This Summer I enjoyed a few months off, just enough time to finish my next book in the Elle Cunningham Mackay series of murder mysteries. Reaction to Thou Shalt Not Kilt was so strong, I wanted to make sure the that the follow-up was worth the wait.
In early September, I’l be dropping Off Scot Free, my newest murder mystery set in the North Carolina town of St. Andrews. Want to check it out? You can find it on Amazon next month or buy your own personalized copy at County Argyle.
Five years ago, handyman Duncan Scott received a life sentence for the brutal murder of single mother Shona Mackay. When his unexpected release throws his sleepy North Carolina hometown into an uproar, threats of violence follow. Duncan’s freedom comes to a sudden end at a gathering of Scottish Highland athletes, his life cut short by a competition pitchfork.
While researcher and historian Elle Cunningham Mackay trusts the local police will handle this clear case of small-town justice, she has her doubts. Then her ex-husband—Shona’s oldest son—is implicated in the man’s death, and she must question what little she knows about the family’s past. Her ex may be a philanderer, but he’s no murderer.
As Elle begins to ask uncomfortable questions, every new clue points to a single conclusion: Duncan was innocent. After a suspicious death hits close to home, it’s clear that not everyone shares her passion for unburying the truth. Will she uncover the shocking secret that connects these murders, or will she alienate the town she loves to exonerate a convicted killer?
Love a good murder? Be sure to take a stab at Thou Shalt Not Kilt, a traditional Southern cozy with Scottish flavor. For my latest news and book updates, follow me on Instagram and TikTok, and sign up for Fatal Fiction, my monthly mystery newsletter — plus, you’ll get a free downloadable copy of Masters of Murder, my guide to the detectives and authors of mystery’s Golden Age!
