The Recommended Reading Order
To fully experience Peggy Winn's growth as an amateur sleuth and her evolving relationship with her ghostly companion, Dirk Farquharson, you should read the ScotShop Mystery series in its publication order. Because the narrative timeline matches the books' release schedule, this order provides a seamless, linear continuation of character arcs, running jokes, and the overarching mystery of Dirk's ghostly presence. Since the series exists as a tight trilogy, there are no confusing chronological loops, spin-offs, or prequel short stories to worry about.
1. A Wee Murder in My Shop (2015)
The series begins with A Wee Murder in My Shop, where readers are introduced to Peggy Winn. Following a painful breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend Mason, Peggy heads to Pitlochry, Scotland, for a buying trip to find new inventory for her shop, the ScotShop, located in Hamelin, Vermont. While browsing, she purchases a beautiful, antique tartan shawl. Little does she know, the shawl comes with a hitch: the ghost of a 14th-century Scotsman named Dirk who is bound to the fabric. Dirk follows Peggy back to Vermont. Things take a dark turn when Peggy discovers the dead body of her ex-boyfriend Mason right on her shop floor. When the local police chief arrests Peggy's cousin based on incriminating evidence, Peggy and her new ghostly partner must team up to clear her family name and catch the real killer.
2. A Wee Dose of Death (2016)
In the second installment, A Wee Dose of Death, the ScotShop is thriving, but Peggy is struggling to manage Dirk, whose hot temper and confusion over 21st-century technology lead to frequent friction. The peace of Hamelin is shattered when the local police chief, Mac Campbell, goes on a skiing trip and breaks his leg. Seeking shelter in an isolated mountain cabin, Chief Campbell discovers the dead body of a local college professor. The death appears connected to the professor's ecological conservation work. When Peggy's close friend Karaline is shot, the stakes become personal. Peggy and Dirk must set aside their daily squabbles and pool their resources to solve the murder before the killer strikes again.
3. A Wee Homicide in the Hotel (2017)
The final book in the trilogy, A Wee Homicide in the Hotel, takes place during Hamelin's annual Highland Games. The town is buzzing with tourists, bagpipes, and caber tossing, and Peggy is busy catering to the crowds. Dirk assists by keeping an eye out for shoplifters and helping match customers to their proper clan tartans. However, the festive mood darkens when "Big Willie," a long-time champion of the games, goes missing and is later found murdered in his hotel room. Peggy and Dirk must navigate the local festival, shoplifting incidents, and even a bizarre threat to the President to unravel the mystery and find the killer.
Meet the Key Characters
- Peggy Winn: The determined proprietor of the ScotShop, a Scottish-themed shop filled with import goods, tartans, and Celtic items in Hamelin, Vermont. She is practical, stubborn, and has a knack for finding trouble.
- Dirk Farquharson: The ghost of a 14th-century Scotsman whose full name is Macbeath Donlevy Freusach Findlay Macearachar Macpheidiran of Clan Farquharson. While hot-tempered and easily confused by modern appliances, he becomes a loyal friend and invaluable helper to Peggy.
- Chief Mac Campbell: The local police chief of Hamelin. He is frequently frustrated by Peggy's involvement in investigations, though he occasionally finds her assistance (and her mysterious "intuition") hard to ignore.
- Scamp: A lovable Scottish Terrier who steals scenes and serves as a comforting presence throughout the series. Proceeds from the author's books often support animal advocacy programs like the Humane Society.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the ScotShop mysteries, there are a few unique elements of Fran Stewart's writing style to keep in mind. First, Dirk's speech is written phonetically to reflect his 14th-century Scottish dialect. Some readers find this dialect a bit challenging to parse at the beginning of the first book, but most adjust quickly after a few chapters. The phonetic spelling adds a layer of authentic, old-world humor to his interactions with Peggy.
Second, this is a lighthearted cozy mystery series. While there are murders to solve, the tone remains warm and small-town focused, emphasizing community, resilience, and compassion. Animal lovers will particularly enjoy the presence of Scamp the Scottie, reflecting Stewart's own real-life passion for animal welfare.
Companion Reads
Because the ScotShop Mystery series concluded as a trilogy in 2017, fans looking for more of Fran Stewart's cozy storytelling should check out her long-running Biscuit McKee Mystery series. Beginning with Orange as Marmalade (2004), the series follows a librarian named Biscuit McKee and her cat, Marmalade, as they solve mysteries in the fictional town of Martinsville, Georgia. While it lacks the supernatural element of the ScotShop books, it features the same signature blend of quirky characters, animal themes, and clever amateur sleuthing.