Books by M C Beaton

Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAY''A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed'' DAILY MAIL''The detective novels of M C Beaton have reached cult status'' THE TIMESNothing could be more relaxing or sedate than a quiet game of bowls on a pristine bowling green bathed in the sunshine of an English summer''s afternoon in the Cotswolds - unless there''s a dead body lying on the grass.Agatha Raisin becomes embroiled in a turmoil of jealousy and lies when the tranquility of her local bowls club explodes into a storm of accusation and intrigue - and murder. Her private life is no less turbulent when a past suitor reappears just as her ex-husband seems intent on rekindling their romance, and her close friend, Bill Wong, is in danger of losing the woman he loves.Events take an even da

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Book SynopsisNo wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' Mail on SundayAmazing news is spreading like wildfire across the Scottish countryside: the most famous of all Lochdubh, remotely nestling in the Highlands, is perfectly anonymous... until well-known TV reporter Crystal French races into town in her bright new BMW. And PC Hamish Macbeth, dourly wed to duty rather than the fiancée who dumped him, promptly gives her a ticket for reckless driving. Outraged, Crystal makes Macbeth''s life a misery with a TV report on policing in the Highlands... but when she also rakes up old local scandals for her new hit show, Macbeth notes that someone besides himself might be dead keen to stop her. And then someone does.Now, finding out who did away with the nosy reporter will lead the laconic Macbeth down roads he never envisioned... and perhaps a crisis of the heart all his own.

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAY ''A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed'' DAILY MAIL The latest Agatha Raisin mystery from bestselling author M. C. BeatonThe team of bells at St. Ethelred church is the pride and glory of the idyllic Cotswolds village of Thirk Magna, together with the most dedicated bell ringers in the whole of England: the twins Mavis and Millicent Dupin.As the village gets ready for the Bishop''s visit, the twins get overly-excited at the prospect of ringing the special peal of bells created for the occasion and start bullying the other bell ringers, forcing them to rehearse and rehearse . . . so much so that Joseph Kennell, a retired lawyer, yells at the sisters that he ''felt like killing them''!When the twins'' home is broken into one night and MiTrade ReviewThe detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status * The Times *A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed * Daily Mail *Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life * Entertainment Weekly *

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Book SynopsisTruth is stranger than fiction...Patricia Martyn-Broyd, now in her seventies, has retired to the Highlands. She hasn''t written a word in years and her books are out of print. But now a television company is about to film her last detective story, featuring the aristocratic Scottish detective Lady Harriet Vare. Even though the snobbish Miss Martyn-Broyd doesn''t care to mix with the locals, she can''t help but share her excitement with local policeman Hamish Macbeth.Imagine her horror when Miss Martyn-Broyd discovers that the screenwriter is known for his violent and scurrilous scripts and that Lady Harriet Vare is to be portrayed as a pot-smoking hippy by the scene-stealing trollop Penelope Gates. But a contract is a contract, as Ms Martyn-Broyd quickly learns. And when she is accused of murdering both the scriptwriter and the leading lady, she turns to her one friend in Lochdubh, Hamish Macbeth, to help her.Praise for M.C. Beaton:''The

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Book SynopsisAre drugs responsible for a sighting of Nessie''s long lost relative?Recovering addict Tommy Jarret has just rented a chalet to check out reports of a sea monster near the village of Drim. But when he turns up dead, apparently from a drug overdose, Lochdubh constable Hamish Macbeth finds the lad''s demise to be particularly fishy . . . and not of the local salmon variety.Deciding to go undercover, Hamish infiltrates the illicit drug trade in nearby Strathbane. But his scheme springs a leak when he''s teamed up with a tough Glaswegian detective inspector named Olivia Chater, aka Concrete Knickers. For the lanky lawman investigating drugs and sea monsters it''s time to sink or swim - and it would be equally dangerous to flounder . . . or fall in love.Praise for M.C. Beaton:''The books are a delight: clever, intricate, sardonic and amazingly true to the real Highlands'' Kerry Greenwood''It''s always a special treat to return to Loch

