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ScotShop Mystery #3
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel
Hamelin is overflowing with tourists enjoying the Scottish-themed games--and most of them are donning tartans from Peggy Winn's ScotShop. And her fourteenth-century ghostly companion, Dirk, has been indispensable, keeping an eye out for shoplifters and matching customers' family names to their clan plaid. Adding to the chaos is Big Willie, a longtime champion of the games, but not everyone is happy to have him in town. So when he misses the first event of the weekend, Peggy senses something is awry. After Willie is discovered dead in his hotel room, the victim of a bagpipe-related crime, Peggy decides it's up to her and Dirk to suss out a murderer.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2017
27 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Fran Stewart
41 books155 followersAuthor of the Biscuit McKee Mystery Series and the ScotShop Mysteries. Lives with various rescued cats beside a creek on the other side of Hog Mountain GA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 4, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Nothing puts a damper on a festival quicker that a murder especially when it is a long time champion of the Hamelin Highland Festival that is found dead in his hotel room. Peggy was just getting to know the man and finding his body was so traumatic. She starts her own investigation with her handsome ghost’s assistance. To add to the excitement the town in crawling with Secret Service. It appears the President wants drop in for a visit.
This story has a slow build as we get to know some new characters, especially Big Willie, the former champion who is killed and his Scottie Silla. Big Willie’s body is found about halfway into the story and the pace picks up considerably. There are two plots that converge along with another subplot to keep us turning those pages.
Ms. Stewart brings humor to this story with Peggy still explaining current time expressions and things to Dirk as he struggles with the ways of modern times. She does trust him more to go off by himself and they are learning to work together. She keeps his speech and its patterns true to his Scottish 14th century time. This was a bit frustrating for me in the first book but now it is natural for me to read. I can even hear the lilt in his voice. The author also tells a bit of the story from Scottie Silla’s point of view. Touched my heart as a pet mourned the lost of her companion.
As always the majority of the story takes place in or close by to out protag’s ScotShop. I can picture the store very clearly in my mind. Peggy also has a tent selling ties and scarves at the festival. I need to give a little shout out to Jessie Reisch for the amazing cover art for this book. Those two adorable Scotties with the festival grounds take me right into the story.
These characters have warmed my heart. Cozy lovers will love Peggy and Dirk. I suggest reading the series in order though so you don’t miss a minute.
Nothing puts a damper on a festival quicker that a murder especially when it is a long time champion of the Hamelin Highland Festival that is found dead in his hotel room. Peggy was just getting to know the man and finding his body was so traumatic. She starts her own investigation with her handsome ghost’s assistance. To add to the excitement the town in crawling with Secret Service. It appears the President wants drop in for a visit.
This story has a slow build as we get to know some new characters, especially Big Willie, the former champion who is killed and his Scottie Silla. Big Willie’s body is found about halfway into the story and the pace picks up considerably. There are two plots that converge along with another subplot to keep us turning those pages.
Ms. Stewart brings humor to this story with Peggy still explaining current time expressions and things to Dirk as he struggles with the ways of modern times. She does trust him more to go off by himself and they are learning to work together. She keeps his speech and its patterns true to his Scottish 14th century time. This was a bit frustrating for me in the first book but now it is natural for me to read. I can even hear the lilt in his voice. The author also tells a bit of the story from Scottie Silla’s point of view. Touched my heart as a pet mourned the lost of her companion.
As always the majority of the story takes place in or close by to out protag’s ScotShop. I can picture the store very clearly in my mind. Peggy also has a tent selling ties and scarves at the festival. I need to give a little shout out to Jessie Reisch for the amazing cover art for this book. Those two adorable Scotties with the festival grounds take me right into the story.
These characters have warmed my heart. Cozy lovers will love Peggy and Dirk. I suggest reading the series in order though so you don’t miss a minute.
