This was really easy to read. I enjoyed my time with it! looking forward to reading more by the author!

I'd read another series by this author but I'd never tried this one. Hamish was cute. I liked the small town feel but also getting to know quite a few characters. Having not read any of the other books, you could tell there was a history here I didn't know but I didn't feel like I couldn't keep up - the mystery stood well on its own.

The mystery was interesting, I was invested. The audiobook narrator was absolutely wonderful - I could have listened to the book for hours longer! I liked the pulled together last chapter. This one was a cute cozy mystery.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I could not finish enough of this book to be able to leave a comprehensive review, but I hope it finds its audience and I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I love all cozy mysteries by M. C. Beaton. Are you a cozy mystery fan? Do yourself a big favor and discover this author if you haven’t already.

Another wonderful Hamish Macbeth mystery. This one not quite as cozy as I expected, but still enjoyable. I didn't quite understand how Auld Mary's Tale fit in, but I'm sure that's my denseness. Always nice to visit Lochdubh. We love Graeme Malcolm's narration. Just right for the material.

Not as good as all the older M.C. Beaton Hamish books. A little more violent and mean spirited. Okay if you love the series.

It is always difficult for a writer to replace a beloved author, who had provided years of entertaining writing. Death of a Traitor, of the Hamish MacBeth series, is no exception. The book starts off strong and I had high hopes that it would carry on the literary style of the late M C Beaton, however the plot got bogged down at about 40% in and never recovered. I would still recommend it for readers who do not have expectations of the return of MacBeth, as some might find it an enjoyable stand alone book.

Hamish Macbeth is one of my favorite mystery series to read, so I am excited to have received this advanced copy.

I was worried that Hamish would have a different feel when R.W. Green took over after M.C. Beaton's passing, but I'm happy to report that this latest entry still feels as if Marion had a hand in writing it. I especially have enjoyed the brief introduction R.W. Green has included in this book and the last book.

We find Macbeth in his usual circumstance - living alone in the police station (waiting to be assigned a new partner), doing everything he can to keep his head down and his police station open. Death of a Traitor finds Hamish looking for a missing woman, and then solving a murder. This all takes place outside of Lochdubh, so we briefly see some familiar faces at times, but the villagers are not prominent in the story.

I enjoyed another Hamish Macbeth mystery and look forward to the next one!

Truly amazing that R.W.Green has been able to continue both of M.C.Beaton’s award winning series. I have read both since Ms Beaton’s death and truly Green captures the essence of the characters created by her. How lucky are we that we can continue to enjoy these magical books. I think I read my first M.C.Beaton book about 25 years ago and I continue to devour the new ones just as soon as they are published. Death of a Traitor is a little more gory but still enjoyable. And in this book only the bad guys suffer. So it’s all good. For fans Ms. Beaton, and for new readers, it’s a wonderful trek across Scotland. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I wrote about this mystery on The StoryGraph and on GoodReads with links to the review sent to Twitter and Mastodon.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5337408928

Ah Hamish, I've missed your calm patience! Unlike other police procedurals, Hamish always takes things at a slower pace, yet ends up with the same result- closed cases. In this latest book, his past comes back to him as he searches for yet another constable. With the regional bosses thinking he needs to be put aside, he soon shows them why local knowledge may be the key to solvingKate's disappearance, and everything the follows like dominoes. This is a great installment in the series (#35), and perfect as a stand alone, way to get back into the series, or as an intro to it. perfect for reading curcled up with your fav hot beverage, don't miss this one, it comes out today

After a grueling loss in the last book, Hamish MacBeth is back. Sad and grieving but looking forward to his return to duty in his beloved Lochdubh Scotland. Hamish is leisurely patrolling his beat when he meets up with his boss who asks for a “rescue” call to get away from a church walking group. When a real call comes in about a body found in the loch. A newcomer to the area had been reported missing. Hamish wonders if it could be her. Headquarters call in a team of detectives to investigate the homicide. When they choose to send Hamish’s nemesis Blair, Hamish decides to investigate on his own. He knows Blair will half-ass the investigation. When another local is found deceased Hamish suspects it could be connected and that everyone is lying about the missing woman and the reasons someone could want to kill her.
Hamish will have to look beyond what people say to solve this case because everyone has secrets they are trying to protect.

Hamish Macbeth is once again alone, working as the sole police officer in Lochdubh in rural Scotland. He’s not lonely, as he has his dog Lugs and his wildcat Sonsie, and he has to keep working in order to show to his bosses that Lochdubh needs to keep its tiny station open. They keep trying to close it to shrink the budget, but Hamish will do whatever he has to in order to keep the doors open.

