287 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date
June 30, 2026
ABOUT THE BOOK
As Halloween descends upon the Scottish seaside town of Nairn, reluctant sleuth and knitting enthusiast Paislee Shaw finds herself investigating how an ancient ghost inspired a modern murder…
While Paislee will be celebrating All Hallow’s Eve by handing out candy to the trick or treaters at her Cashmere Crush sweater shop, her teenage son Brody seems to have given up the ghost. Uninterested in donning a superhero or monster costume, he’s just going to attend a party with his friends at the ice rink.
But Brody got swept up in the spirit of the season after all. Dared by the older kids, he went to the supposedly haunted Rait Ruins to capture video of a vengeful ghost. The local legend of the Rait Wraith has been passed down for generations—and still gives Paislee the creeps. While no specter actually roams the grounds, the lifeless body of university student Ailis Barclay is discovered there.
Ailis was at the ruins dressed as the ghost to prank Brody, only something went wrong. With her son traumatized and deemed a suspect, it’s up to Paislee to string together whether Ailis was a victim of the real Wraith of Rait Ruins—or of someone dangerous among the living . . .
MY THOUGHTS
A Halloween holiday cozy mystery taking place in the Scottish seaside town of Nairn.
Teens will be teens, and while Mom, Paislee is handing out candy at her shop young teen Brody has no interest in that or wearing a costume. When he says he’ll be one place but really is at another are when the accusations start to fly.
He’s supposed to be at a Halloween party with his friends but trying to impress the older teens he accepts a dare to be part of a prank and get a video of the legendary local spirit to impress the older teens.
When no spirit is found but the costumed prankster is found dead, he’s the one being blamed.
Mom instinct takes over as Paislee knows it wouldn’t have been her son, and she has to work hard to clear his name.
Along the way we get introduced to Scottish politics, and a taste of the dialect and customs of the country.
Good story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall crafts small-town mysteries to cozy up with. Check out her Scottish Shire series in quaint Nairn; the paranormal Salem B&B series as Traci Wilton; the Irish Castle mysteries as Ellie Brannigan; and the brand-new Cider Falls Orchard mysteries debuting in 2026. Romance lovers, check out the Appletree Cove sweet duo, or the By the Sea contemporary romances. Want something with medieval flavor? Try the Boadicea trilogy or the Queen’s Guard. Traci would love to chat about books, which have been an escape since childhood and the bookmobile—she read so fast she had no choice but to write stories in between library visits. She finds inspiration living near the ocean and drinking lots of coffee.
Cozy Mystery:
Writing as Traci Hall, Scottish Shire mysteries
Murder in a Scottish Shire July 2020
Murder in a Scottish Garden May 2021
Murder at a Scottish Social 2022
Murder at a Scottish Wedding 2023
Murder at a Scottish Castle 2024
Murder at a Scottish Christmas 2025
Murder at the Scottish Games 2025
Murder at a Scottish Halloween 2026
Murder at the Scottish Book Club 2027
Writing as Traci Wilton, a Salem B & B mystery series
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost August 2019
Mrs. Morris and the Witch 2020
Mrs. Morris and the Ghost of Christmas Past September 2020
Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress March 30 2021
Mrs. Morris and the Vampire 2021
Mrs. Morris and the Pot of Gold 2022
Mrs. Morris and the Wolfman 2023
Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine 2024
Mrs. Morris and the Day of the Dead 2025
Cider Falls Orchard Mystery
Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival 2026
As Ellie Brannigan
Irish Castle mysteries
Murder at an Irish Castle 2023
Death at an Irish Wedding 2024
Death at an Irish Village 2025
Death in Sandpiper Bay by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton 2020
Danger at Sandpiper Bay by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton 2021
Deception at Sandpiper Bay by Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton 2022
Contemporary Romance:
Appletree Cove: (Sweet Small-Town Beach Romances)
In the Dog House Feb 2019
Just One Kiss January 2021
By the Sea: (Small-Town Beach Romances)
Ambrosia by the Sea
Karma by the Sea
Puppy Love by the Sea
Masquerade by the Sea
Holiday by the Sea
Festival by the Sea
Dancing by the Sea
Forever by the Sea
Blue Christmas by the Sea
Returning Home by the Sea
Blossoms by the Sea
Billionaire by the Sea
Santa Baby by the Sea
Sandy Kisses by the Sea
Billionaire’s Brother by the Sea
Love, Actually by the Sea
Secret Santa by the Sea
Christmas Kiss by the Sea 2020
Snowy Seaside Christmas–West Coast 2020
Christmas on Misty Beach–West Coast 2021
Shorts:
Holiday Pickup by the Sea
Always a Bridesmaid
With This Ring
Boxed Sets:
By the Sea — Books 1-3
By the Sea — Books 4-6
By the Sea — Books 7-9
By the Sea — Books 10-12
By the Sea — Books 13-15
Christmas By the Sea
Traci Hall also writes historical romance, western romance, teen paranormal, new adult paranormal, coming of age, and non-fiction books. For her complete list of works, go to: TraciHalldotcom to learn more…
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