April 13, 2018
I don't see a 4th book but it was kind of left open for one. What happens with Harper & Peggy? What happens with Dirk? Peggy didn't explain to him what she discovered. *sigh* So sad.
February 4, 2017
Dirk the highland haunter is back in another fun installment of the Scotshop Mysteries!
Author Fran Stewart has written another delightful story in her Scotshop para-cozy mystery series. As with her last book, I commend the author for her talent for keeping spirit Dirk’s old world Scottish speech right on target.
A WEE HOMICIDE IN THE HOTEL, finds Hamelin, Vermont holding the annual Highland Festival. The town is up to its kilt hems in bagpipes, hammer throwing, caber tossing, and murder! Series lead, Peggy Winn, and her temperamental ghost pal Dirk are once again knee socks deep in the middle of things.
This was a well plotted mystery that had a lot going on. It kept me guessing the entire way through, and I came close to solving it. But in the end, I was out smarted big time.
I have to mention on of my favorite parts of the book. Each chapter starts with a quote, and an Act and Scene number. Fun!
Fans of this series will be in their glory with A WEE HOMICIDE IN THE HOTEL, and new readers are in for a cozy like no other.
Author Fran Stewart has written another delightful story in her Scotshop para-cozy mystery series. As with her last book, I commend the author for her talent for keeping spirit Dirk’s old world Scottish speech right on target.
A WEE HOMICIDE IN THE HOTEL, finds Hamelin, Vermont holding the annual Highland Festival. The town is up to its kilt hems in bagpipes, hammer throwing, caber tossing, and murder! Series lead, Peggy Winn, and her temperamental ghost pal Dirk are once again knee socks deep in the middle of things.
This was a well plotted mystery that had a lot going on. It kept me guessing the entire way through, and I came close to solving it. But in the end, I was out smarted big time.
I have to mention on of my favorite parts of the book. Each chapter starts with a quote, and an Act and Scene number. Fun!
Fans of this series will be in their glory with A WEE HOMICIDE IN THE HOTEL, and new readers are in for a cozy like no other.
March 5, 2017
I was hoping this book would be better than the last, but it's just as bad with all the POV changes. Skipped to the end.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
June 18, 2024
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two. I don't like how the main character focuses so much on money in this one. I'm glad the main character wasn't as mean to Dirk as usual, however, she's still not very friendly to him or anyone. It's really hard to understand why Harper likes her so much. I also thought the whole angle of to be very off-putting after the vibe was set up as more romantic. It reminded me of the kiss in the last Star Wars reboot movie where I felt like I watched a brother and sister make out. Anyway, the murder and attempted murder were so over-the-top with the melodrama. I don't know. It's a really cute idea for a series however I plan to stop here. I really love the cute cover, though!
February 5, 2017
Out February 7th this Scotshop Mystery is a welcome distraction for these long winter nights. Shop owner Peggy and her Scottish Ghost Dirk find themselves wrapped up in another mystery during the Highland games in Hamelin. I found there is so much to take in and much going on in this cozy mystery. Between the games, the shop and the characters Peggy has barely time to catch her breath. Bagpipes, drummers, families and politicians all cram into town and the shop, conflict, excitement, theft, mischief and more await you. Great characters, I especially liked the Scotties.
March 18, 2017
Book three shows a great improvement in the mystery aspect. All of these books have done well with the plotting and the characters. But the 'ghost' is still the problem. It has been matured in some areas but the constant questioning and demanding attention when it knows that will cause difficulties for those that see/hear/know of its existence is way over emphasized. Either get it together or get it out of the story is how I see it with so many ghosts in so many series. Reallt almost not worth the bother here to try the next one.
March 5, 2017
This book, the third in the series is by far the best of them to date. Fran has knocked it out of the park. Between the murder, the setting at the Games and the plethora of "persons of interest" it kept me in my lounger till I'd finished every last page.
I can't wait for Peggy and Silla's next adventure.
I can't wait for Peggy and Silla's next adventure.
