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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
Fun, easy, end-of-summer read, started this afternoon and finished after dinner. Something so satisfying in the comforting predictability of Hamish Macbeth mysteries!
Oy.
Before I start having a fit, I want to make clear that I really did enjoy the first 90% of this book. This actually happens with most of the recent books in this series. I'm starting to think that, by the end of the novel, Beaton just gets bored and starts dishing out her classic over-the-top-ness. It really leaves a bitter taste in the mouth because I love this series and the flying finishes aren't necessary.
Chimney Sweep is actually an odd addition to the series because it focuses almost entirely on the case and not on the social shenanigans of Lochdubh (except for Angela - more on that later).
Myvery intelligent thoughts while reading Death of a Chimney Sweep:
- Is it just me or are the deaths in this series getting a lot more graphic? I'm never going to be able to look at zip-up luggage the same again. But I suppose nothing is worse than the lobsters.
- Laughing at the fact that The Bovary Factor is essentially smutty HM meta fanfiction. Kudos to Beaton for being able to laugh at herself. On that note:
- "She [Angela] had to share her signing with a well-known detective writer of the slash em', torture em', sodomise em' genre whose queue stretched out across the shop". WHAT?! WHAT GENRE IS THIS?!
Which leaves us with the last 10% of the novel. I try so desperately to follow the trains of Beaton's thoughts and I just can't. I don't even think she's making decisions based on established character traits anymore. Without talking in spoiler, Hamish does something at the end of the novel that entirely goes against everything Beaton's built his character up to be. He also gets Priscilla in on it and essentially risks her life, freedom, and reputation for the rest of eternity. And to top it all off, he does such a terrible job of it. I… don't get it. Why did Beaton think is was a good idea?
And then, there's the shark. Watching Beaton tie up loose ends is like watching my toddler try to tie his shoes.
I'm really hoping Beaton gets back to roots. Though I'm not quite sure how she expects any of Hamish's boy scout vows or criticisms of Blair to seem genuine after this book.
RIP Hamish's character.
Reread 2021: Anyone remember Betty Close? Yeah, me neither.
Before I start having a fit, I want to make clear that I really did enjoy the first 90% of this book. This actually happens with most of the recent books in this series. I'm starting to think that, by the end of the novel, Beaton just gets bored and starts dishing out her classic over-the-top-ness. It really leaves a bitter taste in the mouth because I love this series and the flying finishes aren't necessary.
Chimney Sweep is actually an odd addition to the series because it focuses almost entirely on the case and not on the social shenanigans of Lochdubh (except for Angela - more on that later).
My
- Is it just me or are the deaths in this series getting a lot more graphic? I'm never going to be able to look at zip-up luggage the same again. But I suppose nothing is worse than the lobsters.
- Laughing at the fact that The Bovary Factor is essentially smutty HM meta fanfiction. Kudos to Beaton for being able to laugh at herself. On that note:
- "She [Angela] had to share her signing with a well-known detective writer of the slash em', torture em', sodomise em' genre whose queue stretched out across the shop". WHAT?! WHAT GENRE IS THIS?!
Which leaves us with the last 10% of the novel. I try so desperately to follow the trains of Beaton's thoughts and I just can't. I don't even think she's making decisions based on established character traits anymore. Without talking in spoiler, Hamish does something at the end of the novel that entirely goes against everything Beaton's built his character up to be. He also gets Priscilla in on it and essentially risks her life, freedom, and reputation for the rest of eternity. And to top it all off, he does such a terrible job of it. I… don't get it. Why did Beaton think is was a good idea?
And then, there's the shark. Watching Beaton tie up loose ends is like watching my toddler try to tie his shoes.
I'm really hoping Beaton gets back to roots. Though I'm not quite sure how she expects any of Hamish's boy scout vows or criticisms of Blair to seem genuine after this book.
RIP Hamish's character.
Reread 2021: Anyone remember Betty Close? Yeah, me neither.
Macbeth and the Conman Captain
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2011) of the original Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2011)
Hamish Macbeth ends up with several murders on his hands and the title's chimney sweep is only a sad collateral victim. This one gets immensely complex with an international conspiracy angle with a gang of criminals. It felt somewhat overly elaborate for the series with its wild diversions into American hideaways by the gang. There seems to be a general trend in the series towards more outside mayhem in these later books. M.C. Beaton was probably forced to involve elements beyond the cozy comforts of the Scottish Highlands in order to keep her plots from becoming too predictable. I am still in for the long run though as the full regular cast puts in their stock appearances and the Highland humour is always ready in reserve.
