Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Always light and entertaining. Figured out the who done it way to early but it was still a fun book and a recommended read.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun murder mystery with slightly cringey, pseudo-romantic backstory. Easy listen. Narrator OK.
Another entertaining installment in this light mystery series.
"Bloody women, thought Hamish as he collected fresh eggs from the hen house. I'm surrounded by them."
Well, if the regulation boot fits.
Another one of those endearing enigmatic foreigner comes to Lochdobh and clashes with the villagers plots. Despite their repetitiveness, I really do like these story premises. They tend to really characterise the villagers by the way of contrasting them with the new arrival. We didn't get too much village-involvement in this case - there were a lot of strangers in this one - but the culture clashes do come out and they're as entertaining as usual.
The foreshadowing and symbolism in this one was really heavy. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is… sort of relative. If you want the murderer reveal to blow you away, you probably want as subtle foreshadowing as possible. Me, I don't mind knowing the murderer in advance if it means I can deduce it myself. So the double-coat of see-here is a plus for me. I don't mind an obvious conclusion.
Stepping aside from the actual mystery… oh boy. I mean, the scene where Betty, Elspeth, and Priscilla all walk into the station wanting the same thing… Okay. I think we understand. That's great. Enter Giacomo Casanova. All clear. I'm not sure this much heavy-handedness is necessary. I'm sure this has little to do with Beaton herself seeing as her series didn't start this way. I'm assuming Beaton's editor understands the marketability of the series and wants to lay on the sub-text really thick. That's fine. Just don't expect me not to roll my eyes.
Without spoiling anything, Elspeth's… professional dilemma at the end of novel was really hard to read. And not because the conflict was written poorly. The white anger and action-without-consideration that sometimes comes part and parcel with unsuccessful relationships can be relatable and I don't think Beaton overdramatised the immaturity that envy can inspire. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of Elspeth, and I really hope we haven't.
Lastly, probably my favourite line in the novel: "If there was something Lochdobh liked more than a wedding, it was a funeral, especially when it was a funeral of someone they had not cared about one bit."
These people are golden.
Reread 2021: I love how Hamish constantly mentions that the teenagers in the Highlands always look so pale and unhealthy from their lack of a healthy diet. Meanwhile Hamish's diet almost consists entirely of fried meat.
Those kids...
Well, if the regulation boot fits.
Another one of those endearing enigmatic foreigner comes to Lochdobh and clashes with the villagers plots. Despite their repetitiveness, I really do like these story premises. They tend to really characterise the villagers by the way of contrasting them with the new arrival. We didn't get too much village-involvement in this case - there were a lot of strangers in this one - but the culture clashes do come out and they're as entertaining as usual.
The foreshadowing and symbolism in this one was really heavy. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing is… sort of relative. If you want the murderer reveal to blow you away, you probably want as subtle foreshadowing as possible. Me, I don't mind knowing the murderer in advance if it means I can deduce it myself. So the double-coat of see-here is a plus for me. I don't mind an obvious conclusion.
Stepping aside from the actual mystery… oh boy. I mean, the scene where Betty, Elspeth, and Priscilla all walk into the station wanting the same thing… Okay. I think we understand. That's great. Enter Giacomo Casanova. All clear. I'm not sure this much heavy-handedness is necessary. I'm sure this has little to do with Beaton herself seeing as her series didn't start this way. I'm assuming Beaton's editor understands the marketability of the series and wants to lay on the sub-text really thick. That's fine. Just don't expect me not to roll my eyes.
Without spoiling anything, Elspeth's… professional dilemma at the end of novel was really hard to read. And not because the conflict was written poorly. The white anger and action-without-consideration that sometimes comes part and parcel with unsuccessful relationships can be relatable and I don't think Beaton overdramatised the immaturity that envy can inspire. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of Elspeth, and I really hope we haven't.
Lastly, probably my favourite line in the novel: "If there was something Lochdobh liked more than a wedding, it was a funeral, especially when it was a funeral of someone they had not cared about one bit."
These people are golden.
Reread 2021: I love how Hamish constantly mentions that the teenagers in the Highlands always look so pale and unhealthy from their lack of a healthy diet. Meanwhile Hamish's diet almost consists entirely of fried meat.
Those kids...
Macbeth and the Fantasist
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2007) of the original Mysterious Press hardcover (2006)
Lochdubh village constable Hamish Macbeth has to contend with yet another incomer. Dreamer Effie Garrard imagines herself in a relationship with a famous artist. Various relationship complications ensue and of course several murders intervene to bring disruption to Macbeth's calm village life. Hamish's wildcat Sonsie and dog Lugs come to the rescue in the end in a dramatic conclusion.
I've exhausted the availability of free audiobooks for this delightful 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.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2007) of the original Mysterious Press hardcover (2006)
Lochdubh village constable Hamish Macbeth has to contend with yet another incomer. Dreamer Effie Garrard imagines herself in a relationship with a famous artist. Various relationship complications ensue and of course several murders intervene to bring disruption to Macbeth's calm village life. Hamish's wildcat Sonsie and dog Lugs come to the rescue in the end in a dramatic conclusion.
I've exhausted the availability of free audiobooks for this delightful 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.
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh Hamish. Our favorite Scottish detective is ready to work a murder case - and then suddenly there are two. An artist staying in Loch Dubh seems to be the source of many sketchy things. A spinster claims he has proposed to her, and then she turns up dead; an American is keeping a journal to write a novel and after claiming to know who killed the spinster, also turns up dead. And Hamish is trying to find out what's actually going on, but is thwarted at every turn by someone with romantic interests either for him or someone else on the police force. Classic Hamish.