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Hamish Macbeth #28
Death of Yesterday
When a local woman tells Sergeant Hamish Macbeth that she doesn’t remember what happened the previous evening, he doesn’t begin to worry. She had been out drinking, after all, and he’d prefer not to be bothered with such an arrogant and annoying woman. But when her body is discovered, Hamish is forced to investigate a crime that the only known witness—now dead—had forgotten.
6 pages, Audio CD
First published March 26, 2013
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About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,019 followersLike her on Facebook!
Learn more on her website!
Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
Learn more on her website!
Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 647 reviews
May 5, 2013
This is one of my must-read series, despite the awfulness of the last several books! They are dissatisfying in almost every way--the plots are contrived, the writing is execrable, the characters inconsistent and cartoonish--yet I can't stop. I miss the Hamish of old, who had an inner gentleness and strong Highland morality that allowed him to poach game while making the inhumanity of murder intolerable. Beaton has descended, in both her series, to the substitution of rushing around from place to place for plot development and crabbiness and intolerance in her characters for quirkiness and vulnerability. If you are new to the series, start at the beginning--but be warned: eventually you will get to the point where you feel you have lost an old friend, and you have only sketches left to remind you of him.
April 14, 2013
What has happened to M.C. Beaton and her Hamish Macbeth series? They were really fun up until the previous one, "Death of a Kingfisher." I had hoped this one would return to the Hamish of old but it's just like "Kingfisher." Gone is the wimsy and the coziness of the little village of Lochdubh, Scotland, with the unassuming but smart Hamish. In its place is a violent, gory story that doesn't belong in this series. Has Beaton turned the writing over to a ghost writer? If so, she should sack him/her. Until then, after 27 good mysteries, I've given up on Hamish.
October 20, 2022
Death of Yesterday Once More
Review of the Hachette Audio audiobook edition (2013) published simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover.
I previously read Death of Yesterday in hardcover when it was one of the early M.C. Beatons which I binge read or listened to during the main two years of the pandemic in 2020 & 2021. I was drawn to the cozy nature of Beaton's work and the village humour in both the Macbeth series and the Agatha Raisin series. The mostly unchanging nature of the settings (aside from the occasional murder) and the frozen-in-time nature of the cast of characters were a go-to comfort during the uncertainty and turmoil of the first COVID years. Death of Yesterday also included a cameo appearance of my heritage country of Estonia*, when the Lochdubh village policeman makes a rare out-of-country trip to trace a witness / suspect.
Having now read all the Macbeths and Raisins, including Beaton's final own works, the late collaborations with R.W. Green and now the first books of Green's continuation series, I have a bigger perspective. When Death of Yesterday came up as an Audible Sale item I thought that I might enjoy it again for the narration performance of Graeme Malcolm.
Listening to it again, I did start to notice the beginnings of the decline in the late Beatons. There is a wildly increasing number of murders (Was it 4? I think I lost count.) which add unnecessary complications and confusions to the plot. Hamish Macbeth's character starts to show indications of 'nasty' Hamish in his sometime treatment of constable Dick Fraser, his betrayal of Elspeth towards the end, etc. Even the Currie sisters take a turn for the 'nasty' by reporting Hamish for consorting with a witness / suspect at one point. These are just small hints, but they are the early signs pointing towards Death of an Honest Man (Hamish Macbeth #33 - 2018) which I reviewed as Not my Hamish.
Continuation writer R.W. Green has since righted the course though with Death of a Green-Eyed Monster (Hamish Macbeth #34 - 2022) which was Not nasty or deranged Hamish, so we can hope for many more years of cozy Highland mysteries.
The narration by series regular Graeme Malcolm in this audiobook was excellent of course.
Trivia and Link
* Actually, the Estonian translation title Ninaka neiu surm (Estonian: Death of a Sassy Girl) makes a lot more sense than the original English title which doesn't have any relevance to the plot whatsoever.
Review of the Hachette Audio audiobook edition (2013) published simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover.
I previously read Death of Yesterday in hardcover when it was one of the early M.C. Beatons which I binge read or listened to during the main two years of the pandemic in 2020 & 2021. I was drawn to the cozy nature of Beaton's work and the village humour in both the Macbeth series and the Agatha Raisin series. The mostly unchanging nature of the settings (aside from the occasional murder) and the frozen-in-time nature of the cast of characters were a go-to comfort during the uncertainty and turmoil of the first COVID years. Death of Yesterday also included a cameo appearance of my heritage country of Estonia*, when the Lochdubh village policeman makes a rare out-of-country trip to trace a witness / suspect.
Having now read all the Macbeths and Raisins, including Beaton's final own works, the late collaborations with R.W. Green and now the first books of Green's continuation series, I have a bigger perspective. When Death of Yesterday came up as an Audible Sale item I thought that I might enjoy it again for the narration performance of Graeme Malcolm.
