M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (UK 2021)

From the Publisher:
Hamish Macbeth is savouring the delights of a Highland summer, but as fast as the rain rolls in from the loch his happy life goes to hell in a handbasket.

The trouble begins when his beloved Priscilla Halburton-Smythe returns to Lochdubh with a new fiancé on her arm. His miseries multiply when clouds of midges descend on the town. And then a paragon of housewife perfection named Trixie Thomas moves into Lochdubh with her cowed husband in tow.

The newcomer quickly convinces the local ladies to embrace low-cholesterol meals, ban alcohol and begin bird-watching. Soon the town's menfolk are up in arms and Macbeth must solve Lochdubh's newest crime - the mysterious poisoning of the perfect wite.

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

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery. Constable, ISBN: 9781472124098 (November, 2021), 204 p., £9.99.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (UK 2017)

From the Publisher:
HAMISH MACBETH IS SAVOURING THE DELIGHTS OF A HIGHLAND SUMMER, BUT AS FAST AS THE RAIN ROLLS IN FROM THE LOCH, HIS HAPPY LIFE GOES TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery. Constable, ISBN: 9781472124098 (May, 2017), 204 p., £8.99.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (UK 2013)

From the Publisher:
The worm in the rose...
Hamish Macbeth is savouring the delights of a Highland summer, but as fast as the rain rolls in from the loch his happy life goes to hell in a handbasket. The trouble begins when his beloved Priscilla Halburton-Smythe returns to Lochdubh with a new fiancé on her arm. His miseries multiply when clouds of midges descend on the town.

And then a paragon of housewife perfection named Trixie Thomas moves into Lochdubh with her cowed husband In tow. The newcomer quickly convinces the local ladies to embrace low-cholesterol meals, ban alcohol and begin bird-watching. Soon the town's menfolk are up in arms and Macbeth must solve Lochdubh's newest crime - the mysterious poisoning of the perfect wife.

'Looking for escape? Tired of waiting for Brigadoon to materialise? Time for a trip to Lochdubh... where M.C. Beaton sets her beguiling whodunits featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth.' -- New York Times Book Review

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery. C & R Crime / Little, Brown, ISBN: 9781472105233 (March, 2013), 204 p., £7.99.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (UK 2008)

From the Publisher:
One man's trouble and strife...
Hamish Macbeth is savouring the delights of a real Highland summer, but as the rain rolls in from the loch his comfort is short-lived. First, his beloved Priscilla Halburton-Smythe returns to Lochdubh with a new fiancé on her arm. Next, vast clouds of midges descend on the town. And then a paragon of housewifely perfection known as Trixie Thomas moves into Lochdubh with her wimpish husband in tow. The newcomer quickly convinces the local ladies to embrace low-cholesterol meals, ban alcohol and begin bird-watching. Soon the town's menfolk are up in arms and Macbeth has a new case to solve - the mysterious poisoning of the perfect wife.

'The detective novels of M.C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status.' -- Anne Robinson, The Times
'Looking for escape? Tired of waiting for Brigadoon to materialise? Time for a trip to Lochdubh... where M.C. Beaton sets her beguiling whodunits featuring Constable Hamish Macbeth.' -- New York Times Book Review

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery. Robinson, ISBN: 1845296672 (August, 2008), 192 p., £5.99.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (USA 2006)

From the Publisher:
THE WORM IN THE ROSE
Hamish Macbeth, the laid-back constable of Lochdubh, Scotland, has a new Land Rover to drive and a Highland summer to savor, but as fast as rain rolls in from the loch, his happy life goes to hell in a handbasket. The trouble begins when his beloved Priscilla Halburton-Smythe returns from London... with a fiancé on her arm. His miseries multiply when clouds of midges (the diabolical Scottish mosquito) descend on the town.

Then a paragon of housewifery named Trixie Thomas moves into Lochdubh with her lapdog husband in tow. The newcomer quickly convinces the local ladies to embrace low-cholesterol meals, ban tobacco, and begin bird-watching. Soon the town's fish-and-chips-loving men are up in arms. Now faced with the trials of his own soul, Macbeth must solve Lochdubh's newest crime-the mysterious poisoning of the perfect wife.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. A Hamish Macbeth Mystery. Mysterious Press / Warner Books, ISBN: 0446614734 (July, 2006), 175 p., $6.99.

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife (USA 1990)

From the Publisher:
CONSTABLE HAMISH MACBETH IS A HAPPY MAN
He has his home, his cattle, hens and geese, his friends and neighbors, and soon, he hopes, he li have lovely Priscilla Halburton Smythe as well. God's in his heaven and all's right with the world... until someone poisons village newcomer Trixie Thomas.

Being English and unemployed, Paul and Trixie Thomas have two strikes against them from the beginning. But Trixie isn't one to notice when people don't like her and soon she has the whole village involved in her Anti-Smoking League, vegetarian cooking, and birdwatching society. She even wheedle a few bits and pieces of old furniture and china from her frugal Scots neighbors.

So when she's murdered, not everyone is devastated. Truth to tell, there is even some quiet rejoicing, and as for motives..Hamish is up to his elbows in them.

"Among writers of cozy village mystery series, count M.C. Beaton as one who creates a nice tea party.... An enjoyable diversion." -- Associated Press

M.C. Beaton: Death of a Perfect Wife. She was too perfect to live. So someone killed her. A Hamish Macbeth Mystery. Ivy Books, ISBN: 0804105936 (October, 1990), 245 p., $3.95.