Hamish gets involved in a major drug-dealing investigation with wide-ranging implications that take him to Amsterdam. During the course of the investigation he makes friends with a lady Chief Inspector, impersonates a homeless person and a major drug dealer, and faces a serious threat.
note to gentle reader: language

Up until now, these books have been centered on Scotland, However Hamish does get to go abroad for the first time. Also as far as I can remember, none have been as risque as this one. Unlike the previous books that have dealt with murder, this is a book about drugs and the importing and dealing of them.
Hamish is paired with a female inspector to act as a married couple, who are acting as drug importers. There are some humorous incidents, but the inspector is quick to remind Hamish of her higher rank. She quickly realises that although the pair of them are getting along, having been through some dangerous situations, she could not possibly share his lifestyle.This did make a change from the books we are lead to expect, but I think I prefer the old easy going Hamish Macbeth

3.5 stars - Hamish Macbeth sets out investigating a death due to possible overdose and ends up working undercover in a drug raid. This book just seemed so implausible and outlandish.

Also, I could have sworn there was a character named Sean Fitzpatrick (a tramp, who was known as "Fitz") in the previous book "Death of a Screenwriter". There's a character in this book also named Sean Fitzpatrick but he's an Irish retiree who keeps to himself. There weren't any other names that could be used?

A bit of a departure for our hero Hamish, the Highland constable. He spends most of this book working undercover on a drug bust he was drawn into because of his bent to follow his intuition and not share his clues with Strathbane.

Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton is the 15th book of the Hamish Macbeth mystery series set in contemporary Scotland. Once again, Hamish disagrees with an accidental death verdict by the (maybe lazy, certainly disinterested) police in Strathbane. And of course he's forbidden to investigate, but he does anyway.

The victim and his flaky neighbor are dull, as is the phony religious cult. In contrast, Glasgow detective Olivia Chater is a new and fresh addition to the series (at least, I hope she'll reappear). His love affair with Priscilla is over, so Hamish gets romantic notions about Olivia. Especially when they travel to Amsterdam posing as husband and wife, on a quest to catch drug dealers.

"They ordered from a huge menu filled with glorious descriptions of crackling this and fresh that, and sizzling the other. Hamish ordered fish and chips 'Sea-fresh haddock in golden crispy batter and pommes frites' and she ordered steak and a baked potato 'Prime cut of Angus with floury baked potato and lashings of fresh Scottish butter'"

Light entertainment, with delightful descriptions of the Highlands.

This book is way off from the usual Hamish Macbeth. Reading more like a spy novel than a murder mystery, the drug sting just didn't seem to fit with the usual, easy-going Hamish mischief. I know you have to spice things up so it doesn't become the same formula for every book, but this just seemed weird. Even Hamish notices that he kind of forgot the murder. Some redeeming qualities: Hamish and Angela's friendship (so wholesome!) and those little moments when Lochdubh natives stick up for their local bobby.  Also, Blair's freaking murder attempt??? That was such a leap from trying to get him fired!!!

Recovering addict T. Jarret rented a house to check on reports of a sea monster. He turns up dead of an apparent overdose. Hamish finds his demise to be fishy. He goes undercover and finds an illicit drug trade. His plan goes awry when he is teamed with a Glasgow detective inspector Ollvia Chater. He ends up in a suit among sharks of the underworld and is in danger of falling in love.

This is an unusual book in the Hamish Macbeth series. Hamish gets caught up in a drug sting operations, going undercover as a married drug lord, wearing fancy clothes, traveling to Amsterdam, and basically getting out of his comfort zone. It wasn't my favorite of the series, but it was a fast, fun read.

Death of an addict by M.C. Beaton is the 15th book in the hamish Macbeth Mystery series. When a reformed addict is found dead of a suspected drug overdose, Highland policeman Hamish Macbeth is not convinced and investigates the local illicit drug trade. An excellent fast paced investigation, quirky characters and spectacular scenery. Hamish is clever, content and charming but remains unlucky in love. An enjoyable cozy mystery.

Hamish Macbeth is a Scottish constable who has no desire for advancement; he is perfectly content to stay in his beloved Lochdubh, until a former addict is found dead. Hamish thinks it was murder and sets out to prove it, even though his superiors tell him that this addict overdosed himself. Hamish continues to investigate anyway and gets further and further into the illegal drug trade, with the help from a superior from Glasgow, Olivia Chater.

Yes, still 18 more left in the series.

Hamish is just minding his beat when a reformed addict is found after overdosing. But Hamish has talked to the man and he doesn't believe it for a second. In this one, Hamish works with a superior from Glasgow that is a woman. They are on a mission to do a sting that Hamish has bumbled into in truly Hamish ways.

This was a good one and well done. I liked the advent of another female in Hamish's life and maybe it will come to something because he and Priscilla - well don't want to spoil the fun...