Review of ‘Murder at a Scottish Wedding’

Murder at a Scottish Wedding was everything I loved about cozy mysteries. It takes a woman, a single mother, and owner of a sweater shop, into the detective shop to solve a murder that threatens to derail her best friend’s wedding.

Great Voice

One of the best things about this novel was the characters’ voice. I hate when I read a book about Irish or Scottish characters, and they sound so very British. It reminds me that it is a work of fiction because it doesn’t sound genuine.

Hall was able to make each and every character sound Scottish.

Murder at a Scottish Wedding had a very authentic feel, which made me invested in the characterization and the story. I felt I was transported to the Scottish Highlands and immersed in the culture there.

Admittedly, I was confused by some of the phrases. Still, Hall provides context clues that help sell the realism and authenticity of the novel. It made me love the story all that much more.

Story Development

Murder at a Scottish Wedding was also incredibly well-written. Dialogue aside, the story flowed, and the development of the mystery worked.

Paislee Shaw is a wonderful character. I love that she is a single mother and knows nothing about detective work. However, she is headstrong, resourceful, clever, and observant. Paislee knows the right questions to ask and doesn’t try to delude herself into thinking she is a detective. No, she’s doing this to help her friend whose future in-laws are so superstitious they believe this death means their union is cursed.

So Paislee is determined to say the “accident” was actually a murder.

The way the investigation unfolds and all the pieces slowly come together works. Most importantly, it is not predictable. The murder was not even on my radar of suspects, which is one of the things I love about mystery. I don’t want to solve the murder so quickly, and Hall makes the story engaging and mysterious from beginning to end.

Final Thoughts

I am forever thankful that Traci Hall gifted me Murder at a Scottish Wedding to read and review. This was an excellent, cozy mystery and one I will always recommend.

• Writing Quality : 9/10
• Character Development : 9/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 7.5/10
• Intellectual Depth: 7.5/10
• Originality: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 3.8 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.