This series is just getting better and better! This is book four in the series, and it has been a full year since Em has moved from Seattle to Sea Isle. I love how the characters are developing, and the romance is also developing. Even though I have read all the books, I feel this book could be read as a stand-alone book. Lucy Connelly does an excellent job of writing in such a way that you are not overwhelmed by the past books. I can't wait for the next great adventure.
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

This is the 4th installment of an excellent series. Dr. Emilia McRoy is enjoying an elegant evening ride on a newly refurbished Steam Engine. But all is not well when one of the evening's performers turns up dead. Was it an allergic reaction or was it murder? Emilia will figure it out along with some help from her new friends. This is a wonderful series. The character development is excellent...I feel as though we're slowly getting to know everyone in the town. The romance is a very, very slow burn, starting as friendship, which makes it very believable. Read the series....you'll love it.

Unfortunately, this book won't be published until October, which means I have to wait until next year for the 5th in the series!!!

Cosy as! I loved this cosy crime. What's not to like? Very well-written, lots of possible suspects, romance is in the air and in great settings. Nice to cuddle down to on a cold night. I look forward to the next installment. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The setting of a Scottish village is charming, and the return of many recurring characters will please readers of the previous books. The plot is still understandable even if readers haven't read books 1-3. Dr. Em is a good doctor and coroner if not a particularly competent detective - she gives away a lot of information and stumbled into the solution rather than solving it - and the mystery itself took a long time to unravel before a very rushed ending. Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.

I enjoyed this book so much. A refurbished train, a Scottish isle, a murder, an interesting storyline with plenty of red herrings, an engaging amateur sleuth who also happens to be the American ex-pat town doctor and coroner, colorful townspeople, a Scottish Laird and local garda... What more could a reader want or need in a cozy mystery? I couldn't put it down!

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

The fourth installment of the popular and fun Scottish Isle Mystery Series, Death on a Scottish Train , finds protagonist, Dr. Emilia McRoy, who has now lived on the Scottish island of Sea Isle, on a committee with her friends that has restored an old train to become The Storyteller Train, and after a weeklong celebration, many of the residents are going to go on the maiden ride of this refurbished train. Unfortunately, after the ride, the body of a committee member and volunteer storyteller has been found in a closet. At first it was believed he died of allergies, but with careful investigation, it is found that he was murdered. Now it is Em’s job to help the police find the murderer.

Connelly’s writing is easy to follow – it is succinct and straightforward and very well done. Readers will appreciate her excellent development of her characters, from Em, to Abigail, her assistant, Abigail’s brother, Tommy, Em’s best friend, Mara, and the incredibly good-looking Ewan McGregor, who is the town constable, as well as the Laird. Sparks fly between Ewan and Em, albeit a bit of friction on how things should be done. Anyone who has read the previous installments will be familiar with these characters, and they are very likable. The new characters that carry the story along are developed enough that they seem real and interactions with the main characters are viable.

All told, this is a good cozy series, and this installment is fun to read. The book is perfect for a summer beach read or for a vacation read.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

An entertaining read and I enjoyed the characters. The title is misleading, but the story was good. I hadn't read the other books in the series, but didn't feel like I missed anything by not having read them.

Dr. Emilia McRoy is celebrating one year since her bold move to the Scottish Highlands. As the town prepares to close the season with a weeklong festival, excitement builds around the launch of the newly refurbished Storyteller’s Train—a magical ride promising scenic views and local lore. But the celebration quickly derails when an unexpected death mars the journey. What initially appears to be an allergic reaction is soon revealed to be something far more sinister: murder. With the clock ticking and tensions rising, Emilia and her capable assistant Abigail dive into the investigation, determined to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
#MurderonaScottishTrain #NetGalley

Interesting plot and characters. Typos, wrong and missing words disturb me, title is misleading - maybe I received an uncorrected copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In the fourth installment of the Scottish Isle Mystery series, Murder on the Storyteller’s Train, Dr. Emilia McRoy returns to the beautiful Sea Isle in Scotland for what it was looking forward to be a celebratory weeklong festival. It has been since one year of her move to this picturesque town, and the unveiling of the newly big launch of the refurbished Storyteller’s Train offers a sense of wonder and excitement. But this lighthearted beginning is quickly overshadowed by a missing storyteller and his unexpected death, setting the stage for yet another gripping mystery.

