Nestled on the east coast of Scotland, with rolling hills to one side and the sun glinting over the gentle swell of the sea on the other, St Giles is not the place you’d expect to find a dead body… pleased to see her but at least she had best friend Connie to keep her company.
On their second evening in the village, Eliza and Connie spot an unidentifiable shape on the beach, but with the light fading and high tide approaching, they are warned to stay away.
When the shape is confirmed to be the dead body of an elderly ex-resident, there are questions to answer.
Why was she in St Giles? And who knew she was visiting?
With no apparent reason for her death, Eliza struggles to uncover a motive for murder. But when past indiscretions surface, it’s clear that long held secrets refuse to stay hidden…
This is the fifth standalone story in the Eliza Thomson Investigates series. If you like Miss Marple-style murder mysteries, and historical heroines with attitude, you’ll love this step-back-in-time cozy series.
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It is the summer of the year 1902. We are
traveling to the small town St. Giles on the
coast of Scotland with Dr Archie Thompson
his wife Eliza, their son Henry and Eliza’s
best friend, the widow, Mrs Connie Appleton
to visit Archie’s parent, his two sisters and
their families.
Their trip becomes complicated when one
of the sister’s mother-in-law goes missing
and she was the last one to see her. Where
could she be?
Then a body is found. It is the missing
woman. She was murdered.
Eliza, Connie and Henry are determined to
discover the guilty culprit to clear Archie’s
sister.
Secrets abound in this quiet small town. A
array of well defined, quirky, intriguing and
interesting characters involved in a complex,
puzzling murder mystery.
This is book # 5 in the Eliza Thomson
Investigates Mysteries Series. It can be read
as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read A Scottish Fling. Thanks
to the author for the opportunity. My opinion
Is voluntary and my own.
I love Eliza, so witty that even men have to acknowledge she’s a perfect investigative partner.
Lovely, a visit with the in-laws!
Eliza and her family, along with her best friend Connie travel to Scotland to visit Archie’s family. Eliza is blamed for keeping her husband out of Scotland so there is no love lost with the in-laws. When Eliza finds a body on the beach. The victim turns out to be the mother-in-law of Archie’s sister Maggie. When the inept police decide Maggie is the prime suspect, Eliza comes to the rescue. Can she solve the murder before the head back home? Great location and very satisfying mystery!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
A wonderful cozy mystery! This book has complex and interesting characters and the story will capture you on the first page! Lots of twists and turns.
On a trip to the small town in Scotland that is Dr Thomson’s family home, Eliza and Connie discover a dead body. Maggie’s mother-in-law is found at the foot of the cliff, with suspicious bruises around her neck that point to foul play. The police, on the other hand are inclined to chalk it up to an accident. The ladies – much to Dr Thomson’s chagrin – are investigating instead.
McBeath’s Eliza is a strong independent woman, at a time when “ladies” were to have been anything but. And it’s partly this that leads to problems with her in-laws – mostly her mother-in-law. But once again in the thick of things, she and Connie are determined to leave no stone unturned. There are some intriguing new characters in this volume and watching the interplay between Eliza and her in-laws is fascinating.
It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Thomsons and Henry, along with Mrs Appleton; and watch as they uncover the latest villain. I look forward to the next episode of their adventures.
[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
Another great cozy mystery story!
This cozy mystery series is great! I downloaded and read the first book of this series as part of a cozy mystery authors’ giveaway promotion. I am so glad that I did. I enjoyed it so much that I am downloading the remaining books in the “Eliza Thomson Investigates Murder Mystery” series to my KU library.
This book is set in the summer of 1902. Eliza, Archie (husband) Henry (son), and best friend and companion, Connie have traveled to Scotland to spend time with her in-laws. She wasn’t expecting a warm welcome as her in-laws feel it is because Archie met and married her that he did not come home after graduating and becoming a doctor, laying the blame at her feet. The trip is a very long and hard journey to make between their home in England and the in-law’s home in Scotland. Consequently, they have only made the trip to visit a very few times. Another thing that the in-laws feel is Eliza’s fault. I don’t blame Eliza for bringing Connie along on the trip as a distraction and buffer of a sort. Elisa already has issues fitting in as a proper gentlewoman at home outside of London. She is outspoken, unyielding to tradition, and determined to do as she pleases. None of which are socially acceptable gentlewoman traits in 1902. Soon after arriving, an extended family member is dead on the beach with police and local suspicion soon falling on Eliza’s sister-in-law as the murderer. Eliza begins her own private investigation into the murder which her in-laws and locals find offensive. They are not happy that this woman or any woman for that matter would dare to take on such a project. Does she not recognize or understand her place!
