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Hamish Macbeth #1
Death of a Gossip
When society widow and gossip columnist Lady Jane Winters joined the fishing class, she wasted no time in ruffling the feathers-or was it the fins?-of those around her. Among the victims of her sharp tongue and unladylike manner was Lochdubh Constable Hamish Macbeth. Yet not even Hamish thought someone would permanently silence Lady Jane's shrills-until her strangled body is fished out of the river. Now with the help of the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, Hamish must angle through the choppy waters of the tattler's life to find the murderer. But with a school of suspects who aren't ready to talk and dead women telling no tales, Hamish may be in over his head, for he knows that secrets are dangerous, knowledge is power, and killers usually do strike again.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1985
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About the author
M.C. Beaton
350 books6,047 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 1,785 reviews
August 11, 2020
Fantastic! What a story, so intelligently told! The difference between Death Of A Gossip and the first Agatha Raisin book is that the former doesn't concentrate on the main character's details. That only helped to improve on what was a nice murder case. The gathering of suspects in a library was something of a throwback to Christie books. The final showdown with the suspects was very well presented. Hamish is such a decent chap. His traits are realistically displayed, and you believe him, his upbringing, his motives. He is the most alive detective I've come across since Sleeping Murder's Jane Marple. I enjoyed reading about things that moved me. Yet despite the fact that I could have been swept away emotionally, I wasn't. The book gave me control of my thoughts. I was aloof and impartial, while still cared very much for Alice, Charlie et al. I was very surprised by the quality of this book. And it seems, and I hope, that I have a lot of good things to discover of the Hamish Macbeth series.
February 22, 2015
The female characters were all drawn from the worst stereo types.
December 10, 2018
A few years ago, I watched a British television show called Hamish MacBeth. It was the first time I saw the actor Robert Carlisle. His portrayal of the low-key Scottish police constable made Carlisle, and the show, instant personal favorites.
I have always wanted to read the book series by M.C. Beaton. Finally, I got around to it, and got the first book from my local library. I'm so glad I did. Death of a Gossip was a delightful read!
A group of 8 tourists signs up for a week of fly fishing instruction at the Lochdubh School of Casting. The group seems directly from an Agatha Christie novel almost -- the required upper class twits, a secretary who wishes she was someone more important, a womanizing playboy, a rebellious young lad, a trouble-making woman, the beautiful vamp and the American couple who like to brag about themselves. They all try valiantly to learn the art of fly fishing, while being annoyed by the horrendous manners and behavior of Lady Jane Winters. Before long, after being zinged by her personal comments and veiled threats, the entire group hates Lady Jane. It isn't long before she is found dead floating in the lake. Detective Chief Inspector Blair is soon on the scene to investigate, but Hamish MacBeth is also looking for clues and looking for the murderer right under the Inspector's nose. Who killed the hideous Lady Jane? What was her secret? And is Hamish MacBeth more than the small village bumbling constable that Blair assumes he is?
Death of a Gossip is a quick read, but delightfully written. MacBeth reminded me of the Scottish version of Columbo. He seems to be lazy, a bit slow and like he isn't doing his job, when actually he knows and notices much more than anyone realizes. The story unfolded with the perfect mix of humor, quaint village life, personalities and investigation. Overall, just a fun read!
The Hamish MacBeth Mysteries series has 31 books. I'm not sure that I will be reading all 31 of them, but I certainly enjoyed this first book! And I already have book 2 and several others on my TBR shelf. I bought several at a used book sale a couple years ago and put them on the shelf, but never had time to read them. Finally taking the time -- and I'm so glad I did! I hope every book is as humorous and fun as this first book!
If you want to see Robert Carlisle in the television version, you can watch on Youtube here. The television version is different from the books, but still very very good!
M.C. Beaton also wrote the Agatha Raisin series & the Edwardian Murder series.
My rating: 9/10
Ages: 16+
Some language and adult situations
I have always wanted to read the book series by M.C. Beaton. Finally, I got around to it, and got the first book from my local library. I'm so glad I did. Death of a Gossip was a delightful read!
A group of 8 tourists signs up for a week of fly fishing instruction at the Lochdubh School of Casting. The group seems directly from an Agatha Christie novel almost -- the required upper class twits, a secretary who wishes she was someone more important, a womanizing playboy, a rebellious young lad, a trouble-making woman, the beautiful vamp and the American couple who like to brag about themselves. They all try valiantly to learn the art of fly fishing, while being annoyed by the horrendous manners and behavior of Lady Jane Winters. Before long, after being zinged by her personal comments and veiled threats, the entire group hates Lady Jane. It isn't long before she is found dead floating in the lake. Detective Chief Inspector Blair is soon on the scene to investigate, but Hamish MacBeth is also looking for clues and looking for the murderer right under the Inspector's nose. Who killed the hideous Lady Jane? What was her secret? And is Hamish MacBeth more than the small village bumbling constable that Blair assumes he is?
Death of a Gossip is a quick read, but delightfully written. MacBeth reminded me of the Scottish version of Columbo. He seems to be lazy, a bit slow and like he isn't doing his job, when actually he knows and notices much more than anyone realizes. The story unfolded with the perfect mix of humor, quaint village life, personalities and investigation. Overall, just a fun read!
The Hamish MacBeth Mysteries series has 31 books. I'm not sure that I will be reading all 31 of them, but I certainly enjoyed this first book! And I already have book 2 and several others on my TBR shelf. I bought several at a used book sale a couple years ago and put them on the shelf, but never had time to read them. Finally taking the time -- and I'm so glad I did! I hope every book is as humorous and fun as this first book!
