Review: Death of a Maid

A new year, a new Hamish Macbeth mystery. Yes, murder has come to the small Highland town of Lochdubh once again. This time, the local gossip and cleaning woman, Mrs. Gillespie, is the victim – struck down by her own metal cleaning bucket after finishing her work one day. As ever, it is down to Hamish Macbeth to investigate.

It is always hard to find anything negative to say about the Hamish Macbeth mysteries, as they are such pleasant tales. Beaton does an excellent job of taking what is, on the surface, an idyllic Highland village and showing its seamier side. Everyone seems to have a secret that they want to keep hidden, creating numerous suspects for the Scottish police officer, this time with his every footstep dogged by a film crew, a new police inspector and his usual array of troubles in his love life, without even mentioning his animals.

As the novel nears its conclusion, Beaton appears to want to give the novel a darker tone, which is somewhat odd, considering the very particular and successful formula that she has used up until now. All the Hamish Macbeth mysteries, although they deal with murder, are essentially cozies, yet here, she starts to introduce gangsters and guns. This seemed rather out of place in the Highlands and I thought it was unnecessary. Of course, Macbeth is capable of taking anything that is thrown at him in his stride, but I thought that it would have been better to concentrate on the main plot and not have this minor sideline. Readers of these novels want to see Hamish Macbeth involved in village life and not being affected by more urban crimes.

Nevertheless, despite this minor complaint, Beaton has succeeded in writing another very enjoyable Hamish Macbeth mystery that will no doubt satisfy her legions of fans.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Luke Croll - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.

Book Review: Death of a Maid

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.