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    Death of a Charming Man
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    Death of a Charming Man
    Unavailable
    Death of a Charming Man
    Audiobook6 hours

    Death of a Charming Man

    Written by M. C. Beaton

    Narrated by Davina Porter

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Mystery fans around the world have come to love police constable Hamish Macbeth—the red-haired, one-man police force of Scotland’s Lochdubh. M.C. Beaton’s splendid characterizations, vibrant local color, and wry humor are the hallmarks of this internationally-acclaimed British series. When the dashing Peter Hynd arrives in the backwater village of Drim, the local matrons overflow the town’s only fitness class, and buy out the local store’s hair coloring. Hamish isn’t surprised that Hynd is soon missing, and a body has been found … until he finds the corpse is not the charming man he expects. Can Macbeth find the murderer and the missing man, or will the dour, crablike men of Drim keep their secrets and commit the perfect crime? Davina Porter’s lyrical voice and distinctive Scottish accents will leave you hungering for a plate of scones and a strong cup of tea.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books Audio
    Release dateJan 1, 1997
    ISBN9781436135771
    Unavailable
    Death of a Charming Man
    Author

    M. C. Beaton

    M. C. Beaton (1936-2019), the “Queen of Crime” (The Globe and Mail), was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels -- the basis for the hit show on Acorn TV and public television -- as well as the Hamish Macbeth series and the Edwardian Murder Mysteries featuring Lady Rose Summer. Born in Scotland, she started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms and her maiden name, Marion Chesney. In 2006, M.C. was the British guest of honor at Bouchercon.

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    Reviews for Death of a Charming Man

