A new series sees us introduced to Lady Poppy Proudfoot

I read all of The Scottish Ladies Detective Agency so was intrigued to see this new offer by Lydia Tavers were we are introduced to Lady Poppy Proudfoot and her four legged companion Major. (Maud and Daisy make a cameo appearance in this edition)

Poppy part of the aristocrats is not what you call your typical lady, defying the bounds of her gender and status poppy passionate about law and justice starts her own investigation after a body is discovered during a stay with Lady Balour.

Poppy is tenacious character who is stubborn and head strong.

A cosy amateur sleuthing mystery very reminiscent of the previous series.

This was a delightful find on NetGalley. It has a Downton Abbey feel for those who like that time period. Poppy is new to detecting and the story reflects that - which I like. Thank you to the publisher and Negalley for providing me with an eArc.

This is the first book in the series and I'm grateful Net Galley let me read it early. I am always excited to get ARC's approved. It's the first in her new series so I wanted to read it to be in on it from the beginning. I've read some of her other one called The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency, and it was cute.
This story picks up with new characters, Lady Poppy and her love interest, Inspector MacKenzie. Poppy is attending a get together in the Highlands and of course encounters a murder. They don't even know who it is at first and when Inspector MacKenzie arrives on the scene sparks fly between them in many ways. He considers her to be an interfering busybody who has no business involving herself in crime detection and she considers him to be an insufferable know it all. You can guess where this goes as the book moves on....predictable, tried and true plot but cute nonetheless.

As the two begin to trust each other and work together a little more they each find different avenues to explore. Poppy takes the lead on some missing jewelry that might lead to clues to finding the murderer and the Inspector works to identify the body and work out yet another attempted murder.

Along with all the drama of the case is a colorful slate of characters including American actors who think a lot of themselves and friends of Poppy who are loving and loyal. I thought the actors were a fun addition to the story line and added to the red herrings that pop up. The story had a lot of twists that kept me guessing and while the plot wasn't super involved it was enough to keep you engaged. A strong start to a new series and I'll look for book two soon!

3 1/2 stars for this good historical whodunnit! Loved the addition of the dog. Nothing super special for me, but it was an enjoyable read with a strong willed main character.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lydia Travers for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death at the Highland Loch coming out May 19, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This author is one of my favorites! I love cozy Scottish mysteries. I was excited for this new series. The mystery was super fun. I love the Highlands. I’m definitely excited about more books in this series!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy Scottish mysteries!

Is it an accidental plane crash that Tuck Mattice and Emily Swanson miraculously survived? Or was there more to it? Tuck, Emily, and her boyfriend Charlie managed to escape the crash and are determined to walk as far as necessary to find help. Despite their history together, Emily and Tuck’s history together clearly prove that Charlie is a liability. But they press on.

Survival becomes paramount for the trio, especially when it seems that every mile they take leads them nowhere. As they grapple with the aftermath of the crash, they gradually comprehend the magnitude of the situation and their uncertain futures.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by this story. The sense of urgency was palpable, and the narrators delivered fantastic performances. Another intriguing aspect of the narrative was the alternating points of view between Emily and Tuck. It was fascinating to witness the profound impact of the sudden changes on their lives.

Although dystopian novels aren’t my preferred genre, I occasionally find myself drawn to them based on their intriguing descriptions. In this case, a world plunged into darkness, offering little hope of finding their homes, captivated me. Meanwhile, Emily and Tuck are forced to confront their past and reconcile it with the present, all while being accompanied by Charlie. This thrilling story boasts excellent character development and an intriguing plot. I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to Canary Street Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I do love a good Lydia Travers book, especially when I can get into the start of a new series. And this one didn't disappoint. Set in Scotland, 1924 this is the story of a Highland Loch, a body found and whether it was an accident or a murder. Lady Poppy Proudfoot is convinced it is murder and begins to investigate. But grumpy Inspector MacKenzie is not onboard with her and her evidence!

This book is fun and funny, a book you can't help but get addicted to, you won't be able to put it down and you will wait in anticipation for the next book in the series. The setting and the characters make for a wonderful and quirky read, there is plenty of intrigue, mystery and more to keep you turning the pages. I loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Death at the Highland Loch is my first novel by Lydia Travers and I enjoyed it very much. The writing is immersive and the story is fun, mysterious, and fast-paced with a strong female protagonist.

