Customer Reviews

Death of a Macho Man

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the twelfth in a series of mysteries featuring the detective work of small town, Highland Scottish detective Hamish Macbeth, P.C. A loudmouthed bruiser of a man has established himself in Lochdubh, but when he starts to bully those smaller than himself (everyone), Hamish decides that it is time to deal with him. But, when the man is found dead (drugged, tied up, and blasted with a shotgun), Hamish sets out to find out who did it and why. And when a second person is murdered, the plot continues to thicken...

Being a dyed-in-the-wool Hamish Macbeth fan, I can tell you that this is another great Hamish mystery, just as good as the rest. The story was quite fascinating, and I have always enjoyed M.C. Beaton's (pseudonym of Marion Chesney) Highland setting - the characters are quite fascinating as is the environment of the Highlands themselves. Overall I thought that this was a great book, and a great mystery. If you like mysteries, or are merely interest in the Scottish Highlands, then you must get this book!

Hamish MacBeth is allowed a little more scope for action in this novel than in most of the others I have read so far. In this one he gets to save Priscilla from a handsome and hideous villain, win a hill climbing race when he is terribly tired and out of shape, get shot at in the process, go undercover in the Glasgow slums, return to Lcohdubh via helicopter, and solve the crime of the century! I am able to recount all this without really ruining this for other readers because it is not really a surprise. The fun of reading M. C. Beaton's books about Hamish is not in "who done it" but in how it unravels. The unravelling is just as good as ever here. I continue to get great satisfaction out of this series.

"Reading a Hamish Macbeth book is like taking a vacation in the Highlands to enjoy the local color and heather-scented air," according to the book's liner notes. Well, possibly. Nonetheless M.C. Beaton's "Death of a Macho Man" continues the Macbeth saga in the small village of Lochdubh, Scotland. It follows Beaton's "tried and true" formula for her Macbeth books, of course. That said, this series is still a most readable, most interesting set, and I wouldn't think of missing one. In this one, naturally the macho man, after threatening, taunting, aggravating, and bullying (not to forget bragging) the locals--which on one occasion leads to a very nasty fight--our man comes up dead. Randy Duggan is so obnoxious that he even gets under Hamish's skin. Duggan issues a challenge to Hamish to settle their differences with a boxing match! Of course, everyone in the village is excited about this! But on the night of "the big fight," Duggan is found shot to death--which takes care of the boxing match! But it also sheds great suspicion on Hamish. And from here on out, Beaton's "main man" is on the trail to find out who really did kill him (not that there weren't plenty of other suspects, as well!). Again, we meet up with Hamish's ex-fiancee Priscilla and his nemesis Sergeant Blair. Lochdubh and its denizens soon become "family" with this series! (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

How I do adore Hamish MacBeth! He always cheers me up and keeps me wanting more. Reading one of Beaton's books in this series is like traveling to a quaint but slightly mad Brigadoon. She writes wonderful cozy mysteries and never disappoints. Her novels all follow a certain formula, but they are never dull or mundane. Each new volume feels like a long awaited reunion with a dear friend. And I love those Scottish witticisms she uses to head off each chapter....I'll be reading 'em as long as she's writing 'em.

Number 12 in the series and they just keep getting better. There are sixteen out now, I believe, and they the next four are sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get to them. So many books, so little time but these are worth it.

The Scottish highlands, the village of Lochduhb, the villagers, and Hamish striding through them trying to keep the "small" crimes in perspective and dealing with the murders that crop up from time to time. I miss Towser and hope that Hamish finds a new friend soon.

I also hope that Priscilla and Hamish work out their difficulties before too long, but then again, that might ruin the series. Oh, well, I'll read and wait and see.

Again, please keep them coming.

This is the twelfth entry in the Hamish Macbeth series, and it's a winner! Probably my favourite so far. I just don't know how MC Beaton does manage to keep Hamish and his series so fresh and delightful. She is a superb author and characterizes like no one else in the business! In this book Hamish is up against a village bully and braggart, and then the bully turns up dead. All of the police force believe they have their killer (after all he even confessed), but only Hamish doesn't think they've got the right man. He goes out sleuthing on his own, and sets himself up against all the police brass. He is at his best in this book, and for those who haven't had the pleasure of entering Hamish's world, this book wouldn't be a bad place to start. Quite Wonderful!

Another great one by M. C. Beaton about Hamish MacBeth. I have read several of the MacBeth series and the Agatha Raisin series. They both are good but I think MacBeth is a little better. Agatha has gotten to jump in to many beds in the last couple of books. Hamish is his usual self, lazy but smart in solving murders. He can't stand the "Macho Man" and they are set for a fight, but do they get that far??? Later "Macho" is found dead. Was it Geordie, Annie,Andy, Willie, Archie or Rosie? It really could be someone else. Hamish get shot at!!!!! Goodness.... I liked the ending, keep hoping Hamish and Priscilla end up together, maybe in the last book. Beaton lets me see the village, the people and the countryside in my mind. I always enjoy a new Hamish book. Keep on Keeping on.

Hamish MacBeth is challenged to a wrestling match, which leads the citizens of Lochdubh to put their money on their favorite policeman. Macho Man is rumored to be laying claim to local wives, his tough guy personality is backed up by insults, which erupt in fights which Hamish has to quell.

When Macho Man turns up dead, no one is sorry except Hamish who must resort to late night raids on the police station files to find a killer.

Hamish is always in trouble and we love him for it.

Nash Black, author of WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

Probably one of the best in the Macbeth series. Enjoyed the plot and the action. Great character development. The interation between Hamish and Priscilla is priceless.

tatooed fighter, dubbed Macho Man, ends when the wrestler is found shot to death in his cottage. The murder trail leads to a shadowy and unsavory past involving the lives of a salty fisherman, a respectable matron and a host of buried secrets. This is one of my favorites!