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Hamish Macbeth #16
Death of a Dustman
When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh's abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling centre and is dubbed the 'Environment Officer', Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant and when his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry - including his long-suffering family. But Macbeth is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman's victims refuse to talk - and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects... before the killer makes a clean getaway!
226 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 6, 2001
319 people are currently reading
1498 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,014 followersLike her on Facebook!
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 Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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 Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 387 reviews
September 16, 2017
“What evil’s come to Lochdubh?” — Mrs. McClellan
“Whatever it is,” said Hamish grimly, “Fergus Macleod did something to bring it here.”
Wildly politically incorrect and laced with hilarious dark comedy, this delightful mystery series set in the fictional village of Lochdubh in Scotland is a hoot. It features Hamish Macbeth, a tall redheaded policeman whose knack for solving crimes makes it difficult for the unambitious copper to avert promotion so that he can remain in the quirky village. This series is a refreshing change from just about everything else out there. Sure, they’re all a bit similar, but that makes them no less enjoyable. Fans adore Hamish and the quirky residents of Lochdubh. Each visit moves at a breezy and enjoyable pace, has a murder or two, a few wistful moments, and plenty of laughs derived from biting social commentary so contrary to the uber-sensitive crowd run amok, that we’d all like to live in Lochdubh were it not for the high mortality rate!
In Death of a Dustman, bossy Freda Fleming arrives from Strathbane to use her new position as Officer of Environment to “green” up Lochdubh, and get her face in the papers. If you’ve ever read a Hamish Macbeth mystery you’re probably already imagining the adverse reaction of the residents of Lochdubh. It is made worse by drunk dustman (garbageman) Fergus Macleod, who lets his laughable, sparkly new uniform and higher salary go to his head. Soon, everyone in Lochdubh is ready to murder the wife-beating lout. When the Currie sisters report a bad smell coming from one of the huge recycling bins, Hamish discovers someone has acted on their impulse.
In Death of a Dustman, Hamish has a new helper named Clarry. Big and slovenly, Clarry loves to cook more than he loves policing, and is soon sweet on Martha, the beleaguered wife of Fergus. This of course makes him a top suspect in the eyes of Blair, the bane of Hamish’s existence. The situation quickly goes from bad to worse as Hamish discovers that Fergus may have been blackmailing his beloved neighbors. As if that weren’t enough to make the lanky Hamish irritable, Priscilla has a new beau, and it turns out that her father, the Colonel, may have been the last to see Fergus alive. Mix in a pretty new schoolteacher, a second murder, and a shady new hotel owner, and you have the makings for another delightful mystery filled with laughs, and a few poignant moments.
Just a fabulous series that will certainly offend those who are offended by everything nowadays anyway, but delight a great many more readers. Death of a Dustman is another great read in a popular series full of them. Though there are murders, this series is as much about Hamish and the quirky villagers of Lochdubh we’ve come to love over the years. Putting on your mystery solving cap is really unnecessary when reading a Hamish Macbeth novel — and might in fact impede your enjoyment of them. A Hamish Macbeth mystery is the next best thing to actually visiting the Highlands, and Death of a Dustman is a nice vacation from weightier reads. Highly recommended!
“Whatever it is,” said Hamish grimly, “Fergus Macleod did something to bring it here.”
Wildly politically incorrect and laced with hilarious dark comedy, this delightful mystery series set in the fictional village of Lochdubh in Scotland is a hoot. It features Hamish Macbeth, a tall redheaded policeman whose knack for solving crimes makes it difficult for the unambitious copper to avert promotion so that he can remain in the quirky village. This series is a refreshing change from just about everything else out there. Sure, they’re all a bit similar, but that makes them no less enjoyable. Fans adore Hamish and the quirky residents of Lochdubh. Each visit moves at a breezy and enjoyable pace, has a murder or two, a few wistful moments, and plenty of laughs derived from biting social commentary so contrary to the uber-sensitive crowd run amok, that we’d all like to live in Lochdubh were it not for the high mortality rate!
In Death of a Dustman, bossy Freda Fleming arrives from Strathbane to use her new position as Officer of Environment to “green” up Lochdubh, and get her face in the papers. If you’ve ever read a Hamish Macbeth mystery you’re probably already imagining the adverse reaction of the residents of Lochdubh. It is made worse by drunk dustman (garbageman) Fergus Macleod, who lets his laughable, sparkly new uniform and higher salary go to his head. Soon, everyone in Lochdubh is ready to murder the wife-beating lout. When the Currie sisters report a bad smell coming from one of the huge recycling bins, Hamish discovers someone has acted on their impulse.
