Reviews

Death of a Gossip & Death of a CAD: The First Two Hamish Macbeth Mysteries by M.C. Beaton

ruthmittiga's review

5.0

I have read a few other Hamish MacBeth books and decided to start at the beginning of the series since I like to read things in order. I don't think Priscilla even factors into the later books that I had previously read. I hope she isn't a murder victim. I enjoyed both of the books on this audio version. I found the author's voice pleasant although I have read some reviews that the narrator on the audio cassettes is better. Those would probably be hard to find and these books are churned out at least one a year since like 1987 so it would be a lot of time for me to track down the cassettes and I feel like audio cassettes were often abridged? Definitely read or listen to Scottish Countryside Mysteries if you want to escape your reality.

poirot0606's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

amalies's review

3.0

This series was recommended to me as a fun murder mystery series. It was an interesting 1st and 2nd book in the series about a small town constable in Scotland. The audiobook reader was amazing. The plot moves...soooo slow. Honestly, it is a terribly short book as far as adult murder mysteries go but I had a hard time keeping into the book. Then, of course you start to really love the characters for who they are and this becomes a series that you want to follow and work through. If the books were any longer I wouldn't have been able to handle it. However, he is a quirky man, in love with a wealthy young lady, who loves his job as the constable. He has no ambitions to rise in the ranks of the police force as he is completely happy where he is at. However while he may seem slow witted his discovering the true murder makes it a fun ending.

omgashiny's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

ana_reads's review against another edition

mysterious medium-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

2.0

amerielle's review

funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

michelle_reads_14's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

3.25

biddywink's review

3.0

Entertaining enough cozy mysteries. The policeman protagonist Hamish Macbeth is likable. I'm not chomping at the bit to listen to more from the series, but wouldn't mind continuing on in it.

lemonysea's review against another edition

4.0

These were fun, quick, sweet mysteries which I considered to a light read and not a serious literary adventure.

I was sick for a full week last month. My preferred genre is mysteries (crime, thriller, suspense, cozy: you name it, and I'll read it) so when I was feeling poorly, I wanted to read a mystery. I know, others would rather watch TV or read a chick-lit book, but this was like a "comfort read". The Scottish countryside and characters were great fun, and as I listened to the audiobook, it was as if a cast of crazy Scots had come over to entertain me.
I rated these "4" for fun. I'll keep a few further books from the series on the back burner for times when I need another "comfort read".

becca_todaro's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Such a lovely series, I love books set in Scotland, they really embody the atmosphere and attitude of the people living there. The mystery was complex and the solution made sense. I just really like Hamish, he’s a fun character.