3.5 stars. I do enjoy a cosy historical mystery with a budding romance, so this one definitely delivers on those points. It was fairly obvious as to what was going on with the murder and mystery here, so it’s an easy read which is sometimes what you need! The only real reason I rounded down and not up, was partly the ease of the solving, and partly that Poppy goes off to the bothy without proper support, and the whole explanation she gives to the crowd at the end - it felt like it really should be the police leading and her maybe helping, instead of the Poppy show.

If you like light, cosy mysteries where you suspend a certain amount of disbelief over how much of a backseat the police are willing to take (offset by a budding romance), then this will be an enjoyable read, and I’m already looking forward to the next outing for Poppy and the Inspector.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

What a charming and engaging cozy mystery set in 1924! The heroine, Lady Persephone Proudfoot, is quite a character—bold, confident, independent, proactive, and ahead of her time. Can't help admire a vivacious woman who knows what she wants and does not hesitate to go after it, social conventions notwithstanding.
This is my first mystery by this author and I definitely enjoyed this mystery, both the historical elements as well as the intrigue of the whodunnit. I did figure out the culprit midway but the author threw in enough red herrings to keep the readers guessing.
Overall, a fun read for fans of this genre.
I thank Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Poppy Proudfoot is back for another Scottish adventure! Picking up shortly after #DeathattheHighlandLoch, this time, en route to the Isle of Skye, Poppy, aided by trusty Labrador Major Lewis, discovers the body of a woman missing from the hotel she is staying at.

Stalwart and long-suffering maid Elspeth is always striving to keep Poppy within the bounds of propriety with limited success, regularly reminding Poppy that she never quite lives up to the sterling character of Elspeth's former employer, Lady MacCorkindale.

And, Inspector MacKenzie is once again bestowed with Poppy's determined assistance. Who murdered the respectable, impoverished widow? Poppy's social standing helps the police gain access to details, despite the Inspector's fruitless efforts to dissuade her involvement. Her exuberance is infectious, and despite her confidence in her detecting abilities occasionally exceeding her skill, Poppy has a knack for crime-solving.

I was delighted to visit Poppy and friends again, reading #MurderonaScottishIsland back-to-back with the first book in the series. It was that fun, and I look forward to future adventures for the trio! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an eARC!

#MurderonaScottishIsland #NetGalley #Bookouture

A quick and easy read in which Lady Poppy Proudfoot, on her way to visit friends, tries to solve the murder of a stranger she encounters during her trip. The mystery itself is fairly easy to solve, but the setting and characters make the story worth reading. Lady Poppy is determined to be a good detective and show up Inspector Mackenzie, leading her to sometimes take unwise risks in pursuit of information. Poppy is never quite as smart as she thinks she is, but she is determined and enthusiastic. Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC.

🥧Book: Murder on a Scottish Island

☕Rate: 5 Stars!!

🦄Praise: Poppy and her crew are back!! Hotels, mystery, and more anyone?!! Me me me me!! Can you imagine going to a hotel visiting some friends looking for a relaxing time and a bit of adventure?! And you get much more than you bargain for lol! Oh indeed this is the best kind of cozy mystery lore!

🍭 Overtime when Poppy tries to tell everybody her theories and her deductions they are shut down or she is left to keep moving on! She definitely needs to help of The dashing Inspector Mackenzie! (YES I WANT TO MARRY HIM!) 💕

❤️ POPPY'S CHARACTER IS LIFE! She has the most charming way about her like a sweet apple pie with a touch of spicy cinnamon sugar! You always know you'll get tradition but then she will always be herself with her own unique flair in life! Her deduction reminds me of Dr Julia Ogden in the Murdoch Mystery Series! With a quip here and a quip there she always will get her answer everywhere!

🪻 I really enjoyed the second book! Poppy and her team had my heart from the first book! But nothing is like getting a second serving of a literary dessert that you can't get enough of! Lydia's books will be on my shelf for life!

💓Bravo!!

This was a strong sequel in the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series, it had that mystery element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. I thought the historical element worked with what I wanted and enjoyed how suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for in this type of book. The characters continued to feel like they belonged in this world and the overall feel that I wanted. Lydia Travers has a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this.

Lady Poppy is at it again solving a murder during her vacation time on the isle of Skye. This is a place I would love to see someday, so added interest for me besides a good series. Would highly recommend this one.