Listening to it again, I did start to notice the beginnings of the decline in the late Beatons. There is a wildly increasing number of murders (Was it 4? I think I lost count.) which add unnecessary complications and confusions to the plot. Hamish Macbeth's character starts to show indications of 'nasty' Hamish in his sometime treatment of constable Dick Fraser, his betrayal of Elspeth towards the end, etc. Even the Currie sisters take a turn for the 'nasty' by reporting Hamish for consorting with a witness / suspect at one point. These are just small hints, but they are the early signs pointing towards Death of an Honest Man (Hamish Macbeth #33 - 2018) which I reviewed as Not my Hamish.
Continuation writer R.W. Green has since righted the course though with Death of a Green-Eyed Monster (Hamish Macbeth #34 - 2022) which was Not nasty or deranged Hamish, so we can hope for many more years of cozy Highland mysteries.
The narration by series regular Graeme Malcolm in this audiobook was excellent of course.
Trivia and Link
* Actually, the Estonian translation title Ninaka neiu surm (Estonian: Death of a Sassy Girl) makes a lot more sense than the original English title which doesn't have any relevance to the plot whatsoever.
April 7, 2013
I read this book last night and had to wait a bit before I wrote my review. I'm not sure what's going on with Hamish. Maybe he's always been a pig and I never noticed or ignored it, but it's quite blatant in this one.
This book is full of hateful characters and a slew of murders that would impress most high-crime urban areas. I lost count of the victims about halfway through the book. It seemed like everyone new who showed up, was knocked off.
It starts off with Morag, who's painted from the start as a snobbish bitch, reporting that she thinks she might have been drugged, possibly raped, and her drawings stolen. She's had a blackout and can't remember. Hamish has the sensitivity of a slimy rock and acts like she's more a nuisance than a victim.
When she's later murdered, he still shows no real interest other than to solve the crime and bedding a pretty witness.
The whole thing is a mishmash of bad manners, corpses, and Hamish moaning about his rotten love life, which he very much deserves.
The only character I did like was Dick, his current police partner, who has turned into the local pet minder and the guy who keeps the place clean and Hamish fed. Hamish, of course, mocks and abuses the man, calling him names in his head and showing him no respect.
I have to say I was sorely disappointed and if the Hamish books continue on this route, I'll likely have to give them a miss.
This book is full of hateful characters and a slew of murders that would impress most high-crime urban areas. I lost count of the victims about halfway through the book. It seemed like everyone new who showed up, was knocked off.
It starts off with Morag, who's painted from the start as a snobbish bitch, reporting that she thinks she might have been drugged, possibly raped, and her drawings stolen. She's had a blackout and can't remember. Hamish has the sensitivity of a slimy rock and acts like she's more a nuisance than a victim.
When she's later murdered, he still shows no real interest other than to solve the crime and bedding a pretty witness.
The whole thing is a mishmash of bad manners, corpses, and Hamish moaning about his rotten love life, which he very much deserves.
The only character I did like was Dick, his current police partner, who has turned into the local pet minder and the guy who keeps the place clean and Hamish fed. Hamish, of course, mocks and abuses the man, calling him names in his head and showing him no respect.
I have to say I was sorely disappointed and if the Hamish books continue on this route, I'll likely have to give them a miss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2025
I haven't read a Hamish Macbeth book for several years but always liked them for a quick and an sometimes humorous read; however, I was disappointed in this book which is late in the series. And here is why:
1. So many murders and characters that I could barely keep up with them
2. Hamish is less likeable that in earlier books where he was a delightful character.
3. The plot was,frankly, a bit or maybe totally ridiculous. and the tone was very dark and depressing.
The earlier books in the series had a light touch even though murder was always present.
This series has probably run it's course and, if I read another in the series, it will be one of the earlier books..
1. So many murders and characters that I could barely keep up with them
2. Hamish is less likeable that in earlier books where he was a delightful character.
3. The plot was,frankly, a bit or maybe totally ridiculous. and the tone was very dark and depressing.
The earlier books in the series had a light touch even though murder was always present.
This series has probably run it's course and, if I read another in the series, it will be one of the earlier books..
February 10, 2017
One of Hamish MacBeth's better stories. I do admit I'm getting quite fond of the old blighter...
A vastly unpopular woman is murdered after going to the police to claim she can't remember what happened the previous evening in the pub, and Hamish is soon on the trail of not one but two killers whilst all the time the only witness to the murder has been murdered herself...
A vastly unpopular woman is murdered after going to the police to claim she can't remember what happened the previous evening in the pub, and Hamish is soon on the trail of not one but two killers whilst all the time the only witness to the murder has been murdered herself...
June 2, 2017
Another Hamish Macbeth. I really love him. He is one of the sweetest characters in a cozy, but I'm beginning to think that if he ever finally finds love that'll be the final book in the series.
These are light and fluffy and really make me want to visit Scotland. (Except in midge season.)
Such fun!
These are light and fluffy and really make me want to visit Scotland. (Except in midge season.)
Such fun!