If you want to see Robert Carlisle in the television version, you can watch on Youtube here. The television version is different from the books, but still very very good!
M.C. Beaton also wrote the Agatha Raisin series & the Edwardian Murder series.
My rating: 9/10
Ages: 16+
Some language and adult situations
September 10, 2018
No one could be more surprised than I, to dislike a novel I looked forward to. I squirmed through this one. I have every intention to give the next novel a chance. Marion C. Beaton is a beloved ‘cozy mystery’ author and it’s no joke, I collected about 20 of her books! I would be relieved to turn my reaction around. I landed up with a few first editions!
Marion wanted to portray a peaceful, idle policeman, so his input would make shockwaves. The misfortune is, in this attempt; Hamish came out as a moocher whom no one liked. Adding to the sour note, it took ages to establish a protagonist. We started with a fishing class couple, moved among pupils, and I have no interest in fishing. This theme wasn’t a backdrop but an activity cast to the forefront. Lastly, I dislike the storytelling method that passes a viewpoint between a bunch of people, instead of sticking with the hero. However I have gotten on board with that several times in literature because a subject was compelling, or I loved the characters. I couldn’t stand any one of these! I found the girl ‘looking for love’, stupidest of all.
The scenery was beautiful and people who like fishing would savour the details. However this is a series that wanted to be categorized with mysteries but it took 100 pages to get anywhere near one. I think Marion wanted to write slapstick humour and that’s perfectly valid. The mystery didn’t gel; dropping death into a book with no profound plot. When we discover the motive; it’s far away and nothing that should precipitate killing. Your reaction to the outcome should never be “so what” or “that’s it?”! It’s regrettable there was nothing for me to latch onto among these pages.
Marion wanted to portray a peaceful, idle policeman, so his input would make shockwaves. The misfortune is, in this attempt; Hamish came out as a moocher whom no one liked. Adding to the sour note, it took ages to establish a protagonist. We started with a fishing class couple, moved among pupils, and I have no interest in fishing. This theme wasn’t a backdrop but an activity cast to the forefront. Lastly, I dislike the storytelling method that passes a viewpoint between a bunch of people, instead of sticking with the hero. However I have gotten on board with that several times in literature because a subject was compelling, or I loved the characters. I couldn’t stand any one of these! I found the girl ‘looking for love’, stupidest of all.
The scenery was beautiful and people who like fishing would savour the details. However this is a series that wanted to be categorized with mysteries but it took 100 pages to get anywhere near one. I think Marion wanted to write slapstick humour and that’s perfectly valid. The mystery didn’t gel; dropping death into a book with no profound plot. When we discover the motive; it’s far away and nothing that should precipitate killing. Your reaction to the outcome should never be “so what” or “that’s it?”! It’s regrettable there was nothing for me to latch onto among these pages.
August 14, 2022
Book Blurb
Scottish highland village cop Hamish Macbeth must find which target was provoked enough to strangle and drown nasty fat widowed tabloid reporter Jane Winters, who revealed many others' guilty secrets.
Much is from the viewpoint of a naive secretary seduced by a blue-blood playboy. Icy blond beauty, aristocratic Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, lends a hand.
Comments
My 2022 edit: I've read several of the novels in this serious now and decided to reread the first one, to recapture the genesis of one of the most enjoyable cozy mystery series I have come across.
After reading the others, I laughed out loud for the introduction of Police Constable Harmish Macbeth as our main focus.
Heather and John Cartwright are the owners of the popular Lochdubh hotel, where their fishing courses are highly sought-after. They introduce Hamish Macbeth to the reader:
... he’s got to do all day is mooch around the village getting under everyone’s feet. Jimmy, the water bailiff, told me the other day he thinks Hamish Macbeth poaches.”
“I doubt it,” said Heather. “He’s too lazy. He ought to get married. He must be all of thirty-five at least. Most of the girls in the village have broken their hearts over him at one time or another. I can’t see the attraction.”
Clearly, Heather Cartwright did not feel any affinity for the copper as she observed him coming down the street.
Hamish, Lochdubh’s village constable, was strolling along the pier that lay outside the hotel, his hat pushed on the back of his head, and his hands in his pockets. He was very tall and thin and gawky. His uniform hung on his lanky frame, showing an expanse of bony wrist where the sleeves did not reach far enough and a length of woolly Argyll sock above large regulation boots. He removed his peaked hat and scratched his fiery red hair. Then he reached inside his tunic and thoughtfully scratched one armpit.
Their latest fishing-students were arriving that day, and ever since three years before, when they started the fishing school, they never had any complaints of any kind. However, it was clear from the minute the new group stepped into the hotel, that it wouldn't be the same this time.
One of the students, Lady Jane Winters, must have had a need for an assisted suicide, since she wasted no time to start intimidating the other members of the group with tidbits of information from their pasts which instantly created an animosity towards her. It did not take long for each of them to express the wish that she should be killed. Apart from including the hotel owners in her threats, she even did her homework on Macbeth.
In her high and loud voice with a peculiarly grating edge, she said:
"Were I not aware of the impoverished circumstances of your family," said Lady Jane, "I would stop you from scrounging coffee. Six little brothers and sisters to support, eh? And your aged parents in Ross and Cromarty? So improvident to have children when one is middle-aged. They can turn out retarded, you know.”
Unlike the others cringing in discomfort and silent hatred, Hamish had no intention of standing back for her bullying: Better they turn out retarded—although they’re not—than grow up into a silly, fat, middle-aged, barren bitch like yourself,” said Hamish with a sweet smile.
