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Hamish Macbeth #29
Death of a Policeman
Local police stations all over the Scottish Highlands are being threatened with closure. This presents the perfect opportunity for Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who would love nothing more than to get rid of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth. Blair suggests that Cyril Sessions, a keen young police officer, visit the town of Lochdubh to monitor exactly what Macbeth does every day. Macbeth hears about Blair's plan and is prepared to insure that Cyril returns back to headquarters with a full report. But Cyril is soon found dead and Hamish quickly becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2014
264 people are currently reading
2060 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
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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 605 reviews
December 5, 2021
In this 29th book in 'Hamish Macbeth' series, the Scottish police sergeant investigates several crimes, including the murder of a skulking police officer. The mystery can be read as a standalone, but readers familiar with the characters will enjoy it more.
*****
Detective Chief Inspector Blair is jealous of the success of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth of Scotland's Lochdubh police and is constantly trying to get the Lochdubh police station closed.
Thus Blair dispatches handsome Officer Cyril Sessions to 'go undercover' and get evidence that Hamish and his partner Dick Fraser lollygag around and waste time.
Cyril gets photos of Dick sleeping on duty and spuriously romances librarian Hetty Dunstable - who's happy to badmouth Hamish because he rebuffed her advances.
Hamish soon catches on to Cyril's game and decides to play cat and mouse with the the officer. Soon afterwards Cyril is killed and Hamish becomes a suspect.
As Hamish searches for the real killer he uncovers other local crimes, and these investigations constitute the mystery part of the book. As always with this series, though, much of the story concerns the entertaining personal lives of the folks in the Scottish Highlands, many of them recurring characters.
Dick Fraser crushes on a pretty assistant librarian much younger than himself.
Angela Brodie (the doctor's wife) writes a mystery book and - to the chagrin of her husband - buys a 2,000 pound dress for (what turns out to be) a disappointing awards ceremony.
Hamish hobnobs with his ex-fiancés and his pets - wild cat Sonsie and dog Lugs.
In an amusing scene scientists want to study the rare wild cat and Hamish decides to dye her black to disguise her identity. Superintendent Daviot has a secret that hampers Hamish's investigations, and so on. My favorite 'comic' parts were recurring scenes of tipsy librarian Hetty Dunstable trying to seduce one man after another - mistakenly deciding each one has a passion for her.
I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries, especially those familiar with the series and the characters.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
March 13, 2014
This latest outing with the red-headed Scottish copper Hamish MacBeth makes me wonder if the author even likes her character. MacBeth commits crimes of his own (vandalism, B&E, blackmail) to solve his case and to keep his beloved police station from being closed. He wasn't very likable this go around. And as in the last few books, the plot has moved away from Lochdubh and it's quirky townsfolk. Oh, they (for the most part) make brief obligatory appearances as do his former loves Elspeth and Pricilla, but there was no real point to any of them in the story. And people died right and left, and in some pretty brutal ways. There were murders (several)by shotgun blasts, bashed in heads, one person was doused in petro and set on fire, a couple was drugged and left to die of starvation on an island, blackmail that resulted in suicide, it was a violent time in the highlands.
I wish the story would go back to Lochdubh and it's residents. I want Hamish to find a new love interest, someone really nice and caring and smart who doesn't trod all over him. I'm so done with Elspeth and Pricilla. They just need to move on with their lives. At this point I would be really angry if Hamish ends up with either one of them. And what about his family and all those siblings? Certainly one of them could roll down out of the heather and cause some trouble. Less murders, more mystery, more Lochdubh.
I wish the story would go back to Lochdubh and it's residents. I want Hamish to find a new love interest, someone really nice and caring and smart who doesn't trod all over him. I'm so done with Elspeth and Pricilla. They just need to move on with their lives. At this point I would be really angry if Hamish ends up with either one of them. And what about his family and all those siblings? Certainly one of them could roll down out of the heather and cause some trouble. Less murders, more mystery, more Lochdubh.
February 28, 2015
Welcome back to Lochdubh, the place that is loved so much by one Hamish Macbeth of the local constabulary and he never wants to leave. The man has solved so many crimes if it became common knowledge they promote the heck out of him. And that would mean Macbeth resigning rather than leaving his beloved village.
