Death of a gossip - M. C. Beaton

The very first Hamish Macbeth crime mystery, from internationally bestselling author M.C.Beaton

When
society widow and gossip columnist Lady Jane Winters joins the local
fishing class she wastes no time in ruffling the feathers - or should that
be fins? - of those around her.

Among the victims of her sharp
tongue is Lochdubh constable Hamish Macbeth, yet not even Hamish thinks
someone would seriously want to silence Lady Jane's shrill voice
permanently - until her strangled body is fished out of the river.

Now
with the help of the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, Hamish must
steer a course through the choppy waters of the tattler's life to find a
murderer. But with a school of suspects who aren't willing to talk, and
the dead woman telling no tales, Hamish may well be in over his head
for he knows that secrets are dangerous, knowledge is power, and killers
when cornered usually do strike again.

Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series:

'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist

'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.'
New York Times

'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... 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