In Death of a Dustman, Hamish has a new helper named Clarry. Big and slovenly, Clarry loves to cook more than he loves policing, and is soon sweet on Martha, the beleaguered wife of Fergus. This of course makes him a top suspect in the eyes of Blair, the bane of Hamish’s existence. The situation quickly goes from bad to worse as Hamish discovers that Fergus may have been blackmailing his beloved neighbors. As if that weren’t enough to make the lanky Hamish irritable, Priscilla has a new beau, and it turns out that her father, the Colonel, may have been the last to see Fergus alive. Mix in a pretty new schoolteacher, a second murder, and a shady new hotel owner, and you have the makings for another delightful mystery filled with laughs, and a few poignant moments.
Just a fabulous series that will certainly offend those who are offended by everything nowadays anyway, but delight a great many more readers. Death of a Dustman is another great read in a popular series full of them. Though there are murders, this series is as much about Hamish and the quirky villagers of Lochdubh we’ve come to love over the years. Putting on your mystery solving cap is really unnecessary when reading a Hamish Macbeth novel — and might in fact impede your enjoyment of them. A Hamish Macbeth mystery is the next best thing to actually visiting the Highlands, and Death of a Dustman is a nice vacation from weightier reads. Highly recommended!
February 28, 2010
I'm telling you, people: M.C. Beaton's books are like potato chips! I can't stop! Every single one is a delight, a joy, a little vacation for the reader! I love her romances as Marion Chesney, I love her mysteries as M.C. Beaton, I LOVE HER!!
Death of a Dustman brings us garbage collection gone terribly awry, vicious recycling, blackmail, murder, suicide, burly Highlanders chucking large hammers about, superstitions, lies, and a lot of dinner dates at the local Italian restaurant.
Ahhh. It is good to be back in Lochdubh!
Death of a Dustman brings us garbage collection gone terribly awry, vicious recycling, blackmail, murder, suicide, burly Highlanders chucking large hammers about, superstitions, lies, and a lot of dinner dates at the local Italian restaurant.
Ahhh. It is good to be back in Lochdubh!
May 18, 2019
When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh's abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling center, Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant. When his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry—including his long-suffering family. But Macbeth is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman's victims refuse to talk—and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects ... before the killer makes a clean getaway!
My grandma's family came from the Scottish Highlands and so I just had to read this fascinating tale of death among the dustbins.
Enjoy!
My grandma's family came from the Scottish Highlands and so I just had to read this fascinating tale of death among the dustbins.
Enjoy!
July 30, 2022
This cozy murder mystery was once again, a dark comedy, hilarious political satire, lightly sprinkled with biting social commentary. Nothing escaped the author's tongue-in-cheek tale. A perfect retreat from our own little worlds.
But let's not get trope-ish here, although, the author is on a mission to entertain and compel while delivering a strong story, which is carried by idiosyncratic characters.
M. C. Beard has her own way of getting into romance as well. She just knows how to string miles of words into palatable stories without upsetting the sensitive members of society in our beloved ideological hiding places. Her books are much more than just cozy murder mysteries. These novels, playing out in Lochdubh in Scotland, are a hoot, every single one of them.
In Death of a Dustman, the town council of Strathbane has a new Officer of the Environment. Mrs. Freda Fleming planned to use Lockdubh as a prime example of clean, green, urban excellence. Between a dream and a goal is a timeline, and she had one mission and that was to be on national television. Her position in the chauvinist Highlands was due to the fact that the ambitious widow had seduced the provost—the Scottish equivalent of mayor—after a Burns Supper during which the normally rabbity little provost, Mr. Jamie Ferguson, had drunk too much whisky.
Oh, the pathos! What will the world be without a little ole' quid pro quo in just about every institution where politics and a romp in the hay can ensure some power and recognition. Of course, one can never say 'no' to a fat bank account either. However, she was already loaded, being a recently widowed, bored ego-maniac, with a burning ambition and lots of time on her hands.
Fergus Macleod, the drunk, was a perfect front man. He needed a big new truck, and a new uniform, a rise in salary, and a new title to state her point. And the town needed some bins to separate their trash. Bins on wheels.
