilia and her new girl gang are on the case much to the dismay of the local constable who is also the Laird and the one paying Emilia. The characters are so well developed, and you feel like you have a new group of friends. The mystery is a good one and it had me guessing until the end.

I could not put this book down! It is one of the best cozy mysteries that I have read in a long time. I can't wait for Ms. Connelly's next installment.

A light, quick read with the idyllic setting of a small village in coastal Scotland. American doctor Emilia McRoy, running from a painful past, accepts a job as village doctor in Sea Isle, where she is immediately thrown into a murder case. Helping her is local constable, handsome laird Ewan Campbell, and a few local women she befriends along the way. With the victim, Smithy, being fairly despicable, the list of suspects is long.

However, I saw the murderer from a mile away and found it frustrating that Emilia and Ewan were so clueless. Overall, while I enjoyed it, both the obvious solution to the mystery and writing style probably won’t have me returning if this is first in a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

New Beginnings…
Sea Isle, Scotland is a small, somewhat idyllic little place and represents a new beginning for Dr Emilia McRoy. Indeed, it seems that the locals have welcomed her with open arms. Things are about to change. When she discovers a dead body, Emilia must act fast - not least when she discovers that her new role also encompasses that of the local coroner. With a vast array of suspects, an unhelpful and uncooperative police constable, unwelcome intruders and threatening letters - things are about to get chaotic. A welcome and promising start to a new series of cosy mysteries with a likeable protagonist, an engaging mystery with a thread of romance and a colourful cast of supporting characters in a delightful setting.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Crooked Lane Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


A delightful cozy mystery with an idyllic setting.

An American in Scotland was a fun quick read and a perfect book for a cozy mystery addict like me! Dr Emilia McRoy is an American ER doctor who needs a change, so she accepts a position as the small town Dr in the tiny villiage in Sea Isle Scotland. When a mysterious death occurs she discovers that her duties also include being the village coroner. When the body disappears before she can perform the autopsy. Amelia decides to do her own investigation as to who would want to murder the villiage curmudgeon. There are lots of red herrings, a little romance, and well drawn out likeable main characters. Thank you netgalley and Cooked Lane Books for the advance readers copy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Starting over…friends…love and romance…Murder…mystery…this is a novel that is written by a talented and gifted author…it is difficult to discern who killed the not so nice man because of the red herrings…I kept guessing…secrets abound in this story…this book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. The setting adds to the story…Scotland…a doctor starting her practice in a small village where everyone knows everyone…she is readily accepted and eventually discovers she belongs in this village…finds love…after all, this is not only a murder mystery, it is a love story. Taking care of others…letting them help her. I really liked this book…I hope there is a sequel…I hope this author writes more…curl up in a comfy chair in front of a blazing fire…grab a cup of steaming herbal tea…a yummy scone or muffin…a colorful Afghan…be transported to Scotland…to love…to intrigue…I really really liked this book…there I said it again.

An American in Scotland by Lucy Connelly is a wonderful mystery that is equal parts contemporary and traditional. It is the first in a new series: A Scottish Isle Mystery.

Here we are introduced to the picturesque and ideal rural locale of Sea Isle, Scotland. However, looks can be deceiving. Our main character, newly arrived Physician (and coroner) Dr. Emilia McRoy becomes embroiled into a mysterious death…and what ensues becomes her quest to not only solve the crime, but stay safe and find her place within her new community, at the same time.

I liked the location, the main characters, the pace, the murder/mystery…and potential partner in crime, local constable, Laird Ewan Campbell.

I am definitely looking forward to this series, and the next book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/4/23.

An American in Scotland is a cozy mystery. Dr. Emilia McRoy moves from the U.S. to Sea Isle, a tiny village in Scotland. She is seeking a laid-back life but finds herself involved in a murder.

There is a rather unhelpful constable who gets involved and after the body disappears Emilia discovers that the tiny town is not as idyllic as it seems