Death of a Prankster (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 7) [Mass Market Paperback]

M.C. Beaton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 1993

"A case that Hamish Macbeth fans will relish." Booklist.
A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by the author of "Death of a Snob."
When it comes to murder, Constable Hamish Macbeth can't see the joke. Rich, old practical joker Andrew Trent summons his kin to remote Arrat House in the dead of winter for a deathbed farewell. But when they arrive, the old coot is in perfect health, cackling at his joke and ready to torment them with others.
But it turns out the joke's on Trent. As the saying goes, he who laughs last, kills first! And when Trent is murdered, Constable Macbeth must step in and solve the crime before the punchline of the next killing joke knocks him right into an early grave!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Scottish constable Hamish Macbeth, following Death of a Gossip in his seventh case, once again nails a murderer despite the crude bullying and dim detecting of his nemesis and superior, Chief Detective Inspector Blair. Wealthy local Andrew Trent, notorious for practical jokes that have far exceeded short-sheeted beds and whoopee cushions, has summoned his would-be heirs to his northern mansion with the false announcement that he has only a short time left to live. Braving the Highlands winter are his adopted son and his TV-star fiancee, two spinster daughters, his brother (with his brittle wife) and his scientist stepson (with his punk, pink-haired girlfriend and colleague). After Andrew is murdered in a prank that backfires, Macbeth wends his way through a tangle of family squabbles and secrets. Another murder and an attempt on a third victim follow in this readable tale that doesn't, however, bear close scrutiny. Illogic abounds and the final confession is precipitated by a wild coincidence.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

A feeble new adventure for Scottish constable Hamish MacBeth of Lochdubh village (Death of a Snob, etc.). Smart, sweet, and totally unambitious Hamish is confronted with the murder of millionaire Andrew Trent--a cruel, near-certifiable practical-joker whose family had gathered in response to the message that he was dying. Just one more joke, of course--but someone had had enough, and the old man was found stabbed to death in what looked like the execution of still another prank. His adopted son Charles; spinster daughters Angela and Betty; brother Jeffrey; Jeffrey's grasping wife Jan; her mother-fixated son Paul; and a couple of unrelated tag-alongs, as well as the Spanish houseman and cook--all are subjected to the lashing interrogations of Hamish's despised superior, Inspector Blair, who gets nowhere. It takes a second murder--plus a bright idea from Hamish's friend Priscilla--to sort it all out. A clumsily contrived puzzle, full of unreal characters, artificial dialogue, and a surprisingly harmless Hamish. Beaton coasting. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (May 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804111022
• ISBN-13: 978-0804111027
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.4 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( B ) > Beaton, M.C.
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > British Detectives

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

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Death of a Prankster, February 1, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Death of a Prankster (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 7) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Death of a Prankster" is the seventh Hamish Macbeth mystery by M. C. Beaton. Andrew Trent, a rich old man, who is a terrible practical joker has called his family to his home telling everyone he is dying. It is a practical joke, but comes to pass as he is murdered. When Hamish Macbeth is told that Mr. Trent has been murdered at his home, he hesitates thinking it is just another practical joke. But Andrew Trent has been murdered. Hamish Macbeth investigates finding several people in his family that wanted him dead. Was he killed for hate, or was he killed for money? This novel is good, but some of the local Scottish flavor that is in the other books is absent in this one, but if you are reading through the series, as I am, it is worth your time.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, January 8, 2001

By 

- Kasia S. (New York City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Death of a Prankster (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 7) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first M.C.Beaton book, and so far I have read many more. My mother bought it for me becasue she enjoyed his writing for a long time. This was a funny mystery because the prankster would play pranks even after he was gone... The best M.C Beaton book i have read.
The humor and incidents leading to the crime are exciting and fast moving. I couldn't figure out who did it, and it takes a skill to make the reader wonder and not feel the need ot give up at the same time, without giving the answer away.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An average book by an extraordinary author., March 26, 2000

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of a Prankster (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries, No. 7) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book has a good plot, but the plot is over shadowed by the amount of descriptive detail that hovers around a hippie with pink hair.A good book, but not the greatest. I recommend Death of A Gossip or Death of A Snob.