"Death of a Glutton" aka "Death of A Greedy Woman"

It's been a while since I've read anything by M. C. Beaton because I've been waiting for an interlibrary loan of "Death of a Glutton" - the next in the series that I've been reading in order.
P.C. Hamish Macbeth is still keeping law and order in Lochdubh, Scotland, but crime is low and the bad winter has finally disappeared to make way for some rare, fine weather. Priscilla Haliburton-Smythe's family is expecting a group from the Checkmate matchmaking agency to show up to spend a week at their hotel and Macbeth's nemesis, Blair, has gone off on a European holiday.

Maria, the head of Checkmate has been trying to buy out her partner, Peta, who has become more of a liability than an asset with her gluttonous manners. Since Peta has refused her offers, Maria has resorted to arranging this week long getaway to allow several couples that she's matched to meet and get acquainted. When Peta (supposedly away on holiday) shows up, not only is Maria upset by her behavior but so are all the guests. Guests begin to pair up with other guests with whom they have not been matched and Maria sees the week as ruined. It's no surprise when Peta is found murdered as there are plenty of people who have expressed an interest in getting rid of her.

Unfortunately for Hamish Macbeth, Blair's holiday has been cut short and he takes over the investigation. However his bungling of the case leads to the involvement of his superior and Macbeth's solving the case.

In the meantime, one of the guests has taken a shine to Macbeth and Priscilla appears to be jealous. Will they finally come to an understanding by the close of this book or will Macbeth's promotion to Sergeant and the arrival of a live-in assistant foil attempts at romance?

Another good, quick, light read.

pazt

Hamish MacBeth

I've been reading M.C. Beaton's Police Constable Hamish Macbeth mystery series in order so I was delighted to learn that a DVD was available at our local library from a TV series based on the books. My spouse and I have been watching this 6 disc DVD collection for the past week (2-3 episodes a night) and are sad to say that it has come to an end -- but it has a very satisfying conclusion. For those of you who have read the Hamish Macbeth books I must warn you that this series starring Robert Carlyle does not follow the books but I still liked it very much. It takes the residents of Lochdubh and brings them to life in Macbeth's world and I particularly enjoyed his day to day interactions with the townspeople who have also become his friends. The series also features Shirley Henderson (plays Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter movies) as the Lochdubh newspaper reporter and, although she looked familiar, it wasn't until we looked at the backgrounds of the cast did we realize why we should have known her. She's an incredible actress because she (as well as most of the cast) can convey a lot just in facial expressions. Another of my cast favorites was Ralph Riach who plays "TV John" McIver - Macbeth's assistant and the local psychic. So....I highly recommend you take a trip to Lochdubh and meet Macbeth and his neighbors. My spouse posed an interesting question at the end of the last episode -- "Are the books as spiritual as the series?" I'm still pondering that one - what do you think?

pazt

"Death of a Perfect Wife"

I'm reading M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth mysteries in order and in a quick overnight read I've just finished "Death of a Perfect Wife." When Paul and Trixie Thomas purchase a "fixer-upper" and move to Lochdubh to open a Bed and Breakfast, Trixie turns the town upside down. She organizes the local ladies to involve them in environmental issues as well as change the habits long ingrained in this town. She wants to clean it and them up from their homes to their husbands. This doesn't sit well with everyone and eventually Trixie is found dead and there is no lack of suspects. In the midst of the investigation Hamish seems to have turned off his romantic feelings towards Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and she notices! Perhaps their worlds are too different? As usual,I couldn't put this book down until I found out who the culprit was and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series -- not just to watch Hamish solve another mystery but to discover if perhaps he and Priscilla might have something in common after all.

pazt

"Death of an Outsider"

This third book in the Constable Hamish Macbeth mystery series by M. C. Beaton was a quick afternoon read. Macbeth has been loaned out to Cnothan while their constable and his wife take a lengthy holiday. The local folk tend to be a little cool towards outsiders but Macbeth is able to thaw a few out and make some friends. Things heat up when a murder occurs. The victim has made so many enemies that there are no lack of suspects. As usual, Detective Chief Inspector Blair and his staff arrive to take over the case but it is Macbeth who solves it in the end while juggling a local romance. Is this the end of his pining for Prescilla Halburton-Smythe? You'll have to read it to find out!

pazt

"Death of a Cad"

This second Hamish Macbeth mystery by M. C. Beaton brings Priscilla Halburton-Smythe home from London with her playwright fiance to a weekend engagement party hosted by her parents. When a guest is murdered, Constable Hamish Macbeth (himself smitten with Priscilla) must investigate and has a number of titled guests as suspects. I found it a quick and fun read.

pazt