Death of Yesterday

January 21, 2013
Near the start of Beaton’s delightful 29th Hamish Macbeth mystery (after 2012’s Death of a Kingfisher), art student Morag Merrilea complains to the Scottish police sergeant about the theft of her sketchbook in a pub where she was drinking heavily one night. When Morag disappears and later turns up dead, Macbeth attempts to solve the crime, but blustery Detective Chief Superintendent Blair keeps ordering him to do the most menial tasks. Meanwhile, Macbeth’s love life has more snags than an old wool sweater, as shown by his strained relationships with Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and Elspeth Grant, not to mention his infatuation with Hannah Fleming, the sister of suspect Geordie Fleming. A second victim found by Macbeth ups the pressure and media interest. While Macbeth matches wits with a desperate and elusive killer, the dreadful Palfour teens from Death of a Kingfisher, Olivia and Charles, muddy the investigative waters. Cozy fans are in for a treat. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates.

Constable Hamish Macbeth is back, and this time the body count is higher than usual. Fortunately, the charm and humor of this Scottish cozy series continue with the zany locals all accounted for! Narrator Graeme Malcolm energetically captures multiple accents--whether thick burr or melodious lilt. The countless suspects and many victims add to the action and ensuing confusion. The most fun is Hamish's sergeant, who keeps the police house and pets in fine mettle; his voice and priceless comments are highlights as presented by Malcolm. As usual, true love continues to elude poor Hamish, so he (and we) must look to the future for another opportunity. Rest assured, despite all of the action, tranquility returns to the village of Strathbane. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine