“It’s got two things that everyone likes: Christmas and Murder.” – Jimmy Fallon Business is booming at the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin couldn't be happier--or busier. A romantic getaway at a rustic Christmas tree farm is just what she needs. But the property's mysterious past has her feeling less than merry. . . Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston. Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot? The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum façade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . . Praise for Kaitlyn Dunnett and her Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries! Vampires, Bones, And Treacle Scones "Spooky. . .Cozy fans are in for a Halloween treat." --Publishers Weekly Bagpipes, Brides, And Homicides "Fans of Scottish lore or bookstore mysteries like Lorna Barrett's and Carolyn Hart's will enjoy this one." --Booklist Scotched "A satisfying entry in the series." --Booklist "This well-plotted novel provides pure entertainment." --RT Book Reviews A Wee Christmas Homicide "The blend of romance and cozy mystery will please lovers of all things Scottish." --Kirkus Reviews Scone Cold Dead "Enjoyable. . .vivid descriptions of Maine during mud season and a quirky cast of characters lift this cozy." --Publishers Weekly Kilt Dead "If you have an affinity for all things Scottish, this is the book for you." --Deadly Pleasures
A freelance editor starts a new life in the Catskill Mountains—but someone is trying to delete her . . . “Entertaining . . . Cozy fans will be pleased.” —Publishers Weekly After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. But it’s not long before Mikki realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn’t the thriving tourist destination it was decades ago. Not with a murderer on the loose . . . When perky novice writer Tiffany Scott knocks at her door holding a towering manuscript, Mikki expects another debut novel plagued by typos and sloppy prose. Instead, she finds a murder mystery ripped from the headlines of Lenape Hollow’s not-too-distant past. The opening scene is a graphic page-turner, but it sends a real chill down Mikki’s spine after the young author turns up dead just like the victim in her story . . . Mikki refuses to believe that Tiffany’s death was accidental, and suspicions of foul play solidify as she uncovers a strange inconsistency in the manuscript and a possible motive in the notes. As she gets closer to cracking the case, only one person takes Mikki’s investigation seriously—the cunning killer who will do anything to make this chapter of her life come to a very abrupt ending . . . “The signature cozy style of Dunnett’s Liss MacCrimmon series translates easily to this editorially focused new venture.” —Kirkus “Whoever thought that being an editor could be hazardous to your life? The final reveal at the end was perfection.” —I Am, Indeed
Thanksgiving finds a small-town Maine shop owner juggling her mother and a murder case in this cozy mystery by the author of X Marks the Scot. While Liss MacCrimmon preps the Scottish Emporium for November's inevitable shopping rush, other local businesses in Moosetookalook, Maine, aren't half as lucky. Year after year, her father-in-law's rustic hotel can barely turn a profit during the stretch between autumn's peak and ski season. Except this time, Mr. Ruskin realizes that the recipe for success lies in enticing an untapped niche clientele—childless couples desperate for a holiday away from family . . . The unusual marketing tactic has everyone in Moosetookalook talking. Unfortunately, it also inspires a scathing social media campaign aimed at persuading tourists to boycott the hotel for affronting family values. Liss dismisses the bad publicity as being totally “overkilt” —until angry mobs fill the streets, the troublemaker who started it all turns up dead, and her loved ones are suspected of murder . . . With so much at stake, Liss can't possibly follow police orders to stay out of the investigation. There's just one wee problem: saving her own clan could mean sending a friend or two behind bars. Now—partly helped, partly hindered by her difficult mother—Liss must digest a slew of unsettling clues and catch the real killer . . . or else everything she's ever been thankful for may vanish before her eyes. Praise for Overkilt “Dunnett provides small-town charm and a determined sleuth who does a great job uncovering clues in a tale that rings all too true.” —Kirkus Reviews “Winning . . . . Dunnett successfully keeps the mystery cozy while not shying away from thought-provoking cultural issues.” —Publishers Weekly
Freelance book editor Mikki Lincoln knows the makings of a well-written story. But she’ll need to choose her words wisely when a new assignment introduces a deadly plot twist . . . Forgotten on the outskirts of quaint Lenape Hollow, Feldman’s Catskill Resort Hotel has outlasted its heyday as a popular tourist destination and now awaits demolition. But once Mikki is hired to edit a revealing memoir by Sunny Feldman, the last living relative of its original owners, the doomed resort quickly ends up back in the spotlight . . . Unfortunately, everyone’s attention shifts to Mikki when a body is discovered at the demolition site. Seen arguing with deceptive entrepreneur Greg Onslow right before his shocking death, the editor has no choice but to spell out exactly why she isn’t guilty of murdering him . . . Mikki’s dash for answers brings Greg’s shady dealings into focus, along with an unsettling list of potential culprits. As false leads and dead ends force her to revise theories on who really did it, can Mikki separate fact from fiction before the investigation reaches a terrifying conclusion?
