Death of a Gentle Lady

by: M.C. Beaton

Published by: Grand Central Publishing

Reviewed by Leslie Frederick

Hamish Macbeth is heading for the altar, again, and one would think, according to the old adage, that “the third time’s a charm.” Marriage is not to be for the venerable policeman, as his fiancée, Ayesha disappears the day of the wedding. Hamish suspects her employer, Mrs. Gentle, of being somehow involved, although, by all accounts, the woman is as delicate and kind as her surname implies.

Further investigation by Scotland’s favorite low-tech policeman brings to light Mrs. Gentle’s dark side. Her machinations are behind a threat to Macbeth’s police department branch in Lochdubh, as she partners with Macbeth’s nemesis, Detective Chief Inspector Blair. Before the process can be completed, the Gentle lady is found at the bottom of a
cliff beneath her beloved castle–and it is up to Hamish to solve the mystery.

Money seems to be the motive in all of the evil doings, but perhaps there is more then just an inheritance at stake. In addition, Hamish is dealing with his always hungry and periodically neglected beasts, a village version of the Scottish play complete with witches and the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe as Lady Macbeth and a mysterious woman cyclist with rather large feet.

Hamish Macbeth is a character in the truest sense of the definition, and it is to M.C. Beaton’s credit as an author that she allows his idiosyncratic personality to have its way in this cozy.

Armchair Interviews says: Death of a Gentle Lady is a perfect selection for any dark and stormy night this spring!