However, Fergus, also a perpetual wife-beater, was immediately promoted to his important new job as the head of Lochdubh's state-of-the-art recycling center. He deemed it crucial to enforce petty rules, and harsh fines. He not only became highly unpopular instead, but also the laughing stock of the village.
The audience stared in amazement as Fergus walked proudly onto the platform. His uniform was pseudo-military, bright green and with epaulettes and brass buttons. On his head he wore a peaked cap so high on the crown and so shiny on the peak that a Russian officer would kill for it. He looked for all the world like the wizened dictator of some totalitarian regime.
Someone giggled, then someone laughed out loud, and then the whole hall was in an uproar. Fergus stood there, his long arms hanging at his sides, his face red, as the gales of laughter beat upon his ears. He hated them. He hated them all. He would get even.
Instead of getting even, he landed up stare-eyed and lifeless in one of his own bins. Karma, my friends, is a bitch. The town was ready to rumble. And groan — under, now, Seargent Hamish's scrutiny. The atmosphere darkened when he had to address another murder. He found the intrigue behind the events as cheerful as a colonoscopy. There were no promises of verbal diarrhea among the tight-lipped townsfolk with more secrets than the bins could swallow. Hamish's dog, Lugs, a mongrel with big ears and blue eyes, had a way of getting things stirred up, though. Kirsty Ettrick had a mouthful about Lugs and his odd blue eyes. Dogs with blue eyes were the reincarnation of lost human souls who came back. "He brought evil," she said.
There was still unfinished emotional business between glamorous Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and Hamish Macbeth.
Talking about unfinished emotional business, George Ionides, the new Greek owner of oceanfront The Lochdubn Hotel at the harbor, which he was renovating to become a luxury hotel had, sort of, unfinished emotional business with The Tommel Castle Hotel, belonging to Priscilla's father. The latter was still a popular destination for fisherman due to the abundance of fish in its waters. George had an obsession with fish, and he planned to ensure that all fish would become his property in one way or another. Which led to Hamish Macbeth's defense of his instructions to down a helicopter. Well, it was sort of done unconventionally, given that the villagers did not own heavy artillery or any war machines of any kind. It would cost him his new rank. He was elated. You've got to know Hamish to know why.
I listened to the audiobook on Youtube . A wonderful, engaging, relaxing experience.
But let's not get trope-ish here, although, the author is on a mission to entertain and compel while delivering a strong story, which is carried by idiosyncratic characters.
M. C. Beard has her own way of getting into romance as well. She just knows how to string miles of words into palatable stories without upsetting the sensitive members of society in our beloved ideological hiding places. Her books are much more than just cozy murder mysteries. These novels, playing out in Lochdubh in Scotland, are a hoot, every single one of them.
In Death of a Dustman, the town council of Strathbane has a new Officer of the Environment. Mrs. Freda Fleming planned to use Lockdubh as a prime example of clean, green, urban excellence. Between a dream and a goal is a timeline, and she had one mission and that was to be on national television. Her position in the chauvinist Highlands was due to the fact that the ambitious widow had seduced the provost—the Scottish equivalent of mayor—after a Burns Supper during which the normally rabbity little provost, Mr. Jamie Ferguson, had drunk too much whisky.
Oh, the pathos! What will the world be without a little ole' quid pro quo in just about every institution where politics and a romp in the hay can ensure some power and recognition. Of course, one can never say 'no' to a fat bank account either. However, she was already loaded, being a recently widowed, bored ego-maniac, with a burning ambition and lots of time on her hands.
Fergus Macleod, the drunk, was a perfect front man. He needed a big new truck, and a new uniform, a rise in salary, and a new title to state her point. And the town needed some bins to separate their trash. Bins on wheels.
However, Fergus, also a perpetual wife-beater, was immediately promoted to his important new job as the head of Lochdubh's state-of-the-art recycling center. He deemed it crucial to enforce petty rules, and harsh fines. He not only became highly unpopular instead, but also the laughing stock of the village.
The audience stared in amazement as Fergus walked proudly onto the platform. His uniform was pseudo-military, bright green and with epaulettes and brass buttons. On his head he wore a peaked cap so high on the crown and so shiny on the peak that a Russian officer would kill for it. He looked for all the world like the wizened dictator of some totalitarian regime.
