eliza439's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This was an audiobook presented with vocal accents. A lighthearted holiday story with no surprises but a few laughs.
rachael1786's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
feedon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
thisbookishcat's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
This was a cute little Christmas tale, although I didn't realize it was going to be quite so heavy on the religious implications of the holiday; that was a bit much for me. Overall, a cute little story that you don't need to read the main series to enjoy.
sarahoodles's review against another edition
4.0
I like M.C. Beaton's historical fiction and I wasn't expecting this to be a modern novella, but it was sweet and cute and just the Christmas mood I was looking for.
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
Brace yourselves--my Christmas stocking overflowed this year with Christmas mysteries (thanks family and friends). In this charming little book, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth solves several mysteries in his little Scottish village with nary a dead body in sight. Pets are rescued and returned to their rightful owners, people come to understand how their behavior affects those around them, and Christmas lights "mysteriously" appear in the village. Now that's the way a Christmas mystery should play out.
dana_dew's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/2.7-ish
I was looking through freebies and saw this was a quick listen; and to be honest, I always love a Scots accent.
I felt as though this short story/novella would be better appreciated by someone who is already familiar with the characters. Hence my just okay rating. I do love a good police/detective story and may check out the first book in the series. (Probably won't spend a credit on it though- definitely if it's free and a possible library check out - if I ever get back to the library).
I recognize that some of these characters may be quite interesting given substantially more time with them. Just not sure if the series is more hard-hitting ( based on the dog-spoiler) or solidly in the cozy genre.
If/when I read the first book in the series, I will be sure to revisit this novella as I believe there is a good deal of fan service to be had here. I feel I may really like Hamish Macbeth.
Whereas- when I listened to the novella, The Sisters, by Dervla McTiernan- I immediately sought out all the Cormac Reilly books. In fact, I may revisit them this year for my challenge.
In any case, I will have to research whether or not M.C. Beaton writes cozies- and revisit when I'm in the mood for a good cozy.
4/100
I was looking through freebies and saw this was a quick listen; and to be honest, I always love a Scots accent.
I felt as though this short story/novella would be better appreciated by someone who is already familiar with the characters. Hence my just okay rating. I do love a good police/detective story and may check out the first book in the series. (Probably won't spend a credit on it though- definitely if it's free and a possible library check out - if I ever get back to the library).
I recognize that some of these characters may be quite interesting given substantially more time with them. Just not sure if the series is more hard-hitting ( based on the dog-spoiler) or solidly in the cozy genre.
If/when I read the first book in the series, I will be sure to revisit this novella as I believe there is a good deal of fan service to be had here. I feel I may really like Hamish Macbeth.
Whereas- when I listened to the novella, The Sisters, by Dervla McTiernan- I immediately sought out all the Cormac Reilly books. In fact, I may revisit them this year for my challenge.
In any case, I will have to research whether or not M.C. Beaton writes cozies- and revisit when I'm in the mood for a good cozy.
4/100
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
There have been times when reading other Hamish MacBeth books that I'm not entirely sure what I think about Hamish. Is he supposed to be intelligent? or is he meant to be a bumbling confused copper? He's portrayed differently, it seems, in different installments of this series.
However, A Highland Christmas definitely painted Hamish in a flattering light, which caused this book to be utterly enjoyable for me. The mystery was nothing big or serious, yet Beaton used it to facilitate some fairly cutting social commentary. This is where Beaton's writing shines, because despite the commentary that is occurring in parallel to the story, it doesn't detract from the story (in my opinion, anyway).
The only thing that irritated me slightly was the telling in the first portion of the book. It's probably because I've read numerous books in this series that it annoyed me (e.g., how Beaton explains that Hamish's accent becomes more sibilant than normal when he is upset - this is mentioned in every book). But that was a fairly small annoyance. Overall, loved it, would recommend, and look forward to the next time I run into another book in this series.
However, A Highland Christmas definitely painted Hamish in a flattering light, which caused this book to be utterly enjoyable for me. The mystery was nothing big or serious, yet Beaton used it to facilitate some fairly cutting social commentary. This is where Beaton's writing shines, because despite the commentary that is occurring in parallel to the story, it doesn't detract from the story (in my opinion, anyway).
The only thing that irritated me slightly was the telling in the first portion of the book. It's probably because I've read numerous books in this series that it annoyed me (e.g., how Beaton explains that Hamish's accent becomes more sibilant than normal when he is upset - this is mentioned in every book). But that was a fairly small annoyance. Overall, loved it, would recommend, and look forward to the next time I run into another book in this series.