This is such a thoughtful, well written cozy mystery and I enjoyed every second of it! I have a soft spot for books set in Scotland, but more than that I enjoy a mystery that makes sense. The fact that Emilia McRoy is a doctor and coroner lends her much more credibility to investigate than most cozies I've read, which really helps with the overall plot and believability. Emilia and Ewan have a great connection and although I wish their relationship would progress a little bit faster, I still enjoyed every minute of their partnership and banter.

The mystery throughout kept me guessing and I really enjoyed the quaint village atmosphere at Christmas time. The ending was a little rushed, but overall I would definitely recommend this well-done series.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this early copy, and I can't wait to add the physical copy to my shelf!

Christmas time; Sea Isle, Scotland.
American coroner Dr. Emilia McRoy is spending her Christmas far from the US, for the first time in her life. What she doesn't expect is that a murder happens right before her eyes, and that she has to work to solve it.

I particularly appreciated the scenographic descriptions of the setting, both of the island and the castle. The number of characters is high but, after a few chapters, you begin to become familiar with them. The investigation itself was intriguing, full of red herrings, secrets and revelations. There's also a little romance, which I always enjoy in such comfy books.

I didn't know the author nor did I know that the book was the third in a series, but the reading was not affected by these shortcomings. of mine, in fact, they convinced me to pick up the previous titles.
Cozy and warm, it's the perfect read for an evening wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace, with the Christmas lights twinkling and carols in the background.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC

This book was my second chance with this series. I had read the first book and although I finished it I found many editing issues, didn't enjoy the main characters, and the medical side was laughable. I skipped the second in the series but though I would give this one a chance.

I found my issues with the first book to be perhaps even worse, and did not finish after reading 20%. Even the mystery wasn't enough to keep me reading. I found the writing to be not great, and although I assume it was edited, I think a lot more could have been done. Stuff keeps being repeated sometimes in the span of page. I also found the medical stuff to be just as bad as the first book. In the first book the MC kept reminding us that she had acquired all her detecting skills from BBC mystery series, and my guess is that the author got all her medical knowledge from Grey's Anatomy. As a medical professional this was especially frustrating and something that a small amount of actual research would have helped. The main characters weren't any more likable to me in this book and I don't intend to give this series another chance.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Emillia McRoy, doctor and coroner, is is enjoying the holiday festivities in the village .A famous band with ties to the village return to perform. When the lead singer is found dead the next day, examination reveals that he was murdered. Who wanted the singer dead just before the band were to embark on a tour? As she learns about the singer's medical history, more questions arise. The manager and band members are all on her suspect list.
Third in the series - the supporting characters and sense of community are an important part of the story.
#DeathataScottishChristmas #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Dr. Emilia McRoy is enjoying her first Christmas season on Sea Isle in Scotland since her move from the States. She’s settled in and made friends already and thinks she’s going to have a long holiday vacation. Then a Scottish band comes to their small Isle and brings along an unexpected death. Em is also the coroner, so she quickly determines it was murder and involved in the investigation.
There are several suspects, lots of holiday celebrations (many different holidays), and a touch of romance as she and the local constable (also mayor, etc) are attracted to each other. The setting is cozy and the mystery well-plotted. I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading! It works well as a stand-alone, but I know I plan on reading the first two in the series as soon as possible.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the the 3rd installment in the A Scottish Isle Mystery series, and I just thoroughly enjoy them.
We get a blustery, gloomy, Scottish atmosphere. We get the murder right before a big snowstorm blows in, keeping everyone captive in the small village. All the best things I like to have in my mysteries. I did find the reasoning behind the murders lacked in believability with everything we had been told throughout the book. As well as the final act seeming a little rushed. But it was a great setting with fun and original characters.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for the free copy for my honest review.

This was an ARC via Netgalley. Lucy Connelly's Death at a Scottish Christmas (3rd in series) blends the magic of a small-town Scottish holiday with the darkness of a rock star's murder. As a fan of rock and pop band stories, slow-burn romances, and the endearing quirks of found families and small towns, this novel strikes all the right chords.

Dr. Emilia McRoy, the town's dedicated medical examiner, is settling in. However, the idyllic charm of Sea Isle is shattered when the lead singer of a famous band is found dead just before the launch of their world tour. As Emilia delves into the case, she uncovers a labyrinth of secrets and rivalries within the band. With the future of the group teetering on the edge, and the enigmatic new lyrics missing, Emilia must untangle a web of deceit to find out if the music itself was worth killing for. Emilia's friends, a diverse group of locals, serve as her makeshift family, embodying the “found family” trope beautifully. Connelly excels in painting a vivid picture of Sea Isle during Christmas. The festive atmosphere, complete with traditional Scottish celebrations and quirky village customs, immerses readers in the holiday spirit. The story delves into the complexities of relationships within the band, exposing how fame can fracture friendships and fuel deadly rivalries. Emilia’s journey also underscores the importance of trust and loyalty, as she navigates her role in Sea Isle.