Lady Poppy finds herself in the middle of another death and mystery to solve while traveling with her maid and Labrador, Major. While staying at a hotel, they meet a variety of interesting and suspicious people. When a death occurs, the local police do not take Poppy seriously and so she reaches out to Inspector MacKenzie to come help with the case. We get to see the romance between these two start to get a bit more serious in this book, with a few dinners out together. Coincidentally, they are both due to travel to the Isle of Skye along with some of the people they met, so the mystery continues.

Poppy cycles through being sure of who might be guilty of different crimes, as there is also a series of swindles by a man preying on widows that becomes intertwined. Poppy finds herself befriending a widow and wants to protect her and discover whether she is in danger. Several people in the story are not who they say they are, which creates for more confusion.

Throughout the story, Poppy and her maid battle over the expectations of a "Lady," which at times are quite amusing. It is nice to have someone who is providing some balance to Poppy when she is not with the Inspector.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy.

Book review: Lydia Travers’ Murder on a Scottish Island (Lady Poppy Proudfoot Book 2). Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

What a joy it is to be back with Lady Poppy Proudfoot. Lydia Travers has done it again—delivered a cozy historical mystery that wraps you in charm, mystery, and a bit of danger, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1920s Scotland. This time, Poppy is invited to spend a relaxing holiday at her friend’s hotel on the Isle of Skye. Naturally, with Poppy involved, the trip doesn’t stay quiet for long. Before the scones have cooled, she discovers a strangled widow in the village church and a priceless sapphire pendant has gone missing. It should be a simple matter—at least, that’s what the local police want to believe. But Poppy, ever observant and never content to leave a case unsolved, is convinced this was no simple robbery.

This series continues to be the perfect blend of classic mystery and light-hearted charm. Poppy is a character you can’t help but adore—she’s curious without being nosy, brave but not reckless, and always guided by a strong sense of justice (and impeccable manners). Major, her loyal Labrador, once again steals every scene he’s in. And the return of Inspector MacKenzie gives the story a grounding energy and a gentle tug of slow-burn chemistry that I hope keeps growing throughout the series.

The hotel itself is a character all its own. You can practically hear the creak of floorboards and feel the sea breeze brushing through the corridors. Travers paints the setting in warm, rich detail—from tea served in porcelain cups to fires crackling in stone hearths, every scene feels wrapped in cozy elegance. But there’s also an undercurrent of tension. This time, danger hides in plain sight among a cast of eccentric guests who each seem to be keeping secrets of their own.

From Miss Buccleugh, the uptight button collector, to the guru who vanishes just after the murder, each character brings their own unique quirks to the mystery. One moment I thought I had it all figured out, and then—just like that—Travers would toss in a new clue or an offhand remark that made me doubt everything. The pacing is spot on: fast enough to keep you engaged, but never rushed. I found myself savoring it, chapter by chapter, like a good pot of Earl Grey.

One quote that really stayed with me: “You can tell a great deal about a person by what they leave behind—and even more by what they try to take.” It captures the subtle intelligence of this book. It’s not flashy or overly dramatic; it’s clever and measured, with a strong moral heart and a sharp sense of humor.

As the mystery unfolds, Poppy begins to suspect that the murderer might be targeting wealthy widows, using jewelry as bait. And in true Poppy fashion, she doesn’t hesitate to put herself on the line to catch the culprit. That final act—where she sets a trap and offers herself as bait—is as tense as anything in a modern thriller, yet it stays completely in line with the cozy tone. No gore, no gratuitous drama, just smart storytelling and character-driven suspense.

What really makes this book shine is how it respects its reader. Travers doesn’t rely on tricks or outlandish twists. Instead, she builds a world so rich and characters so vivid that solving the mystery feels like spending time with old friends—albeit in slightly more dangerous circumstances. The emotional beats land softly but with meaning. There’s humor, but also moments of quiet reflection, especially when Poppy considers the loneliness of some of the widowed guests. It’s this emotional layering that elevates the story beyond just a puzzle to solve.

By the time I turned the final page, I felt that warm, contented feeling you only get from a truly satisfying cozy mystery. Everything was wrapped up, but not too neatly—just enough to make you hope another case is right around the corner. I’m already looking forward to whatever Lady Poppy and her little circle get tangled up in next.

If you’re a fan of historical mysteries with heart, strong female leads, adorable animal sidekicks, and just the right dash of danger, Murder on a Scottish Island is your next perfect read. Pour a cup of tea, pull up your coziest blanket, and get ready to be whisked away to the Scottish Highlands with a heroine who never backs down from a mystery—or a well-buttered scone