Once again all goes haywire when a copper called Blair, rather envious of one Hamish Macbeth, sends in a policeman he blackmails to spy on Hamish in order to get some dirt on this much loathed colleague of his. this snooping copper gets murdered and the investigations commence.
We see how the Highlands gets an organised drugs ring less and at the same time a rather persuasive librarian set her eye on Dick the living companion of Hamish. While Dick fancies a younger librarian.
A few deaths on and all gets solved and Hamish fancies something French.
Once again a great outing into the remote part of Scotland where a redhead rules supreme, the tale leaves not enough space this time for my favorite cast of oddballs living in Lochdubh. And yet the two important women in Hamish life do turn up as always but it feels a bit like a goodbye to them in a sense.
Love these Macbeth tales and while it is most certainly not one of the best so far it does not fail to entertain and when all puzzles are solved you know that Macbeth is leaving for some time.
However the new Macbeth is released the 2nd of February, so life is swell.
Once again all goes haywire when a copper called Blair, rather envious of one Hamish Macbeth, sends in a policeman he blackmails to spy on Hamish in order to get some dirt on this much loathed colleague of his. this snooping copper gets murdered and the investigations commence.
We see how the Highlands gets an organised drugs ring less and at the same time a rather persuasive librarian set her eye on Dick the living companion of Hamish. While Dick fancies a younger librarian.
A few deaths on and all gets solved and Hamish fancies something French.
Once again a great outing into the remote part of Scotland where a redhead rules supreme, the tale leaves not enough space this time for my favorite cast of oddballs living in Lochdubh. And yet the two important women in Hamish life do turn up as always but it feels a bit like a goodbye to them in a sense.
Love these Macbeth tales and while it is most certainly not one of the best so far it does not fail to entertain and when all puzzles are solved you know that Macbeth is leaving for some time.
However the new Macbeth is released the 2nd of February, so life is swell.
July 12, 2016
I’ve read all 29 previous entries in M. C. Beaton’s Hamish Mcbeth series, and I’m sad to say that this will probably be the last. I loved the humor of the early books, and while the series has always had some serious undertones, every book used to have at least a few places that would make me laugh. After reading this book though, I was feeling rather depressed. For me, the series has lost its charm.
It’s not just all the seemingly gratuitous violence (by the end of the book the body count is up in the double digits). There’s also at least one gaping plot hole and the overall plot is rather meandering. We read lots of scenes that add absolutely nothing to the resolution of the plot and have no connection to the original crime. They seem more like ‘fillers’, like the author had to reach a certain word count according to her contract. The writing itself seems rather listless in places – it comes across almost like a list: first this happens and then this and then this and then that and so on …
Hamish himself has lost much of his appeal, too. He always had his problems, but he was basically a man content and happy in his life. In this book, he comes across as deeply unhappy. Maybe even morose. It permeates the whole atmosphere of the book.
It’s still not a bad book, but it’s much less than it could be. If the next book gets really good reviews, I might reconsider my decision. Until then, I’ll save my money.
It’s not just all the seemingly gratuitous violence (by the end of the book the body count is up in the double digits). There’s also at least one gaping plot hole and the overall plot is rather meandering. We read lots of scenes that add absolutely nothing to the resolution of the plot and have no connection to the original crime. They seem more like ‘fillers’, like the author had to reach a certain word count according to her contract. The writing itself seems rather listless in places – it comes across almost like a list: first this happens and then this and then this and then that and so on …
Hamish himself has lost much of his appeal, too. He always had his problems, but he was basically a man content and happy in his life. In this book, he comes across as deeply unhappy. Maybe even morose. It permeates the whole atmosphere of the book.
It’s still not a bad book, but it’s much less than it could be. If the next book gets really good reviews, I might reconsider my decision. Until then, I’ll save my money.
July 12, 2024
This was a wild one and you will never guess who killed Cyril. My husband said it is unbelievable and I had to agree. There were lots of murders as usual. It would be too scary to visit Scotland! I couldn't put it down once I started on it.