The author supplies just enough clues so that, if you pay close attention, you will be able to determine whodunit before the big reveal. And there is more than one mystery in this story. This is quite an entertaining, well-told, well-written book which I finished in one sitting. Written in UK English, some American English readers may find some phrases in the story confusing at first. However, I assure you that it is worth reading on to the finish. It is an intriguing cozy mystery. A clean, fun, and witty read. I recommend “A Scottish Fling” for anyone who enjoys reading a good mystery; but doesn’t have days to invest in reading a full-length novel.
I received an advance reader copy of “A Scottish Fling” from the author. This gift did not affect my review of the book. This review is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Eliza and Dr. Archie Thompson along with their son Henry and her friend/companion Mrs Connie Appleton are off on a seaside summer holiday to the coast of Scotland. To visit his family who live in a small town St. Giles close to St. Andrews. Eliza is not too keen as her mother in law is a bit of a nightmare whose behavior towards her is rude at best. She is happy to see the rest of Archie’s family especially his two sisters Jean and Maggie and their families.
Their peaceful family holiday/reunion is broken up when Maggie’s mother in law Mrs Scott first disappeared and is later found murdered. With rather incompetent police officers on the hunt for the easiest solution rather than the actual murderer Eliza takes up the case. Will the secrets of Mrs Scott’s past lead to the answers in the present? Find out when you pick up this delightful mystery. A lighthearted and fast paced cozy that will keep you guessing right to the end.
I received an ARC from the author. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
A Scottish Fling is book five in An Eliza Thomsom Investigates Murder series by VL McBeath. Archie and Eliza McBeath as well as their son, Henry, and Eliza’s friend, Mrs. Connie Appleton, have traveled to St. Giles, Scotland, to visit Archie’s family. The family have not visited in five years. Eliza is apprehensive about visiting her in-laws since Archie’s mother blames her for Archie staying in England to open his practice. Instead of staying with one of the Thomson relatives, they decided to stay at an inn located in the middle of St. Giles. They are able to walk to Ma and Pa Thomson’s home as well as to Archie’s sisters homes. VL McBeath has provided those reading this book the quaint feeling experienced by visiting a small village. There are no sidewalks and little traffic to worry about. Maggie Scott, one of Archie’s sisters has shockingly been told her mother-in-law is selling her home and intends to move to St. Giles. This does not sit well with Maggie due to squabbles with her mother-in-law. Besides the fact there is little extra room in the houses. During Eliza’s visit she has plans to stay as far away from Archie’s mother and instead tour St. Giles as much as possible. Will her plans go as intended? Time will tell.
Once again, a brilliantly written story. Eliza gets involved in finding a murderer when a member of her husband’s family looks like the prime suspect. No obvious clues only local gossip and villagers and fishermen who band together unwilling to talk. With a less than able policeman Eliza can’t help but do her own investigating. I just couldn’t work this one out until Eliza explained at the final gathering.
I received an ARC and I honestly think it is a “must read”. As I read it I could actually hear the characters speaking and I began to tap my feet at their attitudes. I even had a tear in my eye by the end of the book and that rarely happens. Excellent stuff.
Eliza and family are headed to Scotland to visit Archie’s family! Connie Appleton, Eliza’s friend also goes with. When Archie’s sister is accused of the murder of her mother in law the day after they arrive Eliza realizes she must solve the murder.
I loved this twisty tale. The plot was original, who would think a recent murder tied back to events 50+ years previously! I love this series especially Eliza getting her son, Henry involved in solving crimes too. The village is so small and with everyone knowing everyone it seems cozy and inviting! Once you realize all the secrets everyone have and how fast gossip spreads it quickly loses it charm!
I really enjoyed this book and this series. I highly recommend this book and this series!