Someone giggled, then someone laughed out loud, and then the whole hall was in an uproar. Fergus stood there, his long arms hanging at his sides, his face red, as the gales of laughter beat upon his ears. He hated them. He hated them all. He would get even.
Instead of getting even, he landed up stare-eyed and lifeless in one of his own bins. Karma, my friends, is a bitch. The town was ready to rumble. And groan — under, now, Seargent Hamish's scrutiny. The atmosphere darkened when he had to address another murder. He found the intrigue behind the events as cheerful as a colonoscopy. There were no promises of verbal diarrhea among the tight-lipped townsfolk with more secrets than the bins could swallow. Hamish's dog, Lugs, a mongrel with big ears and blue eyes, had a way of getting things stirred up, though. Kirsty Ettrick had a mouthful about Lugs and his odd blue eyes. Dogs with blue eyes were the reincarnation of lost human souls who came back. "He brought evil," she said.
There was still unfinished emotional business between glamorous Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and Hamish Macbeth.
Talking about unfinished emotional business, George Ionides, the new Greek owner of oceanfront The Lochdubn Hotel at the harbor, which he was renovating to become a luxury hotel had, sort of, unfinished emotional business with The Tommel Castle Hotel, belonging to Priscilla's father. The latter was still a popular destination for fisherman due to the abundance of fish in its waters. George had an obsession with fish, and he planned to ensure that all fish would become his property in one way or another. Which led to Hamish Macbeth's defense of his instructions to down a helicopter. Well, it was sort of done unconventionally, given that the villagers did not own heavy artillery or any war machines of any kind. It would cost him his new rank. He was elated. You've got to know Hamish to know why.
I listened to the audiobook on Youtube . A wonderful, engaging, relaxing experience.
June 11, 2022
An over ambitious environmental officer determines to ‘green’ a city over night, and sets off a string of events that lead to an environmental disaster of a size rarely seen in a quaint village and murder.
I liked the way this mystery was solved. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. Everyone in this book seems to be an adulterer, abuser, blackmailer, or dope dealer. At the very best they are all liars from the murderer to the hero, police sergeant. It’s not just that they wink at it, they actively organize it. It does occasionally give the hero fits, but he just turns around and lies his way out any difficulties they get him into. It has a generally permissive air.
The mystery itself is nasty enough. A thoroughly despicable man get himself murdered. That sets off a chain of discoveries that threaten to destroy the reputation of dozens of people, and multiple other deaths. Even Hamish Macbeth might not make it through this story.
The solution was wild enough. Well, the first solution anyway. Talk about local color! It was interesting to say the least.
Beyond the references to affairs, it is relatively clean. It does have a few curse words.
I liked the way this mystery was solved. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters. Everyone in this book seems to be an adulterer, abuser, blackmailer, or dope dealer. At the very best they are all liars from the murderer to the hero, police sergeant. It’s not just that they wink at it, they actively organize it. It does occasionally give the hero fits, but he just turns around and lies his way out any difficulties they get him into. It has a generally permissive air.
The mystery itself is nasty enough. A thoroughly despicable man get himself murdered. That sets off a chain of discoveries that threaten to destroy the reputation of dozens of people, and multiple other deaths. Even Hamish Macbeth might not make it through this story.
The solution was wild enough. Well, the first solution anyway. Talk about local color! It was interesting to say the least.
Beyond the references to affairs, it is relatively clean. It does have a few curse words.
May 18, 2021
Same formula, but who cares. They're fun reads.
January 4, 2009
Beaton is such a delight. She has such a way at describing the idiosyncratic characters that populate her books. In this latest Hamish Macbeth story, Hamish has been promoted to sergeant and he now has to supervise a new constable, Clarry, who has few genuine police skills but is a great cook. Freda Fleming, a power-seeking environmentalist recently elected to Strathbane Council, decides that Lochdubh (pronounced Lockdoo) is perfect to use as a vehicle to bring herself to national attention, so she enlists the aid of their local dustman (garbage collector) to enforce some stringent new rules regarding the collection of trash. Fergus Macleod, the dustman and local wife-beating drunk, revels in his new uniform and power and immediately proceeds to make enemies of everyone in town. He also gets himself murdered. Unfortunately, Hamish has a surfeit of suspects, including Clarry, who had fallen in love with Martha McLeod, Fergus’s wife. But many others, it turns out, had reason to intensely dislike the dustman. Hamish and Priscilla are still not married, but still warily circling each other, both threatening to become involved with others. Hamish loses his stripes by lying about how a helicopter was brought down. You’ll have to read the book to find out more, but it will be well worth it.
