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Death of a Cad (Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery) (Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery)


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P.G. Wodehouse Meets Sherlock Holmes
Review date: 2006-12-01 Rating: 8 out of 10

Death of a Cad is the second book in the Hamish Macbeth mystery series. M.C. Beaton has her tongue stuck firmly in her cheek as she creates a quasi-Wodehouse country-castle romp mixed up with a murder mystery. To make matters more fun, one of the leading characters, Henry Withering, is an acclaimed playwright based on his latest upper class drawing-room work.

Here's the set-up. Priscilla Hallburton-Smythe has taken up a job in London to be able to find eligible men. Henry Withering spots her and decides his publicity shots will look much better with her at his side. He quickly proposes and Priscilla accepts based on her desire to please Mommy and Daddy. On the way home to introduce him to family and friends, Priscilla begins to have her doubts about the wisdom of the match. Matters quickly degrade when an unpleasant dinner is followed the next morning by a death, an apparent accident. But Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, the pride of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands, is skeptical. Soon, his doubts turn into evidence of foul play. (And that's a pretty good pun for a hunting accident involving a grouse shoot -- even if the high and mighty have been complaining about the shortage of grouse . . . you could even say they've been grousing.)

There are three stories intertwined in the book:

1. The engagement
2. The murder mystery
3. Conflict between Hamish and his superiors

In typical country novel fashion, the engagement story is really the best. The humor is improved by being warm, broad and nonstop.

The intellectual content of the book is raised by the subtle ways that Macbeth tracks down the murderer while fending off his superiors.

The least interesting part of the book is the actual murder mystery.

But don't mind that, you'll have a lot of fun with this one.

If you like to listen to audio books, I suggest you also enjoy Davina Porter's deft reading of the tale. Ms. Porter's sense of timing is perfect . . . even if her accents struggle from time to time.

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Reviews


An easy, enjoyable read
Review date: 1999-05-22 Rating: 8 out of 10

As a huge Hamish Macbeth fan I was a little disappointed by this particular book. Although still an enjoyable read, I found the cultural stereotypes a little irratating. The plot takes an unexpected twist and leaves the reader wondering "who done it" until the very end (in true M.C. Beaton style). For fans of Hamish Macbeth it's still worth reading even though it's perhaps not quite the standard of her previous books. Scottish readers may cringe at some of the stereotypes!

A worthy addition, filled with romance and suspense
Review date: 1999-05-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

Quite the most brilliant of all the 'Hamish MacBeth' novels I have read to date. The careful development of the characters and the gentle unfolding of the plot, heightens the suspense to an unpredictable climax.

Beaton excels in providing the reader with photographic clarity of the locations ambiance through her vivid expression. One is left suspecting everyone and trusting no one, unsure whom may fall next. Underlying the harshness of murder weaves an impossible relationship and a love that seems class bound to fail.

Product Details/Specifications


Authors:
M.C. Beaton

Recording label: Robinson Publishing
Manufacturer: Robinson Publishing
EAN: 9781845296667
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 1845296664
Number of pages: 224
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)

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