March 18, 2014
DEATH OF A POLICEMAN has convinced me that M.C. Beaton might just have finally lost her groove with the Hamish Macbeth series. Gone are the quirky almost mystic cosy qualities of Scottish life with a cheeky Hamish, and in its place is something much darker, almost heading into noir territory. Hamish himself may have taken a step away from cheeky and got nearer to nasty and unpleasant. I am really not totally happy with this change. When I read a Hamish Macbeth mystery, I like to chuckle at the antics of Hamish, not want to ring up the police and report him. He breaks and enters, steals evidence, commits acts of vandalisms and then has no qualms about blackmail. Don’t get me wrong, our cheeky police officer has long had a habit of bending the law to suit his own purposes but in DEATH OF A POLICEMAN he seems to have gone beyond cheeky and stepped into a dark angry place. Hamish is downright miserable and mean and I just don’t want to be around him anymore. Normally I love visiting Lochdubh, I always feel as though I am visiting old friends, but the heart seems to have gone out of the long-time villagers – there is no longer any depth to them – it’s just like they are going through the motions of living. The new characters are not much better; they just didn’t come alive for me at all, and some didn’t stay around that long for us to get to know them better anyway. As the blurb tells you a police officer is murdered but in the course of the investigation the body count rises alarmingly, people are killed by shotgun blasts, bashed in heads, covered in petrol and set on fire, left to die of starvation, and blackmailed into suicide. This is not what I expect in my cosy highland mysteries, well not all in the one story anyway! I also need to add that I didn’t understand the reasoning behind some of these murders they just happened almost gratuitously from left field as if M.C. Beaton thought to herself time for another body!
So bring back the nice Hamish who is basically happy, carefree and a little bit naughty, find him a woman and give up on dragging his exes back every book. Then bring back the quirky Scottish village and it’s even quirkier residents. I want to have more mystery and less horrible nasty violence. I want to laugh occasionally while I’m reading Hamish, not end up feeling down in the dumps and depressed. DEATH OF A POLICEMAN is not really a bad book if you like meatier murder mysteries, however, that is NOT what I am looking for when I pick up a Hamish Macbeth book.
With thanks to Grand Central Publishing and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review
So bring back the nice Hamish who is basically happy, carefree and a little bit naughty, find him a woman and give up on dragging his exes back every book. Then bring back the quirky Scottish village and it’s even quirkier residents. I want to have more mystery and less horrible nasty violence. I want to laugh occasionally while I’m reading Hamish, not end up feeling down in the dumps and depressed. DEATH OF A POLICEMAN is not really a bad book if you like meatier murder mysteries, however, that is NOT what I am looking for when I pick up a Hamish Macbeth book.
With thanks to Grand Central Publishing and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review
April 1, 2014
My loyalty to this series is that sometimes I just need a cozy bit of reading with a favorite character and setting containing all the old familiar places and people. Hamish MacBeth, the tall red-headed Scotsman is quite content with his life as the police constable in Lochdubh, and fans of this series are equally content to have Hamish remain in his current position, avoiding promotion and relocation to Strathbane, home of police headquarters for the area. While it might be comforting to Hamish and readers alike if he were to finally find a lass to share his life, or one of his two ex-fiances returning, he does have his second-in-command, Dick, to help shoulder the duties of the job, cook, and even create a pleasant home for the two. It is both a blessing and a curse to Hamish to have a roommate, but at least Dick doesn't badger him about his lack of ambition.
In the latest installment of the Hamish saga, Detective Chief Inspector Blair, Hamish's nemesis at Strathbane headquarters, has sent yet another spy to gather dirt on Hamish so that the two-maned police station at Lochdubh can be closed down. Cyril Sessions, the appointed spy for Blair, doesn't last long in his undercover capacity, as he is murdered shortly after setting up in Lochdubh. Hamish MacBeth, while unambitious, is quite the capable detecting officer of the law, and he will doggedly pursue the solution to Cyril's murder through much danger to himself and his career. Romantic relationships are a tangled web in the journey from murder to resolution, and Hamish's own attempts at anything romantic seem dispirited at this juncture in his life. I did miss the more involved mishaps of Hamish and his lady loves. He is, however, a man on a mission, and as he uncovers a messy pot of politics, he must survive attempts on his life and women with hidden agendas.