I've exhausted the availability of free audiobooks for the series from the Audible Plus option so I'm now seeking out the rest of the series from the Toronto Public Library. I'm still hoping to read them in order as much as possible. Fortunately, the Library also offers the books in their audiobook formats as there is always an extra pleasure to hear the dialogue read in a Scottish accent. This one was read by Graeme Malcolm is the regular narrator for the last half of the series.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2011) of the original Grand Central Publishing hardcover edition (2011)
Hamish Macbeth ends up with several murders on his hands and the title's chimney sweep is only a sad collateral victim. This one gets immensely complex with an international conspiracy angle with a gang of criminals. It felt somewhat overly elaborate for the series with its wild diversions into American hideaways by the gang. There seems to be a general trend in the series towards more outside mayhem in these later books. M.C. Beaton was probably forced to involve elements beyond the cozy comforts of the Scottish Highlands in order to keep her plots from becoming too predictable. I am still in for the long run though as the full regular cast puts in their stock appearances and the Highland humour is always ready in reserve.
I've exhausted the availability of free audiobooks for the series from the Audible Plus option so I'm now seeking out the rest of the series from the Toronto Public Library. I'm still hoping to read them in order as much as possible. Fortunately, the Library also offers the books in their audiobook formats as there is always an extra pleasure to hear the dialogue read in a Scottish accent. This one was read by Graeme Malcolm is the regular narrator for the last half of the series.
Another Hamish book. Not sure why I keep reading them. Characters are unlikeable (except for the two women Hamish has been romantically involved with), crimes unconscionable, and the characters don't grow (or age). The real mystery in this book wasn't "whodunit" but "howtheygonnadie," and I'm not sure I want to keep reading that kind of story.
This is, still, a pleasant read, if for no other reason than to sound out the Scottish brogues as you read. I kept seeing the story as a TV show, which the BBC apparently did 5 or 6 years ago.
This is, still, a pleasant read, if for no other reason than to sound out the Scottish brogues as you read. I kept seeing the story as a TV show, which the BBC apparently did 5 or 6 years ago.
When Millie arrives back home, the chimney sweep is gone, but there is blood dripping from the chimney. She calls on the local police - Hamish Macbeth - to investigate. This tale is full of intrique, lots of suspects and a search for the motive, which leads in a different directions. If you like murder mysteries, you'll enjoy Death of a Chimney Sweep.
M.C. Beaton once said that she doesn't think her books are of the 'cozy mystery' Genre. I thought that was far from truth then. I always put her books on my 'cozy mystery ' shelf. Not this time. I just removed it from there. The book was a series of sometimes unexplainable killings, culminating with the traditional attempt on Hamish's life.
I used to enjoy living in Lochdubh when I read A Hamish Macbeth book; easy living within beautiful nature, and problems that were solved with simple solutions. The good always won, and the bad (evil) was always punished. This time this wasn't enough. Seeking to reach solutions was sometimes too unrealistic even for a fictional novel.
I used to enjoy living in Lochdubh when I read A Hamish Macbeth book; easy living within beautiful nature, and problems that were solved with simple solutions. The good always won, and the bad (evil) was always punished. This time this wasn't enough. Seeking to reach solutions was sometimes too unrealistic even for a fictional novel.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hamish seems ever so slightly less casually misogynistic this book. Is this personal growth? I suspect not really. Still the Priscilla vs Elspbeth consideration seems a lot less sharp. Although, he still seems to have no real interest in either of them except as a side-kick and ego-stoker. The best relationship he has seems to be his friendship with Angela, but she is going through one of her periodic bonkers phases. The murder plot rumbles along nicely in the background, as the widow navigates trying to live in a world without her controlling husband. Shout out for the supportive ladies of Drim for the female solidarity. An epilogue to rival LOTR. Two people killed by very unexpected animals. Enjoyable, as long as you don’t mind Hamish being a bit of a shit when it comes to women and more than a bit criminal in his policing methods. Fun, easy listening.
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No