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Death of a Dreamer Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,345 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Occasionally, the rugged landscape of Scotland attracts dreamers who move north, wrapped in fantasies of enjoying the simple life. They usually don’t last, defeated by the climate or by inhospitable locals. But it looks as if Effie Garrand has come to stay.
When local constable Hamish Macbeth calls on her, he is amazed to find the small woman still in residence after a particularly hideous winter. Unfortunately, Effie is also quite delusional, having convinced herself—and everyone else—that local artist Jock Fleming is in love with her and that they are engaged.
After a huge fight with Jock, Effie is found in the mountains, dead from poisoning. Now, it’s up to Hamish to find the dreamer’s killer—before any more nightmares unfold.
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"This is a tour-de-force. Perhaps you will appreciate it more when you have been reading the entire series. All Hamish's girlfriends come together and get to know each other and a new one hovers on the fringes. Two murders, several plot threads; if you are really suspicious when things look TOO good, you will guess this one - but it took me a while because Marion Chesney lays her clues so carefully. Blair is out of the picture (thank goodness, the Blair routine was getting old) but we see a surprising new side of Superintendent Daviot. A wonderful wrapping up of the plot threads at the end with a final unexpected touch. One of the best in this series!"
— Sara (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Beaton’s flawless twenty-first installment in her popular Hamish Macbeth series boasts amusing local color and singularly savvy sleuthing.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Graeme Malcolm gives a nuanced portrayal of diverse characters inhabiting or visiting a remote village in northern Scotland. Various characters stride across the canvas, and Malcolm essays them all, including a grumpy American, and Englishmen and women from down south…The voice and the setting are so compatible that one settles back and enjoys the story, scarcely noticing the narrator’s expertise.”
— AudioFile -
“Part police procedural and part psychological thriller…Beaton, a Scot herself, excels at giving readers a taste of Highland life and creating a believable character in the lonely, brilliant, continually frustrated-in-love Macbeth. A treat.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Fans of Hamish will love this combination of mystery and romantic escapades.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Death of a Dreamer Listener Reviews
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" Another fun Hamish Macbeth mystery. Not one of the best, but still a good read. "
— Deborah, 2/18/2014 -
" Hamish sorts the suspects and unravels two deaths in his quiet Highlands village. I do wonder if the Tourism Bureau has to work overtime to keep his community's image untainted, what with folks being murdered every month or so. Thank goodness my town doesn't have his murder rate! "
— Katie, 2/7/2014 -
" great little cozy mystery! I really enjoy m.c. beaton's Agatha Raisin books, and this series is great as well!: "
— Shayna, 2/4/2014 -
" A Hamish Macbeth mystery. I always enjoy these as I like the character and his dog and cat. "
— Suzanne, 1/18/2014 -
" I do enjoy Hamish MacBeth stories. In this one he is beset by not just one, but 3 females. He is frazzled but still manages to solve the crime in his own quiet way. I really want to watch the TV series to see if my imagination and those of the producers of the programs agree. "
— Ann, 1/16/2014 -
" Not my usual pick, but liked it well enough that I'm wanting to read some of the series. "
— Amanda, 1/15/2014 -
" This Hamish Macbeth murder mystery was a little poignant. Appealing to the hopeless dreamer in all of us, yet grounded in that practical Highland sensibility, it is an entertaining read. A view of Hamish walking his dog and cat down the streets of Lochdubh is one of my favorite views to envision! "
— Rachel, 1/12/2014 -
" In the typical formula of this series, Hamish MacBeth solves the crime, vacillates his Affections for his bevy of women and maintains his quiet life with his wildcat and dog. The tempestuous hearts of the many artsy folks in this story lead them all to don and death. "
— Sharneel, 12/20/2013 -
" Another Highland mystery featuring Hamish Macbeth. I really enjoy this series. "
— Terri, 12/12/2013 -
" Light,fun reading. "
— Jennifer, 12/7/2013 -
" Fun cozy mystery in the Scottish highlands, I listened because I like to hear accents. Hammish MacBeth gets himself in so much trouble with the ladies "
— Liz, 12/5/2013 -
" Any excuse for a virtual trip to Scotland. "
— Linda, 11/30/2013 -
" loved the book and can't wait to find out what happens with hamish "
— Becky, 11/26/2013 -
" Death of a Dreamer (Hamish Macbeth Mystery) by M. C. Beaton (2007) "
— Julie, 11/24/2013 -
" I enjoy following Hamish Macbeth through the Highlands, a savvy detective who avoids promotion, has the reputation of a moocher, and can't understand why he's so unhappy with women. All of this cloaks a clever mystery, lots of interesting characters and good plot twists. "