While I enjoyed the 30th installment in this series, I couldn't help but feel that the series has fallen somewhat flat in this last book, maybe run its course. Hamish seems pretty much churlish throughout the book, and his two former loves, Elsbeth and Priscilla, appear to be completely played out. Nothing new anywhere. Repetition is a part of the cozy, but it needs to have more of the Scottish charm and spark infused. I'd like to see one final book with perhaps a brighter future for our Hamish.
In the latest installment of the Hamish saga, Detective Chief Inspector Blair, Hamish's nemesis at Strathbane headquarters, has sent yet another spy to gather dirt on Hamish so that the two-maned police station at Lochdubh can be closed down. Cyril Sessions, the appointed spy for Blair, doesn't last long in his undercover capacity, as he is murdered shortly after setting up in Lochdubh. Hamish MacBeth, while unambitious, is quite the capable detecting officer of the law, and he will doggedly pursue the solution to Cyril's murder through much danger to himself and his career. Romantic relationships are a tangled web in the journey from murder to resolution, and Hamish's own attempts at anything romantic seem dispirited at this juncture in his life. I did miss the more involved mishaps of Hamish and his lady loves. He is, however, a man on a mission, and as he uncovers a messy pot of politics, he must survive attempts on his life and women with hidden agendas.
While I enjoyed the 30th installment in this series, I couldn't help but feel that the series has fallen somewhat flat in this last book, maybe run its course. Hamish seems pretty much churlish throughout the book, and his two former loves, Elsbeth and Priscilla, appear to be completely played out. Nothing new anywhere. Repetition is a part of the cozy, but it needs to have more of the Scottish charm and spark infused. I'd like to see one final book with perhaps a brighter future for our Hamish.
April 6, 2014
The Hamish Macbeth Mystery series is great. This story had multiple plots, with many humorous moments thrown into the mix. The setting is the Scottish highlands, and I love that Hamish always solves the crime, much to Chief Inspector Blair's dismay.
September 29, 2016
Not a bad story, but I can't help but love Agatha far more than I do Hamish. Although Hamish is amusing in his own way Agatha really delivers something else when you are reading her. In this story, Hamish is trying to find out how and why a young police officer who was tasked to monitor Hamish's movements in the Highlands has been murdered. Suspicion automatically falls on Hamish. Can he clear his name?
I think I will focus more on Agatha Raisin in future.
I think I will focus more on Agatha Raisin in future.
March 4, 2014
It's still Hamish, but ..... I found that this book was a bit of a disappointment. I have loved Hamish Macbeth for a long time, and enjoyed all the books. I love Hamish and his idyllic life in Lochdubh. I love the recurring characters like Willie Loman and Archie MacDonald. It's like visiting old friends when I read a Hamish Macbeth mystery. But this book, I found, did a lot of jumping around and violent episodes kept on occurring with no lead-up or explanation. It felt like I was on a runaway train at times. But it is still Hamish, and I love his character. The shock and awe that keeps occurring in this book did confuse me somewhat. It certainly didn't seem like good old sleepy Lochdubh with all the violent murders and bad guys running around.
January 12, 2018
It has been at least 3 years since I have visited the Scottish Highlands of Lochdubh and the grounds of Hamish Macbeth and I have to say, I had forgotten how much I really enjoy this books and all the crazy characters that go with these books.
This one was a puzzler from the beginning and the end was a "O M G I NEVER saw that coming" ending. I truly never saw that end and it was quite a reading experience. I have three more books in the series on my TBR list this year and I am finding that I am truly looking forward to reading them.
April 17, 2025
This one was quite ok - you just need to set aside the absolutely insane lengths Hamish’s “unorthodox methods” go to here in book #29 - but, on the other hand, there’s quite a lot to set aside if you’re to enjoy this series.
November 20, 2020
This book was terrible. The worst so far. Sloppy plot with a mishmash of events that feel forced. Hamish breaking the law to get answers is just lazy at this point. Speaking of lazy, having not one, but two lonely alcoholic women go on murder sprees in the same story is laughable. Seriously, I thought other female writers hated women, but M.C. Beaton takes the cake.
