Death of a Poison Pen (Hamish Macbeth Mystery)

Book Description

Poison pen letters lead to murder in this new Hamish Macbeth mystery from M.C.Beaton. When the townspeople of Lochdubh begin receiving poison pen letters, no one takes them very seriously, even if they are full of wild accusations. But Hamish fears that they might lead to something deadly. His instincts prove correct when the town's postmistress is found hanging from a rope with a poison pen letter at her feet. Though it appears to be a suicide, Hamish suspects something more sinister. Attempting to trace the letters, the last thing Hamish needs is any distractions, but soon Jenny Ogilvie arrives in Lochdubh determined to seduce him. Realizing that she is unable to take Hamish's mind off his case, Jenny decides to do a little investigating of her own. Now, Hamish finds himself in a race to solve the mystery of the poison pen letters before someone else dies, including one likely target-Jenny.

Customer Reviews:

ANOTHER RELAXING READ IN A GREAT SERIES.......2007-07-17

I must admit to being rather addicted to the "cozy mystery" genre. They are a source of relaxation for me. These, the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton, are some of my favorites. As other reviewers have pointed out, each of the twenty or more books are much the same. Same plot, same characters, same locations, etc. etc. That is okay though. I find this rather comforting. The various characters in Beaton's stories sort of become friends as you keep reading her books and this is always nice.

In this offering, quite a number of the resident's of Hamish's village are recipients of poison pen letters, some which are wild accusations, some with a grain of truth and some, hitting quite close to home. Suddenly Officer Macbeth has two murders on his hands and an endless list of suspects to sort through. The plot though, is actually sort of secondary to this particular series. For me it is the characters, the description of the Scottish Country Side, the almost dark humor and the interaction between the many characters that make the book.

M.C. Beaton is certainly a story teller and is able to articulate her stories through her writing quite well. The humor is dry, and as I said, can be a bit dark at times, but can be hilarious at the same time. Hamish Macbeth, the rather bright and likable police officer is, throughout this work, as with the others, absolutely mystified with the females in his life, and his somewhat quaint love life. As one reviewer put it, he does not have a clue! I love the author's description of the towns, food, country side, people and of course, Hamish's relationship with his dog.

The author tells a simple story which is easy to read (no great thought is required, which is very nice) and the stories are quite fast moving. I find the author's syntax to the quite smooth and a pleasure to read. This is one series I will no doubt stick with and look forward to more. Highly recommend this one if this is your sort of cup of tea.

All's Fair in Love, Job Seeking, and Murder.......2007-06-15

Death of a Poison Pen represents a new high in the Hamish Macbeth series in terms of integrating a number of different story lines in neat and interesting fashion. Long-time fans of the series will find this book to be one of their favorites.

Jenny Ogilvie is jealous of her London colleague, Priscilla Halburton-Smythe. Priscilla is engaged to be married while Jenny has just lost her boy friend when she mentions marriage. Yet Priscilla seems obsessed with her old friend (and former unofficial fiancé) from Lochdubh, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, and the cases they've worked on solving together. Jenny decides she would like to disturb Priscilla's cool exterior by attracting Hamish's attention. Feigning illness, she heads for Lochdubh.

Once there, Jenny is disappointed to see that Hamish doesn't fit her idea of a handsome Highlander . . . and is engaged in speaking with Elspeth Grant, a local reporter and astrologer. A lot of funny scenes follow as Jenny chases Hamish and ends up being paired instead with new reporter, Pat Mallone, who had fancied Elspeth until Jenny arrived.

But Jenny remains obsessed with the idea of solving a crime . . . even if Hamish ignores her. In the background, Jenny's London-based ideas of how to live keep getting her into trouble with the Highlanders.

Elspeth, in the meantime, finds her interest in Hamish to be dwindling as he continues to avoid becoming involved. But she recognizes Jenny as a rival and finds he competitive juices stoked.

