X Marks the Scot

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This was my first trip to Moosetookalook, Maine and I am so upset with myself that it took me this long to find this series.

Liss MacCrimmon owns the Scottish Emporium and while she is at an auction looking for items for her shop she finds a painting of a bagpiper. She bids and wins the picture after outbidding two other people. While carrying it to the car she drops it and makes a very interesting discovery. It looks like a treasure map was hidden behind the canvas in the frame. The treasure is marked with an “X” but Liss has no idea where to start looking, but she thinks it may be on the old Chadwick property, since that is where the auction is being held. Her aunt does a little research and feels they need to head to Nova Scotia to meet with a man that may have more information. But when they arrive for their meeting, the man is dead, murdered. Liss and her aunt are quickly cleared when their alibi checks out, so they continue will the rest of their visit to meet with vendors for merchandise for their store and to attend the Highland Games in Antigonish. Liss feels as if she is being watched several times, but when their hotel room is trashed and an Ipad and a broach are missing, they report it to the police and head back to Maine. Strange things start to happen at home and Liss is convinced it all has to do with the map she found. Did the killer follow her home? Her life may be in jeopardy, so she has no choice but the find where X marks the spot.

As this was my first adventure with Liss, her family, and friends, I was pleased by how well they were described. I am sure I am missing out on certain nuances of the characters but that did not deter from my enjoyment of the story. I really liked that she is friends with Chief of Police Sherrie Campbell and that she works with her aunt.

Ms. Dunnett has written a well-plotted mystery with plenty of suspects and the exact right amount of suspense. I enjoyed that genealogy was used to lead the way in solving the mystery. A treasure hunt is always fun to follow in a story. I did figure out the culprit a bit before it was revealed. The person just felt shady from the start.

There is a subplot in the story concerning Liss’ parents and that made me wish I had read the previous stories, but it also made me what to jump right into the next new book, Overkilt being released October 30.

I found this to be a very entertaining mystery. My first trip to Moosetookalook was a very enjoyable getaway and am looking forward to visiting again soon.

Good cozy mystery

A good read!

Glad to have found this new ( to me) series.

I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in this story. They definitely kept me guessing throughout the story. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I enjoyed tbe book very much.

This is an entertaining mystery. The characters are likeable and the mystery engaging. There were some red herrings and so I wasn’t sure who to suspect. The murderer was a surprise to me. It was fun to “chase” after a hidden treasure and trying to figure exactly what that treasure might be. I would read another book by this author.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

X Marks the Scot by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the eleventh book in A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series. Liss MacCrimmon is attending the auction of the Chadwick mansion and purchases a painting of a Scottish bagpiper. While trying to load the painting into the car, it falls (cracks) and reveals a treasure map tucked into the back of the painting. Liss’ curiosity is peaked and Aunt Margaret suggests a trip to Chadwick, Nova Scotia to obtain details on the Chadwick family (it is on the way to the Antigonish Highland Games—they can obtain new items for the shop). They arrive for their meeting with Orson Bailey at the Chadwick Historical and Genealogical Society to find the place locked up. When they gain entrance, Liss finds Orson dead under the kitchen table. Who knew of their trip to Chadwick? What had Orson uncovered? While at the highland games, their motel room is broken into and ransacked. Liss returns home determined to find out where the map leads and what is hidden where X marks the spot. It seems that trouble has followed Liss home. Someone has broken into the shop and her home. What will Liss uncover in her latest investigation in Moosetookalook, Maine?

X Marks the Scot is not a standalone. Some readers may find it confusing with the various characters and relationships. It becomes clearer the further you read into the book. I have read all the books in A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series, and X Marks the Scot is my least favorite. I knew the killer’s identity long before the murder took place. The mystery had some interesting aspects (a treasure map, hidden tunnels), but it could have done with a little tweaking. I wish the mystery had been stronger (it was light). I want to be gobsmacked! Moosetookalook is a charming Maine town with unique characters and plenty of charm. It will be interesting to see what happens now that Liss’ parents have returned to town and Liss is dreading it (she gets along better with her mother when there are a couple of states between them). I found the pace of the novel to be too slow (made the book seem long). I will read the next book in A Liss MacCrimmon Scottish Mystery series in the hopes that the series will get back on track. I have a feeling, though, that the series has run its course.