    3.5/5

    195 ratings11 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Excellent, fun read. M.C. Beaton pseudonym for the Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin mystery series, has a truly winning character in Hamish. In the BBC Scotland television series which ran ran from 1995-1997, Hamish was played by Robert Carlyle and at the time the series was good and enjoyable and I enjoyed it. Recently, however, decided to read the books and I found out quickly that the television series bore absolutely no resemblance to the books. The books are absolutely great and it's unfortunately the BBC didn't hang in there and follow the books because, I assure you, the series would still be on the air. Beaton was absolutely right when she called the TV series " . . . an unfortunate experience." So I get to enjoy the "real" Hamish, all currently 33 books! and can only hope for more. Hamish is the kind of character one can only wish one knew in person. The plotting is smooth and never obvious; the tidbits of the place and people are delightful and, since both sides of my family are almost 100% Scot-Irish, I enjoy learning about the Scots people and Scotland--or at least a bit about of them and the place my family left 350 years ago. My family were not, however, highlanders like Hamish but Scot they were. When reading the Hamish books, one almost believes that one lives there in Lochdubh and is only looking on while Hamish lives his life and does his job.
    • 5/5
      Excellent, fun read. M.C. Beaton pseudonym for the Hamish MacBeth and Agatha Raisin mystery series, has a truly winning character in Hamish. In the BBC Scotland television series which ran ran from 1995-1997, Hamish was played by Robert Carlyle and at the time the series was good and enjoyable and I enjoyed it. Recently, however, decided to read the books and I found out quickly that the television series bore absolutely no resemblance to the books. The books are absolutely great and it's unfortunately the BBC didn't hang in there and follow the books because, I assure you, the series would still be on the air. Beaton was absolutely right when she called the TV series " . . . an unfortunate experience." So I get to enjoy the "real" Hamish, all currently 33 books! and can only hope for more. Hamish is the kind of character one can only wish one knew in person. The plotting is smooth and never obvious; the tidbits of the place and people are delightful and, since both sides of my family are almost 100% Scot-Irish, I enjoy learning about the Scots people and Scotland--or at least a bit about of them and the place my family left 350 years ago. My family were not, however, highlanders like Hamish but Scot they were. When reading the Hamish books, one almost believes that one lives there in Lochdubh and is only looking on while Hamish lives his life and does his job.
    • 4/5
      A handsome newcomer upsets life in the village of Drim and when he is murdered, Hamish Macbeth must discover which of the villagers was angry enough to kill. Hamish's love life is plagued with its usual luck as his engagement to Priscilla Halburton-Smythe does not go well. As charming as the title.
    • 3/5
      Oh dear Hamish's engagement to Priscilla is not going well and to make matters worse the suave Peter Hynd has moved to the neighbouring village of Drim and set the local ladies all a flutter. Then a body, not Peter's, is discovered is it an accident or murder. This is an OK addition to the series, but I'm not fond of the books set away from Lochdubh
    • 4/5
      I love all the Hamish Macbeth books. Just fun reads, but mostly I read to be transported to the Highlands of Scotland. Loved the BBC TV series Hamish Macbeth too.
    • 2/5
      Another pleasant outing with Hamish. The humor is gentle, the mystery a small one (far too easily solved this time for me), and the story short. It was an incredibly quick read, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I had others in the past. It had been a while since I read the last one. Might be a bit longer yet before I read another. This one had a definite ho-hum quality to it. 2
    • 5/5
      This is number 10 of the Hamish Macbeth series and I can honestly say since I am reading the series in order that these never get old. Instead, I have a new favorite country, Scotland. I have a newfound respect for the unambitious, albeit probably confined to Hamish. I revel in the descriptions of the smells and dank weather and always threatening storms, mists, fogs, and even the occasional sunny day. The characters are maddening and Hamish's on and off again relationship with the love of his life is always intriguing. I have avoided "series" my whole life as being too much of a committment, but I have to say that these and M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series (I'm alternating between the two not having been able to choose between them after having read the first of each) never gets old. I'm serious! So enter if you dare. Guaranteed: the well written Agatha and Hamish series will become not only a welcome, but necessary part of your life.
    • 3/5
      Although finally engaged to Priscilla, the love of his life, things are not going well between them.
      In addition a very charming (to the ladies) man from the south moves into a closed highland village and causes passions to run high. Murder follows as usual, and, as usual, Hamish gets stuck into finding the murderer.
    • 4/5
      "With this tenth book in a series that fans of British mysteries have come to relish more than fish 'n chips and a pint at the pub, M.C. Beaton returns with another baffling case for Hamish Macbeth, the stubborn, red-haired, one-man police department of the Highland village of Lochdubh...."Hamish Macbeth's unofficial engagement to the stunning Priscilla Halburton-Smythe is reminding the constable of the old adage about answered prayers. His lovely fiancee has replaced his cozy wood stove with a modern electric one and is busy trying to 'make a man of him.' The only man Hamish wants to be is the one who slouches about the village, gossiping, fishing, and deftly solving a crime or two. Deciding that this may be a good time for a little retreat, Hamish ambles over to the nearby backwater of Drim--ostensibly to check out a posh English chap who's causing a most unusual problem."Single, wealthy, and terribly attractive, newcomer Peter Hynd has thrown the middle-aged matrons of Drim into a flutter, and put their men, dour Highlanders whose feelings run deep, on a slow burn. Hamish's instincts tell him this seemingly charming young man likes to stir up trouble, and it's not long before the seething emotions transform the sleepy village into a hotbed of threats, domestic rows, and violent murder. With Hamish's own relationship raising doubts about hearts and flowers, he's more than ready to do what he now must--investigate the darker side of love.~~front & back flaps
    • 5/5
      The village of Drim is described as 'a peculiar place at the end of a sea loch on a flat piece of land surrounded by towering black mountains'. To this village comes a handsome young man with whom most of the elderly and plain women there,fall for. This leads to the menfolks fury and to much trouble in the village. When the young man disappears,some think he has simply upped and left. Hamish MacBeth has other thoughts however and much to the disproval of his superiors,begins to investigate.
    • 4/5
      I very much enjoyed this 11th entry in the Hamish MacBeth series by M.C. Beaton. There are 32 books in this series and in this case I'm glad I have that many in front of me. By this time I know all of the characters in the Highland village where MacBeth is a P.C. The mystery in this book takes place in an even smaller village that falls within MacBeth's territory. A very handsome and charming man comes into the village, buys an old home and begins to make improvements to it. He also flirts with all the women, has a short affair with a few, and makes all of the husbands enraged. And then, disappears. This was a good puzzle and MacBeth makes a mistake solving it, earning a demotion. At this point in the series MacBeth has been further developed as a character and has been a bit updated. He's still on the lazy side, still poaches fish and still loves Towser his mixed breed dog. He and others in the village are fun characters.