Death of a traitor

Another pitch-perfect entry in the long-running Hamish Macbeth series, the second since Beaton's death in 2019. Beaton's friend, author R. W. Green, continues the series, capturing Beaton's deft plotting, shrewd characterizations, and loving depictions of the Scottish Highlands. As usual, the tranquility of the tiny village of Lochdubh is disrupted by a newcomer; this time, it's a woman who insinuates herself into everyone's home and business under the guise of being helpful. When that woman suddenly leaves town and soon after is found strangled to death at the bottom of a loch, no one in Lochdubh is particularly upset. Sergeant Hamish Macbeth, a massively built Highlander with flaming red hair, in charge of Lochdubh's police station, finds his investigation hampered once again by the reprehensible alcoholic Chief Inspector Blair. But Hamish has recovered the victim's suitcase, the mysterious contents of which may point to the murderer. Green carries on Beaton's tradition of presenting lochs, mountains, moors, elaborate Victorian castles, and hunting lodges in a way that both enhances the action and deepens appreciation for the region. The plot builds and twists nicely, as Hamish navigates the problems of uncooperative villagers and the scheming chief inspector. Best of all is wandering through the Highlands with Hamish. Raise a glass of Hamish's favored Famous Grouse to this new addition in a worthy series.

In the meandering 36th Hamish Macbeth mystery (after 2022's Death of a Green-Eyed Monster), the second collaboration between Beaton (1936--2019) and Green, Hamish, a police sergeant stationed in the village of Lockdubh but whose "beat covers a vast swathe of rural Sutherland in the far north of Scotland," investigates when Kate Hibbert, a relative newcomer to the village, goes missing. Hamish soon discovers that Kate was not the friendly, helpful neighbor she had pretended to be. Three weeks after the woman's disappearance, Hamish is the first policeman on the scene when her strangled body is found floating in a remote loch. Hamish spots her battered suitcase and pulls it from the water; its contents point to a range of possible suspects in her murder. Pompous, officious Detective Chief Inspector Blair, "an evil scunner" and "a bungling eejit," as well as Hamish's nemesis, provides an obstacle for Hamish to bump up against. The plot swerves wildly from village foibles and secrets into the world of international espionage as it marches doggedly toward its finale. This one's for established fans only. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Assoc. (Feb.)