The novel is set in Scotland in 1924, specifically in a house party in the Highlands. The protagonist, Lady Poppy Proudfoot, is independent and strong-minded, having also gained her own law degree. Accompanied by her loyal labrador, Major, Poppy is expecting a relaxing stay with Lady Balfour and her guests, which include actors and movie producers, when, first she is asked to find a diamond that has disappeared and then someone is found murdered by the loch. Poppy, with a passion for solving mysteries and armed with a notebook and a pen, starts to investigate, very much to the annoyance of the grumpy Inspector MacKenzie.

First of all, I loved the setting of the Highlands with also a brief stop at Edinburgh, having finally visited Scotland myself and being now completely obsessed with it. The story and the mysteries are also well-plotted. There is the disappearance of a jewelry and a murder and I liked how the twists in both cases kept me quite intrigued. Poppy is an interesting character. Her determination in solving the cases puts her (and also those close to her) in danger, but I enjoyed how she turns into a resourceful amateur sleuth and her witty exchanges with Inspector MacKenzie were quite entertaining.

Death at the Highland Loch is an engaging and compelling cozy historical mystery and I am looking forward to reading more about Poppy and Major’s adventures!

4.25

I have no excuse. I’ve never read or listened to “The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency” even though somebody physically gave me the book. In my defense, my kindle app and audiobooks are more friendly for ADHD and pain management and I haven’t read a physical book in years.

I was starting fresh with Lady Poppy and this first book launches a spinoff series. Who doesn’t love a historic mystery, especially set in Scotland? This has many of the hallmarks of a series in the genre and I never know whether to complain about the repetition—or even near clones—or celebrate the opportunity to feed my addiction.

In some respects, I found this refreshing because Poppy is wealthy. It seems like every other female sleuth in the 1920s and 30s has an aristocratic (or aristocratic adjacent) background but is now dirt poor. There are enough stresses about money these days that I prefer to focus on the murder.

This is a tangled web of a story and I thought it clever and I liked Poppy if for no other reason than she has a fantastic lab and appreciates him (and other dogs). Of course, Major Charlie (extra points for the awesome name) saves the day a time or two. Oh and Poppy having a law degree, even when women couldn’t practice law, was a great asset and very cool. That said, if she wasn’t a Lady and very attractive, she would not have gotten away with her brazen interference (even in comparison to other amateur sleuths).

In terms of the audiobook version, the narrator was good in most respects. The voice of the handsome inspector (among other male characters) was so deep and low that it drove me a little crazy. Lady Constance also sounded masculine and I had to stop and think every time I heard that voice which was contrary to the character. Overall, she did a good job on the various Scottish accents, including Poppy’s sophisticated mix of the King ‘s English and a Scottish lilt.

Otherwise, this mystery was clever and I’m sad that I have to wait for the next one. I would wait for several so that I could finally binge them, but I’m not that strong.

P.S. Apparently, neither Lydia Travers nor “The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency” are even recognized by Libby (which recognizes practically every author) and the books are only available through Kindle Unlimited or buying them or the audiobooks, thus the reason I have not read them. Maybe one day!

Thank you to Lydia Travers, NetGalley, and Bookouture/Bookouture Audio for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book and audiobook for my unbiased review.

#DeathattheHighlandLoch #NetGalley #bookreview #ADHDreader #lydiatravers #Scottishladydetective #Scotland #historicmystery

3.5 Stars
Lady Poppy Proudfoot is at a midsummer party/stay at Lady Constance Balfour’s house in the Scottish Highlands. There’s a varied collection of guests at the estate, an American film producer and an actress, as well as Lady Balfour’s brother and wife. When a body is discovered on the property several of the guests brush it off as an accident, but it soon becomes apparent that it’s murder.

Poppy decides she’d like to try and put her law degree to use and help solve the murder, much to the dismay of Detective McKenzie the man assigned to the case. Poppy’s also asked by Lady Balfour to discreetly track down a bracelet bought by her late husband that she’s unable to locate.

Death at the Highland Loch was a light cozy mystery with Poppy intent on solving both mysteries. She tries to be methodical in her approach, but it’s apparent she’s very green. I admired her determination and pluck, even if it stretched believability. Detective McKenzie humored Poppy’s attempts at detecting which I found a bit unrealistic, but it made for an entertaining way to see these two spark off of each other and lay the foundation for a potential romance.

I alternately listened to and read an audio and e-copy of Death at the Highland Loch. I thought Sarah Barron did well with the various accents, but she dragged out words making some of the characters sound a bit overly dramatic, IMO. Still, it was an enjoyable listen.