There are also some goofy poison pen letters being received in Lochdubh and Braikie. Mrs. Wellington, the minister's wife, got one accusing her of having an affair with Hamish. Well, hardly! Hamish holds a meeting in Braikie to get copies of the notes and signatures on a petition so he can get the police in Strathbane to spend the money for a handwriting expert.

In the middle of this comedy of errors, the atmosphere turns dark when Miss Beattie, who ran the post office in Braikie, is found dead with a poison pen letter under her body. As usual, Hamish is soon disputing with Detective Chief Inspector Blair whether Miss Beattie's death is suicide . . . or murder. Before the book is over, the bodies start to pile up.

Hamish finds himself in the middle of trying to solve mysteries without earning promotion, fending off women who want him, and keeping naive people from getting into trouble. You'll enjoy the mysteries and the twists in the book.

At her best, M. C. Beaton has a fine talent to exploring irony. She draws deeply on that talent in this fine book. Enjoy!

Excellent!.......2007-05-26

Every Hamish Macbeth installment is worth the wait. This one is no exception.

Hamish Macbeth Mystery.......2007-05-07

This story grabs you quickly and is a good read. There are suspects aplenty, and as usual Hamish the constable of the small village has his share of girls trouble.

Macbeth, the dread Scot of the Highlands!.......2005-07-01

I've read (and reviewed most of them) all 20 in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Once again, Ms Beaton features the lovable, affable, and quite wily Macbeth, once again solving the local murders no one else can. Once again, he's in trouble with Blair (his boss) and once again Priscilla figures in in what most readers probably hope will be "the" time, when, for once and all they get married.

Sigh, sigh, sigh. Nothing is changed in "Death of a Poisoned Pen." Taken by itself, or if one hasn't read all 20, perhaps the same old same old is new and innovative and creative and clever. Alas it's not.

That said, however, Ms Beaton's following is huge and she continues to entertain nicely, thank you, even if she's not come up with anything new, creative, or clever (ala the later Agatha Christie works). So that said, be prepared for the usual: but its a usual that I, for one, no doubt, will continue to read. Violence aside, it's nice to read that SOME folks have virtue and moral turpitude (although Lochdubh has its share of those who don't!). And as for local color, Ms Beaton, it seems, does capture the Scottish countryside well.

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Death of a Poison Pen
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: Mysterious Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GLN3SE

Customer Reviews:

This is the good stuff.......2000-11-09

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and never lets you go. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know how to write a mystery and for anyone who loves horror stories. I loved this book and aspire to write such a compelling story one day. But just remember start with the 1st novel. That one will have you tearing at your eyes to read the second!

Good Book.......2000-08-01

I actually recieved this book when I was eleven to read as we traveled (uugh) cross country by car. Needless to say it is an excellent book. i haven't read the first book but now i absolutely have to get the third. while leaving mysteries it also had a quality you don't find in normal chapter books. when your done with a regular book and long to know more there is no way to do so. with these you need only oick up the next book until your curiosity is satified. this is a great book and hope you all will enjoy it as much as i have.

Great book.......2000-07-19

This is a great book, with secrets and plots everywere, has it should be, with Cainites. The secrets that Dire has, even those not known by himself, keep you thinking, and trembling. Great book of a great trilogy.

Suffers from "middle-book-itis"........2000-06-13

The first book of the "Masquerade of the Red Death" trilogy, "Blood War", was a well-written, fast paced, interesting novel with one flaw: It had no ending. This is a common flaw in trilogies or multi-book series; even if the main plot will carry from one book to the next, ideally, some major subplot should be begun and ended in each book, or at the very least there should be an ending of each individual book at a reasonable "break point."

This book did not suffer from this as badly as I expected it to; it did not feel like it had no beginning, in spite of the fact that it was a continuation of "Blood War". And while it had no true ending, the cutoff point was more reasonable than that in the first book.

