Death of a Nag (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 11) [Mass Market Paperback]

M. C. Beaton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

After his engagement is broken, Constable Hamish Macbeth is looking forward to rest and relaxation in the coastal town of Skay. But when he arrives at the somewhat dismal bed and breakfast, his fellow guests include the annoying Miss Gunnery, a London family, and Bob Harris, who so nags his wife that everyone wants to kill him. And then someone does.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After a romantic disappointment and an undeserved demotion, Scots village bobby Hamish MacBeth, seen last in Death of a Charming Man, decides a week's holiday at the coastal village of Skag might be just the ticket. He's dead wrong, of course: the food is dire, and the man in the next room nags his wife so loudly and continuously that more than one person at the The Friendly House bed-and-breakfast wishes him dead, though only Hamish is heard threatening him. When this chap's body is found floating in the river Skag, Hamish is the prime suspect. While clearing his name, the lanky Scot has to deal with the widow, who's suddenly making eyes at a refined bachelor; two leather-skirted Glaswegian beauties intent on raising disco hell; and the rude revelation of one family man's secret life. Some holiday. Beaton has fine-tuned her MacBeth series into something altogether winning. In this 11th entry, her plot is top-notch, a few somber notes demonstrate her touch for understated compassion and, as always, Hamish and his highland cohorts are lovingly rendered.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Beaton's Hamish MacBeth stories are always good, but the latest is a standout. The plot is even better than usual, the characters are more engaging, and even the mostly dour and serious Hamish is funnier and more likable than usual. Hamish and the ravishing Priscilla Halburton-Smythe have ended their long engagement, and the townsfolk blame Hamish. To escape Lochdubh's wagging tongues, Hamish embarks on a short vacation at Friendly House, a bed-and-breakfast in the seaside resort of Skag. But instead of the relaxation and solitude he sought, Hamish finds he's involved in yet another murder case. The victim is a drunken, mean-spirited fellow lodger at Friendly House, and Hamish figures the murderer is most likely also on the guest list. Patient, stolid Hamish uses brains, intuition, and a keen understanding of human nature--as well as plenty of shoe leather--to ferret out the unlikely killer. A fine, well-told police procedural with plenty of human interest, Beaton's latest will appeal to a wide range of mystery fans. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Press (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446403393
• ISBN-13: 978-0446403399
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

M.C. BEATON has won international acclaim for her bestselling Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. She is also the author of over 100 romance titles and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series. M. C. Beaton lives in a Cotswold cottage with her husband.

Marion is active on Facebook using her most popular pen name, M.C. Beaton. You can find complete book lists, information on events, and sign up for news updates at her website, www.MCBeaton.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, yes, yes, April 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Death of a Nag (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 11) (Mass Market Paperback)

Okay, I only picked up Death of a Glutton because I was caught out of the house without a book and had some wait time on my hands. I owned everything else that interested me and Hamish Macbeth kept catching my eye. I read it in less than a day and was hooked. I now have the entire series and just finished Death of a Nag last week.

I suppose this qualifies as an "English cozy" even though it is in Scotland, but since I live in Kansas I guess I'm not supposed to know there's much of a difference. Scotland has technically been a part of "England" since the 1600's and of course they share the same island, but still there is the hope that someday Scotland will be free? Yes, and the south will rise again, but back to the book.

Hamish is a complex man of great simplicity. Yes, he's a mooch, a bit of a poacher, but quite a good sleuth. I love his contacts with the rest of the world and how he puts "the touch" on his relatives to help get the info he needs to solve his cases.

The latest entry I've read, number 11, I believe, has Hamish off on a well needed break from his beloved Lochdubh and the irritation of of the villagers for his perceived misbehavior.

I must admit the funeral scene and what lead up to it was a bit dismaying. I hope he finds a new "friend" with whom to share his life, and perhaps he has, but has I said, I'm only up to #11 and the rest of the books are sitting there waiting to be read so maybe he has done so already.

I recommend you get the first one in the series, Death of a Gossip and go from there. There is a lot of background and build up of characters as the series progresses. I almost had to skip one of the books because it was reportedly out of print, but I was able to find it on line and was glad I did. It helps to have access to all of the books when you start a series. It helps to cut down on the wait time.

Read and enjoy

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing, Exciting Escape, May 9, 2000

By 

Mamalinde "mamalinde" (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Nag (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 11) (Mass Market Paperback)

Hamish MacBeth escapes the gossip of Lochdubh for a bit of a seaside vacation in Skay at the "Friendly House" - which is anything but. No one is terribly surprised or even upset when the "Nag" is found floating in the sea, and everyone seems to have a motive. Truly an "cozy" - the endearing MacBeth takes us all under his wing for summertime in Scotland, complete with bad food, lots of luscious gossip, seaside strolls and devotion to his dog. The tale twists and turns but never confuses, works its way to an exciting climax, and even has a nice ironic twist. From the roses at the police station, to the sometimes vile Highlands weather, to Hamish's dogged persistence, lack of ambition and willingness to give credit to someone else, this series is absolutely charming. Davina Porter does an admirable job on the voices and accents, she just takes some getting used to. My second Hamish MacBeth, and not only am I hooked, I think I have a crush on this man! Apparently Hamish MacBeth is a TV series on BBCAmerica. Mamalinda will have to seek this out as well as the other books in this series. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hercule Poirot meets Hamish McBeth!, October 4, 2004

By 

mamareadssomuch "mamareadssomuch" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Nag (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 11) (Hardcover)

Such a delightful cozy mystery! Does that sound right? Well, it was fun and I guessed 'whodunnit' even though MC Beaton tried to fool me.

Hamish leaves his village for a much needed holiday at a bed and breakfast where murder ensues. There are a variety of characters staying at the B&B with him and when the 'nag' is killed, the suspects become everyone.

I have loved Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton and thrilled to read her other series. Give it a try. If you like cozy mysteries, then you will surely enjoy this one.