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Book SynopsisTrouble is afoot in the remote Scottish fishing village of Stoyre, where the inhabitants are acting kind of... fishy. On a routine visit, Hamish Macbeth finds the pub empty, the church unexpectedly full, and the very air permeated with fear. Then an explosion levels a holiday cottage which the locals call ''an act of God''. Hamish has another theory, one that will make the national news. With the help of sharp-eyed journalist Elspeth Grant and Lugs (his dog) he begins to winkle out the truth. But Hamish''s best laid plans soon go awry when an old friend dies, a scandalous rumour erupts, and someone close to his heart may be lost forever...Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:The much-loved Hamish Macbeth series. beguiling blend of wry humour and sharp observations about rural life. - Good Book Guide.It''s always a special treat to return to Lochdubh. - New York Times Book Review.The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of o.ut

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Book SynopsisReturning from holiday Hamish becomes unaccountably worried - it''s as if he senses a dark cloud of evil hanging over Lochdubh. He soon learns that there is a newcomer to the village, a woman called Catriona Beldame, and that the villagers have decided she is a witch.At first Hamish is charmed by her, but is dismayed when he finds out she''s been supplying dangerous potions to certain local people. No one seems willing to listen to his warnings and when she is found murdered, poor Hamish is the prime suspect. Obviously, he must solve the murder to clear his own name and bring contentment back to his beloved Lochdubh.Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:''First rate... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.'' Booklist''It''s always a special treat to return to Lochdubh.'' New York Times Book Review''The detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black come

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Book SynopsisThe brand new Agatha Raisin mystery from multimillion-selling author M. C. Beaton, the Queen of Cosy Crime, about an eccentric Cotswolds-based detective with an erratic love life and a penchant for G and Ts

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Book SynopsisThe fifth mystery story featuring Hamish Macbeth from the author of the bestselling Agatha Raisin series

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Book SynopsisIt''s springtime in the Highlands but storms are brewing for Hamish Macbeth. His life is going to pot. He has - horrors! - been promoted, his new boss is a dunce, and a sinister self-proclaimed gypsy and his girlfriend have parked their rusty eyesore of a van in the middle of the village. Hamish smells trouble and as usual he''s right. The doctor''s drugs have gone missing. Money vanishes. And neighbours suddenly become unneighbourly. Nobody wants to talk either, so canny Hamish faces the delicate task of worming the facts out of the villagers. In the process he uncovers a story so bizarre that neither he nor the locals may ever be able to forget it...Trade ReviewLooking for escape? Tired of waiting for Brigadoon to materialize? Time for a trip to Lochdubh, the scenic if somnolent village in the Scottish highlands where Beaton sets her beguiling whodunits featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth and his eccentric neighbours. - New York Times Book ReviewThe detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. - The Times

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Book SynopsisEven though Agatha Raisin loathes Christmas panto, her friend Mrs Bloxby, the vicar's wife, has persuaded her to support the local am dram society in their festive offering. Stifling a yawn at the production of Babes in the Wood, Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on stage until a trapdoor opens... followed by a scream and silence!Surely this wasn't the way the scene was rehearsed? When it turns out the local baker had been murdered most horribly, Agatha puts her team of detectives on the case. And they soon discover more feuds and temperamental behaviour in amateur dramatics than in a professional stage show - and face more and more danger as Agatha and her team get too close to the killer...Trade Review‘The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.’ -- Anne Robinson * The Times *Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life. * Entertainment Weekly *

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Book SynopsisStabbed and stuffed in a closet...When police constable Hamish Macbeth receives the news that there has been a murder at Arrat House, home of the relentless practical joker Arthur Trent, he doesn''t race to the scene of the crime. After all, last time he was called to investigate a death at the isolated Scottish manor, the ''victim'' turned out to be Trent''s manservant covered in fake blood.Thus prepared for another prank, Hamish arrives to find that Trent has been most decidedly murdered and for suspects there is a houseful of greedy relatives, all of whom are more than interested in the contents of the will rather than the crime at hand. And when the Chief Inspector arrives on the scene and his former flame, Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, gets involved as well, Hamish quite clearly has his hands full.