As the festive season unfolds, Connelly intertwines celebration and suspense, making Death at a Scottish Christmas a must-read for those who love their holiday tales with a twist. Releases in October 2024.

Lucy Connelly’s descriptions of the Scottish Isle where Dr. Emilia McRoy has moved herself, make readers want to buy a plane ticket and find it themselves. After moving from the US to be the Doctor of the Scottish town, Emilia has quickly made friends and built her own little family and she agrees to participate in a series of festivals celebrating a wide range of holidays and braving the cold blustery weather. The visit of a world-renowned musical band stopping by to do a small show turns the town upside down after a member is found dead. Dr. McRoy continues to navigate her relationship with the town Mayor, Ewan Campbell, when he has a conflict of interest with the deceased. Emilia must wade through band members' medical histories, personal histories, stalkers, and dysfunctional relationships to find out if not 1 but 2 murders occurred.

Sea Isle, Scotland, is magical during the holiday season, and Dr. Emilia McRoy can’t wait to enjoy everything her village has to offer. But when the lead singer of a famous band is murdered in the village, just as they were about to launch a world tour, her holiday instantly comes to a halt. As the band’s future hangs in the balance, Emilia discovers that the victim was working on new music that has since disappeared. Were these new lyrics worth killing for? And if so, who is the culprit? It seems more than one person wanted this music star dead. Shockingly, beloved constable Ewan Campbell becomes the prime suspect in the investigation, putting a damper on the town’s festivities.With an ever-growing list of suspects, Emilia will need all the help she can get to figure out who is framing poor Ewan. Between a secret Santa that wants her dead, stalkers, and killer holiday celebrations, Emilia must see the devil in the details and discover the truth before it’s too late. This is a fun cozy series that can be read as a stand-alone but reading this one will make you want to go back and read the previous installments. Beautiful locale, interesting characters and fun mystery!

I read this via Net Galley. This, the third book in Lucy Connelly’s Scottish Isle mystery series, shows us Christmas in Sea Isle, and it’s as snowy and wonderful as you can imagine — but for that pesky murder of a singer of a band (Bram and the Stokers!) that was about to go on a world tour. The lead character, Emilia McRoy, finds out there’s more than meets the eye (of course). This story made me smile, and while I’d love to visit this (fictional, of course), deadly little cozy town, there’s entirely too much murder and weirdness involved. Emilia fits in well into this village, despite being from Seattle and all, and she has to prove the prime suspect - a local she respects - wasn’t involved in the death. Add in groupies and persistent press, and you’ve got a fun read (except, of course, the murder). Expect the unexpected!

Dr. Emilia McRoy is one of my favorites. She's a mix of smart and practical with a vulnerability that makes her stand out among cozy mystery main characters.

Best friends Mara, Angie, and Abigail are present providing friendship and support as always. Jasper is an addition to the friends and I already am fond of him. Ewan, the wealthy laird of the town and constable is more present than ever in this outing. There is a hint of this slow burn perhaps heating up a tiny bit, which is delicious. I love how this is a gradual building of interest. All of the suspects are fleshed out well and seem complicated.

Any mystery with a band involved can be complicated with fans and industry shenanigans but this one has an interesting twist that gives this an added touch of reality. I read this book quickly for me, I could barely put it down to do "real-world" things. The author always makes the setting come alive and in this case we get the many varied customs surrounding the winter holiday which were fascinating.

The killer reveal was well done and satisfying, even sad. I loved the wrapup with the holiday celebration and Ewan showing a touch of sentiment.

Overall, this is a wonderful story with heart, solid mystery with plenty of facets to keep you guessing, and a cast of characters that feel real. I want to live in Sea Isle, it becomes so alive. I already want the next book.

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

This talented author has written a story of mystery and intrigue. Secrets and red herrings abound. Realistic characters keep the story moving. That being said, there is a huge cast of characters. Diverse… The doctor is my favorite. Ewan is a character who surprises the reader. The setting is delightful…the images also…curl up in a comfy chair and spend some time with these people…would make a good movie. I liked this story. Thanks Netgalley.

"Death at a Scottish Christmas" is the third book in Lucy Connelly's *Scottish Isle Mystery* series. It's set in Sea Isle, Scotland during the holiday season and promises a mix of fun, romance, and mystery. The main character, Dr. Emilia McRoy, was all set to enjoy the celebrations until a popular singer was found dead. With suspects multiplying and Ewan Campbell, the town's constable, in the spotlight, Emilia has to use her smarts to figure out what really happened before things take a drastic turn.

The story is all about the lead singer of the band getting killed and his new songs going missing. It makes you wonder, was his music really worth killing for? The story keeps you hooked with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on your toes. Plus, the holiday setting adds a cozy and intriguing vibe, perfect for fans of mystery novels.

Emilia McRoy is awesome as the main character who you can totally root for. She used to be an ER doctor in Seattle, which gives her character some real depth. Plus, dealing with her husband's cheating and murder makes her really relatable. The other characters like Mara, Aggie, and Jasper are all super interesting and bring something special to the story. They all have their own quirks and connections to the victim and suspects.

