Can Judith and her cousin Renie go on a vacation and just relax without getting involved in a little sleuthing?

Judith’s husband knows that she has been under some pressure lately and suggested it was time to take a vacation. Except for Valentine’s Day, February and March were slow months at the Bed and Breakfast. Judith’s state B&B review was coming up the next week. Joe suggested they could leave right after the review. Judith was concerned that the state would take away her license because she happened to find a few dead bodies in her career.

Judith talked Renie into going on vacation too. So off they went with their husbands to a remote Scottish castle owned by a rich whisky barron. The two husbands go on a fishing trip with the local police inspector. It doesn’t take Judith and Renie very long to find something to do. An explosion occurred and the body of Harry Gibbs was found nearby. Harry was the grandson of the caretakers of the castle and the estranged husband of an oil heiress. Judith suspects his widow, Moira, but soon finds out that many other suspects are available. Harry did not have many friends and he let it be well known that he wanted to run Blackwell Petroleum.

As Judith and Renie start to look for the killer, their husbands go missing along with the police inspector. What happened to them? Are Judith and Renie in danger?

Are Judith and Renie successful at solving this case? Do their husbands return?

One of the best parts of reading a Mary Daheim book is her characters. I really liked Judith’s mother who called her husband Joe all kinds of names and always had some kind of remark to make to him. She adds a good deal of humor to the story. Judith is a very likeable character who cannot stand by when a crime happens. Some might think she just can’t mind her own business but I feel she is a dedicated amateur sleuth at heart. You know she is going to get involved no matter what. Cozy mystery fans will love Mary Daheim’s latest and I feel Scots on the Rocks is one of her best! Be sure to add this one to your reading list.

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON