Not too credible but amusing and well narrated.

These stories are replete with people lacking in insight, and regularly drained of the milk of human kindness, but have the advantages of avoiding excessive horror, only murdering unpleasant people (never children, or random innocents).
Maybe it's the climate of Sutherland, or a hereditary/cultural Celtic aversion to early sexual relationships, late marriage having once been essential for economic reasons, but almost any incomer with a more relaxed attitude towards physical contact can disrupt wee village societies.
Life in Sutherland seems to be governed by extremes: weather, winter of almost perpetual darkness, summer never dark: women either wear silly shoes, "sheer black stockings", extra-short skirts and plunging necklines, or tweed everything (even knickers) possibly more appropriate for the climate most of the year.
Men are either teetotal or drink to excess (more often), married women are supposed to stay at home cleaning stuff, happy marriages are impossible, mutual toleration is best anyone can hope for, children are unloved, and Hamish or anyone else who could show any smeddum ought to move to Edinburgh, or Perth, or Stirling, or Aberdeen.
The author doesn't seem to have much respect for humanity, but perhaps it's easier to sell books which pander to the vanity of all of us, which allow us to feel superior.

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A couple of mouth-os

Twice in chapter 9, the narrator mis-spoke the name of a character. Did anyone else notice?

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Answered all my questions

I tried all the other books but no I know why he has probables with his love take her to beds it better than his mindset about her

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A not so charming man

What made the experience of listening to Death of a Charming Man the most enjoyable?

Hamish MacBeth stories are all good reads/listens - not too demanding but keeping my interest right to the end. The charming man of the title is thoroughly unpleasant and the Highlands are well rid of him. As always there is a sub plot of the relationship between Priscilla and Hamish and in this story she becomes a definite ally in the investigation and, like Hamish, I longed for her to be so much more than that!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hamish is a great policeman who manages to be both gamekeeper and poacher but he is trusted by most of the characters in his beloved Lochdubh. His relationship with Priscilla and with his irascible (London journalist) cousin is developed further.

What does David Monteath bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

David Monteith's voice is essential to the stories for me and indeed I bought the alternative reading in error but quickly returned it in disappointment. His gentle Scots accent adds to the atmosphere.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The discovery of "the body" and its subsequent identification is a wonderful twist which has a real touch of M C Beaton humour

Any additional comments?

Altogether this is a gentle story, not great literature, but a a couple of evenings pleasant listening.

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2 people found this helpful

humerous and enjoyable listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Death of a Charming Man to be better than the print version?

N/A

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death of a Charming Man?

Hamish's character

What about David Monteath’s performance did you like?

Nice gentle voice, believable.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Where's the murder!

Any additional comments?

Fun. Couldnt wait to get back to it. Glad it was a wee bitty longer than the first ones.

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2 people found this helpful

Another thoroughly enjoyable storey

I really enjoyed this book because the characters are so well drawn. The storey line with it's twists and turns delights and surprised. An excellent read.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent as ever

Excellent as ever, full of highland wit and droll charm, with a plethora of diverse characters and a wicked plot.

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1 person found this helpful

The predictably disastrous engagement.

Hamish wants "arm candy" and " sex on tap". Priscilla wants a "bit of rough", so defying her family. Right from the started they are scoring points of each other, involving others in their petty bickering. If there was any real affection or kindness, they could work through Priscilla coldness. Instead they don't trust each other, take pleasure in putting each other down and general spitefullyness. Their relationship could never be call romantic.
Heather is light relief and the story is good and keeps you guessing.

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