Scotland is Susan's passion and obsession--and the opportunity to join a Highland dig is a dream come true for the young archaeology student. Bu... read full description
reviews
Aug 20, 2011
Hannah
rated it: 
Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars
After coming off a major book slump of 3 library books that became "did-not-finish"-ers, I decided to go back and re-read an oldie from my Elizabeth Peters collection. Sure glad I did, since this offering was just the kind of light-hearted escapism I needed.
Peters knows how to craft an irreverent, campy romp of a novel, and this one is no exception. There's Scottish history aplenty, sarcastic young heroines, less-than-alpha heros More...
After coming off a major book slump of 3 library books that became "did-not-finish"-ers, I decided to go back and re-read an oldie from my Elizabeth Peters collection. Sure glad I did, since this offering was just the kind of light-hearted escapism I needed.
Peters knows how to craft an irreverent, campy romp of a novel, and this one is no exception. There's Scottish history aplenty, sarcastic young heroines, less-than-alpha heros More...
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(8 people liked it)
May 05, 2011
Samantha
rated it: 
I’m addicted to Elizabeth Peters and couldn’t pass up the chance to read a mystery set in Scotland. The mystery and setting were great as usual, but the main characters were not the best. Susan is a Scottish history buff who receives a message not intended for her and, as usual, it draws the bad guys’ attention. This, of course, leads to chaos for our heroine. Susan isn’t a bad heroine, she’s just… average. Nothing stood out about her personality and a lot of the time it felt like her only main
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May 19, 2011
Laura
rated it:
I enjoy reading an Elizabeth Peters romantic adventure, and this one was no exception. I'm not sure how I managed to miss it until now!
Susan has a passion for Scottish history, (and so I learned a number of tidbits as the story advanced) and this leads to a case of mistaken identity, and gets her embroiled in a nasty affair, with bad guys trying to kill her. Luckily her wits and the resources of the guy that gets dragged into this with her are enough to keep them a step or two ahead. More...
Susan has a passion for Scottish history, (and so I learned a number of tidbits as the story advanced) and this leads to a case of mistaken identity, and gets her embroiled in a nasty affair, with bad guys trying to kill her. Luckily her wits and the resources of the guy that gets dragged into this with her are enough to keep them a step or two ahead. More...
Oct 03, 2011
Terri
rated it:
I'm on an Elizabeth Peters kick because I've found them readily available to download and listen to from my local library. This one is another fun adventure. It is set in Scotland. Susan loves Scotland and is thrilled to work in a dig. She gets caught up in intrigue with Jamie who looks a lot like Bonnie Prince Charlie; to his chagrin and Susan's delight. Who wouldn't want to be on an adventure with a living embodiment of your fantasies? Cases of mistaken identity with Jamie have a few fortuito
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Jan 23, 2012
Lori
rated it:
A fun romp of a mystery though Scotland, complete with all the kitsch an American gal sold on Scotland and the Highlands could want - including a hero who looks like a member of the Royal family without his beard! <spoiler>Interesting that someone so enamored of Scotland should be so attracted to someone who looks like Prince Charles! That Prince Charles has never been very attractive, IMO, so I looked up pictures of him in that era; I still don't see the attraction. Too bad, I had much hi
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Oct 26, 2011
Kate
rated it:
"It was a dream come true.
"Susan loved all things Scottish. So, when the opportunity presented itself, there was no question in her mind but that she would go on the archaeological dig in the Highlands. It was everything she could have wanted. And more. Much more.
"It was a living nightmare.
"A cryptic message slipped to Susan by a sinister soap box orator was the first puzzle. Why did he choose her? Why was he chasing her? And why, Susan ha More...
"Susan loved all things Scottish. So, when the opportunity presented itself, there was no question in her mind but that she would go on the archaeological dig in the Highlands. It was everything she could have wanted. And more. Much more.
"It was a living nightmare.
"A cryptic message slipped to Susan by a sinister soap box orator was the first puzzle. Why did he choose her? Why was he chasing her? And why, Susan ha More...
May 19, 2010
Katriena
rated it: 
Was somewhat disappointed in this book after the Amelia Peabody books, and almost gave up on it after about chapter two. Through the first third or so, I found both the hero and heroine to be extremely annoying, and the plot setup felt very contrived. The main characters managed to become slightly less annoying, but the plot still felt contrived, and some elements were really over the top. The fact that the big "plot" involved a trite and overly used element of Scottish history didn't
Apr 23, 2011
Babs
rated it:
Was a big Elizabeth Peters fan many moons ago. Came across this book and did not remember reading it and it sounded interesting.
I think I did read this, but so long ago I didn't remember it. It was a fun read, easy read. Lot of Scottish history came up, which was interesting. This book hints that the Stone of Scone never actually left Scotland. That is part of the mystery here, but there is a bit more going on than meets the eye.
Enjoyable read.
I think I did read this, but so long ago I didn't remember it. It was a fun read, easy read. Lot of Scottish history came up, which was interesting. This book hints that the Stone of Scone never actually left Scotland. That is part of the mystery here, but there is a bit more going on than meets the eye.
Enjoyable read.
Apr 28, 2009
Chambodia
rated it:
Fun little mystery set in Scotland. I enjoy Elizabeth Peters a lot due to her ability to teach within the context of her novels. That is what elevates most her stand alone mysteries above the level of fluff. This one is too slight to be much of a mystery, though. Usually, her characterization makes up for any lack in story, but this one didn't hit the mark.
