
Member Reviews

This is my first book by Lucy Connelly, but I certainly will read other books by her. The characters are delightful, determined to find the murderer, and the plot is clever and tense. Emilia, an American who has been living in Scotland on Sea Isle for a year, is a medical doctor and by default has become the coroner for the town. She is also intrigued by the murder of a man who was supposed to be one of the story tellers on a refurbished train journey. The victim seems to have been killed by a severe but slow allergy to bee balm, and Doctor Em needs to figure out the exact physical cause and result of the death.
The characters are particularly likeable, and their interactions are intriguing. Doc, as Emilia is called by most villagers, seems to have a burgeoning relationship with Ewan, a laird whose family has more than one castle or mansion, and who is also the town mayor and constable. Their growing friendship is developing and sweet.
This cozy mystery has every aspect to make it suspenseful and intriguing. The characters are skillfully developed and the plot keeps us ruminating on who is guilty of what. The book is skillfully written and moves quickly. It's a great book for readers of mystery and lovers of great character development.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Lucy Connelly can do not wrong and all the books that come out in this series are autobuy for me! I will continue to pick up every one she puts out and cherish reading them!

I fell in love with Lucy Connelly's books after traveling to Scotland earlier this year. This 4th installment in this series did not disappoint, building on the characters I'd come to know and love in the past 3. She is extremely accurate in details about geography and culture. It was a cozy mystery; I couldn't put down. I read it in 2 days! Excited for her next one already so I can continue to see what happens with Ewan and the Doc's relationship!

Book 4 of Scottish Isle Mysteries continued to be interesting and fun to read. Dr. Emelia has settled in well and now has a close group of friends (and a boyfriend). It is nice to see how they support each other in their businesses and with whatever problems come up. I love that Abigail and Tommy continue to be a part of the storylines, and I would love to see more focus on Abigail in the future. Her transition into the self-confident lab assistant and caregiver to Tommy has been one of my favorite side stories. Instead of fighting with her, Ewan has embraced having Emelia be part of his investigations, and I can see how she is treated more as an equal. I am enjoying this series a lot and look forward to the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

This my third book in this series. I enjoy a series with an interesting setting filled with the same familiar characters. This book has both…a small Scottish town and an enjoyable cast of characters to watch grow as the series evolves. The plot revolves around a murder and Dr. Em’s investigation along with the town constable. It is fun watching their relationship and chemistry grow. Great fun read!!

The book starts off with a small town in Scotland where a murder takes place in a refurbished train. It turns into a mystery when the cause of the murder seems unusual enough to track down the murderer. The coroner, only a year after her permanent return from Seattle , gets on with solving this mystery with her friends and appalling findings start to unmask before them.
The writer portrayed the Scottish people and their culture in a crafty way through this book. Readers get almost a clear idea about the way of life of town people in Scotland.
It is perfect for readers who are new to this genre. A good one indeed for getting up from readers block. Cover is exciting enough to lure readers into the amazing journey. No unnecessary details were imposed upon the book, to the point writing makes it more appealing to keep on reading. Even though it basically focuses on the murder mystery, a sip of romance works as a tonic for the readers to be engaged with the book.
Readers will find it an easy one to read at one go without getting bored as it presents gasping turn of events one after another chapter.
If you are looking for some murder mystery to keep you hooked , this is definitely a chef's kiss for you!

Lucy Connelly has provided another expertly executed mystery in "Death on a Scottish Train'. Dr. Emilia McRoy's time in Sea Isle and her duties as Coroner were highlighted in a death from a severe allergic reaction to bee pollen. There were many twists but with the help of Abigail and local constable Ewan it came to a surprising end that had me fooled. We learned more back story about Ewan and the slow unfolding of the 'romance' between Em and Ewan was very satisfying. This is turning out to be a can't miss series for me, and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Dr. Emilia McRoy is an American doctor who relocates to Scotland in the Scottish Isle series. This is the third book in the series that I have read. I love the characters. They are lively and engaging. The doctor has become the town doctor as well as the coroner. She is falling for the town constable, mayor and laird. And she has become part of the local community.
Oh, and by the way, for a small Scottish town, they have a lot of murders. Think of it as the Cabot Cove of the British Isles!
In this story, the small town has opened a new attraction. It's a train that provides storytelling and beautiful views of the Scottish highlands. But one of the storytellers never makes it on the train's inaugural trip. Emilia and her friends set out to determine who is the murderer.
While I love the stories, I can't finish my review without pointing out one pet peeve I have about the books. The author tells us how much Emilia loves her new friends in Scotland. Over and over and over again. We get it. Let's move on! But it's a minor distraction. Overall, I love the book!