Dick's transformation from useless constable to cozy "house husband" is complete and the rest of his storyline is terrible. Specifically, his romances. M.C. Beaton's views on prostitution are severely outdated and denying two characters happiness because "it probably wouldn't have worked out" (the lady being a former whore and all) is cruel and unnecessary.
Also unnecessary, Hamish's love life. Why is it even a thing at this point? It has been boring for several books now, and repeating the same old reasons why he can't be with Elspeth and can't be with Pricilla is tedious. It is the height of absurdity that the very sophistication that attracts him to Pricilla repels him from Elspeth. Grow up, asshole. Let other people change, have thoughts, feelings, dreams, mistakes, etc. That Beaton cares enough to keep up with new technology and allow two female love interests careers and ambition, but regulates her male/female relationships to the 1980s is maddening.
This was the first book where I wanted it to be over. Sell the station, I don't care what happens to Hamish. He can take care of his chickens and sheep and whatever. Just stop writing about him.
Dick's transformation from useless constable to cozy "house husband" is complete and the rest of his storyline is terrible. Specifically, his romances. M.C. Beaton's views on prostitution are severely outdated and denying two characters happiness because "it probably wouldn't have worked out" (the lady being a former whore and all) is cruel and unnecessary.
Also unnecessary, Hamish's love life. Why is it even a thing at this point? It has been boring for several books now, and repeating the same old reasons why he can't be with Elspeth and can't be with Pricilla is tedious. It is the height of absurdity that the very sophistication that attracts him to Pricilla repels him from Elspeth. Grow up, asshole. Let other people change, have thoughts, feelings, dreams, mistakes, etc. That Beaton cares enough to keep up with new technology and allow two female love interests careers and ambition, but regulates her male/female relationships to the 1980s is maddening.
This was the first book where I wanted it to be over. Sell the station, I don't care what happens to Hamish. He can take care of his chickens and sheep and whatever. Just stop writing about him.
June 23, 2014
I just finished this, the 30th (I can hardly believe I’ve known Hamish that long) outing in the Hamish MacBeth series by M.C. Beaton. I do feel as though these books are like visiting an an old friend. I’ve followed Hamish through his ups and downs in his romantic and professional life and through various threats to his beloved station in Lochdubh.
In this book, there is another threat to Hamish’s posting in Lochdubh. Small stations are closing all over and Hamish obviously doesn’t want that to happen. Blair sends a young officer, Cyril, to spy in Hamish. Cyril ends up dead with Hamish as a suspect. With that opening, the mystery is up and running. This book had a slightly different feel than others in the series, a bit faster pacing, more violence (murders), and more twists and turns in the mystery and in both Hamish and Dick’s personal (romantic) lives. It actually came across as a more modern soft boiled mystery than a cozy.
I hope that there will be many more Hamish mysteries to come. This one is a highly recommended read!
In this book, there is another threat to Hamish’s posting in Lochdubh. Small stations are closing all over and Hamish obviously doesn’t want that to happen. Blair sends a young officer, Cyril, to spy in Hamish. Cyril ends up dead with Hamish as a suspect. With that opening, the mystery is up and running. This book had a slightly different feel than others in the series, a bit faster pacing, more violence (murders), and more twists and turns in the mystery and in both Hamish and Dick’s personal (romantic) lives. It actually came across as a more modern soft boiled mystery than a cozy.
I hope that there will be many more Hamish mysteries to come. This one is a highly recommended read!
February 25, 2014
Wonderfully fun and exciting story!
I loved this story. It definitely ranks as one of Beaton's best Macbeth mysteries. There are several mysteries that need to be solved, some senseless and shocking deaths, lots of blackmail, and thankfully, humour. Hamish and Dick still are living at the police station and are mistaken for a gay couple by a love interest of Dick's. Hamish still is caught between Priscilla and Elspeth. He comes to the rescue of Angela once again and of course, flirts and is pursued by the ladies. Loved this story!
