The Hamish Macbeth series continues in Death of a Traitor. The late M.C. Beaton is given top billing but the book is written by R.W. Green, who has big shoes to fill. This book was a little slow starting but became very readable and absorbing as it continued. As a long time reader of the series, I miss the light charm that used to fill a Hamish Macbeth book, which I read for fun and light entertainment. This book is far darker, though there are occasionally flashes of the old Hamish that brighten the narrative. That said, taken on its own, this is an enjoyable book set in the Scottish Highlands with an older, sadder, wiser lead character. I am hoping this is the last we see of DCI Blair. 

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review.

In this newest case for Sergeant Hamish Macbeth, a missing woman's body was discovered in The Corloch by Auld Mary's Island. When DCI Jimmy Anderson was in an accident and laid up in hospital, DCI Blair, Macbeth's nemesis, is put in charge and assigns, DC David Forbes to work with Macbeth. As they get started to investigate the victim, she wasn't as kind or helpful as first appears and the more they look into her life, the more suspects they unearth.
A quick and enjoyable cozy mystery involving all the people that inhabit Macbeth's life as well as a possible new interest for him.
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this e-galley of "Death of a Traitor".

To the author Mr. Green : Congratulations ! You have mastered Hamish and done M.C. Beaton a great service continuing this series with her blessing. This is the definitive Hamish we readers love and I am thankful to you for bringing him to life. Well done ! I found all the lovable intriciate details of Hamish here that we love and many laugh out loud moments as only Hamish can provide. Mr. Green transports his readers to the lovable Hamish our favorite bumbling detective. A excellent read indeed. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion, the returning charcters delightful and perfectly written. Hamish is in all his glory here as he returns to life after a great loss and takes on detecting as only Hamish can. Well Done Mr. Green. I loved it and look forward to the next in series. M.C. Beaton would be proud.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC for review. My review opinion is my own.

Know that this is a little sharper edged than previous books in this long running series and that it will be fine as a standalone. Hamish Macbeth has a mystery on his hands when Kate first disappears and then is found dead. Like so many victims in this genre, there's more to her than meets the eye and in this case, there's a Russian mob connection! Green has ably picked up Beaton's series (he's also writing Agatha Raisin) and is slowly reshaping them just a bit, adding surprises and twists as well as maturing the characters even as some of them phase out. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers - it's a good read.

This seres has gone downhill fast since the death of M.C. Beaton. The writing is poor and the dialogue is simply awful.

"Sergeant Hamish Macbeth - Scotland's most quick witted but unambitious policeman - is back to investigate the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems, in this new mystery in M.C. Beaton's beloved, New York Times bestselling series.

Kate Hibbert is all too eager to lend a hand to her neighbors. Although she has been a resident of the sleepy village of Lochdubh for only a year, in that time Kate has alienated one too many of its residents with her interfering - and not entirely well-intentioned - ways. When Kate's neighbor sees her lugging a heavy suitcase to the bus stop, he hopes that the prying woman is leaving for good. But two weeks later, Kate's cousin arrives in town with the news that Kate has gone missing - and she demands that the local police step in.

Sergeant Hamish Macbeth is called in to investigate the disappearance, and soon he is befuddled by a storm of lies, intrigue, and scandal...and the sneaking suspicion that Kate was someone much more sinister than she claimed. Torn between loyalty to Lochdubh and his job, Hamish begins threading his way through a maze of deceit, quickly finding himself on the trail of a ruthless, treacherous murderer. If he catches the killer, peace can return to the village. If he fails, he will lose everything: his job, his home, and the life he so loves in Lochdubh."

Just the other day I was wondering why they were continuing the Agatha Raisin books but not the Hamish Macbeth ones, well turns out they are!

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery. Policeman Hamish Macbeth investigates the death of a woman found dead in a lake. He gets help from a constable on loan from another police force. The case has many twists and turns. The story was suspenseful and had many surprises. I highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

After reading the previous book in this series I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read another one, but after reading mostly positive reviews of this book, I decided to see if maybe the last one was just the new author finding his footing. I’m so glad I gave the series and the author a second chance! I really enjoyed this book. It was much more like others in the series.

In this book, Hamish is tasked with solving the murder of a woman who disappears shortly before her body washes ashore. All our old friends are back, even if only for a few sentences. This, unfortunately, includes Blair. There’s a new constable helping Hamish and, of course, a few lovely ladies also make an appearance. The mystery is really just an excuse to meet new inhabitants and visit new places in this beautiful area. It’s good to be back.

My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.

