M. C. Beaton

Kate Hibbert is all too eager to lend a hand to her neighbors. Although she has been a resident of the sleepy village of Lochdubh for only a year, in that time Kate has alienated one too many of its residents with her interfering-and not entirely well-intentioned-ways. When Kate's neighbor sees her lugging a heavy suitcase to the bus stop, he hopes that the prying woman is gone for good. But two weeks later, Kate's cousin arrives in town with the...

Ever since the death of his father, poor Fellworth Dolphin has slaved away as a waiter to support his miserly, cold-hearted mother. When his mother suddenly dies, Fellworth is shocked to discover that she has left him a sizable inheritance. Confused, Fell teams up with Maggie, a plain girl with a similar background, to investigate the source of the riches. But what they find is a closet full of skeletons. Is it really possible Fell's father was involved...

Amazing news has spread across the Scottish countryside. The most famous of highland bachelors, police sergeant Hamish Macbeth, may actually marry at last. The entire village of Lochdubh adores Macbeth's bride-to-be. Josie McSween is Hamish's new constable, and she is a pretty little thing, with glossy brown hair and big brown eyes. The local folk think that Josie is quite a catch, but Hamish couldn't be more miserable. The wedding wouldn't be happening...

Presents the first two books in M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series, "The Quiche of Death", in which Agatha leaves her successful London firm to settle in the quiet village of Carsely, where she investigates the death of a local baking contest judge; and "The Vicious Vet", where Agatha convinces her neighbor to help her find the person responsible for killing the local vet.

Sergeant Hamish Macbeth is alarmed to receive a report from a woman in the small village of Cronish in the Scottish Highlands. She has been brutally attacked and the criminal is on the loose. But upon further investigation, Hamish discovers that she was lying about the crime. So when the same woman calls him back about an intruder, he simply marvels at her compulsion to lie. This time, though, she is telling the truth. Her body is found in her...

Agatha Raisin's plans for a perfect Christmas and a reunion with her ex-boyfriend James Lacey must be put on the back burner when she is hired by a wealthy widow who believes a member of her family is trying to kill her--a case that become more complicated when the old lady drops dead at high tea.

"Local police stations all over the Scottish Highlands are being threatened with closure. This presents the perfect opportunity for Detective Chief Inspector Blair, who would love nothing more than to get rid of Sergeant Hamish Macbeth. Blair suggests that Cyril Sessions, a keen young police officer, visit the town of Lochdubh to monitor exactly what Macbeth does every day. Macbeth hears about Blair's plan and is prepared to insure that Cyril returns...

Life in the English Cotswolds was more boring than Agatha thought it would be. After interminable tea parties, she manages to get a date with the controversial new veterinarian, who then has the audacity to not show up. Soon he is found killed, and Agatha is quickly on the case, trying to find his murderer.

In England, an argument rages over the right of people to cross farmers' fields. When the presiding lady of a walking club is found murdered in a wheat field, suspicion turns on the owner. Sleuth Agatha Raisin goes looking for the real killer.

Agatha Raisin and bachelor James Lacey put aside their differences and solve the murder of a village newcomer.