My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is apparently the thirty sixth book in this series featuring the irrepressible Hamish Macbeth, it is however the first for me, but certainly not the last. Beautifully written atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent storytelling, character driven but a very good mystery too, with plenty of surprises for my ageing brain to cope with. Totally engaging page turner with a modern day spy theme that I enjoyed.
Completely recommended.

Sergeant Hamish Macbeth in the small village of Lochdubh joins forces with American James Bland to identify a spy ring.
There is plenty of red herrings in the village when a distinctive burglar causes an uproar in the village. Hamish finds he will need plenty of luck and the help of locals to flush out the spies before more murders occur.
A quick read taken along apace by the distinctive local characters of a small Scottish community. Very enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I love this series and when a new book is out it's straight to the top of my reading list. When the original author died I was unsure if the stories would be as good, I needn't worry as they are just as good.
Highly recommend reading these in order to really appreciate the characters and books.

“Every man at the bottom of his heart believes that he is a born detective”
Hamish MacBeth Is back.
In this novel we see him involved in international espionage, when a mysterious American man, James Bland reappears in Lochdubh.
Bland is now posing as a police sergeant, claiming to be on an exchange program to learn about policing methods in Scotland.
He enlists Hamish to hunt down surviving members of a Russian spy ring ‘The Despicable Dozen’ , who are hiding out in the Scottish highlands.
A fast paced read with all of Beaton’s beloved Scottish characters .

Still in the vein of M C Beaton, well written and just as fun as previous books. Easy read with great characters. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

Hamish Macbeth gives the impression of a lazy, bumbling local policeman in his village of Locdubh. But in fact he's razor sharp, proactive and has a few clever tricks up his sleeve. In Death of a Spy, Hamish is joined by James Bland from the Chicago Police Department, who is hunting down a spy ring.

In amongst the spy hunt, the two policeman have a fair few other things to deal with, like a string of burglaries and a collapsed bridge!

Hamish has the case of a cat burglar in Loch dubh to investigate whilst also trying to track a spy ring .
In this book he’s partnered with American James Bland who appeared in a previous Hamish Macbeth story in which he saved his’ life .
Bland’s cover story is that he is on an exchange visit from the Chicago police department , but Hamish knows he’s here to track down the spy ring and the people behind it .
As always the writing is excellent and easy to read and I liked the partnership between Hamish and James they made a good team .
There was a nice balance of between the crime wave in Loch Dubh and the excitement of the spy ring and all that it entails .
An enjoyable read looking forward to Hamish’ next case.
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.

EXCERPT: 'Hamish, you know I've been to Lochdubh, so I know a little about your people there and I don't want to make any waves.'
Hamish looked at Bland. The man had always been a mystery - part golfing gambler, part stock-market investor, part globe-trotting playboy, and now part cop. What else was he into? Why was he now standing beside him in front of Daviot's desk? Why was he back in Scotland?

ABOUT 'DEATH OF A SPY': Sergeant Hamish Macbeth has some major problems to deal with – crimes and criminals, even law enforcement agents, that he doesn’t want anywhere near his beloved Highland village in Lochdubh. Hamish is worried about how the locals, as well as those in the wider area of his territory in Sutherland, will react to his new assistant officer. The officer is none other than the enigmatic American James Bland who is on an exchange scheme from his home city of Chicago in the United States, supposedly to study policing methods in Scotland.

Hamish knows that this is far from the truth. Having recently become involved in identifying a Russian spy ring to solve a murder, he is aware that Bland’s mission is to track down the members of the spy network still at large. Bland trusts Hamish to help him find all of those who may have been, or may still be, in league with the Russians.

In the meantime, he and Bland have to contend with the everyday chores of rural policing. The tourist season brings with it the usual crop of traffic incidents, lost wallets, lost dogs, and people who are simply lost, but a spate of burglaries and robberies committed by a man described as having a gold tooth and a spider’s web tattoo on his neck give Hamish cause for serious concern. The robberies become increasingly violent and the man is dubbed "Spiderman" by the local press. Hamish has to use all of his contacts and every ounce of his Highland guile to find the robber.