April 7, 2013
Really a 3.5 star rating. The Hamish Macbeth mysteries are mind candy for me, and this one was a bit better than the last couple that Beaton has written. The mystery, who killed a young, nasty artist and then others around her, was more involved than in recent publications. However, characters of seemingly minor importance are tossed in willynilly, sure to pop up again in future books. I liked the series better when it was centered more in Lochdubh and dealt with the eccentric locals. Lately, though, they are given small cameos or a shoutout here or there. Still, it was a nice distraction for a Sunday afternoon and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
April 6, 2013
After a less than stellar day at work I was up for a spot of the Highlands with Hamish MacBath. Usually I find these short cozy "no real mystery there" books entertaining. This one had all the usually characters -Hamish, Priscilla, Elspeth, the Curie sisters - but the plot was so utterly implausible and the interactions between Hamish and the other characters so contrived that early on I lost interest in the story. Fortunately the Hamish books are a very quick read or I would have sent it back to the library unfinished. Still, I think I'm done with this series.
April 14, 2013
A tedious Hammish Macbeth book. Used to love this series but it it has gotten tiresome. Same plot twists, love affairs gone wrong and not too difficult mysteries. Somehow the charm is gone.
February 28, 2013
Believe it or not, this is the twenty-ninth Hamish Macbeth mystery; and the one thing that can be said about this series is that it’s definitely NOT gotten old. This red-headed police sergeant living in the small village of Lochdubh, Scotland is such a hoot and a howl that you never want to see this character come to an end.
In this latest installment, Macbeth receives a complaint from art student, Morag Merrilea. It seems that while she was in a pub and left the table for a moment, her sketchbook was stolen. Hamish doesn’t exactly take to this woman, as she’s extremely critical of everything and everyone. He comes to think that Morag was in the pub drinking for some time, and what really happened is that she’d inhaled too much of the ‘happy juice’ and simply forgot about her book. Whatever the truth may be, Hamish isn’t looking forward to dealing with this annoying woman. Sadly, he doesn’t have to…
Morag soon turns up dead and Hamish and his underlings now have a much larger crime to solve. Having a highly intelligent mind and awesome instincts have made Hamish an ace detective, but his immediate superior, Detective Chief Superintendent Blair, keeps ordering him to do menial tasks so that Blair can take credit if anything breaks. But when a second victim is found, Macbeth comes under scrutiny which makes Blair even more difficult to get along with.
Hand-in-hand with the drama and action comes a new twist in Macbeth’s love life, which is always a source of amusement for the citizens of Lochdubh. He has been engaged and ‘almost’ engaged a couple of times, so when his eye falls on the sister of a murder suspect, things definitely turn from bad to worse.
There’s never a dull moment in the life of Hamish Macbeth and, thankfully, this author keeps churning out books so Hamish’s fans can sit back and enjoy the fun. A+!
In this latest installment, Macbeth receives a complaint from art student, Morag Merrilea. It seems that while she was in a pub and left the table for a moment, her sketchbook was stolen. Hamish doesn’t exactly take to this woman, as she’s extremely critical of everything and everyone. He comes to think that Morag was in the pub drinking for some time, and what really happened is that she’d inhaled too much of the ‘happy juice’ and simply forgot about her book. Whatever the truth may be, Hamish isn’t looking forward to dealing with this annoying woman. Sadly, he doesn’t have to…
Morag soon turns up dead and Hamish and his underlings now have a much larger crime to solve. Having a highly intelligent mind and awesome instincts have made Hamish an ace detective, but his immediate superior, Detective Chief Superintendent Blair, keeps ordering him to do menial tasks so that Blair can take credit if anything breaks. But when a second victim is found, Macbeth comes under scrutiny which makes Blair even more difficult to get along with.
Hand-in-hand with the drama and action comes a new twist in Macbeth’s love life, which is always a source of amusement for the citizens of Lochdubh. He has been engaged and ‘almost’ engaged a couple of times, so when his eye falls on the sister of a murder suspect, things definitely turn from bad to worse.
There’s never a dull moment in the life of Hamish Macbeth and, thankfully, this author keeps churning out books so Hamish’s fans can sit back and enjoy the fun. A+!
July 25, 2022
I'm still enjoying Hamish but not as much as I used to. I feel like the author has taken all the negative silly traits of every character and magnified to them to an almost unbearable degree. I also hated the random return of the annoying evil children from one of the previous books. (I don't recall which one.)
I'll be honest, I finished this almost a month ago and I don't recall much of it, besides the fact that I really like Hamish's sergeant who is a perfect little homemaker. :D
This mystery seemed to go up and down and all over the place and I remember there was something about money, but I don't know. I'll keep reading Hamish and finish out the series but when I reread I'll probably just stick to the first 10-15 books or so. The narrator is great!
I'll be honest, I finished this almost a month ago and I don't recall much of it, besides the fact that I really like Hamish's sergeant who is a perfect little homemaker. :D
This mystery seemed to go up and down and all over the place and I remember there was something about money, but I don't know. I'll keep reading Hamish and finish out the series but when I reread I'll probably just stick to the first 10-15 books or so. The narrator is great!