He instantly became the hero of more than just the new group of students. Even John and Heather changed their minds. It became clear why the village loved their copper and would help him wherever they could. He was also not a man who could easily be intimidated or scared off anything.
It turned out that Hamish took care of his family. As in many Celtic families, it was taken for granted that the eldest son would remain a bachelor until such time as the next in line were able to support themselves. Hamish had deliberately chosen the unambitious career of village constable because it enabled him to send most of his pay home.
When the worst happened, the next important characters in the series are introduced: brutish, demanding, bully, Police Chief Detective Blair—He called Hamish lazy, half-witted, and useless;
Decent hardworking Detectives Jimmy Anderson and Harry McNab.
Community members:
Angus MacGregor—a layabout who lived on the other side of the village;
Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, daughter of class-conscious and snobbish Colonel James Halburton-Smythe. Their new beau as possible husband material for their precious daughter is John Harrington, son of Lord Harrington.
But something was stirring between Priscilla and the so not suitable Hamish.
Some of the characters earned the badge of being a FEB - F..cking English Bastard.
The mix is on and in this 179-page, fast-paced, political incorrect, satirical saga, we discover the brilliance of Hamish Macbeth, and the mystical beauty and magic of the village of Lochdubh, in the Sutherland country of the north-eastern Highlands of Scotland.
Scottish highland village cop Hamish Macbeth must find which target was provoked enough to strangle and drown nasty fat widowed tabloid reporter Jane Winters, who revealed many others' guilty secrets.
Much is from the viewpoint of a naive secretary seduced by a blue-blood playboy. Icy blond beauty, aristocratic Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, lends a hand.
Comments
My 2022 edit: I've read several of the novels in this serious now and decided to reread the first one, to recapture the genesis of one of the most enjoyable cozy mystery series I have come across.
After reading the others, I laughed out loud for the introduction of Police Constable Harmish Macbeth as our main focus.
Heather and John Cartwright are the owners of the popular Lochdubh hotel, where their fishing courses are highly sought-after. They introduce Hamish Macbeth to the reader:
... he’s got to do all day is mooch around the village getting under everyone’s feet. Jimmy, the water bailiff, told me the other day he thinks Hamish Macbeth poaches.”
“I doubt it,” said Heather. “He’s too lazy. He ought to get married. He must be all of thirty-five at least. Most of the girls in the village have broken their hearts over him at one time or another. I can’t see the attraction.”
Clearly, Heather Cartwright did not feel any affinity for the copper as she observed him coming down the street.
Hamish, Lochdubh’s village constable, was strolling along the pier that lay outside the hotel, his hat pushed on the back of his head, and his hands in his pockets. He was very tall and thin and gawky. His uniform hung on his lanky frame, showing an expanse of bony wrist where the sleeves did not reach far enough and a length of woolly Argyll sock above large regulation boots. He removed his peaked hat and scratched his fiery red hair. Then he reached inside his tunic and thoughtfully scratched one armpit.
Their latest fishing-students were arriving that day, and ever since three years before, when they started the fishing school, they never had any complaints of any kind. However, it was clear from the minute the new group stepped into the hotel, that it wouldn't be the same this time.
One of the students, Lady Jane Winters, must have had a need for an assisted suicide, since she wasted no time to start intimidating the other members of the group with tidbits of information from their pasts which instantly created an animosity towards her. It did not take long for each of them to express the wish that she should be killed. Apart from including the hotel owners in her threats, she even did her homework on Macbeth.
In her high and loud voice with a peculiarly grating edge, she said:
"Were I not aware of the impoverished circumstances of your family," said Lady Jane, "I would stop you from scrounging coffee. Six little brothers and sisters to support, eh? And your aged parents in Ross and Cromarty? So improvident to have children when one is middle-aged. They can turn out retarded, you know.”
Unlike the others cringing in discomfort and silent hatred, Hamish had no intention of standing back for her bullying: Better they turn out retarded—although they’re not—than grow up into a silly, fat, middle-aged, barren bitch like yourself,” said Hamish with a sweet smile.
He instantly became the hero of more than just the new group of students. Even John and Heather changed their minds. It became clear why the village loved their copper and would help him wherever they could. He was also not a man who could easily be intimidated or scared off anything.
It turned out that Hamish took care of his family. As in many Celtic families, it was taken for granted that the eldest son would remain a bachelor until such time as the next in line were able to support themselves. Hamish had deliberately chosen the unambitious career of village constable because it enabled him to send most of his pay home.
When the worst happened, the next important characters in the series are introduced: brutish, demanding, bully, Police Chief Detective Blair—He called Hamish lazy, half-witted, and useless;
Decent hardworking Detectives Jimmy Anderson and Harry McNab.
Community members:
Angus MacGregor—a layabout who lived on the other side of the village;
Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, daughter of class-conscious and snobbish Colonel James Halburton-Smythe. Their new beau as possible husband material for their precious daughter is John Harrington, son of Lord Harrington.
But something was stirring between Priscilla and the so not suitable Hamish.
Some of the characters earned the badge of being a FEB - F..cking English Bastard.
The mix is on and in this 179-page, fast-paced, political incorrect, satirical saga, we discover the brilliance of Hamish Macbeth, and the mystical beauty and magic of the village of Lochdubh, in the Sutherland country of the north-eastern Highlands of Scotland.
