A Scottish Shire Mystery Books In Order

Publication Order of A Scottish Shire Mystery Books

Scottish Shire Mystery series by Traci Hall
Author Traci Hall writes the “Scottish Shire” series of cozy mystery novels. The series began publication in the year 2020 when “Murder in a Scottish Shire” was released by Kensington Publishing Corporation.

The series stars Paislee Shaw, a twenty-eight year old single mother to Brody. He might be ten, but he is caring, mature, and understanding; he is unlike many other ten year olds and has a great bond with his mom. She lives in Nairn and runs and owns Cashmere Crush. She is a knitting enthusiast and ends up playing reluctant sleuth while trying to track down a murderer.

There is also Angus, her grandpa who had been booted out from Paislee’s beloved grandma’s home after it was revealed that he fathered a child with another woman. Angus and Paislee have become estranged at the start of the first novel, as a result of this revelation. And Mack Zeffer, a detective, that Paislee works with in solving the murders.

Traci first fell in love with Scotland back when she first read “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon in the year 1991. Visiting the country had stayed on her bucket list ever since then. To prepare to write the “Paislee Shaw Mystery” series, she sacrificed hours of her time to study “Outlander” again and again. She did not have a hard time at all while watching Claire and Jamie fall head over heels in the green and lush Highlands.

Traci has a friend that lives in Inverness, and when she asked if he would guide her in her use of all things Scottish, he agreed. It turns out that he was an extra in “Outlander” on many episodes and has promised to be her guide-in person. She ended up choosing Nairn (shire) to be the setting for the series of mystery novels because of the community in a small seaside town. Add in the castle, history, and dolphins.

“Murder in a Scottish Shire” is the first novel in the “Scottish Shire Mystery” series and was released in the year 2020. Nairn, which is known as the Brighton of the North, is both a popular seaside resort and charming Scottish town. However to Paislee Shaw, it is just home. Unfortunately to a killer, too.

For a young single mother, Paislee has put together quite the sensible life for herself, Brody (her ten year old boy), and Wallace (their black Scottish terrier). Having inherited a talent for knitting from her dearly departed grandma, she also owns Cashmere Crush, which is her specialty sweater shop, where the devoted local crafters gather weekly for her Knit and Sip.

Lately, however, she feels like her life could be unraveling. She has been handed an eviction notice and her homeless and estranged grandpa, named Angus, has recently been brought to her door by Mack Zeffer, a disconcertingly handsome detective. Angus had been sleeping on a park bench and was brought to her since she is his next of kin. Angus’ other son, named Craigh, has disappeared and has been missing for two months now and the old guy was just evicted out of his house.

Paislee, as if this all was not enough, finds Isla (a young woman) that she recently rehired to help out in the shop dead in her apartment, potentially from an overdose on her heart meds. However while details of this death and the woman’s life start raising some suspicions for Detective Inspector Zeffer, it ends up being Paislee that has to untangle this murderous yarn.

This is a well written and delightful read with a puzzling mystery that is sure to keep you guessing until the killer is finally revealed, and some interesting characters. The setting is a beautiful one and readers loved the Scottish dialect that some of these characters use. Fans felt themselves having an immediate connection to Paislee and were able to see themselves in her. They also loved the relationship that she has with Angus and Brody. Angus is also an intriguing character, and he added a great dimension to this story.

Some found the novel to be wonderful character development, an impressive, engrossing, and a fully entertaining read.

“Murder in a Scottish Garden” is the second novel in the “Scottish Shire Mystery” series and was released in the year 2021. Paislee Shaw has to root out a garden variety murderer. Cashmere Crush, Paislee’s custom yarn and sweater business, is the only support not just for this single mom and Brody, her ten year old boy, but also for her eccentric Gramps and Wallace (their black Scottish terrier). So when Shawn Marcus, her landlord, gives her an eviction note then vanishes, she will go to any lengths to locate the man and try reasoning with him.

Shawn is the heir to the Leery Estate, which Brody’s class is going to be visiting on a field trip. So she volunteers to chaperone, hoping she can track Shawn down and accomplish two things at once. Unfortunately, the only one that is killed is a guy that Paislee sees falling right out of the hedges after he gets shot. It is not her MIA landlord, but Charles Thomson, Lady Leery’s nephew.

The gruff DI Mack Zeffer is working the case, however Paislee has also got a stake in flushing the shooter out. With a list of suspects that sprouts up all over like weeds, she might need to hedge her bets until she is able to figure out who it is attempting to lead her right down the garden path.

Paislee is a likable character and readers like how realistic she is. Traci does a fantastic job of placing you right into the scene to where you actually feel as though you are walking around inside the cluster of homes, the incredible estate, as you just get immersed in all of the local customs and history of the place. Readers enjoyed learning more about the Leery estate and particularly the life that Lady Shannon has led.

The mystery in the novel is well plotted, interesting, full of twists and it keeps you trying to figure out who the killer right up until the reveal.

One Response to “A Scottish Shire Mystery”

1. Name (required): 2 years ago

   I am so excited to see the third book in Traci Hall’s Scottish Series. Thank you for this site and for the publication date. That date is how I know which book is her latest.

   Reply