The Recurring Cast
Character · Lochdubh · 38 books

Detective Chief Inspector Blair

Hamish’s bullying superior · M.C. Beaton

Detective Chief Inspector Blair of Strathbane is a bullying, lazy Glaswegian who takes credit for Hamish’s work and wants him gone.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
Death of a Gossip (1985)
Latest appearance
Death of a Groom (2026)
Books
38 (38 minor)
Series
Hamish Macbeth
Author
M.C. Beaton
Circle
Lochdubh

Where to meet Detective Chief Inspector Blair

Detective Chief Inspector Blair first appears in Death of a Gossip (1985), in a minor role, book 1 of the Hamish Macbeth series.

Buy Death of a Gossip

Every book with Detective Chief Inspector Blair

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1985·Death of a Gossipminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  2. 1987·Death of a Cadminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  3. 1988·Death of an Outsiderminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  4. 1989·Death of a Perfect Wifeminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  5. 1990·Death of a Hussyminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  6. 1991·Death of a Snobminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  7. 1992·Death of a Pranksterminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  8. 1993·Death of a Gluttonminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  9. 1993·Death of a Travelling Manminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  10. 1994·Death of a Charming Manminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  11. 1995·Death of a Nagminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  12. 1996·Death of a Macho Manminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  13. 1997·Death of a Dentistminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  14. 1998·Death of a Scriptwriterminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  15. 1999·Death of an Addictminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  16. 2001·Death of a Dustmanminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  17. 2002·Death of a Celebrityminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  18. 2003·Death of a Villageminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  19. 2004·Death of a Poison Penminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  20. 2005·Death of a Boreminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  21. 2006·Death of a Dreamerminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  22. 2007·Death of a Maidminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  23. 2008·Death of a Gentle Ladyminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  24. 2009·Death of a Witchminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  25. 2009·Death of a Valentineminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  26. 2011·Death of a Sweepminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  27. 2012·Death of a Kingfisherminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  28. 2013·Death of Yesterdayminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  29. 2014·Death of a Policemanminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  30. 2015·Death of a Liarminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  31. 2016·Death of a Nurseminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  32. 2017·Death of a Ghostminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  33. 2018·Death of an Honest Manminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  34. 2022·Death of a Green-Eyed Monsterminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  35. 2023·Death of a Traitorminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  36. 2024·Death of a Spyminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  37. 2025·Death of a Smugglerminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy
  38. 2026·Death of a Groomminor role · Hamish MacbethBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Hamish MacbethPolice constable in the Highland village of Lochdubh38
Jimmy AndersonDetective and Hamish’s friend38
Priscilla Halburton-SmytheLaird’s daughter and Hamish’s great love38
Lugs and SonsieHamish’s dog and wildcat13
Elspeth GrantJournalist and Hamish’s love interest10