Death of a Kingfisher (Review 1)
Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No 27
M. C. Beaton

Grand Central Publishing
Feb 12, 2012 / ISBN: 0446547360
Cozy Mystery / Scotland / Village Police
Amazon

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

I look forward to visiting the Highlands and Hamish McBeth whenever a new mystery is published. I've read ninety-eight percent of the Macbeth series and never found it dull. The mysteries are just the right size for a quick entertaining read (This one 256 pages). The series has a perfect combination of mystery and unique characters ready get you hooked on Hamish, the Scottish Highlands, its villages and villagers.

In this mystery the village of Braikie renames the Buchan's Wood, The Fairy Glen. Mary, the attractive local tourist director came up with the idea. Just when the village looks like it's thriving, someone starts sabotaging The Fairy Glen. First a family of birds (kingfishers) is killed followed up by a human victim. Someone wants to put a stop to this unique village moneymaker. In the midst of it all is the rich Mrs. Colchester looking after her grandchildren - she's callous and they're downright wicked. Mrs. Colchester believes in Fairies; so do others who put things outside at night to appease them. Sergeant Hamish spends a lot of time on the road trying to solve this one. Good thing he has a new constable named Dick Fraser to take care of the pets. Of course MacBeth is just as prejudiced about him as he was with the others. Dick likes to sit outside and gossip with the locals, but MacBeth is about to discover Dick has a unique gift. And back to assist MacBeth in this case are Elspeth and Priscilla; both gladly give their two-cents on the case as does the local tourist director, Mary (sounds like they're jealous).

Beaton offers enough twists to keep us intrigued and a never-ending range of secondary characters to play off Hamish and the villagers. I think readers will appreciate the conclusion. It's interesting how fate, karma, whatever you want to call it, has the final say at the end of these mysteries - it's almost therapeutic.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Death of a Gossip - Book I     [review]
Death of a Cad - Book II      [review]
Death of an Outsider - Book III      [review]
Death of a Perfect Wife - Book IV      [review]
Death of a Hussy - Book V       [review]
Death of a Snob - Book VI       [review]
Death of a Prankster - Book VII     [review]
Death of a Glutton - Book VIII       [review]
Death of a Travelling Man - Book IX    [review]
Death of a Charming Man - Book X      [review]
Death of a Nag - Book XI     [review]
Death of a Macho Man - Book XII     [review]
Death of a Dentist - Book XIII    [review]
Death of a Scriptwriter - Book XIV    [review]
Death of an Addict -Book XV     [review]
Death of a Dustman - Book XVI      [review]
Death of a Celebrity - Book XVII     [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Village - Book XVIII    [review]
Death of a Poison Pen XIV     [review]
Death of a Bore - Book XX      [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Dreamer - Book XXI      [review] [audio review]
Death of a Maid, No XXII     [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Gentle Lady - Book XXIII     [review]
Death of a Witch - Book XXIVI      [review 1] [review 2]
Death of a Valentine - Book XXV      [review 1] [review2]
Death of a Chimney Sweep, Book XXVI     [review]
Death of a Kingfisher, Book XXVII    [review 1] [review 2]