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233rd out of 907 books
—
857 voters
Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth #3)
by
M.C. Beaton
The most hated man in the most dour town in Scotland is sleeping with the fishes, or-more accurately-dumped into a tank filled with crustaceans. All that remain of the murdered victim are his bones. But after the lobsters are shipped off to Britain's best restaurants, the whole affair quickly lands on the plate of Constable Hamish Macbeth. Exiled with his dog, Towser, to t...more
Paperback, 194 pages
Published
July 1st 2005
by Warner Books
(first published 1988)
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Death of an Outsider is a good reason to watch what you drink – or eat
In this episode of the long-running serial, policeman Hamish Macbeth is called away from his beloved Lochdubh to relieve another officer in Cnothan. (all towns are in northern Scotland)
Hamish doesn't want to go to Cnothan, where nothing ever happens anyway. It will take him away from his croft, from his sheep, and further from the sight of the perfect Priscilla, the love of his life, even thought she does show suspicious sig...more
In this episode of the long-running serial, policeman Hamish Macbeth is called away from his beloved Lochdubh to relieve another officer in Cnothan. (all towns are in northern Scotland)
Hamish doesn't want to go to Cnothan, where nothing ever happens anyway. It will take him away from his croft, from his sheep, and further from the sight of the perfect Priscilla, the love of his life, even thought she does show suspicious sig...more
Based on the first three books of the series (reiterate from previous two reviews also), I assume following will go forward in the series:
--The writing just rolls along, making the book easy to read.
--It is Scottish. My two years living in England gets me through most without problems, but there are a few Scottish words/phrases that loss me.
--Her first book I complained of her shifting view point. That doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.
--The titles pretty much tells you who is to be murdered...more
--The writing just rolls along, making the book easy to read.
--It is Scottish. My two years living in England gets me through most without problems, but there are a few Scottish words/phrases that loss me.
--Her first book I complained of her shifting view point. That doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.
--The titles pretty much tells you who is to be murdered...more
**** (I put the first two as amazing so you know I love the series) "Death of an Outsider" (Hamish 3) by M. C. Beaton blows an erratic January blizzard or blazing sun in bleak insular nearby Scottish town where bobby Macbeth needs fill in for the local on 3 month vacation. Of course tempers and plots peak against the most hated resident, a Brit "incomer" still after near a decade plus visits since childhood. Cleverly, his skeleton and the alcoholic main suspect vanish [also knocked dead]. A frie...more
Death of an Outsider is my second foray into M.C. Beaton's series about Scottish policeman Hamish Macbeth. I had only a small curiosity to begin with but then enjoyed my first read so much I quickly moved to a second.
This is a series which, for me, proves what pleasure a series can give when it works. Individually the books are enjoyable, but the pleasure of the second was far greater because I had read another. Hamish Macbeth is not an overwhelmingly charming or intelligent or clever detective...more
This is a series which, for me, proves what pleasure a series can give when it works. Individually the books are enjoyable, but the pleasure of the second was far greater because I had read another. Hamish Macbeth is not an overwhelmingly charming or intelligent or clever detective...more
view all 11 comments
This was another quick mystery by M.C. Beaton based in the Scottish Highlands. Hammish Macbeth is required by his superiors to leave his beloved little town, which sees very little crime and go to another more northern town of Cnothan. Cnothan seems to be more darker than Hammish is used to, and does not like outsiders...and immediately, Hammish feels cranky and out-of-sorts. The people are not friendly, but they are more friendly to him and ready to gossip about one particular man they all seem...more
Oct 25, 2011
Peggy Z
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
those who enjoys "cozy" mysteries
Shelves:
mystery-cozy-mystery,
library
This is the 3rd book in the Hamish Macbeth series that I've read. I'm getting attached to Hamish! He can be a lazy, dour Scot but as the series progresses his personality is more charming. Plus this book had a little more romance then the others.
Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is sent to the Scottish village of Cnothan to replace the vacationing local policeman. Of course while he's there someone is murdered and Hamish must figure out all of the twists and turns in the case. Hamish's superior of...more
Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is sent to the Scottish village of Cnothan to replace the vacationing local policeman. Of course while he's there someone is murdered and Hamish must figure out all of the twists and turns in the case. Hamish's superior of...more
Hamish is sent to barren, empty Cnothan to fill in three months for their police sergeant. William Mainwaring, an obnoxious Englishman who has lived in Cnothan for eight years, is murdered. The author lines up several possibilities for the murderer. Is it Mainwaring's wife? Is it the town's prestigous businessman (Jamie Ross) or Jamie's wife (the local Lady MacBeth)? Is it Cnothan's real estate agent? Was it two local farmers who complained of Mainwaring's interference in their close-knit town's...more
In this early Hamish Macbeth book, he ha been sent to the unpleasant village of Cnothan to take over from their Police Constable. An obnoxious Englishman goes around the village wreaking havoc with his acerbic tongue. He is a champion "know-it-all" and causes strife wherever he goes. Inevitably, there is a murder, disguised in a seemingly clever way. Of course, Inspector Blair is involved and he makes Hamish stay on the outside as he rushes to his conclusions.
You have to wonder if the main plot...more
You have to wonder if the main plot...more
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!
Rather enjoyable book, but the writing was surprisingly poor. At the beginning, I'd assumed it was a first book and was a bit amazed to discover that there were two earlier books in the series and many others written before that. I can generally handle a shift in perspective, done properly throughout a story, but in this case it happened mid-section and sometimes even mid-sentence (which I found highly confusing).
The plot was simplistic, as were the characters, and the resolution to the mystery...more
The plot was simplistic, as were the characters, and the resolution to the mystery...more
Another good English mystery by Beaton. Want to read all of her books.
M.C. Beaton is one of my favorite authors. I am working my way through every single Hamish MacBeth book and am afraid I will go into withdrawal when I finish the last one...not a pretty thought. I did however order the BBC miniseries of Hamish MacBeth (from netflix) and I am not sure I can ever forgive the BBC for making the original tall & gangling Hamish MacBeth SHORT and without his bright red hair. How could the BBC do that? Anyway, it's a good series, even so. Fortunately, there are sti...more
I liked this much better than the second in the series. The book takes place in a nearby town, so there's a different cast of characters and they're all very well written. The mystery itself was a little more difficult to solve and there are some side elemets that are kind of funny and macabre both. Priscilla's out of the picture for most of the book and that did not bother me. And Hamish is at his best here. It was a fairly quick read (one late morning to evening) and I found myself completely...more
This was a gentle read - to me the likes of sunday night TV - ironic really considering that several of the books were the basis of a TV series with Robert Carlisle in it. The books already have set their own formula with a good natured but intimately rascal of police officer who only really wants a quite life, secluded stretch of river to go poaching on and time with the love of his life Pricilla, however things never really work out so easily and with constant moving around the various beats,...more
Re-read. IIRC I never hated the MacBeth series like the Raisin one, and having to give them away now for free, because I'm dumb, makes them suddenly seem "good". The reviews counter that, since it's neither offbeat nor endearing let alone black comedy. But it's also not just a difference between the sexes - Beaton lets Hamish have thin cheeks and long lashes and a smile that changes his whole face, women want him and he has sex and his Priscilla is not a horrific asshole like Agatha Raisin's Jam...more
McBeth is sent to Cnothan on the north coast of Scotland for three months while the local constable is on vacation. He finds it a dreadful and secretive little town. Of course there is a murder and Hamish is required again to work with his old nemesis, Blair.
The book is a wonderful tale about the quirks of rural life Scotland and a hilarious incident of a corpse in a lobster tank. It has shades of Sweeney Todd but with a slightly different skill and intention. I thought the book was delightfull...more
The book is a wonderful tale about the quirks of rural life Scotland and a hilarious incident of a corpse in a lobster tank. It has shades of Sweeney Todd but with a slightly different skill and intention. I thought the book was delightfull...more
Death of an Outsider by M.C.Beaton
I'd read plenty of Agatha Raisin and I thought it was about time I investigate Hamish Macbeth. I'd never seen the TV series so I had no preconceived ideas about what the man would be like, but I was pleasantly surprised. The character of Hamish Macbeth is likeable and you want him to succeed in solving his mysteries. All of the books have the same strong plot that the Agatha Raisin collection has and as always I never work out the ending.
I'd read plenty of Agatha Raisin and I thought it was about time I investigate Hamish Macbeth. I'd never seen the TV series so I had no preconceived ideas about what the man would be like, but I was pleasantly surprised. The character of Hamish Macbeth is likeable and you want him to succeed in solving his mysteries. All of the books have the same strong plot that the Agatha Raisin collection has and as always I never work out the ending.
