Death of a Perfect Wife (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 4) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

M. C. Beaton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

Village newcomer Trixie Thomas is impervious to the dislike of others, and when she is murdered, not eve ryone is devastated. In fact, there''s some quiet rejoicing. And when it comes to motives, Hamish Macbeth finds he is up to his neck in them. '

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Constable Hamish Macbeth of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands returns to beguile readers in Beaton's fourth whodunit. With the arrival of Trixie and Paul Thomas from England, life in the tranquil village becomes chaotic, as brash Trixie establishes the Thomas house as headquarters for militant feminism. A "perfect wife," Trixie subjugates her husband Paul and teaches the local women to follow her example. Obeying Trixie's dicta, the wives begin serving their spouses health food instead of "harmful" hearty meals, and campaign vigorously against smoking. It is no wonder that someone eventually murders Trixie; Hamish's problem is whittling down the number of suspects. As the pace of the merry tale quickens, gentle Hamish draws nearer to exposing the surprising killer whose motive is far different from what he expects. He is also gratified to find the male residents of Lochdubh admitting that they feel better--although not smoking and eating nutritiously--now that they are relieved of Trixie's domineering presence.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Trixie Thomas, "the perfect wife," moves to the highland village of Lochdubh and immediately gives Police Constable Hamish MacBeth the uncomfortable feeling that peace will be disrupted. He watches as she organizes other wives to reform the inhabitants and makes more enemies than friends. His uneasiness proves correct when she is poisoned. Prepare to be entertained as much by the fourth MacBeth mystery as by Davina Porter's charming Scottish lilt. Her unhurried reading sets the mood of the quiet town in which MacBeth makes his lazy but productive rounds. Recommended for all mystery collections.AJuleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Williamsburg, VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr; Lrg edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0754030229
• ISBN-13: 978-0754030225
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,966,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

M.C. BEATON has won international acclaim for her bestselling Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. She is also the author of over 100 romance titles and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series. M. C. Beaton lives in a Cotswold cottage with her husband.

Marion is active on Facebook using her most popular pen name, M.C. Beaton. You can find complete book lists, information on events, and sign up for news updates at her website, www.MCBeaton.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We Knew It Couldn't Be a Perfect Husband ..., April 16, 2001

By 

Mamalinde "mamalinde" (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Perfect Wife (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 4) (Hardcover)

When the Domestic Goddess moves to town, she not only weasels people out of their family heirlooms, she attempts to abolish slovenliness, high cholesterol and smoking - offering help where it is not wanted. She and her not-so-perfectly plump hubby open a low-end bed and breakfast, and Trixie continues to stir the plot of discontent. Constable Hamish MacBeth doesn't seem surprised when her body is inconveniently discovered. Once again the under-ambitious MacBeth annoys headquarters and the lovely Priscilla, as the red herrings mount in number and the clues point in different directions. The Hamish MacBeth books are light fare -with extremely clever writing, characterization that can only be inspired, and a sense of place set out so well the reader feels transported. I highly recommend all the books in this series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Death of a Perfect Wife, April 15, 2001

By 

Ricky N. "Ricky C. Nelson" (Commerce, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Perfect Wife (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Death of a Perfect Wife" is the fourth installment of the Hamish Macbeth mysteries set in the northern Scotland town of Lochdubh. Paul and Trixie Thomas, an English couple, move to Lochdubh and set up a Bed and Breakfast. Trixie starts an anti-smoking league, a bird watching society, and is trying to get everyone to eat a vegetarian diet. With that, she has formed some enemies. When she is found dead of arsenic poisoning, Macbeth investigates. Who killed her? Was it Paul, her husband, whom she made eat only salads? Was it someone who was upset by the actions of her anti-smoking policies? Was it the wife of a man seen holding hands with Trixie? It is quite a bit of fun to see Hamish upstage the Chief Inspector Blair and solve the case. Some time is also given to Macbeth's relationship with Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. A fun read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poor Hamish, November 10, 2006

By 

Long time fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Perfect Wife (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

Just when Hamish McBeth feels Lochdubh is settling down so he can enjoy his life of lazy leisure, the town's newest arrival sets his peace loving life on it's ear. Trixie Thomas is the biggest pain in the rear the poor constable could imagine, bound to cause nothing but trouble by organizing all the other wives into her vision of perfection.

At first, all seems well, until gradually the husbands become less and less happy over the changes being made, and the wives seem more and more frustrated that they can't achieve the level of perfection Trixie demands. It's only natural then, that someone solves everyones' problems by doing away with Trixie, which of course, creates all manner of problems for poor Hamish. Not the least is the arrival of his worst nemesis, Dectective Chief Inspector Blair, who proceeds in his usual ham-handed manner to muck things up for Hamish.

As always, M.C. Beaton delivers with her Highland policeman in his murderously inclined village of Lochdubh. Hamish is a terrific creation, a man who is genuinely content to be where he is, except for his lack of success in the romance department. The books are always an enjoyable read and MacBeth is a warm, endearing character, especially for those of us who appreciate his lack of ambition and his desire to be allowed to go his own way.