BoomerGirl Diary

Intrigue, twists, turns and even humor — this week’s book has it all.

“Death of a Gentle Lady: A Hamish Macbeth Mystery,” is author M.C. Beaton’s newest and 23rd novel about red-haired Constable Hamish Macbeth. The book was released in February 2008.

A bachelor, Hamish Macbeth lives at his police station in the village of Lochdubhl, Scotland. That’s where the policeman keeps some sheep, hens, his dog Lugs and cat Sonsie (a wildcat). While police stations in nearby villages have been closed, Hamish’s has remained open, and he’s taken on a larger territory. But now, it’s on the list of closures, too, largely due to the meddling of Mrs. Margaret Gentle.

It happened this way.

Mrs. Gentle came to the Highlands a year ago, settling into an old mock castle outside the village of Braikie. The castle, with two turrets, stands very near the edge of a cliff that drops off sharply into the sea.

Mrs. Gentle has white hair, blue eyes, and a small round face, and boy, does she like the color lavender. All of her clothes are lavender, she wears lavender cologne, and her hair even has lavender tints in it. In summer, Mrs. Gentle’s straw hats are decorated with violets, and in winter, she wears lavender felt hats.

Most people have liked Mrs. Gentle, believing that her character lives up to her name. After all, she agreed to donate money to repair the church roof.

Only Hamish has had reservations about the woman. So one day, he paid her a visit.

When he arrived, Hamish could hear angry voices from the garden. Mrs. Gentle was scolding her 50-year-old daughter. But when she saw Hamish, Mrs. Gentle suddenly became sugary-sweet. She invited Hamish to stay for tea.

Shortly after, Detective Inspector Jimmy Anderson told Hamish what he’d overheard at Rotary Club. Mrs. Gentle was there, sitting right between Detective Chief Inspector Blair and Superintendent Daviot.

Mrs. Gentle remarked that she was surprised they would maintain the station at Lochdubh when Constable Hamish does practically nothing.

And that’s how it happened that Hamish was summoned to the Superintendent’s office, and, sure enough, his station is being sold. Hamish is to be transferred to Strathbane — no animals allowed. Rather than give up his pets, Hamish decides to resign, but then Mrs. Gentle’s maid Ayesha (from Turkey) shows up at the station. Her visa has expired, and Mrs. Gentle is going to turn her in. Hamish sees a way to help Ayesha, himself, and get back at Mrs. Gentle. He’ll marry Ayesha, she’ll become a citizen, and since he’s married, the officials will allow him to keep his station. Later on, he and Ayesha can divorce.

But the day of the wedding, Ayesha comes up missing. And Mrs. Gentle’s body is found at the bottom of the cliff.

The investigation is on.