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Death of an Outsider
(Hamish Macbeth #3)
by
Dreary Cnothan's most hated man is dumped into a tank filled with lobsters then eaten in Britain's best restaurants. Exiled there with his dog Towser, Hamish Macbeth misses his beloved Highland village Lochdubh, Priscilla, and easy lazy days. His superiors want the business hushed up, a dark-haired lass wants his body, and a killer is out for more blood. On TV show.
...more
Audiobook, 5 pages
Published
2013
by Audible, Inc.
(first published 1988)
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth, #3)
In this 3rd book in the 'Hamish Macbeth' series, the police constable is temporarily assigned to patrol a new town. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Police Constable Hamish Macbeth lives and works in the Scottish village of Lochdubh, where he patrols the community, raises a few sheep, and roams the countryside with his dog Towser.
Macbeth loves Lochdubh and is chagrined when he's temporarily assigned to the town of Cnothan, when the only cop there takes a vacation.
The people in Cnothan ...more
Another enjoyable cozy mystery set it the Scottish highlands, a nice breezy read along with a great mystery for Macbeth to solve.
Temporary in charge of Cnothan, Hamish Macbeth soon realises that the locals are sceptical about outsiders, especially William Mainwaring who has ruffled a few feathers.
Having been written during the late 80’s there was a few mentions of ‘poofter’ and aids, which seemed slightly jarring.
I found myself cringing through them places...
But overall found it to be an easy r ...more
Temporary in charge of Cnothan, Hamish Macbeth soon realises that the locals are sceptical about outsiders, especially William Mainwaring who has ruffled a few feathers.
Having been written during the late 80’s there was a few mentions of ‘poofter’ and aids, which seemed slightly jarring.
I found myself cringing through them places...
But overall found it to be an easy r ...more
I love a good cozy mystery and M. C. Beaton is on of my favorites. She spends a lot of time with a character. Even though you know that if that many murders happened in one small place and if one person kept solving them people would question it, you still enjoy the stories.
Our hero has been loaned to another village and is not happy. Neither is his dog. But since a murder is in order for the story to qualify as a murder mystery he is soon wrapped up in a twisted investigation.
Who killed the ...more
Our hero has been loaned to another village and is not happy. Neither is his dog. But since a murder is in order for the story to qualify as a murder mystery he is soon wrapped up in a twisted investigation.
Who killed the ...more
Aug 29, 2019
Juli
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
backlist-read-2019,
read-audiobooks-2019
Nothing ever seems to go right for Hamish MacBeth. He's sent away from his usual post at Lochdubh to Cnothen while the local constable is away on an extended vacation. MacBeth arrives with his faithful dog Towser to discover the little village really doesn't like outsiders. Then there's William Mainwaring....an Englishman who seems to enjoy angering everyone he comes across with his snide know-it-all comments. MacBeth can't be his usual lazy, slow-going self with all the strange goings on....wit
...more
I have nothing but effusive, gushing and rapturous praise for M.C. Beaton. Will she keep that form all the way to her latest books? Who cares? For now I'm in heaven. Wonderful book! Brilliant! I'll be lucky if I get a better one to read this year. I've never, ever read about the (a more acerbic version of) equivalent of Lestrade/Japp try to imitate the hero of the book and try to grill the suspects till one of them confessed! So original! Took my breath away! And then with perfect timing, Hamish
...more
May 20, 2017
Julie Durnell
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
england-uk
I am really liking this series - this is my third read of the Hamish series and each book surprises me with how much I enjoy the Scottish Highlands setting, the small town cast of characters, and the honorable, down to earth, and loyal copper Hamish Macbeth, who seems to march to a different drummer. I love the way he interacts with local people and deducts the murderous intents of all the suspects-what a great guy to have a conversation with! Looking forward to the next book of Hamish!
Death of an Outsider is the 3rd book in M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series set in Scotland. Constable Macbeth has been ordered to replace Sgt MacGregor of Cnothan for three months while the Sgt is taking his vacation. That means taking his dog Towzer out of his comfortable residence at Lochdubh and bus down to this dour town. Strangers aren't popular there and the place reminds me of the town the League of Gentleman. Well, maybe not quite so strange. But Hamish is very unhappy. Wha
...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
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
Another good read. Just love the way how every situation is different and absorbing.
In Death of an Outsider, Hamish Macbeth is exiled to chilly Cnothan with only his loyal mutt Towser after his nemesis Inspector Blair yet again takes credit for Macbeth's murder solving skills. Cnothan's normal policeman is off on vacation and given the idyllic calm of Lochdubh, Hamish is sent along to keep an eye on Cnothan in the other's absence. Unlike Lochdubh, the residents of Cnothan are rude, suspicious individuals who welcome outsiders about as much as cats welcome a particularly yappy d
...more
Apr 26, 2016
Charlotte (Buried in Books)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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! ...more
I also really disliked the character that got murdered in this one! ...more
Oct 16, 2015
✨ Gramy ✨
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
four-shelf-i-really-liked-it,
c-mystery-cozy
.
Hamish is such a kind and compassionate man, who also likes to relax and enjoy himself. I have really enjoyed this series and getting acquainted with him.
Looking forward to more adventures through his eyes.
Hamish is such a kind and compassionate man, who also likes to relax and enjoy himself. I have really enjoyed this series and getting acquainted with him.
Looking forward to more adventures through his eyes.
