Hamish and the WorldStoppers

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MY THOUGHTS: Apparently M.C. Beaton was working on this story at the time of her death. I enjoyed Death of a Green-Eyed Monster, but perhaps not as much as some of the earlier books. M.C. Beaton (born Marion Chesney in Glasgow, Scotland) is the original author of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth books. She wrote a number of historical romance books under her maiden name and various other pen names, but since her success with the pseudonym M.C. Beaton, everything has now been attributed to that name.

It is with some relief that I can say that Death of a Green-Eyed Monster hopefully sets a renewed steady course for the future of the Hamish Macbeth series after the disappointments of the previous books, esp. Death of an Honest Man (2018 - Hamish Macbeth #33) which I reviewed as Not My Hamish. Hamish Macbeth first aired on television in 1995 on a comedy-drama series formed by BBC Scotland. Marion Chesney claims that the only things that remained the same between the television series and the book series were the names of Hamish Macbeth and the small town, Lochdubh. The concept of a small town policeman butting heads with higher officials was also laced into the plotline, as it was a popular theme for BBC mystery shows (such as Inspector Barnaby in Midsomer Murders and the famous Inspector Lynley in the Lynley series). The next book in the The Hamish Macbeth Series by M.C. Beaton is Death of a Spy and will be released on February, 22nd 2024.At time of writing, you can watch Hamish Macbeth on Acorn TV, Pluto, Freevee, Roku Channel, and Tubi. Opt for Acorn TV if you prefer a version without adverts. Will There Be More Hamish Macbeth Books? The Hamish Macbeth books were adapted into the BBC Scotland television series Hamish Macbeth. Running for three series between 1995 and 1997, the titular police officer was played by Robert Carlyle. The first and second series comprised six episodes and the third had an additional two-part series finale to make eight episodes. The series bore little relation to the content of Beaton's novels. Macbeth and Lochdubh were retained, in name at least, but little else survived. The Hamish Macbeth show ran from March 1995 to May 1997. The show was loosely based on the books by M.C. Beaton, both featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth in the town of Lochdubh, Scotland. The show, however, was not a direct adaptation of the novels. May 19, 2022 Update Made a minor edit to correct the numbering of the Hamish Macbeth novella Death of a Laird from #34.5 to #33.5.

Macbeth himself is a far from perfect character who strives to accomplish very little in his life. He is lazy, self-centered, and determined in every aspect to be right when it comes to a mystery. He will go to great lengths to prove this fact, sometimes using outside information and unorthodox methods to solve a case. Still, these qualities are what makes Hamish Macbeth relatable to readers, and may have a strong connection to the popularity of the series itself. What are the Macbeth books all about? Priscilla is the “love of Macbeth’s life”, though she gets engaged in the second novel to a playwright who has become famous. Ultimately, the relationship seems to go nowhere even though Priscilla never quite leaves the spotlight, remaining Macbeth’s right-hand on many cases. Later, Macbeth has a short affair with reporter Elspeth Grant. But that, too, ends badly. They didn’t know whether to make it a Whisky Galore or a soap. And they refused to show my books at any press conference. I was very hurt by the whole thing – and I’m bitter because I’m a very resentful person. While Beaton was not happy with the changes, the TV series developed a loyal fan base, and many viewers have since come to know the Hamish Macbeth that Beaton originally created. Her earlier novels are being reprinted and re-released to fill the gaps between new volumes. Detective Inspector Jimmy Anderson – Blair's second-in-command who regularly helps give Hamish information in exchange for a wee dram, unless Blair is ill, or Anderson seeks promotionConsidered by many to be a useless, lazy moocher, Macbeth is very well informed about his community's activities and often overlooks minor transgressions in the interests of the public weal. In time it emerges that, following Highland tradition as the eldest child, he remains single because he is supporting his crofter parents and six much younger siblings by sending them most of his salary, and finding various ways to supplementing his income. Having created a niche for himself in the community and on the police force, he uses his intelligence and skills to solve murders cases - while avoiding and evading all efforts to transfer, promote and/or fire him out of it. Archie Maclean – a fisherman who spends his time when not at sea at the harbour front or in the local pub to avoid his wife.