I loved this story. It definitely ranks as one of Beaton's best Macbeth mysteries. There are several mysteries that need to be solved, some senseless and shocking deaths, lots of blackmail, and thankfully, humour. Hamish and Dick still are living at the police station and are mistaken for a gay couple by a love interest of Dick's. Hamish still is caught between Priscilla and Elspeth. He comes to the rescue of Angela once again and of course, flirts and is pursued by the ladies. Loved this story!
May 26, 2014
Hamish is working overtime in this exciting mystery that is littered with dead bodies and bad guys. While trying to maintain a low-profile in his capacity of a village sergeant, he is still a bit put-off when he doesn’t get credit for his crime-solving abilities. And to complicate matters, his personal life remains unsettled, as does that of his co-policeman Dick. There is plenty of action and enough twists to this story to keep you guessing until the end. This series is always fun and entertaining.
August 26, 2015
I gave up keeping track of murders when the body count hit ten. That's rather a dizzying amount of dead people for a cozy mystery, and several were completely unconnected to the plot. I'm all for sacrificing a character when it moves the story forward, but not merely for the sake of incorporating random violence. I've enjoyed every book in the Hamish McBeth series thus far, but I really felt like Death of a Policeman was written because there was a contractual obligation to turn in a book. While it was disappointing, if you haven't read the first 12+ books in the series, do. They're lovely.
May 19, 2021
Macbeth and the Police Spy
Review of the Hachette audiobook edition released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2014)
Death of a Policeman find's Hamish's nemesis Chief Inspector Blair blackmailing a constable to spy on the village policeman in order to find an excuse to close the Lochdubh village police station. Of course, the spy meets an unfortunate end and Hamish must solve yet another incomer murder in order to restore peace in the Highlands.
I'm now into the final half-dozen of the 34* Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series set in the Scottish Highlands centered around the fictional village of Lochdubh. I wish I could slow down my reading & listening in order to make them last longer, but they are so irresistible that they have become my go-to default read during this continuing lockdown (Ontario, Canada where I live is currently still in a stay-at-home order situation until possibly June, 2021). Fortunately the library is still operating efficiently with their holds system and their curbside pickup. They also provide the opportunity of online audiobook loans via Overdrive.
*No. 34 Death of a Love (2021?) has yet to be released due to delays following M.C. Beaton's (aka Marion Chesney's) passing in late 2019.
Review of the Hachette audiobook edition released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2014)
Death of a Policeman find's Hamish's nemesis Chief Inspector Blair blackmailing a constable to spy on the village policeman in order to find an excuse to close the Lochdubh village police station. Of course, the spy meets an unfortunate end and Hamish must solve yet another incomer murder in order to restore peace in the Highlands.
I'm now into the final half-dozen of the 34* Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series set in the Scottish Highlands centered around the fictional village of Lochdubh. I wish I could slow down my reading & listening in order to make them last longer, but they are so irresistible that they have become my go-to default read during this continuing lockdown (Ontario, Canada where I live is currently still in a stay-at-home order situation until possibly June, 2021). Fortunately the library is still operating efficiently with their holds system and their curbside pickup. They also provide the opportunity of online audiobook loans via Overdrive.
*No. 34 Death of a Love (2021?) has yet to be released due to delays following M.C. Beaton's (aka Marion Chesney's) passing in late 2019.
January 19, 2017
I think this series is having an identity crisis. The stories in this series have always been light-hearted with plenty of focus on the quirky town people of Lochdubh. Now it has had several dark Law and Order-esque themes and they don't really work for me. If I wanted to read something gritty, there are a ton of other crime writers that are better at writing in that genre. Also, I'm getting really sick of Daviot and how he seems to constantly impede investigations for reasons that are not great. I don't think any police official would go against police procedures that much.
April 10, 2019
Death of a Policeman is mystery in the Hamish MacBeth series. Macbeth investigates several crimes in the Scottish highlands. I love the character of Macbeth and how he solves the crimes. In this mystery, he solves the murder of the policemen who was sent to spy on him by Detective Chief Inspector Blair. Blair is jealous of him and wants to see his police station closed. Macbeth does not always use legal means to solve these crimes. In this case there is breaking and entering and blackmail. Overall this is a very enjoyable series. If starting this series, the earlier ones are the best.
