What do you think?
Rate this book
Hamish Macbeth #5
Death of a Hussy
Wealthy Maggie Baird is neither nice nor kind nor generous. Once she was beautiful, but now, although middle-aged, she retains the appetites of a beautiful woman. When Maggie's car catches fire with her inside it, suspicion focuses on the five houseguests staying at Maggie's luxurious Highlands cottage: her timid niece and four former lovers, one of whom Maggie had intended to pick for a husband. All five are impecunious. All five had ample opportunity to monkey with Maggie's car. So finding who did it requires all Police Constable Hamish Macbeth's extraordinary common sense and insight into human nature. And lazy lout though he may be, Hamish lets no grass grow under his feet when it comes to solving a murder. Especially when he may be the next target.
151 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
472 people are currently reading
1695 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,013 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 581 reviews
April 9, 2022
I wonder if others choose a book simply because they love the audio narrator, because to be honest, I would not choose to read this Hamish Macbeth crime mystery by MC Beaton. However, I find it difficult to resist David Monteith's fabulous narrating abilities, transforming this for me into a terrific and entertaining listen, it is about 5 hours long, featuring the death of the wealthy, but definitely not nice murder victim, Maggie Baird. She has enriched herself through her immoral earnings, and dangles her money as bait to ensnare herself a husband from a group of well off former lovers, inviting them to stay with her, all of whom are now broke and desperate. So when she is killed when her car catches fire, for Hamish Macbeth, all the men become suspects. Maggie's lonely niece, the clingy Alison Kerr, becomes the chief suspect, given she is the main recipient of Maggie's wealth. Hamish diligently follows all leads and his instincts to find the murderer. A fun and relatively short listen.
May 19, 2021
Ich mag diese Reihe wirklich sehr gerne, und so hat mich auch dieser fünfte Band sehr gut unterhalten können. Ein humorvoller Wohlfühlkrimi, der zwar erst langsam in Fahrt kommt, aber dennoch kein bisschen langweilig ist. Zum Teil schräge Charaktere, ein wundervolles Setting und einen Polizisten, den man einfach gern haben muss.
Ich bin gespannt auf den nächsten Fall für Hamish MacBeth!
Ich bin gespannt auf den nächsten Fall für Hamish MacBeth!
September 9, 2020
My love affair with M.C. Beaton - only figuratively speaking, that goes without saying - is most likely over. I've been reading her two big series side by side. Well, now I've decided to ditch the Agatha Raisin series. I've been as prompt in the past. I've almost always abandoned a well liked series due to a one star rating. It was the case with the Inspector Rebus series and also that of Inspector Rutledge series, and the Gabriel Allon one. I think I persevered only with Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series where I've rated 7 of her books one star.
Despite the 3 star rating for Death of A Hussy, I have contained in my mind, only the negatives from the book which weighed on me. Stuff that faded as the story progressed. I'll enumerate them. Firstly, Hamish Macbeth's searing - or is that 'seering'? - ability to guess when he's being lied to. How easy would it to solve any case with such a knack. The book does well to gloss over the times Hamish is being lied to by the murderer. So this ability comes and goes, unless one dredges up arguments that do and can sound plausible. This is where I differ from any possible fans of the books. I judge the books on their effect on my brain and the level of hedonistic impact on me as a reader.
I must also say that Hamish's hateful relationship with Blair now has a touch of the farcical in it. It's an abusive relationship, of the likes people like Hamish would recognize and clear off it soon. But I was irked by the revisionism and the fact that Hamish pined for Blair's return. That was totally uncalled for.
Then there's the most important character of the book to talk about...Alison Kerr. She's the one I wanted murdered, yet when push came to shove, I wanted her to escape death. This is what I'd call a well written character. It would have blown my mind if she'd died. Hamish finds it loathsome to be the object of Alison's lust (and also escapes the brief advances of that lady cop, Mary Graham). I have a minor gripe with Hamish's orientation in his love life. His ghostly romance with Priscilla should lead to nowhere. Since that possibility imploded, Hamish has met one or two suitors, and I hope not too many pages are dedicated to his shambolic and illogical love life. I need the author to focus on the murder investigations. Police cases, when stripped of their trappings, are simply triggers for adventure. As long as the pustular aspects of the Hamishverse are kept at bay I'm happy. Else, he goes the same way as Agatha Raisin.