When a woman’s body washes up in a nearby loch, Hamish is the first on the scene. Although the woman had been in the water for a while, he was still able to recognize her as Kate Hibbert. She had only been living in the area for about a year, but she’d been seen leaving one day with a large suitcase. Hamish had taken a missing persons report on her, but he hadn’t expected her to turn up in a loch, like this.

As he’s waiting for more officers to show up along with the crime scene investigators, he sees her suitcase nearby. He pulls it out of the water and looks through it quickly. He finds a packet hidden inside and snags that for himself before anyone else shows up. When he gets back to the station, he starts to look through it. He finds some love letters, but he’s interrupted before he gets much further.

Detective Chief Inspector Jimmy Anderson is at Hamish’s door, wanting a chat and maybe a but of whisky. He’s heading up the investigation on the murdered woman, but he’s going to need Hamish’s help investigating locally and talking to those who knew the victim. They’re still waiting for the official identification, but they’re pretty sure it is the missing woman. As they talk it over, Jimmy has another glass or two of the whisky.

When Jimmy gets up to drive himself back, Hamish tries to stop him. Jimmy insists he’s okay to drive, so Hamish lets him go. But it’s not that long before Hamish gets the call from him that he’s been in an accident. Hamish goes to him, calling an ambulance on the way. Jimmy is banged up and has to stay in the hospital for a bit, but he’s okay. However, that means that the investigation will be handed off to DCI Blair.

Hamish and Blair have a history, that caused the murder of Hamish’s fiancée, because of Blair’s association with a gang of criminals from Glasgow. Hamish almost killed the man himself after Dorothy’s death, but he was stopped just in time. Now Hamish has to help Blair with this investigation, despite the fact that he can’t trust Blair at all, in order to save his job, his Lochdubh station, and his home.

And when Blair sends a young Detective Constable to help Hamish, he knows that he will have to be extra careful or else everything he has done (including stealing that packet from the dead woman’s suitcase) will be reported back to Blair, and all his hard work will be for nothing as he is fired, humiliated, and left homeless. But mostly, he wants to find out what happened to the woman and what secrets she’d been keeping that caused her to be killed.

Death of a Traitor is the latest in the famous Hamish Macbeth series from beloved author M.C. Beaton. Written from her notes and conversations, co-author R.W. Green has crafted another story of good and evil inside the rural Scottish police force, with Hamish fighting for his small corner of the country. As the investigation reveals what’s been going on near Lochdubh, it reveals layers of secrets and betrayals, as the clues slowly come together into a motive for murder.

I have been a big fan of Beaton for a long time, and I am so glad to see her characters live on after her death. Hamish is such a complex character, a good man who understands when you need to do a little wrong to balance things out, and while he may not be so lucky in love, his hard work as a policeman tends to pay off. He is smart, loyal, and steadfast, and I love spending some time with him in Lochdubh from time to time. Death of a Traitor is another emotional story about this great character, about those who have his back and those who don’t deserve the time of day.

Egalleys for Death of a Traitor were provided by Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Death of a Traitor Earns 5+/5 Hidden Evidence… Engaging, Clever Favorite!

Gregor Mackenzie saw Kate Hibbert struggling down the road with her suitcase. There’d been enough interference by this woman over the year she’d been here that he is glad to see the back of her. But, three weeks later, she can’t be found, and her cousin, Diane Spears, is frustrated that Hamish has yet to find her. There was no evidence of foul play although neighbors seemed superficial in their concern, and she’d gone off before only to be found vacationing in the south of France. But, sadly, her body is found floating in The Corloch anchored with ropes and rocks; not the outcome for which Hamish hoped. While giving the area a cursory examination before being sidelined by the investigative team soon to arrive, he finds the victim’s suitcase and inside a cleverly hidden package. He “unofficially” takes the item from the crime scene believing it may hold evidence key to understanding what happened to the victim. He holds little confidence in those sent to investigate, and when his old friend, DCI Jimmy Anderson, is sidelined, Macbeth is asked to “root about … get to the bottom … afore anyone else.” So, what does he make of the package? Will Macbeth’s unique insights and methods of investigation prove invaluable … again? How will he manage dealing with DCI Blair, the man he holds responsible for his fiancée’s death? And … another constable is assigned.

Favorite Series! R.W. Green has done well continuing M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series especially with this thirty-fifth mystery. I am a fan of the television program (1995-1997), starring the iconic Robert Carlyle in the title lead, and since many of the storylines in the books were not adapted to the television series, it’s very entertaining to have a favorite character placed into new predicaments as well as seeing how the books differ from the show: Macbeth’s persona, Lochdubh residents, and putting a murder mystery at the center, hence all the “Death of …” titles.

