Death of a Ghost is a great addition to Beaton's beloved series
Death of a Ghost by M. C. Beaton Grand Central Publishing Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 21 Feb 2017
Review
I always enjoy the Hamish Macbeth mysteries, but I have to say that Beaton has outdone herself with her newest novel. Death of a Ghost is fantastic.
As police Sergeant in rural Scotland, Hamish Macbeth has to rely on his wits and his knowledge of people rather than forensics. He genuinely cares about the people in his community. Hamish may lack ego and ambition, but he is extremely clever and good at solving problems.
Part of what makes these novels so refreshing to read is that while a good portion is devoted to the murder mystery, much is focused on village life and the various problems and issues Hamish encounters. It makes the books a relaxing escape from everyday issues.
Exorcising haunted castles doesn't normally fall to the police, but when a former police superintendent complains of a ghost haunting his castle, Hamish is given the case. Expecting teens or courting couples, Hamish and Charlie decide to spend the night. They stumble across a corpse which disappears before the coroner can examine it. It is a puzzling case that grows more complicated as other bodies turn up. But one thing is certain, there is no ghost.
Fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this humorous mystery. Death of a Ghost is a fantastic addition to Beaton’s beloved series. The books do not have to be read in order.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Death of a Ghost from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
-- Crittermom
Description
Sergeant Hamish Macbeth--Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman--returns in M.C. Beaton's new mystery in her New York Times bestselling series DEATH OF A GHOST
When Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth hears reports of a haunted castle near Drim, he assumes the eerie noises and lights reported by the villagers are just local teenagers going there to smoke pot or, worse, inject themselves with drugs. Still, Hamish decides that he and his policeman, Charlie "Clumsy" Carson, will spend the night at the ruined castle to get to the bottom of the rumors once and for all.There's no sign of any ghost...but then Charlie disappears through the floor. It turns out he's fallen into the cellar. And what Hamish and Charlie find there is worse than a ghost: a dead body propped against the wall. Waiting for help to arrive, Hamish and Charlie leave the castle just for a moment--to eat bacon baps--but when they return, the body is nowhere to be seen. It's clear something strange--and deadly--is going on at the castle, and Hamish must get to the bottom of it before the "ghost" can strike again...
