Overkilt

Kaitlyn Dunnett

Oct 2018 · Liss MacCrimmon Mystery Book 12 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

Thanksgiving finds a small-town Maine shop owner juggling her mother and a murder case in this cozy mystery by the author of X Marks the Scot.

While Liss MacCrimmon preps the Scottish Emporium for November's inevitable shopping rush, other local businesses in Moosetookalook, Maine, aren't half as lucky. Year after year, her father-in-law's rustic hotel can barely turn a profit during the stretch between autumn's peak and ski season. Except this time, Mr. Ruskin realizes that the recipe for success lies in enticing an untapped niche clientele—childless couples desperate for a holiday away from family . . .

The unusual marketing tactic has everyone in Moosetookalook talking. Unfortunately, it also inspires a scathing social media campaign aimed at persuading tourists to boycott the hotel for affronting family values. Liss dismisses the bad publicity as being totally “overkilt” —until angry mobs fill the streets, the troublemaker who started it all turns up dead, and her loved ones are suspected of murder . . .

With so much at stake, Liss can't possibly follow police orders to stay out of the investigation. There's just one wee problem: saving her own clan could mean sending a friend or two behind bars. Now—partly helped, partly hindered by her difficult mother—Liss must digest a slew of unsettling clues and catch the real killer . . . or else everything she's ever been thankful for may vanish before her eyes.

Praise for Overkilt

“Dunnett provides small-town charm and a determined sleuth who does a great job uncovering clues in a tale that rings all too true.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Winning . . . . Dunnett successfully keeps the mystery cozy while not shying away from thought-provoking cultural issues.” —Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

Overkilt by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the twelfth tale in A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series. Amaryllis “Liss” MacCrimmon Ruskin lives in Moosetookalook, Maine with her husband, Dan. Liss is enjoying a quiet dinner with Dan at Spruce Lodge when she notices her father-in-law, Joe Ruskin talking with an oddly dressed man and two women in old fashioned lavender dresses. They are New Age Pilgrims and object to Joe’s new promotion to bring in tourists during his slow period. The promotion appeals to childless couples who would like to get away for Thanksgiving. The New Age Pilgrims leader, Hadley Spencer states the special is affront to family values and organizes a protest in the town square. All the Ruskin family businesses are targeted by the group and threatening messages left on their doors. Thanks to Hadley’s social media campaign, hundreds arrive for the demonstration preventing the scheduled bus of tourists from enjoying their day in Moosetookalook. Late in the day, Hadley is discovered by the merry-go-round with a knife sticking out of his back. With several of Liss’s family members on the suspect list, Liss dons her sleuthing cap and sets out to bag a killer. Violet, Liss’s mother, insists on helping her with the investigation. Liss is going to need the patience of Job to resolve this whodunit. While Overkilt can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading this series in order. Liss has grown since we first met her in Kilt Dead. Liss is married to Dan Ruskin and manages the Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium. Liss is not her usual self in Overkilt which can be attributed to her mother, Violet returning to town. Liss and her mother do not get along which can be attributed to Violet’s high-handed manor. An example would be that Liss does not like big parties nor does she want a birthday party. Violet, despite being told by Dan not to have one, organizes a surprise birthday party (she creates problems for Thanksgiving too). It seems to be Violet’s way or Violet’s way which is frustrating and unwanted in a cozy mystery. I thought Overkilt was easy to read thanks to the author relaxed writing style and steady pacing. I like the small town of Moosetookalook with its quaint shops and friendly townspeople (for the most part). There are also some adorable cats and dogs added into the mix. The mystery is straightforward. You can tell right away which person will die because of his behavior and attitude. There are multiple suspects and misdirection. The police tell Liss to quit meddling in the case (of course) multiple times. Liss has no intention of letting anyone in her family go down for a crime they did not commit. The situation with Hadley and the demonstration was realistic. It is easily a situation that could happen in our society (and probably has somewhere). I was surprised to see foul language in Overkilt. I like to read cozy mysteries because the do not have course language, extreme violence or intimate scenes. I am giving Overkilt 3.5 out of 5 stars. While Overkilt is not my favorite book in this series, I did enjoy my visit to Moosetookalook.

Maine, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths, cozy-mystery, suspense, twisty Beginning with the background of the characters and set up so that we can pick out the murder victim (and rejoice), that is all straightforward. Then come the twists and red herrings that make you want to sit up and read it to the end! The characters certainly are and the reader can't help but agree with the townsfolk and shake heads over the shenanigans perpetrated by the cult causing problems. Well, no sense doing a recap or spoilers, just go ahead and enjoy! I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

KAITLYN DUNNETT grew up in the Borscht Belt of New York State, otherwise known as the Sullivan County Catskills, the area she writes about in the Deadly Edits mysteries. These days, Kaitlyn lives in the mountains of western Maine with her husband and cats and can be reached through her website at www.kaitlyndunnett.com.