In Death of a Traitor, “traitors” come in various forms, real or perceived, and play a key role in the crime, the enquiry, the red herrings, and several interpersonal relationships. The temporary partnership between Macbeth and DC David Forbes has an evolving dynamic from an obvious skepticism about loyalties to a successful collaboration. Again, DCI Blair’s role is contentious and interfering, and since his colleagues appear unable or unwilling to punish him, I wonder when karma will have a more active role in any comeuppance. The investigation is “couldn’t put down” engaging as clues reveal several incidents of blackmail, a questionable natural death is discovered, and numerous scenarios make for a compelling, if not long, suspect list. But, for us arm-chair detectives, we’re left to ponder who the killer is until late in the drama when a surprise death exposes the main suspect. The motive, however, stayed hidden to the end with a nail-biting attack and karmic consequences. Macbeth’s romance radar is on the fritz while he mourns Dorothy’s death, but fans know he won’t be out of the market for long.

I am always at the front of the line for the next Hamish Macbeth novel! R.W. Green, now on his own with this and the Agatha Raisin series, is an expert of Beaton’s work through his friendship and detailed discussions with her about the characters, the environment, and the crimes to investigate. He also continues to use some of Beaton’s structural elements to maintain continuity for long-time and new fans of the original work. Each chapter begins with a skull and crossbones image and a quote that supports the main theme or chapter’s focus. This book deals with trust, lies, and secrets and those that keep them, reveal them, or blackmail because of them. The book is a regular length allowing for a complete experience beyond the main investigation, but it is segmented into only ten chapters challenging my literary OCD. The cover images, however, were changed, and although in no way did it effect my enjoyment or rating, the packaging is a disappointment. I don’t like the plain purple background with the title splashed across it and a dog that doesn’t reference the story. I liked the original vision with the tartan borders and actual items or a scene appropriate to the story. Just saying.

Legends & Mythology The inclusion of myths, legends, and folklore is a fascinating element whether just extraneous background or key to the mystery. Green included several myths, real or his version, and description of objects and places adding background, color, and motivation in the drama. Auld Mary’s Tale has a fascinating Romeo & Juliet or Hatfields & McCoys theme the kidnapped son of a rival clan falling in love with the daughter of his captor. Auld Mary, considered a hero by two, a witch by some, and a traitor by others, aided the two young lovers’ escape which led to her death and later interest in the island on which she lived. The Two Sisters, mountains viewed from Lochdubh, and boulders in the glen between them formed from a battle between a giant and an imprisoned demon is a fascinating tale adding to the ancient mystery of the highlands. Insights into the background and use of a birthing amulet, a midwife’s charm, was interesting, too. It’s these extra stories, explanations, or descriptions that make a book complete and informative. Brilliant!

I feel still a little darker than the Hamish M.C. Beaton wrote and doesn't give the appearance of being clueless that I remember from her books. However, I enjoyed the story and the mystery kept me guessing. It is always great to get back and visit with Hamish and the town folk.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Thank you R. W. Green for keeping Hamish Macbeth in our reading lives. This is the 35th in the series but it's the 2nd Green has penned. I never expected the continuation to be exactly like those created by M. C. Beaton but these are very, very close and I'm a happy reader.
There is a new resident in town and after a year she appears to be eager to help one and all but one day she is seen leaving with a large suitcase and is later found drowned. As Hamish investigates it becomes clear that she had a dark side and that produces a list of possible suspects to be dealt with.
The usual cast of characters are present including his nemesis SCI Blair plus some new people. The setting of Lochdubh continues to be a place I love to visit and the mystery is complex, keeping me guessing to the last page. I am so glad that the baton has been passed on with such success and I'm looking forward to more visits with both Hamish and Agatha. M. C. Beaton chose well.
My thanks to the publisher Grand Central Publishing and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first Hamish Macbeth book that I have read since MC Beaton died and RW Green (I think his name is Rod) took over, and I am delighted to say that "Death of a Traitor" is as good as its predecessors. I am extremely grateful that we will get more Hamish and Agatha Raisin stories; they are two of my favorite series, and I am well pleased with their quality.

