Publication Day Review: Death on a Scottish Train: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly

 

Death on a Scottish Train: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly is the fourth book in this solidly good cozy mystery series that began with An American in Scotland. It has been about a year since Dr. Emilia McRoy left it all behind in Seattle and moved to Sea Isle, Scotland. The past year has been a lot, but she is happy. Other than the cold, she loves the place and the people and has made a number of friends. Life is pretty good and she feels more and more at home.

 

As the book begins, tourist season is almost over and the good doctor is worn out. So many tourists has meant an increased workload for her and that has made for long days. But, she promised to attend the Friday night train party and to help out a little bit. So, she is dressed up in her 1930’s outfit and is pushing through for her friends.

 

Her good friend, Mara, and a number of other folks have refurbished a train that has not run in the last fifty years. Now named the “Scottish Story Tellers Train,” it will run twice daily between Sea Isle and Edinburgh. On board will be a rotating group of storytellers that will share tales for tourists and locals. Tonight is the launch of the train from the local station (also refurbished) and will feature a rolling party of numerous people, food, storytellers, and more.

 

A fun evening goes a little wrong when one of the storytellers goes missing after he checked in and the train is well underway. The man had been heavily involved up to this point. He was clearly a bit nervous at check in, but the idea he just walked away before doing his storytelling part on the train seems a bit much.

 

It is only after the train returns to the station and the guests have left that a search party is organized to check the station and the surrounding area. It is the good doctor that finds him wedged into a broom closet at the back of the office. He vomited before death and has a yellow haze in the whites of his eyes and a blueish tint to his lips. He has been dead for some time as rigor is setting in. The good doctor is very sure it is murder. In her secondary role as corner, she will be in charge of the body for sometime as she assists local constable Ewan McGregor and his team in investigating the murder.

 

What follows is another strong read in this excellent cozy mystery series. Numerous relationships between characters continue to develop and evolve here so it is best to have read the previous books in the series. The mystery is complicated, much like the weather in Scotland, which continues to play its own role in this book and the series. The result is a highly entertaining read in Death on a Scottish Train: A Scottish Isle Mystery and one well worth your time.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/44gpvF9

 

My digital ARC came from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley, and with no expectation of a review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2025