June 9, 2024
This was too sad for me but there were some happy endings for some. I felt very sorry for the battered wives. It seems that many of the men in the highlands drink entirely too much whisky. I get a kick out of Hamish's accent which M. C. Beaton knows how to write.
April 27, 2014
Never leave home without Hamish Macbeth. Really. What will I do when I've come to book 30 or is it 31. I'll think on that later.
I love the Scottish terminology and was interested to learn that a "dustman" is a garbage man. So, right there I've improved my vocabulary.
M.C. Beatton continues to rev up the motives and possibilities of murder. Just when you might suspect a writer would be getting stale, she surprises the reader.
The common dustman, severe alcoholic and wife abuser is promoted to Environmental Officer, uniform included. He struts with grandiose self importance and uses his new power to distress every citizen in the small town of Lochdubh (lock doo), Scotland.
We can always depend on murder by the title.
Now, if you haven't met Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, I suggest you go back to book #1 and have a grand time.
I love the Scottish terminology and was interested to learn that a "dustman" is a garbage man. So, right there I've improved my vocabulary.
M.C. Beatton continues to rev up the motives and possibilities of murder. Just when you might suspect a writer would be getting stale, she surprises the reader.
The common dustman, severe alcoholic and wife abuser is promoted to Environmental Officer, uniform included. He struts with grandiose self importance and uses his new power to distress every citizen in the small town of Lochdubh (lock doo), Scotland.
We can always depend on murder by the title.
Now, if you haven't met Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, I suggest you go back to book #1 and have a grand time.
March 23, 2020
These books just flow along in such a happy goofy way.
April 5, 2021
Macbeth and the Garbage Man
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2015) of the Grand Central Publishing hardcover original (2001)
Death of a Dustman has Lochdubh village constable Hamish Macbeth fighting off the outside forces of a self-promoting politician attempting to leech off the popularity of eco-trends in a not very cooperative Highland environment. The cranky village garbageman is promoted as an environmental recycler and proceeds to blackmail various residents with the finds from their discards resulting in their own murder. Macbeth has to solve the case as usual.
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in "Death of Yesterday", I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available for free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
This edition on Audible Audio has narrator Graeme Malcolm in place of series regular Shaun Grindell. Malcolm does an excellent job as well.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2015) of the Grand Central Publishing hardcover original (2001)
Death of a Dustman has Lochdubh village constable Hamish Macbeth fighting off the outside forces of a self-promoting politician attempting to leech off the popularity of eco-trends in a not very cooperative Highland environment. The cranky village garbageman is promoted as an environmental recycler and proceeds to blackmail various residents with the finds from their discards resulting in their own murder. Macbeth has to solve the case as usual.
After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in "Death of Yesterday", I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available for free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.
This edition on Audible Audio has narrator Graeme Malcolm in place of series regular Shaun Grindell. Malcolm does an excellent job as well.
December 13, 2015
This was a darker novel than some of the others. I admit that sometimes the author's viewpoints really irritates me. She sometimes makes women seem stupid or makes light of serious issues like domestic abuse. This is a bit more serious than the others and at least shows the consequences and as a plus it actually stays pretty focused on the actual mystery instead of the rest of the plot.
June 1, 2017
I liked this Hamish Macbeth story. Hamish tries so hard to protect the privacy of a few villagers and it wears him down. He solved both murders and yet it was his strange dog that told him of the ending of one of the murderers. I don't want to say too much and give anything away. This was one of the better Hamish Macbeth stories I have read.
February 27, 2017
I always have loved the (Death of Books)
So I liked this one very much as well.
You can just feel the setting of the Highlands.
I love it.
So I liked this one very much as well.
You can just feel the setting of the Highlands.
I love it.
September 1, 2009
#17 Hamish MacBeth Scottish cozy police mystery. One of the councilwomen in Strathbane, eager for some attention, targets Lochdubh for her 'go green' campaign and enlists the local dustman, Fergus Macleod, to get the residents to separate their rubbish for recycling. Fergus, a nasty, wife-beating drunk who was on the verge of losing his job before Mrs. Fleming got him a new uniform and reason to be nasty, of course ends up dead. There's hardly a villager who hadn't been heard threatening him at one time or another, but when a second man, a crofter named Angus also dies, the suspect list narrows a bit.
