I finished rereading this today.  I have read most of the Hamish Macbeth series and just went back to revisit book one as it was a group read for the English Kindle Mystery group this month.  As this was a rereading, I already knew the villain and the victim.  What was interesting about this book is that it seems  so different from later books in the series, which are very Hamish centered.  In this book, Hamish is definitely present, however working quietly in the background.  As a reader, you get the hints of Hamish’s intelligence and abilities that become more evident in later books.  I love this series and the characters.  The Scottish setting is wonderful.  This is a great example of a cozy mystery.