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Book SynopsisThe first book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. A dead employer's legacy of five thousand pounds allows spinster Hannah Pym to resign from housekeeping and find adventure travelling the English countryside by stagecoach. But adventure soon finds Miss Pym in the form of Miss Emily Freemantle, a spoilt violet-eyed beauty fleeing an arranged marriage to a rake she has never met.When the girl's darkly handsome betrothed boards their stage, Miss Pym is certain Emily was rash to bolt from this aristocratic catch! And so as soon as the travellers repair to an inn, Miss Pym begins her matchmaking... and although Lord Ranger Harley complains he'll not marry an ungrateful minx, Miss Pym suspects once she's marshalled the couple into sharing intimate household chores, all romantic knots will be untangled!'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist'[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *Nicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit. * Publishers Weekly *Romance fans are in for a treat. * Booklist *[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisNo wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' Mail on SundayNow that Priscilla Halburton-Smythe has agreed to marry him, Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth can''t imagine a more perfect life. There''s not much crime in his remote Scottish village of Lochdubh, nothing much at all to do but fish, drink coffee, and slouch around. And now to spend time with lovely Priscilla. But his days aren''t as tranquil as his dreams. For one thing, Priscilla''s renovation schemes are driving him out of his cottage. Not to mention her ambitious plans for his career as a policeman away from Lochdubh. This might be a good time to find out why Peter Hynd''s arrival in nearby Drim was causing so much trouble. An attractive, unmarried man with an independent income would always attract attention in such a small place. But this time Hynd''s arrival seems to have caused bitter rivalry among the women of Drim. Hamish finds their petty fights amu

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Book SynopsisAmazing news is spreading like wildfire across the Scottish countryside: the most famous of all Highland bachelors, police sergeant Hamish Macbeth, is planning to marry at last! Everyone in the village of Lochdubh adores Josie McSween, Hamish''s newest constable and blushing bride-to-be. While locals think she is quite a catch, Hamish has a severe case of pre-nuptial jitters... after all, if it wasn''t for the recent murder of a beautiful woman in a neighbouring village there wouldn''t be a wedding in the first place.For it was a mysterious Valentine''s Day card - delivered to the victim before her death - which initially drew Hamish and Josie together in the investigation. And now, as they work side by side, they soon discover that the woman''s list of admirers was endless - confirming Hamish''s suspicion that love can be deaf, blind... and deadly!Trade ReviewThe much-loved Hamish Macbeth series... beguiling blend of wry humour and sharp observations about rural life. Good Book Guide It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh. New York Times Book Review The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. -- Anne Robinson The Times Another highly entertaining read from MC Beaton. Woman's Way Smart, acerbic and wonderfully diverting. Good Book Guide

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Book SynopsisIncomer Gloria French is at first welcomed in the Cotswold village of Piddlebury. She seems like a do-gooder par excellence, raising funds for the church and caring for the elderly. But she has a bad habit of borrowing things and not giving them back, so when she is discovered dead, poisoned by a bottle of elderberry wine, folk in the village don''t mourn her passing too intently.Parish councillor Jerry Tarrant hires Agatha Raisin to track down the murderer. But the village is creepy and secretive and the residents don''t seem to want Agatha to find who the murderer is, and Agatha''s investigations are hampered by the emotional upset of finding her ex, James Lacey, has fallen in love with young detective Toni Gilmour.And now the murderer is targeting Agatha!Praise for the Agatha Raisin series:''M.C. Beaton''s imperfect heroine is an absolute gem'' Publishers Weekly''Clever red herrings and some wicked unfinished buTrade Review'The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.' -- Anne Robinson The Times Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life. Entertainment Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe Poor Relation hotel is the toast of London and its owners are preparing to sell up and retire - but one last romantic adventure awaits them!Driven into hiding at the hotel by a tyrannous father and a rich but wizened suitor, Lady Jane Fremney attempts to end her life. The poor relations save the young lady and determine to improve her lot in life by bringing her out for the Season.All the young bucks call on Jane, among them the handsome but racy Comte de Mornay, an exile from Napoleon's France who has broken many a heart and so far eluded matrimony. Jane is quite adamant he is unsuitable for her - but when his life is threatened by an assassin's pistol, it is up to her to help him escape from danger... and into l'amour!

