Death of a Dreamer by M C Beaton

The rugged landscape of Scotland attracts dreamers who move north, wrapped in fantasies of enjoying the simple life. They usually don't last, but it looks as if Effie Garrard has come to stay. When Constable Hamish Macbeth calls on her, he's amazed that she weathered the difficult winter. But Effie is quite delusional, imagining that she's engaged to local artist Jock Fleming. Later, Effie is found in the mountains.

These are not brilliantly clever detective stories. Nor are they deep psychological portraits. The murders seem almost like an excuse to introduce and play with a cast of eccentric characters. Hamish can be annoying, he is so clever as a policeman and so thick when it comes to women.

An enjoyable entertaining read.

⛄ 14th December: A BOOK WHOSE AUTHOR AND TITLE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE LETTER L
(because no "L" is Christmassy! 😉)