January 6, 2018
I thoroughly enjoy this series with his quirky characters, ironic since of humor, and romantic comedy. These books are set in the Highland area of Scotland, and I prefer to read them in audio rather than with text for that reason. For those of us who use computerized speech to read text, it Mangels a lot of the names, places, and idioms used in the books. I have read about half of the series with text and the other half with speech. This is one series where reading the first couple of books is important because later plots build on things you learn in the first two or three books.
March 8, 2022
Question for Beaton/Hamish Macbeth fans: Are they all like this?
I like a good murder mystery/detective story, and with the Hamish Macbeth series at 32 books and still going strong, I thought this might be my next favorite series to launch myself into. So I started at the beginning and gave Death of a Gossip a go.
This book is a jack of all trades. It's a little bit romance, a little bit mystery, and a little bit comedy. It does all of them adequately to erratically, and never did it wow on any level for me. I'm not a big romance fan to begin with, so take this review with a grain of salt. I love Austen's stuff, but that's about it. A rom-com I can manage now and then, if the com is particularly strong.
I like a good murder mystery/detective story, and with the Hamish Macbeth series at 32 books and still going strong, I thought this might be my next favorite series to launch myself into. So I started at the beginning and gave Death of a Gossip a go.
This book is a jack of all trades. It's a little bit romance, a little bit mystery, and a little bit comedy. It does all of them adequately to erratically, and never did it wow on any level for me. I'm not a big romance fan to begin with, so take this review with a grain of salt. I love Austen's stuff, but that's about it. A rom-com I can manage now and then, if the com is particularly strong.
January 22, 2022
A cozy mystery set in a small Scottish town around a fly fishing class. Just the setting is enough to recommend it, but the characters were also a lot of fun. Some were over done, but I really liked Hamish. He's still a bit of a mystery. I was disappointed that the murder mystery wasn't solvable by the reader & relied on a confession at the end, though.
Still, it was a fun, quick read. I may go on to read some more, but I'm not in a rush.
Update Jan2022: I see there is a UK TV show made based on this series. It's free on TubiTV here:
https://tubitv.com/series/300005736/h...
Still, it was a fun, quick read. I may go on to read some more, but I'm not in a rush.
Update Jan2022: I see there is a UK TV show made based on this series. It's free on TubiTV here:
https://tubitv.com/series/300005736/h...
November 17, 2025
A group of people from all walks of life meet when taking a vacation trip to a Scottish fly fishing school. There is a wealthy American couple, a young wealthy woman from the UK who took the train with a Lord, a secretary who hopes her trip will impress her older married boss, a young boy, and a Lady (no relation to the Lord). It doesn’t take long before the most obnoxious member of the party is fished out of the water dead!
Okay. So I read this after 4 previous tries in the last few years. I love Beaton’s Agatha Raisin mysteries and I kept hoping this book would get better. While I realize that cozy mysteries usually have over the top or stereotypical characters these characters were BAD. And I know Beaton can have real fatphobia issues but these were horrific. Our obnoxious character is Lady Jane. She is a gossip and mean as all get out, and she is fat. I know this because the word fat is used about 300 times in the first 50 pages. It’s a bit much. Everyone in the book has zero depth and is a troupe.
It doesn’t get better.
The beginning of the novel starts off at a snail’s pace. I had to suffer through an amazing amount of information on fly fishing.
I was hoping that Hamish McBeth would at least be fun. No such luck.
* sigh *
Okay. So I read this after 4 previous tries in the last few years. I love Beaton’s Agatha Raisin mysteries and I kept hoping this book would get better. While I realize that cozy mysteries usually have over the top or stereotypical characters these characters were BAD. And I know Beaton can have real fatphobia issues but these were horrific. Our obnoxious character is Lady Jane. She is a gossip and mean as all get out, and she is fat. I know this because the word fat is used about 300 times in the first 50 pages. It’s a bit much. Everyone in the book has zero depth and is a troupe.
It doesn’t get better.
The beginning of the novel starts off at a snail’s pace. I had to suffer through an amazing amount of information on fly fishing.
I was hoping that Hamish McBeth would at least be fun. No such luck.
* sigh *
June 9, 2015
I can not even begin to explain how awful this book is. That's why I'll explain just how awful it is.
The plot: I did not even notice it. And it makes no sense. Everyone has some secrets in their closet, sure enough, but most of these are not worth killing for. And the only one that seems to somewhat be, but wouldn't be in a realistic setting, is made plausible by twisting a character to a sociopath. When will it finally dawn on these amateurs and posers that making the bad guy a sociopath is, in 9 of 10 cases, only a sign of bad writing and a lazy author?
Honestly, this is worse than The Cuckoo's Calling.
The characters: Puppets. No life whatsoever. Unrealistic paper puppets, designed to keep an unrealistic plot going by hinting at oh-so-horrible-secrets, when actually no one makes sense, at all.
Alice: Dear pasta, I just wanted to chop off her head. I consider it physical assault and emotional cruelty to have this thing as one of the major narrators. Most of my newborn hate for M.C. Beaton can be boiled down to this one so-called character: I felt like I was being tortured every time I read a sentence in her point of view. Lady Jane was bad? Alice was worse. Just leaves me wondering why the more bearable character was murdered. Then again, I wanted them all to die.
Lady Jane: Even more stupid. Darling Beaton, you do know that undercover research would require to keep a somewhat low profile? As in, not to spill people's secrets and not to alienate them, in order to obtain more information? No one tells their secrets, or part of them, to a jerk.
