![]() First edition | |
Author | M. C. Beaton (Marion Chesney) |
---|---|
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Series | Hamish Macbeth |
Genre | Detective, Mystery novel |
Publisher | St. Martin's Press |
Publication date | 1985 |
Media type | |
Pages | 166 pp (Hardcover) |
ISBN | 0-312-18637-1 (first edition) |
OCLC | 11290121 |
823.914 19 | |
LC Class | PR6052.E196 D4 1985 |
Followed by | Death of a Cad |
Death of a Gossip is a mystery novel by M. C. Beaton (Marion Chesney), first published in 1985. It is set in the fictional town of Lochdubh, Scotland and is the first novel of a series featuring the local constable Hamish Macbeth.
Eight people of varied background meet in the fictional village of Lochdubh in Northern Scotland. They attend the Lochdubh School of Casting : Salmon and Trout Fishing, owned and operated by John Cartwright and his wife Heather. What should be a relaxing holiday amid glorious Highland lochs and mountains becomes a misery. One of the party, Lady Jane Withers, a society widow and notorious gossip columnist, upsets everyone with her snobbishness, sharp tongue and rudeness. Lady Jane soon learns that each of her fellow guests has a secret in their past that they would prefer to remain unknown. When her Ladyship is found dead in Keeper's Pool, no-one is surprised and everyone is relieved.
Hamish Macbeth, Lochdubh's local policeman, has to search for a murderer amongst the many suspects. No-one is willing to talk. With the assistance of Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, the love of his life, Hamish solves the mystery in his usual unorthodox style. Hamish's success does not endear him to Chief Inspector Blair, a senior detective from the nearby fictional town of Strathbane.
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