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Death of a Maid Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,534 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Hamish Macbeth, constable in the remote Scottish highlands village of Lochdubh, loves his job amongst his mostly happy neighbors—until murder taints the town.
Mrs. Gillespie is famous for being the best maid in the northwest of Sutherland. But to Hamish Macbeth, she is a malicious gossip who bangs around the furniture and clanks pots. When Hamish wins Mrs. Gillespie’s services in a church raffle, he spends most of the day trying to avoid her. He doesn’t understand how she managed to gain such a fine reputation.
Then she is found dead, struck down violently by a metal bucket of water. Knowing Mrs. Gillespie’s penchant for gossip, Hamish is sure she delighted in finding out her clients’ secrets—which means that everyone whose home she cleaned is a suspect.
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"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 (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Macbeth…remains as charming a hero as ever in this funny, unpredictable read.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Born in Scotland, Malcolm…is comfortable with local accents. His reading of Macbeth’s lines is suitably laid-back and soft-spoken; he sharpens his inflections to indicate the constable’s annoyance. He portrays the women in lighter rather than higher tones and easily differentiates between British and Scottish speakers.”
— Booklist, audio review -
“Macbeth’s investigation uncovers, as usual, secrets seemingly worth defending with murder. As usual, Beaton delivers a delightfully old-fashioned, absorbing village mystery.”
— Booklist -
“Hamish Macbeth rides to the rescue of the Highland village of Lochdubh, which once again has more than its share of homicides…The faithful won’t mind that Hamish’s amours this time take second place to his detecting skills.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Death of a Maid Listener Reviews
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" M C Beatons' Hamish Macbeth Mysteries are very enjoyable. "
— Barb, 2/17/2014 -
" A nice light mystery featuring Hamish McBeth as the unambitious but clever country police constable who loves his laid back life...most of the time. I much prefer this series by M.C. Beaton compared to her other series set in the English countryside. The Scottish series is filled with quirky characters and it doesn't stretch the imagination too far to find the plots credible. I also like the romantic difficulties that Hamish finds himself in. In comparison, I find the Agatha Raisin series less enjoyable and the characters more stereotyped. "
— Dot, 2/11/2014 -
" Tried reading this but my thoughts were often too scattered. Probably because this was the book that I took with me when we were taking bumma back and forth to radiation. I'll try again someday, should I find another copy of the book. "
— bookczuk, 1/20/2014 -
" This was fun. The murder victim was pure evil, so maybe she got what she deserved. This was my first (and probably last) Hamish Macbeth mystery, and I could never figure out whether the poor man was fat or thin. I had so wanted it to be a can of spam that saved him instead of a Kevlar vest. Oh, well. Can't have everything. "
— Nan, 1/17/2014 -
" Another book I listened to on CD. This one only had 5 CD's so it went fast. Same formula as her other books, a person that no one likes gets murdered and there are several people who had compelling reasons for doing it. Hamish MacBeth finally figures out the real story. I really enjoy the characters that reappear in book after book. "
— April, 1/15/2014 -
" I always enjoy a British cozy. Lochdubh sounds like a peaceful pretty place. "
— Lynne, 1/8/2014 -
" A decent book if you want something mindless to read for entertainment while escaping from everyday stress. Not overly compelling, but enough to make me pick it up occasionally and thumb through a few quick chapters. I was more interested in the characters rather than the actual mystery. "
— Lisa, 1/5/2014 -
" I have read all of these books, easy read, keeps me interested in following Hamish life. "
— Phyllis, 1/3/2014 -
" As always, Beaton delights readers with the antics of Lochdubh's Constable Hamish Macbeth. For lovers of the BBC series, you should really read the series. "
— D., 1/2/2014 -
