My love affair with M.C. Beaton - only figuratively speaking, that goes without saying - is most likely over. I've been reading her two big series side by side. Well, now I've decided to ditch the Agatha Raisin series. I've been as prompt in the past. I've almost always abandoned a well liked series due to a one star rating. It was the case with the Inspector Rebus series and also that of Inspector Rutledge series, and the Gabriel Allon one. I think I persevered only with Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series where I've rated 7 of her books one star. Despite the 3 star rating for Death of A Hussy, I have contained in my mind, only the negatives from the book which weighed on me. Stuff that faded as the story progressed. I'll enumerate them. Firstly, Hamish Macbeth's searing - or is that 'seering'? - ability to guess when he's being lied to. How easy would it to solve any case with such a knack. The book does well to gloss over the times Hamish is being lied to by the murderer. So this ability comes and goes, unless one dredges up arguments that do and can sound plausible. This is where I differ from any possible fans of the books. I judge the books on their effect on my brain and the level of hedonistic impact on me as a reader. I must also say that Hamish's hateful relationship with Blair now has a touch of the farcical in it. It's an abusive relationship, of the likes people like Hamish would recognize and clear off it soon. But I was irked by the revisionism and the fact that Hamish pined for Blair's return. That was totally uncalled for. Then there's the most important character of the book to talk about...Alison Kerr. She's the one I wanted murdered, yet when push came to shove, I wanted her to escape death. This is what I'd call a well written character. It would have blown my mind if she'd died. Hamish finds it loathsome to be the object of Alison's lust (and also escapes the brief advances of that lady cop, Mary Graham). I have a minor gripe with Hamish's orientation in his love life. His ghostly romance with Priscilla should lead to nowhere. Since that possibility imploded, Hamish has met one or two suitors, and I hope not too many pages are dedicated to his shambolic and illogical love life. I need the author to focus on the murder investigations. Police cases, when stripped of their trappings, are simply triggers for adventure. As long as the pustular aspects of the Hamishverse are kept at bay I'm happy. Else, he goes the same way as Agatha Raisin.
It's amazing to me that an author can do such a fine job of creating a place that I just can't wait to visit it again and again. such a place is Lochdub, the home of Constable Hamish Macbeth. The NLS annotation reds: Death of a Hussy DB 32794Beaton, M. C. Reading time: 4 hours, 43 minutes. Read by John Horton. Mystery and Detective StoriesThe tranquility of the highland village of Lochdub is disrupted with arrival of Maggie Baird, who is given to impulsive behavior. Soon she undertakes a makeover, and when she returns to town svelte and desirable, she plans to select a new husband. All of this is a distinct threat to the niece who stands to inherit Maggie's estate. Suddenly Maggie expires, leaving Constable Hamish Macbeth with his own suspicions.as with other entries in this series, what makes this book reading is really its characters. They are just a tad quirky without being overdone or silly. And, although these books are short, the author paints such a vivid picture of the little village that I feel like I've visited there over and over for years. these are not edge of your seat mysteries, but what makes them work for me is the clever way the clues are woven into the fabric of the story. The clues are contained in what appear to be average, everyday occurrences which is precisely why they are so much fun. Narrator John Horton does his usual excellent job. His performance adds immeasurably to this gem of a book. i'm not really doing this book justice here. In fact, were I not getting ready for vacation, I'd wait to write it at a time when I could craft my words in such a way that you'd be more likely to download it. what I will say is this: if you want a fun light read without profanity or excessive violence, you really cant' go wrong with any of the entries in this fun little series. I'm awfully glad I read this one and that there are many other visits with Hamish Macbeth which I have yet to enjoy.
What do You think about Death Of A Hussy (1991)?
The title nails it -- you won't forget that you've read this short, fun book when going through the list of books by M. C. Beaton. What a hussy! Wealthy and over-the-hill femme fetale Maggie Baird escapes to a small village in the Highlands of Scotland to be joined by her mousey niece, Allison. Not long after her arrival, she leaves for a few months to lose weight and restore her "beauty." Allison obsesses over learning to drive as she falls for the local constable. The real story involves Maggie's dramatic return along with four past lovers she is "interviewing" to see who she should grace with her money when she dies. She has a heart condition and would like one of them to commit to marriage so she can enjoy the potential last part of her life. While her aunt was gone, Allison (not immune to realizing an inheritance would make her life easier) has been transcribing her aunt's autobiography and finds it highly pornographic. Sounds pretty weird? You bet! But that is what this quirky Scottish setting is all about. Of course the central character is Hamish Macbeth, local constable returning to the community after being sent away due to its lack of criminal activity. Criminal activity was created by the locals to bring him back, but the real criminal activity soon erupts on his return.The highlight of the book for me is the author's wonderful ability to paint the rural Scottish community with all of their loveable quirks. I've not read M. C. Beaton for a long time, so I delighted in the descriptive journey. Less important, and less successful for me, was the mystery. Still I would recommend it as good escape.
—Becky
If you've read any of my previous reviews, you will know that I am addicted to these Highland mysteries and the tall, seemingly dim witted Scottish constable who sees what others do not. I have yet to be disappointed in any of these charming mysteries set in or around Lochdubh.The fifth in the series, "Death of a Hussy" introduces Maggie,a new character to the small village with her timid, insecure niece. Maggie invites four long ago lovers to visit with the intention of selecting one of them as a husband.When Maggie's car explodes as she backs out of the garage, it is quickly pronounced an accident. Only Hamish Macbeth suspects foul play.And always there is the simmering attraction between Priscilla Halburton-Smythe and Hamish Macbeth. Has Hamish really lost his infatuation with the unobtainable daughter of the lord of the castle just up the road from Lochdubh.If you've never read a single book in the series, forget the intrigue here and go directly to book #1, "Death of a Cad." You won't be sorry. Happy winter reading!!!
—C.J. Prince
What keeps me coming back to these books is Hamish and his ongoing relationships: with Priscilla, Chief Inspector Blair and the residents of Lochdugh. But the plots themselves are somewhat repetitive. Strangely, my local library had nothing but an e-book copy of this book, despite multiple editions of almost every title in the series. I wonder if some moralist didn't track all their print editions, the villain notwithstanding.And in this book, Beaton proves particularly indifferent to victim. Undeserving people never die in this series; they've always proved themselves more than deserving by the time they meet their unfortunate end. Beaton does manage the odd nice passage, though. My favorite in this book described architecture: "It was a sunny day as they walked side by side along the waterfront, past closed bars smelling of last night's drunks; past shuttered warehouses falling into ruin, relics of the days when Strathbane was a small busy port; past blocks of houses thrown up in the fifties during that period when all architects seem to have sold their souls to Stalin, and had erected towers of concrete very like their counterparts in Moscow."
—Anna