Still, I cannot rate this book, on its own, higher than a three, because it is not a complete story on its own. The series as a whole may wind up with a higher rating than that, but as an individual book, this is simply a story fragment.

It's a well-written and interesting story fragment, but a story fragment nonetheless.

?.......2000-04-16

This book is extremely good along with its first part and third part. Dire does have secrets but only known to one other person, the mysterious Alicia. Together both are powerful.

Death Masque (Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire series)

Average customer rating:

Great!!
Good Continuing Series
Back to England!

Death Masque (Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire series)
P. N. Elrod
Manufacturer: Benbella Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1932100210

Book Description

This compelling series combines action and historical drama in fascinating tales of an American Tory who stumbles into the dark world of the vampire. Completely revised and expanded, each of these new editions includes more than 40 pages of new material.

Continuing the saga of Red Death and Death and the Maiden, Jonathan Barrett returns to England in search of Nora Jones—for only Nora knows if his unexpected destiny is a blessing or a curse; it was her kiss that initiated him into the world of the living dead. Finding her missing, Jonathan steps up his hunt and in the process discovers startling secrets about his bizarre family as well as a malicious plot against him.

Customer Reviews:

Great!!.......2001-07-02

This is one of the best series I have ever read. Jonathan has gone back to England with his sister, Elizabeth, and is desperately searching for the woman, Nora Jones, who made him a vampire. On the journey, brother and sister discover some things about themselves that could prove their demise. This is an excellent book and I would recommend this series to just about anybody!

Good Continuing Series.......2000-08-15

This book is the third in the series and keeps the same feel as the first books. Jonathon Barret travels to England to search for Nora, the woman who made him a vampire, and gets into trouble which has a surprising outcome. The book really is great, even though I don't do a very good job describing it.

Back to England!.......2000-06-18

Again, our gentleman vampire goes to England, this time to trace his beloved Nora. Even when doing his best to avoid it, he lands into much tribulation.

This addition to the history of Jonathon Barret and his family is as well written and engaging as the others. With revelations popping up through out the novel, delightful and otherwise, from the trip across the Atlantic to the final pages, this book is well worth the read.

Average customer rating:

An almost-perfect revival of a classic setting.
Masque of the Red Death (d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Ravenloft Campaign)
Jackie Cassada , and Nicky Rea
Manufacturer: Arthaus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Cassada, Jackie | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Ravenloft: Dark Tales & Disturbing Legends (Ravenloft d20 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Legacy of the Blood: Great Families of the Core (Ravenloft Accessory)

Van Richten's Arsenal (Ravenloft d20 3.0 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Denizens of Dread (Ravenloft d20 3.5 Horror Roleplaying)

Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

ASIN: 1588469794

Customer Reviews:

An almost-perfect revival of a classic setting........2004-11-06

I was a devotee of the 2nd Edition Masques. This book is better. 23 new core classes and 8 new prestige classes gives plenty of options. Also included is an overview of the world, both historical and "forbidden".

However, the book pays absolutely no attention to d20 Modern, and many of the new core classes are simply over-specialized variants. It is also too tied in to Ravenloft; it could have been made for a more general 1890's setting than it was. However, all in all, a nice book.

ECHOES OF TERROR: A Madman's Manuscript; Three in a Bed; Masque of the Red Death; Dracula; The Furnished Room; The Forsaken of God; The Werewolf; The Midnight Embrace; The Devil's Wager; The Monkey's Paw; The Seventh Pullet

Average customer rating:

Classics!

