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Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries) (1988)

Hamish hated change almost as much as he hated work. He had the tenancy of some croft land next to the police station at Lochdubh, where he kept a small herd of sheep, now being looked after by a neighbor. He earned quite good money on the side from his small farming, his poaching, and the prize money he won for hill running at the Highland Games in the summer. All that he could save went to his mother and father and brothers and sisters over in Cromarty. He did not anticipate any easy pickings in Cnothan.
-Death of an Outsider

Given all that, and the taciturn nature of the locals, it's understandable that Hamish is awfully grumpy about being sent to Cnothan for three months to cover for a vacationing colleague. But if he thinks it's tough on him being an outsider, that's nothing compared to how an obnoxious Englishman gets treated. When the latter is murdered it brings Inspector Blair to town and makes things even worse for our hero.

This entry in the very fine series contains the lobster incident that featured in the first episode of the different, but equally good, tv show. Ms Beaton had really hit her stride here, just a few books into the Hamish Macbeth mysteries, and it's an immensely enjoyable read.

(Reviewed:05-Mar-06)

Grade: (A)

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Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries) (1988)

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