** spoiler alert ** Probably one of the first and certainly one of the most entertaining Hamish Macbeth mysteries. The travelling man is a modern beatnik-hippy who "travels" like a gypsy, living off the land (or the inhabitants of the land) without the trouble of work or duties. Finding out who killed him forces Hamish to suspect the innocent women of the village, who Sean Gourlay, the travelling man, seduces into compromising situations. He's also trying to get rid of Willie, his cleaning-mad assistant, and succeeds by the good fortune that Mr. Ferrari's niece Lucia is bright enough to realize Willie will do anything for her (especially all the cleaning) unlike her other suitors. Mr. Ferrari then realizes Willie would be good for his restaurant, the Napoli, and that problem is solved. Even Hamish proposes to Priscilla Halburton-Smythe who cooly agrees to a long engagement.