by M.C. Beaton, 2012, Kindle Edition, Grand Central Publishing

This book is the first in a series of murder mysteries with the Scottish Highlands eccentric constable, Hamish MacBeth. The plot centers on a fishing camp where fishing “tourists” sign up to fish in the lochs in Scotland. The tourists are an eclectic collection of individuals, one of which is a gossip columnist operating under cover who is spoiling the experience for the rest of the group with her behavior. She ends up dead and it appears that she drowned, but Hamish MacBeth has doubts about that conclusion.

The book also has some romantic elements as a young upper-class lady has taken a shine to MacBeth, but he is awkward in his dealing with members of the feminine sex, and the relationship encounters some rocky moments.

The plot borrows heavily from the Agatha Christie model where everyone seems to have a motive to do away with the victim. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable to read and offers some priceless Scottish phrases such as “Och, Pricilla, it be yourself?” as Hamish’s typical greeting.