Kaitlyn Dunnett is a new author for me and I will definitely be looking for more of her books. Even though this is the 10th book in the Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series, I was not lost as there was enough information given from previous books that I could follow the story. I will however, go back to the beginning and read the series.

It's July in Moosetookalook, Maine and they are hosting the Maine Highland Games. Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin, who runs the Scottish Emporium, is getting ready for the festival. When she is awakened at 3:35 in the morning, she smells smoke and by the time the alarm goes off, she realized it is the bookstore and apartment belonging to her friend Angie Hogencamp and her two children. When the blaze dies down, however, the family is nowhere to be found in the crowd or among the ruins. They seem to have vanished. The next day, Liss finds out the the post office has been vandalized and the mail gone through. On opening day of the Highland Games, on their way to watch the fireworks as part of the opening ceremony, Liss and her husband Joe hear a gunshot. When they follow the sound, they find the body of selectman, Jason Graye. Because they found the body, does that make them persons of interest?

Liss can not keep her nose out of the mystery. She is sure that all these crimes tie together in some way. She keeps saying she is not trying to catch a murderer, but she does not back off. Even though the culprit is revealed before the end of the story, the motive is not given right away. There is also suspense regarding the family of Angie and their safety. The characters in this book are multi-dimensional and very interesting. They have hidden strengths and talents that come out in this story. This is a well-plotted murder mystery with enough twists, turns, and suspects to keep the reader involved. I read this one very quickly as I wanted to find out whether I was correct in my guesses (I wasn't). I also liked some of the Scottish information I learned in the story. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016/08/kilt-at-highland-games-liss-maccrimmon.... ( )

Kilt at the Highland Games is the tenth book in A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series. Liss MacCrimmon Ruskin is getting ready for the Western Maine Highland Games which are being held in Moosetookalook, Maine (what a mouthful) this year. Liss’ shop The Scottish Emporium will have a booth at the event. One evening Liss awakens and looks out the window. Angie’s Books is on fire. The emergency bells rings out calling for assistance from the volunteer fire fighters (Dan Ruskin, Liss’ husband is a member). Liss rushes over as well worried about her friend, Angie Hogencamp and her family. Angie is nowhere to be seen and neither are her two children, Beth and Bradley. It turns out that they are not in the burning building either. Where are the Hogencamp’s? Liss starts checking around town to see who saw Angie last. Liss thought she knew Angie very well, but everyone has secrets.

The Western Maine Highland Games begin and Liss hopes this will distract her from her worry over Angie. But then town selectman, Jason Graye is found dead. Jason was not a well-liked man. He was trying to close the library to save the town money and Dolores Mayfield, town librarian, had declared war (want to guess who is a main suspect). Liss, of course, is drawn to the crime and cannot help but look into it (she just loves investigations). Liss is going to be busy tracking down Angie and her family as well as Jason’s killer.

While Kilt at the Highland Games is the tenth book in the series, it can be a stand-alone novel. Kaitlyn Dunnett updates the readers on Liss and her history. The characters in the book are well developed and likeable (Aunt Peg is entertaining). I found the novel easy to read as are all of the book in this series. There is a wonderful description of Dan Ruskin’s puzzle tables in the book. Anyone that loves putting together puzzles will want one of these tables (I do)! The two mysteries in Kilt at the Highland Games are appealing and complex. I give Kilt at the Highland Games 4 out of 5 stars. Kilt at the Highland Games is told from more than one point-of-view which is a little confusing (it gets easier the further you get into the book). I have read every book in this series and have liked all of them. I will definitely read the next book in A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest evaluation. The opinions and comments expressed are strictly my own. ( )