Product Description

Hamish MacBeth is a stubborn, silent, gloomy Scotsman who's also kindhearted, intelligent, and intuitive. A Lochdubh native, he knows his village, the surrounding countryside, and the local folk like the back of his hand. His life is satisfyingly settled--he's engaged to the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, and there have been no serious crimes in Lochdubh for months. Then incredibly handsome Peter Hynd comes to town, charms all the women, antagonizes all the men, and generally turns the town on its ear. Hamish senses trouble brewing, but when a body is discovered, it's not Hynd after all--at least, the first body isn't. Other coppers might be baffled by the case, but not laconic, methodical, determined Hamish, who persists until he unravels the puzzling mystery. Beaton's low-key police procedural doesn't offer white-knuckle suspense, blood and gore, fast-paced action, or stunning climaxes. What it does offer is an intimate look at life in a small Scottish village, striking insights into human nature, carefully detailed, highly accurate descriptions of police work, splendid dry humor, and a story that's as satisfying as a cozy cup of tea.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2742144 in Books
• Published on: 1997
• Format: Unabridged
• Running time: 390 minutes
• Binding: Audio Cassette

Customer Reviews

Along the Beaton Path
The Hamish Macbeth mysteries are most noteable for their Scottish highland settings, light tone and rapid plot progression, and lack of detail- characteristics that assure they can be read in one day, if not in one sitting. "Charming Man" is an unexceptional entry in which Macbeth investigates a crime- that may not even have occured- by jumping from one conclusion to the next armed, not with facts, but with good old highland instinct. The plotting and logic fall below Beaton's usual standards, with the twist ending particularly unconvincing. Still, another visit from these lovable characters is always welcome.

Doris Bodmer (Visa ending 34154)
As with all MC Beaton's Hamish Macbeth stories, it is is the nature descriptions which are so particularly charming. You think you are in the Scottish Highlands with the constant change of weather and the few remarkably lovely days, the stern mountains and the Loch which can be silvery smooth or roaring with fierce waves. All this surrounds Hamish, the lovable and astute detective who wants to live nowhere else but in Lochdubh. I want to take my next vacation in the Highlands (hope I won't get murdered.) Keep writing Mrs. Beaton we love your books.

A wry commentary on menopause and a darned good mystery!
Beaton seems to like to include children in her stories and has created an exceptional one here, twelve-year-old Heather who can raise the power of Celtic gods when needed. This is a wry commentary on the vulnerability of menopausal women ("the men's pause," it's called in these pages) and a darned good mystery to boot, which you won't fully appreciate until the very last page!