February 26, 2017
Dirk is the Ghostest with the Mostest! Loved this latest installment...I am finding myself understanding his Scottish quite well, ayuh! and was hoping to see if Harper was going to put a ring on it...must mean there will be another book......yay!!
June 3, 2019
Questa serie mi piaceva e mi dispiace che l'editore abbia deciso di chiuderla, anche perché sono rimasti in sospeso alcuni aspetti, forse secondari, ma che comunque l'autrice aveva probabilmente pensato di trattare in libri successivi.
Stavolta sono stata un po' irritata dai continui cambi di prospettiva in cui è raccontata la storia perché alcuni erano completamente inutili. Sarà anche per questo che non avevo capito del tutto la soluzione del mistero.
Stavolta sono stata un po' irritata dai continui cambi di prospettiva in cui è raccontata la storia perché alcuni erano completamente inutili. Sarà anche per questo che non avevo capito del tutto la soluzione del mistero.
April 9, 2017
Book 3 is a great addition to this series and it does have a a very good mystery to solve. Equally important to me are the characters and setting. I love the Scot Shop, all the human characters who are not the bad guys, the Scottie dogs, and Dirk the Ghost. The Hamelin Highland Games provide an interesting backdrop and I enjoyed reading about them. Book 3 made me a happy reader!
February 17, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel
A Scotshop Mystery, Book #3
By Fran Stewart
ISBN#9780425270332
Author Website: Franstewart.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Hamelin is overflowing with tourists enjoying the Scottish-themed games—and most of them are donning tartans from Peggy Winn’s ScotShop. And her fourteenth-century ghostly companion, Dirk, has been indispensable, keeping an eye out for shoplifters and matching customer’s family names to their clan plaid.
Adding to the chaos is Big Willie, a longtime champion of the games, but not everyone is happy to have him in town. So when he misses the first event of the weekend, Peggy senses something is awry. After Willie is discovered dead in his hotel room, the victim of a bagpipe-related crime, Peggy decides it’s up to her and Dirk to suss out a murderer—because another death would really blow…(Goodreads)
Review:
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel, the third book in the ScotShop Mystery series, is bursting at the seams with Scottish charm and is sure to please fans of the series.
Hamelin, Vermont, is full of tourists come to town to celebrate the town’s annual Highland Games. With drummers, pipers, and contests of skill and strength, it offers fun for everyone. That is, until there is a threat to the President, shoplifting troubles arise, and one of the longtime competitors is found murdered….by Peggy. Readers go along with Peggy, her very own fourteenth century Scottish ghost Dirk, and her supportive friends and family to find out what really happened to Big Willie and if all of the sudden troubles are related.
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel gets off to a really slow start for me. In hindsight, I do not see that the subplot involving the President is necessary to the rest of the story at all. I feel like valuable reading time is wasted with the first one hundred or so pages of the book. Once the story focuses on Big Willie’s death and the shoplifting, things move along much more quickly, and this mystery becomes much more interesting. Even so, this is only a slightly better than ok read for me.
The characters are likable enough. Peggy is plucky and makes intelligent choices. Her relationship with Dirk has progressed with each addition to the series, and I like him much more than I did in book one. Stewart makes his naivety of modern life charming. Having to explain contemporary expressions and actions to Dirk could have easily been repetitive and tedious, but the juxtaposition of fourteenth and twenty-first centuries provides some levity and educational moments. The supporting characters, especially Peggy’s brother Drew and best friend Karoline, are well conceptualized and appealing. Throughout the book, I did find myself wanting to smack Peggy and Harper for their obtuse assumptions about each others’ feelings, and this is so frustrating. Hopefully, with the conclusion of this book, the pair will find a way to work things out. I always enjoy cozies that include animals, and Big Willie’s Scottish terrier Silla is my favorite character in this tale. The scenes told from her perspective are full of emotion and heartbreaking for this dog lover. Luckily, it looks like she will be part of Peggy’s future adventures.
