Category: Mystery

Death of an Honest Man by M.C. Beaton

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Mystery, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Death of an Honest Man (Hamish Macbeth #33)Death of an Honest Man by M.C. Beaton

Barbara’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Hamish Macbeth #33
Publication Date: 2/20/18

I have read all thirty-three of the Hamish Macbeth books and I always love to visit the Scottish Highlands and the tiny village of Lochdubh, located in the northwest of Scotland. It is fun to see what is going on at Tommel Castle Hotel, and the vile village of Cnothan. Then, there is always the adventure of seeing how many side-kicks Hamish will go through – and I think this one wins with four. Sadly though, I have been disappointed in books thirty-two and thirty-three – they have become a bit dull and formulaic. I’m sure the author has written so many by now that she could almost write them in her sleep. Maybe that will change with the next book because apparently Blair will be gone and Hamish’s latest side-kick is a tall, nice looking young lady copper. If you are new to the series, you probably aren’t tired of Priscilla, Blair, Jimmy, Elspeth and even Hamish – but – if you’ve read from the first, they are probably getting a bit tiresome. I will try one more book to see what happens with the addition of Constable Dorothy McIver as Hamish’s new side-kick and also the addition of Johnny Southern because he sounds like he could be a new Blair. Hamish has also gotten Sonsie back from Ardnamurchan and it will be interesting to see how that goes.

Paul English is a retired banker who has moved to Cnothan. It doesn’t take long for him to alienate the entire population of Hamish’s territory. The man prides himself on being honest, but he is really judgmental, cruel and insulting. Is it any surprise that he turns up dead – in the bog? Not at all.

There are lots of suspects, so how will Hamish manage to track down the murderer – and not take credit for it. That is always a challenge for poor Hamish. He has a fine mind as a detective, but he doesn’t want to take credit for his solutions because he doesn’t want to be promoted out of his beloved village. As Hamish digs deeper, he finds there is more to some of the relationships in the area than you’d suspect.

Hamish is a very busy man – people are dying and being injured right and left and he has to solve the case and keep Blair off his back. When the solution finally presents itself, you’ll be surprised at how the end happens.

M. C. Beaton writes well, plots well and creates interesting characters. Her books are very, very busy though and sometimes you have to work a little to keep all of the side stories straight.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

Dark In Death by J. D. Robb

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Dark in Death (In Death, #46)Dark in Death by J.D. Robb

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: In Death #46
Publication Date: 1/30/18

I can’t believe we’re at the forty-sixth book in the series and it hasn’t begun to be repetitive or stale. Each new book is as interesting and exciting as all those that came before it! As each new release approaches, I promise myself I’ll read it in stages and savor each section – but – when the release occurs – I devour it – in one sitting. I’m so ashamed ….

I always purchase these books with the Whispersync option because I absolutely LOVE Susan Eriksen as the narrator. Her range is phenomenal and she makes you believe whatever emotion she’s conveying. It is worth listening just to hear her say “Darlin’ Eve” as Roarke. Goodness, she does them well!

Each mystery is new and interesting. They are well plotted and excellently written. The suspense builds and builds until the final climactic moment when the killer is caught. Eve Dallas is a no-nonsense cop who always ‘Stands for the Dead’. When someone is murdered, no matter how despicable they are, they belong to Eve and she will stand for them and find their murderer.

Then, there is Roarke. He’s a reformed thief, a gazillionaire and Eve’s husband. Then, you add drop-dead gorgeous with a lilting Irish accent and you definitely have a drool factor. I just love how much Eve and Roarke love each other and I am so happy I’ve gotten to watch that love grow and mature since the first book.

Someone is killing people in New York in New York City. This time, they are following the murders in a set of police procedural novels – but – they are slightly re-writing them. The changes are small and subtle, but they are different none-the-less. The murderer is changing the mistakes that the book murderer made that allowed him/her to be caught. Can Eve catch them before they go through the entire series and begin writing their own plots? It will take Eve, Roarke, Peabody, McNab and the rest of the crew to figure it out and solve the crime(s).

If you want a want a wonderful series to read, this one should be at the top of your list! It is filled with humor – Eve can really butcher some of those ‘old sayings’ we all hear every day. You’ll be intrigued by all of the gadgets and lifestyles in the book – there are some really cool things there – like an AutoChef that you program for the meals you want.

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