It feels like every year there are a few sad deaths to mention after the holiday season… this year, we all will miss Marion Chesney Gibbons, likely better known here as M.C. Beaton. According to a brief entry on her website, Marion Chesney Gibbons passed away after a brief illness in late December, at the age of 83.
A very prolific romance author in the 1980’s and 1990’s under the name Marion Chesney, under the Beaton name she eventually moved to releasing more and more mysteries in both the Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series and the Agatha Raisin Mystery Series. One of the shapers of the modern Cozy sub-genre, she will be missed by the community and remembered for her many beautiful stories.
Rest in Peace, Marion. Our sympathies go out to Marion’s family and friends.
Christine Ellstrom says
That is sad 🙁 I enjoy her Hamish McBeth series , she will be missed .
Miriam GP says
So sad to read this. No more Agatha Raisin… Marion was a lovely lady (never met her, of course, but followed her on Facebook and she always made me laugh) and will be missed 🙁
Anne says
Thank you M.C. Beaton for giving us such wonderful characters that have given us years of happiness. They will comfort us as we miss you. Rest in Peace ❤
Betty says
Oh no! I sure am sorry to hear that. I totally enjoyed her books!
Nancy T. says
Yes, I loved her Agatha Raisin mysteries. Just a very sad loss.
Shirl says
I am heart broken. She got me thru some sad times in my life. I loved her humor. I have read all of her books. I don’t want to think of no longer looking forward to her upcoming books. What a loss.
Mindy says
Awww, we lost a charmer. Thanks for so many hours of chuckles and pleasure, Marion. RIP.
Michelle Kish says
I will always treasure her books. All the series were wonderful. Sad news.
Zarayna Pradyer says
A huge loss to the reading and writing communities.
Thank you for your tribute.
Barb E says
MC Beaton books have given me many, many hours of reading pleasure. Marion Chesney was a wonderfully talented writer who will be greatly missed.
Merrilee says
I’m sorry to see this news. I will miss her books greatly. Fast, enjoyable reads. Due to understanding that time marches on and it wasn’t stopping for anybody, I have been afraid for some years that this news would be coming. It always would have been too soon.
Carol V says
I enjoy the Agatha Raisin mysteries.
Rest in peace Marion be assured your legacy lives on.
KG says
Thank you for letting us know, I was looking at a few Agatha Raisin books not too long ago. I will want to finish the series.
Cheryl M. Palmour says
Very sorry to hear this. I very much enjoyed the Hish Macbeth series. I was looking forward to reading the next one. I will miss new adventures featuring Hamish.
vickie baker says
She will be missed. I love both Aggie and Hamish; and with the death of this Majesty of Mystery, it is truly like a dear friend passing.
Godspeed!
Michelle says
Will be sadly missed, loved the mysteries. Whenever I just didn’t know what I wanted to read I turned to Hamish and Agatha. They were entertaining and I like how everything always worked out for the best.
Patrick McIntosh says
I will miss both Hamish Macbeth & Agatha Raisin.
Fortunately for her I read that she was very pleased with how faithful to the books Agatha Raisin adaptions were.
Joanne says
One of my favorite authors. Loved all her Agatha and Hamish books, and especially her witty e-mails. She will always be missed by me.
Denise W says
Sorry to hear.
Loved her books. She will be missed. RIP
Marty B says
I have especially enjoyed her series featuring Hamish Macbeth. I will miss his antics.
Lynda says
This is vey sad news! The latest Agatha Raisin was the last book I read in 2019. She will certainly be missed by many.
Rickee D. says
So sad to hear this! I loved her Hamish MacBeth series. One of the things that I do enjoy knowing is that many authors write into their very late years, which is very encouraging. As long as the mind is clear!
Mary P says
So sad! I’ll miss the adventures of Hamish Macbeth. He was so real in my mind, I would have liked to have met him. (Yes, I know, it’s fiction, but it didn’t seem like it.) MC Beaton was quite a talent, and will be missed by millions of readers like me.
Mg Harrelson says
I was saddened to learn of her passing. What a talented author whose characters were among my all time favorites.
Agatha is my top pick followedclosely by Hamish. I was honored to win one of her reader copies and a tea towel 2 years ago. My prayers are with her loved ones.
Rest In Peace dear lady.
Bek says
I’m only familiar with her Hamish McBeth books, but she will be deeply missed. It seems we have lost so many in the last 12 months.
Moira Shepard says
Thank you, Marion, for all the joy you brought to me, and to many others. Bless you!
Vallaing says
She will be missed the world over. I had the pleasure of seeing her interviewed at the Bloody Scotland Festival. She was a real pistol and very much Agatha Raisin.
Christine Sharbrough says
Oh how sad! A life well-lived that gave so much joy to many. May she rest in peace.
Liz E says
God bless Marion. Your books were so funny and yet full of compassion and understanding. I have become addicted to Agatha and Hamish over the years. I am saving your last Agatha novel for my hols. It will be a very special read but it’s not goodbye. Your books will always be there, working their magic .
Regina Williams says
I am so sorry that she has passed I truly, truly, truly love her Agatha Raisin mystery series
LM says
Just saw she is gone, from your site. I am so sorry, I have been reading her books for at least 20 if not 30 years. So sad, I always hate to think the characters that exist in my mind after I see them on the page, are not going further. Guess I have to start rereading what I have. She will be missed by many.
AK says
MC Beaton’s legacy lives on! Obviously, the heirs found a suitable ghost-writer to carry on with both the Hamish McBeth Series and Agatha Raisin as well. However, I read the first one that the ghost writer either collaborated on with Marion, or did after she passed and it was evident to me-Marion didn’t write it. However, as with all ghost writers, Time Will Tell! I cannot imagine taking over such a beloved Writer as Marion Chesney/Beaton and I’m sure trying to write in similar fashion would be a super hero task! I have ordered the 2 Hamish McBeth I have not read yet (1 on pre-order), so I will give the new writer a chance to see if they are up to the Task!