Have you ever wished someone dead? Because Scarlett Scott really wouldn’t recommend it…Moving to a small town in the Scottish Highlands isn’t quite what journalist Scarlett expected it to be. And when local influencer Ava Valentine goes missing, things start to get even more complicated; especially when the dour new village policeman gets involved and instantly becomes Scarlett’s arch nemesis.
For Scarlett and Dylan, it’s hate at first sight. But can they work together to find Ada? And can enemies ever really become friends… or more?
If you haven’t read anything by Amber Eve or heard about her books before, this is a good one to start with, as it combines cozy mystery and slow-burn romance—and will appeal to a wider range of readers than your typical rom-com ! The setting in a Scottish Highland village adds so much charm, atmospheric suspense, and small-town community dynamics. The missing person mystery involving a social media influencer feels fresh, and instead of a police procedural, we get more of a journalistic investigation—looking through archives and the history of happenings in the village to move the investigation forward.
Told in Scarlett’s 1st-person POV, you really get a glimpse into how much of an overthinker she is and how she loves to take matters into her own hands, sometimes against her better judgement. Her assumption that Ada’s disappearance is linked to the negative comment she left definitely feels over-the-top, but she has good intentions and is genuinely concerned for her whereabouts. It definitely spirals into borderline obsession and paranoia, the root cause of which is later linked to the disappearance of her own mother and how any person going missing sends alarm bells inside her. The themes of unresolved trauma and associated triggers are handled well, especially in Scarlett’s quieter conversations with Dylan.
And if you enjoy an amateur sleuth protagonist, Scarlett is a VERY entertaining one—she constantly goes against Dylan’s advice and continues investigating on her own, even when it puts her own life in danger, showing her to be reckless and impulsive at times. The chemistry between Scarlett and Dylan is strong from the get-go—although they’re very much enemies and can hardly stand each other for the first half of the book. They’re also both stubborn in different ways, and their disagreements as they look into Ada’s disappearance force them to find common ground. Eventually, with so much time spent together, they begin to open up more, and the relationship grows organically and is so lovely to watch unfold!
Add in several charming small-town characters, including Scarlett’s witty older boss, a local celebrity sheep (who also goes missing!) and his eccentric owner, and other colorful characters, and the town really comes to life. All of Scarlett’s interactions and fascinating observations of everyone are very interesting to follow!
The story’s straightforward structure, following a single POV and timeline, along with short chapters and a fast-paced narrative, makes it easy to fly through—and perfect for a weekend binge read. The final act is the most intricate, with a few unpredictable twists and family secrets surfacing—you’ll have to suspend your disbelief a bit, similar to a classic popcorn thriller, but it’s all executed well and remains entertaining. In the end, the main mystery is solved, though there are still some unanswered questions—but what’s most satisfying is how Scarlett discovers truths about herself, and it feels like she’s finally starting a journey of healing. The epilogue gives more closure, and the budding romance feels like the icing on the cake!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of A Scottish Cozy Mystery is read by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers. She portrays Scarlett Scott with a slightly anxious, quick-witted sounding voice that perfectly suits her as a journalist who can’t stop herself from getting involved in things she shouldn’t. In Scarlett’s inner monologues, Albers’ delivery really emphasizes her spiraling thoughts and paranoia, especially when Ada Valentine goes missing and she thinks she is responsible. During flashbacks that recount her own mother’s disappearance, Albers adds even more emotional distress and unease to her voice—and you’ll really empathize with her!
Albers portrays Officer Dylan Fraser with a grounded, steady tone layered with a hint of sarcasm that contrasts with Scarlett’s and heightens their enemies-to-lovers romance. She makes both their chemistry and friction immediately palpable in their first scenes together, and their banter is performed with perfect comedic timing and dramatic flair—most definitely one of the most entertaining parts of the listening experience! Another highlight is how Albers narrates the supporting cast. Each villager is given a distinct voice and personality—many of whom are given unique Scottish accents/dialects, helping to bring the Highland village setting vividly to life!
In the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Scarlett as she’s forced to confront past trauma and shocking family secrets simultaneously. Albers gives her a steadier, more accepting voice that mirrors her emotional growth—and it’s so satisfying to listen to!
Overall, Charlie Albers’ performance greatly elevates this story to give it a cinematic feel, and you’ll be laughing, in tears, and everything in between—and fully attached to the characters’ outcomes! Definitely a must-listen for cozy mystery fans!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of A Scottish Cozy Mystery is read by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers. She portrays Scarlett Scott with a slightly anxious, quick-witted sounding voice that perfectly suits her as a journalist who can’t stop herself from getting involved in things she shouldn’t. In Scarlett’s inner monologues, Albers’ delivery really emphasizes her spiraling thoughts and paranoia, especially when Ada Valentine goes missing and she thinks she is responsible. During flashbacks that recount her own mother’s disappearance, Albers adds even more emotional distress and unease to her voice—and you’ll really empathize with her!
Albers portrays Officer Dylan Fraser with a grounded, steady tone layered with a hint of sarcasm that contrasts with Scarlett’s and heightens their enemies-to-lovers romance. She makes both their chemistry and friction immediately palpable in their first scenes together, and their banter is performed with perfect comedic timing and dramatic flair—most definitely one of the most entertaining parts of the listening experience! Another highlight is how Albers narrates the supporting cast. Each villager is given a distinct voice and personality—many of whom are given unique Scottish accents/dialects, helping to bring the Highland village setting vividly to life!
In the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Scarlett as she’s forced to confront past trauma and shocking family secrets simultaneously. Albers gives her a steadier, more accepting voice that mirrors her emotional growth—and it’s so satisfying to listen to!
Overall, Charlie Albers’ performance greatly elevates this story to give it a cinematic feel, and you’ll be laughing, in tears, and everything in between—and fully attached to the characters’ outcomes! Definitely a must-listen for cozy mystery fans!
The audiobook of A Scottish Cozy Mystery is read by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers. She portrays Scarlett Scott with a slightly anxious, quick-witted sounding voice that perfectly suits her as a journalist who can’t stop herself from getting involved in things she shouldn’t. In Scarlett’s inner monologues, Albers’ delivery really emphasizes her spiraling thoughts and paranoia, especially when Ada Valentine goes missing and she thinks she is responsible. During flashbacks that recount her own mother’s disappearance, Albers adds even more emotional distress and unease to her voice—and you’ll really empathize with her!
Albers portrays Officer Dylan Fraser with a grounded, steady tone layered with a hint of sarcasm that contrasts with Scarlett’s and heightens their enemies-to-lovers romance. She makes both their chemistry and friction immediately palpable in their first scenes together, and their banter is performed with perfect comedic timing and dramatic flair—most definitely one of the most entertaining parts of the listening experience! Another highlight is how Albers narrates the supporting cast. Each villager is given a distinct voice and personality—many of whom are given unique Scottish accents/dialects, helping to bring the Highland village setting vividly to life!
In the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Scarlett as she’s forced to confront past trauma and shocking family secrets simultaneously. Albers gives her a steadier, more accepting voice that mirrors her emotional growth—and it’s so satisfying to listen to!
Overall, Charlie Albers’ performance greatly elevates this story to give it a cinematic feel, and you’ll be laughing, in tears, and everything in between—and fully attached to the characters’ outcomes! Definitely a must-listen for cozy mystery fans!
