I didn´t read the first two mysteries in this series, but this is another lady - maid/friend detective duo, this time set in the Scottish Highlands. Maud and Daisy investigate in 1911 about members of a choir suspiciously dying. The police only see accidents, so the detectives have to investigate on their own, only helped by anonymous letters with rhymed clues about the next murder. I liked the mystery, though the end was a bit too simple in a way I can´t explain without giving away things. The Scottish word included sounded repetitive after a while, and I wondered what real Scots would say about them. I liked the ladies and their struggle to do things only men were supposed to do then. On the whole an entertaining and relaxing read, and I will try the first two in the series too.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

1910s, Scotland, private-investigators, historical-novel, historical-research, series, women-sleuths, cozy-mystery, multiple-murder, investigations, local-law-enforcement, misogynistic-era, threats, suspense, class-consciousness, riddles, friendship, friends****

This is a fun and relaxing series perfect for obnoxious weather!
Maud and Daisy are a formidable team of sleuths in 1911 Scotland and have been drawn in to a weird "game" of threats disguised as riddles followed by murders.
The plot is interesting and reasonable including unexpected twists, strange red herrings, and a frustrating amount of overt misogyny. I loved it and am looking forward to following the ongoing series!
I requested and received an EARC from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Mystery in the Highlands.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Two mysterious deaths among members of a church choir in Fort Williams. No wonder fellow member Clara contacts cousin Daisy Cameron to come and investigate. And the M. McIntyre Agency is not full-up with cases at the moment, so partner Maud agrees that it’s time for a little more excitement. And “Mystery in the Highlands” is off and running, the third in the “Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency” series by Lydia Travers, this one set in 1911.

Immediately they know this isn’t going to be an ordinary outing -- they get a note from the killer. Funny, no one was supposed to know why they were there. They tell the local police, who naturally don’t believe them. Naturally. And someone else dies. I must say, the police are awfully stupid in this book, because there’s notes galore, and more murders, and all sorts of nefarious goings-on, and they remain oblivious throughout.

Ah, Lord Urquhart. He’s been worked in again. This dance of love has gone on long enough. It’s handled well, but I’m a curmudgeon when it comes to these things, I admit.

My, our duo provide us a lot of circumstantial evidence. Nothing that would hold up in a court, but fun to read about. And Maud and Daisy get to dress up in costume again, which is always a hoot.

Maud realizes who the final victim is likely to be, they set their trap, and after a brief scuffle, our Daisy can proclaim, “…another case solved.” “Mystery in the Highlands” is a fun and easy read, with two lively characters whose cases continue to entertain.

I really enjoyed this book! It is the first one that I have read in the series and I already purchased the previous couple to go and read so I can be all caught up. Saying this I felt fine with not reading the other ones first. I didn't feel that the story was difficult to follow with no prior knowledge. It really reminds me of all the other great historical mysteries that feature two women as the main characters.

This story takes place in 1911 Scotland. The main characters Maud and Daisy are asked to help solve a case after members of a choir start dying. They are private detectives and it was interesting to see how society received them in the village.

A big Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

If you are a fan of a cozy mystery then this is the perfect series for you. Set in the Edwardian period, Maud is a lady detective alongside her maid Daisy. At the start of the story, they receive a letter from Daisy's cousin Clara which heralds the start of a new case with the suggestion that a killer may be abroad in the Highlands of Scotland. The pair head north to investigate and join the local choir to find out why several of its members have died in suspicious circumstances. Over the next few weeks, the killer sends them cryptic clues as to their identity and future victims. Maud also encounters Lord Urquhart who is staying with the local laird; they had previously met in an earlier adventure and this provides a frisson of romance for Maud. With echoes of her beloved Sherlock Holmes' tussle at the Reichenbach Falls, Maud and Daisy manage to uncover the killer with some jeopardy. This provided for a great denouement and although the killer's identity was revealed prior to this, it did not deter from the drama.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series so will go back to the beginning as I enjoyed the partnership between the two women and would like to understand how it unfolded. My only criticism is the liberal use of the Scottish vernacular which I assume has been used to delineate the class difference between the two characters. It felt slightly contrived and given that Maud had to explain what was being said in her thoughts or responses, felt clumsy. This was a fun read though and would be perfect for a rainy day with a cup of tea!

With thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for a pre-publication copy.

It was 1911 in Edinburgh, Scotland when Daisy received a letter from her cousin Clara, who was concerned about two deaths which were connected to their choir, due to compete in a regional competition. Clara hoped Daisy and Maud McIntyre - the M. McIntyre Detective Agency - would go to discover if the deaths were natural - or murder. Arriving at Clara and her family's home, Maud and Daisy headed to choir practice, determined to discover what was going on.

The laird, Captain Farquharson, had a house guest, Lord Urquhart - a man both Maud and Daisy had encountered on previous cases - and it was at a special event at the castle that another person died. Maud and Daisy also began receiving letters containing lyrical rhymes from an anonymous person - they were desperate to solve the clues before the next person died. But could they? Would they? How many people would die in this terrible case? If they could work out a motive, they surely would be halfway there...

Mystery in the Highlands is the 3rd in The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency by Lydia Travers and once again, this one hit the right note! Entertaining and fun, Maud and Daisy complement each other, and are excellent detectives and great friends. They had their work cut out in this case, but they were determined. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I need to preface this review with the admission that I love Verity Bright and her Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries. When I saw Mystery in the Highlands, I was definitely channeling all the snappy, quick witted and really interesting Lady Eleanor Swift installments. I was eager and excited to try an author dealing with a murder mystery set in the Scottish highlands. The setting was not unfamiliar and many of the descriptions of Edinburgh and Fort William and the surrounding areas were accurate 100+ years later.


It’s November, 1911 and Maud McIntyre and her ladies maid, Daisy are a female detective duo known as the McIntyre Agency located in Edinburgh. Daisy receives a letter from her cousin imploring them to travel to Fort Williams in the Highlands to investigate what may be two suspicious deaths. Off they go with a full description of their traveling costumes. Maud is precise and often ponderous while Daisy is sharp and just a wee bit impetuous. And that describes much of this book. There was too much detail about hats and clothing, too much vernacular and subsequent parsing of its meaning. There was commendable social commentary although I thought it was misplaced and slightly gratuitous and just another example of a sentence that is part of the story and then takes a left turn. Informative definitely, but unnecessary.

Comparisons are often unfair but once it is read it is hard to forget. Travers writing is fine, well reasoned and thoughtful just not what I anticipated and that is no fault of hers. I am rounding up for great descriptions, a well thought out murder mystery that is handled with interesting characters. Thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for a copy.

Fort William, Scotland 1911 — Maud McIntyre and Daisy Cameron have a new case to solve. Concerned by the sudden deaths of two members of her local choir, Daisy’s cousin Clara asks them to investigate. No one, including the local police, think the deaths are suspicious—even when the murderer begins to send Maud taunting clues in the form of rhymes, and more choir members die.

Another excellent addition to The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency series. An entertaining and fun cozy with two intelligent, interesting and downright delightful female protagonists. Maud and Daisy continue to hone their detective skills—without the help of a man. Although the often present Lord Hamish Urquhart would love to be of any help he can. Looking forward to seeing how that goes in future books.

Simply a pleasure to read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I have read the other books in this series and I enjoyed this as much as the others!

I’ve very much enjoyed the previous books in this series by Lydia Travers, so I was looking forward to reading Mystery in the Highlands. I wasn’t disappointed!

This time around, Maud and Daisy are off to Fort William, to investigate some mysterious deaths that have been written off as accidents by the local police. More “accidents” soon follow!

I really enjoyed reading this story. The murderer was really inventive, which made it all the more interesting trying to track down who was doing it.

Maud and Daisy are gaining in experience, and, of course, they eventually succeed in solving the crimes. It’s one of the aspects of this series that I enjoy - having detectives that are not already brilliant at it, and watching them improve. However, I did feel they should have consulted Clara more. She might have had valuable local knowledge.

I loved the setting of this story. With the mountains and the loch, as well as the buildings that Maud and Daisy visit, the location came through clearly and was lovely.

I very much like both Maud and Daisy, the contrasts in their characters, and the way they work so well together.

