How to Read the Liss MacCrimmon Series
For the absolute best reading experience, you should read the Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries in publication order. Because author Kaitlyn Dunnett (the pseudonym of Kathy Lynn Emerson) writes the series in real-time continuity, the publication order and chronological order are identical. Reading the books sequentially allows you to watch Liss transition from a sidelined, injured dancer into a confident business owner, see her relationship with neighbor Dan Ruskin evolve, and follow the ongoing lives of the quirky residents in the fictional town of Moosetookalook, Maine.
While each book features a self-contained murder mystery that is fully resolved by the final chapter, the character arcs, running gags, town development, and romantic progression carry over heavily from book to book. Jumping in mid-series is certainly possible—especially if you love seasonal cozy mysteries—but you will miss the charm of seeing Liss's life come together step-by-step.
Liss MacCrimmon Mysteries in Order
Below is the complete list of the 13 main novels in the series, following their official chronological and publication order:
- Kilt Dead (2007) – Liss returns to Moosetookalook to help run her Aunt Ruskin's Scottish Emporium. When a local is found dead, Liss must clear her name.
- Scone Cold Dead (2008) – A visiting Scottish dance troupe brings old rivalries, drama, and a murder right to the Emporium's doorstep.
- A Wee Christmas Homicide (2009) – Moosetookalook prepares for its winter festivities, but a dead body in a Santa suit puts a damper on the holiday cheer.
- The Corpse Wore Tartan (2010) – Liss agrees to help coordinate a high-profile Scottish-themed wedding, only for one of the guests to turn up murdered.
- Scotched (2011) – A local preservation effort turns deadly when a body is discovered during the renovation of a historic building.
- Bagpipes, Brides and Homicides (2012) – The Western Maine Highland Games arrive, and Liss prepares to marry Dan Ruskin. However, she must first untangle a mystery before walking down the aisle.
- Vampires, Bones and Treacle Scones (2013) – A Halloween fundraiser featuring a haunted mansion turns all too real when a genuine skeleton is uncovered.
- Ho-Ho-Homicide (2014) – A festive, snow-filled mystery surrounding a local Christmas tree farm and a holiday-themed murder.
- The Scottie Barked At Midnight (2015) – A mysterious Scottie dog is left at the Emporium, leading Liss into a tangled web of family secrets and murder.
- Kilt at the Highland Games (2017) – Liss gets involved in the coordination of the local Highland Games, where historic rivalries turn fatal.
- X Marks the Scot (2017) – A treasure hunt with a map left behind by a deceased relative draws Liss into a historic mystery with deadly modern consequences.
- Overkilt (2018) – The opening of a new craft distillery in town sparks controversy, leading to a tense investigation for Liss.
- A View to a Kilt (2020) – The final entry in the main series sees Liss investigating a suspicious death linked to a local historical society event.
Connected Universes, Spin-offs, and Crossovers
One of the delights of Kathy Lynn Emerson's bibliography is the subtle way her different series and standalones connect. While reading the 13 main Liss MacCrimmon novels is straightforward, dedicated fans can look out for these notable crossovers and companion works:
The Waycross Springs Connection
Before writing contemporary mysteries as Kaitlyn Dunnett, Emerson wrote category romance novels under her own name. Three of these romances—Relative Strangers, The E-Mail Order Bride (originally published as Sight Unseen), and That Special Smile—are set in the neighboring rural Maine town of Waycross Springs. Characters from this trilogy make guest appearances or are referenced in the Liss MacCrimmon mysteries, adding extra flavor for long-time readers of the author's work.
The Valentine Veilleux Mysteries
In The Scottie Barked at Midnight (Book 9), readers are introduced to Valentine "Val" Veilleux, a professional photographer who travels the country in a customized RV with her three-legged cat, Lucky. Val became a fan-favorite character and later starred in her own collection, The Valentine Veilleux Mysteries (2021), which compiles three short stories and a novella. Val also makes a crossover appearance in Kaitlyn Dunnett's other contemporary cozy series, the Deadly Edits series (featuring professional editor Mikki Lincoln), appearing in the second book, Clause & Effect.
What to Know Before You Start
The Liss MacCrimmon series is a quintessential cozy mystery franchise. This means you can expect a lighthearted tone, quirky small-town gossip, seasonal festivals, and an emphasis on family, heritage, and community over graphic violence. The fictional town of Moosetookalook, Maine, serves as a rich backdrop, and Liss’s expertise in Scottish heritage provides a unique thematic element that separates it from standard small-town cozies. If you enjoy clean mysteries with a strong sense of place, recipes (metaphorical or otherwise) for small-town charm, and a steady character progression, this series is a perfect fit.