This was my first Hamish Macbeth, but even coming so far into a long series, it works OK as a stand-alone book.

The story is, frankly, pretty unlikely – but then no-one reads M.C. Beaton for gritty realism. A stunningly lovely new PC turns up as Hamish’s assistant in Lochdubh, there is a murder, various dodgy characters appear – including the egregious DCI Blair – and romance flourishes for Hamish. Meanwhile, is the new PC quite all she seems…?

It’s all pretty cosy, although some real tragedy does occur. There are plenty of atmospheric descriptions of the location some of which I found a bit clumsy and the characters are decently drawn if a little stereotypical. It all makes for an easy, brain-off sort of read which is just what one needs sometimes. I’m not sure I’ll be reading a lot more Hamish Macbeth, but this does what it sets out to do very competently and if you’re in the mood it’s an enjoyable bit of escapism.

(My thanks to Constable for an ARC via NetGalley.)

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hamish has found the love of his life at last? After two engagements to Priscilla and Elspeth fizzled out before the wedding day, he finally feels as if he has met "the one". Dorothy, a policewoman, newly seconded to Lochdubh is a dream come true, beautiful, feisty and all the villagers have taken her to their hearts but will he make it to the altar this time? As usual, the setting is the beautiful Scottish Highlands and there are guns and plenty of whisky is drunk. Throw into the mix his old nemesis, Blair and Hamish's two ex-fiancees and a mysterious woman in a blue car and you have an intriguing novel!