What initially seems like an unfortunate case of deadly allergies and poisoned lip balms soon takes a dark turn when Dr. McRoy, her assistant Abigail, and the ever-reliable Constable Ewan McGregor begin to unravel a chilling murder. As the clues unfold, they discover that the killer’s reach extends far beyond what they initially imagined—and it’s not just the townspeople at risk. The trio’s investigation puts them directly in the crosshairs of the murderer, escalating the tension as they race against time to expose the killer before they become the next victims.

The pacing in this book is wonderfully tense, drawing readers in as Emilia and her friends uncover the sinister truth behind the death. The author lucy excels at crafting a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The descriptions of Sea Isle—though idyllic—are steeped with an underlying sense of danger that makes the island feel both cozy and foreboding. The mystery itself is intricately plotted, with twists and turns that will keep even seasoned mystery fans guessing until the very end.

Emilia’s growth as both a sleuth and a person is a highlight of this series, and in this installment, she continues to evolve. Her chemistry with Abigail and Constable McGregor adds depth to the narrative, and their dynamics bring a sense of camaraderie that enriches the storytelling. As always, the strong community of Sea Isle plays an essential role in helping Emilia and her team, showing the power of friendship and unity in the face of danger.

The suspense is palpable and pays a high stake as the killer targets those closest to Emilia. The mystery unfolds in a heart-stopping climax that ties everything together in a satisfying, yet unexpected, manner. Loved the mix of characters trying to look for evidences and clues.

This is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with a touch of suspense and a dash of romance. Highly recommended!
Thanks netgalley and crooked Lane Books Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.
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Review for Murder on a Scottish Train by Lucy Connelly
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reading Copy of Murder on a Scottish Train by Lucy Connelly. I've been following this series from the beginning and continue to enjoy every new installment.

Emilia’s “fish out of water” journey remains one of the most charming aspects of the series—her adjustment to life in Scotland, along with her unique role as both doctor and coroner, keeps things fresh and make me want to visit. I appreciated how her medical knowledge usually plays a crucial role in solving the mystery – and in interesting way to go if one is to be murdered, in this one.

The romance continues its slow burn; I’m glad it isn’t rushed. It feels more organic though the couple in question is moving forward which is satisfying. The found family dynamic adds warmth to the story—though it occasionally borders on too much, it never fully crosses the line into overly saccharine.

The train is mostly tangential but an interesting bit. I personally enjoy when the mystery focuses on interviews, suspect dynamics, and evidence-gathering—and this book delivers on that front.
A solid addition to a delightful cozy mystery series. Looking forward to what comes next for Emilia and the rest of the cast!

Death on a Scottish Train is the fourth book in this wonderful series, and it doesn't disappoint! This was a fast paced book, set in Sea Isle, Scotland. As the local Doctor and coroner, American Doctor Emilia McRoy helps Constable Ewan McGregor investigate a suspicious death. Was it allergies or something more sinister? This book was a page turner for sure. It was well written with great characters, suspense, lots of red herrings, and a little romance. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. 5/5 stars!

Lucy Connelly returns with another delightful installment in the Scottish Isle Mystery series. In Death on a Scottish Train, Dr. Emilia McRoy, an American doctor settled in the quaint Sea Isle, finds herself amidst another perplexing murder mystery during the town's end-of-summer festival. The unveiling of the refurbished Storyteller’s Train is marred by the sudden death of a storyteller, initially suspected to be due to allergies but soon revealed as a calculated murder.

Connelly masterfully blends the charm of small-town life with the suspense of a murder investigation. The dynamic between Emilia, her assistant Abigail, and Constable Ewan McGregor adds depth and warmth to the narrative, showcasing their evolving relationships and collaborative sleuthing. The picturesque setting of Sea Isle, coupled with the tension of the unfolding mystery, keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Fans of cozy mysteries will appreciate the intricate plotting and character development. The story balances light-hearted moments with the gravity of the investigation, making it a compelling read for both new and returning readers to the series.

It's obvious that this is a small group of colleagues/ friends in a village atmosphere. Yet somehow it didn't feel cozy. For me, a lot of the time it felt awkward and stilted. No spoilers here but how they made the breakthrough just seemed more luck than sleuthing.