As a professional editor, Mikki Lincoln is used to crimes against the English language. As an amateur sleuth, she's finding catching criminals a lot more dangerous than catching typos . . . Nestled in the picturesque Catskills, the village of Lenape Hollow prepares to celebrate the 225th anniversary of its founding. Freelance book editor Mikki Lincoln has been drafted to update and correct the script, left over from the town's bicentennial, which is housed at the historical society. The building is being renovated for the first time since that last celebration. But when construction reveals a shocking discovery—human remains walled up in a fireplace—Mikki shifts focus from cold-reading to solving a cold case. Just as her investigation seems to have hit a brick wall, a new murder rattles the townspeople. Clearly, someone is hiding a few skeletons in the closet. Now Mikki will need to go off script to make a connection between the bicentennial bones and the current homicide. But if this book editor isn't careful, she may be the next one sentenced to death . . .
A series of blizzards have kept tourists away from Moosetookalook, Maine, and shoppers out of Liss MacCrimmon’s Scottish Emporium. But as warmer weather brings promises of tartan sales and new faces, melting snow reveals cold-blooded murder . . . Liss has suddenly found herself in charge of the March Madness Mud Season Sale, a town-wide celebration created to boost the local economy during the slushy weeks of early spring. With businesses ailing after a rough winter, the pressure is on to make this year’s effort the can’t-miss-event of the season. But before Liss can get her hands dirty, her husband makes a horrifying discovery. There’s a dead man on their property, and he didn't die of natural causes . . . Stunned by the murder mystery developing in her own backyard, Liss receives another shock. The victim is identified as Charlie MacCrimmon, an uncle believed to have died eleven years before Liss was born. No one has seen or heard from Charlie since he went off to fight in Vietnam. What secrets could he have been hiding for so many years, and who would want to kill a man long thought to be dead? Enlisting the help of her family, Liss uncovers more questions than answers as she delves into her uncle’s murky past. One thing is clear—before he met his end, Uncle Charlie was desperately trying to warn her about something sinister. And unless Liss can soon track down a maniacal criminal as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster, she just might be the next MacCrimmon to disappear . . .
“The blend of romance and cozy mystery will please lovers of all things Scottish.” —Kirkus ‘Tis the season to be jolly, but in Moosetookalook, Maine, Christmas cheer is in short supply due to a snowless winter that’s keeping skiers and shoppers at a distance. Fortunately, Liss MacCrimmon of the Scottish Emporium has a plan . . . Liss’s brainstorm focuses on Tiny Teddies, the hot new toy of the season. Every store across the country is out of stock—except a few wee establishments in good ol’ Moosetookalook. The first sign of something amiss occurs when the last Tiny Teddy is summarily executed: shot through the heart in the display window of greedy toy store owner Gavin Thorne. But the Teddy’s demise is just a precursor to the eerily similar murder of Gavin himself. Now, with the Twelve (or, in Scots terms, the Daft) Days of Christmas rapidly approaching, Liss has a plate full of things worse than haggis to contend with, starting with a stockroom packed with poultry (don’t ask), and ending with a killer who’d like to see Liss’s goose well and fully cooked . . . “A picturesque location, a bit of romance, some suspense, and a cast of appealingly quirky characters.” —Booklist “Lively . . . A healthy helping of foul play.” —Publishers Weekly “Perfect for the holiday season.” —Romantic Times
