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Read A Highland Christmas (2002)

A Highland Christmas (2002)

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Genre
Rating
3.83 of 5 Votes: 3
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ISBN
0446609196 (ISBN13: 9780446609197)
Language
English
Publisher
aol time warner

A Highland Christmas (2002) - Plot & Excerpts

It's Christmas time in Lochdubh, Scotland, although it doesn't feel like it. Christmas decorations have been banned in the village, at least outside decorations. Constable Hamish MacBeth isn't too happy but he has his work to keep him busy. Someone has stolen some Christmas trees and lights from a nearby village; a lonely elderly woman has lost her cat and seems afraid of someone or something; and a young schoolgirl seems to be hiding some secrets. Hamish's methods may seem unorthodox, but he will solve these problems by Christmas day. "A Highland Christmas" is a very good but light entry in M.C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth cozy mystery series. It's a slim book, a little over one hundred pages and there are no real mysteries in the book, outside of the missing Christmas trees. Despite the brevity of the book, M.C. Beaton still squeezes in all the elements that I love about the series: Hamish's ability to outwit Detective Chief Inspector Blair; his pining for Priscilla Halburton-Smythe; his mooching free meals; and the various characters that make up Lochdubh. In many ways the book feels like a Christmas gift for Beaton fans (a stocking stuffer, perhaps). Everything in the book is wrapped up neatly as Hamish solves the small mysteries and manages to bring happiness to several people. The ending is particularly delightful and I couldn't help but smile as I finished reading the book. Readers will love the Christmas gift Hamish gets. "A Highland Christmas" is a quick and enjoyable read - perfect for this busy time of year.

Highland constable Hamish Macbeth wants to find Smoky the cat for reclusive widow Mrs Mary Gallagher and cheer up secretive sad adopted little Morag Anderson. Vicar Anderson keeps the girl confined and friendless, her mother powerless. Nasty police superior Blair grabs a helicopter to catch Lochdub village stringing around lights from evidence. Human foibles entertain. Schoolteacher Maisie Pease dreams of future with lanky 6' red-head village cop, but he rounds up a bus full of wrinklies for an old folks home concert. Supernatural, I don't like. Outside a door, Hamish hears "warning bark .. It was his dead dog, Towser" p 97, and dodges bullets. (view spoiler)[Hamish calls in all the village men to take down the lights before caught. Morag returns the cat she found loose, goes every day after school for tea, talk, play. Fisherman Archie gives Hamish a new "mongrel, small and rough haired with floppy ears and blue eyes" p 124. for the ears, Hamish calls him "Lugs". late 15th century (denoting the earflap of a hat): probably of Scandinavian origin: compare with Swedish lugg ‘forelock, nap of cloth.’ (hide spoiler)]

What do You think about A Highland Christmas (2002)?

This book was the first 'Hamish' book I have read after enjoying the TV show many years ago. The characters were one dimensional and their speech very stilted. There were none of the TV characters except for 'Hamish' himself. I felt the author was just going through the motions and churning out 'another' book. In fact I felt it was a bit of a rip off as the story consisted of only 134 pages net the last 25 pages being the opening chapters of the authors next book. As for the story itself it was set around two crimes one of a 'missing cat' and the other of stolen christmas lights plus tree - need I say more! Added to this mix is the expected Christmas 'feel good'elements of neighbours pulling together and saving a child's Christmas. You have heard it all before - give it a miss!
—Anthony Fisher

Besides playing "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow" on the piano, we decided to read this holiday novella to try to outsmart 100+ degree heat this summer!! Beaton's regular village constable, Hamish Macbeth, is featured - but we guess our author skipped her usual "Death Of A" title as actually nobody dies in this one. There is a lost cat to contend with, and some Christmas decorations have been stolen from a nearby village for which Hamish has temporary responsibility, and that's plenty to keep our inquisitive lawman busy. Moreover, Hamish soon enough finds out why one of the village ladies is such a grouch, and cleverly pairs her up with a teenaged girl who's in Dutch with her parents, much to the benefit of both. While most readers will blitz through this short work in an hour or less, it is a charming little holiday tale that pleases and warms the heart.
—Jerry

I got this book in my stocking, along with a lump of coal. The coal was the highlight… Sorry, sorry, let me start over. In the spirit of the generosity in which it was given, a proper review:+1 + 1 + 1 + 1 ½ + 1 – 1 – ½ - ½ = 3 ½ stars+1 SNAPPY DIALOG: “What’s up with you, Constable? Standing about like a great loon. Shouldn’t you be about your duties?” I got a kick out of how all the locals take it upon themselves to bully Hamish, almost like it’s their civic duty. I believe this is healthy behavior. In fact I plan to adopt it in all my future dealings with the police. -1 HUMBUG: To the question "What will you be doing for Christmas?" the response "Sitting getting drunk & trying not to put my foot through the telly. Do you know they're showing The Sound of Music again? It's enough to drive a man mad” Almost changed this to a plus.+1 NO PLOT: (view spoiler)[Someone pinched Mrs. Gallagher’s cat. Oh, and a string of lights, and a tree. That's it..."Probably the Free Presbyterian’s, so uptight they believe if they don’t keep the blankets tight over their feet at night the pope will sneak down the chimney & bites their toes” (hide spoiler)]
—Florence (Lefty) MacIntosh

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