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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
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
These books always crack me up because of the over the top characters. All the ladies that see one attractive man in their town and decide to get all spiffed up and attend exercise classes. I feel like this actually happens a lot in this series, but I don’t mind. I love that this series is timeless...there aren’t a lot of indicator of the era and I enjoy that.
I never really liked Pricilla that much... other than when she assists Hamish with his detecting. It’s ridiculous how everyone in this series twists events and facts into their own narrative and Hamish just lets them and kind of shakes his head. He’s such a good character and a good person, even through people don’t treat him that way.
I actually had a tiny idea about who the murderer was, but not for the same reasons that Hamish did... more from the descriptions of that character.
I never really liked Pricilla that much... other than when she assists Hamish with his detecting. It’s ridiculous how everyone in this series twists events and facts into their own narrative and Hamish just lets them and kind of shakes his head. He’s such a good character and a good person, even through people don’t treat him that way.
I actually had a tiny idea about who the murderer was, but not for the same reasons that Hamish did... more from the descriptions of that character.
feedon's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
piperkitty81's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting mystery and further developments/changes with other characters that I don’t want to spoil. I’m eager for the next one!
helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - Perhaps it was the longer length of this one, but I felt that the mystery dragged. There seemed to be quite a lot of unnecessary depth which meant that the pace of the story was slower than in previous mysteries. I hated Peter Hynd, but I suppose you were supposed to. I also found that I hated a lot of the women who slept with him, at least in the moment, because it all seemed so petty and unnecessary.
Genre? - Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Hamish Macbeth / Priscilla Halburton-Smythe / Betty Baxter / Peter Hynd / Inspector Blair / Jimmy Anderson
Setting? - Lochdubh & Drim (Scotland)
Series? - Hamish Macbeth #10
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Crime / Mystery
Characters? - Hamish Macbeth / Priscilla Halburton-Smythe / Betty Baxter / Peter Hynd / Inspector Blair / Jimmy Anderson
Setting? - Lochdubh & Drim (Scotland)
Series? - Hamish Macbeth #10
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
ssbasile's review against another edition
4.0
I can always rely on the Hamish Macbeth books for a quick read and cozy mystery!