BAGPIPES, BRIDES, AND HOMICIDES

The still waters of a quiet Maine town run deep when a local professor is killed and suspects abound.

As she plans her wedding, Liss MacCrimmon thinks the biggest hurdle she has to face will be convincing her mother, Violet, to give up hope that Liss and her fiancé, Dan Ruskin, will celebrate their marriage with a traditional Scottish handfasting ceremony. With just weeks left before the big day, Liss has no time to worry about the hubbub surrounding the legitimacy of the upcoming Medieval Scottish Conclave. So when professors A. Leon Palsgrave and Caroline Halladay ask her to display reproduction weapons meant to promote a battle recreation at the festival, Liss agrees to let the two use the Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium’s front window. Liss is having her bridal gown fitted when she hears the news that a professor at local Anisetab College has been murdered, and she can barely believe it when the deceased turns out to be the controversial Dr. Palsgrave. Even more shocking, however, are the ties that Liss’ family had to the professor, and especially the news that Liss’ father, Mac, may be Detective Franklin’s number one suspect. Though Liss knows better than to get mixed up in another mystery, she also knows that family comes first. If she can discover the truth, she can save her father’s good name in time for him to walk her down the aisle.

The latest from Dunnett (Scotched, 2011, etc.) doesn’t exactly break new ground, but cozy readers may well enjoy a story that meets their expectations.