I detest spoilers, so I won't give any; that is what blurbs are for. I will say, however, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. First of all there is Hamish himself, and this book would be worth its price for him alone, but there is the usual assortment of interesting characters which is such a feature of this series.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes mysteries or detective novels, and whether this would be your first Macbeth or one of many.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

A Twofer from M.C. Beaton—New Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth mysteries bring murder and mayhem to the Cotwolds and Scottish Highlands


M.C. Beaton, being written with R.W. Green, has recently released two fun-filled, thrilling cozies to keep readers warm during these cold winter months and to transport them to the quaint British Isles.
In M.C. Beaton’s thirty-third Agatha Raisin murder mystery, “The Devil’s Delight,” (Minotaur) Agatha Raisin proves she will do anything for her client. Literally. In the past, she has coddled wayward Donkeys, conspired with witches, and frolicked with the fairies, but in her most recent adventure, Agatha gives the case her all. Agatha and her assistant, Toni, are traveling to a friend’s wedding when a naked man runs across their path on a secluded country road. Immediately, readers can expect that mayhem and murder will reign as freely as the sunshine on this man’s bottom.
The plot is simple: a missing dead body, an ice cream company, and a nudist camp. Placing those non sequiturs together summons the premonition that wacky private investigator Agatha Raisin will have her hands full in solving the mystery of the now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t corpse and that she will strip off her clothing and strut her stuff somewhere along the line in pursuit of the killer. And of course, a parade of suitors are added into the mix of Agatha’s topsy-turvy life—horny Sir Charles Fraith, straight-laced copper John, sexy choirmaster Giovanni, and the love of her life, James Lacey—as Agatha faces down villains, outsmarts her nemesis DS Wilkes, and imperils her life in chilling form.
Her loyal staff of Simon, Patrick and Toni are simultaneously on the trails of a high school drug ring and a brewery robbery investigation, but all paths lead to the funky naturist camp on Sir Charles’ Barfield Estates. Why was the body placed at the nudist camp? Where did it go? And who is the killer, are three burning questions that will keep readers in stitches as Agatha bumbles through the grounds in her birthday suit. Without a doubt, this book proves Agatha will do anything to catch her man, even it if means getting naked to do it.
“Death of a Traitor” (Grand Central Publishing) finds lovable, unambitious Sergeant Hamish Macbeth mourning the loss of his beloved fiancée, Dorothy, who was murdered by the mob on their wedding day in the last novel, “Death of a Green-Eyed Monster” (Grand Central Publishing). Hamish’s tiny Scottish Highlands precinct of Lochdubh is a magnet for crime, and when local busybody, Kate Hibbert, disappears, no one seems particularly upset, except her cousin. However, when Hibbert’s bound body rises to the surface of The Corloch along with a suitcase, her neighbors are not only bewildered, but become suspects in her murder.
The homicide investigation reacquaints Hamish with his old friend and supervisor Jimmy Anderson, Superintendent Daviot, and a string of former fiancées, the wealthy Priscilla and news reporter Elspeth. Hamish is also thrust onto a collision path with his nemesis, Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who’s been reassigned from Glasgow to run the show. Blair orders Hamish to keep his investigation local, but after discovering a mysterious package hidden inside Hibbert’s suitcase, Hamish has other ideas. From the looks of it, Hibbert was hiding valuable materials and somebody wanted her dead. Hamish must decipher the clues hidden in those documents to unmask her killer. To do so, Hamish sneaks around, straying far afield from Lochdubh to track down the sinister motives for the Hibbert’s death.
Even though his antics, and the situations, aren’t as outrageous or witty as Agatha’s, readers can rely on Hamish to apply his common sense, vast connections, and charming personality to disarm even the prickliest witness. In “Death of a Traitor,” his thirty-fifth outing, Hamish has developed into a character readers have grown to love, along with his dog, Lugs and his wildcat, Sonsie. Readers will root for Hamish to apprehend the perpetrator and obtain the happiness that always eludes him.
In Agatha and Hamish, Beaton has created a pair of outsiders who complement each other in their longing for acceptance in their adopted communities. However, while outgoing, abrasive, and insecure, Agatha seeks fame and glory. Reserved and confident Hamish is happy to allow his superiors to stand in the spotlight. Regarding love, Agatha is too stubborn to recognize when true love stands right in front of her, and Hamish falls in love too easily with the wrong women. Despite their differences, both sleuths are lawbreakers, animal lovers, and loyal friends to the end.
Readers can only wonder whether, if Agatha and Hamish met, would they live happily after ever together? We can only hope so, and it would be immensely entertaining. In the meantime, don’t miss out on this pair of winners from the queen of crime comedy, M.C. Beaton.

Hamish Macbeth is investigating the death of a woman that has been blackmailing her neighbors. He gets a detective Davey from another department to assist.
Even though this was written by R.W. Green this is the story line of M.C. Beaton's.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and to the publisher Grand Central Publishing.

I’m afraid I have to say goodbye to Hamish as well as having had to say goodbye to Agatha. These books just aren’t fun anymore. Lots of weird dialogue like Hamish speaking perfect English then lapsing back into his Scottish lilt. Hamish actually saying the word not instead of no? Very odd. The whole thing with Jimmy, I felt like Hamish would never cover that up.

A sad day for me as the Hamish books have always been comfort reads.