Death of a Spy

All Sergeant Hamish Macbeth ever wants is a quiet life in the tranquil
surroundings of Lochdubh, his home village in the Scottish Highlands. Although
the area he polices is vast, he's happiest when he's working alone, yet the
police authorities insist he has an assistant. In the past, they have supplied
a variety of problematic misfits, but they surpass themselves with their
latest effort - an American named James Bland.

Having met Bland previously, when he was left in no doubt that the American
led a life coloured by secrets and skulduggery, Hamish isn't surprised when he
discovers the real motive behind Bland's police secondment involves him in
helping track down a spy ring, some members of which have met grisly ends.

That investigation tears Hamish away from Lochdubh at a time when the village
is suffering a disturbing spate of increasingly violent burglaries. The
identity of the burglar, however, is a perplexing mystery. All of that blows
Hamish's quiet life out the window and puts a serious strain on his
relationship with female paramedic, Claire.
Can Hamish cope with the murky world of espionage, seek out the spies before
anyone else is murdered, capture the Lochdubh burglar before his nocturnal
rampage runs out of control and rescue his sadly neglected love life?

Only time will tell...


Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:

'This Hamish Macbeth novel maintains Beaton's distinctive voice and includes
the usual village eccentrics, loads of Scottish lore, and the light humor that
Beaton fans have loved through the years. . . A definite purchase for all
mystery collections' Starred Review, Library Journal

'Unmissable!' Peterborough Telegraph

'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.'
Booklist

'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times

'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... Beaton
catches the beauty of the area's natural geography and succinctly describes
its distinct flavour.' Library Journal

'Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly
satisfying.' Publishers Weekly

"A tale of international intrigue mixed with local Scottish flavor, "Death of
a Spy" is a fast-paced read, and will thrill all Hamish fans. Once again, Rod
Green, writing as M.C. Beaton, creates a masterful and fun spy tale, which
incorporates all of Beaton's beloved Scottish characters...The Hamish MacBeth
mysteries are like peanuts. When you read one, you cannot stop. After
finishing "Death of a Spy," readers will itch for the next Hamish MacBeth
installment." New York Journal of Books