MY THOUGHTS: After how many years in Lochdubh, the locals still think of Hamish as an interloper, a lazy, work-shy interloper at that. They believe he spends more time scrounging cups of coffee at the Tommel Castle Hotel or the Italian restaurant in the village than looking after their interests. They don't like his relaxed, laid-back manner, nor that he has a 'free' house and 'free' vehicle and see him as somewhat of a personal servant since he is paid from their taxes.

But Hamish is a bit more savvy than they give him credit for. Somehow, he always seems to get his man. Women he doesn't have as much luck with, having several girlfriends and a fiancé or two in his past. He is also unconventional in his methods of catching criminals, sometimes almost becoming a criminal himself.

I loved this series until recently. I still like it, but . . . I don't know that I like the almost 'James Bond' vibe that James Bland brings to the book. Do we need Russians and spies in Lochdubh? I was much happier with cat-burglars, stock thefts, missing persons and the occasional murder of a tourist or local - it was so much more fitting somehow. Although I have to admit it was lovely to have the character of Moira Stephenson reintroduced. I would like to see Moira move to Lochdubh along with Carol McGill and Jean Graham, two other very interesting characters who made an appearance in Death of a Spy. Lochdubh could do with some new blood, and these three would be an enlivening addition plus an antidote to the irritating Currie sisters.

Will I continue with this series? That's a resounding 'Hell, yes!' I like Hamish Macbeth far too much to abandon him.

⭐⭐⭐.5

#DeathofaSpy #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: THE AUTHOR: Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.

Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.

Unfortunately, Marion died in January 2020 and her notes for further books were passed on to Rod Green to complete her series.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Little Brown Book Group UK, Constable for providing a digital ARC of Death of a Spy by MC Beaton and RW Green for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I can't remember how many books RW Green has now penned but he seems to have his feet firmly under the table now. I love Hamish, I've always loved his quirky character and I would have been devastated if I never heard from him again. I know there are purists out there who just can't accept a different author taking on another's world but this isn't my first rodeo and I personally am of the mind that you really gotta give it a chance before you dismiss and, with this series, I am most definitely glad I did.
So... In this book we welcome the return of an old friend - James Bland of the Chicago Police who is in Lochdubh on an exchange visit to study policing methods in Scotland - I know, yeah right! And you'd not be wrong in thinking that as it's just a cover. There is still work to be done mopping up the stragglers in the spy network he previously identified...
So there's that on the periphery as the duo also have their day jobs to do. The community policing side of things, and there's a major bridge down, which needs immediate action, and also it's tourist season, and if that wasn't enough, there's a flurry of burglaries all committed by a bloke with a rather obvious tattoo. You'd think he'd be easy to catch...!
I whizzed through this book, loving every single page as I read it. Loving reconnecting with old friends along the way. It really is a cost comfortable place to be; within the pages of a Hamish book. One I am always reluctant to leave once the story is complete but that's life.
All the things you'd expect from a Hamish book are included herein. I especially love the parts with Lugs, and Sonsie who is definitely NOT a wildcat!
All in all, another winner from me. I'll be missing Hamish until the next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I am a huge MC Beaton fan and when R W Green took over I was dubious. But he is brilliant. He speaks with M C Beatons voice. The series is a real treat and it’s such fun and I think he can’t put a foot wrong at present. Well I suppose he can - he’s not writing quick enough - come ion more books now!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Death of a Spy, the thirty sixth novel to feature Sergeant Hamish Macbeth of Police Scotland, set in the fictional Sutherland village of Lochdubh.

Hamish is not happy to meet enigmatic American James Bland again, especially when he learns that he is to help him hunt down the remains of a spy ring, some of whom are dead in very questionable circumstances. Before any spy hunting takes place he will have to deal with the Anstey Bridge disaster and then fit it in round his hunt for a burglar.

I thoroughly enjoyed Death of a Spy, which is another fun caper in the Highlands with all the usual suspects and a fine newish addition in James Bland. The novel is told mostly from Hamish’s point of view with the occasional switch to “the boss”’s henchmen as they plot their nefarious actions, only to be thwarted in some inventive ways.