The title is also misleading; the death does not take place on a train.

I'm feeling this is not really a book or series for me, but other reviews indicate its resonated with many , and that's great!

With thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Em is an American doctor who has relocated to the small town of Sea Isle, Scotland. Volunteers have restored an old train, and there is an event with storytellers on its first run. However, one of the storytellers doesn't show up, and he's found dead later. Could he have been poisoned? Is his death due to a fatal allergy? Natural causes or murder? While Em and Ewan are investigating, their romance is starting to heat up. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Death on a Scottish Train

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“ Summer is coming to a close on beautiful Sea Isle in Scotland, and Dr. Emilia McRoy is celebrating one year since her big move. With a weeklong festival to end the season, the town gathers for a magical ride on the newly refurbished Storyteller’s Train, but the launch’s success is dampened by an unexpected death. ”

This was a wonderful edition to this great mystery series! This is the 3rd book I have read in this series and they just keep getting better and better. The mystery had me on my toes the whole time. The characters are added to in every book so it makes them even better. I want to go live in Sea Isle, Scotland forever. Highly recommend this book and series.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure! I mean, a train in the scottish highlands. What's not to like?

Death on a Scottish Train: A Scottish Isle Mystery by Lucy Connelly is the fourth book in this solidly good cozy mystery series that began with An American in Scotland. It has been about a year since Dr. Emilia McRoy left it all behind in Seattle and moved to Sea Isle, Scotland. The past year has been a lot, but she is happy. Other than the cold, she loves the place and the people and has made a number of friends. Life is pretty good and she feels more and more at home.

As the book begins, tourist season is almost over and the good doctor is worn out. So many tourists has meant an increased workload for her and that has made for long days. But, she promised to attend the Friday night train party and to help out a little bit. So, she is dressed up in her 1930’s outfit and is pushing through for her friends.

Her good friend, Mara, and a number of other folks have refurbished a train that has not run in the last fifty years. Now named the “Scottish Story Tellers Train,” it will run twice daily between Sea Isle and Edinburgh. On board will be a rotating group of storytellers that will share tales for tourists and locals. Tonight is the launch of the train from the local station (also refurbished) and will feature a rolling party of numerous people, food, storytellers, and more.

A fun evening goes a little wrong when one of the storytellers goes missing after he checked in and the train is well underway. The man had been heavily involved up to this point. He was clearly a bit nervous at check in, but the idea he just walked away before doing his storytelling part on the train seems a bit much.

It is only after the train returns to the station and the guests have left that a search party is organized to check the station and the surrounding area. It is the good doctor that finds him wedged into a broom closet at the back of the office. He vomited before death and has a yellow haze in the whites of his eyes and a blueish tint to his lips. He has been dead for some time as rigor is setting in. The good doctor is very sure it is murder. In her secondary role as corner, she will be in charge of the body for sometime as she assists local constable Ewan McGregor and his team in investigating the murder.

What follows is another strong read in this excellent cozy mystery series. Numerous relationships between characters continue to develop and evolve here so it is best to have read the previous books in the series. The mystery is complicated, much like the weather in Scotland, which continues to play its own role in this book and the series. The result is a highly entertaining read in Death on a Scottish Train: A Scottish Isle Mystery and one well worth your time.



My digital ARC came from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through NetGalley, and with no expectation of a review.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2025

A cozy mystery with a lovely Scottish setting and a likable main character, but the pacing felt uneven, and the mystery lacked some of the tension I hoped for.

Still, the charm of the setting and supporting cast make it an enjoyable light read. A pleasant addition to the Scottish Escapes series, though not the most gripping installment.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for letting me read and review an advanced copy of ‘Murder on a Scottish Train’ by Lucy Connelly.

The 4th book in the Dr Emilia McCroy/Evan McGregor series is another fantastic story. Celebrating the end of summer, most of the town rides a newly restored train, with storytellers that switch between train cars. One of the storytellers is not on the train and is found dead back at the station. Dr Emilia, who is also the coroner, finds too many abnormalities for the death to be considered accidental, which sets the wheels in motion of another investigation with local constable/laird/mayor, Evan.

I enjoy the sexual tension between the two as they try to solve the mystery, with the usual danger that each faces when they get too close to solving the case.