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Book SynopsisIsabella Beverley is blessed with unparalleled beauty but, unfortunately, has been raised in the most snobbish and haughty of families. And when her father gambles away their fortune - including Mannerling, the exquisite family mansion, Isabella discovers that there is very little sympathy for her plight. As the eldest, Isabella is chosen to court Mr. Judd, the roguish bachelor who won Mannerling. Surely no sacrifice is too great to regain Mannerling? But tempting her away from Mr. Judd is Lord Fitzpatrick, an Irish rake who fears Isabella can never love a man as she does her home - but is nonetheless determined to convince her to choose man over manse!Trade Review(M C Beaton) is the best of the Regency writers * Kirkus Reviews *Nicely atmospheric, most notable for it gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe fifth book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. The engaging Miss Hannah Pym delights all as she resumes her matchmaking adventures aboard the English stage - when lonely hearts chance across her intrepid path they're sure to find themselves en route for romance!Destined for Dover, Miss Pym has her matchmaking work cut out for her when she encounters the pretty but hoydenish Lady Deborah Western! Encouraged by an unruly twin brother, the spirited, golden-haired Deborah seems set on dressing and acting the tomboy, much to the dismay of her handsome neighbor, the Earl of Ashton...To Deb, the earl is a dull stick, always lecturing on the behavior of a proper lady. But her desire to fish, hunt, and ride astride is quickly replaced with more romantic notions when the tall, green-eyed earl challenges her to a horse race and wins himself an unforgettable kiss. Miss Pym can't resist the opportunity to match-make, and with the help of her clever maneuverings, Lady Deborah will soon be well and truly matched - perhaps even to the earl himself!'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist'[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe sixth book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. A damsel in distress and a confirmed bachelor - surely a match made in heaven!No coach journey is ever dull with Miss Hannah Pym aboard, and this one proves no exception as she meets the young and beautiful Miss Yvonne Grenier, who is fleeing the Terror in France.Charming but shy, Yvonne becomes quite frightened when a dangerous enemy also boards the stagecoach to York. Luckily Miss Pym is on hand to propose a plan which will save Yvonne - and throw her into the arms of the wealthy and unattached Marquis of Ware! Handsome and tailored to perfection, the marquis's birth and fortune are armour enough to defend Yvonne. Although the girl is of the French bourgeoisie and below him, Miss Pym is a certain that Yvonne's Gallic graces and quick-witted tongue have more than piqued his interest. After all, a maiden in distress is irresistible - even to a confirmed bachelor!'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist'[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisGrime and punishment . . .When Fergus Macleod, Lochdubh''s abusive, drunk dustman is put in charge of the local recycling centre and is dubbed ''Environment Officer'', Hamish Macbeth smells trouble. Sure enough, Fergus, imbued with his new powers, becomes a bullying tyrant and when his body is found stuffed in a recycling bin, no one is sorry - including his long-suffering family. But Hamish is surprised to find that many of the despicable dustman''s victims refuse to talk - and when violence strikes again, the lanky lawman must quickly unearth the culprit among a litter of suspects . . . before the killer makes a clean getaway!Praise for M.C. Beaton:''The books are a delight: clever, intricate, sardonic and amazingly true to the real Highlands'' Kerry Greenwood''It''s always a special treat to return to Lochdubh'' New York Times

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Book SynopsisNo wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' Mail on SundayThe 26th outing for the Highland''s most famous PC: Hamish Macbeth In the south of Scotland, residents get their chimneys vacuum-cleaned. But in the isolated villages in the very north of Scotland, the villagers rely on the services of the itinerant sweep, Pete Ray, and his old-fashioned brushes. Pete is always able to find work in the Scottish highlands, until one day when Police Constable Hamish Macbeth notices blood dripping onto the floor of a villager''s fireplace, and a dead body stuffed inside the chimney. The entire town of Lochdubh is certain Pete is the culprit, but Hamish doesn''t believe that the affable chimney sweep is capable of committing murder. Then Pete''s body is found on the Scottish moors, and the mystery deepens. Once again, it''s up to Hamish to discover who''s responsible for the dirty deed - and this time, the murderer m