April 18, 2013
Good old Hamish has always been a guilty pleasure for me. He's so wonderfully quirky, and Ms. Beaton seems to embody all the indiosyncracies of the Highland people into one loveable character who happens to be a village policeman in the remote Sutherland county of Scotland. Hamish Macbeth is always a delight, and he is my favourite cozy mystery character. I never tire of his endless efforts to find a wife, and his single-mindedness when tracking a killer. In this book Hamish has more than one victim and perhaps more than one killer. He tracks his prey all over Sutherland and to London and even to Estonia. And, as usual, he manages to offend and upset many of the locals, as well as his superior officers because he just does not give up! And the secondary characters in these books are just as wonderful as Hamish. I love Dick Fraser, Hamish's amiable bobby, who shares his home as well as the police station with Hamish. I love the Curry sisters and the seer Angus Macdonald who appear in each and every book. And I never tire of Hamish's interactions with Blair, the police officer from Strathbane who is the bane of Hamish's existence. I do hope that Ms. Beaton has a few more Hamish Macbeth mysteries left to write. They are a delight.
April 13, 2013
This one was slightly better than the last (Death of a Kingfisher), but not by much. I'd rather give it 2.5 stars.
Apparently Beaton has run out of things for Hamish to do, so he mostly frets over his love life while he solves an increasingly bizarre series of killings. That's the only reason I can think of for the character of Dick, who serves as Hamish's police partner and domestique.
While I am glad that Beaton doesn't do "ripped out the headlines" plots, the plots behind the mysteries are getting even more ludicrous and inexplicable. I just don't see many villages and towns having this many murders and inept policework from everyone but the hero.
I think this series has run its course. The only reason to read another book here is to see how Beaton manages to keep Hamish from getting married, promoted or killed, or to see what increasingly improbable series of unbelievable murders can happen.
Apparently Beaton has run out of things for Hamish to do, so he mostly frets over his love life while he solves an increasingly bizarre series of killings. That's the only reason I can think of for the character of Dick, who serves as Hamish's police partner and domestique.
While I am glad that Beaton doesn't do "ripped out the headlines" plots, the plots behind the mysteries are getting even more ludicrous and inexplicable. I just don't see many villages and towns having this many murders and inept policework from everyone but the hero.
I think this series has run its course. The only reason to read another book here is to see how Beaton manages to keep Hamish from getting married, promoted or killed, or to see what increasingly improbable series of unbelievable murders can happen.
August 21, 2016
Eh I just didn't love this one. There were so many murders / suicides / attempted murders and suicides / missing people that it was just unbelievable. In fact, there were so many people that it was hard to keep track of who everyone was and so I was very confused about the "solution". I was totally surprised about the murderer and the time line of events is still hazy to me. And of course so many references to Dick being Hamish's wife and pleas for whiskey and laziness by Jimmy.
Also, I know this series is based on a sleepy town with a basically farcically incompetent police force....but this was even a stretch from that.
Overall this book seemed like a series of deja vu loops and it could have been all cleaned up in half the time. (Including the strange love triangle type thing with Elsbeth and Priscilla.....this far into the series and not resolved?)
Also, I know this series is based on a sleepy town with a basically farcically incompetent police force....but this was even a stretch from that.
Overall this book seemed like a series of deja vu loops and it could have been all cleaned up in half the time. (Including the strange love triangle type thing with Elsbeth and Priscilla.....this far into the series and not resolved?)
June 22, 2016
Death of Yesterday by M.C.Beaton is the 28th book in the Hamish Macbeth Mystery series. When Morag Merrilea complains of having her drink spiked causing her loss of memory and her sketchbook stolen, she is not believed until her body is found murdered.It is always nice to revisit Lochdubh and I love the descriptions of the Scottish Highlands. These books are fast paced, quick reads with plenty of murders and happenings. I like how Hamish always finds time to solve a few smaller crimes along the way. His love life is always a disaster though and is getting a bit tired. An entertaining and addictive series.
October 20, 2018
The 29th Hamish Macbeth," Death of Yesterday" is just as endearing as the previous. I love Scotland and read these books with the accent in mind. The mysteries are good, but not the important part. Hamish, his thoughts, his confusion about the woman in his life, the descriptions of the life in the Highlands, and all the repeated characters, just make this a series that I await. Much prefer Hamish to Agatha Raisen, but I read all her books too. Guess I just like M.C. Beaton and her othe rpen names too.
April 14, 2013
I'm a big fan of M. C. Beaton and love both the Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin books. Unfortunately, I didn't think this book was her best effort. There were too many things going on in the book; too many women for Hamish, too many characters who didn't add anything to the story and too many side stories that detracted from the main story. I finished the book hoping it would get better, but it was a disappointment.
March 26, 2022
Some great one liners.
May 7, 2016
Another great time with Hamish Macbeth.
March 19, 2014
This is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is one series we both enjoy. Having finished this book, we are now all caught up with the series.
The story was entertaining, but quite violent. For some reason, the last few books in the series seem to have numerous murders and I'm not sure why this is so necessary for the plot. The plot itself seemed quite convoluted and more complicated than necessary, too. In any case, the author seems to criticize the public's thirst for myriad criminal detective shows that make them hyper aware of detecting methods and how to defeat them. Perhaps that's what sells books.
