Death of a Dustman

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

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!

©2015 M. C. Beaton (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Crazy Plot but a Very Good Listen!

As usual the plot is far fetched and unbelievable but so what? If you have read other Hamish Macbeth mysteries you have probably grown fond of the quirky main character and will enjoy the many twists and turns of this book.

Graeme Malcolm has a soft steady voice - very easy to listen to and just right for this series.

Relaxing and Humerous

If you have enjoyed earlier Hamish MacBeth stories, I believe you will enjoy this one.

These are gentle, well plotted, humorous mysteries. They take place in a highland village populated by a colorful group of people. Hamish is a very clever policeman who seems lazy to some of his superiors because he doesn't want to be promoted and forced to move to a city. Gentle humor is woven into the story. If you are paying attention, you will smile, and possibly chuckle.

This is not an action packed thriller. It is a "cozy" in the best sense of the word.

KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT -GREAT BEDTIME LISTEN

M.C. Beaton is not a great writer, as others have said the stories are shallow and the characters undeveloped. That said i have read about half of these and i really enjoy them because they are non demanding, no violence to disturb your dreams, no suspense that keeps you awake. Hamish is funny if you can flesh out his character on your own. I use these books to "hang my mind on" and pass time peacefully. i love great authors, James Lee Burke, and Adrian Mckinty are my favorites along with sci fi writer Michael J Sullivan. In comparison these books would get a C minus, But sometimes C minus is perfect for baby sitting my over active worrisome mind. Don't expect more than these are, and be free to enjoy the likable voice of Graeme Malcolm.

New Hamish Macbeth story!

What did you love best about Death of a Dustman?

Charming and whimsical, "Death of a Dustman" combines the usual mix of a well-constructed mystery and gentle comedy.

What about Graeme Malcolm’s performance did you like?

Very well-read by Graeme Malcolm, this is a great listen for all Hamish Macbeth fans.

The Book Is Great but narrator not so much

I really love Shaun Grindell’s narration of the Hamish McBeth books. He gets the characters voices just right. But when Graeme Malcolm does them you can tell he just reads the book. If I hadn’t heard Shaun Grindell, I probably wouldn’t notice the difference.

I’m a Fan

Body of the trash collector found in the trash bin.
Everybody wanted him gone. Unique place for a murder.

Wonderful!

Brilliantly read as always with Graeme Malcolm. one of Beaton's best. Great mystery, touching villagers, no suspense.

OUTSTANDING

Same as always, a thoroughly entertaining book that leads you on and on to another chapter. It easily pulls you in to the Highlands

great story

always enjoy a Hamish story the characters grows on you and the narrator always gets it just right

Cooking Clarry, Currie Sisters, and a Clean Up

This one is one of my favorites and had me laughing, as well as endearing me further to Hamish Macbeth and the village of Lochdubh'. The title itself intrigued me, as I'd never heard of a dustman. But now being educated on the term, think I could carry on a decent conversation with the Currie Sisters, Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, and Hamish on garbage collecting and recycling 😂. Sergeant Hamish Macbeth has a new constable at the police station, but this one, like the last has a problem. This time it isn't cleaning, but cooking 🤣. Hamish and Lugs, his dog are eating well, but Hamish has no help in crime detection or policing the village. And Clarry, his new constable has fallen hard for the wife of the newly appointed Environmental Officer (Dustman). He has learned that Fergus Macleod has been beating his wife, Martha, so Clarry has taken it upon himself to go and check on her and the children. The normally easy going, Clarry is incited to fury when he sees more bruises on Martha, and says that he could kill Fergus. Not a good omen, as Martha has just brought home the bottle of whiskey that Fergus sent her out for . . . and the lout has taken off on another binge. Or so she thought. When he turns up a couple days later, smelling to high heaven in the Currie Sisters recycling bin, dead, Constable Curry is at the top of the suspect list. But it is a growing list, that Hamish is having a hard time wheedling down. The whole town disliked Fergus Macleod, and soon Hamish learns they had plenty of motives for murder. This tale of small town village life is funny, sad and unique to Scotland. I've grown to love the banter between the townsfolk, and like Hamish, want to protect them from the outsiders. The Currie Sisters crack me up with their echoing of the last bit of one another's sentences. And the prissy Freda Fleming who came from Strathbane to green up Lochdubh gets her comeuppance in the end. 😂