This was another fun read in the Hamish MacBeth Series, and I always love spending time in Lochdubh with him and the villagers.

Like others I have noticed some changes in these books with a new author, including some changes in the characters, but that doesn’t stop me enjoying the read of them. Without Hamish in my life, that life would seem much poorer. I do have to say however that they are not always as cosy a read as they once were. At points we do see some more hard-boiled action.

I would always recommend this series, even with the changes.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The adventures of Hamish Macbeth can always be relied on as a comfy way to spend a few hours. This latest story starts with a missing woman and develops into something more. All the familiar regulars are included to make you feel at home again in Loch Dubh. Thanks to Netgalley.

I always enjoy the books in this series and this one confirmed my opinion: well plotted, entertaining and compelling.
Hamish is back and I liked this story and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Amazing book in a fantastic series. Hamish Macbeth has everything a woman wants. Strong. Good company. Loved his home his job his village and the weather. Must admit although a police man he always has murder around him. For such a tiny place it attracts a lot of action. Absolutely loved this book. There are not enough stars to give out!

A wonderful return visit to Lochdubh with Hamish and all the quirky residents. An entertaining story.

Great paced intriguing mystery from a brilliant series that is still going strong.
Wonderfully described and full of interest. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A missing person report doesn't overly concern Hamish, that is until a body is found.

I really enjoy this series, I find them easy and enjoyable reads. I especially love the scenery and find Hamish a likeable character.

Highly enjoyable and recommended read.

Death of a Traitor by M.C. Beaton

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Constable and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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 gone for good. But two weeks later, Kate’s cousin arrives in town with the news that Kate has gone missing.

Hamish Macbeth is called in to investigate the disappearance, and soon he is befuddled by the discovery of Kate’s body, her suitcase . . . and the sneaking suspicion that Kate was someone much more sinister than she claimed.

My Opinion

Those of you that have followed me for a while will know that I am a big fan of this series, so there was no hesitation when I saw that this was available for request. We are up to book 35 but still the mysteries seem fresh. What starts out as the case of a missing person, soon turns into a hunt for the murderer when a body is discovered. If you have read any books in this series then you will know that you can expect a great, cosy mystery with some interesting characters. A great addition to the series!

Rating 4/5

This is the third(?) book written by RW Green from notes and conversations with the late MC Beaton and I have to say that I am mostly still on board. I always say that reading a Hamish (or Agatha) book is like playing bingo, so many elements need to be included. If you are already familiar with this series, which you should be after 35 books then you'll know what to expect. And that expectation is delivered.
We star with a missing person who was last seen leaving the village with a suitcase some two weeks past. Her sister has just reported that no hide nor hair of her has been seen since that day.
Enter Hamish to investigate.
But what he finds is, well, shocking as she wasn't the easiest to get along with but he never thought she was that bad... But I'll leave the rest for you to get on with yourself...
Oh I will just say, if you thought you'd seen the last of DCI Blair... think again!
I think I'd really miss Hamish if the series stopped so I am really glad RW Green has taken up the mantle. As already mentioned, all the elements are there. The writing style differs a little but nothing too off key so it's still easy to fully immerse yourself into the wonderful Lochdubh.
One small thing though, about all the elements... it sometimes feels like the author has a list and has to create scenarios to include some of the stuff. Maybe trying too hard to assimilate? If so then there's no need. Hamish is so well loved that unless you veer too far from the original character you'll be just fine...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Macbeth is back in this entertaining read , he’s investigating a missing person case .
The usual suspects return too Daviot and Blair .
Jimmy Anderson is back too and unfortunately he ends up in hospital after a car accident .
Macbeth has a new sidekick for this story Davey and they make a great team.
The story that unfolds involves murder and Russian criminals , Lochdubh is in for a few surprises.
The story moves on at a great pace and the writing is a of an excellent calibre making for an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Death of a Traitor, the thirty-fifth novel to feature Sergeant Hamish MacBeth, set in the fictional Sutherland village of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands.

The disappearance of Kate Hibbert, last seen struggling with a large suitcase, doesn’t bother Hamish over much as she has been known to suddenly go travelling without telling anyone before, so he does the basics. When she is seen again it unleashes all sorts of secrets, lies and scandal.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death of a Traitor, which is a fun read with some unexpected twists. It is told mainly from Hamish’s point of view with the odd contribution from other characters, whereby Hamish does the investigation and events and the others imply that they are keeping secrets, thus intriguing the reader and encouraging further reading. It’s well done. Some of the secrets made me laugh, others are a bit sad and one is deadly, although I would never have guessed in a million years how it was going to turn out. I imagine that the author had fun with it.

This is not a long novel but it packs a punch in terms of so much happening. The dreaded DCI Blair is back on the scene, but Hamish is fit for him (several times), he has a new constable to assist him and a bit of a negotiation (read gentle blackmail) with Superintendent Daviot and that’s besides murder and mayhem and a potential new romance. Throughout it all Hamish is managing “community relations” or protecting his community through a judicial ignoring of the law. It’s all good, relatively clean fun.

Death of a Traitor is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

The plot is as deep and dark as it gets, multi-layered with 'who knew what when?' as the strands come together and the finer details get filled in. This is an absolutely compelling, gripping book full of mystery and suspense. Only a few authors can write deeply involving psychological drama of the very highest quality.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Rollicking Romp In Lochdubh..
The thirty-fifth entry in the Hamish Macbeth series finds Hamish with, among other things, a missing person case on his hands. Hamish sees no cause for undue concern, particularly as those closest to Kate Hibbert seem largely unconcerned themselves - surely there’s no suspicion of foul play here? Are things about to turn rocky for the unsuspecting but endearing Hamish? Well, in all likelihood, they probably are. A well drawn cast of eccentric, quirky and mostly delightful characters, a firm sense of place and a pacy, frothy plot provide the ingredients for another rollicking romp in Lochdubh. Wholly entertaining, unfettered fun

The setting and scenery is everything in Hamish Macbeth’s latest case. A missing person soon escalates with a body found. A local policeman Hamish makes sure his local quirky people come first even though it may cost his job. Many secrets have been hidden and there are plenty of suspects when blackmail is suspected. This story swings along at a great pace and you will be very happy to be taken back to a taste of highland life.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher, little brown book group) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.