Loose ends from the last book seem to be resolved, but almost as an afterthought, as if the author decided not to really pursue that plot line and merely end it instead. His love-life, on the other hand, is just as muddled as ever.
My mother-in-law and I have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We like the characters and the stories are interesting and quick reads.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. The story left off with fewer loose ends than the last book, but I expect that there will be yet another book in the series. While I'm sure I will read it when it is published, I think I'm growing tired of this storyline. I like Hamish et al, but I am looking forward to diving into a new series.
interesting quotes:
"'What a bunch of cloth-headed numpties,' said Hamish." (p. 179)
"There was nothing, thought Hamish, like the old, old county of Sutherland with its vast mountains and acres of woodland for making a man feel he was only renting some temporary space on the planet." (pp. 231-232)
The story was entertaining, but quite violent. For some reason, the last few books in the series seem to have numerous murders and I'm not sure why this is so necessary for the plot. The plot itself seemed quite convoluted and more complicated than necessary, too. In any case, the author seems to criticize the public's thirst for myriad criminal detective shows that make them hyper aware of detecting methods and how to defeat them. Perhaps that's what sells books.
Loose ends from the last book seem to be resolved, but almost as an afterthought, as if the author decided not to really pursue that plot line and merely end it instead. His love-life, on the other hand, is just as muddled as ever.
My mother-in-law and I have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We like the characters and the stories are interesting and quick reads.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. The story left off with fewer loose ends than the last book, but I expect that there will be yet another book in the series. While I'm sure I will read it when it is published, I think I'm growing tired of this storyline. I like Hamish et al, but I am looking forward to diving into a new series.
interesting quotes:
"'What a bunch of cloth-headed numpties,' said Hamish." (p. 179)
"There was nothing, thought Hamish, like the old, old county of Sutherland with its vast mountains and acres of woodland for making a man feel he was only renting some temporary space on the planet." (pp. 231-232)
June 16, 2013
It is what it is. The Hamish Macbeth mysteries are my guilty pleasure. There is such comfort in the predictability of the plot and characters--akin to the pleasure I get from Matlock or Perry Mason.
February 28, 2021
Macbeth in Estonia
Review of the Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2013)
I wasn't aware of the Estonia connection to M.C. Beaton's 28th mystery featuring Hamish Macbeth until the cover was revealed for the Estonian language edition Ninaka neiu surm (Death of a Sassy Girl) (2020). That latter cover features an easily recognizable photo of the skyline of Tallinn, Estonia's central old town.
As it happens the postcard does make a cameo appearance in the book and is also the reason for a 4-page diversion when Macbeth makes a weekend excursion to Estonia to interview a witness/suspect. Otherwise the story takes place in the familiar cozy settings of Scotland where Macbeth's investigations are constantly diverted by his somewhat hapless love life.
I hadn't actually read M.C. Beaton (1936-2019) previously as I had imagined her writing to be too much along the cozy line with not enough tartan noir, but Death of Yesterday was quite entertaining. i am also more partial to lighter fare these days as the gloom of the pandemic continues to haunt the world.
Review of the Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2013)
I wasn't aware of the Estonia connection to M.C. Beaton's 28th mystery featuring Hamish Macbeth until the cover was revealed for the Estonian language edition Ninaka neiu surm (Death of a Sassy Girl) (2020). That latter cover features an easily recognizable photo of the skyline of Tallinn, Estonia's central old town.
As it happens the postcard does make a cameo appearance in the book and is also the reason for a 4-page diversion when Macbeth makes a weekend excursion to Estonia to interview a witness/suspect. Otherwise the story takes place in the familiar cozy settings of Scotland where Macbeth's investigations are constantly diverted by his somewhat hapless love life.
I hadn't actually read M.C. Beaton (1936-2019) previously as I had imagined her writing to be too much along the cozy line with not enough tartan noir, but Death of Yesterday was quite entertaining. i am also more partial to lighter fare these days as the gloom of the pandemic continues to haunt the world.
November 10, 2022
ReRd. For a short book, I take a long time rereading, slow down to almost reading aloud speed for best parts. Late lamented Beaton /Chesney knew how to multiply tension, so we race past improbable slapstick. How would people luck into right size of police uniforms to fit them? Shoes too?
Series hero makes sharp leaps of intuition that solve cases. Still he lets others take credit so they will not promote him out of scenic home full of oddballs: echoing twins, greedy seer. Highland Sgt Hamish Macbeth, over 6' tall with "flaming red hair and hazel eyes" p4 and lean runner's body attractive to women, is based in quiet seaside village Lochdubh. He regrets brushing off haughty London art student Morag, summer secretary to Shopmark dress factory owner Dick Gilchrist in Cnothan, where "sour locals took pride in keeping themselves to themselves" p2. Morag's lesbian lover, designer Freda, is shocked.
In poetically described stormy landscape, the bodies keep on falling , but momentum slows with bloated cast, return of cold-hearted teens Olivia and Charles Balfour, even adulterous cop Annie. Annoying when we have not read or cannot remember those books, but Beaton catches us up enough. Like zombies, attack victims rise and are downed again.
Series hero makes sharp leaps of intuition that solve cases. Still he lets others take credit so they will not promote him out of scenic home full of oddballs: echoing twins, greedy seer. Highland Sgt Hamish Macbeth, over 6' tall with "flaming red hair and hazel eyes" p4 and lean runner's body attractive to women, is based in quiet seaside village Lochdubh. He regrets brushing off haughty London art student Morag, summer secretary to Shopmark dress factory owner Dick Gilchrist in Cnothan, where "sour locals took pride in keeping themselves to themselves" p2. Morag's lesbian lover, designer Freda, is shocked.
In poetically described stormy landscape, the bodies keep on falling , but momentum slows with bloated cast, return of cold-hearted teens Olivia and Charles Balfour, even adulterous cop Annie. Annoying when we have not read or cannot remember those books, but Beaton catches us up enough. Like zombies, attack victims rise and are downed again.
January 28, 2022
Jimmy: "That's a right good wife you have there."
Hamish: "Shut up."
Jimmy: "Shut up, sir. Know your place.
Totally unimportant note, but I'm so envious of the U.K. book covers. The ones in Canada look like swill in comparison.
Also unimportant note, but I'm pretty sure this novel, and maybe Death of a Village, are the only full installments in this entire series that don't give away the murderee in the title. You're welcome for the useless information.
The case in this one was fairly easy to follow. I think the motives and deaths themselves have become more exaggerated as the series goes on, but it doesn't bother me too much. No one's expecting gold from this series. It's not exactly an awards darling.
That being said, I'm happy about some of the newish recurring characters. I'm so glad Dick is still in the story. He's a great character and I really hope he stays. His conniving at the end was priceless. He's basically a male Currie sister. Yet, I was incapable of suppressing a groan when Olivia and Charles popped back into the narrative. Thankfully they left it as fast as they came back. But they'll probably be back again.
I don't know how Blair is still alive. I feel like someone could rocket him off a cliff and he would crawl back up with a splitting headache.
I miss the murder investigations that would take place almost entirely in Lochdubh. It's been several books since we've really spent some time with the locals. I miss the Greek chorus. And of course our budding academic, Angela "move-a-cat-and-sit-down" Brodie.
I don't know why, but the Hamish/Hannah trainwreck makes me so uncomfortable every time I read it. Probably because I can't decide with whom my sympathy lies. I would say Hamish if it wasn't for the fact that he learns exactly nothing from this incident.
Finally, I think we have a record for Lochdubh's shortest engagement. And that's really saying something.
Reread 2021: Blair needs to buy a bungalow. Stairs really aren't his friend.
Hamish: "Shut up."
Jimmy: "Shut up, sir. Know your place.
Totally unimportant note, but I'm so envious of the U.K. book covers. The ones in Canada look like swill in comparison.
Also unimportant note, but I'm pretty sure this novel, and maybe Death of a Village, are the only full installments in this entire series that don't give away the murderee in the title. You're welcome for the useless information.
The case in this one was fairly easy to follow. I think the motives and deaths themselves have become more exaggerated as the series goes on, but it doesn't bother me too much. No one's expecting gold from this series. It's not exactly an awards darling.
That being said, I'm happy about some of the newish recurring characters. I'm so glad Dick is still in the story. He's a great character and I really hope he stays. His conniving at the end was priceless. He's basically a male Currie sister. Yet, I was incapable of suppressing a groan when Olivia and Charles popped back into the narrative. Thankfully they left it as fast as they came back. But they'll probably be back again.
I don't know how Blair is still alive. I feel like someone could rocket him off a cliff and he would crawl back up with a splitting headache.
I miss the murder investigations that would take place almost entirely in Lochdubh. It's been several books since we've really spent some time with the locals. I miss the Greek chorus. And of course our budding academic, Angela "move-a-cat-and-sit-down" Brodie.
I don't know why, but the Hamish/Hannah trainwreck makes me so uncomfortable every time I read it. Probably because I can't decide with whom my sympathy lies. I would say Hamish if it wasn't for the fact that he learns exactly nothing from this incident.
Finally, I think we have a record for Lochdubh's shortest engagement. And that's really saying something.
Reread 2021: Blair needs to buy a bungalow. Stairs really aren't his friend.
December 14, 2020
I am seriously entertaining the notion that M.C. Beaton made use of ghost writers for all or part of the series, starting around number 24 or 25. Drastic differences in characterization, plot construction, and established history were quite jarring.
“Death of Yesterday” is book number 28 in the series (not counting the Christmas novella). In this particular book I found grammatical errors and Americanisms that a seasoned UK writer like Beaton would not be likely to produce. Not to mention inconsistencies within the story. (Was a certain person murdered by a “cosh” or a “broken bottle” that was found beside them? And what about the person who died by an unfortunate accident of their own design, who was later added to the list of murders in police discussions.) I know Hamish Macbeth mysteries are not rocket science, but I do like to keep track.
People have speculated about the title of this one, and I am wondering if it might be sort of meta, with “yesterday” referring to the way things were in Lochdubh with villagers behaving in certain prescribed ways; as compared to now with the Currie sisters who are no longer cardboard cutouts who do nothing but trot back and forth to Patel’s; and the seer Angus Macdonald who has an expanded and independent role in this particular tale.
***
Well, in spite of all that, did I like it? The crimes were unrealistic and convoluted. The resolution of the crime(s) and the extended dénouement (involving, once again, the rivalry between Priscilla and Elspeth for Hamish’s affection) were just annoying.
But yet... Daviot, Blair, Jimmy Anderson, and Dick Fraser seemed to fulfill the roles previously assigned to them in the series, without jarring inconsistencies, and some of the other villagers had brief cameos (Angela Brodie coming out for a walk with Hamish, instead of him visiting her cluttered kitchen; Willie Lamont cleaning tables and uttering unlikely malapropisms). Those things made it worthwhile reading. Still.
“Death of Yesterday” is book number 28 in the series (not counting the Christmas novella). In this particular book I found grammatical errors and Americanisms that a seasoned UK writer like Beaton would not be likely to produce. Not to mention inconsistencies within the story. (Was a certain person murdered by a “cosh” or a “broken bottle” that was found beside them? And what about the person who died by an unfortunate accident of their own design, who was later added to the list of murders in police discussions.) I know Hamish Macbeth mysteries are not rocket science, but I do like to keep track.
People have speculated about the title of this one, and I am wondering if it might be sort of meta, with “yesterday” referring to the way things were in Lochdubh with villagers behaving in certain prescribed ways; as compared to now with the Currie sisters who are no longer cardboard cutouts who do nothing but trot back and forth to Patel’s; and the seer Angus Macdonald who has an expanded and independent role in this particular tale.
***
Well, in spite of all that, did I like it? The crimes were unrealistic and convoluted. The resolution of the crime(s) and the extended dénouement (involving, once again, the rivalry between Priscilla and Elspeth for Hamish’s affection) were just annoying.
But yet... Daviot, Blair, Jimmy Anderson, and Dick Fraser seemed to fulfill the roles previously assigned to them in the series, without jarring inconsistencies, and some of the other villagers had brief cameos (Angela Brodie coming out for a walk with Hamish, instead of him visiting her cluttered kitchen; Willie Lamont cleaning tables and uttering unlikely malapropisms). Those things made it worthwhile reading. Still.
July 29, 2013
3.5/5
I'm not much of a cozy mystery reader, but there are a few series I quite enjoy and follow faithfully.
M.C. Beaton writes a number of series, but it is the Hamish MacBeth mysteries that have me hooked. Lately, I've chosen to only listen to them. The latest, Death of Yesterday, is the 29th in the series.
Sergeant Hamish MacBeth lives and works in the small Scottish village of Lochdubh. When Morag, a secretary at a local clothing factory reports that she was drugged and her sketchbook stolen when she was at the local pub, Hamish does, of course, interview her. But, Morag is distinctly unlikable and he isn't looking forward to following up with her. Until she's found murdered.....
Not much changes in the village or in Beaton's stories, but I find great comfort in listening to familiar characters. Inspector Blair is still determined to best Hamish, but continues to fail miserably. The quirky Currie sisters sisters, local shopkeepers and other familiar inhabitants of the village are all comforting to revisit. And of course Hamish's love life - will he ever choose between Elspeth and Priscilla? The addition of Dick Fraser as a live in copper at the station was fun - there's more to Dick than meets the eye.
The Morag plot line becomes quite involved with numerous threads. The addition of other small cases along the way were an added bonus. Hamish is quick to let others take credit for his crime solving - he doesn't want to leave the quiet and comfort of Lochdubh.
And why do I only listen to the Hamish books? Well, one of my favourite readers is the narrator. Graeme Malcolm has personified the character for me over the years. He is Scottish himself, so the accent is spot on, but easy to understand. His voice is full and sonorous and quite expressive.
Those looking for a quirky, cosy little series would find it here.
I'm not much of a cozy mystery reader, but there are a few series I quite enjoy and follow faithfully.
M.C. Beaton writes a number of series, but it is the Hamish MacBeth mysteries that have me hooked. Lately, I've chosen to only listen to them. The latest, Death of Yesterday, is the 29th in the series.
Sergeant Hamish MacBeth lives and works in the small Scottish village of Lochdubh. When Morag, a secretary at a local clothing factory reports that she was drugged and her sketchbook stolen when she was at the local pub, Hamish does, of course, interview her. But, Morag is distinctly unlikable and he isn't looking forward to following up with her. Until she's found murdered.....
Not much changes in the village or in Beaton's stories, but I find great comfort in listening to familiar characters. Inspector Blair is still determined to best Hamish, but continues to fail miserably. The quirky Currie sisters sisters, local shopkeepers and other familiar inhabitants of the village are all comforting to revisit. And of course Hamish's love life - will he ever choose between Elspeth and Priscilla? The addition of Dick Fraser as a live in copper at the station was fun - there's more to Dick than meets the eye.
The Morag plot line becomes quite involved with numerous threads. The addition of other small cases along the way were an added bonus. Hamish is quick to let others take credit for his crime solving - he doesn't want to leave the quiet and comfort of Lochdubh.