October 22, 2014
Hmm not sure what has happened to this series. It used to be very charming. But this book is filled with gratuitous violence that just feels lazy, and not even in character. It's as if the author couldn't think of anything to do with the plot or characters. First time I've ever written a negative review but this is a book to avoid.
July 19, 2018
What happened to this series!?
I’ve always liked MC Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth books, but this is just terrible. It’s trite to the point of being insulting and, in my opinion, is just badly written. It’s as if she simply doesn’t care anymore. I’m afraid this is the last time I will be catching up with Mr. MacBeth...
I’ve always liked MC Beaton’s Hamish MacBeth books, but this is just terrible. It’s trite to the point of being insulting and, in my opinion, is just badly written. It’s as if she simply doesn’t care anymore. I’m afraid this is the last time I will be catching up with Mr. MacBeth...
January 26, 2021
I have been really enjoying this series. This one however, not so much. In this book Hamish seems to go too far to solve the crimes. He breaks into people's houses, blackmails people to get his own way and is pretty unlikable. A bit of a disappointment as I have been enjoying this series so much and this one just feels so much of a letdown.
April 12, 2014
A strong start carried through half the book. The standard characters had only cameo appearances. Hamish is losing his affable charm when his motivation and remarks are inconsistent. More violence than usual.
January 17, 2024
I didn’t like this at all, the plot was all over the place
March 7, 2020
Try as I might, I just can’t get into this writing style. However, I may continue to read Beaton’s books, if but for nothing else but learning some Scottish words.
February 5, 2014
I love to visit old friends. In his 30th outing, Hamish Macbeth is definitely that. An old friend. An old friend that I’m thrilled to be able to catch up with. And while I’ve never been to Scotland, I feel like I could move to Lochdubh and never miss a beat.
The Lochdubh police station is in danger of being shut down in the new cost cutting measures that the Scotland National Police Force is implementing. That would suit Detective Chief Inspector Blair just fine since his hate for Hamish knows no bounds. He’s even sending other police officers down to spy on Hamish and when his latest spy is found murdered, an interesting investigation is underway, leading through the fine restaurants and the brothels of Strathbane. Even the upper reaches of the police force aren’t left untouched.
I don’t try real hard to solve a Hamish Macbeth mystery. I just let the story unfold and enjoy the beautiful Scottish countryside and the quirky Scottish characters. As always, the minor characters are wonderfully developed with depth and background.
If you haven’t read any Hamish Macbeth before, the story is very entertaining but to really appreciate him, starting at the beginning of the series would be much recommended (and much enjoyed!) If you’re already a fan of Hamish, sit back and prepare to have a good visit with an old friend.
I received this book through Netgalley and I appreciate the opportunity to read and honestly review it.
The Lochdubh police station is in danger of being shut down in the new cost cutting measures that the Scotland National Police Force is implementing. That would suit Detective Chief Inspector Blair just fine since his hate for Hamish knows no bounds. He’s even sending other police officers down to spy on Hamish and when his latest spy is found murdered, an interesting investigation is underway, leading through the fine restaurants and the brothels of Strathbane. Even the upper reaches of the police force aren’t left untouched.
I don’t try real hard to solve a Hamish Macbeth mystery. I just let the story unfold and enjoy the beautiful Scottish countryside and the quirky Scottish characters. As always, the minor characters are wonderfully developed with depth and background.
If you haven’t read any Hamish Macbeth before, the story is very entertaining but to really appreciate him, starting at the beginning of the series would be much recommended (and much enjoyed!) If you’re already a fan of Hamish, sit back and prepare to have a good visit with an old friend.
I received this book through Netgalley and I appreciate the opportunity to read and honestly review it.
April 1, 2014
These books are just consistently good, a nice mixture of thrilling mystery and fun.
The honeymoon is finally over for Hamish and Dick Fraser, his quiz-show-winning, house-proud assistant, who are mistaken for a gay couple by the young woman Dick is in love with. Poor Dick suffers a number of romantic upsets in this one, one of them very tragic, and the murders in this one were also very tragic. I love the fact that Beaton doesn't pull any punches with her mysteries, even as I'm rather shocked at a couple of the deaths in this book. (No, no beloved characters, don't worry.)