— Susan, 11/14/2013 -
" Great book, although it was a slow start. "
— Colleen, 6/20/2013 -
" Another winner for Hamish MacBeth. I can't ever figure out the plot twist until the author wants me to. "
— April, 5/23/2013 -
" Listened to the audio book, which I recommend. It carries you away to the scottish highlands. "
— Leann, 2/7/2013 -
" Loved it especially his wild cat protecting him. "
— Grannyvango, 1/17/2013 -
" I love Hamish! and MC Beaton in general. A fun read and I love the written version of a Scottish accent. "
— Debbie, 12/18/2012 -
" Sometimes a person just needs a little British cozy mystery. This was satisfying and left my brain intact. "
— Kristin, 10/14/2012 -
" came across this book on accident and I loved it!! Couldn't put it down "
— Shana, 8/18/2012 -
" I love this series. I love reading about Scotland and its little villages. They almost seem to be characters in the stories. Its fun to read about the same quirky villagers in all the books. "
— Kathy, 4/24/2012 -
" Yes, I'm hooked on the Hamish Macbeth books by MC Beaton. I love the characters and the story lines in each one. If you want more than a murder mystery, this is it. You too will be hooked on every character and look forward to the next book to continue the journey. "
— Anna, 1/20/2012 -
" This is a good series to listen to in the car-- don't have to concentrate too much, and the characters and Scottish accent are charming. "
— Teresa, 1/3/2012 -
" Hamish macbeth is plagued by the women in his life. He is trying to solve the double murder of a mentally unstable women and an American tourist. In the end he discovers that the women he has just decided would be his best choice as a wife is the killer. "
— Cheryl, 12/31/2011 -
" Scottish policeman Hamish Macbeth investigates murder as artists and death come to the village of Lochdubh. His problems are intensified as two ex-girlfriends come to town and an art agent ctakes an interest in him. Frauds and scams are also in the works. "
— Fredrick, 9/29/2011 -
" There were a lot of major characters to keep track of, but the story was good. It was nice to have Blair out of the way for a bit. I wish Hamish would get over Priscilla. "
— Kyrie, 5/24/2011 -
" Love Hamish Macbeth! Can’t wait for the next book to be published. It seems M.C. Beaton aka Marion Chesney never lacks the inspiration for a good story. I even liked the BBC series although it was way too short and Robert Carlyle looked nothing like his character as described in the book. "
— Esmee, 5/1/2011 -
" I love Hamish! and MC Beaton in general. A fun read and I love the written version of a Scottish accent. "
— Debbie, 4/8/2011 -
" loved the book and can't wait to find out what happens with hamish "
— Becky, 4/6/2011 -
" Nothing literary or soul stirring about this series of books. <br/>Just great fun, wonderful stories and an altogether lovely cast of characters. "
— Katrina, 4/4/2011 -
" Not as good as other HM mysteries. Relying too much on previous character development of the locals. I'm a bit tired of H's "love life." <br/>Plot elements were too repetitive. The perp seemed obvious to me when introduced, although I wasn't sure of motive. "
— Kae, 2/4/2011 -
" all the Hamish MacBeth books are an excellent read. "
— Jayne, 12/6/2010 -
" Tea cozy I picked up for Sue. Sweet, short, and not alot extra. I would read these again for a break between books. I mean srsly. A detective in Scottland named Hamish Macbeth?? Of course I will read another. "
— Purlewe, 11/21/2010 -
" Listened to the audio book, which I recommend. It carries you away to the scottish highlands. "
— Leann, 9/20/2010 -
" This is a good series to listen to in the car-- don't have to concentrate too much, and the characters and Scottish accent are charming. "
— Teresa, 8/11/2010 -
" Any excuse for a virtual trip to Scotland. "
— Linda, 1/1/2010 -
" I really enjoy the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. "
— Kathy, 11/10/2009 -
" Loved it especially his wild cat protecting him. "
— Grannyvango, 10/28/2009 -
" Enjoyed listening to this easy fun little mystery set in Scotland. "
— Marcia, 10/20/2009 -
" I'm pretty much at a 3.5 for all of the Hamish MacBeth books I've listened to. They are cozy and wonderful to listen to while I'm working. "
— Lisa, 10/5/2009
About M. C. Beaton
M. C. Beaton (1936–2019), hailed as the “Queen of Crime” by the Globe and Mail, was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels—the basis for the hit series on Acorn TV—as well as the Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, Beaton also wrote nearly one hundred historical romances under several pseudonyms. Her books have been translated into nineteen languages and sold more than twenty-two million copies worldwide.
About Graeme Malcolm
Graeme Malcolm was an actor and winning audiobook narrator who earned twelve AudioFile Earphones Awards. He has performed on Broadway as Pharaoh in Aida and as Sir Edward Ramsay in The King and I. His television appearances include Law & Order, Follow the River, and Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (with Laurence Olivier). His film credits include A Further Gesture, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, and Reunion.