Overall, this was an interesting mystery involving characters that I’m becoming increasingly attached to. I can’t wait to see what Maud and Daisy get up to next!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

In this third book in The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency, Maud and Daisy are again pulled away from Edinburgh when Daisy’s cousin, Clara, reaches out for help. Two members of her church choir have died in recent weeks, but while the deaths have been ruled natural, Clara suspects foul play.

To surreptitiously ferret out some suspects, the detectives join the choir. With no help from the local authorities, Maud and Daisy are grateful to receive an anonymous note with a cryptic clue as to who the next victim will be. Can they tune into the poem’s meaning before it’s too late?

This may be my favorite book in the series thus far. After struggling a little bit with the premise of the second book, I liked how this mystery unfolded. The clues sent by the murderer allowed the reader to see what Maud and Daisy could see and try to solve the mystery alongside the protagonists. One of my favorite things this author includes in each book is the references to Scottish sayings and historical information. She does a great job of integrating interesting information throughout, and I’m excited to see what Daisy and Maud get up to next!

Great female lead, a good mystery, and fantastic scenery.....

This series is getting better with each new book. I love Maud and Daisy, two young women working as Private Detectives in 1911 Scotland (this when women still did not have the right to vote and the suffragettes are fighting for equality)

Daisy gets a letter from her cousin Clara, asking for help in the deaths of some choir members. Can Maud and Daisy stop the culprit before anymore more murders occur?

I love the scenery and the history lessons (although I admit they do detract at times from the storyline). The author keeps us on edge regarding any possible romantic relationship with Lord Urquhurst (must wait for book 4). This series is showing lots of promise.

I enjoyed entering into another mystery solving adventure with the female version on Holmes and Watson, Maud and Daisy. This is the third book in the Scottish Ladies Detective Agency by Lydia Travers and it was my favorite.
Choir members are dropping like flies and someone is sending clues for the next murder. It is a race against time to see if the ladies can figure it out before it is too late. Daisy is determined to figure out a mystery of her own as she goes undercover as a matchgirl
and Maud insists on learning how to ride a bicycle in a long skirt while trying to avoid the attraction she has for a certain Scot.
Fans of historical cozy mysteries with spunky female detectives will really enjoy this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this one in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Mystery in the Highlands" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 3 in the Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency series. The books keep getter better and better and it's easily my favourite new series and I eagerly await the next book.

This story begins in Edinburgh in November 1911. Maud McIntyre and her assistant Daisy Cameron run the M. McIntyre Agency during a time when ladies where not private detectives and they are subject to a lot of discrimination on that front. Daisy receives a letter from her cousin Clara Ross who is concerned that 2 members of her choir have been found dead within 4 days of each other. John Noble appears to have had a heart attack and Emily Black is presumed to have drowned. She wants the ladies to investigate because to her it seems suspicious but the police and the local doctor have put it down to natural causes and an accident.

They travel to Fort William where they learn that the choir is in a competition with 2 other choirs to see who is the best and the prize is dinner with King George V at Holyrood Palace. Once Maud and Daisy arrive they receive a clue to the next "murder" but who besides cousin Clara knows that they are detectives and have arrived to help?

A favourite character from the first two books makes an appearance Lord Hamish Urquhart is staying with the laird - Captain Charles Farquharson - that Clara's husband Alasdair works for. How is Lord Urquhart at the scene of every crime that Maud and Daisy are at? How does he manage to show up every time Maud is in an awkward situation?

Maud and Daisy warn other members of the choir about another possible murder occurring but they don't believe them. When another member of the choir is shot this time, once again it is ruled an accident.

The suspense in this book is brilliantly written and the reader will find themselves anxious for the safety of our favourite characters. One feels as if they are standing right there with Maud and Daisy. Once again Maud's life is in danger after an act of sabotage, with Lord Urquhart on the scene once again.

The notes are all rhymes that they have to decipher and try to warn the choir members that they feel it relates too but no one is listening to them. The final chapters have wonderfully exciting scenes written that will have the reader turning pages to see what will happen next.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I want to see what the next adventure will be and how Lord Urquhart shows up next.

