M.C. Beaton Books In Order

Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Publication Order of Agatha Raisin Books

Publication Order of Agatha Raisin Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Hamish Macbeth Books

with R.W. Green

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Cozy Case Files Mystery Sampler Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

M.C. Beaton was a Scottish author of fictional mystery and historical romance novels. She was an acclaimed author that was known to many readers for her popular fictional Agatha Raisin series. The series has been a big success and reached best selling status. M.C. Beaton unfortunately passed away on December 30th, 2019. M.C. Beaton was the pen name used by real life individual Marion Chesney.

Marion was not always a published author as she worked in the adjacent field of journalism, making a living on Fleet Street. At some point she transitioned into writing fiction and the literary world gained a unique new voice! M.C. Beaton was the creator and the writer of the fictional Hamish Macbeth series.

The series kicked off way back in 1985 with the release of the first novel. It is titled Death of a Gossip The book did well and a sequel came out two years later, titled Death of a Cad. Death of a Gossip is the first novel of fiction in the Hamish Macbeth series by author M.C. Beaton! In this premiere story in the series, readers get the chance to meet this main character once more. This Scottish cop is used to working his beat in a small highland village.

It’s not very active, but it gives him something to do. This is a small town that is not used to experiencing much when it comes to out of the way crimes such as these. When it comes to murder, that’s something that the citizens of this area would think would happen in the bigger cities. Hamish is in for a rough surprise when this Scottish cop finds out that a crime has been committed– and it’s a murder. The lady has been found dead, murdered at a Scottish angling school.

She was one of the society ladies that was known for her work as well as her money and good marriage, before her husband died. Now it appears that she is to join him. She didn’t have that many enemies, although with an active printed gossip column, Now it’s up to Hamish to find out who did it.– even if this local cop doesn’t have a clue. The victim in question is Lady Jane Winters, a tabloid reporter in addition to traveling in wealthy and connected circles.

It is kind of shocking of a crime as he has no idea who would even want to target her. She was a widowed woman and had an unkind disposition to her. She was also overweight and it seemed like while she was not particularly nice to people that no one would actually want to kill her. Still, Jane was dead, and now it’s up to Macbeth to try and start tracking down clues as to who did it.

One thing is for certain, however, and that is that the death of this reporter may end up unraveling the secrets of several other guilty parties. The skeletons are not just hanging out in the closets– they’re ready to jump on out. This story is told from the point of view of the secretary.

He also finds that he gets further along with the genersous help of a woman named Priscilla, a beautiful blonde woman that was born into money, This local cop is inspired to do his best to try and solve the case, but is he going to find out who did it or is he destined to fail? Anything could happen in this exciting first novel in the series! If you liked this first book, then you’ll definitely like the ones that come after.

Check them out as there are plenty of books to pick up after these! Death of a Cad is the exciting sequel to the debut novel in M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series. This is the second novel in the fictional series by Beaton. Priscilla Halburton-Smythe is delighted to go home to the small Scottish town she grew up in. She is so excited to introduce everyone to the man that she is going to marry.

This is a real feather in her cap as her fiance writes plays in London. Everyone who lives in the small town is happy for her. That is, everyone except for one person. Hamish Macbeth has been falling for Priscilla ever since they have known each other, and now he is dismayed to find out that she may be marrying someone else. This is real, all right, and no amount of pinching himself is going to convince him that it is a dream.

Forced to face this reality, Macbeth is going to have to face the facts that his role is as a constable and not as the husband to be of Priscilla. That would be nice, though. He has been in love with her for some time, but it appears that he is going to have to put aside his own feelings for the good of his own heart and the job as well. That is a good thing that he has decided to focus on his public duty, because the job has never needed him more.

Captain Bartlett has been attending the engagement party being thrown for Priscilla. He’s a man that is known for being as boorish as he is frequently vile. But he’ll never be vile again because he’s now dead. He was hunting for grouse when he was apparently shot. There were so many people at the party– who could have done it?

A lot of people have alibis, but only one would have had the motivation to kill him. Who did it and can Hamish find out before it’s too late? He’s going to have to try! Read this book to find out what happens. The series was turned into a television show. The series came out in 1995 and ran until 1997. It starred Robert Carlyle as Hamish Macbeth and was based on the fictional series by this author.

Book Series In Order » Authors » M.C. Beaton

4 Responses to “M.C. Beaton”

1. Betty: 1 year ago

   In the past few months I discovered the Agatha Raisin stories. I absolutely love the fun characters and the settings of the village in the Cotswalds. M.C.Beaton became a beloved writer to me. Her choice of Penelope Keith as the voice of Agatha is just perfect. I listen to the audiobook version of the stories. I was fascinated to read about M.C. Beaton ( Marion Chesney) and Penelope Keith. I just want to say how much I appreciate the writer and narrator.

   Reply
2. mattie lou webb goodwin: 2 years ago

   i love the agatha raisin series so much that i have been reading and rereading all her books!

   Reply
3. Lesley Clark: 3 years ago

   I’m enjoying the 3rd in 67 Clarges Street stories, the House for a Season series. Are there any more stories to follow The Wicked Godmother?

   Reply
   • Becky: 3 years ago

     There are six books in this series. I love the historical stories too! Rakes Progress is next then the Adventuress and then Rainbirds Revenge which I am about to read.

     Reply