Death of a Dreamer (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 22)

This is book twenty two in a delightful series of cozy mysteries featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth, a red-headed highlander responsible for law and order in the town of Lochdubh and its environs in Northern Scotland. As clueless as he appears to be about the opposite sex, when it comes to crime detection, Hamish is pretty astute. So, when village newcomer Effie Garrard is found dead, Hamish thinks it murder, even though his boss believes it to be suicide.

Like a dog with a bone, Hamish pokes around, trying to resolve her death to his satisfaction. While doing so, yet another murder occurs, leaving Hamish with his hands full, as it seems that there is any number of people with something to hide. Moreover, Hamish believes the two murders to be connected. So, he definitely has his work cut out for him.

The book is laced with sly humor throughout that is engaging, and the dialogue creates a feeling of authenticity of place, making the book highly enjoyable. One does not read these books for their literary value. One reads them purely for the fun of it.

As with all cozy mysteries, it is not so much the mystery that is of import but the characters that revolve around the mystery, and the characters are certainly quirky and entertaining, adding to the charm of the series. With the oddly endearing Hamish Macbeth, the author has created a character that is a winner. I love this series of cozy mysteries!

A dreamer seeks to sell their art in Lochdubh and falls in love. But not all
is as it seems when they end up dead. Can Hamish separate the truth from
the secrets and lies? Must read.

All of the books in this series are entertaining, easy reads. Good for bedtime.

Hamish Macbeth's Scottish Highlands are visited by a delusional and slightly irritating artist. When said artist turns up dead the locals are not necessarily surprised, and it falls to Macbeth to work with a new and ambitious (and female!) detective to uncover the murderer, if there is one. Most of the locals think the death was a suicide, as the artist, Effie Garrand, has recently been rejected by the manly object of her delusional lust. Before the case is over Hamish finds himself in danger.

This was my first Hamish McBeth mystery. The plot was engaging, and I was interested in the characters. Given that I jumped into the middle of the series, there are a few things I'd like to understand better. It seems that Hamish has some issues with women. He has a seeming gaggle of former girlfriends, and refuses to marry any of them, though this is clearly making him miserable. I'm hoping to get fuller picture of this when I read more books in the series, which I am certainly planning to do.

Resolving the plot with the criminal showing up with a gun, getting attacked, losing the gun, and then spilling the beans, is getting a bit tiresome. The intricacies of Agatha Christie at her best meshing with Beaton's charming characters and her engaging writing would create mystery masterpieces. However, plotting is not Beaton's strength. I'm still hooked, but I must say I expect to be disappointed time and time again in the manner she sorts out her murder-tinged ditties. This author is no doubt a comic novelist who somehow shoehorned herself into mysteries. She could have been a Wodehouse, which would seem a much better fit.

How is it that this writer can write about murder and mayhem and still leave her readers feeling like they just had a lovely vacation in the highlands of Scotland? I can't get enough of Hamish Macbeth. He is a well thought out character who is vastly misunderstood and under-rated by almost everyone he meets. While maintaining a lifestyle that many believe "lazy" he is able to solve murders, help society, and struggle with the daily complexity of human nature. A rare breed of a man who actually knows what he is and is satisfied with his lot in life and yet still struggles with his own human frailities. I love M.C. Beaton and her Hamish Macbeth series. I have read every one and I can't wait for the next edition. I highly recommend this mystery series as well as M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisen series.

MC Beaton has put out an excellent book again.

This series just gets better and better. What a lot of different characters and what weird things they do. I confess I dig begin to have an idea who the guilty party was in this one but it was still a very interesting finish. This one is a winner just like most of the others.

Is it my imagination or did I read this one before? A real mystery. Almost every word, every character had passed before my eyes before. I was so sure I went through my book list and traced down every Hamish MacBeth I had read, and this one wasn't on it. So, I am guessing this was once under a different title. Am I right? Please advise if you know the answer. I'll just say, it was good enough to read again, though I don't like repeats. Many poetic passages, especially in describing the weather, and Hamish himself always pleases. In any event, if anyone else had this same deja vu experience please let me know.

Love all MC Beaton Books....