Returning from holiday Hamish becomes unaccountably worried - it's as if he senses a dark cloud of evil hanging over Lochdubh. He soon learns that there is a newcomer to the village, a woman called Catriona Beldame, and that the villagers have decided she is a witch. At first Hamish is charmed by her, but is dismayed when he finds out she's been supplying dangerous potions to certain local people. No one seems willing to listen to his warnings and when she is found murdered, poor Hamish is the prime suspect. Obviously, he must solve the murder to clear his own name and bring contentment back to his beloved Lochdubh. Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series: 'First rate...deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist. 'It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times Book Review. 'The detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.' Anne Robinson, The Times.
Death of a Witch: Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery No. 24
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One of the stronger entries in a series that ought to go for a long time yet --Myshelf.com. review
Book Description
The 24th case for Highland policeman Hamish Macbeth, from the author of the bestselling Agatha Raisin series
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best in the Series: A Splendid Story with Lots of Humor and Surprises
22 Feb 2009
Format:Hardcover
Even in a wonderful series like M.C. Beaton's books about Hamish Macbeth, there will be ups and downs. Fortunately for devoted readers, Death of a Witch is an unexpected up that keeps surprising, satisfying, and amusing to the last page. Unlike the weaker books in the series, Death of a Witch is filled with mysteries that are not easy to solve, complex and unexpected interactions among the characters, and every variety of reasonably clean humor you can have about sexual relations.
Be careful what reviews you read. It would be easy to find stumble onto spoilers that could greatly reduce your joy in this marvelous story.
As the book opens, Hamish is returning from a trip to Spain that didn't turn out as he expected. Immediately, he learns that there's a newcomer to the village, Ms. Catriona Beldame, who wants to buy his car. As soon as Hamish cleans up a little mystery about who has been tipping off robbers as the location of stakeouts, Hamish has to see the woman for himself. The local women don't have anything good to say about her, and the men are strangely quiet even though they are reported to be visiting her. Dr. Brodie provides an unexpected clue as does a strange occurrence during Hamish's first visit. Before long, there are unsolved crimes that lead Hamish into a possible romance. Blair is so concerned that Hamish will solve the cases that he banishes Hamish. With Jimmy Anderson's help, Hamish is able to stay in the middle of the case.
The overriding theme of the book is the battle of the sexes, as portrayed through the theme of men wanting to have more frequent intimate relations than their wives and girl friends do. The consequences are very funny and keep providing new twists on a well-known theme. If you've ever enjoyed Hamish's problems with the opposite sex, you'll be especially pleased with this book which puts Hamish into many new pickles.
Have a ball!
Be careful what reviews you read. It would be easy to find stumble onto spoilers that could greatly reduce your joy in this marvelous story.
As the book opens, Hamish is returning from a trip to Spain that didn't turn out as he expected. Immediately, he learns that there's a newcomer to the village, Ms. Catriona Beldame, who wants to buy his car. As soon as Hamish cleans up a little mystery about who has been tipping off robbers as the location of stakeouts, Hamish has to see the woman for himself. The local women don't have anything good to say about her, and the men are strangely quiet even though they are reported to be visiting her. Dr. Brodie provides an unexpected clue as does a strange occurrence during Hamish's first visit. Before long, there are unsolved crimes that lead Hamish into a possible romance. Blair is so concerned that Hamish will solve the cases that he banishes Hamish. With Jimmy Anderson's help, Hamish is able to stay in the middle of the case.
The overriding theme of the book is the battle of the sexes, as portrayed through the theme of men wanting to have more frequent intimate relations than their wives and girl friends do. The consequences are very funny and keep providing new twists on a well-known theme. If you've ever enjoyed Hamish's problems with the opposite sex, you'll be especially pleased with this book which puts Hamish into many new pickles.
Have a ball!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Returning from a holiday abroad,Hamish McBeth senses something is amiss when he hears that most of the menfolk in Lochdubh are visiting a newcomer to the village, one who has earned the reputation of a witch.When Hamish discovers that her so called "love potions" are in fact causing embarrassing side effects to those taking them he confronts her.In frustration he threatens to kill her and when she is found dead he must solve the murder to clear his own name and that of everyone else in the village.Hamish as usual manages to acquire the help another female admirer along the way who would like to change him.
Another delightful and gentle mystery from M.C. Beaton. Well worth another visit to this charming village and its interesting and believable residents.They all seem like old friends to most us now.
Another delightful and gentle mystery from M.C. Beaton. Well worth another visit to this charming village and its interesting and believable residents.They all seem like old friends to most us now.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By L. J. Roberts
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
First Sentence: Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, heading home to his police station in the village of Lochdubh n Sutherland, heaved a sigh of relief.
Constable Hamish Macbeth is back in the Scottish village of Lochdubh after his less-than-restful vacation to Spain. He is greeted with the news that a witch has moved into town. But she's not there long and she is murdered shortly after Hamish's return. As Hamish's investigation proceeds more die.
