Death of a Smuggler

Hamish Macbeth #37

by M.C. Beaton, R.W. Green (primary_contributor)

A murder, a missing man, and his newest constable’s secret past are all that’s standing in the way of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth settling in for a relaxing winter in his sleepy Scottish village of Lochudch.

All Hamish Macbeth ever really wants is a quiet life in the peaceful surroundings of his home in the Highland village of Lochdubh. Unfortunately for him, the time he would normally find most relaxing, after the tourists have gone and before the winter sets in, turns out to be far from peaceful.
 
The new love in his life, Claire, is keen for them to take a holiday and Hamish is mulling over the idea when his newly-assigned constable arrives, presenting Hamish with both a surprise and a secret. Getting to the bottom of the secret becomes the least of Hamish’s problems when, at the opening of the revamped village pub, he meets a family who have a score to settle with a sinister man who has mysteriously gone missing. Discovering a murdered woman’s body puts further pressure on Hamish, especially when it becomes clear that the murdered woman and the missing man were linked, although their true identities become yet another mystery.
 
To Hamish’s horror, he then finds himself working on the murder case with the despicable Detective Chief Inspector Blair, his sworn enemy, who has been drafted in under curious circumstances. With a growing list of suspects, ever more bewildering circumstances and Blair hindering him at every turn, Hamish must find the murderer before anyone else falls victim.
 
Never has a quiet life seemed further from his grasp!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Cozy, Scotland

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2025

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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.

Reviews

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time reader of the Hamish Macbeth series, I approach each new installment with affection and a touch of trepidation. Death of a Smuggler continues the tradition of lighthearted mystery set in the Highlands, but it’s hard to ignore the sense that something vital is slipping away from the series. I hope it's temporary.

The mystery itself is fine and in line with what one expects from the series. But what’s missing is the heartbeat of Lochdubh, which is the community. Earlier books thrived on the interconnected lives of villagers, the quiet humour, the rhythm of small-town life where gossip is as important as clues. Here, the focus leans more heavily on Hamish's professional life, with community members drifting in and out too briefly, reduced to single-purpose appearances.

The result is a story that feels thinner, less cosy. The charm, once found in the incidental moments and the warmth of recurring characters, has dimmed. While I’ll continue with the series—out of both loyalty and curiosity—I do miss the richer, more human tapestry of earlier volumes. Hamish still endures, but Lochdubh feels a little lonelier these days.

[Milly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think maybe this series has run its course.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this twice now as I love to read about Hamish.

[Amogh Sawant · Rating 1 out of 5]

What happened to Priscilla and Hamish’s love story? Why is Priscilla taunting Hamish? Why is Hamish stopping Davey from dating Priscilla? The characters’ feelings and real emotions aren’t explained in them. Even why Priscilla is taunting Hamish personally, which shows jealousy, isn’t mentioned in the book. What happened to Priscilla’s character arc? In the novel before Death of a Green-Eyed Monster, Priscilla’s arc was ongoing. Hints about her past events were given in them. Now she’s literally been called cold-hearted. Even Hamish was supposed to investigate—what happened to that? And why does Hamish need a useless relationship in every novel? The characters feel emotionless.

[BethFishReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5.

This is the 37th entry in the Hamish Macbeth mystery series started by the late MC Beaton. The books are now being written by her colleague R. W. Green.

In this outing, Hamish starts off trying to solve a murder and some petty thefts. When the case becomes a bit bigger, DCI Blair puts in appearance, hoping--as always--to steal the thunder from the village copper.

As we've come to expect in these mysteries, the goings-on in the village and developments in Hamish's love life are as entertaining as the actual crimes. I absolutely love this series and hope Green continues to give us a new Hamish story every year.

If you're looking for a purely entertaining, and often funny, mystery series, you can't go wrong with these books. While you could likely start the series anywhere, I recommend starting from the beginning. You won't be sorry to follow Hamish's life and cases.

The audiobooks are now being performed by David Monteath. It's a bit of an adjustment after Graeme Malcolm, but I'm getting used to Monteath's style. I'm not sure he's quite gotten the Currie sisters, but all in all, I'm happy with his work.

Thanks to Hachette Audio for the review copy.

[EGR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conflicted. Delighted that M.C. Beaton left Hamish and Agatha in the hands of a successor but also sadder with each new installment that the plots and dialogue don’t have great continuity with the ones she wrote herself. Just an example - the kitchen table at the doctor’s house where his wife, Hamish’s best friend, is known to be a book lover but lets the cats climb through the morning tea and toast - not mentioned at all. The doctor was referenced one time. Small example but just one of many.

[Nicole Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town cop solves pretty predictable murder. This was written well but fairly straightforward. I also didn’t realize it was #37 in a decades-long series, so maybe I’ll backtrack and see how some of the earlier books are!

[Lavins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

So so good!! Great mystery, great story, M.C. Beaton would be very proud!4.25 stars

So so good!! Great mystery, great story, very funny! M.C. Beaton would be very proud!

I love that it contained all the Hamish Macbeth ingredients: Priscilla, the twin and very funny sisters, Archie, the seer. Even mean Brian was there in the best possible way! Such a great book! I've enjoyed it a lot!! Can't wait for the next one!!