Despite the 3 star rating for Death of A Hussy, I have contained in my mind, only the negatives from the book which weighed on me. Stuff that faded as the story progressed. I'll enumerate them. Firstly, Hamish Macbeth's searing - or is that 'seering'? - ability to guess when he's being lied to. How easy would it to solve any case with such a knack. The book does well to gloss over the times Hamish is being lied to by the murderer. So this ability comes and goes, unless one dredges up arguments that do and can sound plausible. This is where I differ from any possible fans of the books. I judge the books on their effect on my brain and the level of hedonistic impact on me as a reader.
I must also say that Hamish's hateful relationship with Blair now has a touch of the farcical in it. It's an abusive relationship, of the likes people like Hamish would recognize and clear off it soon. But I was irked by the revisionism and the fact that Hamish pined for Blair's return. That was totally uncalled for.
Then there's the most important character of the book to talk about...Alison Kerr. She's the one I wanted murdered, yet when push came to shove, I wanted her to escape death. This is what I'd call a well written character. It would have blown my mind if she'd died. Hamish finds it loathsome to be the object of Alison's lust (and also escapes the brief advances of that lady cop, Mary Graham). I have a minor gripe with Hamish's orientation in his love life. His ghostly romance with Priscilla should lead to nowhere. Since that possibility imploded, Hamish has met one or two suitors, and I hope not too many pages are dedicated to his shambolic and illogical love life. I need the author to focus on the murder investigations. Police cases, when stripped of their trappings, are simply triggers for adventure. As long as the pustular aspects of the Hamishverse are kept at bay I'm happy. Else, he goes the same way as Agatha Raisin.
December 17, 2023
Excellent cozy mystery
Maggie Baird appears to be an irritating but more or less respectable and wealthy English transplant to the Scottish Highlands. In fact, she is far from respectable. She made her life and her money as a high priced courtesan. Now she wants to be married and has invited four of the men from her past to her new home in order to choose one as a husband. The lure for the men is her money. The scene is set for disaster, particularly with other powerful undercurrents present.
Unambitious village constable Hamish Macbeth has his own problems. The village police station has been closed because of a lack of crime. He has been transferred to town which he hates. The village hatches a plot to get him back. Back just in time to deal with real crime.
My first Hamish Macbeth tale won't be my last.
Maggie Baird appears to be an irritating but more or less respectable and wealthy English transplant to the Scottish Highlands. In fact, she is far from respectable. She made her life and her money as a high priced courtesan. Now she wants to be married and has invited four of the men from her past to her new home in order to choose one as a husband. The lure for the men is her money. The scene is set for disaster, particularly with other powerful undercurrents present.
Unambitious village constable Hamish Macbeth has his own problems. The village police station has been closed because of a lack of crime. He has been transferred to town which he hates. The village hatches a plot to get him back. Back just in time to deal with real crime.
My first Hamish Macbeth tale won't be my last.
May 20, 2023
M. C. Beaton remains one of my favorite cozy crime writers.
In this novel, the laid-back village Constable Hamish Macbeth, a man who sees nothing wrong with leaving ambition to other dreamers and schemers, has to figure out the murder of wealthy Maggie Beard in the village of Lochdubh, Sutherland, in the very north of Scotland.
Now in her middle age, and with the help of a little panel-beating by a skilled plastic surgeon, Maggie Beard re-invents herself to re-enter the love scene. The first time around, decades earlier, when she was a beautiful young desirable tart, she strung men and their purses like precious pearls around her neck. Her aim was never marriage. It was money. With her new image, now only ayoung beautiful tart, she's finally aiming for marriage. Her altered personality, however, leads to her demise, with five suspects, including her timid niece, Alison Kerr, all in residence in her large sprawling bungalow home on the hills overlooking the sea outside the village of Lochdubh.
