Beaton’s hero, Hamish Macbeth, is the town police constable, a rather lazy, unambitious, but happy man who often, because of his intimate knowledge of the community, manages to solve murders that have the more traditional CID inspectors baffled. It’s quite humorously written and makes fun of the English upper crust. The “Cad” is Peter Bartlett, who suffers a nasty accident while climbing over a fence with a loaded shot-gun. Everyone assumes it’s an accident except for our hero, Hamish, the local bobby who, much to the consternation of his obnoxious superior, discovers evidence of foul play. The plot thickens as we learn that everyone at the castle had been invited for the announcement of PriscilIa’s engagement to Henry Withering. Priscilla is Hamish’s secret love and the case becomes complicated as he discovers that everyone had very strong motives for wanting Bartlett dead. Beaton’s book is a little delight. It has a unique twist at the end the readers will relish. Each of Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series is set in the Scottish Highlands and begins The Death of. . . . Each usually involves an outside catalyst that causes tempers to rise and murder to result. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series and reading them in order because a recurring theme is the relationship between Hamish and Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, daughter of the local landed gentry. _She would like to reform Hamish, make him more ambitious, move him to the city, buy him an electric range, and clean up his act.
BLURBMurder Most Fowl When Priscilla Halburton-Smythe brings her London playwright fiance home to Lochdubh, everybody in town is delighted...except for love-smitten Constable Hamish Macbeth. Yet his affairs of the heart will have to wait. Vile, boorish Captain Bartlett, one of the guests at Priscilla's engagement party, has just been found murdered-shot while on a grouse hunt. Now with many titled party guests as the prime suspects, each with a reason for snuffing out the despicable captain, Hamish must smooth ruffled feathers as he investigates the case. When the hidden culprit strikes again, Hamish will find himself trying to save Priscilla from a miserable marriage-and catch a killer before he flies the coop.COMMENTSI ventured off to Youtube to find more informtion on the author and discovered a 3-part series(each part consisting of several episodes) of Hamish Macbeth mysteries. What a great discovery it was. Although it is different from the written series, the episodes reflected the humor, social fabric and typical characters of the community. Amish Macbeth becomes very real. It was with delight that I read the second book in the series. It is a fast-moving easy read, a well-constructed whodunnit with a typical Scottish flair. Really enjoyable. I will do a few more of the author. Thanks to the video series, the books have become much more enjoyable.
What do You think about Death Of A Cad (2004)?
We’re picking our way through this prolific charming mystery series about a small Scottish village and its constable Hamish Macbeth. “Cad” (1987) is just the second entry in what now stands (as we write) at a 29-book set, of which we have read well over half. As one of the earliest tales, some now familiar characters and landmarks have yet to appear – but the recurring themes of Macbeth outwitting his superiors and his lack of luck in affairs of the heart serve as precursor to the books that follow.In this story, Priscilla, an ongoing girlfriend of sorts, has become engaged to a now famous playwright; and her parents hold a big party to celebrate, with a bunch of minor celebs and other notables in attendance. When one of them, the unpopular Captain Bartlett, is mysteriously offed, it seems one of the party cast must have done the deed; but clues are scarce, and the police higher-ups want it smashed as a suicide. Macbeth proves that theory wrong and very slowly unravels must really have happened, especially when a subsequent death in the group brings new focus to the affair.We would opine that Beaton has not yet hit full stride with this particular tale; but as always, her stories are amusing and entertaining even if not overly thrilling or suspenseful.
—Jerry
This is a fun cozy mystery, second in the series, and I really like Hamish Macbeth. The quirky characters add atmosphere, as well as making for plenty of suspects. This is a fast read, and I would have given it five stars had it not been for the ending. Without giving anything away, I just found the way it wrapped up quite unbelievable. Once they finger the killer the villain quickly comes out with a confession and full explanation of who, what, where, why, and how. As far as ways to reveal how everything went down, this wasn't the best. Other than that, a good read.
—Holly
In the midst of moving to a different country and all the stuff that goes along with major life events, I haven't had a lot of time to read longer books, but I've been able to squeeze in some Hamish Macbeth. These are light mysteries, fairly predictable but still enjoyable if you have happen to have a soft spot for Lochdubh and its quirky characters. This is the second book in the series, and Hamish is better developed and generally more likeable than in the first book. Plus, we get to meet Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, Hamish's secret love, who will turn up in future books. Impeccably dressed, of course.All in all, a charming series. I'll definitely read a few more.
—Mary
