This most recent Hamish Macbeth mystery has the Lochdubh (pronounced Lock-doo) village policeman solving yet another murder of an outlander. In this addition to a New York Times bestselling mystery series, Sergeant Hamish Macbeth—Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman—investigates the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems.

But two weeks later, Kate’s cousin arrives in town with the news that Kate has gone missing—and she demands that the local police step in. This Hamish Macbeth novel maintains Beaton's distinctive voice and includes the usual village eccentrics, loads of Scottish lore, and the light humor that Beaton fans have loved through the years. Maybe it was the change in relationship between McBeth and Blaire, maybe the too-easy-to-get-along-with side kick, maybe getting the key clue too early or too easily. There was no evidence of foul play although neighbors seemed superficial in their concern, and she’d gone off before only to be found vacationing in the south of France. Known as the “Queen of Crime” (The Globe and Mail), she was born in Scotland and started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms as well as her maiden name, Marion Chesney.Beaton and Green do a superb job keeping the red herrings coming and the plot twists jumping out at you until the finale. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created. But, for us arm-chair detectives, we’re left to ponder who the killer is until late in the drama when a surprise death exposes the main suspect.

He tutted, setting off down the hill to find a spot where he could catch sight of her again when she reappeared, Bonnie trotting at his heels.

Green, now on his own with this and the Agatha Raisin series, is an expert of Beaton’s work through his friendship and detailed discussions with her about the characters, the environment, and the crimes to investigate.

He’d always kept the binoculars for spotting otters, or maybe an osprey, out on the water but Hibbert had told Clara she’d seen him spying on the women aboard the tourist yachts that came into the loch in the summer.Gregor Mackenzie gazed out over the hillside above Lochdubh, leaning on his cromach walking staff and admiring his sheep grazing contentedly in the late morning sunshine.

I'll continue reading this series, but I'm sorry to say that I think the whimsy of this series passed with Ms. Gregor hated Hibbert but, while she never claimed they were the best of friends, Clara tolerated her at first. In this addition to a New York Times bestselling mystery series, Sergeant Hamish Macbeth—Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman—investigates the disappearance of a local woman who is more than she seems. He scanned the track and the road, waiting for Hibbert to reappear, musing over the problems she had caused.

I only now realized that apparently this and the previous one or two books have been taken over by another author at the death of MC Beaton, that may explain the slight shift in atmosphere. book written by RW Green from notes and conversations with the late MC Beaton and I have to say that I am mostly still on board. Suspects kind of all blended together (maybe they wouldn't have if I had read some other books in the series? Green included several myths, real or his version, and description of objects and places adding background, color, and motivation in the drama.