Death of a policeman

Sgt. Hamish Macbeth has had a long run in the Scottish Highlands-perhaps too long. In his 30th outing (after 2013's Death of Yesterday), Detective Chief Inspector Blair, his boss, sends Cyril Sessions, a corrupt cop, to find evidence that Hamish is sufficiently derelict in his duties to justify firing him. When Cyril is murdered, Hamish's woes multiply. His only goal is to keep his job and avoid promotion so he won't be moved from his beloved village of Lochdubh. Hamish has always been willing to bend a rule here and there, but now he seems as corrupt as his bosses. As the bodies pile up, he withholds evidence, breaks into every house and business belonging to someone he suspects, and blackmails his bosses. Bestseller Beaton originally created him as a lovable rogue, but even Hamish realizes how dirty he's become: "It's as if I've become one of them, he thought." Indeed. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

The 30th installment in this long-running series (after 2013's Death of Yesterday) finds Sgt. Hamish Macbeth facing another threat to his cozy setup in the Scottish Highlands. With the impending closure of local police stations across Scotland and reduction in staffing, Detective Chief Inspector Blair sees his chance finally to rid himself of Hamish. He sends Cyril Sessions, a handsome constable, to Lochdubh to spy on Hamish and report back. Although Hamish quickly discovers Cyril's identity, he still is angered by Cyril's presence and Blair's trickery. When Cyril is murdered, Hamish is briefly considered a suspect. Attention soon turns, however, to an influential restaurateur and his shady business dealings. While Hamish's investigation uncovers dark secrets and more dead bodies, Hamish struggles to find Cyril's killer and to sort out his messy love life. Sidekick Dick's infatuation with a young pretty librarian (and her love-hungry fellow librarian's infatuation with Cyril, Hamish, and Dick) provides many funny moments. Verdict Series fans will welcome another visit to Lochdubh. Cozy readers, while they might be surprised by the grisly deaths and the high body count, will enjoy reading about the charming and tenacious Hamish Macbeth.-Lynnanne Pearson, Skokie P.L., IL (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The 30th installment in this long-running series (after 2013's Death of Yesterday) finds Sgt. Hamish Macbeth facing another threat to his cozy setup in the Scottish Highlands. With the impending closure of local police stations across Scotland and reduction in staffing, Detective Chief Inspector Blair sees his chance finally to rid himself of Hamish. He sends Cyril Sessions, a handsome constable, to Lochdubh to spy on Hamish and report back. Although Hamish quickly discovers Cyril's identity, he still is angered by Cyril's presence and Blair's trickery. When Cyril is murdered, Hamish is briefly considered a suspect. Attention soon turns, however, to an influential restaurateur and his shady business dealings. While Hamish's investigation uncovers dark secrets and more dead bodies, Hamish struggles to find Cyril's killer and to sort out his messy love life. Sidekick Dick's infatuation with a young pretty librarian (and her love-hungry fellow librarian's infatuation with Cyril, Hamish, and Dick) provides many funny moments. Verdict Series fans will welcome another visit to Lochdubh. Cozy readers, while they might be surprised by the grisly deaths and the high body count, will enjoy reading about the charming and tenacious Hamish Macbeth.—Lynnanne Pearson, Skokie P.L., IL (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Sgt. Hamish Macbeth has had a long run in the Scottish Highlands—perhaps too long. In his 30th outing (after 2013's Death of Yesterday), Detective Chief Inspector Blair, his boss, sends Cyril Sessions, a corrupt cop, to find evidence that Hamish is sufficiently derelict in his duties to justify firing him. When Cyril is murdered, Hamish's woes multiply. His only goal is to keep his job and avoid promotion so he won't be moved from his beloved village of Lochdubh. Hamish has always been willing to bend a rule here and there, but now he seems as corrupt as his bosses. As the bodies pile up, he withholds evidence, breaks into every house and business belonging to someone he suspects, and blackmails his bosses. Bestseller Beaton originally created him as a lovable rogue, but even Hamish realizes how dirty he's become: "It's as if I've become one of them, he thought." Indeed. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates. (Feb.)

Sgt. Hamish Macbeth has had a long run in the Scottish Highlands—perhaps too long. In his 30th outing (after 2013's Death of Yesterday), Detective Chief Inspector Blair, his boss, sends Cyril Sessions, a corrupt cop, to find evidence that Hamish is sufficiently derelict in his duties to justify firing him. When Cyril is murdered, Hamish's woes multiply. His only goal is to keep his job and avoid promotion so he won't be moved from his beloved village of Lochdubh. Hamish has always been willing to bend a rule here and there, but now he seems as corrupt as his bosses. As the bodies pile up, he withholds evidence, breaks into every house and business belonging to someone he suspects, and blackmails his bosses. Bestseller Beaton originally created him as a lovable rogue, but even Hamish realizes how dirty he's become: "It's as if I've become one of them, he thought." Indeed. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates. (Feb.)