With the new self-confidence and looks, Maggie developed a different personality, with a few people wishing her dead. They should have been careful with what they wished for because Maggie had the last laugh in her will. Wishes can come back to haunt you, they all soon learned.
Tongue in cheek, the author created quirky characters who must carry the plot to its denouement. Even our antihero Hamish Macbeth has a few personality traits to add to the entertainment value.
As Macbeth concluded, this situation was all about cars. Even Alison developed an obsession with driving. A perfect metaphor for murder, but don't let the clues outwit our favorite constable Hamish. He is a force to be reckoned with.
In this novel, the laid-back village Constable Hamish Macbeth, a man who sees nothing wrong with leaving ambition to other dreamers and schemers, has to figure out the murder of wealthy Maggie Beard in the village of Lochdubh, Sutherland, in the very north of Scotland.
Now in her middle age, and with the help of a little panel-beating by a skilled plastic surgeon, Maggie Beard re-invents herself to re-enter the love scene. The first time around, decades earlier, when she was a beautiful young desirable tart, she strung men and their purses like precious pearls around her neck. Her aim was never marriage. It was money. With her new image, now only a
With the new self-confidence and looks, Maggie developed a different personality, with a few people wishing her dead. They should have been careful with what they wished for because Maggie had the last laugh in her will. Wishes can come back to haunt you, they all soon learned.
Tongue in cheek, the author created quirky characters who must carry the plot to its denouement. Even our antihero Hamish Macbeth has a few personality traits to add to the entertainment value.
As Macbeth concluded, this situation was all about cars. Even Alison developed an obsession with driving. A perfect metaphor for murder, but don't let the clues outwit our favorite constable Hamish. He is a force to be reckoned with.
March 4, 2020
Poor Hamish he has been transferred to the city. His dog is in a kennel and his partner is not very nice. He misses his home. And they miss him. So the folks of his town start a minor crime wave so they need a copper.
Now Hamish is returned just in time to solve a murder.
Excellent story that flows perfectly.
Now Hamish is returned just in time to solve a murder.
Excellent story that flows perfectly.
June 12, 2018
Another fun Hamish mystery with lots of sassy characters. My favorite thing about this series is the setting and characters. They are all unique and stubborn and extremely quirky. This one I was very surprised by the identity and reasoning for the murders and it was a pretty quick story.
June 20, 2022
Another Hamish Macbeth mystery, this one so full of unlikable characters I found myself wishing they would all be the murder victim. For the sake of the story that did not happen, but their were some oddball people in this story for sure. And no, they were not Highlanders. They had to be imported from England.
September 30, 2018
Dislike narrator of this edition Shaun Grindell. Forced, feels like someone is reading while thrusting their forefinger in my face on every word. His accented narration is harder to understand than other Hamish Macbeth books I’ve listened to.
Story is not the best but OK for cozy mystery.
Story is not the best but OK for cozy mystery.
August 20, 2017
A short book thankfully as this Hamish adventure did not thrill me as much as the previous mysteries, but it was good to keep up with his storyline nonetheless; and I certainly still look forward to reading #6!
March 6, 2021
Macbeth and the Suitors
Review of the Ballantine paperback edition (1991) of the Constable & Robinson hardcover original (1990)
After reading and enjoying Death of Yesterday due to its Estonia connection I started to search out some earlier Hamish Macbeth mysteries and Marian at my favourite Toronto independent book shop Sleuth of Baker Street had several (some used) in stock
This sort of old-fashioned cozy was exactly the remedy to wash away the taste of the overly complex and somewhat depressing The Thursday Murder Club (2020). Macbeth goes about with his usual manner and solves the case despite being underestimated by others around him. i did make a reasonable guess at the solution this time and was proved correct. A little flattery of the reader by the author never hurts.
i think i've found my antidote to help ride out the rest of the pandemic with M.C. Beaton.