Hamish Macbeth: I swear, I started thinking he was mentally deficient in some way. Not that I stopped. Then again, I will never like a character who pinches people's asses for a "joke". No, not even jerk's asses. You just don't do such a thing to a person, it's disgusting. Ever heard of sexual harrassment?
Not to mention that all he did was guesswork, and he only went by motive to look for the murderer. Everyone always has a motive. It is the one who has the opportunity that is most suspicious. Which only tells me that M.C. Beaton wouldn't touch research with a ten foot pole. I hate those authors most of all. Those who don't do research do not belong among authors.
Amy Roth: I said it once, I will say it again: Twisting a before unimpressive character to a sociopath is bad writing and sheer laziness on part of the author.
"Oh, I can't draw a plausible murder mystery. Let's just make the murderer a sociopath!"
Yes, why should you even try to make an effort at your job, showing your job some respect? You can just as easily cheat your way out of the work, now can't you?
It just makes me rage. Unrealistic plot, unrealistic characters, and on top of that this subtle misogyny that makes me burn as though I was a Fantastic Four member or an X-Woman. It starts on page two, "Heather tactfully hid her greater skill [from her husband]", and it only tumbles downward from there. Alice is a character that can only be written with misogynystic thoughts - she's like a caricature of everything a woman-hater hates in women.
I better stop here, for I am ready to hurt someone or something. I can not believe how much this book angers me. I better burn my copy. If only I could demand my money back. Not that it'd make it any better. Not as long as M.C. Beaton is still out there, scarring unsuspecting book-lover souls who were only looking for a nice read.
I won't even say "Please, Beaton, stop writing". There are those authors that write bad books who deserve to be asked nicely. And then there is Beaton.
Don't read it. Save yourself. And if you do read it, keep an Agatha Christie novel nearby for emergencies. Trust me, you'll need it.
The plot: I did not even notice it. And it makes no sense. Everyone has some secrets in their closet, sure enough, but most of these are not worth killing for. And the only one that seems to somewhat be, but wouldn't be in a realistic setting, is made plausible by twisting a character to a sociopath. When will it finally dawn on these amateurs and posers that making the bad guy a sociopath is, in 9 of 10 cases, only a sign of bad writing and a lazy author?
Honestly, this is worse than The Cuckoo's Calling.
The characters: Puppets. No life whatsoever. Unrealistic paper puppets, designed to keep an unrealistic plot going by hinting at oh-so-horrible-secrets, when actually no one makes sense, at all.
Alice: Dear pasta, I just wanted to chop off her head. I consider it physical assault and emotional cruelty to have this thing as one of the major narrators. Most of my newborn hate for M.C. Beaton can be boiled down to this one so-called character: I felt like I was being tortured every time I read a sentence in her point of view. Lady Jane was bad? Alice was worse. Just leaves me wondering why the more bearable character was murdered. Then again, I wanted them all to die.
Lady Jane: Even more stupid. Darling Beaton, you do know that undercover research would require to keep a somewhat low profile? As in, not to spill people's secrets and not to alienate them, in order to obtain more information? No one tells their secrets, or part of them, to a jerk.
Hamish Macbeth: I swear, I started thinking he was mentally deficient in some way. Not that I stopped. Then again, I will never like a character who pinches people's asses for a "joke". No, not even jerk's asses. You just don't do such a thing to a person, it's disgusting. Ever heard of sexual harrassment?
Not to mention that all he did was guesswork, and he only went by motive to look for the murderer. Everyone always has a motive. It is the one who has the opportunity that is most suspicious. Which only tells me that M.C. Beaton wouldn't touch research with a ten foot pole. I hate those authors most of all. Those who don't do research do not belong among authors.
Amy Roth: I said it once, I will say it again: Twisting a before unimpressive character to a sociopath is bad writing and sheer laziness on part of the author.
"Oh, I can't draw a plausible murder mystery. Let's just make the murderer a sociopath!"
Yes, why should you even try to make an effort at your job, showing your job some respect? You can just as easily cheat your way out of the work, now can't you?
It just makes me rage. Unrealistic plot, unrealistic characters, and on top of that this subtle misogyny that makes me burn as though I was a Fantastic Four member or an X-Woman. It starts on page two, "Heather tactfully hid her greater skill [from her husband]", and it only tumbles downward from there. Alice is a character that can only be written with misogynystic thoughts - she's like a caricature of everything a woman-hater hates in women.
I better stop here, for I am ready to hurt someone or something. I can not believe how much this book angers me. I better burn my copy. If only I could demand my money back. Not that it'd make it any better. Not as long as M.C. Beaton is still out there, scarring unsuspecting book-lover souls who were only looking for a nice read.
I won't even say "Please, Beaton, stop writing". There are those authors that write bad books who deserve to be asked nicely. And then there is Beaton.
Don't read it. Save yourself. And if you do read it, keep an Agatha Christie novel nearby for emergencies. Trust me, you'll need it.
September 25, 2014
The mystery was lame and the characters all acted in ways that seemed totally unrealistic. I am a little surprised I made it all the way through this one because it took forever for the story to get started what with having to have each and every character mutter threats under their breath that seemed to be totally out of proportion to the situation. It is hard to believe this is the same author as the Agatha Raisin series.
July 1, 2011
3.5 stars. This book is like cotton candy; it's fluffy and light on substance, but enjoyable all the same. Like Hamish himself, Death of a Gossip is like a sleepy, laid-back countryside where everything moves slowly. Not for readers who like their reads fast-paced and action-filled, but it's perfect if you want a relaxing few hours.