Hamish is back and on the hunt for a murderer again. Sadly this one was a bit less engaging than the two before it. Hamish started to annoy me. I'm not a fan of his attitude to women. He is a bit condescending and frankly, just a bit irritating. I'll have a rest from him for a bit.
...more
At first when I read the back of this book and realized that Hamish was going to be in a new town I was wary to start reading, but this book was a great read that was almost better than the last two books.
I think Hamish showed some development in this book. He wasn't just thinking about Priscilla as much as he thought about her in the previous books,a nd it was a nice change.
The beginning was a bit hard to get into but by the end this book was quick-paced and fun to read. I'd easily recommend it ...more
I think Hamish showed some development in this book. He wasn't just thinking about Priscilla as much as he thought about her in the previous books,a nd it was a nice change.
The beginning was a bit hard to get into but by the end this book was quick-paced and fun to read. I'd easily recommend it ...more
A light, refreshing read. I finished Hallberg's sprawling, difficult "City of Fire" yesterday and M.C. Beaton's great characters and Scotland settings felt like a well-deserved vacation. Next I'm thinking of diving back into Proust, or perhaps the latest Houellebecq, "Submission", and thankfully I already have Macbeth #4 and #5 here at home on my to-read shelf for a return to Beaton's enjoyable, sometimes comical, world.
...more
Hamish Macbeth, local policeman and mystery-solver extraordinaire, is seconded to a nearby town to run the police station while its usual inspector is away. Faced with an unfriendly and taciturn population, Hamish struggles to win the trust of the townsfolk when the local rich landowner is found dead and Hamish doggedly pursues the murderer. I like this humourous series; Hamish is quietly brilliant and one can't help but like him.
...more
A fast and easy read - this wee tome won't take long and will leave you satisfied.
It's light (and at some times down right silly) but our hero is a likeable fellow with a keen eye for detail that just so happens to (along with his quick wit and a debonair flare) keep him out of trouble and in the ladies favours, all while solving some murders in his temporary fill-in job. Hamish Macbeth makes it all seem easy! ...more
It's light (and at some times down right silly) but our hero is a likeable fellow with a keen eye for detail that just so happens to (along with his quick wit and a debonair flare) keep him out of trouble and in the ladies favours, all while solving some murders in his temporary fill-in job. Hamish Macbeth makes it all seem easy! ...more
The Scottish brogue and good story made for an excellent listen. Perfect for a walk or drive.
Hamish is exiled to Cnothan to backfill a constable that is going on vacation. When a skeleton is found in the middle of the circle of standing stones near the town, Hamish must find out - who it is and what happened. Unfortunately, the villagers don't take to outsiders very well.
I listened to a audio book of this and the reader was very good at reading this mystery. Lot of twists and turns and suspects as it turns out the murdered man is also an outsider to the town.
I didn't realize that I re ...more
I listened to a audio book of this and the reader was very good at reading this mystery. Lot of twists and turns and suspects as it turns out the murdered man is also an outsider to the town.
I didn't realize that I re ...more
Jun 29, 2020
Debra
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
mystery-thriller-suspense
A friend has started reading the Hamish MacBeth mysteries. Books are so much more fun if there is company!
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
Another fun book about Hamish Macbeth, a lazy, unambitious constable in Scotland. He's also smart, canny, and very curious. He is sent for three months to work at another village; this one populated by a dour, sour group of people. There's an Englishman acting like he's lord of the manor. If ever there was a man wanting killing, it's him. He is murdered in a rather gruesome way.
Macbeth plods along, seemingly outside the police working the case, asking questions and getting people to talk to him. ...more
Macbeth plods along, seemingly outside the police working the case, asking questions and getting people to talk to him. ...more
I enjoyed this much more than the first two books of the series. Many of the same elements are there, but by moving Hamish MacBeth to another village to fill in for a vacationing colleague, M.C. Beaton somehow shook things up so that this book felt very different from the previous ones in the series. It was interesting seeing Hamish on new romantic territory and when the murder was being related I simply couldn't imagine how anyone was going to unravel the series of events.
I only hope she can ho ...more
I only hope she can ho ...more
Good story. Could not figure out who dun it! Lolol.
Engaging listening, this is character driven cosy-ish crime.
Good cozy mystery with interesting characters.
I love the earlier books in the Hamish MacBeth series. They’re so much less rote than later books. They’re cozy, and a little predictable (you know Blair will be an asshole, you know Hamish will solve the crime, you know Hamish will probably have a love interest and will be trying to forget Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, etc.). I love the village characters (caricatures really), and while you usually know who’s going to get murdered within the first 40-50 pages (due to the title), that doesn’t spoi
...more
My third read of the series. This should be good to pass time until the next Strike/ Galloway book gets released. Things I’ve learned about Hamish McBeth:
Going pants-less is nothing to be embarrassed about and occurs regularly. When he loses his temper, hilarity ensues. It’s through his sense of humor that his real appeal lies. Red hair is not a bad thing. He ALMOST always does the right thing and always gets his man/ woman, except not Pricilla. Yet 🤞
Going pants-less is nothing to be embarrassed about and occurs regularly. When he loses his temper, hilarity ensues. It’s through his sense of humor that his real appeal lies. Red hair is not a bad thing. He ALMOST always does the right thing and always gets his man/ woman, except not Pricilla. Yet 🤞
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Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Da ...more
Learn more on her website!
Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Da ...more
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