Review of the Ballantine paperback edition (1991) of the Constable & Robinson hardcover original (1990)
After reading and enjoying Death of Yesterday due to its Estonia connection I started to search out some earlier Hamish Macbeth mysteries and Marian at my favourite Toronto independent book shop Sleuth of Baker Street had several (some used) in stock
This sort of old-fashioned cozy was exactly the remedy to wash away the taste of the overly complex and somewhat depressing The Thursday Murder Club (2020). Macbeth goes about with his usual manner and solves the case despite being underestimated by others around him. i did make a reasonable guess at the solution this time and was proved correct. A little flattery of the reader by the author never hurts.
i think i've found my antidote to help ride out the rest of the pandemic with M.C. Beaton.
Read
December 11, 2025This series is just so freaking charming 🥰
April 3, 2016
I read a few chapters of Neal Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" late at night on April 1st, and woke up the next morning having no idea what Stephenson was writing about. So, I read "Death of a Hussy" yesterday morning to clear my mind. "Hussy" is a by-the-numbers cozy, it felt like lazy writing to me, and didn't really feel at all like the first four in this series. I did like the set-up at the end, in which Hamish suggests that a massive estate (owned by Priscilla's family) be turned into a resort for the rich, and I'll definitely read more of these, as Beaton's light humor and settings are refreshing. Now, back to Stephenson.
January 13, 2023
I grew up reading this series and it has provided a fun, fast, escapist distraction from exam stress. Hamish’s hygge highland adventures acted as an antidote to dystopian nonfiction studies about surveillance capitalism, data privacy, and the challenges of regulating internet technologies.
While the whole series struggles with dated language, it’s more explicit in this book. Hence the two stars for largely two dimensional characters and fatphobia.
I’ll likely return to this series when I need some cozy mystery comfort food later in the term.
While the whole series struggles with dated language, it’s more explicit in this book. Hence the two stars for largely two dimensional characters and fatphobia.
I’ll likely return to this series when I need some cozy mystery comfort food later in the term.
December 10, 2021
This book has the largest collection of disagreeable characters in the series.
On another reading, the absurdities delighted me.
On another reading, the absurdities delighted me.
April 12, 2020
Letto praticamente di seguito all'altro caso, mi ha confermato che Hamish Macbeth come investigatore è molto più interessante di Agatha Raisin. La storia è molto lineare e si possono riconoscere alcuni dei personaggi tipo volgari che mi fanno amare così tanto la Beaton. Forse questo caso mi è piaciuto un pelino meno dell'altro, comunque il villaggio di Hamish Macbeth è pericoloso per i nuovi arrivati, eh! Soprattutto se non sono le persone più amabili del mondo!
December 6, 2008
I really like the whole series of Hamish MacBeth books by M C Beaton. I find them a lot more entertaining than the Agatha Raisin books which I can't seem to get into. I even found the videos of the series but was slightly disappointed that they had ( or course) drifted away from the book and some of the key characters, but it was entertaining. I hope the author has not given up writing about Hamish. I like how he goes about making sure he is not promoted since he is content with his lot in life where he is. We could all stand to be a little more content with our lives as they are instead of always trying for something more, something else, something different.
September 2, 2013
It's amazing that these short, little mysteries evoke so much: the setting (Scotland), the people, the mysteries AND be able to create important character development (Hamish Macbeth, especially). This is the fifth in the series and my interest continues! Onward to number six!
March 21, 2022
Always fun visiting Hamish and watching him solve another murder.
September 9, 2023
This part told us more about Macbeth's personal dilemma and ambition. So that was a bit different and generally, this book had many emotions, like the author went through some emotional time in her life then. I probably like more the "standard" Macbeth story, but it's good to change something at times. Nevertheless, I hope this won't continue much in other parts.
The murder was quite interesting and finding the protagonist wasn't so obvious despite some obvious suspects. The book also shows that both, men and women may be equally naive in relationships and that rich people can lose their fortune quickly.
The murder was quite interesting and finding the protagonist wasn't so obvious despite some obvious suspects. The book also shows that both, men and women may be equally naive in relationships and that rich people can lose their fortune quickly.
November 24, 2024
4 stars.
This is one of the most reliable series I have on audio, quick fun listens that I always enjoy even if I'm in the midst of a reading slump. We're back in Loch Duch investigating with Hamish MacBeth, this time the death of the rich Maggie Baird.
