Death of a Kingfisher

A Hamish Macbeth Mystery

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

When Scotland is hit by the recession, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices that the Highland people are forced to come up with inventive ways to lure tourists to their sleepy towns. The quaint village of Braikie doesn't have much to offer, other than a place of rare beauty called Buchan's Wood, which was bequeathed to the town. The savvy local tourist director renames the woods "The Fairy Glen," and has brochures printed with a beautiful photograph of a kingfisher rising from a pond on the cover. It isn't long before coach tours begin to arrive. But just as the town's luck starts to turn, a kingfisher is found hanging from a branch in the woods with a noose around its neck. As a wave of vandalism threatens to ruin Braikie forever, the town turns to Hamish Macbeth. And when violence strikes again, the lawman's investigation quickly turns from animal cruelty to murder.

©2012 Marion Chesney. All rights reserved. (P)2012 AudioGo

Quite dark

This story was quite dark compared to other Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Did not feel like a cosy mystery at all. Nonetheless, the narration was excellent. And it kept me wondering who was responsible. The ending for me was unsatisfactory and dragged out. I missed the usual characters and their interactions. Dick is a nice addition.

Twists and turns a plenty

What did you love best about Death of a Kingfisher?

I'm enchanted with M C Breaton's characters and descriptions of the Scots and the highlands.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death of a Kingfisher?

The funeral of the kingfisher

What about Graeme Malcolm’s performance did you like?

His voice gives one the feeling of being there & listening in to real people.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

My relatives come from Scotland & I can hear and feel them in the characters.

A little brutal

Yep this one was the really good but some brutal murders. You are kept guessing and entertained

Chilling!

This is one exciting but chilling story! It has the light moments of all the Macbeth books, but the bad guys in this one are truly scary. I was surprised that the author wove so many different characters and sub stories together in such a way that I was able to keep track of all of them. I'm sure the excellent narration aided with that. Blair is still the consummate jerk. Hamish is even more genius and ingenious than usual. And romance takes a back seat in this book. Did you know that fairies are not like little Tinkerbells but are supposed to be little dark men who are not necessarily friendly? Do you believe in them? You may wonder if they are real after listening to Death of a Kingfisher.

Consistent Characters, Far Fetched Plot

As the other reviewers have already pointed out, while Beaton's characters are their usual eccentric and entertaining selves, the "murder mystery" of this book (the plot), is far fetched and rather strains the power of one's ability to suspend disbelief. While it was, as always, fun to spend time with my favorite Highland police constable, Hamish Macbeth, I feel as though there are better books in the series, ones that do not leave you wondering "wait...WHO did it? Huh?" It was just too implausible.
But, it's not stopping me from turning to the next book in the series, as they're always reliably predictable in their fun characters, fantastic narration (as long as it's Graeme Malcolm) and formulistic style. As long as you don't expect this series to be something it's not, you'll never be disappointed.

Good use of kids

I’m a little surprised that some thought this below par. I’d put it above the average for the series. First, there’s more novelty, without forgetting any characters and their foibles, MCB adds some folklore and kids with agency. It’s hard to write about children and so many books treat them as just something parents worry about. MCB isn’t quite Dickens here but her kids are active and she handles them deftly.
Also I liked the mood of the book. More camaraderie. After about 25 years experience as a 30 something bobby, Hamish seems to fit in better with a great multitude of familiar characters.

The epilogues an interesting way to tie things together

No spoilers in this review

I have enjoyed many Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth stories. There are similarities and differences. I think the Hamish stories are more grisly in general, and the epilogues seem to go on longer, tying up the loose ends. However, I don’t have a problem with the epilogues.
I find them satisfying.
In the case of both story series, the characters get more and more fully developed and intertwine in various ways.
Also, a sense of humor and the ongoing romantic challenges experienced by both protagonist, doing great part to their own foibles, is very entertaining. The humorous and romantic aspects are injected frequently, satisfactory counterpoints to the mystery and mayhem.
I was checking out these mysteries for free from my local library via the Libby app for audiobooks, but when their collection was exhausted I went to the free offerings on Audible, and then finally started spending my credits on them.
I think MC Beaton was a master at her craft, certainly an equal to the greats in the genre, and I think Hamish and Agatha can take their places next to Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Nero Wolfe, to name a few :-). And a big shout out to the Currie sisters, they’re my favorite… “my favorite”.

The ending left me hanging

I was enjoying the story although it went out on a limb engaging more and more people in the crime. I was left wondering why the teenagers weren't captured? It was amazing to see how they escaped any punishment.

not believable

Any additional comments?

I've read or listened to all the Hamish novels. The plot, ranging from Russian mafia to an American fundamentalist is too farfetched. Also, the characters of the two children seem unbelievable.

Delightful narration

I loved listening to the narrators voice. The story had all the essential parts of a Hamish story, but it didn't quite match up to. Earlier Macbeth yarns.