I’m so happy to have found this series thanks to an advance readers copy from #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks.
Paislee Shaw is a yarn shop owner and very gifted knitter, so much so that the dowager countess at a nearby castle asks her to allow them to sell her cashmere goods in their gift shop. She quickly becomes enmeshed in the local aristocracies’ drama when a bagpiper dies during a clan competition on their land. The details about bagpipes and the contests added authenticity to the story, and Paislee, her family and friends are so easy to relate to. Two pet peeves of mine with some mystery series are when the detectives are fumbling, or share way too much information with the lead character, and when the lead characters have a perfect, charmed life that allows them to spend 99% of their time investigating a murder, never mind their job/business/family.
Traci Hall, the author, doesn’t do either of those two things. The slightly enigmatic detective Zeffer only shares what he must to gain knowledge for himself, and Paislee has worries about her growing son, her car, her ceiling, money and her love life. I’ve already ordered book one of this five book series, and look forward to reading it.

Paislee Shaw has been invited by the dowager countess of Ramsey Castle to showcase her cashmere
goods at the Ramsey Castle gift shop. After dropping off the items. Paislee and her family sta for the
annual bagpipe competition. Except for last year, Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon has been the winner
with his band. He is determined to beat Jory Baxter, last year's winner. When Baxter collapses and
foul play is involved. The countess asks for Paislee's help in clearing her son Robert.
Does Baxter's death have anything to do with bets placed on the competion? What about the rumors of
cheating? Twist ending - a highly satisfying read.
#MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley

I love armchair-visiting Scotland and hanging out with Paisley and her crew. Looking around her yarn shop and learning to knit. Having a pint with Grandad. Visiting castles and listening to bagpipes and band competitions. Helping Paisley investigate a murder after one of the band members is killed.... You know the usual stuff.

Excellent addition to the series. The mystery was interesting, the characters exceptional as always, and there's plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing whodunit. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

This is one of my very favorite cozy series. Scotland. Knitting. A smart, independent main character. A loving, funny grandpa. Murder. It's got everything I could ask for.

I have to say, though, that this entry in the series isn't my favorite one. I think that's due to the technical bagpipe info and the lack of knowing whether it's murder, whether there's cheating in the competition, etc. It feels kind of like nothing is happening for a long time.

That said, I still love Paislee, her family, her best friend. And oh, how I feel for her when the ceiling falls in--literally! The relationships are still handled with finesse, and I can't wait to see her again. I just...don't love this one quite as much as I've loved the others, that's all.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight. There seemed to be more than needed. The accents were hard to get past too, there were times I had no clue what was being said. I didn’t like the attitude of most of the characters, maybe that’s just a Scottish or British thing? The whole mystery investigating wasn’t investigating, just Paislee being pulled in different directions from the other characters. #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley

business is doing well. Her products have been placed in a castle gift shop and she delivers her first big delivery before the he castle hosts an event. All of Nairn shows up for the annual bagpiping competition and cookout. What a way to end the Summer!

When one of the soloists drops on the field, everyone assumes he was just overly exhausted. When it turns out to be murder, Paisley finds herself questioning the motives of friends and neighbors. Will the murderer be caught or will a lack of evidence it all just blow over?

I adore this series. Wallace has a special place in my heart as I have two Scotties of my own…though mine are far more stubborn than Wallace. Paisley, Brody, Grandpa and Wallace make up a strong family unit that is strengthened by close friends. Each book in this series is ether then the last. Solid mysteries filled with red herrings and suspects galore, and all the ups, downs and eccentricities of life along the way.

Murder at a Scottish Castle is the fifth book in this highly engaging scottish series. During the annual bagpipe competition at Ramsey Castle, Jory Baxter, bagpiper and last years winner, turns bright red and suddenly collapses, later dying at the hospital. With all the commotion, his bagpipes mysteriously disappear. There was a fierce rivalry between Jory and Robert Grant, the Earl of Lyon. Fearing for her son, his mother, the countess of Lyon asks Paislee to find the real killer. Paislee isn't all that sure of the very rude and obnoxious Robert Grant's innocence, but puts her sleuthing skills to use bring the guilty party to justice. This book was a wonderful installment to this series. I enjoy the interactions between Paislee, her son Brody, her feisty grandpa, and best friend Lydia. There is a lot of red herrings, a very twisty plot, and even a little romance. I was truly surprised by who the murderer turned out to be! I look forward to reading book six in this series. My thanks to Kensington books and netgalley for this advanced readers copy to read and review.
5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆

