Engaging listening, this is character driven cosy-ish crime.

Lobsters are so tasty, and an aphrodisiac? Or does the dark haired lady want the cadarver's body cos she's out of luck.

Oh darned, I was hopelessly stuck with the Agatha Raisins and thought I could escape Hamish Macbeth for some reason - now I’m in even deeper!

Book 3 was really enjoyable when our favourite constable finds himself on secondment to Cnothan, which would have been very low on his wish list had he had a wish list. Here he faces the often quite intolerant and hostile townspeople, his old nemesis and superior DCI Blair, a murder (obviously) and more temptresses than could be expected. The book has a lot more sex in it than could be expected from your typical “cosy mystery” too. None over the top of course, it does still fit in the genre, but a bit unorthodox for sure.

I liked this one a lot and my only grievance (the stereotypical characters and our constable’s blind luck and improbable guesswork accuracy does not count, you have to be way past those to read these) is that the author and editors only experience with human bones must be the wire connected ones hanging in classrooms. One key component here is the murder victims body being stripped of all soft and connected tissue and still jangling along as a “skeleton”, rather than a macabre Mikado setup. Yes, I could have ignored that, and I did the first dozen times it was mentioned.

Anyway, ignoring the unignorable, book was great fun.

Re-read 4/14/22-4/16/22 - I originally didn't like this one as well as the others the first time I read it, but I loved it this time around - although I preferred the other reader more than this reader on the audiobooks, but he's okay - I really liked the circumstances around the murder and Hamish's uncovering of a lot of interesting details about the townsfolk.

Poor Hamish is seconded to Cnothan which he absolutely hates, covering for the local bobby who's on holiday. There is, of course, a murder. MacBeth's nemesis, Inspector Blair, shows up to make our Highland Copper's life unbearable. Quick and easy to read. Fun.

Another interesting mystery from M.C. Beaton. It was an entertaining and quick read, although I'll never look at lobsters the same way again.

Another fun book about Hamish Macbeth, a lazy, unambitious constable in Scotland. He's also smart, canny, and very curious. He is sent for three months to work at another village; this one populated by a dour, sour group of people. There's an Englishman acting like he's lord of the manor. If ever there was a man wanting killing, it's him. He is murdered in a rather gruesome way.

Macbeth plods along, seemingly outside the police working the case, asking questions and getting people to talk to him. He shrewdly analyzes people and finds answers.

This is a fun, delightful series. The murdered one always needs killing and there's always plenty of suspects. The people are inventive and quirky.

Don't know why I enjoy these so much, the murder investigations themselves are certainly not very compelling, but I love me some Hamish for some reason.

I've read/listened to them all.

In Death of an Outsider, Hamish Macbeth is exiled to chilly Cnothan with only his loyal mutt Towser after his nemesis Inspector Blair yet again takes credit for Macbeth's murder solving skills. Cnothan's normal policeman is off on vacation and given the idyllic calm of Lochdubh, Hamish is sent along to keep an eye on Cnothan in the other's absence. Unlike Lochdubh, the residents of Cnothan are rude, suspicious individuals who welcome outsiders about as much as cats welcome a particularly yappy dog. In this dreary atmosphere, Hamish's temporary stay is interrupted by the murder of the most unpopular resident, an Englishman who had recently moved into the village. The circumstances of the murder wouldn't reflect kindly on Cnothan's most established businessman and Hamish's supervisors (including the ever lovely Inspector Blair) desperately want the crime to be hushed up and solved as quickly as possible. It'll be up to Hamish to find the guilty party in a village full of people who had plenty of motive.

While the previous two books in the series made Hamish out to be a lazy, relaxed sort of policeman, Death of an Outsider puts Hamish out of his element. Away from his beloved Lochdubh and the villagers who know him well, Hamish is miserable among the standoffish strangers of Cnothan. Despite this, he can't help getting involved with the murder and the continual underestimation of his abilities again leads to an enjoyable, cozy mystery.

Death of an Outsider Earns 5/5 Happy Lobsters…Engaging & Clever!

Outsider is a relative term, and technically, Hamish Macbeth is an outsider. He, with his dog Towser in tow, have been ordered to report to Cnothan as a three-month replacement for local copper Sergeant MacGreggor. Cnothan, a small crofting community, close-knit and private, is further out from Lochdubh, and the residents are very wary of any “outsiders.” Hamish, however, is a master at manipulating any situation to get what he needs: directions, a tv, some scones, a nod from a local lass, and access to all the gossip. William Mainwarring, he learns, is thought by the locals to be the worst of outsiders. He’s English, first of all, critically opinionated, too free with the advice, and a bully. He had come to Cnothan after inheriting his aunt’s small holding, and although through curious circumstances, he was able to acquire more. In a demanding, threatening manner, he reports a recent attack on his wife—the crime, he says, is witchcraft. Items outside his door had been left as some sort of “hex,” and his wife, who he describes as annoying, was accosted by three witches. He’s sure it’s his wife that’s the target. But…it’s Mr. Mainwarring that ends up dead…by lobsters. However, the evidence has been disposed of and the lobsters shipped off to the finest restaurants. Can Hamish still solve the murder?

What an intriguing page-turner! I am an eager fan of Hamish Macbeth by M.C. Beaton with her engaging descriptive narrative, clever, complex mystery, diverse personalities, and a lead, who along with being filled with flaws and purposeful mediocrity, does have a keen sense of integrity and true fairness. The victim was a karmic choice as he had victimized everyone in the community from small nitpicking and critical opinions to major insults and bullying. Several legitimate motives, both personal and professional, are uncovered twisted by rumors of witchcraft, stalled by a missing person, and complicated by hesitant witnesses. The investigation is impeded by the interfering incompetence of DI Blair, Hamish’s nemesis, and Hamish’s feelings for and interactions with the young neighbor across the street. The conclusion and final arrest was a surprise, but a satisfying end to the experience since it again caused excruciating embarrassment for DI Blair. One common element, important to point out, is Beaton’s use of a quote, famous or somewhat unfamiliar, at the beginning of each chapter. I enjoyed seeing how the chosen quote illustrated the drama.

Audio versions are a favorite way for me to enjoy Beaton’s series mainly due to actually hearing the various Scottish brogues, English accents, and more. This story about the “Death of a [deserving victim] Outsider” was greatly enhanced by the talented narration of Shaun Grindell. His pleasant voice for the narrative and his spot on use of a variety of delightful Scottish brogues had me plugged in for hours. He also performed well the nuances of age and gender which tend to be a challenge. Big thumbs up for Beaton, Macbeth, and Grindell!

Fix your tea and cookies, another cozy Hamish mystery.

I love these little books! They are perfect! Davina Porter does the Scottish accents so well! Can't wait to listen to the next one!