There are three mystery threads in A Wee Homicide in the Hotel. As I mentioned above, the first thread involving the President is out of place and unneeded. The plots concerning Big Willie’s murder and the theft at least go together to tell a full story. I do think that the details surrounding the necklace in Peggy’s store are too farfetched to be truly authentic, but the connections between several of the characters do make for a more interesting resolution though.
I did not love A Wee Death in the Hotel, but the Scottish traditions and lore, along with the paranormal element and the dogs, make it more good than bad.
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel
A Scotshop Mystery, Book #3
By Fran Stewart
ISBN#9780425270332
Author Website: Franstewart.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Hamelin is overflowing with tourists enjoying the Scottish-themed games—and most of them are donning tartans from Peggy Winn’s ScotShop. And her fourteenth-century ghostly companion, Dirk, has been indispensable, keeping an eye out for shoplifters and matching customer’s family names to their clan plaid.
Adding to the chaos is Big Willie, a longtime champion of the games, but not everyone is happy to have him in town. So when he misses the first event of the weekend, Peggy senses something is awry. After Willie is discovered dead in his hotel room, the victim of a bagpipe-related crime, Peggy decides it’s up to her and Dirk to suss out a murderer—because another death would really blow…(Goodreads)
Review:
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel, the third book in the ScotShop Mystery series, is bursting at the seams with Scottish charm and is sure to please fans of the series.
Hamelin, Vermont, is full of tourists come to town to celebrate the town’s annual Highland Games. With drummers, pipers, and contests of skill and strength, it offers fun for everyone. That is, until there is a threat to the President, shoplifting troubles arise, and one of the longtime competitors is found murdered….by Peggy. Readers go along with Peggy, her very own fourteenth century Scottish ghost Dirk, and her supportive friends and family to find out what really happened to Big Willie and if all of the sudden troubles are related.
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel gets off to a really slow start for me. In hindsight, I do not see that the subplot involving the President is necessary to the rest of the story at all. I feel like valuable reading time is wasted with the first one hundred or so pages of the book. Once the story focuses on Big Willie’s death and the shoplifting, things move along much more quickly, and this mystery becomes much more interesting. Even so, this is only a slightly better than ok read for me.
The characters are likable enough. Peggy is plucky and makes intelligent choices. Her relationship with Dirk has progressed with each addition to the series, and I like him much more than I did in book one. Stewart makes his naivety of modern life charming. Having to explain contemporary expressions and actions to Dirk could have easily been repetitive and tedious, but the juxtaposition of fourteenth and twenty-first centuries provides some levity and educational moments. The supporting characters, especially Peggy’s brother Drew and best friend Karoline, are well conceptualized and appealing. Throughout the book, I did find myself wanting to smack Peggy and Harper for their obtuse assumptions about each others’ feelings, and this is so frustrating. Hopefully, with the conclusion of this book, the pair will find a way to work things out. I always enjoy cozies that include animals, and Big Willie’s Scottish terrier Silla is my favorite character in this tale. The scenes told from her perspective are full of emotion and heartbreaking for this dog lover. Luckily, it looks like she will be part of Peggy’s future adventures.
There are three mystery threads in A Wee Homicide in the Hotel. As I mentioned above, the first thread involving the President is out of place and unneeded. The plots concerning Big Willie’s murder and the theft at least go together to tell a full story. I do think that the details surrounding the necklace in Peggy’s store are too farfetched to be truly authentic, but the connections between several of the characters do make for a more interesting resolution though.
I did not love A Wee Death in the Hotel, but the Scottish traditions and lore, along with the paranormal element and the dogs, make it more good than bad.
February 19, 2017
Not as good as the first in this series. It was a real let down. The main character was really, really annoying, as were her fellow shop keepers. I think that I can stop reading this series now, this one definitely was not worth it. Which is a bummer, because I love these cozies with themes like this. Oh well. On to the next book.
