Scots on the Rocks: A Bed-And-Breakfast Mystery

Feeling as though his wife, Judith, is in need of a relaxing vacation from their bed and breakfast, Joe Flynn plans out a perfect vacation, which of course, included her cousin Renie and husband Bill. Determined to keep the location a secret, Joe finally agrees to answer three questions, giving her an idea of what to pack. Question one - is there a beach "yes", question two and three - great stores and restaurants "yes". Elated, Judith called her cousin with the assurance that they are heading to "Dana Point". It was only after they arrived at the airport and heading to their plane when they discovered they were flying on British Airlines, not too disappointing at all for Judith..Her mind soon wandered to all sites she'll be visiting in London. After boarding their second flight, Judith and Renie found themselves heading to Aberdeen, Scotland with their journey ending in St. Fergna. Definitely not the right time of year for fun and sun, only cold and wet to look forward too. Their destination ended at Grimloch Castle and it wasn't long before Judith and Renie discovered their husband's real motive for the trip. A friend of Joe's and Bill's, Scotland Yard Dectective Hugh MaGowan, extended an invitation for them to stay plus arranged fishing for the men. Judith and Renie were not thrilled to say the least. Soon after their arrival, an explosion at the castle took the life of a young man married to a local heiress. This was her second husband and the second to die tragically. With Joe and Bill constantly fishing, and not much else to do, Judith and Renie once again found themselves investigating a questionable death which eventually turned into more than one. Tight tongued locals were no match for determined Judith and Renie, letting a murderer go was not going to happen as far these two sleuths were concerned.. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is more of Joe and Bill. As a romantic at heart, I enjoy Joe and Judith's relationship. "Scots On The Rocks" is an enjoyable cozy mystery with colorful characters and vivid settings. Anyone who enjoys Mary Daheim or a good cozy mystery will not be disappointed with this book.

Again, Mary Daheim has produced a book great to read. Very enjoyable and easy to keep tract of characters and story.

This is 23rd in the series of Bed and Breakfast mysteries featuring Judith McMonigle Flynn and her cousin Renie, this one is set not in Judith's Seattle Hillside Manor B & B, but in Scotland. Judith is aging, her hip replacement surgery has slowed her down. Her husband Joe, a retired police detective, and her cousin Renie and her husband Bill conspire to set up Judith with a surprise vacation. Her B & B is staffed with substitute innkeepers, and they are off. Judith is sure the locale is southern California, and packs accordingly. Unfortunately it is Scotland, a stay in remote Grimloch castle due Joe's police connection, with a promise of some great fishing. The men skip off soon after arrival to fish, leaving Judith and Renie to get to know the Gibbses, the surly and unhappy couple running the castle. They venture into town to get Judith some warm clothing and meet many more eccentric and dysfunctional people, including Moira Gibbs, her husband Harry (grandson of the Gibbses working in the castle); and cranky Mrs. Gunn. Wealthy Moira Gibbs has inherited a large petroleum company, and Mrs. Gunn is running her husband's transport firm and believes in the supernatural. Soon Philip Fordyce and his young wife Beth, owners of the castle, return early from an island vacation to stay in the private wing. Fordyce runs a company making Scotch whiskey and has a very strange young son, Chuckie, who skulks around the castle being obtuse and nasty. An explosion on the beach signals the death of Harry Gibbs. Who could have wanted him dead? Was he meddling in his wife's Blackwell Petroleum company too much? The accidental death months ago of Moira's personal assistant, the dashing Italian Davey, is suddenly questioned when his bloodstained coat is found with a note. Then Chuckie begins hinting he knows who killed Harry. Judith and Renie have sporadic and sketchy phone contacts with their fishing spouses, until suddenly they seem to have disappeared. Judith is her usual kind and inquisitive self; Renie as usual, is always hungry, argumentative and pushy. There are several truly hilarious episodes as they careen around the village of St. Fergna trying to ferret out the facts. Armchair Interviews says: 23rd in series, and still doing just fine, thank you.