Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries)

Book Description

Minor writer John Heppel has a problem - he's by all accounts a consummate bore. When he's found dead in his cottage, there are plenty of suspects. But surely boredom shouldn't be cause for murder, or so thinks local bobby and sleuth Hamish Macbeth, whose investigation of Heppel's soap opera script uncovers much more than melodrama. Popular reader and actor Graeme Malcolm makes this intricate whodunit set in Beaton's beloved Scottish village a memorable audio experience. This is the newest title in the popular Hamish Macbeth series.

Customer Reviews:

THIS SERIES GROWS ON YOU!.......2007-07-21

I guess, as I found by reading a couple other reviews here, that this is about the 21st book in this series. I just grab them off the library self as I get to them so am not at all sure which book follows which book. What is nice though, is that unlike some other "series books," you really do not have to read them in order, as each is a story which can stand alone. There are many reoccuring characters to be sure, but Beaton always manages to introduce another set of quirky highlnd folks in each of here Hamish books.

In this work, Death of A Bore, Hamish is faced with another murder (of course) and this time it is a newly arrived "famous" author who offers writing lessons, for a price, to members of the local area. The author is indeed a bore, actually an obnoxious twit, and by being so, there is no lack of suspects when he is found murdered.

We continue to follow Hamish's love life, what there is of it, and continue to follow some of the wonderful folks that inhabit his world. The plot is pretty simple, but, as always, fast paced and interesting.

This is one of those series that grow on you the more books of it you read. Picking up a Hamish Macbeth mystry is sort of like picking up an old friend. Highly recommend this very intertining book and this intertaining series.

Perfect Pacing.......2007-06-28

I listen to tapes on the way to work and have found that the Scottish lilt and pacing of these mysteries are perfect in traffic and for an afternoon of leisurely listening. The characters are amusing and don't have the hard and hardened, or totally weirded-out, edge that many modern mystery characters have, especially some of the American mysteries. There is a great deal of humor here too and it comes right out of the characters and situations. Love these!

Not boring, not boring..........2007-05-20

More great fun from M. C. Beaton in the Hamish Macbeth series! The villagers of Lochdubh are lured to a writing class taught by an incomer "Famous Writer" who turns out to be rude, boring and not terribly famous - except that he has written a script for a popular soap opera which is currently being filmed by Strathbane TV. Shortly after the tomato-throwing frenzy in which the villagers furiously demand their money back, the bore is murdered in his cottage...and we're off and running with numerous hilarious characters, whether suspects or possible witnesses. The most fascinating subplot is of course the hunt for Hamish - the usual gaggle of available women is after him, including the predatory local schoolteacher and a termagant police inspector who proceeds to drink up all of Hamish's whiskey. Hamish's lack of ambition and love of his independence and his overweight but devoted dog Lugs help him evade their attentions, as always. As in previous Macbeth mysteries, the dialogue is spare yet colorful, giving a better sense of the Highlands than any amount of description. Numerous false trails are laid so that we don't guess the murderer until quite close to the end. In short, a quick, relaxing, stimulating read! You can begin almost anywhere in this series and get hooked on its characters, setting, and atmosphere.

Death of an Egomaniac.......2006-11-10

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.

Lonely Guy.......2006-03-07

Poor Hamish MacBeth, unlucky at love, but incredibly lucky at murder. This delightful series, set in the tiny and somewhat homicidal town of Lochdubh is one of the best. You can't help but feel for poor Hamish, a seriously underambitious policeman who only wants to remain in Lochdubh, but keeps finding murders and murderers inhabiting his town. Makes you wonder why he wants to stay in Lochdubh. This time he finds the pompous, overbearing and thoroughly obnoxious 'Famous Writer' John Heppel, murdered by someone who didn't take criticism kindly. Although his archenemy, Inspector Blair is determined to take all the credit for solving the murder, as always Hamish comes through in the end. Unfortunately, Hamish is not so lucky when it comes to his involvement with his former fiancee Priscilla Halburthon-Smythe. She returns to Lochdubh (will this woman ever make up her mind?) at the same time as his former flame, Elspeth Grant, comes back to do a television story. Although Hamish is a champ at solving murders, the mysteries of women just seem to escape him. This is another great read from M.C. Beaton, just the thing for a rainy afternoon, a cozy fire, and a warm cup of whatever.

Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries)

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Death of a Bore (Hamish Macbeth Mysteries)
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: Mysterious Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MBWOTW

Book Description

One of fantasy fiction's foremost creators concludes the epic black throne saga with this magnificent tale of a world coveted by a ruthless spirit, returned to life in the mind of an innocent monarch.
The Black King
For Gift, who has renounced the Black Throne to become a Shaman, the news from Blue Isle is disheartening. There his sister, Queen Arianna, once a proponent of peace, has begun to prepare for war. For unknown to Gift, Arianna has been possessed by the dark soul of the Black King who nearly destroyed the Fey Empire generations before in his mad quest for power. Through darkest magic he has returned to life in Arianna's body to finish what he started--while the queen's true consciousness has been hidden away by her most ardent supporters. Now Gift must somehow avert the tragedy that threatens his world. But looming above all is the ancient curse of Blood against Blood, forbidding one member of the Black Family from taking the life of another. Yet what choice does Gift have? If the Black King is allowed to assume the Throne he will plunge the world into a terrifying cataclysm that could destroy all who inhabit it.

Customer Reviews:

Great series.......2000-08-23

I will admit that I am a voracious, but picky reader. I like a lot of books, but seldom love them. However, this is a series that I do love. It is not all 'Hollywood endings' and stalwart, dashing heros. The Fey world is well developed and the characters are very interesting. I don't think it is a great idea to pick this book up without having read the previous ones. Although it can certainly be read on its own, the story will more rounded if read in as a series. In order to fully absorb this book, you should read the series from the start. I place Kristine Rusch up there with Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin McKinley, Katherine Kerr, and George R.R. Martin (my current faves.) My only fault with this book (and it's slight) is that I think Rusch forms a stronger relationship between the male and female sibling main characters than was previously there. Bottom line, I will certainly keep buying and enjoying this series.

Excellent Fantasy Novel.......2000-08-21

With the recent decline of some of my favorite authors like Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, Raymond E. Feist and even Terry Goodkind to a lesser extent, there hasn't been much to get excited about in fantasy. This was the first novel I've purchased in months and I loved it. This is the eleventh book I've read from Rusch, including all the Fey series. This one in particular stayed focused on the main characters with credible tension, disagreements and magical battles. The characters are as real as an author can get. I like this series because it moves through time(unlike Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time). Main characters do die in this series and we get to move on and read the stories of their children. If you're looking for a Rusch novel outside the Fey stories, try Traitors. I can't believe she's so low in Amazon's sales rank. Rusch is a great author.

BLACK THRONE - Book (1) One: The Black Queen; Book (2) Two: The Black King

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BLACK THRONE - Book (1) One: The Black Queen; Book (2) Two: The Black King
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Manufacturer: Bantam Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRZ56E

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Vacation Stories: FIVE SCIENCE FICTION TALES
Santiago Ramon y Cajal
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Short Stories | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Recollections of My Life

Advice for a Young Investigator (Bradford Books)

Nerve Endings: The Discovery Of The Synapse

ASIN: 025207355X

Book Description

A world-famous neurobiologist, Santiago Ramón y Cajal won the Nobel Prize for his scientific research in 1906. The previous year, he published these stories: five ingenious tales that take a microscopic look at the nature, allure, and danger of scientific curiosity. Ramón y Cajal waited almost twenty years to publish these stories because he feared they would compromise his scientific career. Featuring the cutting-edge science of the mid-1880s (microscopy, bacteriology, and hypnosis), they probe the seductive power that proceeds from scientific knowledge and explore how the pursuit of such knowledge alternately redeems and ensnares humanity. Here revenge is disguised as research and common fraud as moral purification. Critical thought vies with moribund tradition and stifling religion for a hold on the human spirit; rigid divisions of class and wealth dissolve before the indiscriminate assault of microbes. One man's faith in science gives him the tools to outwit superstition and win the true love and happiness for which he has sacrificed. Another's bitterness and disillusion are cured by a supernatural intervention that melds the epiphany of A Christmas Carol with the macabre detail of an Edgar Allan Poe story. Now available for the first time in English, Ramón y Cajal's stories reveal a great deal about human nature and the collusion of ambition and greed that prey on the hapless and thoughtless, whether in the name of science, religion, or the state. Laura Otis, whose dual background in literature and science echoes that of the author, has crafted a sparkling translation that captures the wit and imagination of the original.

Average customer rating:

great household tips! This book won't get dusty!

Lemon Magic: 200 Beauty and Household Uses for Lemons and Lemon Juice
Patty Moosbrugger
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Juice | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Beauty & Fashion | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki)

Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of

The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers

Vim & Vinegar: Moisten Cakes, Eliminate Grease, Remove Stains, Kill Weeds, Clean Pots & Pans, Soften Laundry, Unclog Drains, Control Dandruff, Season Salads

How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office

ASIN: 0609803409
Release Date: 1999-02-22

Book Description

From laundry and kitchen cleaning to beauty and first aid, lemons provide inexpensive, environmentally safe, and convenient alternatives to harsh, chemical-laden products.

Remove age spots
Reduce fevers
Make your own hairspray
Keep ants away
Discourage cats from jumping on furniture
Deflea your dog
Prevent motion sickness
Cure hiccups

Only a real sourpuss would fail to get a kick out of discovering these and hundreds of other ways to save time and money by making the most of those lemons or that bottle of lemon juice sitting in your refrigerator right now. Lemon Magic also features an interesting and entertaining overview of the lemon in history, a compilation of recipes for sauces, salads, enticing entrées, desserts, and many more citrus snacks from savory to sweet, and even sound advice on how to choose the best lemons.

Customer Reviews:

great household tips! This book won't get dusty!.......2000-06-04

This book lists fabulous ideas and how to fix some of life's everyday problems. From removing toilet bowl rings, to fixing facial blemishes, keeping pets off furniture, and even stopping hiccups! Listed in the back are great recipes that use lemons. This book is well organized & it even gives a brief "history" on the lemon. Highly recommended!

Customer Reviews:

The yang to another book's yin..........2006-02-17

Remember the drill sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket" who said that he didn't discriminate against any race or ethnic group? He assured the recruits that "you are all equally worthless in my sight." That sort of sums up this book. The authors are dog trainers so they are faced most often with negative behavior in the breeds. Their conclusion is, in almost every case, that all of the dog breeds are bad and it would just be safer for everyone if you didn't get one.

Still, the book serves as a valuable counterweight to some of the other "sunshine pumping" books out there. Just like when teenagers fall in love, we don't always consider a dog breed with our eyes open. This book is the equivalent of your mother slapping you in the face and telling you to "snap out of it." If you know the downside of the breed and still want it, then that's probably true love, isn't it?

Maybe there's no "perfect breed"?.......2003-08-27

I would rate this volume four stars for information, except that there's little on inherited health issues, but only two stars for tone. After reading every section on the twenty or so breeds I was considering, I found myself becoming quite discouraged; it seemed that every breed demonstrated one or more characteristics that should discourage any potential owner from making a purchase. From the point of view of some breeders, this might be seen as a useful purpose, but I was certainly looking for something more positive. The book relies on sketches of each breed rather than photographs.

