Death of a Charming Man

The Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, Book 10

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Shaun Grindell

M. C. Beaton returns with another baffling case for Hamish Macbeth, the stubborn, red-haired, one-man police department of the Highland village of Lochdubh.

Hamish Macbeth’s unofficial engagement to the stunningly beautiful Priscilla Halburton-Smythe is reminding the constable of the old adage about answered prayers. His lovely fiancée has replaced his cozy wood stove with a modern electric one and is busy trying to “make a man of him.” The only man Hamish wants to be is the one who wanders about the village with his dog Towser, gossiping, fishing, and deftly solving a crime or two.

Deciding that this may be a good time for a little retreat, Hamish ambles over to the nearby backwater of Drim, ostensibly to check out a posh English chap who is causing a most unusual problem. Single, wealthy, and terribly attractive, newcomer Peter Hynd has thrown the middle-aged matrons of Drim into a flutter and put their men, dour Highlanders whose feelings run deep, on a slow burn. Hamish’s instincts tell him this seemingly charming young man likes to stir up trouble, and it’s not long before the seething emotions transform the sleepy village into a hotbed of threats, domestic rows, and violent murder.

With Hamish’s own relationship raising doubts about hearts and flowers, he’s more than ready to do what he now must: investigate the darker side of love.

©2001 M. C. Beaton (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Poor Hamish and Priscilla

We know what each one of them is thinking, so we know that they are misunderstanding each other or failing to say what they’re really thinking and feeling. Rookie mistakes. I trust they will sort it. I mostly enjoy learning about the culture, but the mysteries are well done and the characterizations are excellent.

fun read

always a pleasure to listen to Hamish stories but I think all problem would be solve if more single men lives in that village for those horny woman

Beautiful Man

When a beautiful man comes to town all the women get beautified. The beautiful man samples all their favors and ends up dead.

Wedding Bell Blues

Hamish and Priscilla are preparing to wed, but Hamish is not happy about anyone trying to change his well worn habits and police station. It seems that foreshadowing is more like a thunder cloud than a rain cloud.

Shaun Grindell does a masterly job of narrating.

I recommend this story.

Hamish goes even more rogue than usual!

I always enjoy hearing about the scrapes that Hamish gets in and out of. It’s too bad he and Pricilla aren’t better at talking honestly about their feelings, but that’s often true in life. I missed Towser in this one as he didn’t have much of a part.