Death of a Traitor
by M.C. Beaton
#35
Pub Date: Feb.14, 2023
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this iconic cozy mystery series.
Sergeant Hamish Macbeth—Scotland's most quick witted but unambitious policeman—is back to investigate the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems, in this new mystery in M.C. Beaton's beloved, New York Times bestselling series.
R.W. Green does a fantastic job writing this book and you would barely notice differences in writing style.
I loved this series and this book fit right in! I highly recommend you read this book as soon as you can get your hands on it.
5 stars

It's always a little iffy when a new writer takes over an existing series, but R.W. Green has done an excellent job matching M.C. Beaton's writing style and keeping the characters true to themselves. Death of a Traitor is just as intriguing and mysterious as the previous books in the Hamish Macbeth series, and I can't wait for more.
*I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley

Sergeant Hamish Macbeth—Scotland's most quick witted but unambitious policeman—is back to investigate the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems. I’m always happy to visit Lochdubh and spend time with Hamish! I’m also so very happy that these stories will continue with this new writer picking up the Beaton baton. I would never know that Beaton had not written this one and I love how Hamish is getting a bit more depth and a hint of darkness. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

The Hamish Macbeth series is a beloved long standing Scottish cozy mystery, by M.C. Beaton and continued by R.W. Green.This one all begins when a new resident to Lochdubh , goes missing and then is found drowned and Hamish goes into investigation mode.While this is a good read, it is not my favorite in this series. Hamish is still a charming Scotsman, but it doesn't feel as cozy as in the past.That being said, I have been a fan for decades now and will continue with the series.
Much thanks to NetGalley, Grad Central Publishing and the Author. The book launches on 2/14/2023.

There is something special about R.W. Green, the author of this book: He has been able to truly adapt himself to the late M.C. Beaton’s writing style in both the Hamish MacBeth Mystery Series, as well as the Agatha Raisin Mysteries. I found that Mr. Green did not miss a beat when he published his first books that continued both mystery series. He is getting even better with every book he writes.

In this latest adventure of our Scottish friend Hamish MacBeth we find him to use is humble, low-key, but extremely smart way to solving murders again. He is always chastised and underappreciated, but he always comes out on top, providing the solution to the crime. The humor in this story is fun, though not laugh-out-loud, and the new and reappearing characters are very well developed. The story is intricate, yet it is a smooth read. I highly recommend it.

I look forward to continuing to read more Hamish MacBeth mysteries brilliantly written by Mr. R. W. Green as a tribute to our beloved M. C. Beaton.

Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the privilege of reading an advance

Really enjoyed another fun addition to the series.Hamish Macbeth is up to his usual ways investigating at its best full of interesting characters great settings.#netgalley #grandcentral

Sergeant Macbeth is Scotland's unambitious policemen is investigating the disappearance of a local woman who is not what she seems. Kate Hibbert has not live long in the village of Lochdubh, but she has managed to alienate most of her neighbors. When they see her leaving with a suitcase, all are relieved. Then her cousin comes to town asking about her and demanding that the police investigate. Macbeth soon finds he is entangles in deceit and sinister acts. He must solve the mystery so he can return to his sleepy village.

well I just love Hamish McBetth. His laconic easy going way of dealing with the foibles of his community are very appealing as is his fire when confronted with injustices. i have missed a few books in between and did not know about his fiance but that did not affect the storyline. Differences in writing style were barely noticeable and this story fits easily into the series.

I want to thank NetGalley and the the publisher for letting me read and review ‘Death of a Traitor’.

I have read every Hamish Macbeth story and I am extremely glad that R. W. Green has continued the series for M. C. Beaton. I actually look forward to reading about the usual cast of characters, pets, and Hamish’s ex-girlfriends, and enjoyed the descriptions of the scenic areas of Scotland where these stories take place.

As usual, Hamish must track down a murderer, using unorthodox methods, often ignoring direct orders from his superiors, as he tries to protect the reputations of his constituents. In this case he must put up with his old nemesis, DCI Blair, when his usual supervisor, DCI Jimmy Anderson, is hurt in a car crash. He is wary when he is teamed up with DC David Forbes, but eventually finds him to be a valuable asset. Using clues and evidence he removed from crime scene, Hamish pieces together the case, but not before there are more deaths.

Even though R. W. Green’s writing style differs from the original author, M. C. Beaton, Hamish’s exploits are still exciting and well worth reading.

I’m always a but wary when another writer takes over a series after an authors passing, but I really felt R W Green kept the charming nature of Hamish Macbeth.

There is a bit less humor than the original series, but it made for an exciting story with the same lovable and memorable characters.

Thanks for bringing me back to Lochdubh for another adventure with Hamish. And thanks to #NetGalley and #GrandCentralPublishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As Hamish investigates the disappearance of a village woman he gets two sides to the coin as he learns more about the missing woman. As her body and luggage is discovered, it seems the picture of who Kate really was is far darker than even those who didn’t like her have painted. Hamish is determined to figure out what happened to Kate and what she was hiding.

While not quite as cozy as the past, it’s still a good mystery. Though I think anyone who was really into M.C. Beaton’s writing and coziness may be a tad disappointed.

Hamish Macbeth is back and up to his usual antics as a policeman in Scotland. Robert Green is continuing this MC Beaton series and does not disappoint.