Dec 28, 2011
Liora
rated it:
Susan is a young archaeology student with a passion for Scottish history. She comes to Scotland to work on a dig and becomes entwined in an antiquities theft ring. She meets James, the sarcastic son of a Scottish laird, who even lives in a relic of a castle. James helps her uncover the thieves and restore the antiquities, mostly while running desperately across Scotland.
This was a fun, quick read with a fairly straightforward plot. I liked the quirky, wacky characters. James' father More...
This was a fun, quick read with a fairly straightforward plot. I liked the quirky, wacky characters. James' father More...
Aug 19, 2009
Ruth
rated it:
ok. quick fun read.
Susan's joins a Highland dig, a dream come true for the young archaeology student. A stranger slips Susan a cryptic message in ancient verse—and is later found viciously slain. A mysterious peril has unexpectedly emerged, sending her running for her life in the company of handsome, unconventional laird Jamie Erskine.
Susan's joins a Highland dig, a dream come true for the young archaeology student. A stranger slips Susan a cryptic message in ancient verse—and is later found viciously slain. A mysterious peril has unexpectedly emerged, sending her running for her life in the company of handsome, unconventional laird Jamie Erskine.
Jun 12, 2009
BJ Rose
rated it:
An enjoyable cozy-mystery about a young American woman, Susan, who is about to take part in her first archaeological dig in Scotland. While enjoying the sights of Edinburgh, she gets caught up in some melodrama and a murder, and ends up on the run with a look-a-like of one of her favorite historical figures.
I enjoyed the history about Mary, Queen of Scots, and about Bonnie Prince Charlie, but got turned off a couple of times by Susan 'lecturing' to others about Scottish history. A li More...
I enjoyed the history about Mary, Queen of Scots, and about Bonnie Prince Charlie, but got turned off a couple of times by Susan 'lecturing' to others about Scottish history. A li More...
May 27, 2011
Susan
rated it:
Certainly not one of her better books. The plot was proven rather inane when at the end, the whole adventure of the hero and heroine was totally unnecessary. It involved an archeological dig in Scotland where thieves plan to take the treasure. A common plot for Ms. Peters but she does an uncommonly bad job of this one.
Jan 31, 2012
A bit disappointed in this story. Just didn't have anything in it, definitely not up to what I would consider Elizabeth Peters standards. Guess no matter how good you might be you can still fall a little short. Will still read her books, just don't recommend this one.
Nov 12, 2010
Patty
rated it:
An early Elizabeth Peters novel. Susan, an American college student, travels to Scotland to take part in an archaeological did. Multiple advents find her there. From the harmless deposit of a poem in her bag to the murder of the man who put it there.
Mar 07, 2010
Joann
rated it:
Interesting plot, but lacked tension. Spent more time saying why they couldn’t investigate – with minor things like I’m hungry – than giving us the drama of investigating. Read to the end, though, since the plot was good.
Apr 04, 2010
Joni
rated it:
I enjoyed this book, but could be partial to it due to my Scottish heritage. Peters kept me guessing about some of the characters which I liked as I can not stand when plots are telegraphed and I know what is going to happen right away. Very enjoyable quick read.
Jul 23, 2010
Greymalkin
rated it:
I really enjoy Ms. Peters' books- they're light and entertaining but contain enough cultural or historical information that they don't feel too lightweight. This is a fun one, one of my favorites.
Jan 01, 2009
Fareeha
rated it:
Some books of Elizabeth Peters are real fun and witty and some are just fine. This is one of the just fine ones.
Jun 25, 2010
Shea
rated it:
I love anything by Elizabeth Peters. This is one of her old, pre-Amelia Peabody novels, and it's a fun beach book.
Nov 02, 2009
Becky
rated it:
This is a perfect bathtub/ cup of tea and cookies read- a lightish mystery, low gore, touch of history, and an obvious but oh, so slightly steamy romance.
May 18, 2010
Christen
rated it:
Decent characters, cute plot. I got a little sick of "Bonnie Prince Charlie" though.
Jan 14, 2012
Warnie B.
rated it:
This one follows the formula that most of Peters' stand-alones follow--girl travels somewhere by herself, crazy things happen, girl gets chased around by bad guys and is helped out (usually reluctantly) by a sexy foreign guy. In this case, the sexy foreign guy is one Jamie Erskine, and he wears a kilt. I read this one like 5 times in high school--I dunno, that Jamie just got to me. Well, ok, I'll admit that I've read it a few times since high school as well. It's definitely not good literature,
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Mar 22, 2011
SJuhl4
rated it: 
A stranger later found dead slips an archeological student a message. A local laird helps out the stranger to his country and the two wind up murder suspects and fleeing the law, while trying to hide our from the real criminals. A great story.
Feb 06, 2011
Peter
rated it:
A very fun read! The ending felt a little hurried, but overall it was good.
Jun 27, 2011
Gail
rated it:
It was a fun romp through the highlands with a heroine who's given a clue to a conspiracy by mistake, and winds up being chased through the highlands with a hero who looks like--it's hinted but never said outright--a handsome member of the royal family--the crown prince, even. Which, given the date this book was written, kind of makes me go "ewwwww." But it was a fun read. I enjoyed it.
Jul 07, 2008
Sandy
rated it:
What can I say about Elizabeth Peters, except she is a magnificent writer. OK. I'm a fan of romantic suspense, but when a book is full of history, action (not violence) and comedy, it's a winner. This book is based in Scotland, where a young girl who romanticizes everything from it's past is caught up with a secret society, tomb robbers, and a lovable old laird and his son.