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Book SynopsisSergeant Hamish Macbeth - Scotland's most quick-witted but unambitious policeman - returns for the latest mystery in M.C. Beaton's New York Times bestselling series. Nobody loves an honest man, or that was what police sergeant Hamish Macbeth tried to tell newcomer Paul English. Paul attended church in Lochdubh. He told the minister, Mr. Wellington, that his sermons were boring. He told tweedy Mrs. Wellington that she was too fat. Angela Brody was told her detective stories were pap for the masses and it was time she wrote literature instead. He accused Hamish of having dyed his fiery red hair. He told Jessie Currie - who repeated all the last words of her twin sister - that she needed psychiatric help. 'I speak as I find,' he bragged. Voices saying, 'I could kill that man,' could be heard from Lochdubh to Cnothan. And someone did. Now Hamish is faced with a bewildering array of suspects. And he's lost the services of his clumsy policeman, Charlie, who has resigned from the forcTrade ReviewA complex murder plot is well sustained by quick pen sketches of the Highland scenery . . . twists in the clever plot lead you up many a mountain path in the company of Hamish Macbeth! * My Weekly *A complex murder plot is well sustained by quick pen sketches of the Highland scenery . . . twists in the clever plot lead you up many a mountain path in the company of Hamish Macbeth! * My Weekly *Fans'll love this Highland hullabaloo * Evening Telegraph *Fans'll love this Highland hullabaloo * Evening Telegraph *With plenty of one-liners, beautiful descriptions of Scotland and a whole load of unexpected happenings, you are in for a real treat here * The Sun *With plenty of one-liners, beautiful descriptions of Scotland and a whole load of unexpected happenings, you are in for a real treat here * The Sun *

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Book SynopsisThe unconventional Hamish Macbeth finds that his own impetuousness places him at the center of a murder investigation. Death accompanies a tattooed stranger to a tiny Highland town... Everyone in Lochdubh knows about the Macho Man - a mean bully claiming to be a professional wrestler and part-time explorer. His insults at the pub have caused brawls, while his furtive sneaking around arouses suspicion he is romancing some of the local wives. And when he challenges Hamish Macbeth to a public bout, it triggers an epidemic of betting. Everyone expects Hamish to take a pounding, but no one anticipates a murder instead. And amid all the excitement it''s up to level-headed Hamish to track down the heartless killer of the brutal Macho Man . . .Praise for M C Beaton:''The books are a delight: clever, intricate, sardonic and amazingly true to the real Highlands'' Kerry Greenwood''It''s always a special treat to return to Lochdubh'

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Book SynopsisA pen pusher from Head Office soon finds himself pushing up the daisies...Local police stations all over the Scottish Highlands are being threatened with closure and this presents the perfect opportunity for Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who would love nothing more than to get rid of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth. Blair suggests that Cyril Sessions, a keen young police officer, visit the town of Lochdubh to monitor exactly what Hamish does every day. On hearing of Blair''s plans Hamish is fully prepared to ensure young Cyril returns back to headquarters with a full report... but before he can do that, Cyril is found dead and Hamish very quickly becomes the prime suspect for his murder...Trade ReviewThe much-loved Hamish Macbeth series... a beguiling blend of wry humour and sharp observations of rural life * Good Book Guide *The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status * Anne Robinson, The Times *It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisSergeant Hamish Macbeth is alarmed to receive a report from a woman in the small village of Cronish in the Scottish Highlands. She has been brutally attacked and the criminal is on the loose. But upon further investigation, Hamish discovers that she was lying about the crime. So when the same woman calls him back about an intruder, he simply marvels at her compulsion to lie. This time, though, she is telling the truth. Her body is found in her home and Hamish must sort through all of her lies to solve the crime. Praise for Death of a Valentine:'A fun new read.' Woman's World 'An inventive, constantly surprising plot...explosive and engaging.' Booklist Praise for Death of a Witch: 'Full of the author's trademark zest and wit...Beaton fans will be delighted.' Publishers Weekly'A sound mystery featuring a generous portion of Hamish's complicated relationships and the usual delightful Highland descriptions.' KirkusTrade ReviewThe much-loved Hamish Macbeth series... a beguiling blend of wry humour and sharp observations of rural life. * Good Book Guide *The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. * The Times *It's always a special treat to return to Lochdubh. * The New York Times *