This was an intriguing mystery. Lots of twists and turns. Poor Paisley had so many things go wrong. I really liked her character. She’s a strong, single mom. This is book 5 but can be read as a standalone, as I have not read the previous four book's and had no problem following along. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I loved #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley and I couldn't put it down until I was finished.
I really like Paislee Shaw, her son Brody and Grandpa Angus complete the unique family trio.
Paislee owns her own yarn store, and when she's invited to place her beautifully knit cashmere pieces in a castle gift shop, Paislee hopes for some financial stability.
Things don't go as planned, and when a sudden medical emergency interrupts the bagpipe competition, Paislee soon finds herself wrapped up in a another murder investigation.
Paislee navigates the twists and turns until she unravels the clues that lead directly to the murderer.

I'm very happy to recommend this series and particularly #MurderataScottishCastle #NetGalley to other readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

In a Scottish seaside town of Nairn is the Ramsey Castle where bagpipe competitions take place.

This year the previous winner, Baxter, faces the runner up, Grant - who is determined to win and get Clan bragging rights.

Paisley has been invited to come to the castle and showcase her cashmere goods.

When Baxter turns up dead it is up to Paisley to solve the crime.

An enjoyable light mystery in an atmosphere so well described it becomes one of the characters.

Paislee Shaw owns Cashmere Crush, a yarn shop specializing in high-end products. She also sells her own designs online and has garnered a following so well that the Dowager Countess of Lyon, Sorcha, has asked her to bring some items to sell in her castle's gift shop. Paislee is surprised but happy, especially when it coincides with the annual bagpiping completion which is to be held at Ramsey Castle. Along with her is her son Brody, her grandpa, and their Scottish terrier, Wallace. All seems to be going well until one of the pipers -- last year's winner -- blows a couple of notes and collapses. When he dies at the hospital, it's at first deemed an accident, but then DI Zeffer steps in and isn't so sure.

Neither is the Dowager Countess. She asks for Paislee's help in proving her son Robert's innocence. While Paislee isn't thrilled, she's rather stuck as she doesn't want to risk not selling her items, nor the displeasure of both the countess and her friend Lady Leery. So Paislee agrees, but she doesn't expect what happens next...

There's an unavoidable disaster that puts part of her life on hold, and she starts falling into depression; but her best friend Lydia steps in and won't allow it. Unfortunately, Lydia can temporarily fix one, but not the other, which means there's a killer still out there somewhere...

This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. I'm even reading Scottish idioms without a problem, and just breezing through these books. The plot is done very well, and Ms. Hall is very good at what she does -- which is to bring the reader into her books and these in particular, almost as if we were visiting Scotland ourselves (not a bad idea!)

I have become quite fond of all of the characters and their quirks, and Paislee has begun to grow a little bit more, which is a good thing. I hope to see her let go a little and let life happen, but time will tell. The 'guest' characters -- those of Castle Ramsey -- are written as they should be, although like Paislee, I do believe that the earl is a bit arrogant, but then again, he was probably raised that way. And I do like Zeffer quite a bit as well. He's intelligent and knowing, but reserved; just as a DI should be.

The murderer was unexpected and came out of left field, but that's what a good mystery should do, right? In the end, the reason for the murder was as twisted as can be in a murderer's mind, but ah, well, it all turned out right after all, and I await the next mystery eagerly. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Paislee and her clan. Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

Another enjoyable cozy mystery in the series. Single mom Paisley, who owns a yarn shop, gets involved in a murder when she attends a band contest at a local castle. Must admit the killer was not one I expected. Enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it, the author and series. Good read.

Murder at a Scottish Castle by Traci Hall is a great cozy mystery and is the fifth book in the charming Scottish Shire Mystery series.

I just love this cozy mystery series and have now read all five books. I love the location, the culture, and the full cast of characters. Paisley is a great main character and Wallace is just precious. The murder/mysteries are always entertaining and I really hope this series continues for many years.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington 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 1/23/24.