Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-89296-010-8

Death of a Maid features Beaton’s wonderful Hamish Macbeth. Hamish is a police officer in the small town of Lochdubh, Scotland and he is waging a seemingly endless battle to stay in the area he loves. The government is trying to save money and consolidate rural policing while his superiors keep trying to promote him to the big city. It requires a surprising amount of political savvy and behind the scenes maneuvering to keep either of these things from happening.

And now Hamish’s cleaning lady has been murdered, coshed with her own bucket. Trailed by his cat, dog, and crumbs from all the free meals he has cadged along the way, Hamish investigates the death of this unpleasant and unlamented woman. He also tries to frustrate the determined young woman from the film crew who is researching him and his investigative prowess for a planned documentary by looking like a nincompoop whenever she appears on the scene.

But Hamish is a man who can do it all – organize a rebellion, chat with a supermodel, catch a killer, and secure the best outcome for everyone under his care with his unorthodox policing methods. Hamish is far from perfect but he applies his canny nature to admirable goals and you can’t help but like him.

Beaton provides Hamish with a wonderful supporting cast, but after more than twenty books, there are too many of them to discuss here. The countryside is also described in loving detail and almost becomes another character in the book – the land and sea are things to be celebrated and enjoyed, but also to fight against and conquer when the need arises. If you don’t want to head off to Scotland after finishing one of Beaton’s books, I will be most surprised.

Favorite character? Hamish, always. Did I guess it? No. Will I read another? Of course. I have read almost all of them.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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