The Hamish books lie somewhere between traditional mysteries and cozies. On the traditional side, by the end of the book there are a lot of bodies and the protagonist is a policeman. However, rather than there being a detailed investigation, it's almost as if, when Hamish appears, people confess and everything falls into place. On the cozy side, there is an awful lot of time spent dealing with his relationships with women. He has better relationships with his pets.
As for characters, Hamish is a little too good to be true. He's tall, red-haired, good looking to the point where every woman, but the one he wants, throws themselves at him, and can run like the wind. I was a bit annoyed that Hamish's superior, CI Blair, is portrayed as so incompetent but at least it's balanced by Hamish's friend, DS Jimmy Anderson, and Blair's boss, CS Davoit The style is a bit simple for my taste, almost as if written for young adults. I do like that the dialogue is written with an indication of people's accents without it becoming laborious.
The element I most enjoyed was the sense of place. Beaton's descriptions of the highlands and the weather, which can be a critical element in living in, and navigating around, the highlands, is well done. This was a light, enjoyable read but it's a series I've put behind me.
DEATH OF A WITCH (Pol. Prod/Cozy -Hamish Macbeth-Scotland-Cont) - Good
Beaton, M.C. - 25th in series
Grand Central Publishing, ©2009, US Paperback - ISBN: 0446196134
Constable Hamish Macbeth is back in the Scottish village of Lochdubh after his less-than-restful vacation to Spain. He is greeted with the news that a witch has moved into town. But she's not there long and she is murdered shortly after Hamish's return. As Hamish's investigation proceeds more die.
The Hamish books lie somewhere between traditional mysteries and cozies. On the traditional side, by the end of the book there are a lot of bodies and the protagonist is a policeman. However, rather than there being a detailed investigation, it's almost as if, when Hamish appears, people confess and everything falls into place. On the cozy side, there is an awful lot of time spent dealing with his relationships with women. He has better relationships with his pets.
As for characters, Hamish is a little too good to be true. He's tall, red-haired, good looking to the point where every woman, but the one he wants, throws themselves at him, and can run like the wind. I was a bit annoyed that Hamish's superior, CI Blair, is portrayed as so incompetent but at least it's balanced by Hamish's friend, DS Jimmy Anderson, and Blair's boss, CS Davoit The style is a bit simple for my taste, almost as if written for young adults. I do like that the dialogue is written with an indication of people's accents without it becoming laborious.
The element I most enjoyed was the sense of place. Beaton's descriptions of the highlands and the weather, which can be a critical element in living in, and navigating around, the highlands, is well done. This was a light, enjoyable read but it's a series I've put behind me.
DEATH OF A WITCH (Pol. Prod/Cozy -Hamish Macbeth-Scotland-Cont) - Good
Beaton, M.C. - 25th in series
Grand Central Publishing, ©2009, US Paperback - ISBN: 0446196134
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another good book in this series
M C Beaton is fantastic. Have now read all series to date so I am a big fan. Starting on another of her series with Hamish Macbeth.
Published 28 days ago by Mrs. J. Mccrossan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another good book
Story lines make you feel that you are on the by lines watching Hamish . Book arrived in a good condition.
Published 2 months ago by k lawrence
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
Another good read in the Hamish Macbeth series - I've read the whole series now and can recommend these books
Published 4 months ago by khj
4.0 out of 5 stars
Death of a Witch
A Hamish Macbeth book. A good story just as one would expect. All the usual characters, the scenery and he wins out in the end. Perhaps it's time that Hamish gets the girl.
Published 10 months ago by Davyboy
5.0 out of 5 stars
hamish meets a witch
Returning from a foreign holiday, Hamish Macbeth is worried because he senses a dark cloud of evil hanging over the Highland village of Lochdubh. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dondi
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not intresting
This book for me was just boring and I would have expected more from Hamish Macbeth. Only read it if you like Hamish Macbeth
Published 15 months ago by Peter Joshua
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Witch in Lochdubh
Hamish Macbeth is disturbed when he hears there is a witch in the village of Lochdubh. He is even more disturbed when she is murdered and his superior seems keen to accuse Hamish... Read more
Published on 20 April 2011 by Sophia
5.0 out of 5 stars
another good Hamish book
I love these books, they do get a bit similar after a while but the stories always enchant me and I enjoy the twists and turns in the plot.
Published on 16 Jun 2010 by jenny's books
5.0 out of 5 stars
death of a witch
the usual excellent Hamish Macbeth story, it combines excitement with humour, the characters are extremely well drawn and one really cares what happens to them. Read more
Published on 22 April 2010 by Mrs. Monica Major
5.0 out of 5 stars
Death of a witch
very good as all M.C. Beaton books are as I now have them all except for two i have enjoyed them they are wonderfully witty entertaining as well as murder solving. Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by Mrs. Denise Thirlwell
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