The Marion Chesney estate must be happy as well with how the continuation series is proceeding as a novella Death of a Laird: A Hamish Macbeth novella (expected March 8, 2022, Hamish Macbeth #34.5) [ correction: Death of a Laird is actually #33.5 as it was released in Kindle format February 15, 2022 prior to Death of a Green-Eyed Monster, it was the Audible Audio edition that was released later on March 8, 2022] and the next novel Death of a Traitor (Expected February 2, 2023; Hamish Macbeth #35) have already been announced. Elspeth Grant – local news reporter and sometime love interest of Hamish. Her gypsy heritage gives her insights into her surroundings that Hamish comes to trust. Review of the Grand Central Publishing audiobook narrated by Graeme Malcolm, released simultaneously with the Grand Central Publishing hardcover (February 15, 2022) Marion Gibbons was born in 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland. Most of her earlier works were written under her maiden name Chesney. She also typed under a pen-name “M.C Beaton”, the official author given credit for the Hamish Macbeth series. I loved this series from the first book Death of a Gossip. Hamish Macbeth is the main character along with the supporting characters in the town of Lochdubh, The new characters add to the story. Hamish is the policeman assigned to this town which he loves. He gets a new constable Dorothy McIver to work with him. He shows her around town and the Tommel Castle Hotel to introduce her to the villagers. While at the castle he is told that a woman showed up asking about Dorothy but left. While there they run into two men in the parking lot who Hamish is suspicious of. He gets a call from Dougie, the owner of the gas station that there is a dead body in a car. Hamish goes and finds that it is one of the men in the parking lot, Graham Leslie who is shot in the head. This is where the story takes off with Hamish trying to find out why he was killed. So much is happening in the town with thieves, car races, a motorcycle as well as murder. Hamish and Dorothy spend a lot of time together. They fall in love and Hamish asks her to marry him and she accepts. The town is very happy for them. Detective Chief Inspector Blair is assigned to the murder. He and Hamish have a bad relationship; throughout all the books. He is into something shady. On the wedding day Hamish is at the church but Dorothy does not show. He knows that she is in danger and looks for her. She is found in a field dead. Hamish goes to great lengths to find the killer. I will leave the end of the story to the readers as the ending comes with many surprises.M.C. Beaton died two days before the worst year in recent memory. Yes, she left this earth on December 30, 2019 at the age of 83. Working with friend and collaborator Rod Green (credited as RW Green), she added Hot to Trot to the Agatha Raisin book series (published posthumously). They worked together to carry out her ideas and maintain a similar voice – and she gave him her blessing to continue both the Agatha Raisin series and the Hamish Macbeth series after her passing. They work well together solving the few crimes that happen in ‘their patch’ as Hamish refers to it. Then, there is a murder, and ‘special’ investigators from Strathbane and even Glasgow descends on their peaceful little world. One of those investigators is DCI Blair who hates Hamish with a passion. Blair is the epitome of a dirty cop – Hamish knows it – Blair knows Hamish knows it. Hamish just can’t prove it – yet. Hamish and Dorothy conduct their own investigation since they’ve been told to stay out of the official one. It really gets personal for Hamish when Douglas (Dougie) Tennant is beaten and left to burn to death in his cottage near where the murder happened.

It has been 4 years though since Death of an Honest Man, so presumably quite a lot of work was still required to complete the new book. R.W. Green would have also been busy with the continuation work on the Agatha Raisin series, which may be currently more popular and on demand due to its ongoing television adaptations. There are so many things that don’t make sense to Hamish. Is all of it related to gangs bleeding over from the big cities into the Highlands? Who is the blonde woman in the blue car? What does the soldier, Keith Bain, have to do with any of it? His alibi certainly doesn’t hold up. Then, there is the American, James Bland. Who is he really and why is he in Lochdubh? We all know DCI Blair is up to no good – but what is it he is actually up to? Detective Chief Inspector Blair – who hates Hamish (mostly because Hamish is competent and Blair is not); a fat whisky drinker who, on several occasions, is hospitalised with alcohol poisoning.

Hamish and the Christmas Elf

Any time a series goes beyond the normal length (3-6 books) it becomes quite the juggling act to figure out what to read next. Soon after this revelation, Lady Jane is found murdered. No one in the party is exactly upset about this development, but Hamish Macbeth (the local policeman) feels obligated to find the murderer. At this point, the book mirrors an English murder-mystery. In essence, a small group of people are trapped and each of them is a suspect in a murder case, much like the famous movie Clue. At this point, it is left up to Macbeth to determine who the culprit is and how to bring him/her to justice. In this book, Macbeth is assisted by his love interest Priscilla Smythe and, together, they bring the killer to light.