The very first Hamish Macbeth crime mystery, from internationally bestselling author M.C.Beaton

When society widow and gossip columnist Lady Jane Winters joins the local fishing class she wastes no time in ruffling the feathers - or should that be fins? - of those around her.

Among the victims of her sharp tongue is Lochdubh constable Hamish Macbeth, yet not even Hamish thinks someone would seriously want to silence Lady Jane's shrill voice permanently - until her strangled body is fished out of the river.

Now with the help of the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, Hamish must steer a course through the choppy waters of the tattler's life to find a murderer. But with a school of suspects who aren't willing to talk, and the dead woman telling no tales, Hamish may well be in over his head for he knows that secrets are dangerous, knowledge is power, and killers when cornered usually do strike again.

Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:

'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist

'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times

'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... Beaton catches the beauty of the area's natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour.' Library Journal

'Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly satisfying.' Publishers Weekly

About the Author
M.C. Beaton (1936-2019) was the author of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, as well as numerous Regency romances. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages and have sold more than twenty-two million copies worldwide. She is consistently the most borrowed UK adult author in British libraries, and her Agatha Raisin books have been turned into a TV series on Sky.

Reviews
M C Beaton's Hamish Macbeth books are a delight: clever, intricate and sardonic. The flavour is reminiscent of Compton MacKenzie's Whisky Galore and I'm very glad to own a complete set
The much-loved Hamish Macbeth series... a beguiling blend of wry humour and sharp observations of rural life. * Good Book Guide *
The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. * The Times *
It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh. * The New York Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472124067
Author M.C. Beaton
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Constable
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 161g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 18mm