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Luffy · 03-03-2015, 03:35 AM

Death of a Hussy (Hamish Macbeth #5)
by M.C. Beaton - 3/5

My love affair with M.C. Beaton - only figuratively speaking, that goes without saying - is most likely over. I've been reading her two big series side by side. Well, now I've decided to ditch the Agatha Raisin series. I've been as prompt in the past. I've almost always abandoned a well liked series due to a one star rating. It was the case with the Inspector Rebus series and also that of Inspector Rutledge series, and the Gabriel Allon one. I think I persevered only with Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series where I've rated 7 of her books one star.

Despite the 3 star rating for Death of A Hussy, I have contained in my mind, only the negatives from the book which weighed on me. Stuff that faded as the story progressed. I'll enumerate them. Firstly, Hamish Macbeth's searing - or is that 'seering'? - ability to guess when he's being lied to. How easy would it to solve any case with such a knack. The book does well to gloss over the times Hamish is being lied to by the murderer. So this ability comes and goes, unless one dredges up arguments that do and can sound plausible. This is where I differ from any possible fans of the books. I judge the books on their effect on my brain and the level of hedonistic impact on me as a reader.

I must also say that Hamish's hateful relationship with Blair now has a touch of the farcical in it. It's an abusive relationship, of the likes people like Hamish would recognize and clear off it soon. But I was irked by the revisionism and the fact that Hamish pined for Blair's return. That was totally uncalled for.

Spoiler:

Hamish finds it loathsome to be the object of Alison's lust (and also escapes the brief advances of that lady cop, Mary Graham). I have a minor gripe with Hamish's orientation in his love life. His ghostly romance with Priscilla should lead to nowhere. Since that possibility imploded, Hamish has met one or two suitors, and I hope not too many pages are dedicated to his shambolic and illogical love life. I need the author to focus on the murder investigations. Police cases, when stripped of their trappings, are simply triggers for adventure. As long as the pustular aspects of the Hamishverse are kept at bay I'm happy. Else, he goes the same way as Agatha Raisin.

03-03-2015, 03:35 AM	#21884
Luffy Wizard Posts: 4,464 Karma: 429063498 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mauritius Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4	Death of a Hussy (Hamish Macbeth #5) by M.C. Beaton - 3/5 My love affair with M.C. Beaton - only figuratively speaking, that goes without saying - is most likely over. I've been reading her two big series side by side. Well, now I've decided to ditch the Agatha Raisin series. I've been as prompt in the past. I've almost always abandoned a well liked series due to a one star rating. It was the case with the Inspector Rebus series and also that of Inspector Rutledge series, and the Gabriel Allon one. I think I persevered only with Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series where I've rated 7 of her books one star. Despite the 3 star rating for Death of A Hussy, I have contained in my mind, only the negatives from the book which weighed on me. Stuff that faded as the story progressed. I'll enumerate them. Firstly, Hamish Macbeth's searing - or is that 'seering'? - ability to guess when he's being lied to. How easy would it to solve any case with such a knack. The book does well to gloss over the times Hamish is being lied to by the murderer. So this ability comes and goes, unless one dredges up arguments that do and can sound plausible. This is where I differ from any possible fans of the books. I judge the books on their effect on my brain and the level of hedonistic impact on me as a reader. I must also say that Hamish's hateful relationship with Blair now has a touch of the farcical in it. It's an abusive relationship, of the likes people like Hamish would recognize and clear off it soon. But I was irked by the revisionism and the fact that Hamish pined for Blair's return. That was totally uncalled for. Spoiler: Then there's the most important character of the book to talk about...Alison Kerr. She's the one I wanted murdered, yet when push came to shove, I wanted her to escape death. This is what I'd call a well written character. It would have blown my mind if she'd died. Hamish finds it loathsome to be the object of Alison's lust (and also escapes the brief advances of that lady cop, Mary Graham). I have a minor gripe with Hamish's orientation in his love life. His ghostly romance with Priscilla should lead to nowhere. Since that possibility imploded, Hamish has met one or two suitors, and I hope not too many pages are dedicated to his shambolic and illogical love life. I need the author to focus on the murder investigations. Police cases, when stripped of their trappings, are simply triggers for adventure. As long as the pustular aspects of the Hamishverse are kept at bay I'm happy. Else, he goes the same way as Agatha Raisin. Last edited by Luffy; 03-03-2015 at 03:45 AM.