Connelly's writing is super easy to get into and keeps you hooked. She really brings the Scottish village to life during the holidays and adds some excitement with the investigation. The writing flows nicely and you can breeze through it. Maybe a few more details could be added, but overall it's a great read.

The story is all about loyalty, betrayal, and secrets from the past. Connelly did a great job mixing these themes together to make a complex and emotional story. It's full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing, and the little details really make the whole thing come to life.

"Death at a Scottish Christmas" really lives up to its promise of keeping you entertained during the holidays. It mixes cozy mystery vibes with a festive backdrop, perfect for anyone looking for a fun whodunit. It doesn't break any new ground, but it's a good mix of mystery, romance, and Christmas spirit.

If you're into cozy mysteries with a lot of ambiance and interesting characters, you should definitely check out "Death at a Scottish Christmas." It's perfect for anyone who likes solving mysteries in a wintery setting with lots of secrets to uncover. Add it to your reading list!

#DeathataScottishChristmas #NetGalley

My favorite genre to read is Cozy Mysteries, and A Scottish Isle Mystery series has quickly become a beloved favorite.

Dr. Emilia McRoy is a recent transplant to Sea Isle, Scotland. She is the only doctor in the small village, and has quickly become immersed in her duties and surroundings. It’s Christmas time, and a famous band is returning home to perform a special concert. Emilia and her friends enjoy the concert, but are horrified the next day when the lead singer is found dead. Christmas plans are set aside when Emilia begins investigating the tragic death, and tries to find the murderer before he or she strikes again. In a shocking twist, the village’s constable, and her crush, Ewan is a suspect in the murder. Determined more than ever, Emilia has to prove Ewan’s innocence. But someone is stalking her, and this may just be the death of her.

The author, Lucy Connelly, crafts excellent Cozies - puzzling twists, red herrings, intricate plots, wonderful characters, and a fabulous small town setting set in Scotland, a place I’m dying to visit. I’m a longtime fan of this author’s alter ego, and I’m so happy she is now writing Cozy Mysteries. Not everyone can successfully pull off writing mysteries, but Ms. Connelly is brilliant at crafting a good mystery story. I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this series!

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Death at a Scottish Christmas is number three in the Scottish Isle mystery series. It is the first that I have read and certainly stands alone. That said, I will go back to read the first two as I found everything about this book - the plot, the setting and the characters - to be fully flushed out and captivating.
It is Christmas and the village is all set for Christmas.

Dr. Emilia McRoy is the island's physician and coroner. When a rock star comes to the village to begin this world tour he winds up dead. The list of suspects grows, as does the reasons that people want him dead. Some lyrics he was writing disappear -- and somehow the constable becomes the primary suspect, according to the police. Emilia has to uncover the real killer while being chased by a killer santa.

A most enjoyable book for the holiday season - with a heavy dose of mystery

This series just keeps getting better with every book. It’s an excellent third book with no slumps in sight! The setting, the characters, the side characters, the pacing, the twists and turns. Excellent! I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s becoming a favorite cozy mystery series of mine. And oh my goodness that ending! I need more! Now!

Super fun series! This is 3rd in the Scottish Isle Mastery series.

In this entry, we see Em (doctor/coroner) investigating the murder of the lead singer of a band. She and Ewan investigate and discover missing music that could be part of the plot--but then Ewan himself, who has a history with the victim, becomes a suspect.

The setting is a winner here, as always--beautiful Scotland. We get to re-visit the characters and friends and are presented with a multitude of options for the who the real killer might be. This is turning into one of my favorite series. Can't wait for #4!

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

I really wanted to love this book and at first, and I somehow did. The story was exciting and the ideas were interesting. There was a lot of conversation that I enjoyed. But, I didn't like the use of trendy, casual words. It made the book less enjoyable for me. Overall, the story, atmosphere, setting, and characters were great. :)

Dr. Emilia thought her Christmas break in her new small Scottish town might be boring. But she finds out that crime can happen anywhere. During a local concert, Bram, the lead singer of a famous band, is murdered right after his performance. With only a few suspects, everyone is asking who would want to kill him?

Beware! Before embarking on this suspenseful mystery series, be warned that you may fall helplessly in love and craving more from this delightful author! When a famous rock star is found murdered in a remote, Scottish village, no one is above suspicion - Including the charming, local constable, who happens to have magnetic chemistry with fellow investigator, the town's coroner. As the coroner and constable join forces to find the killer, they discover themselves weeding through a mounting number of suspects and motives. Set in an Scottish village during the holidays, this story has all the festive elements to make your Christmas reading magical. Sit back in your favorite reading spot with a cozy blanket and a warm cup of mulled cider and let this holiday mystery transport you to the Scottish Highlands this Christmas season.

This is the first book I have read in the series and I shall be looking to read more. The context and setting are excellent as is the plot. I want to visit the island. A good read.