Murder at a Scottish Wedding by Traci Hall is a wonderful look into Scottish culture, and provides two very different mysteries that will have readers glued to the pages. Paislee Shaw is the detective in this series, and she owns a yarn business in Nairn known as Cashmere Crush. However, while Ms. Shaw has solved several murders in the three prior books, this one revolves around the wedding of her best friend Lydia. Thankfully, Paislee does not have to lose her best friend in order to prompt the investigation. Instead, the happy day is halted by the murder of a member of the wedding party. The death is also witnessed by an entire church full of wedding guests. When Paislee discovers that the victim was supposed to be Lydia all along. When Lydia discovers this, she won’t be able to rest easily unless Paislee looks into the matter herself. Being a part of the wedding party gives Paislee access to both of the families involved, and gives her plenty of reason to speak with and look into everyone.
Unfortunately for Lydia, as she and Paislee start to dig around for who might have wanted to either murder her or just stop the wedding, they find many dark secrets within the family Lydia hopes to join. The affluent and wealthy Smythe family is fraught with people who disapprove of Lydia herself, as well as her marriage to Corbin Smythe. The fact that the two are very much in love does not matter in the eyes of Corbin’s step mother-in-law, Mary, or her two daughters. Mary Smythe is full of superstition and fear about the marriage, and she claims it is all due to the cursed Luckenbrooth broach Corbin chose to give to Lydia per his family’s tradition. There are other members of the Smythe clan that believe their wedding to be a poor match as well, but less for superstitious reasons and more because she does not bring a ‘good enough’ lineage to the table to join with theirs. Between the animosity of the Smythe family and the murder, the outlook for Lydia getting married becomes quite grim. Luckily, that never slows Lydia and Paislee in their search for the truth. They confront anyone they suspect of being involved, regardless of how it uncomfortable or disappointed it makes Lydia.
As all of this is happening with Lydia, Paislee is facing personal turmoil. Her grandfather Angus’ estranged son has come back into his life, but not in the manner anyone could have hoped. His son is wanted by Scotland Yard, and is being hunted by Detective Inspector Zeffer. Paislee and Detective Inspector Zeffer have clashed in previous books, but there is also a chemistry there that has readers wondering about the true nature of their feelings towards one another. As a single mom of her son Brody, Paislee has apparently avoided any dating. By the ending of Murder at a Scottish Wedding, it seems clear that could be quickly changing. However, Paislee doesn’t have time to think about it during this mystery as she is determined to protect her friend and to help her grandfather uncover what mess his son might be in, and if he is even still alive. Balancing care for her son and grandfather, as well as two separate investigations, certainly wears on Paislee, but she manages to push forward to find the answers she needs just as badly as those she loves.
Between the dramas of Paislee’s family, the murder, and Lydia’s soon to be family, readers will find themselves racing through the book to find out how things finally manage to resolve themselves. Traci Hall also does an excellent job of writing the dialog of all characters in a Scottish accent so that readers are able to immerse themselves in the world of Nairn. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous three Paislee mysteries by Traci Hall to enjoy Murder at a Scottish Wedding. However, once readers reach the dramatic conclusion they may find themselves looking to get their hands on the previous books in the series to experience the mystery and excitement again. I found myself unable to put the book down myself until I got the answers I needed, and I was satisfied with the conclusion. I will be looking forward to seeing what life brings Paislee Shaw in future books. -Carla Schantz
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Carla Schantz is a Courthouse Clerk Supervisor and has a bachelor’s degree in English as well as a master’s in legal studies. Books have been a passion of hers since she was young, and she is a firm believer in the purse book so that she is never without a book at any time.