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isoney's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Hamish finds out that sometimes it is not so great when wishes finally come true. A pretty-boy, who turned out to be jerk was killed. Hamish solves his murder but it ends up costing him.
shelbyshoo's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
cjgmiranda220's review against another edition
5.0
Poor Hamish! He's engaged to the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, but all that glitters isn't gold. I skipped around in this series. I knew that they were engaged and that it had ended, but I didn't know why. I'm glad I was able to go back and fill in the gaps. I just love every book in this series.
slavicsongbird's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say that this book was my least favourite and that purely because of Hamish's character. He seemed much pettier than usual and he could be downright cruel to people who were perfectly nice or at least indifferent to him. I hope the next book is better.
fangirl76's review against another edition
3.0
Although I really like these books, this one was a bit of a downer.
pato_myers's review against another edition
2.0
My least favorite, I don't like conflict between adults that would be resolved if they just talked to each other.
jwsg's review against another edition
2.0
Relations between Hamish and Priscilla are tense, this mystery takes place in the grim village of Drim instead of lovely Lochdubh - too many of the usual elements that make a Hamish Macbeth mystery a pleasure to read are missing here
caitcoy's review against another edition
2.0
In #10 of the Hamish Macbeth series, Hamish must deal with a newcomer to the nearby town of Drim whose good lucks cause more trouble than Hamish might prefer. When the handsome, charming Peter Hynd disappears after angering the men of Drim with his flirtations with their wives and daughters, Hamish suspects the worst. Unfortunately for him, his love life (an ever present distraction) is going less than swimmingly and Hamish must balance trying to figure out Priscilla and the disappearance of Peter Hynd.
I think this is probably the weakest of the Hamish Macbeth books and largely because the mystery is overshadowed by the incredible drama between Hamish and Priscilla. While I was getting a little tired of the will-they-won't-they romance of the pair in the previous books, this book made me regret seeing them together. They are almost unbelievably bad as a couple, with Priscilla constantly trying to change Hamish into a more ambitious man (despite knowing full well that that's unlikely) and Hamish constantly getting irritated with said attempts. It creates an air of constant relationship drama that irritated me. The mystery is mildly interesting but I ended up finishing the book with a feeling of dissatisfaction. While I also enjoy reading romances sometimes, I certainly wouldn't be sad to see the romance angle of the relationship between Priscilla and Hamish go to the way side.
I think this is probably the weakest of the Hamish Macbeth books and largely because the mystery is overshadowed by the incredible drama between Hamish and Priscilla. While I was getting a little tired of the will-they-won't-they romance of the pair in the previous books, this book made me regret seeing them together. They are almost unbelievably bad as a couple, with Priscilla constantly trying to change Hamish into a more ambitious man (despite knowing full well that that's unlikely) and Hamish constantly getting irritated with said attempts. It creates an air of constant relationship drama that irritated me. The mystery is mildly interesting but I ended up finishing the book with a feeling of dissatisfaction. While I also enjoy reading romances sometimes, I certainly wouldn't be sad to see the romance angle of the relationship between Priscilla and Hamish go to the way side.
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Death of a Charming Man by M.C. Beaton
Blurb
Hamish Macbeth's unofficial engagement to the stunning Priscilla Halburton-Smythe is reminding the constable of the old adage about answered prayers. His lovely fiancee has replaced his cozy wood stove with a modern electric one and is busy trying to "make a man of him." The only man Hamish wants to be is the one who slouches about the village, gossiping, fishing, and deftly solving a crime or two.
Deciding that this may be a good time for a little retreat, Hamish ambles over to the nearby backwater of Drim - ostensibly to check out a posh English chap who's causing a most unusual problem. Single, wealthy, and terribly attractive, newcomer Peter Hynd has thrown the middle-aged matrons of Drim into a flutter, and put their men, dour Highlanders whose feelings run deep, on a slow burn.
My Opinion
Another Hamish Macbeth book, each is enjoyable and very welcoming. In this book, Hamish is convinced that there is something amiss even when he is told to stop investigating. I love how short these books are, they are just long enough to get into the story, but short enough that you can easily finish them in a few hours.
Having listened to the first ten books in this series, I cannot believe how long it took me to listen to the first book. I would recommend this series to any fans of a cosy mystery and the Scottish Highlands.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
Hamish Macbeth's unofficial engagement to the stunning Priscilla Halburton-Smythe is reminding the constable of the old adage about answered prayers. His lovely fiancee has replaced his cozy wood stove with a modern electric one and is busy trying to "make a man of him." The only man Hamish wants to be is the one who slouches about the village, gossiping, fishing, and deftly solving a crime or two.
Deciding that this may be a good time for a little retreat, Hamish ambles over to the nearby backwater of Drim - ostensibly to check out a posh English chap who's causing a most unusual problem. Single, wealthy, and terribly attractive, newcomer Peter Hynd has thrown the middle-aged matrons of Drim into a flutter, and put their men, dour Highlanders whose feelings run deep, on a slow burn.
My Opinion
Another Hamish Macbeth book, each is enjoyable and very welcoming. In this book, Hamish is convinced that there is something amiss even when he is told to stop investigating. I love how short these books are, they are just long enough to get into the story, but short enough that you can easily finish them in a few hours.
Having listened to the first ten books in this series, I cannot believe how long it took me to listen to the first book. I would recommend this series to any fans of a cosy mystery and the Scottish Highlands.
Rating 4/5