Droughtlander suggestions: Read The Laird of Drumlychtoun by Hilary Pugh

There are some great books to read to help get through Droughtlander. The Laird of Drumlychtoun by Hilary Pugh is one to put on the list.

All Outlander fans know what a laird is. You’ll immediately know then that a book called The Laird of Drumlychtoun is set in Scotland. It’s not set in 18th century Scotland, though. While Culloden did lead to a lot of changes and some losses of the Highland life, it didn’t lead to the loss of everything.

The title “laird” does still exist, although it’s more of a courtesy title than anything else. Castles around Scotland still stand, and some of them are still lived in. In this novel, the laird is of a fictional place, but it is set in the very real world of the east coast of Scotland.

There are plenty of place names that you will recognize including Dundee, Edinburgh, Stirling, and Glasgow. There are others that you’ll learn a little more of over the course of the book.

What is The Laird of Drumlychtoun about?

Hilary Pugh’s novel is about a private investigator called Ian Skair. The Laird of Drumlychtoun writes to him to request his rates and his availability to discuss a potential case. It’s initially a case about a missing sister and a missing ring, but it turns into something much bigger.

This is nothing like Outlander in terms of an epic love story that crosses time. However, it is an entertaining and light mystery. There are no gruesome deaths that a lot of crime novels seem to include now. It’s more like Agatha Christie than anything else, just without all the murder.

Why read the Hilary Pugh novel during Droughtlander

So, if it doesn’t have the love story, why read the book during Droughtlander? Well, it is set in Scotland, and that is often a lure for many Outlander fans. It’s also entertaining and light.

There are a few twists and turns along the way. There are characters you didn’t expect to show up. Of course, there is a villain lurking in the shadows. However, the real joy of the story is just one of a well-paced mystery. There’s always something that comes up, and you will be able to put all the clues together with Ian.

Ian is also a decent guy. He has a couple of love interests in the book. He is a modern-day former detective after all. There is also clearly a backstory, and the book ends with the potential for more Ian Skair mysteries to come.

The Laird of Drumlychtoun by Hilary Pugh is available on Amazon.