- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Mysterious Press; First Edition edition (23 Feb 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0892967951
- ISBN-13: 978-0892967957
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 804,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth 20)
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First Sentence
There used to be quite a lot going on in a highland village during the long, dark winter months. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
There used to be quite a lot going on in a highland village during the long, dark winter months. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another homerun for M.C. Beaton,
By
This review is from: Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries) (Hardcover)
This is the twenty-first in a series of wonderful mysteries featuring the detective work of small town, Highland Scottish detective Hamish Macbeth, P.C. In this book, Hamish's life is troubled by a new arrival in the town, a boorish writer whose truest love is himself. But, when he is suddenly found dead, suspicion falls on citizens of the town. It's a sure thing that the Strathbane detectives will not get to the bottom of this thing, so it is up to Hamish to save the day, and bring a murderer to justice. This is another homerun for M.C. Beaton (pseudonym of Marion Chesney). This book has all of the charm of the earlier books, staying in small town Scotland, and involving all sorts of interesting and quirky characters. 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!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Death of an Egomaniac,
By Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
This review is from: Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)
Pardon me, but I found this title to be inapt for the book. The victim, John Heppel, is a bad writer, acts in inconsiderate ways, displays immense egotism, and is generally despicable. But I didn't find him boring . . . just obnoxious. The book, too, is anything but boring.
What distinguishes this book from the run-of-the-mill mystery is the marvelous satirical humor displayed throughout. Hamish Macbeth avoids promotion. His superiors prove to be incompetent, unhappy, and in some cases driven to drink in this book. You can quickly see why he would be skeptical of becoming more like these people. John Heppel wins prizes for his books, has a great story about his gritty beginnings and attracts the interest of those don't know writing. In reality, the man is a phony in every dimension. M.C. Beaton has fun with that point in other ways as a local villager becomes sought after for a book that will be written in Gaelic, a language few can read, but which will look impressive on coffee tables in England. Women keep setting their sights on marrying Hamish, but it doesn't take much to distract them. Hamish finds his dog to be a better companion. It's a marvelously Scottish way of looking at the world that you'll enjoy. What's the story about? Hamish is deeply concerned for writer John Heppel when Hamish notices that Heppel is offering a writing class. Doesn't Heppel know there's good telly on that night? Hamish, in turn, is astonished to find out that virtually the whole village has signed up for the class, hoping to become famous. The classes turn out to be a disappointment when Heppel displays disdain for his students. Refund is the word most often heard among the curses. In fact, many of the villagers in Lochdubh are captured on film threatening Heppel. When Heppel turns up dead, suspicion centers on Lochdubh . . . but Hamish is unconvinced. He wants to know more about a script that Heppel has written for Down in the Glen, a soap opera about Scotland. Why won't anyone show him a copy? One of the most delicious moments in the story comes when Hamish gets a lead on information about the television show but is compelled to take the source of his lead out for a drunken evening. Another delightful scene involves Hamish going clubbing with the new schoolteacher, Frida. There's also a wonderful mini-story about a haunted island that will have you chuckling. The book isn't a five-star novel, however. Why not? The murder plot is pretty silly and won't satisfy you. But the satire will keep you entertained nicely.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Being a bore can be deadly,
By Lady Sophia (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Death of a Bore: Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery No. 20 (Paperback)
John Heppel - a prize winning author - moves to the area and decides to hold a writing class in Lochdubh. But the classes consist of John giving a monologue about his career and this quickly leads to discontent among the villagers and they're soon demanding their money back. This doesn't stop them continuing their writing and many computers are delivered to the village.
When John Heppel is found dead Hamish Macbeth is reluctant to suspect the villagers and tries to find other suspects especially among the staff of Strathbane Television which is making an episode of a popular soap from a script by John Heppel. Hamish's boss - the irascible Blair - is keen to pin the blame on the villagers. Hamish's former girlfriend - journalist Elspeth Grant is sent from Glasgow to cover the story. I think this is one of my favourite Hamish Macbeth stories. There are plenty of strands to the plot and an exciting conclusion. The villagers of Lochdubh feature in the story much more than they do in some of the books and it is far from clear who has committed the murder. I liked the way Hamish was continually trying to escape from Heather - the boss who temporarily replaces Blair - when she starts to pursue him carrying a bottle of whisky. Hamish wonders whether being continually abused by Blair is preferable to such a boss.
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