I absolutely adore Hamish. His character is so vividly described that I can practically see him wander around town languidly as I read. He's supposedly soft-spoken, simple and uninterested, but is perfectly able to give as good as he gets - usually leaving the other party frustrated and speechless. Hah! I love him. We're also introduced to Priscilla, his love interest, but I'm not sure I liked what little I saw.
It's really a pity that much of the book is told from the point of view of Alice, an insipid, self-absorbed and completely delusional accountant's secretary who fancied one of her fellow travellers to be interested in her when he clearly isn't. She doesn't have a very good first impression of Hamish, and since the early events are seen through her eyes, I very nearly disliked Hamish. Good thing it switches to Hamish later!
It was clear from the beginning who was going to be murdered, but it took awhile to happen. It didn't drag and I never guessed who the murderer was, but I'm not entirely sure I was satisfied at the rather convenient conclusion. Perhaps this is partly because readers are not privy to all the clues that Hamish manages to gather. As for the setting, most of the time is spent on various members of the holiday fishing class, so we don't get much of a picture of the rest of Lochdubh. The atmosphere is very much there, however, and I'm sure we'll get more of it in the following books.
In summary, Hamish was what really made this book. I'm not sure I'd have liked it half as much if it wasn't for him. Hurrah for an effective and interesting hero. Onto the next installment!
I absolutely adore Hamish. His character is so vividly described that I can practically see him wander around town languidly as I read. He's supposedly soft-spoken, simple and uninterested, but is perfectly able to give as good as he gets - usually leaving the other party frustrated and speechless. Hah! I love him. We're also introduced to Priscilla, his love interest, but I'm not sure I liked what little I saw.
It's really a pity that much of the book is told from the point of view of Alice, an insipid, self-absorbed and completely delusional accountant's secretary who fancied one of her fellow travellers to be interested in her when he clearly isn't. She doesn't have a very good first impression of Hamish, and since the early events are seen through her eyes, I very nearly disliked Hamish. Good thing it switches to Hamish later!
It was clear from the beginning who was going to be murdered, but it took awhile to happen. It didn't drag and I never guessed who the murderer was, but I'm not entirely sure I was satisfied at the rather convenient conclusion. Perhaps this is partly because readers are not privy to all the clues that Hamish manages to gather. As for the setting, most of the time is spent on various members of the holiday fishing class, so we don't get much of a picture of the rest of Lochdubh. The atmosphere is very much there, however, and I'm sure we'll get more of it in the following books.
In summary, Hamish was what really made this book. I'm not sure I'd have liked it half as much if it wasn't for him. Hurrah for an effective and interesting hero. Onto the next installment!
October 13, 2017
The beginning of a wonderful series. I'm in love with Hamish Macbeth (I didn't start with #1 but it was fun to go back to the beginning).
January 4, 2025
This is the first book of the rather quaint cosy mystery series by Scottish author Marion Chesney alias M.C. Beaton, featuring loveable highland detective Hamish Macbeth who lives in the fictional village of Lochdubh in Sutherland.
In this story a group has arrived for a fly-fishing trip with the Lochdubh School of Casting. The group has a merry mix of snobbish English aristocrats, loud Americans and meek secretaries. Most annoying of all is Lady Jane Winters who begins to antagonise the group with her vicious jibes and seeming ability to reveal all their closely held secrets. She winds up dead, beginning the kind of investigation where anyone could be a suspect.
Hamish bumbles along through the investigation to the irritation of his superior, the irascible Chief Inspector Blair, the local Bobby proving more shrewd than he appears. Hamish is assisted by his beautiful and aristocratic friend Priscilla Halburton-Smythe.
This was a fun and charming read featuring village Highland life and an Agatha Christie style whodunnit mystery.
In this story a group has arrived for a fly-fishing trip with the Lochdubh School of Casting. The group has a merry mix of snobbish English aristocrats, loud Americans and meek secretaries. Most annoying of all is Lady Jane Winters who begins to antagonise the group with her vicious jibes and seeming ability to reveal all their closely held secrets. She winds up dead, beginning the kind of investigation where anyone could be a suspect.
Hamish bumbles along through the investigation to the irritation of his superior, the irascible Chief Inspector Blair, the local Bobby proving more shrewd than he appears. Hamish is assisted by his beautiful and aristocratic friend Priscilla Halburton-Smythe.
This was a fun and charming read featuring village Highland life and an Agatha Christie style whodunnit mystery.
August 24, 2024
Decentish introduction to village bobby Hamish Macbeth. For such a short book there were a stack of stereotypical suspects. Cozy.
December 29, 2025
Po przeczytaniu już (w losowej kolejności) kilku tomów o Hamishu wreszcie trafiłam na pierwszy. Trzeba przyznać, że bohater wraz z każdym kolejnym tomem mocno się rozwinął, bo początkowo przypominał wioskową niezgułę. Sama historia to kwintesencja angielskiego (a raczej szkockiego) klasycznego kryminału - cosy crime. Dałam się wyprowadzić w pole w typowaniu mordercy 🤭
September 29, 2018
Death of a Gossip is the first book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M. C. Beaton. Constable Hamish Macbeth was a laid-back village police officer who enjoyed the peace of Locdubh. However, Constable Hamish Macbeth peace was interrupted when Lady Jane Winters body founded in the Lake. Constable Hamish Macbeth had to think was the death of Lady Jane Winters murder or suicide. The arrival of the City law enforcement officers did not help Constable Hamish Macbeth investigation. The readers will continue to follow Constable Hamish Macbeth investigation to find out what happened to Lady Jane Winters.