Mystery in the Highlands is the third mystery in Lydia Travers’ The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency. As we’re told on page one, it’s set in November 1911. Daisy’s cousin, Clara, wants Daisy and Maud to investigate two sudden deaths in her choir. That I can believe. What I believe less, however, is that Clara will happily pay Maud’s detective agency their full fee for doing so.

I have enjoyed all three of Travers’ books but some of her techniques grate, I’m afraid. In this book, she still makes Maud give us history lessons, usually incorporating an aspect that laments how unfair society was towards women and that things are no better in 1911, but the lessons feel less blatant (maybe they’re shorter or more infrequent, but they still destroy the ambience). Another well-known author uses end-notes to share the fruits of their research – that works far better, as it’s the author in their role as author having a direct conversation with us, the reader, not a fictional character being used as an intermediary under the pretence of a conversation with another fictional character.

However, this book has many examples of Daisy employing a dialect word like teuchter and Maud then reflecting it back in English, “Peasant or not, remember…”. I think Daisy is a beautifully drawn character whose personality really shines through in this book and her usage of dialect is a major part of that. However, every time Daisy used dialect, my heart sank as I (correctly) predicted that Maud would immediately show off, unable to resist demonstrating her knowledge. I suppose the same applies to Maud’s history lessons: she can’t resist showing off. I love history and I’m quite happy to learn about historic events through modern novels, but I think that, if Travers could find a way of mentioning stuff passim rather than as a lecture, the books would be more enjoyable. Similarly, I’m quite happy to find out what a word means, whether it’s Gaelic, Lallans or English, by looking on the Internet – please don’t translate it every time in such a predictable way.

I do recommend Travers’ books, I really do. Mystery in the Highlands is undemanding – I spotted the murderer fairly quickly, which is rare for me, but I enjoyed watching events unfold. However, some firmer editing would stop tics creeping in, such as Maud using “my friend” when talking to Daisy, e.g. “You could be right, my friend”. Eight instances of that emphasised how artificial it sounds. “You could be right, Daisy” is warmer and brings the two women closer but “my friend” puts distance between them. I feel that Travers is learning how to be an author – and that’s fine – but I’d expect to see more evidence of progress by Book Three.
#MysteryintheHighlands #NetGalley

Maud McIntyre and her former maid Daisy Campbell form the Scottish Ladies Detective Agency.They travel to Fort William to solve the mystery of dying choir members.
Gives good insight into how women detectives weren’t taken seriously at that time.I love the friendship between Maud and Daisy.
A good cozy mystery.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalleyfor this ARC. I'm really loving this new series. The characters are great, its well written and the plots are twisty. Looking forward to No 4

Another entertaining mystery in the Scottish Highlands featuring Maud McIntyre and her ex-maid Daisy Campbell, who together make up the Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency in Edinburgh. This time members of the Fort William choir are dying from what look like natural events or accidents but Maud doesn't believe in coincidence. Maud and Daisy travel to Fort William to stay with Daisy's cousin Clara, who lives on the Laird of Linnhe's estate with her daughter and husband Alastair, the laird's factor. Clara is a member of the choir and invites Maud and Daisy to join to help make up the numbers, which gives them the perfect opportunity to get to know all the members and hopefully prevent further deaths.

This is a well done, fun cosy series. The setting of the Highlands is well drawn and the characters of Maud and Daisy are delightful, particularly Daisy who tends to be upfront with her thoughts and questions and uses a lot of Scottish vernacular. I also love the way the two women are able to fly under the radar as in 1911 Scotland, no one believes they can investigate crimes without a man to help. Lord Urquart once again shows up, this time saying with the laird, but although he sets Maud's heart throbbing and he clearly admires her, their romance is barely heating up at all. Hopefully we'll start to see a few more sparks flying soon!

After enjoying a previous book in this series, The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency, I was excited to read this one.

I really liked The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency, and I liked this a lot too. I enjoy the friendship between Maud and Daisy, and they make smile. As with the previous book, I found this a really enjoyable cosy, comforting read, and I would probably be interested in reading any future instalments

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I love Maud and Daisy! They are offically my favourite detectives. Another cracking read.