Hamish is the local policeman in the isolated Scottish village of Lochdubh. (Which seems to have had more than it's fair share of dead bodies popping up over the years!)
Chimney sweeps are still employed in this rural village, but someone did a job on the latest homeowner to employ Pete Ray. Captain Davenport is found quite dead, stuffed in his chimney. Hamish can't believe that local Pete Ray is capable of such a crime. And he's proven right when Pete's body is the next one found. So who is doing the killing - and why?
The crimes, although interesting, aren't the draw for me in this series. It is the recurring characters. The town of Lochdubh is populated with more than a few eccentric characters. This quirkiness that draws me back time and time again. But Hamish is the best character of all. He has no desire to be promoted and leave his beloved pets (Sonsie - a feral cat and Lugs the dog) and his tiny live-in police station. In fact he does his best to make sure it doesn't happen, having let others take the credit for cases he has solved in the past. He has no respect for authority and his ongoing battle with nemesis Chief Inspector Blair is a source of constant conflict for Blair but a source of amusement for readers. Hamish's willingness to work outside the law a wee bit to take care of his villagers doesn't endear him to the powers that be. Women are drawn to the tall, lanky red haired bobby, but he always seems to mess up his romantic involvements.
I have chosen to listen to the last few books in audio format. The reader, Graeme Malcolm, has a wonderfully expressive voice and a good thick brogue. He has solidified the image of Hamish for me.
Hamish Macbeth also ran as a BBC television series in 1995-1997 starring Robert Carlyle. Read an excerpt of Death of a Chimney Sweep. (Fun fact - M.C. Beaton is only one of the pseudonyms of prolific author Marion Chesney)
I don't read a lot of 'cozy' mysteries, but I just adore this series! Want to see if you'll love it too? Thanks to the generosity of The Hachette Book Group, I have two hardcover copies of this latest title to giveaway. Open to US and Canada, no po boxes please. One winner per address. Simply comment to be entered. Ends Sat. April 9th at 6 pm EST. Good luck and check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.
I do love cozies and would love to read this one. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletedlodden at frontiernet dot net
I enjoy cozy mystery series, but have never tried this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI love this series, it is one of my favorites. I feel like every time I read one, I always think, this will be the one where Hamish finds his true love.
ReplyDeletetwoofakind12@yahoo.com
This is an excellent series, would love to win.
ReplyDeletepocokat AT gmail DOT com
My sister and I both enjoy this series.
ReplyDeletedjeanq(at)gmail(dot)com
I wish your American & Canadian readers luck - Hamish Macbeth is a fine series.
ReplyDeletewould love to read it
ReplyDeletevidishamun@gmail.com
This sounds like a great cozy read. I love characters that make you root for them, and want to read them over and over.
ReplyDeletehelpersarah2009@gmail.com
I'd love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteforwhlz at gmail dot com
I'd love to try this series! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteareallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
I haven't read any of the series, but I have this book, I hope it stands well alone. No need to enter me.
ReplyDeleteToday would be a great day to read this book as it is a cold, gray day.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win.
susan.byerly@comcast.net
I have been wanting to read this book! Thanks, for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeletegcpeach17 at aol dot com
I love reading mysteries, thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeletechibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteI've just barely dipped into the cozy mysteries and like them!
ReplyDeletetaffy.lovell@gmail.com
I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
Love her books!! Throw my name in the hat, please.
ReplyDeletemlawson17 at hotmail dot com
This sounds like the type of book I enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your review and would love to read Death of a Chimney Sweep :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletetheluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com
Looks like a great read - I love Cozy mysteries :)
ReplyDeletektgonyea at gmail.com
I've got this posted at Win a Book for you Luanne. No need to enter me.
ReplyDeleteI love the stories written by M.C. Beaton.
ReplyDeletepboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
Please count me in. It sounds like a great series.
ReplyDeletemnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com
I loved the Hamish Macbeth series but never read any of the books.
ReplyDeleteI love Marion Chesney and would love to read this one. Thanks. :)
ReplyDeletevgsaxon(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I would really enjoy this book. Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
avid read enter me please
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great mystery to curl up with.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHORTON111@AOL.COM
ReplyDeleteI WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS TO READ
Love the Hamish series and cozies and Beaton's are some of the best. Am of Scottish ancestry and spent 4 years there caring for my Mom's sister before she passed and in many ways it is a modern country but the patina of age and tradition and lives long gone hangs over everything and everywhere and the people protect it as best they can.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of this series, but it sounds like something I would like.
ReplyDeleteI won a book in a series once and liked it so much I went out and bought all of the others.
Count me in!
ReplyDeletedwarzel at hotmail.com
looks interesting
ReplyDeleteThe Hamish series has been one I've always intended to begin. I guess I have a lot of making up to do.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book for a warm spring day on the chaise lounge.
ReplyDeleteI love Hamish and I love this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteeswright18 at gmail dot com
This sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy cozy mysteries and haven't read anything by this author yet. After reading your review I know that this is one book I don't want to miss. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
Would enjoy this cozy mystery. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for this unique mystery. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book. Thanks for having a giveaway.
ReplyDeleteO2oole (at) verizon.net
thanks for the chance to read this novel :P)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
looks like an interesting read. I would love to win.
ReplyDeleteykatrina at hotmail dot com
Although I have seen this author's name several times, have never read any of the books. Might be time to try one.
ReplyDeletecgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
I always enjoy a good mystery.
ReplyDeletesharonaquilino(at)hotmail dot com
This would give me my mystery fix!
ReplyDeleteshanaelyse@gmail.com
Would love to read this! thanks!
ReplyDeletePeachesncream887(at)hotmail(dot)com
I myself love them! This one sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance
ReplyDeletejason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
This sounds great, thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this work!
ReplyDeletetheyyyguy@yahoo.com
My Mom loves this author. I would love to win.
ReplyDeletecwillsesq@yahoo.com
celeste Wills
This sounds interesting, thanks.
ReplyDeletelazybones344 at gmail dot com
I'd love to bundle up and read this.
ReplyDeleteannettekz2@yahoo.com
I would love to read the latest in this series!
ReplyDeletedwellenstein at cox dot net
This sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com
ReplyDeletei love a good book
ReplyDeletejim.coyne2@verizon.net
I am a big fan of these & the Agatha Raisin series, so I really hope I win. I think I've all read all of them so far!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of this series although I do like cozy mysteries. I'd love to read this one.
ReplyDeletewillitara [at] gmail [dot] com
I am a big fan of this series -Thank you
ReplyDeleteDiane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com
Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :)
ReplyDeletekathypease(at)gmail(dot)com
This would be great
ReplyDeletethis sounds like something I'd enjoy reading
ReplyDeletealterna7 at hotmail dot com