[Debjo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many Hamish Macbeth novels over the years. I often read them after something more "hefty", more literary or a serious piece of non-fiction. They were fine and fit the bill for light "potato chip" reads.
I have really enjoyed the books written by R. W. Green much better. Characterizations are better, setting descriptions are sharper, and the characters seem to be growing. Hamish was turning into a dolt.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging & entertaining!

[Mary Norfleet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with many other reviewers. The Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin novels are not the same since R.W. Green took over the writing. I miss Ms. Beaton's style. Although I really enjoy Hamish, the constant writing is Scottish dialect is completely unncessary. We all know he lives in the Scottish Highlands and how their accent sounds, but it takes away from the story.

The story, as usual, combines the regular characters and brings back some old ones. This one was not as "cozy" as previous ones, as there is more violence. Again, unncessary, I think. I'll continue to read this series, mainly because I want to find out if Hamish ever finds "true love".

[Ladye Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t finish this audiobook because the narration is so atrocious. I love the Hamish Macbeth mysteries and have read most of them numerous times. I looked forward to the death of a smuggler with great anticipation however, after multiple attempts, I am unable to listen to the new narrator. His voice hurts my ears. I’m so sorry, but the narrator’s voice is not the right voice for Hamish Macbeth.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hamish should only speak broad Scots when he is upset.

[Iris Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

#37 in the long running mystery series of Hamish Macbeth, the peace loving constable who loved his home in the Scottish Highland village of Lochdubh. Always lots of great characters and a great story. However, the books are changing. Not sure how many more books should be written. The changes give too much info and not enough heart.

[Sandra Bjarnason · Rating 5 out of 5]

10

[Laura]

DNF, it wasn’t engaging

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so great to be back with Hamish. He did not disappoint either. Awesome mystery.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The old Hamish is back! With this new installment, thanks to a different author’s work on one of Marion’s efforts before she died, the whole cast is present and I loved it!

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was in such a reading slump when I started this but this helped

[Liisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A right good tale

[Jerry Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I typically avoid books that are part of a series. The authors tend to stamp them out like widgets and even though you don't necessarily need to read all of them, there are usually assumptions made that you'll miss if you don't. I didn't enjoy this at all. But I didn't read the other books first so your mileage may vary.

[Bookjazzer2010 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Liz Fedor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most enjoyable read!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that Beaton chose the writer to continue her legacy before she died. I am grateful that she did as the Hamish Macbeth series is delightful.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[H. Daley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday read.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm genuinely confused by the enthusiastic gushing reviews for these 'new' Macbeth books. Green has turned him into an unlikely action hero, with American spies, Russian mafia, explosions, machine guns, and now people smuggling Glasgow mobsters. The cosy mystery aspect of murdered locals and tourists, with an amusing 'side quest' has completely vanished, and the villagers, like in 'new' Agatha Raisin, step in/out when useful and may as well be cardboard cutouts. He even has Hamish casually swearing.

[Nancy Beisler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually it was hard to get used to the Scottish accent. I struggled with the whole book. Maybe I should have started with the first book in the series.

[Randy Neilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all of the Hamish Macbeth novels at least twice so I believe have a solid grasp of his character. This book was just OK in my opinion. As with other reviewers I didn't like the narrator and felt like it was the wrong voice and tone for Hamish. More importantly, I didn't feel like this novel had the usual tone and characteristics of the ones written by M.C. Beaton. In other words, I had trouble recognizing Hamish as he has developed over the years. In the end, it was an average mystery read and I will probably read the next one to see if it has improved.

[Lizzy Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, I don’t understand the complaints. I thought it was a solid entry in line with the rest of the series. I’m revisiting from the beginning since finishing this one, and the books have vastly improved over time. I thought the Smuggler angle was inspired. One of the aspects that sometimes hurts cozy small town murder mysteries is they can become formulaic and stale because the plots are too similar. There’s only so much an author can do with a small setting and limited number of characters. Smuggling was a unique way for bringing in outside characters while still being believable in the established universe. Yet, it didn’t ignore the old favorites, though I’d have liked a little more of them. But the Curry Sisters’ “grand larceny” might be one of the funniest scenes in the entire series. There’s also a new addition in one of Hamish’s favorite teachers. She seems to have been the one who helped hone his observation skills, and the reunion is quite endearing. I hope she’s a permanent addition. As for those like me, who read the audio books, they should note that the rights are owned by a couple of different companies who use different narrators. There can be multiple versions of the same book. David Monteith happens to be my favorite, maybe because he was my introduction. My only complaints are small: 1. Giving Angus an expensive bottle of whiskey seemed excessive, especially since Hamish is a bit of a skinflint. 2. I would have expected Hamish to bend some rules and maybe call a cousin to get the girls to New York. Their being handed over to immigration and likely deported back to Latvia was a bit of a letdown and not what I’ve come to expect of our hero. 3. The mystery ends with the gathering of the suspects in a pub instead of a library, but it was a bit anticlimactic. The solution was one of 2 I had in mind. There’s no surprise or big reveal. No clue Hamish caught that everyone else missed. That weakened an overall solid story. But I’d still recommend it if you’re a Hamish Macbeth fan.