I was super excited for this one based mostly on its title (is Scotsaholic a thing?), but then I found out our detective was a spunky Bright Young Thing which doubled my joy. I was ready for a young Phryne Fischer or Bunty from Father Brown.
.
Lady Poppy was definitely what I expected, and her dog was a fun bonus. From the start, though, I was definitely reminded more of Nancy Drew than Miss Fischer. The writing was super accessible. There was a lot more glamour than the usual Drew, though. The characters were distinct and the action started right away.
.
Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. This falls more under the category of cozy mysteries with the way it is written. Even though I love a good Nancy Drew, I personally need a little more from my murders. Also, one of the reasons I love Nancy Drew and chose this book is because I love the physical setting. I wanted more Scottish culture and weather, but from the start this was more focused high class lifestyle and the early film industry. Honestly reminiscent of a Nancy Mitford now that I think about it.

🌌Book: Death at the Highland Loch

📖Rate: 5 Stars!!

💗Praise: I now have a new favorite mystery series to always look forward to! Yes!! Mystery bookmarks and stars with pens in their hand yes! If this book was a drink it would be the most delicious warm latte with extra whipped cream and hidden raspberry layers! Poppy and her puppy have spark and gumption! Naturally the 1920s is my favorite era! Add some mystery adapter romance and a quirky cast of characters and my heart was singing!

☕ What to expect?? A romantic a mysterious Scottish background setting! A cute puppy and his mama solving mysteries! Characters that make you think they were desserts that came in a human form with how many layers and flavors their personalities come out with!

❤️ There was no gruesome or gore in this mystery! It was a good old fashion mystery that Angela Lansbury would be proud of! Poppy is an independent woman with a brilliant mind and keener instincts! This mystery is definitely going to give you a dash of cinnamon on the top and you're going to want all the crumbs after! Buckle up! It's going to be a mysterious roaring twenties ride!

💕Extra: More please!

🤲Bravo!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This cozy mystery was such a delight! With serious Agatha Christie vibes, it felt like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. This is the brand new series from Lydia Travers. Poppy Proudfoot is a young widow in Scotland. She is visiting a friend when a dead body turns up. Then her friend Lady Constance is missing an expensive bracelet. Are the two events related? And this is all going on while actors from America are there. We get to meet Poppy’s friends, and her adorable dog Major.
Poppy’s journey as an amateur detective was charming and believable, and I loved seeing her navigate the challenges of being an educated, independent woman in the 1920s. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#DeathAtTheHighlandLoch #LydiaTravers #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInScotland #

Lady Persephone Proudfoot, or Poppy for short, is more than just a Scottish aristocrat – she’s also a law school graduate and aspiring detective. So when a man is murdered at the estate she’s visiting an opportunity arises to put her skills to the test. Along with local Inspector MacKenzie, her loyal dog Major Lewis, and a casebook from the local female-owned detective agency, Poppy will try her best to solve the mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

Anyone who’s read any reviews from me before knows I love a Scottish setting. Ms. Travers does a good job sprinkling in colloquialisms and describing the scenery. She is also the author of the Scottish Ladies Detective Agency series, and I thought it was really fun how she incorporated the protagonists of those books into this new series.

This is a wonderful cosy mystery book, and I can’t wait to see what Poppy gets up to next!

Thank you to Bookouture and Lydia Travers for a #gifted copy of this book.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland, Death at the Highland Loch follows Lady Poppy Proudfoot, a recent widow, as she attempts to find her footing after WWI. 🩷 When she travels to a friend’s estate in the Highlands with her loyal dog, Major, she stumbles upon a suspicious death, and her sleuthing instincts kick in. 😏

🔍 What did you love the most?
This cozy mystery was such a delight! With serious Agatha Christie vibes, it felt like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. ☔ Poppy’s journey as an amateur detective was charming and believable, and I loved seeing her navigate the challenges of being an educated, independent woman in the 1920s. 😎

🔍 What to expect:
👀 Amateur detective with pluck
🐶 Lovable dog sidekick
🏞️ Scottish estate setting
🧳 Historical post-war backdrop

🔍 Do I need to read the series in order?
Nope! There are character cameos from Travers’ other series, but I had no problem following the plot or enjoying the story without prior context.

🔍 How was the romance?
There’s an innocent, sweet flirtation between Poppy and a fellow guest that adds just the right amount of charm without overpowering the mystery. 🥰 The banter was perfect for the tone of a cozy mystery.

🔍 Do you recommend this book?
Absolutely. If you enjoy light, clever whodunits with strong female leads and a charming setting, this one’s for you. It’s the perfect escape read!