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Book SynopsisThe unconventional Hamish Macbeth finds that his own impetuousness places him at the center of a murder investigation. Everyone in the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh called Randy Duggan ''the Macho Man''. Duggan went around the village and bragged about everything he had done and said he once was a wrestler in America and an explorer in the Middle East. At first his outrageous stories drew an admiring crowd at the local pub, but soon his bullying ways lead to anger and violence. When Hamish tries to break up a fight, Duggan challenges him to a public fistfight. But on the day of the scheduled fight, Duggan is found shot to death. Of course, Macbeth''s superiors get wind of the fight and suspend him during the investigation. Macbeth has some suspicions about Duggan''s real background - and the mysterious banker, John Glover, who shows up at the posh Tommel Castle Hotel shortly before Duggan''s death. And what about Rosie Draley, the sex-crazed romance writer, Trade ReviewLochdubh's locals are as entertaining as ever; and Hamish is at his charming, exasperating best. * Kirkus Reviews *An outstanding read from one of the real masters of mystery. * Booklist *

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAY ''A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed'' DAILY MAIL The first Agatha Raisin mystery from bestselling author M. C. Beaton __________________________Revenge is a dish best served warm...High-flying public relations supremo Agatha Raisin has decided to take early retirement. She''s off to make a new life in a picture-perfect Cotswold village. To make friends, she enters the local quiche-making competition - and to make quite sure of first prize she secretly pays a visit to a London deli.Alas, the competition judge succumbs after tasting her perfect quiche, and Agatha is revealed as a cheat and potential poisoner. Definitely not the best start. So Agatha must turn amateur sleuth - she''s absolutely got to track down

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Book SynopsisA vengeful ghost comes back to haunt the living?Reports of a haunted house soon have Agatha snooping around, but it turns out the victim of the haunting is a universally disliked old biddy on whom someone is playing a practical joke. And then the old lady is murdered - but for Agatha, solving a crime is much more fun than hunting a ghost! Very soon she''s up to her usual tricks, involving the villagers, local police, and, of course, her handsome new neighbour . . .Praise for the Agatha Raisin series:''Fast-paced, witty and well-plotted.'' MyShelf.com ''Sharp, witty, hugely intelligent, unfailingly entertaining, delightfully intolerant and oh so magnificently non-PC, M.C. Beaton has created a national treasure'' Anne Robinson''M.C. Beaton''s imperfect heroine is an absolute gem'' Publishers Weekly''The Miss Marple-like Raisin is a refreshing, sensible, wonderfully eccentric, thoroughly likeable hTrade Review'The detective novels of M C Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.' -- Anne Robinson The Times Agatha is like Miss Marple with a drinking problem, a pack-a-day habit and major man lust. In fact, I think she could be living my dream life. Entertainment Weekly

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Book SynopsisLife is never, ever dull in Agatha Raisin''s sleepy Cotswolds village!Agatha Raisin''s private detective agency is working flat out on a series of burglaries which take a violent turn when a friend of Agatha''s is murdered during a raid on his antiques shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House.When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Majorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John''s apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life.Can Agatha tra

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Book SynopsisTHE PAGE-TURNING NEW MYSTERY IN THE BESTSELLING HAMISH MACBETH SERIES!------------Sergeant Hamish Macbeth is craving peace and quiet. But visitors to his home village of Lochdubh, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, have other ideas...Hamish and the new love in his life, Claire, have holiday plans. But thoughts of rest and relaxation are rudely interrupted by the arrival of a new constable, complete with a surprise, and a secret.Hoping the grand re-opening of his local pub will be a good distraction from Constable Forbes''s intrigue, Hamish gets a nasty surprise when he''s confronted by a family who have a score to settle with a missing man.Discovering a murdered woman''s body puts further pressure on Hamish, especially when he learns that she''s linked to the missing man... but who are they, and why were they in Lochdubh? With a host of questions, a growing list of suspects and ever more bewildering circumstances, the arrival of the odious Detective Chief Inspector Blair is truly the last thing Hamish needs. As Hamish''s sworn enemy, why is Blair interested in this case?Hamish vows to find the murderer before anyone else falls victim. Never has a quiet life seemed further from his grasp!------------Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series . . .''It''s always a treat to return to Lochdubh'' New York Times''Unmissable!'' Peterborough Telegraph''First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere'' Booklist''Beaton catches the beauty of the area''s natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour'' Library Journal''Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly satisfying'' Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe brand new Agatha Raisin mystery from multimillion-selling author M. C. Beaton, the Queen of Cosy Crime, about an eccentric Cotswolds-based detective with an erratic love life and a penchant for G and Ts . . .

