Death of a Traveling Man

The Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, Book 9

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Shaun Grindell

Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lochdubh constable Hamish Macbeth's life is going to pot. He has - horrors! - been promoted, his new boss is a dunce, and a self-proclaimed traveler named Sean and his girlfriend have parked their rusty eyesore of a van in the middle of the village. Hamish smells trouble, and he's right, as usual. The doctor's drugs go missing. Money vanishes. Neighbors suddenly become unneighborly. The tension only explodes after the itinerant Sean is found brutally beaten to death in his camper. Suspicion quickly falls on his girlfriend, but with nobody willing to talk, the canny Hamish faces the tough task of worming the facts out of the villagers. As he uncovers a bizarre story around the murdered traveler, Macbeth knows he must find the truth soon - before the killer gets away for good.

Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth's new promotion means more money, but it also means that an eager beaver of a policeman has been thrust upon him, interfering with Hamish's easygoing way of life. Fans of the lazy Hamish will delight in seeing him pitted against a zealous young officer while solving a disturbing murder.

©2013 M. C. Beaton (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Short but fun listen - narrator is just fine!

Where does Death of a Traveling Man rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As a Hamish Macbeth book, it is up near the top with all the others in the series. I own 13 HM audiobooks and a few on Kindle, because they had not been available on audio.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My fav is always Hamish. But the colorful characters that surround him, such as Willy and his Italian love, and the usual crew of Lochdubh (oh dear, can't remember how to spell it) inhabitants, make for such delightful, humorous, and, sometimes worrisome complications.

What does Shaun Grindell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I know that this narrator has been panned by some reviewers. I have listened to 3 narrators for Hamish Macbeth novels and I personally find no objection to Shaun Grindell. He does a fine job making Hamish sound just as I would imagine him. Occasionally, rarely, I may get momentarily confused about who said what. But, in all honesty, if I am paying attention to the story, I can figure it out. Of course, Shaun Grindell's voice is well-modulated and mellow, so I often may listen at bedtime, and drift off to sleep to a HM audiobook. Yes, I have heard better narrators, for instance, Davinia Porter (spelling-?). But I like the pacing of Grindell's reading. There is absolutely nothing wrong with his narration. But, it may be that some people just don't like his voice, though I find nothing objectionable about it. He has a comforting voice and can express surprise or strong emotions withoout my having to turn the sound down or up (which, with some narrators-not in THIS series, annoyingly, I have had to do).

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

Of course! And, I re-listened to certain parts during which I had not been paying good attention the first time round. I like the narrator's voice and I like the way the novels are worded and their rhythm. Even hearing random sections is enjoyable after you get to know the main characters.

Any additional comments?

This particular book is shorter than many and does not go into as much detail and is not as complicated in the storyline as some of the others. That's why I gave the story a 4. But it is a fun listen. I listened while driving from Alabama to North Carolina. It could have had more descriptions and character development and plot twists, but it was also fine as is. Not my favorite HM book, but worth listening to.

Good story!

Typical Hamish Macbeth - intricate rambling plot, some bad characters, fun listen. Some people just need killing!

The narration is good - I found it a bit hard to understand at times, but that may just be my old equipment. I am quite fond of this series and this is a good one.

This One Made Me Smile

Hamish is loyal to his community. He puts his job and career on the line to save face for three village women. He finally gets his wish for living and working alone, without his funny Sargent. Yet unwittingly he gets the promise he’s longed for.

I love Hamish

Another fine story with the colorful characters this series is loved for. I recommend it.

Better and Better

This is the 10th Hamish Macbeth murder mystery that I've listened to. The stories only get better and better! I have ordered ALL 32 books and look forward to listening to them all right here on Audible. Have come to love Shaun Grindell as the reader. Great job all round!

Monteath was advertised as narrator, but alas!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book, yes, the narrator, no.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hamish.

Would you be willing to try another one of Shaun Grindell’s performances?

No, not in this series.

Did Death of a Traveling Man inspire you to do anything?

Move to his village.

Any additional comments?

David Monteath is given as the narrator when one is referred to Audible after buying the Kindle book. I listened to the sample of Monteath's narration and bought the book. Oh no! It was Shaun Grindell again! I have been trapped with Grindell's rendering of a Hamish story for the third time, I think. Now, I am hesitant to buy any more in this series, even though they are my favourite at the moment. Because I do not enjoy Grindell. And I feel tricked.

Quick little read

A drifter named Sean turns up in Lochdubh with his girlfriend in a traveling bus. He turns on the charm and seems to have all the village under his spell until things turn south. People start acting funny, turning on their neighbors, wanting to move away and things start disappearing. When the drifter turns up dead, Hamish must uncover the murderer and why the whole town is acting strange.

Love Hamish!

This story is has a good plot. It’s fun, funny and an all around delight!
Go Hamish!

Is Hamish a hero?

Best book so far. Hamish is sometimes getting the respect he deserves and is more definitely taking care of his village. The overall story arc develops further. (Unfortunately, Touser has no special role)
Can you imagine 2 cops living amiably like college roommates? A town and time with no internet or cellphones and only 4 TV channels if you happen to have a TV? Sweet nostalgia.
Alas, Narration is still subpar but maybe less singsong.

Not as good as some of the others

This story wasn't as good as some of the others I've listened to. But it was still a decent murder mystery with several suspects. I still enjoy the narrator and characters. The murder in this story seemed like such a small part of the story and more was focused on Hamish and his coworker.