In this 3rd in the Hamish Macbeth series, Hamish leaves his comfortable life in Lochdubh for a temporary assignment in Cnothan to relieve Sergeant MacGregor where his main duty, it seems, is to keep MacGregor's car in working order. Well, that could hardly be enough for a mystery, and sure enough there are murders to solve and murderers to expose. The usual cast of quirky villagers adds to the enjoyment of the continuing escapades of Constable Macbeth. On to the fourth book in the series!
Someone passed this on to me, and I quite liked it. If you like the "Doc Martin" series on Pbs you may like this series about a Highland Scots policeman with an uncanny knack for solving crime. Lots of quriky characters, neighborly nosiness, gossip and secretiveness in the village. I enjoyed it so much I have picked up two more in the series.
For all my Glosta buddies, it's murder by lobsters --- Joey C this means you!
For all my Glosta buddies, it's murder by lobsters --- Joey C this means you!
Third in the series, this mystery was set in Cnothan where Constable Macbeth is covering for the local bobby who left town. Because of this, I missed the "locals" who I have come to know and love in the other books in the series. I was also disappointed in the "fling" of PC Macbeth--smacked of James Bond. However, Beaton has unique murder plots and this was no exception--even the book jacket tells you that the victim falls into a lobster tank and all that is left is the skeleton. Ewww!
Third in the series and Hamish has been sent to a nearby village to cover whilst the local bobby is away. Used to his own patch he finds the setting bleak and the people bleaker. When the most horrible of them all turns up dead Hamish has to deal with his old nemesis Blair as well as a national cover up.
light, entertaining and easy to read if a little dated.
light, entertaining and easy to read if a little dated.
I enjoyed reading this quickly. I'm familiar with MacBeth and Priscilla, and enjoy following their encounters. The outsider was prickly and I wasn't sorry to see him go, though his death was a bit grotesque. The twists leading to the solution to the murder were easy to follow and still entertaining.
I listened to the audio version read by Gregor Hunt and found him to be a good match. I like the locale: Highlands of Scotland; like the characters: cranky Hamish Macbeth; like the standard premise: victim is someone EVERYBODY hated and had reason to want dead. Quick, light, but satisfying read or listen.
A cantankerous man is found dead and so begins another murder mystery for Hamish Macbeth, a small town Scottish police constable.
The book was well written and the story had a good pace. But the conclusion of the case came out of nowhere and felt like it was tacked on to the end of the story.
The book was well written and the story had a good pace. But the conclusion of the case came out of nowhere and felt like it was tacked on to the end of the story.
Love Hamish Macbeth! Can’t wait for the next book to be published. It seems M.C. Beaton aka Marion Chesney never lacks the inspiration for a good story. I even liked the BBC series although it was way too short and Robert Carlyle looked nothing like his character as described in the book.
This great installment in the Hamish MacBeth series takes place in Cnothan, an odd little crofter's village with odd little characters. An interesting murder takes place, and Hamish once again finds himself in the midst of an investigation he's kept largely out of, and solving in his understated and easy-going way.
I am hooked on M.C. Beaton mysteries. Both series, one with Hamish Macbeth and the other with Agatha Raisin are fun and atmospheric. Quick reads, most of the books are under 200 pages. A bit more racy than typical cozies; murder mysteries with a dash of sex and some outrageous situations.
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Good mystery with a twist at the end. This time Hamish is sent to a remote village to stand-in for a vacationing constable. The villagers are taciturn and it's clear who the victim will be. There's a long list of folks who wanted him dead. One of the crucial clues is withheld until the denouement.
They just keep getting better - can't put them down. I have no idea really what the appeal is to me. They are entertaining without being taxing is the best I can think of.
I also really disliked the character that got murdered in this one!
I also really disliked the character that got murdered in this one!
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Also writes as:
Marion Chesney (real name)
Jennie Tremaine
Sarah Chester
Helen Crampton
Ann Fairfax
Marion Gibbons
Charlotte Ward
M. C. Beaton has been hailed as "the new Queen of Crime." She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, which began with The Quiche of Death and also include As the Pig Turns and Busy Body, set in the English Cotswolds, as well as the Hamish M...more
More about M.C. Beaton...
Marion Chesney (real name)
Jennie Tremaine
Sarah Chester
Helen Crampton
Ann Fairfax
Marion Gibbons
Charlotte Ward
M. C. Beaton has been hailed as "the new Queen of Crime." She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, which began with The Quiche of Death and also include As the Pig Turns and Busy Body, set in the English Cotswolds, as well as the Hamish M...more
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