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Death of a Gentle Lady: A Hamish MacBeth Mystery

M. C. Beaton
Grand Central Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9780446582605
Reviewed by Audrey Larson for Rebeccas Reads (3/08)

The old castle precariously perched at the edge of a Scottish cliff grabs you from the beginning, right from the book jacket.  And right from the very first page, you are drawn into the story, as the characters seem real and you are there in the Scottish Highlands.

Hamish MacBeth, the red-haired local Constable, lives in the police station with his dog and cat.  There is never a dull moment in the quaint little village, as murders and mysteries abound and Hamish is right in the middle of it all.  

And as Hamish and others try hard to figure out “whodunnit,” you really do not know until he does.  It is all so intriguing, and the old “folly” castle that is way too close to the cliffs is fascinating.  

Hamish is a bachelor, and his romantic pursuits are surprising and sometimes quite funny.  When he gets upset, his Scottish burr becomes pronounced, and it is charming.  

Because Hamish is so bright, people wonder why he doesn't want promotions, or to leave his police station home.  But he loves it and the community, and in addition to his cat and dog, he also has some sheep and chickens.  

There are many interesting characters in the book, and it is very surprising when the murderer is finally revealed.  You just cannot figure it out ahead of time, and thus are kept intrigued all the way through the book.  

M. C. Beaton has done a great job of pulling you right into the delightful Scottish countryside, and you feel these people and Scottish towns are real.  “Death of a Gentle Lady” is one of a series of Hamish MacBeth mysteries.  You will want to read more of them.


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