Paislee Shaw owns Cashmere Crush, a yarn shop specializing in high-end products. She also sells her own designs online and has garnered a following so well that the Dowager Countess of Lyon, Sorcha, has asked her to bring some items to sell in her castle's gift shop. Paislee is surprised but happy, especially when it coincides with the annual bagpiping completion which is to be held at Ramsey Castle. Along with her is her son Brody, her grandpa, and their Scottish terrier, Wallace. All seems to be going well until one of the pipers -- last year's winner -- blows a couple of notes and collapses. When he dies at the hospital, it's at first deemed an accident, but then DI Zeffer steps in and isn't so sure.

Neither is the Dowager Countess. She asks for Paislee's help in proving her son Robert's innocence. While Paislee isn't thrilled, she's rather stuck as she doesn't want to risk not selling her items, nor the displeasure of both the countess and her friend Lady Leery. So Paislee agrees, but she doesn't expect what happens next...

There's an unavoidable disaster that puts part of her life on hold, and she starts falling into depression; but her best friend Lydia steps in and won't allow it. Unfortunately, Lydia can temporarily fix one, but not the other, which means there's a killer still out there somewhere...

This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. I'm even reading Scottish idioms without a problem, and just breezing through these books. The plot is done very well, and Ms. Hall is very good at what she does -- which is to bring the reader into her books and these in particular, almost as if we were visiting Scotland ourselves (not a bad idea!)

I have become quite fond of all of the characters and their quirks, and Paislee has begun to grow a little bit more, which is a good thing. I hope to see her let go a little and let life happen, but time will tell. The 'guest' characters -- those of Castle Ramsey -- are written as they should be, although like Paislee, I do believe that the earl is a bit arrogant, but then again, he was probably raised that way. And I do like Zeffer quite a bit as well. He's intelligent and knowing, but reserved; just as a DI should be.

The murderer was unexpected and came out of left field, but that's what a good mystery should do, right? In the end, the reason for the murder was as twisted as can be in a murderer's mind, but ah, well, it all turned out right after all, and I await the next mystery eagerly. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for Paislee and her clan. Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review. ( )