Tartan, Treasures and Trouble: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth
(A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery)
by Victoria Tait
About Tartan, Treasures and Trouble
Tartan, Treasures and Trouble: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
12th in Series
Setting – Cotswolds – England
Publisher : Kanga Press (January 17, 2025)
Digital ASIN : B0DDFZDH79
When murder is served at a Scottish Burns supper, it’s not the haggis that hides the deadliest secret. Can an amateur sleuth catch the killer before they toast another victim?
Antiques expert, Dotty Sayers, is thrilled to return to the Cotswolds to reconnect with old friends and run the auction house where her career began. She and her friend, Sergeant Keya Varma, organise a traditional Burns Night celebration, but things go awry when one of their guests meets his end before the first whisky is poured.
When the new police inspector is pushed aside by headquarters before she can crack the case, Dotty can’t resist following her own leads. As she digs deeper, she uncovers the victim’s tangled relationships, jealous spouses, and shady business dealings. But when a sensational newspaper article exposes the case, it threatens not only the investigation but also the auction house which Dotty has just been trusted to manage.
Can Dotty solve the case, or will the truth be drowned out by the skirl of the bagpipes?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Dotty Sayers is back in the Cotswolds and is delighted to catch up with all her friends, especially Sergeant Keya Varma. She and Keya are organizing a traditional Burns Night celebration at Keya’s Waterwheel Café. Sadly, the event ends abruptly when a guest dies.
Dotty has a lot of irons in the fire but can’t combat the urge to do some investigating. The victim had a long list of behaviors that gave many the motive for his death. She not only needs to know who did it but how they did it.
Then there’s the newspaper article that puts everything at risk, including Keya’s cafe and the auction house itself. Will Dotty be able to pull all the clues together? or will her joyous return come to a tragic end?
This story is full of treasures as all the characters we have come to enjoy throughout the series are reunited in one way or another. First, to say goodbye to a dear person, then to attend the Burn’s dinner, and then as changes occur at Akeman’s Antique Center. Dotty’s parents have come to town. Her father’s cancer has now been deemed inoperable and she is struggling knowing his days are numbered. But that man doesn’t let his health hold him back as he spends as much time as possible with her and his wife. Zach has also come to the Cotswolds but his relationship with Dotty is still in flux as he deals with the family history he has discovered so far and is unsure if he wants to continue his quest to find the truth. Ms. Tait’s characters are so well crafted that they pop right off the page.
I enjoy the way Ms. Tait describes each scene. There were many people at the Burn’s dinner, and I easily envisioned the room, where everyone was seated, and who they visited with. It was the same wherever Dotty traveled and there were some interesting places.
The author has plotted a story with multiple storylines that flowed so effortlessly and at a perfect pace. All the characters held their own in every situation. I liked that the murder didn’t happen right away so readers have time to learn that the victim was connected to many and the depth of those connections as the story moved forward. Dotty pursued every lead and clue sometimes multitasking other business. Following along with her was so entertaining. I love the way her mind works. There were some red herrings and I fell for more than one but the real culprit was on my list but not at the top so the reveal was surprising.
Tartan, Treasures and Trouble closed some doors while it opened others. After the case was wrapped up Dotty did a huge favor for Zach. She also is stepping up in a major way. I am so excited to see what happens next. An Auction of Secrets will be released on June 15, 2025!! Followed by A Wicket of Lies on August 15 and A Pantomime of Peril on November 14.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
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About Victoria Tait
Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and never expected to travel the world. She’s drawn on her life’s experiences and a love of Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries.
Her determined and hard-working female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and evocative. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world of intrigue, surprises, and humour, as well as a delectable helping of mystery, because tea and intrigue are a perfect blend.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”