Hamish, now a Sergeant with yet another PC--Clarry, this one a great cook but not much in the grooming and cleanliness department--learns that Fergus was blackmailing several Lochdubh residents and wonders if Angus found out somehow and one of those people killed him? Hamish keeps this news to himself, wanting to protect his fellow villagers, and of course it ends up disastrously and by the end of the book, Hamish is once again a lowly PC and Blair gnashes his teeth as his red-haired menace once again escapes being sacked. An enjoyable, light read and this one had a solution that I didn't anticipate, at least for part of it.
Hamish, now a Sergeant with yet another PC--Clarry, this one a great cook but not much in the grooming and cleanliness department--learns that Fergus was blackmailing several Lochdubh residents and wonders if Angus found out somehow and one of those people killed him? Hamish keeps this news to himself, wanting to protect his fellow villagers, and of course it ends up disastrously and by the end of the book, Hamish is once again a lowly PC and Blair gnashes his teeth as his red-haired menace once again escapes being sacked. An enjoyable, light read and this one had a solution that I didn't anticipate, at least for part of it.
May 9, 2015
This was my first Hamish Macbeth book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have read almost all of the Agatha Raisin books by M.C. Beaton so thought I would give Hamish a try. The little Highland town of Lochdubh is on the surface a very peaceful and sleepy place where the pace of life is easy going and everyone knows every one else and their business, or do they? When Fergus Macleod, abusive drunk and wife beater is promoted from dustman to 'Environment Officer' it goes to his head and he becomes even more obnoxious than usual. A string of events is set in motion and soon many of the villagers find themselves dragged into a murder investigation, we soon find out that beneath the smooth surface of village life things are not as peaceful and innocent as they appear to be. Hamish Macbeth finds himself in quite a quandary as to how to solve the crimes and also how to protect the reputation of some of his neighbours and friends in the village whilst still bringing the culprit to justice. A very easy and interesting mystery, I shall definitely be reading more in the series.
August 3, 2015
A very enjoyable and comical book, starring Hamish Macbeth in pursuit of the murderer and equally in pursuit of the love of Priscilla. The victim in this instance is a nasty piece of work, a drunk and abusive dustman, promoted to Environment Officer, and given a swanky new uniform.
The new environment officer, Mrs Fleming, is equally unpopular with the residents of Lochdubh. But she is a great comedy character, with her sense of self importance and determination to make a name for herself.
The mystery of who committed these murders keeps you interested and intrigued to the end, but along the way there are more that a few laugh out loud moments. I can recommend Death of a Dustman to fans of M C Beaton and to anyone who enjoys reading detective fiction and comedy.
The new environment officer, Mrs Fleming, is equally unpopular with the residents of Lochdubh. But she is a great comedy character, with her sense of self importance and determination to make a name for herself.
The mystery of who committed these murders keeps you interested and intrigued to the end, but along the way there are more that a few laugh out loud moments. I can recommend Death of a Dustman to fans of M C Beaton and to anyone who enjoys reading detective fiction and comedy.
May 24, 2016
Comedy and misery combine to make another satisfying mystery from M.C. Beaton.
The death of a cruel dustman leaves Lochdubh littered with lies, suspicions...and lots of actual garbage. As is too often the case, Hamish finds himself suppressing evidence from Strathbane in an effort to protect the villagers. While his intentions are noble, some day he's going to truly go too far.
While Hamish is conducting an infinite round of interviews, we also get to know his new constable. It's obvious that, like Willie, he's useless as a policeman. It's seems that a running joke is born.
There are plenty of sad stories explored here, but lots of funny and sweet moments as well. The result is a lovely balance that keeps Lochdubh from feeling too cozy to be real.
The death of a cruel dustman leaves Lochdubh littered with lies, suspicions...and lots of actual garbage. As is too often the case, Hamish finds himself suppressing evidence from Strathbane in an effort to protect the villagers. While his intentions are noble, some day he's going to truly go too far.
While Hamish is conducting an infinite round of interviews, we also get to know his new constable. It's obvious that, like Willie, he's useless as a policeman. It's seems that a running joke is born.
There are plenty of sad stories explored here, but lots of funny and sweet moments as well. The result is a lovely balance that keeps Lochdubh from feeling too cozy to be real.