“Lovely descriptions of a Maine spring, a fast-moving plot with unexpected twists, and well-drawn characters help make this cozy a winner.”—Publishers Weekly Liss MacCrimmon, purveyor of all things plaid at the Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium in Maine, can’t wait to cozy up to the town’s first annual mystery book conference. The outlook seems very bonnie indeed for all the local businesses, including her fiancé’s family-owned hotel. But when a reviewer with a grudge takes a swan dive off a scenic lookout, the crime scene is a bit too real. With a conference full of potential suspects—from a famous actress-turned-bestselling author to her power-broker agent to an overextended events coordinator with plenty to hide—it will take a killer instinct to figure out which writer belongs in the true crime section…before it’s The End for another innocent victim. “A delightful new series.”—Dorothy Cannell, award-winning author of The Thin Woman “A pleasant diversion with a wide choice of murder suspects.”—Kirkus Reviews “Well-plotted…pure entertainment.”—RT Book Reviews
The bestselling author of the Liss MacCrimmon mysteries continues her new booklovers mystery series featuring freelance editor Mikki Lincoln and her keen-eyed cat Calpurnia. When Mikki inherits a nearby farm from a woman she hasn’t seen in two decades, the unexpected arrangement comes with a big catch: forgotten diaries hidden in the neglected house must be recovered, edited, and published across the internet within one month. The lonely locale is like an untouched time capsule from the 1950s, and it was left behind for good reason While searching for the mysterious memoirs and clues about the former owners, Mikki discovers that the once peaceful place was punctuated by an unsolved homicide and other rumored crimes. Worse, suspicious activity in the creepy, dilapidated barn suggests it really hasn’t been abandoned at all . . . In a remote farmhouse with only her observant calico cat, Calpurnia, keeping her company, Mikki must swiftly crack an eerie cold case from the past and stop a clever culprit from leaving red markups on anything other than pages of revised copy . . .
A treasure map leads a Scottish shop owner to a corpse in small-town Maine in this cozy mystery by the author of Kilt at the Highland Games. The old Chadwick mansion on the edge of Moosetookalook, Maine, has been shrouded in mystery for generations. But when Scottish Emporium owner Liss MacCrimmon uncovers a treasure map at the mansion's estate sale, she never expected her curiosity would lead to a dead body. It's clear Liss isn't alone on this treasure hunt. With her life in real peril and the map at risk of being stolen, she launches into full-scale investigation mode. But as she deciphers clues and inches toward the dangerous culprit, Liss quickly realizes she's only a step away from ending up like the Chadwick clan—permanently wiped out. Praise for X Marks the Scot “Forgotten secrets, a mysterious mansion, a family of thieves, you never know what's coming next in this new Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery. Best advice? Sit back and enjoy the ride.” —Suspense Magazine “Plenty of small-town atmosphere and deliciously dubious suspects lift this entry.” —Kirkus Reviews “Well-paced.” —Publishers Weekly
Lisa MacCrimmon and her fiancé, Dan Ruskin, find their impending nuptials threatened by the death of one of the re-enactors at the annual Western Maine Highland Games--and the arrest of Liss's father for his murder.