And why do I only listen to the Hamish books? Well, one of my favourite readers is the narrator. Graeme Malcolm has personified the character for me over the years. He is Scottish himself, so the accent is spot on, but easy to understand. His voice is full and sonorous and quite expressive.
Those looking for a quirky, cosy little series would find it here.
September 28, 2017
Hamish is formulaic, yes, and completely delightful, yes. He ambles, strolls, even drives around loch-beautiful Scotland ("under the beautiful, pitiless stars of Sutherland") and figures things out via the people who live and visit there. He deals with the same nemeses with the same frustrations followed by peaceful acceptance. And looks for love in all the wrong places. I never get tired of Hamish! Here again is an ego-driven victim, poor girl, wanting attention and drawing it out, literally, in her sketchbook. Gets a bit more than she bargained for, but Hamish will make sure no one gets by with doing her in. Always a comfort to read another Hamish!
It is rare that I do not get testy over local dialect, but I just smile when Jimmy says, "I'm fair droochit," or Dick grumbles, "he comes in here all wet and tartlet."
This is one of the most psychological of the Hamish Macbeth series, looking into the why of the things people do. There is a veritable cat's cradle of a plot, with threads woven every which way and the love interest heating up at last to a real conclusion … or almost. Other sorts of love entanglements get a play this time, too. Hamish's days and nights are the most fun, though, as he lives his Lockdubh routine with his dog and wild cat, enjoying his little life to the utmost. And so do we.
It is rare that I do not get testy over local dialect, but I just smile when Jimmy says, "I'm fair droochit," or Dick grumbles, "he comes in here all wet and tartlet."
This is one of the most psychological of the Hamish Macbeth series, looking into the why of the things people do. There is a veritable cat's cradle of a plot, with threads woven every which way and the love interest heating up at last to a real conclusion … or almost. Other sorts of love entanglements get a play this time, too. Hamish's days and nights are the most fun, though, as he lives his Lockdubh routine with his dog and wild cat, enjoying his little life to the utmost. And so do we.
June 13, 2022
06/08/22 - Still don't understand the title, but I do like the circumstances around this one - that the initial victim had been sketching and sketched a person's face that leads to all of these dominoes falling. I love the role that the seer, Angus Macdonald, plays in this. Sometimes Hamish's impatience with other people frustrates me, because I like Angus, but I can see where Hamish is coming from. I like how tough some of these fantastic Highland villagers are and am frustrated with the sloppy policework that makes Hamish's job so dangerous. And, I love Elspeth. I also like Dick - out of all of Hamish's constables, he's my favorite, even though he's frustrating.
07/06/18 - Hamish Macbeth mysteries are some of my favorite summer reads: I can pretend I'm up in the Scottish Highlands, where everything is beautiful and green, and not sweating my head off in the desert. I am sort of confused by the title still, but really enjoyed this one. While I find Dick to be an amusing new addition to Hamish's life, I'm quite annoyed with him, currently, and really annoyed with the creepy Curry sisters. Ah, it's so good to be in the Highlands, though. Now, I think, it's off to Norway, where murders - and detectives - are significantly more brutal, but still in keeping with my summer reading scheme.
07/06/18 - Hamish Macbeth mysteries are some of my favorite summer reads: I can pretend I'm up in the Scottish Highlands, where everything is beautiful and green, and not sweating my head off in the desert. I am sort of confused by the title still, but really enjoyed this one. While I find Dick to be an amusing new addition to Hamish's life, I'm quite annoyed with him, currently, and really annoyed with the creepy Curry sisters. Ah, it's so good to be in the Highlands, though. Now, I think, it's off to Norway, where murders - and detectives - are significantly more brutal, but still in keeping with my summer reading scheme.
March 1, 2013
An employee of a clothing factory at Cnothan disappears. She has reported to Hamish Macbeth that she cannot remember anything about an evening she spent in a pub and believes her drink was spiked. Even though Hamish hadn’t particularly liked the woman he has to take notice when she disappears especially when the only possible witness has also disappeared as well.
Plagued by his superiors who do not want to upset their friends Hamish finds his investigations blocked at every turn and he is soon excluded from the investigation when two bodies turn up. Then he has a misguided idea to take the sister of a suspect out for a meal and he may just have made a mistake which will cost him his job.
I enjoyed this many stranded mystery and totally failed to work out who the murderer was. I felt it did flag a little in the middle and there were a few places where I thought the writing could have been better but it was still an enjoyable read and the series characters are always interesting. This is a must read for Hamish Macbeth fans.
Plagued by his superiors who do not want to upset their friends Hamish finds his investigations blocked at every turn and he is soon excluded from the investigation when two bodies turn up. Then he has a misguided idea to take the sister of a suspect out for a meal and he may just have made a mistake which will cost him his job.
I enjoyed this many stranded mystery and totally failed to work out who the murderer was. I felt it did flag a little in the middle and there were a few places where I thought the writing could have been better but it was still an enjoyable read and the series characters are always interesting. This is a must read for Hamish Macbeth fans.
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