ECHOES OF TERROR: A Madman's Manuscript; Three in a Bed; Masque of the Red Death; Dracula; The Furnished Room; The Forsaken of God; The Werewolf; The Midnight Embrace; The Devil's Wager; The Monkey's Paw; The Seventh Pullet
Mike; Spencer, John (editors) (Charles Dickens; Lord Halifax; Edgar Allan Poe; Bram Stoker; O. Henry; William Mudford; Frederick Marryat; Matthew Lewis; William Makepeace Thackeray; W. W. Jacobs; Saki) Jarvis
Manufacturer: Chartwell Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Product Description

Eleven classic tales of terror by Saki, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allen Poe, Lord Halifax, O. Henry, W.W. Jacobs, and others, with vivid illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Classics!.......2007-01-28

I remember finding this book in my mom's collection back when I was about 7 or 8 yrs old, and it's probably the reason I became a horror reader. The stories are all well-known classics (The Monkey's Paw being my favorite of the bunch), but it's the artwork that makes this a must-have. Each story is beautifully/grossly illustrated, and if they wouldnt scare guests, I'd frame the pages themselves! (Ya I'm sick!) If you can find it, get it!

Edgar Allan Poe's the Masque of the Red Death

Average customer rating:

At 33, this "kid's" book is still one of my faves!
Fun and hair-raising!
Really good book!!!
Red Death

Edgar Allan Poe's the Masque of the Red Death
David Cutts , and Edgar Allan Poe
Manufacturer: Troll Communications Llc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0893756210

Customer Reviews:

At 33, this "kid's" book is still one of my faves!.......2007-07-03

When I was in the third grade this book came out in the Troll Book Order Club. (Now a part of Scholastic, if I'm not mistaken) I think it was all of $1.97.
It quickly became one of my favorites. The years went by, I buried it in a multitude of other children's books that I outgrew and proceded to forget about.
When I graduated college with my Elem. Ed. degree, I reclaimed all of my books from home and put them in my "professional" library. :)
Ten years later, I've never read this to a group of kids without them sitting on the edge of their seats. Waiting... Wondering what the prince will find...
It's always the most popular book in my classroom library.
I need to replace my original, actually, because it was loved so much it disappeared. ;)

Fun and hair-raising!.......2005-08-29

Edgar Allen Poe (1809-49) is one of the most famous of American authors of mysterious and macabre stories, certainly the most famous 19th century one. The Masque of the Red Death was first published in 1842, and is rightly considered one of the greatest works of Gothic horror ever penned.

When the story begins, a strange and deadly plague is stalking the land. When the disease is contracted, the victim is dead within a half hour, bleeding from every pore, giving the ghastly disease its name, the "Red Death." The strange and demented Prince Prospero decides to defeat the disease by sequestering himself and a thousand courtiers in a sealed-off abbey, where they can lead a life of comfort, safety and sensuality. But, when the Prince throws a masquerade ball, there appears among the guests a figure dressed as one who died of the Red Death. Why is he dressed like that, and who is it beneath the costume?

I must say, it is easy to see why this is considered a classic of American literature, and why it is still such a popular read over 150 years after it first appeared! I found the story to be quite scary, in the older way, without recourse to blood and severed limbs, and keeps you glued to your chair reading it. I am now quite sorry that it took me so long to get around to reading this story, it's great, and I highly recommend it.

SPOILER BELOW:

By the way, there are those who see this story as something of an allegory, with the seven rooms of the prince's suite representing the journey of life, with the final, black room representing death. Prince Prospero (prosperity?) runs through life, finally meeting his end in the black room of death. Well, I don't know about that, but read it for yourself and see what you think!

Really good book!!!.......2001-12-23

I loved it! It was recomended to me by my 7th grade teacher. She said that bcause I liked Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury she thougt I'd like Masque Of The Red Death so I decided to check it out and I loved it! It was so good. I highly recomend it to anyone who likes to read.

Red Death.......2001-12-07

The book The Masque of the Red Death is by Edgar Allan Poe. I thought this book was great. It is about a ghost that haunts a castle. All the people were scared and they could not escape the ghost. The "red death" killed many people. If you want to find out what happens you should read this book.

