Death of a Kingfisher

Sgt. Hamish Macbeth prefers the peace and quiet of village life, relative solitude, and his own low rank, but is unable to enjoy any of them in bestseller Beaton’s diverting 28th cozy featuring the Scottish policeman (after 2011’s Death of a Chimney Sweep). First, he’s encumbered with lazy deadbeat Constable Dick Fraser. Meanwhile, disturbingly pretty Mary Leinster has transformed beautiful Buchan’s Wood into a tourist attraction called Fairy Glen. Cantankerous Mrs. Colchester has her two awful grandchildren, 12-year-old Charles and 16-year-old Olivia, visiting and causing mischief. The murder of a kingfisher, his mate, and their nestlings is merely the opening salvo in a barrage of events perhaps aimed at ruining the Fairy Glen. Macbeth’s nemesis, Detective Chief Inspector Blair, adds to his woes. A surprisingly high human body count finds Macbeth one step behind, but, as usual, leagues ahead of his nominal superiors in this entertaining entry. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates. (Feb.)