The plot is fun and highly entertaining from start to finish, even if I didn’t get the ins and outs of why they were doing it. I laughed a lot and read it in one sitting. I was also entranced by the Cook’s Tour of Sutherland, an area I have never visited despite being Scottish.

Hamish and James travel far and wide in search of witnesses and spies in hiding. Along the way they fall in and out of danger, find inventive ways to capture their prey and build a bridge in a day. The final showdown where “the boss” is uncovered and goes on the run is a masterclass in just desserts - I loved it.

The author makes a point in his foreword about Hamish’s character, that as an incomer he will always be regarded by the locals as lazy and his job a sinecure, whereas in actuality he is hardworking, resourceful and smart, who only wants his life in rural Lochdubh.

Death of a Spy is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I had a good time reading this novel. It’s been a while since I read a book from the series (and it was the fourteenth or fifteenth I think) so I clearly do not read the series’ books in order. But this one is one of my favorites so far. It most likely is due to the partnership between Hamish and James Bland. It was the first time I read a book with him and I actually liked what he brought to the series a lot. He adds a little dynamic that I thought was appealing. The mystery was quite interesting as well, but I would like to see the duo Hamish-James again, for another investigation, though I don’t think it will happen. But even a simple appearance could be nice.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I loved the Agatha Raisin series and this was on par with that. Great storyline and great characters. Would recommend.

Hamish returns in this latest instalment in the `Hamish Macbeth Series, and this time he is trying to unearth a spy network, and the head of this network, aided by an American, James Bland,, who had previously saved his life in an earlier book..

This book sees him travelling; all over the whole of northern Scotland, as well as a particularly dangerous encounter in the lights of Glasgow, it appears Hamish’s reputation proceeds him, and he is a marked man. I particularly enjoyed the parts in northern Scotland as it brought back memories of my travels in those areas - although I’m not sure I’ll see them in the same way again.

This continues to be an enjoyable series for me, although I know some don’t enjoy them as much as when M C Beaton was writing them. We have all the usual characters in them, but in this one particularly they play less of a part due to his travels, but alongside everything else Hamish has a burglar to find in Lochdubh.

These books have definitely taken a different turn with the new author, and they are not quite as cozy as they were but I still look forward to reading them, and can’t wait for the next one. Overall I definitely recommend this series, and this book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Having been a fan of MC Beaton and read some of the earlier books in the Hamish Macbeth series, I was interested to see how this book compared with the contribution of RW Green. I was not disappointed, it has a great plot and characters.

This story has Sergeant Hamish Macbeth displaying his usual disregard for authority whist being focused on the tasks in hand. There is plenty of humour and the descriptions of the highlands with explanations and stories behind some of the names adds extra interest.

In this book Macbeth is lumbered into working with Chicago cop, James Bland, in tracking down a spy ring. This forces Hamish to leave the normally sleepy Scottish village of Lochdubh which he does reluctantly as there is a burglar threatening the residents. The book quickly builds momentum and has a fitting climax with both mysteries solved. Once started it was very hard to put down! Highly recommended..

The story continues following Sergeant Hamish Macbeth by MC Beaton. The usual contenders make an appearance as well as Bland and American Policemen who has been sent to work alongside Hamish to bringdown a spy ring. An easy 5 🌟for this quirky Murder mystery book. Thanks to the authors and their publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Hamish Is Back..
Hamish is back in this thirty sixth instalment of the series as the mantle continues to be carried, most successfully, by R. W. Green. Hamish still yearns for the quiet and serene existence in Lochdubh but as we all know something unbelievably unexpected inevitably occurs throwing the affable policeman’s life into disarray and chaos. The latest offering is no exception - but how will Hamish deal with a hefty dose of espionage whilst juggling village misdemeanours and his unusually quirky love life? Enjoyable and thoroughly entertaining with a cast of eccentric and deftly drawn characters in a well imagined setting. Fun and frothy and laced with large doses of humour and affection.