They didn’t know whether to make it a Whisky Galore or a soap. And they refused to show my books at any press conference. I was very hurt by the whole thing – and I’m bitter because I’m a very resentful person.

Hamish’s happiness and constant frustrations revolve around two major characters: Priscilla Smythe and Chief Inspector Blair. To tell you this book broke my heart and left me terribly, terribly sad for Hamish would be putting it mildly – especially if there are no future books. I’m not sure if I’m glad I read it or not because, if it is the last book, my imagination was so very much better than where this went. That said, it was a good mystery and a good read even if it wasn’t the same as it would have been had M.C. Beaton written all of the words. But just as the town of Lochdubh gets ready to celebrate, Hamish finds himself with a new murder on his hands. If he doesn't find the killer fast, Hamish's dream wedding could become a nightmare.While Beaton was not happy with the changes, the TV series developed a loyal fan base, and many viewers have since come to know the Hamish Macbeth that Beaton originally created. Her earlier novels are being reprinted and re-released to fill the gaps between new volumes.

The Hamish Macbeth show ran from March 1995 to May 1997. The show was loosely based on the books by M.C. Beaton, both featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth in the town of Lochdubh, Scotland. The show, however, was not a direct adaptation of the novels. Priscilla is the “love of Macbeth’s life”, though she gets engaged in the second novel to a playwright who has become famous. Ultimately, the relationship seems to go nowhere even though Priscilla never quite leaves the spotlight, remaining Macbeth’s right-hand on many cases. Later, Macbeth has a short affair with reporter Elspeth Grant. But that, too, ends badly. MC Beaton's Hamish Macbeth books are set in the Scottish village of Lochdubh, following the crime-solving adventures of local police constable Hamish Macbeth. Hamish is not especially ambitious, and he's often underestimated by friends and murderers alike. Most of the “crimes” here are of the low-scale variety --- that is, until Alice McBride reports her husband missing. After Hamish and Dorothy take Alice’s statement, he shows her one of the many fishing spots where Mr. McBride likes to frequent to get away from the missus. Dorothy not only relishes the beautiful vistas of this area of Scotland, she also finds herself falling for her partner. She exclaims to Hamish that she’s never been happier in her entire life.And to be quite honest, the whole book moved too fast. We didn't get the full benefit of the Lochdubh characters, and there are some wonderful characters in this village. I missed his meandering and apparently pointless conversations which often elicit important information.

Peter Hynd’s arrival has suddenly created chaos in the village. He is a handsome, unmarried man with a good income, and all the ladies in the town are practically swooning and fighting over him. Considered by many to be a useless, lazy moocher, Macbeth is very well informed about his community's activities and often overlooks minor transgressions in the interests of the public weal. In time it emerges that, following Highland tradition as the eldest child, he remains single because he is supporting his crofter parents and six much younger siblings by sending them most of his salary, and finding various ways to supplementing his income. Having created a niche for himself in the community and on the police force, he uses his intelligence and skills to solve murders cases - while avoiding and evading all efforts to transfer, promote and/or fire him out of it. At time of writing, you can watch Hamish Macbeth on Acorn TV, Pluto, Freevee, Roku Channel, and Tubi. Opt for Acorn TV if you prefer a version without adverts. Will There Be More Hamish Macbeth Books?

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She has written several books under various pseudonyms. But M.C. Beaton was preferred because of the success of her famous mystery stories under this pseudonym. I was worried that Hamish's romance with Dorothy was moving too fast and that she was too good to be true. Was I right? You'll have to find out for yourself.

Long before Robert Carlyle played the enigmatic Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, he actually played Constable Hamish Macbeth on the BBC Scotland TV series of the selfsame name. Good afternoon, Sergeant,' she said, in a soft voice delicately laced with an endearing lilt that might have drifted in from the Western Isles on the summer breeze. 'Constable Dorothy McIver reporting for duty.' I was at a fishing school in Sutherland in the very north of Scotland, and I thought, what a wonderful setting for a classical detective story, 11 people isolated in this Highland wilderness. So Hamish Macbeth was born." [3] Recurrent characters [ edit ] In Lochdubh [ edit ] MY THOUGHTS: Apparently M.C. Beaton was working on this story at the time of her death. I enjoyed Death of a Green-Eyed Monster, but perhaps not as much as some of the earlier books.Working with friend and collaborator Rod Green (credited as RW Green), she added Hot to Trot to the Agatha Raisin book series (published posthumously). They worked together to carry out her ideas and maintain a similar voice – and she gave him her blessing to continue both the Agatha Raisin series and the Hamish Macbeth series after her passing.