Quirky mystery set in Scotland. Lexy and her friends travel to Scotland to visit her parents and find a skeleton. A light read filled with insider jokes among this group of friends and lots of Scottish slang - a series best read in order to understand all of the relationships. Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC and to publisher Severn House.

The gang head to Scotland to celebrate the holiday cheer in this fast-paced and well-written drama. Upon arrival to Lexy’s hometown, her parents take the crew on an adventure to a new home and it’s the engaging dialogue that sets the tone when a skeleton is found and Lexy, Todd and Kathi are on the hunt for the person responsible for putting the missing man behind a brick wall. With her parents' intriguing quips, the previous owners’ eccentricity, and the owners’ family, it’s fair game as to who is going to solve this puzzling case. With a mixture of humor and determination in deciphering the clues, the trio comes to a startling conclusion, and what a nice little twist that was. Catriona as always delivers a satisfying read with visually descriptive narrative that made me feel like I was in Scotland with the rest of them.

In this 6th title in the Last Ditch Mysteries, the whole gang goes to Scotland for Christmas. Lexy, a therapist and part time PI, is the only Scot, and is completely surprised by what her parents have been up to since she last visited home. The discovery of a body on the premises adds extra work, tension and humor to the holidays.

By the end of the read, I was having a great time. Who doesn’t love an old Scottish manor house at the holidays in a hamlet named Yule? There is a lot of humor, and the main characters seemed likable without being over the top. Plus, I really liked the old solicitor that they befriended. The mystery is twisty, with red herrings, but solvable with the clues.

This is the first title I have read by Catriona McPherson, and it took me quite a while to really get into her writing style. She tends to have the characters have a whole conversation before revealing the subject of the conversation. It’s a little hard to follow along. Added to not knowing the characters and their history (my fault for not starting at the beginning of the series), and some of the Scottish slang, I had to work harder to enjoy this title.

I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series, but I think this is a fun title for the holidays.
Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the e-ARC. The opinions in the review are my own.

The Gang from California is heading to Scotland for Christmas. But what is it about Lexy and her friends that keeps them dead center of murders and mysteries? Because even in Scotland these three find themselves having to solve yet another murder..even if it is from six decades ago. Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry (murder mystery) Christmas!

This is the first book I have read by this author and the first in this series, but it surely won’t be the last! I loved the whole Christmas time and Scotland setting to be perfect and the three are a hoot that make me want to come back for more time and time again! I’ll be catching up on this one before the next book is released!

This is the first book I've read in this series so it took me awhile to get used to the writing style, the scottish slang, and the dynamics of this group of friends. Overall, I felt this was a good book with a twisty plot, lots of red herrings, colorful characters, and humor sprinkled throughout. My thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this digital ARC to read and review.

A Christmas trip from California to Scotland looks like great fun for the Campbell Clan.

Nine of the family was to share a cozy bungalow but when they arrive they are escorted to Mistletoe Mansion in the village of Yule.
It turns out a body found from 60 years prior leads to the need to solve another mystery.

A light hearted book (despite the murder,) the characters are all charming and feel very real. As always McPherson has created a charming atmosphere in which to engage.

240 Pages

4 stars

This is my first book in the “Scot” series. So, I was a little confused keeping all Lexy’s friends’ names straight.

I enjoyed this little novel very much. There were funny scenes as the Californians (save for Scotland-born Lexy), tried to get used to the more casual Scots. Their language and mannerisms compared to the uptight Americans provided many chuckles.

The descriptions of Lexy’s parents’ new house were wonderful. I could visualize it and wanted to be there so bad! Lexy’s reactions to her parents’ new way of life were hilarious. She hadn’t seen her parents in nearly four years and was flabbergasted to find them so changed.

Catriona McPherson is a wonderful writer and I have enjoyed her other books very much. She has a talent for character creation. They are all individuals and I am sure when I read the rest of the “Scot” series, I will almost believe that they have become friends. I also liked the descriptions of Scotland. It has always been a place that I wanted to visit. Sigh…This book is a great little Christmas story.

I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful little book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

LOL fun. This is an engaging and enjoyable vacation. I loved the mix of characters and the setting. Thank you for a good time.

"Hop Scot" by Catriona McPherson is a delightful and entertaining Christmas mystery that whisks readers away to the idyllic Scottish village of Yule for the holidays. Lexy Campbell and the Last Ditch crew, known for their adventures, find themselves in a charming but enigmatic village, where Christmas takes an unexpected turn.

The story is a perfect blend of cozy Christmas vibes and an intriguing mystery. As the characters navigate a new setting and unexpected twists, the narrative keeps readers engaged and guessing. The disappearance of a man sixty years ago and a mysterious discovery in the bricked-up basement set the stage for another captivating murder investigation.

Catriona McPherson's writing is filled with humor and warmth, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. From snowy landscapes to quirky village traditions, the book captures the essence of a Scottish Christmas, creating a vivid and enchanting backdrop for the mystery to unfold.

The Last Ditch crew, including Lexy, Todd, and Kathi, are a lovable trio who never fail to bring humor and camaraderie to the story. Their interactions and the banter between them add depth to the narrative, making them relatable and endearing to readers.

Overall, "Hop Scot" is a delightful and heartwarming Christmas mystery that combines holiday cheer with an engaging whodunit. Catriona McPherson's storytelling prowess shines through in this cozy and festive tale, making it a perfect read for the holiday season. Whether you're a fan of mysteries or simply looking for a feel-good Christmas story, this book is sure to delight.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
With the sorry state of the world today, it was a joy to read Hop Scot, what a hoot, I loved it!
Lexy and her motley group of friends in California are treated to a trip in a private jet, (courtesy of their doctor friend), to Lexy's original home of Scotland. They're staying in her parents' newly bought mansion, which is a hotel in the making.
There are so many hilarious events in this book, especially the differences between California and Scotland: the swearing, the non-bleached teeth, the unhealthy food, the drinking, smoking etc. The lack of wokeness is refreshing and I can't wait to find out 'will they go or will they stay'!
Highly recommended.