A Scottish dancer returns to small town Maine, where a killer keeps her on her toes in this “blithe and bonny” cozy mystery series debut (Nancy Martin, author of the Blackbird Sisters Mysteries). Liss MacCrimmon was a professional Scottish dancer until a knee injury ended her career. Now she’s back in her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, helping her aunt run a local Scottish emporium. Nestled in the hills of Northwest New England, Moosetookalook is just as charming as she remembers. But Liss’s nostalgic idyll is cut short when she stumbles on the body of her aunt's nosy neighbor, Amanda Norris, under a bolt of Flower of Scotland fabric. Suddenly, Liss is a prime murder suspect, and it’ll take some fancy foot work to clear her name. As she uncovers the shadowy secrets hiding in her postcard perfect town, Liss knows she’ll have to act fast—before the killer comes back for an encore. "Strong local color and a surprise ending will make this a hit with the cozy crowd."—Publishers Weekly
Angry Scots and a blizzard lead to murder in a small town in Maine in this cozy mystery by the author of A Wee Christmas Homicide. Can there be such a thing as too many men in kilts? Normally Liss MacCrimmon, proprietor of Moosetookalook, Maine's one and only Scottish Emporium, would say no. But that's before one of them turns out to be murderous . . . The bagpipes are blaring at Moosetookalook's finest hotel, reopened just in time to host an annual celebration of Scotland's most beloved poet, Robert Burns. But when the Scottish Heritage Appreciation Society arrives on the scene, they bring more than a hunger for haggis and a passion for plaid. The quarrelsome group harbors their share of long held grudges, and the animosity only grows as the whiskey flows. Then a fierce blizzard hits, trapping everyone—angry Scotsmen, hapless hotel staff, and Liss herself—indoors. It isn't long before a body is discovered face down in a storage room, covered in tartan—and blood. Now Liss will have to work fast to solve this crime before another body goes as cold as the snowstorm keeping her cooped up with a killer. Praise for the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries “This cozy mystery has it all—a picturesque location, a bit of romance, some suspense, and a cast of appealingly quirky characters.” —Booklist “A blithe and bonny mystery from Kaitlyn Dunnett! Cozy mystery readers should pour a cuppa and settle down to savor the flavor of the Highlands, the wee dram of Scottish folklore and the small town skullduggery that season this clever debut.” —Nancy Martin, author of the Blackbird Sisters Mysteries
A former Scottish dancer turned small-town shop owner must search for a killer among her former company in this cozy mystery by the author of Kilt Dead. After a knee injury forces professional Scottish dancer, Liss MacCrimmon to give up her life of performing strathspreys, reels, jigs and Highland flings she returns to her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, where she runs a Scottish Emporium. With one solved murder case under her dance belt, Liss has no idea she's about to spiral into another . . . Liss still misses the life of a professional dancer with Strathspey, the Scottish dance company she belonged to. So she arranges a reception for the troupe when they're on tour, complete with a Scottish theme that includes a new spin on the classic Scottish Scone. Liss soon realizes that life in the group isn't all happy jigs and fancy stepping. Victor Owens, the company manager, has been making life miserable for everyone. But she has no idea how miserable until Victor bites into one of Liss's prized cocktail scones, collapses and dies. When the police set their sights on Liss and her best friends, it's up to Liss to find out whodunit before this culinary killer makes an encore . . . Praise for Scone Cold Dead “Enjoyable . . . Vivid descriptions of Maine during mud season and a quirky cast of characters lift this cozy.” —Publishers Weekly
After a murder in a Maine mansion, an amateur sleuth must take a bite out of crime: “Spooky . . . Cozy fans are in for a Halloween treat.” —Publishers Weekly Liss MacCrimmon’s Scottish Emporium is thrilled to be organizing Moosetookalok, Maine’s Halloween fundraiser. But the abandoned Chadwick mansion might be too perfect a setting for a creepy old haunted house, especially when a very real-looking body with puncture marks on the neck is added to the decorations. Asking who kilt the deceased brings up everyone from the undead to real estate agents to horror writers. But Liss had better watch her back, because the killer is much closer than she thinks! “A solid addition to this charming series.” —RT Book Reviews “Gives readers a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.” —Kirkus
Driving on an icy road on a truly dark and stormy night, Liss swerves her car when something darts out in front of it. She braves the weather and discovers a Scottish terrier shivering in the snow. Relieved that the dog survived their run-in, Liss sets out in search of her owner, unaware that the Scottie is actually a tiny celebrity--or that she was dognapped"--Dust jacket flap.
The three short stories and a novella that comprise The Valentine Veilleux Mysteries feature professional photographer Valentine Veilleux as an amateur sleuth. Val specializes in creating calendars for organizations to use for fundraising purposes. She is a free spirit who travels the country in a RV, custom-designed to serve as both home and workplace, with her three-legged cat, Lucky, for company. In the course of each job she takes on, she becomes involved with a group of people who know each other and often share dark secrets. When a member of such a group is murdered, Val has the advantage of an outsider's perspective combined with an insider's knowledge of the suspects, while her photographs provide clues the police have missed. Val first appeared in Kaitlyn Dunnett's ninth Liss MacCrimmon Mystery, The Scottie Barked at Midnight, and reappeared in the second book (Clause &Effect) of her Deadly Edits Mysteries. Kaitlyn Dunnett is a pseudonym for Kathy Lynn Emerson, Agatha-award winning author of both fiction and nonfiction.
Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is in charge of turning a deserted mansion in Moosetookalok, Maine that once belonged to a notorious gangster into a Halloween haunted house that is not supposed to feature a real corpse--her ex-convict cousin, Ned.
“Lovely descriptions of a Maine spring, a fast-moving plot with unexpected twists, and well-drawn characters help make this cozy a winner.”—Publishers Weekly Liss MacCrimmon, purveyor of all things plaid at the Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium in Maine, can’t wait to cozy up to the town’s first annual mystery book conference. The outlook seems very bonnie indeed for all the local businesses, including her fiancé’s family-owned hotel. But when a reviewer with a grudge takes a swan dive off a scenic lookout, the crime scene is a bit too real. With a conference full of potential suspects—from a famous actress-turned-bestselling author to her power-broker agent to an overextended events coordinator with plenty to hide—it will take a killer instinct to figure out which writer belongs in the true crime section…before it’s The End for another innocent victim. “A delightful new series.”—Dorothy Cannell, award-winning author of The Thin Woman “A pleasant diversion with a wide choice of murder suspects.”—Kirkus Reviews “Well-plotted…pure entertainment.”—RT Book Reviews
A Scottish dancer returns to small town Maine, where a killer keeps her on her toes in this “blithe and bonny” cozy mystery series debut (Nancy Martin, author of the Blackbird Sisters Mysteries). Liss MacCrimmon was a professional Scottish dancer until a knee injury ended her career. Now she’s back in her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, helping her aunt run a local Scottish emporium. Nestled in the hills of Northwest New England, Moosetookalook is just as charming as she remembers. But Liss’s nostalgic idyll is cut short when she stumbles on the body of her aunt's nosy neighbor, Amanda Norris, under a bolt of Flower of Scotland fabric. Suddenly, Liss is a prime murder suspect, and it’ll take some fancy foot work to clear her name. As she uncovers the shadowy secrets hiding in her postcard perfect town, Liss knows she’ll have to act fast—before the killer comes back for an encore. "Strong local color and a surprise ending will make this a hit with the cozy crowd."—Publishers Weekly
A freelance editor starts a new life in the Catskill Mountains—but someone is trying to delete her . . . “Entertaining . . . Cozy fans will be pleased.” —Publishers Weekly After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. But it’s not long before Mikki realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn’t the thriving tourist destination it was decades ago. Not with a murderer on the loose . . . When perky novice writer Tiffany Scott knocks at her door holding a towering manuscript, Mikki expects another debut novel plagued by typos and sloppy prose. Instead, she finds a murder mystery ripped from the headlines of Lenape Hollow’s not-too-distant past. The opening scene is a graphic page-turner, but it sends a real chill down Mikki’s spine after the young author turns up dead just like the victim in her story . . . Mikki refuses to believe that Tiffany’s death was accidental, and suspicions of foul play solidify as she uncovers a strange inconsistency in the manuscript and a possible motive in the notes. As she gets closer to cracking the case, only one person takes Mikki’s investigation seriously—the cunning killer who will do anything to make this chapter of her life come to a very abrupt ending . . . “The signature cozy style of Dunnett’s Liss MacCrimmon series translates easily to this editorially focused new venture.” —Kirkus “Whoever thought that being an editor could be hazardous to your life? The final reveal at the end was perfection.” —I Am, Indeed
At a summer event in small-town Maine, a shady politician meets his end in this “enchanting” cozy mystery (Publishers Weekly). It’s July in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Scottish Emporium proprietress Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is prepping her wares for the annual Celtic heritage festival. But as a sinister crime wave washes over the quiet town, this year’s celebration might prove a wee bit more eventful—and deadly—than tartan and bagpipes . . . When a fire ravages the local bookstore late one evening, Liss immediately fears the worst for owner Angie Hogencamp and the two young children who live above the shop. After the terrible blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found among the ruins. It’s as if the three just vanished into smoke. Or even stranger—like they never existed at all. Disturbed by the disappearance and suspecting arson, Liss counts on the Western Maine Highland Games—complete with parade and fireworks display—to offer a temporary distraction from the questions filling her head. But when the sound of a gunshot leads Liss to a selectman’s dead body on opening day, she’s drawn into a full-blown investigation. Is Moosetookalook suffering from a streak of bad luck, or are the two grim incidents connected? Despite her worried husband’s protests, she’ll need to act swiftly. Because when it comes to this kind of game, somebody has to lose . . .