+relatively unique theme
-characters were almost too dumb to be believed
- unrealistic dialogue
+relatively unique theme
-characters were almost too dumb to be believed
- unrealistic dialogue
March 12, 2017
It was hard to get through the first half of this book. Slow and not very entertaining.
June 24, 2017
It just read like journal rambling of each character. Brutal
September 17, 2017
There are some cozy series where I love the first, but the series loses its sparkle. Not so with Fran's ScotsShop series. I love Peggy, Dirk -the ghost and the whole gang. Can't wait for book four.
February 23, 2018
The book was a gift but not my taste.
January 16, 2019
Ok; a lot of boring sideline details. Filler.
April 3, 2019
It was ok. I like the characters and the town but there was some stuff not really explained well or maybe I flossed over it. On the whole enjoyable.
June 21, 2021
tried to read- but couldn't get interested at all- the ridiculous ghost...well....ridiculous.
April 30, 2022
Somewhat interesting series, but ...
March 19, 2017
Genre: cozy mystery
Series: ScotShop Mystery, 3
Peggy and ghost Dirk return in a third book set in Hamelin. It is time for Hamelin's Highland Games Festival weekend. The ScotShop is very busy with the crowds of people in town for the Highland games. There is some shoplifting going on. A special guest is expected for the opening night of the festival. A group of FBI agents are in town to help. Big Willie Bowman has come to town with a little Scottie dog named Silla. Big Willie plans to participate in the games.
There are a number of things going on in this story. The author switches points of view quite a bit at first, and it disrupted the story for me. In addition, the author switched between calling one of the female officers in town by her first name only or by her last name only. Took me a while to realize that there. Was one person not two. The murder doesn't happen until over 100 pages into the book. There is definitely a balance needed between introducing the murder in the first 20 pages and waiting till halfway through the book. Each of those situations has its downside. By waiting for over 100 pages, I was distracted from the story wondering when the murder was going to happen.
I quite liked the first book in the series, when Peggy meets Dirk. This third book didn't live up to the promise introduced with the series. The thing that saves it are the relationships. We advance Karaline and Drew's relationship and maybe things between Peggy and Harper are headed in a better direction finally. I am glad I finished the story, but I don't think this was the author's best work.
Series: ScotShop Mystery, 3
Peggy and ghost Dirk return in a third book set in Hamelin. It is time for Hamelin's Highland Games Festival weekend. The ScotShop is very busy with the crowds of people in town for the Highland games. There is some shoplifting going on. A special guest is expected for the opening night of the festival. A group of FBI agents are in town to help. Big Willie Bowman has come to town with a little Scottie dog named Silla. Big Willie plans to participate in the games.
There are a number of things going on in this story. The author switches points of view quite a bit at first, and it disrupted the story for me. In addition, the author switched between calling one of the female officers in town by her first name only or by her last name only. Took me a while to realize that there. Was one person not two. The murder doesn't happen until over 100 pages into the book. There is definitely a balance needed between introducing the murder in the first 20 pages and waiting till halfway through the book. Each of those situations has its downside. By waiting for over 100 pages, I was distracted from the story wondering when the murder was going to happen.
I quite liked the first book in the series, when Peggy meets Dirk. This third book didn't live up to the promise introduced with the series. The thing that saves it are the relationships. We advance Karaline and Drew's relationship and maybe things between Peggy and Harper are headed in a better direction finally. I am glad I finished the story, but I don't think this was the author's best work.
