The pseudonymous Dunnett’s enjoyable second Scottish-themed mystery (after 2007’s Kilt Dead
) finds ex-dancer Liss MacCrimmon, co-owner of a Scottish gift shop in her hometown of Moosetookalook, Maine, eagerly awaiting a visit from her old dancing company, which she had to leave following a knee injury. The reunion goes smoothly until Victor Owens, the company’s manager, dies after eating a scone, and his demise is ruled a murder. Determined to uncover who wanted Victor dead, Liss digs deeper into the dance troupe she thought she knew so well, much to the annoyance of her local boyfriend, Dan Ruskin. Vivid descriptions of Maine during mud season and a quirky cast of characters lift this cozy from Dunnett, best known for her historicals featuring Lady Appleton (Face Down o’er the Border
, etc.) written under her real name, Kathy Lynn Emerson. (Aug.)