“It’s got two things that everyone likes: Christmas and Murder.” – Jimmy Fallon Business is booming at the Scottish Emporium in Moosetookalook, Maine, and Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin couldn't be happier--or busier. A romantic getaway at a rustic Christmas tree farm is just what she needs. But the property's mysterious past has her feeling less than merry. . . Liss is surprised when an old friend from high school asks her to spend a week at the Christmas tree farm she recently inherited from a great-uncle. Realizing it would be the perfect chance for her and her husband Dan to get away from work, Liss happily accepts the offer and packs her bags for the tiny town of New Boston. Upon their arrival, Liss and Dan are greeted by a ramshackle farmhouse and unfriendly townsfolk. It's hardly the idyllic vacation locale they'd hoped for, especially when needling neighbors start raising questions about the farm's dark history. Who was the man whose body was found neatly netted in a shipment of Scotch pine? Why did the owner vanish into thin air? And why are the trees growing so close together, forming a maze more twisted than a Celtic knot? The rumors pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, and as Liss starts un-wrapping the truth, she discovers something even more scandalous than murder hiding beneath the town's humdrum façade. When a series of "accidents" strikes the farm, she'll have to spring into action faster than a Highland Fling to find the killer who's been lurking among the pines--before she ends up in a pine box herself. . . Praise for Kaitlyn Dunnett and her Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries! Vampires, Bones, And Treacle Scones "Spooky. . .Cozy fans are in for a Halloween treat." --Publishers Weekly Bagpipes, Brides, And Homicides "Fans of Scottish lore or bookstore mysteries like Lorna Barrett's and Carolyn Hart's will enjoy this one." --Booklist Scotched "A satisfying entry in the series." --Booklist "This well-plotted novel provides pure entertainment." --RT Book Reviews A Wee Christmas Homicide "The blend of romance and cozy mystery will please lovers of all things Scottish." --Kirkus Reviews Scone Cold Dead "Enjoyable. . .vivid descriptions of Maine during mud season and a quirky cast of characters lift this cozy." --Publishers Weekly Kilt Dead "If you have an affinity for all things Scottish, this is the book for you." --Deadly Pleasures
A cozy mystery “full of local color, suspicious characters, and adorable fur-babies. What’s not to like?” (Kirkus). Spring is just a few weeks away, but winter is still digging its claws into Moosetookalook, Maine. With business at the Scottish Emporium frozen up, Liss MacCrimmon is cautiously optimistic when a twist of fate lands her on a reality competition show—until the contest gets a little too cutthroat . . . While driving on an icy road one night, Liss swerves her car when something darts out in front of it. The Scottish terrier she finds shivering in the snow turns out to be a reality TV star. But when the pooch’s owner is murdered, her daughter asks Liss to take her place on the show. Before Liss can tell her she’s barking up the wrong tree, she finds herself ensnarled in the strange world of reality competitions and hot on the trail of a deadly competitor. And just as she starts pawing at the truth, Liss realizes she could be next on the murderer’s list . . . “The small-town Maine setting works well…A good choice for readers of Susan Wittig Albert’s China Bayles series.” —Booklist
The bestselling author of the Liss MacCrimmon mysteries continues her new booklovers mystery series featuring freelance editor Mikki Lincoln and her keen-eyed cat Calpurnia. When Mikki inherits a nearby farm from a woman she hasn’t seen in two decades, the unexpected arrangement comes with a big catch: forgotten diaries hidden in the neglected house must be recovered, edited, and published across the internet within one month. The lonely locale is like an untouched time capsule from the 1950s, and it was left behind for good reason While searching for the mysterious memoirs and clues about the former owners, Mikki discovers that the once peaceful place was punctuated by an unsolved homicide and other rumored crimes. Worse, suspicious activity in the creepy, dilapidated barn suggests it really hasn’t been abandoned at all . . . In a remote farmhouse with only her observant calico cat, Calpurnia, keeping her company, Mikki must swiftly crack an eerie cold case from the past and stop a clever culprit from leaving red markups on anything other than pages of revised copy . . .