June 26, 2018
Three separate mysteries converge in the Vermont town of Hamelin during the annual Highland Games. These four days are extremely busy for local shopkeepers, like Peggy Winn, at the ScotShop. This year, Big Willie, a former champion, has returned after a four year absence. He brings his Scottie dog, Silla, with him, and Peggy agrees to watch her while Willie competes. But when she arrives at the field for the competition, Willie and Silla are nowhere to be found. Peggy is worried, especially when she can't see either of them through the window of his hotel room. Meanwhile, the police are fully occupied with a threat to the President, who comes to open the games. In addition, Peggy's resident ghost, whom she calls Dirk, is concerned about the possibility of shoplifters. How these three threads intertwine make for an engrossing mystery. While most of the story is told in the first person from Peggy's point of view, some parts focus (in the third person) on other characters, including both Silla and Dirk. Interesting characters and setting make for book that is hard to put down. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2023
I like when a book catches my eye on a shelf. I like reading the back of the book to see if I will like it and am pleased when I like what I see. I found this at the thrift store and I thought it might sit on Mt Git'r'Read for a bit but I found I was in the mood for it.
I've not read any from this series before but I will be looking and adding the rest of the books soon. It's a nifty premise of a woman who owns a shop and has a ghost of a Scot ancestor as a companion.
This was a very busy book and the story moves along via many POV/s. There is basically a main character but she can't be everywhere so the story pretty much has to be told by these many voices. It was a bit disconcerting at first but I got the hang of it soon enough.
There's plenty of mystery to go around with skullduggery everywhere. A suspicious death, a theft and a very busy weekend with a lot of suspects.
I liked this a lot and was glad I was able to get quiet time on work breaks and some dry back patio time, so I finished this rather quickly.
I will happily be looking for the rest of this series.
I can also happily recommend this book and author.
I've not read any from this series before but I will be looking and adding the rest of the books soon. It's a nifty premise of a woman who owns a shop and has a ghost of a Scot ancestor as a companion.
This was a very busy book and the story moves along via many POV/s. There is basically a main character but she can't be everywhere so the story pretty much has to be told by these many voices. It was a bit disconcerting at first but I got the hang of it soon enough.
There's plenty of mystery to go around with skullduggery everywhere. A suspicious death, a theft and a very busy weekend with a lot of suspects.
I liked this a lot and was glad I was able to get quiet time on work breaks and some dry back patio time, so I finished this rather quickly.
I will happily be looking for the rest of this series.
I can also happily recommend this book and author.
August 31, 2025
Peggy Winn, owner of the ScotShop in Hamelin, Vermont is getting ready for the Highland Games weekend. Her friend Dirk is ready to help, even though he can't physically help because he's a 14th century ghost attached to an antique shawl Peggy bought. But he can watch for shoplifters and can easily eavesdrop on any conversation.
Peggy meets Big Willie, a participant in the upcoming games and his black Westie, Silla. Peggy is supposed to look after Silla while Big Willie competes so when he misses his first event Peggy goes looking for him. Unfortunately, he is found dead in his hotel room.
The town's police force is busy policing the games and getting ready for a visit from the State Governor and a surprise visit by the President. Peggy feels the murder investigation is being sidelined so she, with Dirk's help, start digging into Big Willie's life.
The on again, off again romance action between Peggy and Harper isn't much to my liking but it doesn't detract from a strong plot, great characters and good writing.
Peggy meets Big Willie, a participant in the upcoming games and his black Westie, Silla. Peggy is supposed to look after Silla while Big Willie competes so when he misses his first event Peggy goes looking for him. Unfortunately, he is found dead in his hotel room.
The town's police force is busy policing the games and getting ready for a visit from the State Governor and a surprise visit by the President. Peggy feels the murder investigation is being sidelined so she, with Dirk's help, start digging into Big Willie's life.
The on again, off again romance action between Peggy and Harper isn't much to my liking but it doesn't detract from a strong plot, great characters and good writing.
August 19, 2017
I've read all three books in this series, in order (which I seldom do) and I like the way the characters and the relationships have progressed. Still a little undercurrent of romance between Peggy and Harper. Peggy and her ghost are more in sync now, and we learn a bit more about their family history.
Hamelin's annual Highland Festival provides a colorful backdrop for the story, emphasizing its trademark Scottish theme. Although the murder is not discovered until halfway through the book, the first page promises that something ominous will happen. And in the mean time, the police are busy with the subplot of an assassination attempt on the President of the United States, who has decided to pay Hamelin a surprise visit. One of the officers even suspects the eventual murder victim as a possible assassin.