The ending I didn't find totally unexpected, but with this series I don't often do, they're fun listens anyway. Now just waiting for the next one to be available on Borrowbox!
This is one of the most reliable series I have on audio, quick fun listens that I always enjoy even if I'm in the midst of a reading slump. We're back in Loch Duch investigating with Hamish MacBeth, this time the death of the rich Maggie Baird.
The ending I didn't find totally unexpected, but with this series I don't often do, they're fun listens anyway. Now just waiting for the next one to be available on Borrowbox!
November 13, 2019
I'd read the first four years ago and liked them and I have to say I do like the ending and want to see what changes around the village. So I'll probably read the next book in the series sooner rather then later.
November 14, 2023
I must say this might be the best of the Hamish Mackbeth stories I've read. We have a nice cast of characters, a well developed victim, some good suspects, a nice ending and reveal and Hamish actually doing some decent police work. Not to mention the book ending on a sorta-cliffhanger that suggests that the series might get even more interesting from now on.
March 24, 2017
Another very quick and easy read. Hamish returns to the village after the villagers stage a crime spree to get him back.
This is another story which centres on someone coming into the village who ultimately ends up dead. In this case it's a wealthy woman with a steamy past who undergoes a makeover and then invites 4 past lovers to stay stating that she will marry one of them. Also living with her is her niece - a timid girl.
It's harmless enough stuff.
This is another story which centres on someone coming into the village who ultimately ends up dead. In this case it's a wealthy woman with a steamy past who undergoes a makeover and then invites 4 past lovers to stay stating that she will marry one of them. Also living with her is her niece - a timid girl.
It's harmless enough stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
4 stars.
I listened to this book in one day. Easy to follow, full of old fashioned charm and simple things that really make the essence of life and everyday living.
I listened to this book in one day. Easy to follow, full of old fashioned charm and simple things that really make the essence of life and everyday living.
December 17, 2020
Ich mag M.C. Beatons Schreibstil. Wie nennt sich dieses Genre - "cosy crime"?
Ihre weibliche Protagonistin Agatha Raisin aus der anderen Krimireihe gefällt mir zwar mehr als Hamish hier, trotzdem war sein Abenteuer auch dieses mal wieder sehr unterhaltsam.
Ihre weibliche Protagonistin Agatha Raisin aus der anderen Krimireihe gefällt mir zwar mehr als Hamish hier, trotzdem war sein Abenteuer auch dieses mal wieder sehr unterhaltsam.
November 1, 2018
I'm of two minds about Hamish and Priscilla. On one hand, I'm glad he's no longer mooning over her like he did for the last 4 books and even hoped he'd go off Pris completely. OtOH, Priscilla comes through for him whenever he needs her help and she redeems herself in my eyes.
Then in the next book she'll be on his back again about his lack of ambition, his refusal to leave his comfort zone to better himself, etc. But...after Hamish's solution on how the Colonel can save his family home - the Castle - and retain all the staff, Pris just might revise her low opinion of him. Or nag him even more for not making the most of his skills.
As usual, Hamish puts everything together at the end and solves the case.
Then in the next book she'll be on his back again about his lack of ambition, his refusal to leave his comfort zone to better himself, etc. But...after Hamish's solution on how the Colonel can save his family home - the Castle - and retain all the staff, Pris just might revise her low opinion of him. Or nag him even more for not making the most of his skills.
As usual, Hamish puts everything together at the end and solves the case.
June 27, 2025
ok we get it author has a very narrow view of how women should behave (and look...) and if they don't they are evil murderers OR deserved murder victims.
December 29, 2024
The hussy of the title has retired very comfortable wealthy in a house with her docile niece until she decides to renovate her appearance (if not her personality). She invites 4 former lovers/customers/victims/suitors that she know each is in a bit of a bind money wise for them to fight it out over her and win her graces again (with money in the stake). I forget why exactly, maybe it was never fully explained, but it does set the scene for dramatic and comedic happenings. And lethal... Not top of the series even this far, still an entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 581 reviews