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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am still enjoying these books, reading two each year, or so. That said, the story around the mystery is as much or more fun as the mystery itself. In this book, one of Pricilla's friends has come to town to try and romance Hamish, not because she's interested in him, but because she has a fantasy of upsetting Pricilla; kind of a mean girl.
Hamish continues to be an excellent observer. There are a couple moments in the book that are really funny, where some thing that, in another tale, might have developed into a misunderstanding later, is resolved immediately because he quickly clocks what's going on. Hilarious.
Not a lot _new_, but still enjoyable.
Hamish continues to be an excellent observer. There are a couple moments in the book that are really funny, where some thing that, in another tale, might have developed into a misunderstanding later, is resolved immediately because he quickly clocks what's going on. Hilarious.
Not a lot _new_, but still enjoyable.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
More light reading, same old framework but fun and easy to read.
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
None of the books in this series are great literature, but this one was terrible. Very poorly written and plotted.
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Another wonderful book by MC Beaton. Hamish is just such a loveable character. As usual, some nice plot twists.
I love Hamish and the Scottish Highlands, and this is a fun, light read.
Fun murder mystery with slightly cringey, pseudo-romantic backstory. Easy listen. Narrator OK.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, but Elspeth trying to use her job as the local horoscope writer to try to scare Hamish away from other women because she knows how socially daft and superstitious he is might be the cutest thing ever.
Just like most novels in the series, Death of a Poison Pen flirts with both the mystery and the romance genre by having two plots that play with the line and interlace throughout the novel.
The case: Anonymous letters are being sent to various people across the Highlands threatening to reveal life-altering secrets about the recipient, whether true or not. It all seems physically harmless, until the postmistress is found hanging in her rooms.
The drama: Jenny Ogilvie, Priscilla's envious friend from London, decides to vacation in Lochdubh and set Priscilla's nose out of joint by trying to seduce the one man Priscilla can't stop talking about. Elspeth meets her. Passive aggressive cat fight ensues.
The characters exclusive to this novel were actually really likable (or at least enjoyable to read about). I say 'exclusive' because, serials being serials, we'll probably never see Pat and Jenny ever again, not to mention the plethora of other characters that were introduced for the first time in this novel. But that's fine.
I started off the series not connecting with Elspeth so much, but I've really grown attached to her now. I say that but, given how the novel ended, I have a feeling she's going to leave the series, at least for a while. I do hope she comes back though. I'll be caught up with the series by the time the new (maybe last) book comes out in early 2021 and I'm hoping they don't hastily make Priscilla pull a character 180 to conveniently wrap up the series.
Here's to Beaton's post-humous publications hopefully doing her characters justice!
Also, Hamish, Lugs isn't a master of emotional blackmail. You're just a master at caving in.
Reread 2021: Still probably my favourite HM book. Even if only for the complete shamelessness that is Jenny and Pat.
Also, not to hark on a mild plot contrivance, but why was a man's full address printed in the photo caption of an article about a clay pigeon shoot? Why would you disclose such personal information?
In the spirit of M.C. Beaton, it just so happens...
Just like most novels in the series, Death of a Poison Pen flirts with both the mystery and the romance genre by having two plots that play with the line and interlace throughout the novel.
The case: Anonymous letters are being sent to various people across the Highlands threatening to reveal life-altering secrets about the recipient, whether true or not. It all seems physically harmless, until the postmistress is found hanging in her rooms.
The drama: Jenny Ogilvie, Priscilla's envious friend from London, decides to vacation in Lochdubh and set Priscilla's nose out of joint by trying to seduce the one man Priscilla can't stop talking about. Elspeth meets her. Passive aggressive cat fight ensues.
The characters exclusive to this novel were actually really likable (or at least enjoyable to read about). I say 'exclusive' because, serials being serials, we'll probably never see Pat and Jenny ever again, not to mention the plethora of other characters that were introduced for the first time in this novel. But that's fine.
I started off the series not connecting with Elspeth so much, but I've really grown attached to her now. I say that but, given how the novel ended, I have a feeling she's going to leave the series, at least for a while. I do hope she comes back though. I'll be caught up with the series by the time the new (maybe last) book comes out in early 2021 and I'm hoping they don't hastily make Priscilla pull a character 180 to conveniently wrap up the series.
Here's to Beaton's post-humous publications hopefully doing her characters justice!
Also, Hamish, Lugs isn't a master of emotional blackmail. You're just a master at caving in.
Reread 2021: Still probably my favourite HM book. Even if only for the complete shamelessness that is Jenny and Pat.
Also, not to hark on a mild plot contrivance, but why was a man's full address printed in the photo caption of an article about a clay pigeon shoot? Why would you disclose such personal information?
In the spirit of M.C. Beaton, it just so happens...