Shoplifting at Peggy's ScotShop, jewelry heists, dysfunctional families, bagpipes, and dogs all play a part in this clever and entertaining mystery.
Hamelin's annual Highland Festival provides a colorful backdrop for the story, emphasizing its trademark Scottish theme. Although the murder is not discovered until halfway through the book, the first page promises that something ominous will happen. And in the mean time, the police are busy with the subplot of an assassination attempt on the President of the United States, who has decided to pay Hamelin a surprise visit. One of the officers even suspects the eventual murder victim as a possible assassin.
Shoplifting at Peggy's ScotShop, jewelry heists, dysfunctional families, bagpipes, and dogs all play a part in this clever and entertaining mystery.
July 20, 2022
A Wee Homicide in the Hotel – A Scotshop Mystery – 2017 - *** - A cozy mystery based on a small Vermont town and a store specializing in Scottish goods. Peggy Winn owns the store and makes most of her annual profit on the long weekend of the Highland Festival. Peggy and her friends become involved in a theft, a murder, and a ghost. Along with cute pet characters, the plot and story all move together with a touch of chaste romance. Some light humor brings the book along in slow spots. This is a book for a quick read on a slow afternoon. Nothing too bloody, gory, sexy, or naughty happens. It is the usual fare I expect in a cozy mystery served up in an enjoyable laid back atmosphere. Will I read more Stewart books? If they fall my way and I have nothing else to hand – yes. Will I search them out – no.
March 30, 2018
It is the annual Scottish games in Hamelin and the ScotShop is busy, very busy! Luckily Peggy has Gilda to be back up in the shop and Dirk to keep an eye out (it is still hard not to have a conversation with him when others are around mind you! But that is the problem with having your own ghost around). For the first time in 4 years a previous competitor is back, Big Willie spent time mourning the death of his wife but a young Scottie dog he saved from a Puppy Mill (he named her Drusilla or Silla for short) has helped him through this. Peggy has agreed to look after the young dog whilst he is competing and so she heads off to the grounds ... but there is no Big Willie and no Silla, and then Silla arrives at the shop and things don't look good.
April 16, 2023
This is the third installment at the Scottshop Mystery series. This book seemed to flow a bit better than the previous story, a Wee Dose of Death.
The full cast of characters return in this installment, including Dirk the ghost. The story moves along at a good pace. It’s hard to figure out why big Willie is killed or who could’ve even wanted that. They were clues along the way, but they aren’t obvious, and if you don’t know peoples history, you don’t make the connections.
I do enjoy Dirk the ghost; he adds a delightful aspect to the story. It does make for amusing confusion at times. This book is a quick read, the story flows and it’s easy to get wrapped up in things. I like the setting of the Highland games and the small town.
The full cast of characters return in this installment, including Dirk the ghost. The story moves along at a good pace. It’s hard to figure out why big Willie is killed or who could’ve even wanted that. They were clues along the way, but they aren’t obvious, and if you don’t know peoples history, you don’t make the connections.
I do enjoy Dirk the ghost; he adds a delightful aspect to the story. It does make for amusing confusion at times. This book is a quick read, the story flows and it’s easy to get wrapped up in things. I like the setting of the Highland games and the small town.
July 18, 2018
This delightful book, set in Burlington VT, centers on the woman who owns a Scottish shop and the ghost (Dirk) who came home with her attached to an ancient scarf she found on one of her buying trips. Dirk the most delightful character of this series as he floats around helping to solve the crimes yet is woefully unaware of the things of today. She spends time explaining things to him which he sometimes relates using terms from his time. He can't float through doors or walls though which makes for some funny situations. Funniest is that only she and her friend can see or hear him so often when she talks to him, it looks like she's talking to herself.
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