Not my personal choice.......2001-12-28

As breed guides and puppy-choosing aids go, this one just wasn't a shining light for me. It's not atrocious -- try "Why We Love the Dogs We Do" if you want truly BAD advice. It's just not the one that seems to catch the personalities of the dogs, or not the dogs I know anyway. The breed descriptions just don't win me over. They aren't quite as pedantic in tone as the Encylopedia-style listings in some other mediocre guides, sure, but they just don't quite get to the essence of a breed.

That reaction is based on the several breeds I've had a fair amount of exposure to. For example, there's a Newfoundland sleeping against my foot as a write this. "Choosing a Dog" describes Newfies as "very active for a giant breed," but it makes no distinction between indoor and outdoor activity. "The Right Dog for You" has little charts that do make that distinction; "Paws to Consider" catches the personality of Newfs better. It's not that this book is harsh toward the breed, not at all -- it just doesn't give the best sense of what it's like to own a Newfoundland. It doesn't seem to know that Newfies eat tremendous amounts primarily during their first two years, nor does it mention the overriding concern that good breeders have with not allowing them to become overweight. It says they shed, but it doesn't give you a sense of just how Newf owners come to regard epic shedding as a badge of honor, if you know what I mean.

Several other breeds we know seem to be slightly off in the same way. Boxers drool -- my family's had generations of them, I used to ride with their jowls on my lap on vacations -- and this book doesn't mention that. They're also aggressive with other dogs in a particularly abrupt and unpredictable way that this book doesn't quite catch. Corgis can become quite a run-around-the-house-frenetically dog, and I don't see that reflected here. (No distinction between the personalities of Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis is made, either, which struck my Corgi-owning friends as extremely odd.) I've lived with a Chinese Crested, and for a breed that's intended as a companion, Cresteds have quite a bit of sight hound chase to them. This book describes Cresteds as active, but that's not quite catching the sense of the dog. Similarly, "Choosing a Dog" mentions that Border Terriers are diggers, but it doesn't mention their tendency to bolt impulsively after things; the breed club emphasizes that to potential owners, and cautions owners against letting them off leash. The description of Cairn Terriers here says "a barker, but not to the same degree as a Schnauzer or a Wire Fox Terrier." Cairns do bark some, but it's the unbelievably snarly noises when they play with other dogs that really strike the people I know who have one. Again, that trait is something the breed clubs, and some books, mention to people who are thinking about a Cairn. With respect to Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, this book doesn't even mention the spring-legged leaping that Wheatens are known for. That's an almost impossible trait to train out of that type of dog. Wheatens are also described as "timid," which to my mind doesn't quite catch the sort of suppressed, pent-up enthusiasm Wheatens mostly seem to show people. I didn't see that personality in this book. (Also, Wheatens are often on people's lists because they're supposed to be less allergenic than other dogs, which this book didn't really address. I may have missed it, but allergies didn't seem to be on these authors' list.)

There are some positives here, and it sure wouldn't be the worst choice. The authors do repeatedly emphasize socialization and fair, positive training methods. The idea of a "Right Home" description for each dog is a nice one, though a lot of the listings are pretty similar to one another. ("Patient, confident leaders" are always the best choice.) I just don't see this as particularly inspired. The dogs are grouped in the same old ways -- Sporting Group, Terrier Group. If I'm a person with a nine-to-five job and allergies, where should I look? (I'd check the index under "allergies," but there IS no index.)

If you want a similarly concise book on the same basic topic, easily the best I've seen is "Paws to Consider" by Sarah Wilson and Brian Kilcommin(s?). "Paws" is thoughtfully written and put together and, judging by the reactions of all the breeders and owners I read it to, hits just the right notes for each dog. It's very enjoyable to read, too -- just right.

A less ably-written (and edited) guide that tries to assess each breed's personality in detailed charts would be "The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora. Tortora's written descriptions aren't as consistently useful as those in "Paws to Consider," though they're sometimes really fun. Maybe his charts are a little TOO detailed and specific for the real world, but it's an interesting approach and definitely gives you a sense of a breed's general personality.