" I love Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series. Its a great "plane book". I can read it from start to finish in one read and enjoy it, completely amused and unfazed by the discomforts and irritations of traveling with a load of strangers.. "
— Wendy, 12/19/2013 -
" Great story with continuing action after the apparent end! "
— Scott, 12/14/2013 -
" Enjoyed the characters and the narrator - Graeme Malcolm. "
— Judy, 12/13/2013 -
" Light road trip read. Best if listend to on tape. "
— Connie, 12/9/2013 -
" This is a typical entry in the light mystery series featuring Scottish policeman Hamish McBeth. His usual pets and assoicates are present in force as he looks into the murder of a willage house cleaner. "
— Norma, 12/7/2013 -
" Although I love the character of Hamish Macbeth, I didn't find this to be that good. I didn't feel the suspense, I didn't feel the characters beyond Macbeth were very interesting. I hope the earlier ones are better. "
— Nancy, 12/2/2013 -
" Another enjoyable visit with Hamish and the residents of Lochduh. Wonderful. "
— Donna, 7/12/2013 -
" I "read" this on CD. It was another in a long series that is fun to read. The setting in northern Scotland adds to the interest. Try these and see what you think. Hamish MacBeth is very human while a bit quirky. "
— Sandra, 6/9/2013 -
" Another enjoyable read from Beaton. Hamish still has his charm. "
— Talietha, 5/8/2013 -
" This was a really solid mystery novel, kept me guessing way past where I thought it would end. I picked up the middle of the series, but it was a complete story, nothing lacking. Also M.C. Beaton got the story going really well without an annoying back story beginning. "
— Candi, 3/9/2013 -
" I love Lochdubh! What can I say? This one is excellent. If only he would get together with Elspeth! "
— Laura, 3/8/2013 -
" Hamish's busybody, blackmailing maid gets whacked. "
— Carrie, 11/27/2012 -
" The first few of Hamish series was worth reading, but the later ones are quite boring to me. I like a main character to grow in the series, but Hamish doesn't seem to grow at all. "
— Jeanette, 7/15/2012 -
" Hamish MacBeth -- always a fun read! "
— Vicki, 4/12/2012 -
" Pleasant but predictable Hamish Macbeth mystery. "
— Theresa, 4/8/2012 -
" A good murder mystery that takes place in Scotland. The descriptions of the area and the people involved in the story kept my interest to the end. "
— Julie, 3/16/2012 -
" Quite a slow moving book taking place in the Scottish Highlands about a local policeman and a local murder. The storylines are almost comical and there the reader is quite detached from all of the characters. "
— Jen, 12/5/2011 -
" Scottish eye candy fluffy mystery. The series gets a little weaker as it goes on, and Hamish a bit less cute. But still an enjoyable series. "
— Autumn, 11/18/2011 -
" I really enjoy these M.C.Beaton Hamish-Macbeth books. They're light and really fun. His character is delightful. I read them between "heavy" books for a little relief. Also, I always listen to them as downloaded audiobooks as the Scottish reader is wonderful. "
— Suzanne, 10/28/2011 -
" This was another good ready with mcbeth solving another murder in his beloved home area "
— Sampsonti, 5/11/2011 -
" Love "Hamish Macbeth" series. Easy, relaxing reading. Always provide gentle chuckles. "
— Peggy, 4/8/2011 -
" Elspeth returns. These are all short, light, and a nice change of pace. Not great stuff, but they have their place. The locale and characters are what count. "
— Bayneeta, 3/9/2011 -
" The Hamish Macbeth books are always fun and entertaining. No more, no less. "
— Nancy, 8/31/2010 -
" I have a hard time reconciling this character with the one on PBS. Needless to say I like this character better. "
— Kaye, 8/29/2010 -
" A decent book if you want something mindless to read for entertainment while escaping from everyday stress. Not overly compelling, but enough to make me pick it up occasionally and thumb through a few quick chapters. I was more interested in the characters rather than the actual mystery. "
— Lisa, 8/2/2010 -
" I wish I could give this 3.5 stars. I look forward to listening to more books in this series featuring Scottish policeman Hamish MacBeth.<br/><br/>*********************<br/>So far I'm enjoying this audible book--delightful Scottish accents, and a charming self-effacing Scottish bobby. "
— Teresa, 6/20/2010 -
" Another fun Hamish Macbeth mystery. "
— Lee, 6/14/2010 -
" One of the usual Hamish books. But still a fun read. "
— Joni, 4/23/2010
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.