An old train had been refurbished with many local volunteers. It was going on its inaugural run, everything had been planned and all the guests, many of whom had worked on the train, had all signed in. When they were well on their way a fanatic train lover and helper did not seem to be on the train. He had been excited about the trip so it seemed odd. When they got back to the station they found him dead in a locked closet.
The cause of death was suspicious, but nobody knew how he had died….only that he hadn’t pushed himself into the closet and locked it!
His body was taken to the docs office (she was also the coroner) to try to ascertain the cause. This is where the chief cop Ewan first found himself at loggerheads with the new doc as she kept interfering with his research into the murderer. Eventually they came to an understanding and Emma was allowed to assist him, as she professed herself to be a good sleuth. The problem was everyone seemed to have an alibi. A fun read.

ER physician Dr. Emilia McRoy emigrated to Scotland to become Sea Isle's doctor/coroner. She's encountered many a patient, and even some dead bodies that turned out to be homicide. But this one is strange. While attending the newest tourist attraction in their village, the refurbished and renewed Storyteller's Train, she discovers a dead man in a small room. When trying to figure out how he died, she comes across the fact that he died from allergies. Or so she thinks. It's not long before she and her assistant Abigail find out the man was murdered.
Digging into his past, she and constable Ewan McGregor learn that he had many enemies. He was an accountant, and they find that he has been cheating his clients. Lots of bad blood there. But who was the killer? His partner? His so-called friends? Or someone they haven't discovered yet? With the help of her friends, Emilia sees that this isn't going to be easy...and someone doesn't want her to find out anything else...
This is the fourth book in the series, and I do like the way things are progressing. We get to see a bit more about her Scottish friends, and even Em's life is proceeding in a way she never expected, and she's at a loss somewhat. But it's a lovely procession forward, and I enjoyed it.
The mystery is very intriguing, and not so easy to figure out who the murderer is, which I really like. Although there are many times I know right away who the killer is, I find it refreshing when it takes me longer -- just like the protagonist -- to figure it all out. This is one of those books, and really worth reading.
The plot is great in itself, but there are even subplots that are also a good part of the book. They don't take away from the mystery, but add to it, along with other clues. The clues aren't that easy to find, but they are there just the same.
Without giving anything else away, I will say that this book is delightful, full of secrets and suspense, and definitely worth the time. I enjoyed it immensely and cannot recommend it enough/
I was given an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

This book, the third in the series, is every bit as intriguing and delightful as the two that came before. A beautiful Scottish setting, endearing characters and a solid whodunnit make this a recommended read.