December 20, 2017
I am really starting to find MC Beaton's knack of constructing Agath Christie-esque plots really appealing. Hamish this time is on the trail of the murderer of an unpleasant and unpopular dustman who was murdered and put in a dustbin (hilarious). There are various red herrings along the way, but the relationships are all rather complicated and I was excited to learn who the culprit was at the very end. I also love hearing about Hamish's various policemen that come and go, either because they are so useless or because a better job comes along - this time it's a wannabe chef.
As always, I speed through these, so am now trying my best to stretch each book out as long as possible. Please keep writing Ms Beaton!!
As always, I speed through these, so am now trying my best to stretch each book out as long as possible. Please keep writing Ms Beaton!!
June 28, 2015
Review - I particularly loved Clarry in this one, only in this book really, but an excellent character, and very well developed considering how relatively minor he is. Still love Hamish and how he always manages to stumble onto the right answer. One of the best Hamish Macbeth mysteries I've read so far - very cleverly done, and the suspects were many, making it difficult to solve. This is the kind of mystery that I love. Description as good as ever.
Genre? - Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Hamish Macbeth / Fergus MacLeod / Clarry / Freda Fleming / Jimmy Anderson / Chief Inspector Blair
Setting? - Lochdubh (Scotland)
Series? - Hamish Macbeth #17
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Hamish Macbeth / Fergus MacLeod / Clarry / Freda Fleming / Jimmy Anderson / Chief Inspector Blair
Setting? - Lochdubh (Scotland)
Series? - Hamish Macbeth #17
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
June 4, 2014
I think with this book I have finally caught up and read the entire Macbeth series. These books are such fun. I especially enjoyed Dustman as it takes place in Lochdubh with the locals, whom Hamish always works furiously to protect from the detectives in Inverness. It was fun to finally meet Clarry, who I know from later books.
I'm going to look back through my Macbeth books and hope I've got one more unread book left to enjoy. If not, I'll have to just start the series again, reading them in order this time through. If you enjoy a great cozy, give Hamish Macbeth a try.
I'm going to look back through my Macbeth books and hope I've got one more unread book left to enjoy. If not, I'll have to just start the series again, reading them in order this time through. If you enjoy a great cozy, give Hamish Macbeth a try.
December 30, 2018
Description: When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh's abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling center, Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant. When his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry—including his long-suffering family. But Macbeth is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman's victims refuse to talk—and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects ... before the killer makes a clean getaway!
October 1, 2020
One of the better entries in this series. For a mystery that is less then 250 pages, the author weaves an intriguing story around quirky characters. With each book in the series I've become more and more attached to Hamish Macbeth and his neighbors in the Highlands of Scotland. Definitely recommend reading the series in order.
February 21, 2017
When lochdubh gets a new dustman and goes green the villagers are soon threatening to kill him, so when someone puts him out with the rubbish there are lots of suspects.
October 28, 2021
Another delightful Hamish mystery. I swear I've never come across a series that makes me feel so instantly relaxed. I turn on that audiobook and all tension just trickles away. It's a treat every time I turn one on. It's very distressing to me that Audible doesn't have all of them on premium. I don't like patiently waiting for the library copy.
Trouble is a brewin' in Lochdubh when a new environmental lady shows up. She's got big plans for the village and their wasteful ways. It doesn't help that the dustman, Fergus, is a lout, a bully, and a drunk. He gets caught up in a power high and ends up dead in the Currie sisters' garbage can.
Hamish just can't believe that any of the villagers would stoop that low. He has to figure out who murdered Fergus before one of his neighbors gets accused.
Meanwhile Hamish has a new constable, Clarry, who would rather cook than patrol. He starts looking after Fergus's family and doesn't have a lot of time to help Hamish. (I really liked this subplot. I thought it was sweet.)
I listened to the audiobook by Graeme Malcolm and it was great. I think I've adjusted to his voice now. Love this series so much!
Trouble is a brewin' in Lochdubh when a new environmental lady shows up. She's got big plans for the village and their wasteful ways. It doesn't help that the dustman, Fergus, is a lout, a bully, and a drunk. He gets caught up in a power high and ends up dead in the Currie sisters' garbage can.
Hamish just can't believe that any of the villagers would stoop that low. He has to figure out who murdered Fergus before one of his neighbors gets accused.
