Death of a Ghost: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery

When Hanover “Handy” Ebrington, the new owner of ramshackle Castle Drim, hears ghostly noises, Sgt. Hamish Macbeth investigates, in Beaton’s atmospheric 33rd mystery featuring the Lochdubh, Scotland, policeman (after 2016’s Death of a Nurse). Hamish is inclined to think that Handy is being “haunted” by vandals, so he and his partner, Constable Charlie Carter, arrange to spend the night in the castle tower to catch the miscreants red-handed. Instead they find a body and a likely smugglers’ drop. When more bodies turn up, Hamish’s superiors are eager to seize upon easy solutions. But as usual, Hamish’s senses tell him the answer is far more complicated than it seems. Few fictional detectives are more appealing than fey, redheaded Hamish with his taste for unsuitable women and no desire to leave his peaceful Scottish Highland home. Series fans and newcomers alike will enjoy spending time with Hamish and the beguiling inhabitants of Lochdubh. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates. (Feb.)