Death of a Perfect Wife: A Hamish Macbeth Murder Mystery
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Book Description
The fourth in the much loved Hamish Macbeth series from the author of the bestselling Agatha Raisin series
Product Description
Hamish Macbeth is savouring the delights of a Highland summer, but as fast as the rain rolls in from the loch his happy life goes to hell in a handbasket. The trouble begins when his beloved Priscilla Halburton-Smythe returns to Lochdubh with a new fiancé on her arm. His miseries multiply when clouds of midges descend on the town. And then a paragon of housewife perfection named Trixie Thomas moves into Lochdubh with her cowed husband in tow. The newcomer quickly convinces the local ladies to embrace low-cholesterol meals, ban alcohol and begin bird-watching. Soon the town’s menfolk are up in arms and Macbeth must solve Lochdubh’s newest crime – the mysterious poisoning of the perfect wife.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Death of a Perfect Wife is my introduction to the Hamish Macbeth mysteries. Having enjoyed the book, I look forward to reading more in the series.
Unambitious, but happy, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is the one-man police force in the village of Lockdubh in the Scottish Highlands. He has his dog, his sheep, friends and all the time in the world to enjoy life. The hardworking citizens there usually think of their relaxed Bobby as a bit of a goof-off. All that changes when an actual crime occurs that threatens the domestic happiness of many of the village's households.
When Hamish is not out poaching salmon or game, he's given to dreamily considering the delights of Priscilla, daughter of the snooty, hyphenated castle-owning family. He's obsessed with her . . . or his imagination of her . . . and finds it disturbing when Priscilla is seen being friendly with a new man.
Into this idyll comes Trixie Thomas, the new wife of reformed overeater, Paul Thomas. Trixie is the White Tornado of cleanliness. She also advocates healthy living, saving the environment and many other good purposes. Soon, all the husbands in Lockdubh are having salads and fiber instead of steak and potatoes, giving up smoking and being hectored to give up other bad habits at Trixie's instigation to their wives.
Trixie also makes no bones about needing money and is constantly scrounging up old furniture to furnish a bed and breakfast establishment. The uproar becomes even stronger when Trixie leads a group to stop a local farmer from knocking over a building with bats in it.
Then, the uproar takes a new turn when Trixie turns up dead. Blair, Hamish's sarcastic superior, takes over . . . but Hamish plods away on his own. The investigation is complicated when Blair's new superior decides that Hamish is the route to Priscilla's hospitality for his wife.
The mystery isn't very mysterious, but the novel does a fine job of exploring the ways that we mis-mate ourselves by the expectations we bring to relationships and marriage. Those misperceptions can cause a lot of harm.
I listened to the Recorded Books version of the book as portrayed by Davina Porter and found my enjoyment greatly enhanced by her imaginative use of Highland accents and verbal pacing.
Unambitious, but happy, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is the one-man police force in the village of Lockdubh in the Scottish Highlands. He has his dog, his sheep, friends and all the time in the world to enjoy life. The hardworking citizens there usually think of their relaxed Bobby as a bit of a goof-off. All that changes when an actual crime occurs that threatens the domestic happiness of many of the village's households.
When Hamish is not out poaching salmon or game, he's given to dreamily considering the delights of Priscilla, daughter of the snooty, hyphenated castle-owning family. He's obsessed with her . . . or his imagination of her . . . and finds it disturbing when Priscilla is seen being friendly with a new man.
Into this idyll comes Trixie Thomas, the new wife of reformed overeater, Paul Thomas. Trixie is the White Tornado of cleanliness. She also advocates healthy living, saving the environment and many other good purposes. Soon, all the husbands in Lockdubh are having salads and fiber instead of steak and potatoes, giving up smoking and being hectored to give up other bad habits at Trixie's instigation to their wives.
Trixie also makes no bones about needing money and is constantly scrounging up old furniture to furnish a bed and breakfast establishment. The uproar becomes even stronger when Trixie leads a group to stop a local farmer from knocking over a building with bats in it.
Then, the uproar takes a new turn when Trixie turns up dead. Blair, Hamish's sarcastic superior, takes over . . . but Hamish plods away on his own. The investigation is complicated when Blair's new superior decides that Hamish is the route to Priscilla's hospitality for his wife.
The mystery isn't very mysterious, but the novel does a fine job of exploring the ways that we mis-mate ourselves by the expectations we bring to relationships and marriage. Those misperceptions can cause a lot of harm.
I listened to the Recorded Books version of the book as portrayed by Davina Porter and found my enjoyment greatly enhanced by her imaginative use of Highland accents and verbal pacing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Once again we have the Macbeth trail of intrigue and mystery, leading you at one point to a solution only to find that you are having to rethink 'who dunnit?' Never fails to surprise at every turn. Will be lost when there are no more Hamish novels at bedtime.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lochdubh is plagued by midges, flies and Trixie Thomas. With husband Paul in tow, she invades the remote Highland village to start up a "Bed & Breakfast". Pleading poverty, she begs locals for furniture they have to spare. Soon it becomes evident she is a control freak, fellow wives exorted to be militant - insisting at their homes there be no smoking and healthy diets introduced. Husbands are not pleased - until she is discovered dead.
Easy-going constable Hamish Macbeth finds his calm little world again in turmoil, superiors (in rank only) descending to demand how he proceed. It is all very complicated with rat poison apparently commonplace in so many cottages and the discovery Trixie had been selling donated old furniture for a small fortune at a nearby town's auctions.
As ever, unconventional Hamish delights - the result an agreeable read. Humour abounds. (The doctor's wife announces she will bake a cake. He reminds her where the fire extinguisher is kept.) It greatly appeals that Hamish is so content with his lot. He may be poor as far as money is concerned, but is rich in what matters so much more. A meaningful relationship with Priscilla still eludes but may be resolved in one of the many sequels. Something to look forward to.
Easy-going constable Hamish Macbeth finds his calm little world again in turmoil, superiors (in rank only) descending to demand how he proceed. It is all very complicated with rat poison apparently commonplace in so many cottages and the discovery Trixie had been selling donated old furniture for a small fortune at a nearby town's auctions.
As ever, unconventional Hamish delights - the result an agreeable read. Humour abounds. (The doctor's wife announces she will bake a cake. He reminds her where the fire extinguisher is kept.) It greatly appeals that Hamish is so content with his lot. He may be poor as far as money is concerned, but is rich in what matters so much more. A meaningful relationship with Priscilla still eludes but may be resolved in one of the many sequels. Something to look forward to.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A WONDERFUL VILLAGE COZY...
This is the fourth book in a series of cozy mysteries featuring lovable Highlander, Hamish Macbeth, the constable for the sleepy village of Lochdubh in northern Scotland. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lawyeraau
Enjoyable mystery!
This is one of the better stories in the series. In this book we are introduced to a strong female character, who is newly arrived in the highlands and is taking over the life of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Dona Rendell
Sometimes people can be just too perfect
Trixie Thomas and her husband Paul move to Lochdubh from London with the intention of running a bed and breakfast establishment. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Lady Sophia
On Perfect Form
Bless MCB for writing a set of jolly murder mysteries which can fit into a slim handbag! Once again she has written a lovely light and frothy murder story. Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by Jane2009
death of a perfect wife review
this is an excellent example of the hamish macbeth stories well writen and presented by m c beaton as ever it follow hamish on a mystery that has intrigueing ins and outs. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by Mrs. D. Akllwright
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