What do You think about Death Of A Glutton (1995)?
Hamish Macbeth, local constable of a part of the Scottish Highlands centering around the village of Lochdubh, has another murder thrust upon him. This time it comes in the form of the Checkmate Singles Club, an organization to match up singles with similar backgrounds, which has booked Tommel Castle Hotel in Lochdubh for a week of getting to know each other. Maria, co-owner of the Club, did not notify the other co-owner, Peta, of the outing, because she is crude, vulgar, has sickening table manners, and is generally off-putting. Maria had tried, previously, to buy Peta out; but Peta refuses, so when she finds out about this outing, she inflicts herself on the group.It all goes downhill from there.
—Carole
Hmmm. I'm not really enjoying this much. I have heard the tv show is good, so I thought I'd give the novel a try. The characters are not very interesting or believable. The depiction of the glutton is one of the most hate-filled portrayals I've ever read. The character is so repulsive and the author and every other character loathes her. This is not funny or interesting at all to me. I feel like the author must have some issues with fat women. I'm not really drawn into the story either. All the characters are nasty and flat. Hamish Macbeth just seems like a self-satisfied twerp and his relationship with Priscilla does not intrigue me or even interest me. I hope now that the glutton is dead the story will pick up a bit. So far I am finding this book pretty charmless. Updated to add: finished this book and remain disappointed. The plot was thin, the motive behind the murder and the solution were pretty unsatisfying. I'll be giving this series a miss.
—Aileen
In this 8th Hamish Macbeth murder mystery, all is quiet in the village of Lochdubh until eight members of the Checkmate Singles Club come up to the highlands looking for love and for a week of serious matching. They are to stay at the Tommel Castle Hotel and director of Checkmate Maria Worth hope that the 4 couples will go home all matched up and loved up. However, the arrival of Peta, Maria’s business partner means that the week will not go as Maria hoped.As things go decidedly pear shaped for the Checkmate Singles, things are further complicated when a murder is committed and all in the hotel are potential suspects. Hamish Macbeth’s quiet life is disrupted when he is called to investigate the murder along with his usual adversary Chief Inspector Blair from Strathbane police.Will the murderer be found before they commit another crime and will Hamish solve the crime and get Chief Inspector Blair to install his long promised central heating in his cottage?Very enjoyable read – the stories are not taxing much they are a light hearted, easy read – great to read in between longer books. Looking forward to joining Hamish on his next adventure!
—Elisabeth