Death of a Gossip is a lovely cozy mysteries and the first book I have read of M. C. Beaton, and I enjoy it. The portrayal of the characters in The Death of a Gossip by M. C. Beaton did a fantastic job of engaging me with the book from the beginning. I love how M. C. Beaton, intertwining her characters which ensured the engagement of the plot by her readers. I like the way, M. C. Beaton describes her settings which allow me to picture the area and the community. The Death of a Gossip was well written and researched by M. C. Macbeth, and in parts, I was unable to stop myself from laughing.
The readers of Death of a Gossip will learn about law enforcement procedures and their role in small rural communities in Scotland. Also, the readers of Death of a Gossip will see the devastation that gossip have on the people who are involved.
I recommend this book.
Death of a Gossip is a lovely cozy mysteries and the first book I have read of M. C. Beaton, and I enjoy it. The portrayal of the characters in The Death of a Gossip by M. C. Beaton did a fantastic job of engaging me with the book from the beginning. I love how M. C. Beaton, intertwining her characters which ensured the engagement of the plot by her readers. I like the way, M. C. Beaton describes her settings which allow me to picture the area and the community. The Death of a Gossip was well written and researched by M. C. Macbeth, and in parts, I was unable to stop myself from laughing.
The readers of Death of a Gossip will learn about law enforcement procedures and their role in small rural communities in Scotland. Also, the readers of Death of a Gossip will see the devastation that gossip have on the people who are involved.
I recommend this book.
June 9, 2018
A cozy little murder mystery novel which launches the Hamish Macbeth series.
I’d heard of the character before, but this was my first introduction.
Set in the Scottish Highlands, busy-body Lady Jane Winters is found murdered and there’s lots of suspects!
It’s a fun easy read, the dialogue amongst the characters are vividly brought to life.
With a short page count, it’s easy to breeze through.
The mystery itself isn’t going to tax any reader. But with some wonderfully eccentric characters, you’re happy to spend time in their company.
Constable Mcbeath is so likeable, I’ll be returning to this series regularly.
I’d heard of the character before, but this was my first introduction.
Set in the Scottish Highlands, busy-body Lady Jane Winters is found murdered and there’s lots of suspects!
It’s a fun easy read, the dialogue amongst the characters are vividly brought to life.
With a short page count, it’s easy to breeze through.
The mystery itself isn’t going to tax any reader. But with some wonderfully eccentric characters, you’re happy to spend time in their company.
Constable Mcbeath is so likeable, I’ll be returning to this series regularly.
July 12, 2013
Poorly written and badly plotted. It is amazing the author got a chance to write more in this series. This book clunks along like an old jalopy with a flat tire.
February 24, 2023
4 ⭐ =Good.
The first in the series and my first Hamish Macbeth read.
Good fun!
The first in the series and my first Hamish Macbeth read.
Good fun!
November 30, 2023
Great character. Very funny dialogue with the red haired Constable Hamish Macbeth. A murder takes place with the horrible Lady Jane strangled and in a pool of water. Who did it? Everyone loathed her in the holiday group of fishermen with her poisonous gossip and innuendo.
The location in the Scottish Highlands beside a loch is excellent. The laconic intelligent Hamish is a wonderful character with his eccentricities.
I look forward to the next one.
The location in the Scottish Highlands beside a loch is excellent. The laconic intelligent Hamish is a wonderful character with his eccentricities.
I look forward to the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2015
I was really looking forward to this one. Sadly, it's been a disappointment.
The characters, with the exception of Macbeth, are awful people with the women being the absolute worst stereotypes imaginable. The misogyny just went on and on and ruined the pleasure of the mystery. I have the next one in this series but I don't know if I'll bother reading it.
The characters, with the exception of Macbeth, are awful people with the women being the absolute worst stereotypes imaginable. The misogyny just went on and on and ruined the pleasure of the mystery. I have the next one in this series but I don't know if I'll bother reading it.
November 5, 2025
I thought I would give this series a try. I was watching a YouTuber whose channel is devoted to book reviews, and even though she loaths the Agatha Raisin series (me too), she likes Hamish MacBeth.
I agree with her.
Here's another series that is short and sweet, but not all are available in my library as audiobooks.
Audiobook BRK
Narrated by Antony Ferguson
Duration: 04:46:15
I agree with her.
Here's another series that is short and sweet, but not all are available in my library as audiobooks.
Audiobook BRK
Narrated by Antony Ferguson
Duration: 04:46:15
October 27, 2020
3.5/5 ⭐️
June 8, 2015
This book was terrible. I am shocked to find the author is 'award winning' and that others gave this book three star and better ratings.
The plot and character developments are childish and poorly developed. I found much of the character behavior to be so unnatural, it was distracting. The author weakly developed the story of this 'whodunnit' with an over-done group-reveal finale that was anticlimactic primarily because it was contrived and all the characters were so superficial and one-dimensional, I did not care.
Were it not for the fact I am behind in my reading challenge, I would have stopped reading the book. Nancy Drew books are written better, which made me wonder if this book was written by a child for children.
This is my first book by this author. And my last.
The plot and character developments are childish and poorly developed. I found much of the character behavior to be so unnatural, it was distracting. The author weakly developed the story of this 'whodunnit' with an over-done group-reveal finale that was anticlimactic primarily because it was contrived and all the characters were so superficial and one-dimensional, I did not care.
Were it not for the fact I am behind in my reading challenge, I would have stopped reading the book. Nancy Drew books are written better, which made me wonder if this book was written by a child for children.
