Death of an Addict (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries)

This is another great M.C. Beaton (pseudonym of Marion Chesney) book! I love the setting and characters of these books, especially Hamish Macbeth himself. The author does an excellent job of swinging the story between lighthearted humor and deadly action. Indeed, this may be one of the most intense Hamish Macbeth books I have read.

Yep, this is another great Hamish Macbeth mystery, one that would make an excellent addition to your library!


Take an Aspirin and Wait!   March 27, 2000
Billy J. Hobbs (Tyler, TX USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

M.C. Beaton's "Death of an Addict" presents us with her 15th Hamish Macbeth mystery. For those familiar with both Beaton and Macbeth, naturally, the plot, the circumstances, the characters, the resolution--they are all the same. The Macbeth series is a Formula One ride--little will surprise the devout. However, that said, Beaton treats us once again to what we have come to expect from her and Macbeth, the local constable from the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh. (It is in this

book that we learn that it is pronounced "Lock doo"!)

Basically, we find Macbeth once again tending his hens and sheep and lazing about; a newcomer is introduced to us and shortly thereafter is found dead, with "all the usual suspects"! Of course, "red herrings" is Beaton's middle name and the reader has to contend with them for the most part. But no matter, once again we are reminded of "the formula" and tolerate these additives.

While certainly a fan myself, this edition, however, I found, showed us that Ms Beaton was a bit out of her element. In "Addict," she and Macbeth undertake the world of the drug barons and lords and street dealers. Ms Beaton seems out of her element here, as her solutions are way too simplistic and she would have us think that this world is not any more wicked or problematic than her own local community murders (usually committed out of jealousy over some petty quarrel). The drug world is different, more complicated, and quite likely far more evil than any of the other crime settings. The usual Beaton solution is not convincing.

Hamish, of course, solves the situation, meets another woman he falls in love with (it never takes him long), and by the end of the book is once more alone. His long time love, Priscilla Smythe-Burton, keeps hanging about in all the books (Ms Beaton should "fish or cut bait" with her, however. How long does she think we--or Hamish--will hang on!

For the devotees, don't miss this one, of course, but a good sip of Highland malt will be needed to dull the pain of the book!


Hamish "hams" it up   August 3, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Both series by this author are delights...and this new addition is no exception. Hamish is expanding his horizons and going "uptown." Although I prefer him sticking to the village and just hanging around waiting for another murder to solve, I did enjoy this latest in the series and will continue to buy and read, in that order, of course. Hamish is in good form with a new romantic interest, but I do miss Patricia and hope she returns soon.


Very disappointing effort!   July 11, 1999
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Having read all of the Hamish McBeth series, I was eagerly looking forward to the latest installment. I have deep suspicions it was written by someone other than M. C. Beaton, as the charm of Scottish village life was almost completely absent from the book. The way I picture Hamish, I could never mistake him for the head of an international drug cartel even disguised in an Armani suit. Ms. Beaton's work started to change, for me, a couple of books ago when she killed off Towser, Hamish's dog. He was an imaginary dog - he could have lived forever. She needs to return to the formula that got her here. As they always told us in English class, write based on what you know.