[1] It is set in the fictional town of Lochdubh, Scotland featuring the local constable Hamish Macbeth.

However, there is enough local resentment against Randy, that someone in quiet, peaceful Lochdubh may have been driven to slaying this macho man.

At first the locals are enthralled by Randy's fascinating stories of his apparently exciting life and his generosity with paying for drinks.

Their interest begins to pall when they realise that Randy's accent, when he is drunk, betrays his Scottish origins and that he is a braggart and a bully and openly insults the local men, including Geordie Mackenzie, a mild retired school teacher and local fisherman, Archie Maclean.

Constable Hamish Macbeth intervenes in a verbal argument between Randy Duggan and Geordie Mackenzie.

Hamish knows that the detective team from the fictional town of Strathbane, led by his archenemy, Chief Inspector Blair, will question his actions in arranging a fight with the deceased.

He is in trouble, but pretends that he did not intend to engage in a fight, but rather have the whole village witness Hamish berate Randy Duggan for his loutish behaviour and his rudeness to the local people.

Rosie's brother in law, passionately in love with her for many years, confesses to killing her and Randy Duggan.