This is my first book by this author. And my last.
April 8, 2019
Rating: Four stars
An amazing venture into the placid Highlands where life is scenic, simple and saturated with locals who understand what's-what, and outsiders who become lost, dazed and confused. This cozy mystery with its easy-going--and often underestimated--village constable, Hamish Macbeth, offers an interesting roster of supporting characters and tons of scenic ingenuity.
An unexpected treat was the additional short at the conclusion of this audio book. Looking forward to exploring more of this novel.
An amazing venture into the placid Highlands where life is scenic, simple and saturated with locals who understand what's-what, and outsiders who become lost, dazed and confused. This cozy mystery with its easy-going--and often underestimated--village constable, Hamish Macbeth, offers an interesting roster of supporting characters and tons of scenic ingenuity.
An unexpected treat was the additional short at the conclusion of this audio book. Looking forward to exploring more of this novel.
March 14, 2021
Macbeth and the Gossip Columnist
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2016) of the St. Martin's Press hardcover original (1985)
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in Death of Yesterday, I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
Death of a Gossip is the first of the series and establishes several of the ongoing cast of characters in the fictional town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lock-Doo) in the Scottish Highlands. Gossip was inspired by author Beaton attending a fishing school similar to the fictional one in the novel. The guests of the expedition find themselves tormented by Lady Jane, a vacationing gossip columnist who savours using her trivia gossip knowledge to annoy others. Predictably, she is murdered in the course of the trip, and local constable Macbeth is called on to solve the crime.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2016) of the St. Martin's Press hardcover original (1985)
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in Death of Yesterday, I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
Death of a Gossip is the first of the series and establishes several of the ongoing cast of characters in the fictional town of Lochdubh (pronounced Lock-Doo) in the Scottish Highlands. Gossip was inspired by author Beaton attending a fishing school similar to the fictional one in the novel. The guests of the expedition find themselves tormented by Lady Jane, a vacationing gossip columnist who savours using her trivia gossip knowledge to annoy others. Predictably, she is murdered in the course of the trip, and local constable Macbeth is called on to solve the crime.
July 30, 2024
This was a very good one and I believe it is the first one. Hamish is brilliant at solving the murder. Read it first if you can get a copy. It is only 179 pages so you can read it very quickly and it is hard to put it down.
March 11, 2019
Hamish Macbeth ist ein Dorfpolizist in den schottischen Highlands. Er genießt keinen besonders guten Ruf, gilt als bequem und faul. Doch als in der ortsansässigen Angelschule eine Tote aus dem Wasser gefischt wird, gelingt es Macbeth mit seiner Menschenkenntnis und einer guten Portion Glück, dem Täter auf die Spur zu kommen.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Vor kurzem erst habe ich die "Agatha Raisin" - Reihe der Autorin mit großer Freude gelesen und war nun gespannt auf ihre "Hamish Macbeth" - Reihe. Den Stil der Autorin erkennt man sogleich wieder, auch wenn ich sagen muss, dass mir Agatha Raisin besser gefällt als Hamish Macbeth - bisher jedenfalls. Doch auch mit dem ersten Band dieser Reihe hatte ich durchaus schöne Lesestunden. Hamish Macbeth ist ein Charakter, mit dem ich noch ein wenig warmwerden muss, der mir aber durchaus nicht unsympathisch ist. Die Figuren wirken alle wieder sehr schräg und überspitzt dargestellt, was man sicherlich mögen muss. Auch merkt man dieser Geschichte sehr gut an, dass sie schon etwas älter ist. Aber gerade das hat mir sehr gut gefallen; es macht den Charme dieses Buches aus.
Ich fühlte mich durch diesen ersten Band gut unterhalten und freue mich auf die Fortsetzung!
Mein Leseeindruck:
Vor kurzem erst habe ich die "Agatha Raisin" - Reihe der Autorin mit großer Freude gelesen und war nun gespannt auf ihre "Hamish Macbeth" - Reihe. Den Stil der Autorin erkennt man sogleich wieder, auch wenn ich sagen muss, dass mir Agatha Raisin besser gefällt als Hamish Macbeth - bisher jedenfalls. Doch auch mit dem ersten Band dieser Reihe hatte ich durchaus schöne Lesestunden. Hamish Macbeth ist ein Charakter, mit dem ich noch ein wenig warmwerden muss, der mir aber durchaus nicht unsympathisch ist. Die Figuren wirken alle wieder sehr schräg und überspitzt dargestellt, was man sicherlich mögen muss. Auch merkt man dieser Geschichte sehr gut an, dass sie schon etwas älter ist. Aber gerade das hat mir sehr gut gefallen; es macht den Charme dieses Buches aus.
Ich fühlte mich durch diesen ersten Band gut unterhalten und freue mich auf die Fortsetzung!
January 15, 2016
I started with the Hamish Macbeth television show and enjoyed it immensely. I couldn't find the first two books of the series, so I started with #18, #19, and #20. By accident, I did stumble upon the first two books in this series. (I knew that would eventually happen because I like to browse used book stores and yard sales, etc.) But I'm glad I started with #18, as this first one is on the weak side as far as plot and characterizations. I don't know if Beaton had written earlier books, but this does feel like a debut. I'm certainly no prude when it comes to books, but it felt to me that Beaton threw in more sex (and sexual innuendo) than is normally found in this genre: a cozy. But maybe that's what she needed to get this first work published. And I'm glad it was published, as Beaton's later Macbeths are better. And now, on to Macbeth #2 through #17! Hamish is a fascinating character.
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