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A Scottish Shire Mystery Books in Order

6 Books
2020 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

How to Read A Scottish Shire Mystery in Order

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read A Scottish Shire Mystery in publication order. The series features recurring characters, evolving relationships, and ongoing subplots centered around Paislee Shaw’s yarn shop, Cashmere Crush, and her family life. Reading the books in sequence ensures you follow these character arcs and subplots naturally without running into major spoilers.

A Scottish Shire Mystery Books in Order

Here is the complete checklist of the series in order of publication:

  1. Murder in a Scottish Shire (2020) – Introduces Paislee Shaw, her son Brody, their black Scottish terrier Wallace, and their first murder case.
  2. Murder in a Scottish Garden (2021) – A school field trip leads to a body hidden in a historic garden hedge.
  3. Murder at a Scottish Social (2022) – A charity social turns deadly when a prominent local resident is poisoned.
  4. Murder at a Scottish Wedding (2023) – A festive wedding celebration is disrupted by an unexpected crime.
  5. Murder at a Scottish Castle (2024) – A historic castle setting becomes the backdrop for a tense investigation.
  6. Murder at a Scottish Christmas (2024) – Holiday cheer mixes with a fireworks-fueled crime in the dead of winter.
  7. Murder at the Scottish Games (2025) – Chaos erupts when Paislee joins the committee for the Nairn Highland Games.
  8. Murder at a Scottish Halloween (2026) – A spooky mystery unfolds when a student is found dead at the local Rait Ruins.

Chronological Order vs. Publication Order

The chronological order of the series matches its publication order exactly. The events in the seaside town of Nairn unfold season by season, mirroring the timeline in which the books were released. For instance, the festive mystery in Murder at a Scottish Christmas builds directly on the personal developments established in Murder at a Scottish Castle.

Spin-offs, Tie-ins, and Related Series

While Paislee Shaw’s adventures in Nairn are currently standalone with no direct spin-offs or crossovers, author Traci Hall is well-known for writing cozy mysteries under other names and settings. If you enjoy the style of this series, you may also want to check out her other projects:

  • Irish Castle Mysteries (written as Ellie Brannigan): Set in a beautiful Irish setting, following an American who inherits a castle.
  • Salem B&B Mysteries (written under the pseudonym Traci Wilton): Set in Salem, Massachusetts, blending coastal charm with cozy mystery elements.
  • Cider Falls Orchard Mysteries: Another charming cozy series written under her own name.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading A Scottish Shire Mystery series?

You should start with the first book, Murder in a Scottish Shire (2020). This book introduces the protagonist, Paislee Shaw, her knitting shop, and the recurring characters in the town of Nairn.

QDo I need to read A Scottish Shire Mystery books in order?

Yes, reading the series in publication order is highly recommended because the characters' personal lives, business developments, and relationships evolve from book to book.

QIs there a difference between the publication and chronological order?

No. The chronological timeline of the books follows their publication order exactly, moving naturally from one season and year to the next.

QAre there any spin-offs or crossovers in the series?

No, there are no official crossovers or spin-offs. However, fans of Traci Hall can check out her other cozy series, including the Irish Castle Mysteries (written as Ellie Brannigan) and the Salem B&B Mysteries (written as Traci Wilton).

QWho is the main character in the series?

The main character is Paislee Shaw, a single mother, knitting enthusiast, and owner of the Cashmere Crush yarn shop in Nairn, Scotland, who assists DI Zeffer in solving local crimes.

QHow many books are in A Scottish Shire Mystery series?

As of 2026, there are eight books in the series, starting with Murder in a Scottish Shire (2020) and running through Murder at a Scottish Halloween (2026).