The aromas of wild thyme and Highland heather waft through Lochdubh, home to M. C. Beaton’s eccentric policeman, Hamish Macbeth. Yet what the irascible constable smells in his latest case is the acrid scent of fear as an entire town is entrapped in something dark and deadly.
Yet, as he deftly investigates the summer’s high crimes and misdemeanors, he attracts the attention of his superiors. They feel a promotion and transfer will give him a larger playing field than Lochdubh, but that’s the last thing Macbeth wants. Now the laconic lawman needs a clever way to quash the move without losing his job entirely.
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"I've read most of the books in this series, and I always enjoy them. I think that this one was just released in the U.S. and is an earlier one than many I have read in recent years. Highly Recommended."
— Phyllis (4 out of 5 stars)
“All Macbeth’s talents are on display as he performs a heroic rescue, outwits some crooks, and meets violence with violence. For all his nonchalance, the laconic Macbeth does his best to protect his people and preserve his way of life among them. Beaton fans will rejoice.”
— Publishers Weekly“The trademark charm of the series—quirky humor, eccentric characters, and dark overtones—is in full swing here; fans will be well pleased, and readers new to Lochdubh can enjoy this as a stand-alone volume.”
— School Library Journal“Beaton adds a new twist to the standard murder-in-a-village plot…Another delightful installment in a perennially entertaining series.”
— Booklist“Hamish in top form, with intriguing puzzles to solve, the possibility of a new romance, and ever more inventive ways of avoiding a promotion to higher rank and transfer from his beloved Lochdubh.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Death of a Village- Like all Hamish MacBeth books- Love it! "
— Sharon, 11/20/2016" Actually listened to the audiobook. It is set in the Highlands. Love the culture and language that the story is wrapped in. "
— Leann, 2/9/2014" This was a really good one. I've read several and this one was so entertaining. Some mini stories within the bigger story kept it interesting. "
— Terry, 1/26/2014" Not one of the best in this series. "
— Leslie, 1/23/2014" MC Beaton writes great murder mysteries that take place in Scotland. His detective/policeman is a comical, intelligent but lazy man. Quick, fun reads. "
— Susie, 1/19/2014" Death of a Village by M. C. Beaton (2004) "
— Julie, 1/12/2014" I do enjoy reading these books, but it is very evident how formulaic they are. The tenor of the characters and environment are what make them entertaining, especially as an audio book. "
— Sharneel, 1/11/2014" Hamish did not disappoint. Good little book. "
— Susan, 12/9/2013" More plot lines than normal. I enjoyed it. "
— Sarah, 11/26/2013" Although I thought this was one of the better books in the Death of a ... series (I started out giving it 4 stars), the problem with the missing paragraphs between speakers continued throughout the Kindle edition. "
— Jess, 11/17/2013" I have always enjoyed cozies. I like this one because of the setting and the characters are fun. The Scottish Highlands and a policeman who lives in a small village and wants to stay there! "
— Lynne, 10/30/2013" As always, Hamish finds his way into solving another death. Hamish is always a good and enjoyable read. "
— Jim, 10/15/2013" I want to read all of the Hamish Macbeth stories! "
— Anna, 10/14/2013" Hamish finds a whole village seemingly under some sort of spell. The cause is quite a surprise, and not without death and danger. "
— Katie, 9/16/2013" Definitely one of the better Hamish mysteries. Lots of little cases that add up to a lot of attention, that Hamish hates. "
— Kyrie, 6/26/2013" Another fun Hamish Macbeth book. "
— Suzanne, 5/28/2013" Great book! Wish I could get the whole series. "
— Tonee, 5/16/2013" Another very nice little British, or should I say Scottish, mystery. Once again Hamish solves the mysteries. "
— Eileen, 5/4/2013" This was a great little mystery with the typical wit and humor of the Hamish Macbeth series. "
— Rachel, 4/28/2013" I didn't make a note on this one other than the stars. I do like all the Hamish Macbeth books that I have read so far. "
— Connie, 4/11/2013" I listened on tape and enjoyed this quite a lot. It was better than some of the others. The characters have become my friends and although some reactions are predictable, they are still endearing. "
— Karen, 12/18/2012" While the story is kind of all over the place it is good listen, and Graeme Malcolm is nice narrator. I'll definitely check out some more in this series. "
— Kristina, 10/16/2012" M.C. Beaton is always a good easy read. Another great mystery. Got to love Hamish. "
— Dru, 10/6/2012" i like Hamish Macbeth and the way that everybody always gets rescued in time! "
— Nancy, 10/2/2012" It's great fun as usual. Love the stories of the village boby, Hamish Macbeth of the Sutherlandshire. "
— Anna, 9/16/2012" It was ok, just not as good as the first few in the series. "
— Jeanette, 9/2/2012" very fun and light for troubled times!! "
— Elizabeth, 6/10/2012M. 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.
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.