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAY ''A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed'' DAILY MAIL ''The detective novels of M C Beaton have reached cult status'' THE TIMES ''Irresistible, unputdownable, a joy'' ANNE ROBINSONAgatha Raisin returns for her 30th adventure . . . _____________When private detective Agatha Raisin comes across a severed leg in a roadside hedge, it looks like she is about to become involved in a particularly gruesome murder. Looks, however, can be deceiving, as Agatha discovers when she is employed to investigate a case of industrial espionage at a factory where nothing is quite what it seems.The factory mystery soon turns to murder and a bad-tempered donkey turns Agatha into a national celebrity, before bringing her

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAYAgatha and her assistant, Toni, are driving to their friend Bill Wong''s wedding, thinking of nothing more than what the beautiful bride will be wearing when a terrified young man comes running down the country lane towards them wearing. . . nothing at all.The encounter leads them to become embroiled with a naturist group, a disappearing corpse, fantasy games, witchcraft, an ice cream empire, intrigue and murder. In the meantime, Agatha''s hectic life swirls along at dizzying pace, her private detective agency as busy as ever and her private affairs in turmoil - old loves to contend with and a new suitor on the scene. Then she finds herself in deadly danger when she begins to close in on a suspected murderer and the sinister nature of the ice cream business leads her to a chilling conclusion.

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Book Synopsis''Every new Agatha Raisin escapade is a total joy'' ASHLEY JENSEN''No wonder she''s been crowned Queen of Cosy Crime'' MAIL ON SUNDAYAgatha and her assistant, Toni, are driving to their friend Bill Wong''s wedding, thinking of nothing more than what the beautiful bride will be wearing when a terrified young man comes running down the country lane towards them wearing. . . nothing at all.The encounter leads them to become embroiled with a naturist group, a disappearing corpse, fantasy games, witchcraft, an ice cream empire, intrigue and murder. In the meantime, Agatha''s hectic life swirls along at dizzying pace, her private detective agency as busy as ever and her private affairs in turmoil - old loves to contend with and a new suitor on the scene. Then she finds herself in deadly danger when she begins to close in on a suspected murderer and the sinister nature of the ice cream business leads her to a chilling conclusion.

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Book Synopsis'Pure bliss.' Atlanta Journal & ConstitutionA Hamish Macbeth Mystery by the author of 'Death of a Hussy.'With a cold in his head and no place to go for Christmas, Hamish snaps up the invitation of drop-dead gorgeous Jane Wetherby to spend the holiday at her Scottish island health farm -- and figure out who is trying to kill her.When Hamish arrives on the island of Eileencraig, he finds threatening locals and fellow guests barely more civil, especially a terrible snob named Heather Todd. It seems like everyone on the island has a grudge against Jane. How to choose among so many suspects?But then one suspect is eliminated. Heather Todd is murdered. And suddenly Hamish's Christmas is looking very black indeed . . .

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton''s cranky, crafty Agatha Raisinnow the star of a hit T.V. showis back on the case again in The Dead Ringer. The idyllic Cotswolds village of Thirk Magna is best known for the medieval church of St. Ethelred and its bells, which are the pride and glory of the whole community.As the bell-ringers get ready for the visit of the dashing Bishop Peter Salver-Hinkley, the whole village is thrown into a frenzy. Meanwhile, Agatha convinces one of the bell-ringers, the charming lawyer Julian Brody, to hire her to investigate the mystery of the Bishop's ex-fiancée: a local heiress, Jennifer Toynby, who went missing years ago and whose body was never found...Meanwhile, the bodies in the village just keep on piling up: the corpse of Larry Jensen, a local policeman, is discovered in the crypt. Millicent Dupin, one of a pair of bell-ringing identical twins, is murdered near the church. And Terry Fletcher, a journali

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