🔍 Perfect for fans of:
📚 Agatha Christie
📚 Rhys Bowen
📚 Jessica Ellicott

🔍 Mood: 🧶 Wholesome | 🕵️ Curious | 🫖 Cozy

🔍 Read if you like:
🏴‍☠️ Mysteries in historical settings
🐾 Animal sidekicks
💐 Slow-burn character growth
🕯️ Low-stakes, comforting mysteries

The first book in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series has all the ingredients for an engaging cosy mystery. Lady Poppy is a likeable amateur detective with an inquiring mind and impulsive nature. The setting is a country house party in the Scottish Highlands. It has an attractive Detective Inspector who soon becomes Poppy's nemesis, provided she can ignore how intriguing she finds him. The mystery has many twists, false leads, suspects, and a climactic conclusion. It's an easy read, but its authentic, historical setting and complex investigation keep you involved.
I look forward to Lady Poppy and Inspector MacKenzie's next meeting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture and Lydia Travers for the E ARC of this book.
We meet Lady Poppy Proudfoot. It is the summer of 1924 and she is going to attend a midsummer party at an acquaintances country house. On the 2nd day there is a body discovered beside the loch of the estate. Using her knowledge from her Law degree Poppy is sure it is murder and with the arrival of the police, she is pushed to the side.
This does not go down well with Poppy and with her trusty labrador Major, she sets out to solve the crime before the police. However, her time becomes divided when her hostess asks her to look into a missing bracelet that she insists has been stollen. Could the culprit be the American Actress staying at the house or is there more to this case?
I am very torn about this book. There were two major issues for me with it: - the first that the location of the book was not in the Highlands as stated in the title. Culross is in Fife and nowhere near the Highlands. Secondly the author used the word Teuchter which is such a derogatory word, it is not to be used. Both the author and the editors should have done proper research about both these issues before it got anywhere near publication. How these issues were not spotted I don’t know, all that they had to do was search on the Internet and they would have found the information.
That being said I partly liked Poppy but felt she should have shard the information she had discovered quicker with the Inspector MacKenzie. She withheld information just to make herself look good, which I didn’t like. I did like the Inspector, he was a gentle man who looked tried to look out for Poppy and keep her from harm. Poppy’s maid was a fun character, who was appalled at what Poppy was doing and tried to steer her in the right direction as she saw it. There were many other side characters who were interesting who maybe could have been developed a bit more – maybe they will appear in future books.

On a week-long house party in the highlands of Scotland, Lady Poppy Proudfoot finds herself in the middle of a mystery. When a body washes up on the banks of the loch, Poppy won’t accept the official verdict of accidental death. The local police in the person of Inspector MacKenzie initially dismisses her views and the evidence she brings to him. But as things hot up, even he must admit there’s more to the case.

I enjoyed the 1920s highland setting and the insight into the lives women were expected to lead at that time. Poppy was a thoroughly modern woman with a law degree - yet she was expected to forget that and sit back while the men got on with it all. The film crew and actors made an interesting twist to the story. It was still early days in the film world, so reading about them was fascinating.

Poppy wasn’t afraid to put herself in danger in pursuit of her goals. She was determined to solve the case. I enjoyed spending time in the 1920s and with Poppy and the inspector.

In 1924, Scotland, a body washed up in a loch during a garden party. While some think it's an accident, Lady Poppy Proudfoot feels it was murder. Inspector MacKenzie dismisses the evidence, and there are too many possible suspects for a theft that also occurred. When a woman resembling Poppy is attacked, it seems that perhaps she wasn't so far off the mark after all.

This is the first book in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series. She's a young widow who recently met the acquaintance of another widow and was invited to the party. With a background in law, nursing soldiers during the Great War, and insatiable curiosity, Poppy can't help but investigate. She's clever and determined, not taking no for an answer. In addition, she uses her title and lady's maid to ask questions of staff and shopkeepers that police would never get. She was fun to follow around the estate and village, and into Edinburgh. She has not only the murder to deal with, but a potential theft and the attack on her friend who had borrowed her coat. Poppy is realistic about some of her skills, a little inflated in others. Her kind heart and good nature meant people were generally willing to speak with her, getting her closer to the truth.

I enjoyed Poppy as a sleuth. She isn’t too proud to accept help from the Inspector or ignore all his warnings, and it was actually cute to see their interactions. The mutual frustration soon gave way to respect and interest, so it will be fun to see them together again in future volumes of the series.

This was such a wonderful cozy mystery, I loved the characters. It was charming and had a fun story. I can't wait to read more from this author.