Death of a Kingfisher

A Hamish Macbeth Mystery

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

When Scotland is hit by the recession, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices that the Highland people are forced to come up with inventive ways to lure tourists to their sleepy towns. The quaint village of Braikie doesn't have much to offer, other than a place of rare beauty called Buchan's Wood, which was bequeathed to the town. The savvy local tourist director renames the woods "The Fairy Glen," and has brochures printed with a beautiful photograph of a kingfisher rising from a pond on the cover. It isn't long before coach tours begin to arrive. But just as the town's luck starts to turn, a kingfisher is found hanging from a branch in the woods with a noose around its neck. As a wave of vandalism threatens to ruin Braikie forever, the town turns to Hamish Macbeth. And when violence strikes again, the lawman's investigation quickly turns from animal cruelty to murder.

©2012 Marion Chesney. All rights reserved. (P)2012 AudioGo

another good read!

i really enjoyed this book! Another great Hamish Macbeth story. Excellent narration and good story.

A delightful, tangled web of intrigue!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is delightful, especially for M C Beaton fans, who have learned to suspend disbelief and simply enjoy the odd characters that inhabit Hamish Macbeth's life and the author's amazing imagination. I expect her books to be fraught with plot twists and turns and unusual characters. The humor in this book revolved around the highlanders' belief in fairies, and I howled with laughter when listening to the description of the kingfisher's funeral.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot didn't exactly keep me on the "edge of my seat," but I was certainly fascinated by the crafting of the action and introduction of new characters and their motives. I've read other readers'/listeners' criticism of the personality and actions of the flat, amoral children, but I've seen that facial affect in the televised interviews with children of gang life. (I did think that the European escape was a bit "over-the-top", but I dismiss devices like this as part of M.C. Beaton's charm.) As usual this plot is a mixture of the familiar (Hamish's troubles with his superiors, the village characters, the desire by Macbeth to keep his beloved friends out of the murder investigation) with unusual devices that make the action complicated and interesting (the Russian who wants the nursery property as a site for his mansion). I loved it. I don't require M.C. Beaton to be believable at all times.....how could you possibly believe Nessie and Jessie with their verbal repetition and outlandish accusations about Hamish's love life? But it works.

What does Graeme Malcolm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Malcolm has a sense of timing..pausing between scenes, changing voices in a subtle manner so the listener always knows when the speaker changes, but effecting the change in an unobtrusive manner....no screeching or phlegmy voices. His voices add a sense of continuity and realism to the Scottish brogue.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I will never forget the hilarity of the kingfisher's funeral.......so funny and outlandish.

Yes.

If you could sum up Death of a Kingfisher in three words, what would they be?

Lovely. I love Graeme Malcolm and I enjoy a new story.
OK The gal is good too but my heart belongs to Graeme...or Hamish.
One, the other, probably both.

Great series

Interesting characters and Scotland is always a romantic setting. Graeme Malcolm has a soothing voice and is a talented reader. I’ll be sad when the series is finished.

A very enjoyable series

The entire series is an easy listen and entertaining. Graeme Malcolm is a great narrator with a smooth and relaxing voice.

Good series, but I miss old Hamish

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The characters were a little dull.

Would you be willing to try another book from M. C. Beaton? Why or why not?

Yes, I can't wait for the next book.

What aspect of Graeme Malcolm’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing, he is a great narrator!

Could you see Death of a Kingfisher being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No, I don't like when they make movies out of books and don't keep it close to be story.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the two characters to comeback to Hamish investigation.I like the new assistant and the pets like him too.

M C Beaton never fails to deliver!

I’ve read all of M C Beaton’s books that I could get my hands on! This was another winner!

Dirty Pool!

Introducing a new character at the end who committed most of the murders and crimes is just not fair in a mystery story! Other than that, I have enjoyed every Hamish Macbeth story.

Masterfully read by Graeme Malcolm

Loved it. Graeme Malcolm's nuanced voice of a thousand subtlties spirited me to Beaton's Scotland of Hamish Macbeth, local copper who lets others take the credit when he solves the murders lest he be promoted and have to leave his highland village to live in the dirty city. I love Beaton's locals, their ancient culture of gossip and superstition mixed with cell phones. But Malcolm's voice is like a wonderful piece of classical music full of melodic notes, tones and surprises. Bravo.

Quite dark

This story was quite dark compared to other Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Did not feel like a cosy mystery at all. Nonetheless, the narration was excellent. And it kept me wondering who was responsible. The ending for me was unsatisfactory and dragged out. I missed the usual characters and their interactions. Dick is a nice addition.