Death of a Macho Man

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Summary: Beaton and Macbeth--a "thriller" of a combination!
Review: "Reading a Hamish Macbeth book is like taking a vacation in the Highlands to enjoy the local color and heather-scented air," according to the book's liner notes. Well, possibly. Nonetheless M.C. Beaton's "Death of a Macho Man" continues the Macbeth saga in the small village of Lochdubh, Scotland. It follows Beaton's "tried and true" formula for her Macbeth books, of course. That said, this series is still a most readable, most interesting set, and I wouldn't think of missing one. In this one, naturally the macho man, after threatening, taunting, aggravating, and bullying (not to forget bragging) the locals--which on one occasion leads to a very nasty fight--our man comes up dead. Randy Duggan is so obnoxious that he even gets under Hamish's skin. Duggan issues a challenge to Hamish to settle their differences with a boxing match! Of course, everyone in the village is excited about this! But on the night of "the big fight," Duggan is found shot to death--which takes care of the boxing match! But it also sheds great suspicion on Hamish. And from here on out, Beaton's "main man" is on the trail to find out who really did kill him (not that there weren't plenty of other suspects, as well!). Again, we meet up with Hamish's ex-fiancee Priscilla and his nemesis Sergeant Blair. Lochdubh and its denizens soon become "family" with this series! ([e-mail])

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Summary: BEATON AND MACBETH GO GREAT TOGETHER!!!!
Review: Another great one by M. C. Beaton about Hamish MacBeth. I have read several of the MacBeth series and the Agatha Raisin series. They both are good but I think MacBeth is a little better. Agatha has gotten to jump in to many beds in the last couple of books. Hamish is his usual self, lazy but smart in solving murders. He can't stand the "Macho Man" and they are set for a fight, but do they get that far??? Later "Macho" is found dead. Was it Geordie, Annie,Andy, Willie, Archie or Rosie? It really could be someone else. Hamish get shot at!!!!! Goodness.... I liked the ending, keep hoping Hamish and Priscilla end up together, maybe in the last book. Beaton lets me see the village, the people and the countryside in my mind. I always enjoy a new Hamish book. Keep on Keeping on.

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Summary: Heroic Hamish
Review: Hamish MacBeth is allowed a little more scope for action in this novel than in most of the others I have read so far. In this one he gets to save Priscilla from a handsome and hideous villain, win a hill climbing race when he is terribly tired and out of shape, get shot at in the process, go undercover in the Glasgow slums, return to Lcohdubh via helicopter, and solve the crime of the century! I am able to recount all this without really ruining this for other readers because it is not really a surprise. The fun of reading M. C. Beaton's books about Hamish is not in "who done it" but in how it unravels. The unravelling is just as good as ever here. I continue to get great satisfaction out of this series.

Rating:
Summary: Heroic Hamish
Review: Hamish MacBeth is allowed a little more scope for action in this novel than in most of the others I have read so far. In this one he gets to save Priscilla from a handsome and hideous villain, win a hill climbing race when he is terribly tired and out of shape, get shot at in the process, go undercover in the Glasgow slums, return to Lcohdubh via helicopter, and solve the crime of the century! I am able to recount all this without really ruining this for other readers because it is not really a surprise. The fun of reading M. C. Beaton's books about Hamish is not in "who done it" but in how it unravels. The unravelling is just as good as ever here. I continue to get great satisfaction out of this series.

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Summary: Found treasure, but don't recommend audio version
Review: Hamish MacBeth, a rather unorthodox police constable in the highlands of Scotland, breaks nearly all the rules and still solves a light hearted mystery with artfully drawn characters, pugnacious charm and even a (very surprising) touch of romance. I listened to the recorded books version, read by Davina Porter who does an admirable job on the voices, but can suddenly become shrill and strident, not the best car companion. Do they really say "Match-O Man" in Britain and/or Scotland?

Rating:
Summary: Found treasure, but don't recommend audio version
Review: Hamish MacBeth, a rather unorthodox police constable in the highlands of Scotland, breaks nearly all the rules and still solves a light hearted mystery with artfully drawn characters, pugnacious charm and even a (very surprising) touch of romance. I listened to the recorded books version, read by Davina Porter who does an admirable job on the voices, but can suddenly become shrill and strident, not the best car companion. Do they really say "Match-O Man" in Britain and/or Scotland?

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Summary: Double Cozy!
Review: How I do adore Hamish MacBeth! He always cheers me up and keeps me wanting more. Reading one of Beaton's books in this series is like traveling to a quaint but slightly mad Brigadoon. She writes wonderful cozy mysteries and never disappoints. Her novels all follow a certain formula, but they are never dull or mundane. Each new volume feels like a long awaited reunion with a dear friend. And I love those Scottish witticisms she uses to head off each chapter....I'll be reading 'em as long as she's writing 'em.

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Summary: A Good Quick Read
Review: I found this an easy novel to read. Entertaining even though I rather figured out the villan(s) before the final page, which is a coup for me. But definetly a fun novel to read when your head space doesn't allow you room to get mired down in too much complexity.

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Summary: Another Great Book in a Great Series
Review: In this book in M.C. Beaton's delightful Hamish MacBeth series, Randy Duggan has recently moved to the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh. At first his stories impress the villagers who gather at the local pub, but they soon tire of him. When Duggan challenges MacBeth to a fight, Hamish agrees, only to have second thoughts, realizing he can't beat Duggan. Still, Hamish shows up for the fight, but Duggan doesn't. He soon is found murdered in his cabin and Hamish sets out to find the murderer. A second murder happens and someone confesses to both murders, but Hamish isn't convinced the same person committed both crimes and investigates the case on his own. Will he find the true killer before he not only endangers his job, but the lives of those closest to him?

This is another well written, well plotted mystery by M.C. Beaton. Hamish is at his best here, breaking about every rule there is in order to solve the mystery. The secondary characters are well written, I even found myself liking Hamish's ex-fiancée, Priscilla, whom I didn't like in previous books in the series. There are plenty of suspects and I had a hard time figuring out who the real killer was.

Fans of "cozy" mysteries, especially those set in small villages, will love the Hamish MacBeth mysteries!



Rating:
Summary: Very fun to read!
Review: Much like Gregory McDonald's "Flynn," Hamish Macbeth is a local police officer who has a nack for uncovering the truth: be it crime, unfaithful sweethearts, or tall tales told in the local pub. Macbeth is tenatious, like a bloodhound that will not give up once the sent is found.