Speaking of killing beloved characters: when I saw the title of this book I FREAKED OUT. I was terrified that Beaton had decided she was tired of writing these and killed off Hamish, but let me assure you that is not the case!
But I do think that perhaps the series is coming to a close. I'd like to see her settle Hamish in with a nice lady in the next couple of books, and then retire him or something. I'd also like to see him get some recognition: this book really brought to the fore the fact that not only does Blair bully Hamish to the point of ruining people's careers and lives, but that Daviot doesn't give a rat's ass because Blair belongs to the right clubs. I'd like to see Hamish get some recognition beyond Lochdubh before this all ends!
The honeymoon is finally over for Hamish and Dick Fraser, his quiz-show-winning, house-proud assistant, who are mistaken for a gay couple by the young woman Dick is in love with. Poor Dick suffers a number of romantic upsets in this one, one of them very tragic, and the murders in this one were also very tragic. I love the fact that Beaton doesn't pull any punches with her mysteries, even as I'm rather shocked at a couple of the deaths in this book. (No, no beloved characters, don't worry.)
Speaking of killing beloved characters: when I saw the title of this book I FREAKED OUT. I was terrified that Beaton had decided she was tired of writing these and killed off Hamish, but let me assure you that is not the case!
But I do think that perhaps the series is coming to a close. I'd like to see her settle Hamish in with a nice lady in the next couple of books, and then retire him or something. I'd also like to see him get some recognition: this book really brought to the fore the fact that not only does Blair bully Hamish to the point of ruining people's careers and lives, but that Daviot doesn't give a rat's ass because Blair belongs to the right clubs. I'd like to see Hamish get some recognition beyond Lochdubh before this all ends!
June 13, 2022
06/09/22 - I love Hamish's constable, Dick, and wish Hamish were more patient with him. I mean, he can be devious, and he keeps putting a wrench into Hamish's love life, it *seems,* but, honestly, how well was it going before? Not well. Hamish inadvertently cracks a huge corruption ring in this one and is hindered by the snobbery of his superiors. Isn't that just like life?
07/11/18 - Oh, Hamish Macbeth, I love watching you solve crimes and I'm right there with you about how much more important quality of life is than many things people say are important in life. I love Sonsie and Lugs and even the most irritating folks in Lochdubh. I just hate how you don't get credit for your genius and how you're always being given the runaround. It's funny how much more relaxing reading about solving murders is in the Scottish Highlands than in Norway, where everything just seems so much darker and more depressing.
07/11/18 - Oh, Hamish Macbeth, I love watching you solve crimes and I'm right there with you about how much more important quality of life is than many things people say are important in life. I love Sonsie and Lugs and even the most irritating folks in Lochdubh. I just hate how you don't get credit for your genius and how you're always being given the runaround. It's funny how much more relaxing reading about solving murders is in the Scottish Highlands than in Norway, where everything just seems so much darker and more depressing.
March 20, 2015
I've read all the Hamish Macbeth books that have been written and it seems, the last few years, the books have been lacking something.
While reading the story, there doesn't feel like there is a story, just story plotting ideas for the book. There's no real flow while you are reading. Most parts of the book was ok, I didn't really care that much for some of the characters during the story, and there was parts that didn't really need to be included since, there was no follow up at the end of the book.
I don't really know why, I keep reading this series. I guess its because I like Hamish, he is a great character and I like to spend a few days a year, reading his new adventures.
So even though, I didn't really care that much for this story, I'll be reading the next Hamish story next year.
While reading the story, there doesn't feel like there is a story, just story plotting ideas for the book. There's no real flow while you are reading. Most parts of the book was ok, I didn't really care that much for some of the characters during the story, and there was parts that didn't really need to be included since, there was no follow up at the end of the book.
I don't really know why, I keep reading this series. I guess its because I like Hamish, he is a great character and I like to spend a few days a year, reading his new adventures.
So even though, I didn't really care that much for this story, I'll be reading the next Hamish story next year.
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