Meanwhile Hamish has a new constable, Clarry, who would rather cook than patrol. He starts looking after Fergus's family and doesn't have a lot of time to help Hamish. (I really liked this subplot. I thought it was sweet.)
I listened to the audiobook by Graeme Malcolm and it was great. I think I've adjusted to his voice now. Love this series so much!
March 27, 2021
I stopped reading M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series a few years ago. I really don’t remember why. Was it because I couldn’t get the books in the audio format I preferred? Did one of the books strike a sour note? I just don’t remember, but on a whim, I picked up the next one in the series. (Yes, I was keeping track.) It proved to be a good decision.
I read this book in a single day. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is. Lots of twists and turns and proof that even a small village like Lochdubh has plenty of secrets. Ones worth killing over.
I read this book in a single day. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is. Lots of twists and turns and proof that even a small village like Lochdubh has plenty of secrets. Ones worth killing over.
February 22, 2025
Another middle of the road entry in the series. It's not bad at all and some running story gets a little bit progressed. The ending is a bit all over the place, but otherwise fine story/mystery.
May 18, 2019
Both groups of previous reviewers are correct. Most of the book is the usual mixture of silliness and sleuthing, and as such is not depressing. Some of the book--having to do with alcoholics (even tho' we all hate Blair) wife beating, sexism, and lying--does lead to the least cheerful ending of this part of the series. There is a moment or two near the end when you say to yourself "There is no hope for humans," but the last chapter gives you a bit of lift. If you are not READING IN ORDER you will not enjoy this book. It is #15, and Beaton is not boring her loyal fans by repeating everything we need to know from previous stories.
For women of a certain age, this brief outtake (not an exact quote) will ring true.
Secretary at accounting firm who just served tea: I missed out.
Hamish: On what?
Secretary: On women's lib, that's what. You won't get the young things these days to make tea.
Hamish: Then you shouldn't do it if you don't want to.
Secretary: I can't stop. I'm the generation that makes tea for men.
(Moments later)
Secretary (dusting shelves): Have you noticed something else about women of my generation? We've aye got a duster or cloth in our hands. Wipe wipe, wipe, like a nervous tic.
Hamish: You could change.
Secretary: At my age?
For women of a certain age, this brief outtake (not an exact quote) will ring true.
Secretary at accounting firm who just served tea: I missed out.
Hamish: On what?
Secretary: On women's lib, that's what. You won't get the young things these days to make tea.
Hamish: Then you shouldn't do it if you don't want to.
Secretary: I can't stop. I'm the generation that makes tea for men.
(Moments later)
Secretary (dusting shelves): Have you noticed something else about women of my generation? We've aye got a duster or cloth in our hands. Wipe wipe, wipe, like a nervous tic.
Hamish: You could change.
Secretary: At my age?
December 8, 2020
*This review can also be found on my book review blog, The Never-Ending TBR Pile.
Rubbish. Blackmail. Power.
In this installment, Hamish has to discover the killer of a disliked dustman (i.e. garbage collector) and has no shortage of suspects. He doesn't want to believe that it's someone from his village, though, and takes unorthodox means to delay the inevitable in order to find the killer. But when another death occurs, he begins to feel the pressure of not doing his duty and things quickly unravel.
Being in Lochdubh is always enjoyable and reading about the intertwining lives of the residents there is entertaining. This particular book reveals just how deeply connected Hamish is with his village and the lengths he'll go to protect those he feels are innocent. And the twist at the end delivers a sad blow to the community that had thought everything was over when the killer was revealed.
Definitely a great continuation of this series that leaves me eager to dive into more of Hamish's adventures!
Rubbish. Blackmail. Power.
In this installment, Hamish has to discover the killer of a disliked dustman (i.e. garbage collector) and has no shortage of suspects. He doesn't want to believe that it's someone from his village, though, and takes unorthodox means to delay the inevitable in order to find the killer. But when another death occurs, he begins to feel the pressure of not doing his duty and things quickly unravel.
Being in Lochdubh is always enjoyable and reading about the intertwining lives of the residents there is entertaining. This particular book reveals just how deeply connected Hamish is with his village and the lengths he'll go to protect those he feels are innocent. And the twist at the end delivers a sad blow to the community that had thought everything was over when the killer was revealed.
Definitely a great continuation of this series that leaves me eager to dive into more of Hamish's adventures!
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