Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Death of a Policeman
Hamish Macbeth Mystery #29
M.C. Beaton
Read by Graeme Malcolm

Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Audio
February 25, 2014 / ISBN 1455504734
February 27, 2014/ ASIN: B00IOWOM64 / Audiobook 5 hours and 23 minutes
Cozy Mystery / Police / Scotland

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

Hamish is back and once again putting up with the likes of Detective Chief Inspector Blair. The new Scottish Force is cutting back, and Blair wants to make sure Hamish and Dick are out of their cozy station in Lochdubh. Superintendent Divot doesn’t agree with Blair, which has Blair sending another policeman undercover to get proof that Hamish is a moocher and lay-about. When Constable Cyril shows up, folks get wise and set him up to fail. Unfortunately, someone also sets Cyril up to die. It’s up to Hamish and Dick to solve the murder, but Blair flies in to complicate the matter and puts James Anderson in charge. Eventually, the Superintendent becomes involved, too. One death leads to multiple paths of deceit, trickery and murder.

What I enjoy the most about Beaton and her series is how she gives readers so much in one sitting. We enjoy the Highlands, the quirky characters, the local on-goings and mysteries that leads in different directions and expose even more situations. Beaton is an expert at explaining (briefly) the outcome of a situation, a relationship, or a past mystery without distracting the reader, giving away clues, or getting off track of the mystery.
When I close the cover of a Beaton mystery, I feel like I got my money’s worth. There is always more to solve than a murder. The characters are full-bodied; the Scottish backdrop is memorable; and fate has a way of evening the score. I hope this series goes on for a long, long time.

Scottish Actor Graeme Malcolm reads the audio version of Death of a Police. His narration is pitch-perfect. It felt like I was in on every conversation. His voice as the narrator is clear with little to no accent. When Malcolm reads the various characters, he includes that a bit of quirkiness MC Beaton has given them. Malcolm narrates other titles in the Macbeth series, too. Malcolm well known in both TV and Theater but when it comes to narrating audio books; Malcolm's list is extensive. Recent ones include Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson and Ship of Theseus by V.M. Straka.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Death of a Gossip #1
Death of a Cad #2
Death of an Outsider #3
Death of a Macho Man #12
Death of a Dentist #13
Death of a Scriptwriter #14
Death of an Addict #15
A Highland Christmas #15.5
Death of a Dustman #16  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Celebrity #17  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Village #18
Death of a Poison Pen #19
Death of a Bore #20  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Dreamer #21 [audio] [book 1 ] [book 2]
Death of a Maid #22  [review 1] [uk review 2]
Death of a Gentle Lady #23  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Witch #24  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Valentine #25  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Chimney Sweep #26  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Kingfisher #27  [review 1] [review 2]
Death of Yesterday #28  [audio] [ book]
Death of a Policeman #29  [audio] [book]
Death of a Liar #30  [audio] [book]
Death of a Nurse #31  [audio] [book]
Death of a Ghost #32 [audio] [book]

Death of an Honest Man #33 [audio] [book]

 

Reviewed 2014
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