In the fourth installment of the Scottish Isle Mystery series, Murder on the Storyteller’s Train, Dr. Emilia McRoy returns to the beautiful Sea Isle in Scotland for what it was looking forward to be a celebratory weeklong festival. It has been since one year of her move to this picturesque town, and the unveiling of the newly big launch of the refurbished Storyteller’s Train offers a sense of wonder and excitement. But this lighthearted beginning is quickly overshadowed by a missing storyteller and his unexpected death, setting the stage for yet another gripping mystery.
What initially seems like an unfortunate case of deadly allergies and poisoned lip balms soon takes a dark turn when Dr. McRoy, her assistant Abigail, and the ever-reliable Constable Ewan McGregor begin to unravel a chilling murder. As the clues unfold, they discover that the killer’s reach extends far beyond what they initially imagined—and it’s not just the townspeople at risk. The trio’s investigation puts them directly in the crosshairs of the murderer, escalating the tension as they race against time to expose the killer before they become the next victims.
The pacing in this book is wonderfully tense, drawing readers in as Emilia and her friends uncover the sinister truth behind the death. The author lucy excels at crafting a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The descriptions of Sea Isle—though idyllic—are steeped with an underlying sense of danger that makes the island feel both cozy and foreboding. The mystery itself is intricately plotted, with twists and turns that will keep even seasoned mystery fans guessing until the very end.
Emilia’s growth as both a sleuth and a person is a highlight of this series, and in this installment, she continues to evolve. Her chemistry with Abigail and Constable McGregor adds depth to the narrative, and their dynamics bring a sense of camaraderie that enriches the storytelling. As always, the strong community of Sea Isle plays an essential role in helping Emilia and her team, showing the power of friendship and unity in the face of danger.
The suspense is palpable and pays a high stake as the killer targets those closest to Emilia. The mystery unfolds in a heart-stopping climax that ties everything together in a satisfying, yet unexpected, manner. Loved the mix of characters trying to look for evidences and clues.
Fans of Paige Shelton and Connie Berry will find Murder on the Storyteller’s Train to be a thrilling continuation of the series, with its perfect blend of small-town charm, intricate mystery, and a cast of characters you can’t help but root for. This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with a touch of suspense and a dash of romance. Highly recommended!
Thanks netgalley and crooked Lane Books Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.
https://smithareading.blogspot.com/ - NOVEL NERD BLOG

#MurderonaScottishTrain #NetGalley is a good spin on a cozy mystery, featuring a story train.
When a train enthusiast doesn't board the train for his reading, everyone wonders what happened to him.
Dr. Em becomes concerned and when the man is found, dead, shoved in a closet, she knows she needs to become involved in the investigation.
I enjoyed the characters in this story and the mystery was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Doctor Em loves her new life in Scotland and her medical practice. But when a local accountant and train enthusiast dies she once again jumps into the investigation with her friends.

A good cozy mystery set on a train in Scotland. Finding one of the storytelling actors stuffed in a closet was not supposed to be there. The story clips along nicely, and was a fun read. The ending was bit unexpected but that is fine. Had a touch of Agatha Christie feel to it which I liked. Would recommend this one.

We are back in Sea Isle, Scotland with Dr. Emilia McRoy. She's been on the island for one year. There's a weeklong festival for the end of summer. One of the events is a restored storytellers train. When one of the storytellers ends up missing. Dr. Em helps look for him and discovers his dead body. I enjoyed following the clues with Em and Abigail. I loved the little sparks between Em and Ewan. This is one of my favorite series I can't wait to see what happens next.

American doctor Emilia McRoy has been living and working in quaint Sea Isle Scotland for year. As the community gathers for summer festival celebrations, the inaugural trip of the new Storyteller's Train ends with a murder. A local accountant who was one of the driving forces behind the new train attraction is found dead and stuffed in a cupboard. In performing her duty as coroner, Emilia discovers that he was poisoned with bee venom. With a whole town full of suspects Emilia, along with her friends and Constable Ewan McGregor, try to hunt down a killer who shows no reluctance to use violence to stop their investigating. This series does a great job of combining murder, a bit of romance, and bunch of small village charm into a cosy mystery series that never disappoints. #NetGalley #DeathonaScottishTrain

This is the fourth in the Dr. Emilia McRoy series. American Doctor, Emilia McRoy has relocated to a practice in Sea Isle Scotland. In addition to her medical duties she acts as the local coroner. So she finds herself solving murder mysteries with the help of the local constable and her new friends. This time a body has been found in the closet of the train station. The victim was supposed to tell Scottish tales on the newly opened tour train to Edinburgh. Now the only tales are the ones the coroner can read from his body.

I love this series and Lucy did NOT disappoint. The characters are so fully formed and have personalities that keep you involved as you read.

This has been one of my favorite cozy series the past few years. I still really like it, but this one doesn't feel as strong to me as the previous books. I still love the main characters, but somehow the mystery itself and the fabulous Scottish setting seem to have lost ground to the forthcoming romance between Dr. Em and Ewan. Definitely worth a read, still! But I'm crossing my fingers that I love the next book more than this one.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.