Average customer rating:

Wish there was more
Red-masked Death
Trasfixed by the music, narration, and writing
It was great!
Re: Edgar Allan Poe

The Masque of The Red Death
Edgar Allan Poe
Manufacturer: BookSurge Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1594567395
Release Date: 2004-04-30

Customer Reviews:

Wish there was more.......2007-07-03

A shame this is a short (really short) story. But it inspired one of the coolest characters in literature. A must read for Poe fans.

Red-masked Death.......2007-06-17

"The "Red Death" had long devastated the country. No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous."

Edgar Allen Poe had a talent for the macabre and gothic, all wrapped up in beautiful prose. But more beautiful -- and macabre -- than most is "Masque of the Red Death," a short story crammed with symbolism, beauty, and the horror of a disease that no gates can keep outside.

A horrible plague called the Red Death (due to the bleeding from pores) is sweeping a country, killing half of the country's inhabitants in a brief time. Prince Prospero, thinking that the "external world could take care of itself," seals himself and a thousand of his closest friends inside a secluded abbey and prepares a lavish, luxurious party.

Five or six months pass, and still the prince and his pals enjoy the wild, strange parties he throws. But as a clock strikes midnight, a strange figure appears -- a blood-soaked mummer disguised as the Red Death. The enraged prince orders for him to be seized and unmashed... but the figure's true identity is more horrific than anyone can handle.

It's a simple story, and when Prince Prospero orders the doors to be sealed so they can't possibly catch the Red Death, you just know exactly what is going to happen. It's Poe's presentation that really makes the story come alive -- his lack of drama, and his sensually creepy prose.

And he takes time out of the plot to paint a beautiful, bizarre setting -- gilded, jagged, vividly colourful, with stained windows and flaming braziers, but no lights. Poe's writing is at its most exquisitely poetic here ("But the echoes of the chime die away... and a light, half-subdued laughter floats after them as they depart"), and he builds up a sense of foreboding that lingers through the story.

Prince Prospero is one of those people who is always around -- because of his birth and money, he thinks he's immune. Big sense of entitlement, and he's pretty hedonistic. Yet the only compelling character in the entire story is the Red Death itself, a creepy figure who never speaks a word and who simply glides through the abbey.

"The Masque of the Red Death" is one of Poe's most unique, poetic stories, ditching your average chills in favour of a more aesthetically-pleasing kind of horror. A gothic treat.

Trasfixed by the music, narration, and writing.......2000-03-07

I was on my way to pick up my parents at the train station when I turned on National Public Radio and caught this reading of "Masque of the Red Death." I was instantly mesmerized (remarkable for a station surfer such as myself). In fact, I immediately called my husband on the cell phone and made him turn it on at home. And, when my parents finally made it to the car, I shushed them and we all listened to it, with rapt attention, on the way back to my house. I can't remember the last time radio has caught my attention in such a fashion. I am going to buy several of these to play for my daughter when she gets older.

It was great!.......2000-02-24

the book was awesome! I have a question to anyone out there who will answer it. In the story certain words are capitalized that really shouldn't be. Such as Time and Beauty. WHY? If anyone knows, drop me a line. NIKKICELLO@excite.com

Re: Edgar Allan Poe.......1998-01-05

I love Edgar Allan Poe's work, but this would have to be the best because of all the symbols he uses in his style of writing. Most of his work deals with the dark-side of reality and fiction, and I love it.

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Death Masque
Hugh McLeave
Manufacturer: Walker & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0802756441

Le Dr. Antonmarchi, ou, Le secret du masque de Napoleon (Collection Espaces mediterraneens)

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Le Dr. Antonmarchi, ou, Le secret du masque de Napoleon (Collection Espaces mediterraneens)
Francois Paoli
Manufacturer: Publisud
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 2866007697

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The Masque of the Red Death
Edgar Allan | Lee, Elsie (Adapted by) Poe
Manufacturer: Lancer Books 72-725
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KBJ9K6

The Masque of the Red Death and Other Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

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The Masque of the Red Death and Other Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe; Performer Basil Rathbone
Manufacturer: HARPER AUDIO
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000WTOO10

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