Finally...A honest book on dog breeds.......2001-07-18

I really enjoyed this book because it tells you the true facts about the breeds. Most books pretty much always say all good points about the breed and very rarely anything bad. Then the people realize all the problems the breed has and get rid of the dog.Where this book they know what they are getting into before they buy the dog.

Buyer Beware!.......2001-03-19

In a sentence: THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE! If you plan on buying a dog, please turn to a different source for information on breeds. The ideas contained in this book are so far off, so wrong, so ridiculous, that it is absolutely offensive! If you don't believe me, ask your local vet or a good breeder/trainer. This book does not even deserve one star!

Book Description

Saluting the American Teddy Bear! Renowned author presents an identification guide to American manufacturing companies such as Gund, Ideal, Knickerbocker, Applause, North American Bear Co., R. John Wright, The Boyds Collection, and many more. This book also features Smokey the Bear. Chapters on teddy bear figurines, advertising bears, and Teddy Bear Restoration. A perfect companion to Tribute to Teddy Bear Artists, American Teddy Bear Encyclopedia is your encyclopedia to American Teddies! 140 color of 300 photographs. 144 pages.

Customer Reviews:

World filled with Teddy Bear.......2000-06-12

This book allows you to have a trip to "the world of Teddy Bear". The book is filled with many different styles, design and personalities of teddy bear, a lot of ideas will come out after reading it(as I like to make teddy bear by myself). Although there is no step in making the teddy bears, you will be impressed by the arts of teddy bear! This is really a good encyclopedia for you to have a look on the teddy bear world, just like to have a look on all kinds of people over the world.

Book Description

This anthology of Fly's zines from 1992-1996 contains equal amounts of surreal comix and twisted prose, describing her daily struggle to keep things going against powerful controlling forces and have some fun, too. Fighting with contemptuous cops, fixing up abandoned buildings, hanging around making observations about street life and love are some of the themes that construct this book, a celebration of the nonalienated life and its schizzy absurdities.

Book Description

The moving collection evokes the agony and frustration borne of growing up in terminal exile and cultural limbo. But, from anguish and turmoil, the artist has wrought inspiration and crafted one of the most eloquent and commanding voices of contemporary Latin American literature. "This slim volume is studded with poetry that adds depth to the characters and action ... With short chapters that flow fluidly between the first and thurd person, Suárez reflects on 36 years as an outsider and on the memories--and the record of them--that kept him sane" (from Publishers Weekly).

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful memoir written with a steady and insightful hand.......2004-05-12

This book pulls you in from page one as it travels like the human subconscious from beautiful memories to the skeletons we place delicately in closets. Suarez's knack for both poetry and prose makes the writing interesting--something you go back to again and again. I recommend this book to anyone who loves great writing and wants to experience another life and experience in a most intimate way.

Pretty good stuff from a interesting fellow.......1998-10-22

I read this book twice because it was so unusual. I like the way it blends fiction, poetry, and essays into a congruous whole. Very nice work. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in learning about the Cuban-American experience.

GOING UNDER AND SPARED ANGOLA. MEMORIES FROM A CUBAN-AMERICAN CHILDHOOD--A CONTRAPUNTEO ON CULTURAL IDENTITY.: An article from: Bilingual Review

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GOING UNDER AND SPARED ANGOLA. MEMORIES FROM A CUBAN-AMERICAN CHILDHOOD--A CONTRAPUNTEO ON CULTURAL IDENTITY.: An article from: Bilingual Review
Leira Annette Manso
Manufacturer: Bilingual Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Bilingual Review, published by Bilingual Review Press on September 1, 1999. The length of the article is 2325 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: GOING UNDER AND SPARED ANGOLA. MEMORIES FROM A CUBAN-AMERICAN CHILDHOOD--A CONTRAPUNTEO ON CULTURAL IDENTITY.
Author: Leira Annette Manso
Publication: Bilingual Review (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 1999
Publisher: Bilingual Review Press
Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Page: 295

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