Book Review: Death of a Village

Reviewed By: Ruth Jordan - RAM

Death of a Village     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
M. C. Beaton
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Police Procedural
Series: Hamish MacBeth # 19
2003, Mysterious Press 256 pages/ $ 23.95

I once told a friend that if I could spend a night with any single man in mystery fiction it would be with Hamish Macbeth. Well I’m married now but Hamish and his winsome ways still charm me in a way I cannot explain. The Macbeth series is comparable to the raspberry sorbet in a six course meal. Refreshing, sweet with a bite and meant to clean the palate.

For my fellow fans you’ll be happy to know that in M.C. Beaton’s latest offering our poor hero keeps solving high profile crimes and then doing his best to screw up enough to avoid promotion to a real police force.

And then there’s the village of Stoyre. On a routine visit to the small coastal town Hamish notices that no one’s about and the pub is empty. Something is wrong and despite himself our man needs to get to the bottom of it. What has everyone in this community acting so strange and closed mouthed? With the help of reporter Elspeth Hamish tries to unravel the mystery. The cost may be dear but as we all know by now Macbeth is not the underachiever he thinks he is. Beaton’s wit, cynicism , excellent plotting and wonderful prose once again take her reader on an entertaining journey through the Scottish Highlands that will bring a smile to the face long after the book is closed.

Ruth Jordan - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ruth Jordan - RAM