A treasure map leads a Scottish shop owner to a corpse in small-town Maine in this cozy mystery by the author of Kilt at the Highland Games. The old Chadwick mansion on the edge of Moosetookalook, Maine, has been shrouded in mystery for generations. But when Scottish Emporium owner Liss MacCrimmon uncovers a treasure map at the mansion's estate sale, she never expected her curiosity would lead to a dead body. It's clear Liss isn't alone on this treasure hunt. With her life in real peril and the map at risk of being stolen, she launches into full-scale investigation mode. But as she deciphers clues and inches toward the dangerous culprit, Liss quickly realizes she's only a step away from ending up like the Chadwick clan—permanently wiped out. Praise for X Marks the Scot “Forgotten secrets, a mysterious mansion, a family of thieves, you never know what's coming next in this new Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery. Best advice? Sit back and enjoy the ride.” —Suspense Magazine “Plenty of small-town atmosphere and deliciously dubious suspects lift this entry.” —Kirkus Reviews “Well-paced.” —Publishers Weekly
Thanksgiving finds a small-town Maine shop owner juggling her mother and a murder case in this cozy mystery by the author of X Marks the Scot. While Liss MacCrimmon preps the Scottish Emporium for November's inevitable shopping rush, other local businesses in Moosetookalook, Maine, aren't half as lucky. Year after year, her father-in-law's rustic hotel can barely turn a profit during the stretch between autumn's peak and ski season. Except this time, Mr. Ruskin realizes that the recipe for success lies in enticing an untapped niche clientele—childless couples desperate for a holiday away from family . . . The unusual marketing tactic has everyone in Moosetookalook talking. Unfortunately, it also inspires a scathing social media campaign aimed at persuading tourists to boycott the hotel for affronting family values. Liss dismisses the bad publicity as being totally “overkilt” —until angry mobs fill the streets, the troublemaker who started it all turns up dead, and her loved ones are suspected of murder . . . With so much at stake, Liss can't possibly follow police orders to stay out of the investigation. There's just one wee problem: saving her own clan could mean sending a friend or two behind bars. Now—partly helped, partly hindered by her difficult mother—Liss must digest a slew of unsettling clues and catch the real killer . . . or else everything she's ever been thankful for may vanish before her eyes. Praise for Overkilt “Dunnett provides small-town charm and a determined sleuth who does a great job uncovering clues in a tale that rings all too true.” —Kirkus Reviews “Winning . . . . Dunnett successfully keeps the mystery cozy while not shying away from thought-provoking cultural issues.” —Publishers Weekly
After a knee injury forces professional Scottish dancer, Liss MacCrimmon to give up her life of performing strathspreys, reels, jigs and Highland flings she returns to her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, where she runs a Scottish Emporium. With one solved murder case under her dance belt, Liss has no idea she's about to spiral into another. . . Switching to life without footlights or greasepaint has been easier than Liss MacCrimmon expected. After seven months in her hometown of Moosetookalook Maine, she's been able to keep her feet in the dance world by offering lessons to a few of the local children. Running the town's Scottish Emporium with her aunt, working on her physical therapy for her knee injury, and starting a budding romance with Dan Ruskin, a neighbor and former high school classmate, has kept her more than busy. Still, she misses the life of a professional dancer with Strathspey, the Scottish dance company she belonged to before her knee injury forced her into early retirement. When the company goes on tour, Liss is instrumental in bringing the show to her hometown. Overjoyed at the prospect of seeing her old friends again, even if she can't dance with them, Liss arranges a reception for the troupe complete with a Scottish theme that includes a new spin on the classic Scottish Scone, her very own recipe for "cocktail scones." Liss soon realizes that life in the group isn't all happy jigs and fancy stepping. Victor Owens, the company manager, has been making life miserable for every member of the company. She has no idea how miserable until Victor bites into one of Liss's prized cocktail scones, collapses and dies. When the police set their sights on Liss and her best friends, it's up to Liss to find out whodunit before the killer makes an encore. With a missing ingenue, potential embezzlement, several secret romantic relationships, and a murderer in the mix, she'll have to work fast to uncover what is really going on backstage when the curtain falls on Strathspey.
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