I enjoyed listeniThis is a short mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton, now taken over by R.W. Green upon the original author's passing.
I enjoyed listening to David Monteath narrate the audiobook edition of this book. It's the first short story I've found in this collection and I wonder if it was intended to be a longer book. Or, perhaps, as other reviewers have mentioned, as an audition to take over the storytelling for the series.
It has much of the same charm (and the same frustrations) as the other books in the series....more
This is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is onThis is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is one series we have both enjoyed.
We have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We like the characters and the interesting descriptions of life in the Scottish Highlands. The stories are interesting, quick reads, although many of the side stories are repetitive.
The story was very short and entertaining, but quite convoluted. The death count is slightly lower, at least, and I found myself caring about what happened to the beloved characters. Hamish's love-life is just as muddled as ever. There is a seemingly never-ending litany of women who are potential love interests or who were love interests, but remain in his life in a variety of ways.
The latest books in this series have really departed from the cozy mystery genre and I'm growing tired of the grittiness and violence. With a new author continuing the series, I had hoped the books would get back to the series I had fallen in love with, but perhaps it's not to be.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. I have moved on to other series, but I'm sure I'll read the next book in this one, should another be published, and the way this one left off, I get the feeling there will be more. ...more
This is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is onThis is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is one series we have both enjoyed.
We have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We like the characters and the interesting descriptions of life in the Scottish Highlands. The stories are interesting, quick reads, although many of the side stories are repetitive.
The story was very short and entertaining, but quite violent. Needlessly so. For some reason, the last few books in the series seem to have numerous murders and I'm not sure why this is so necessary for the plot. The plot itself seemed quite convoluted and more complicated than necessary, too.
Hamish's love-life is just as muddled as ever. There is a seemingly never-ending litany of women who are potential love interests or who were love interests, but remain in his life in a variety of ways, even his dearly departed Dorothy, who he grieves for still and visits her graveside often.
The latest books in this series have really departed from the cozy mystery genre and I'm growing tired of the grittiness and violence. With a new author continuing the series, I had hoped the books would get back to the series I had fallen in love with, but perhaps it's not to be.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. I see that there will be yet another book in the series and while I'm sure I will read it when it is published, I'm growing tired of this storyline. I like Hamish et al, but I am looking forward to diving into a new series.
interesting quote:
"'Get your skates on, then, laddie,' Jimmy said, urging Hamish to make a move. 'Life's wearing on, and you're a long time dead.'" (p. )...more
Intriguing tale of the supernatural in a not-quite post-apocalyptic Scotland. It's the second book in the Edinburgh Nights series and reminds me stronIntriguing tale of the supernatural in a not-quite post-apocalyptic Scotland. It's the second book in the Edinburgh Nights series and reminds me strongly of the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud.
I really enjoyed listening to Tinashe Warikandwa narrate the audiobook edition.
I had originally thought this book would be appropriate for middle grade readers, but the content and language push it solidly into young adult. Which is too bad, because typically middle grade readers like to read about characters slightly older than themselves and this might have otherwise been a good fit....more
This book offers an intriguing look at the life of Prohibition-era rum runners and the complicated lives, lives, and feuds in rural Appalachia. Some oThis book offers an intriguing look at the life of Prohibition-era rum runners and the complicated lives, lives, and feuds in rural Appalachia. Some of the story is based on real people and events at that time in history. I really enjoyed listening to the author narrate the audiobook edition of this book. ...more
Intriguing tale of the supernatural in a not-quite post-apocalyptic Scotland. It's the first book in the Edinburgh Nights series and reminds me strongIntriguing tale of the supernatural in a not-quite post-apocalyptic Scotland. It's the first book in the Edinburgh Nights series and reminds me strongly of the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud.
This book offers a fascinating perspective on opportunities and challenges we face in the 21st century. I was very impressed with Yuval Noah Harari's This book offers a fascinating perspective on opportunities and challenges we face in the 21st century. I was very impressed with Yuval Noah Harari's previous books, Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, so I expected good things from this book as well.
The narrative covers many touchy topics ranging from politics to religion to climate change to social justice to the role of technology in our lives. He does not shy away from providing his opinion in a highly convincing manner, and while I agree with most of what he has to say, I'm sure the book may anger many.
Overall, I really enjoyed listening to Derek Perkins narrate the audiobook edition and I look forward to Mr. Harari's next book.
interesting quote (page number from hardcover edition with ISBN13 978-0525512172):
"Many pedagogical experts argue that schools should be switching to teaching 'the four Cs' -- critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity." (p. 266)...more
This is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is onThis is the latest book in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. My mother-in-law and I don't always share the same taste in books, but this is one series we have both enjoyed.
We have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We like the characters and the interesting descriptions of life in the Scottish Highlands. The stories are interesting, quick reads, although many of the side stories are repetitive.
The story was very short and entertaining, but quite violent. Needlessly so. For some reason, the last few books in the series seem to have numerous murders and I'm not sure why this is so necessary for the plot. The plot itself seemed quite convoluted and more complicated than necessary, too.
Hamish's love-life is just as muddled as ever. There is a seemingly never-ending litany of women who are potential live interests or who were love interests, but remain in his life in a variety of ways, even his dearly departed Dorothy, who he grieves for still and visits her graveside often.
The latest books in this series have really departed from the cozy mystery genre and I'm growing tired of the grittiness and violence. With a new author continuing the series, I had hoped the books would get back to the series I had fallen in live with, but perhaps it's not to be.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. I see that there will be yet another book in the series written by the new author, R.W. Green, and while I'm sure I will read it when it is published, I'm growing tired of this storyline. I like Hamish et al, but I have begun to dive into other series....more
"At Pawtucket Falls, just above the Merrimack's junction with the Concord, the river drops more than 30 feet in less than a mile --interesting quotes:
"At Pawtucket Falls, just above the Merrimack's junction with the Concord, the river drops more than 30 feet in less than a mile -- a continuous surge of kinetic energy from which the mills harnessed over 10,000 horsepower. Without the falls, there would have been no textile production, no Lowell." (p. 16)
"By 1846 the mills were turning out almost one million yards of cloth a week, and by 1850 there were 10 large mill complexes employing more than 10,000 people. Until the Civil War, Lowell was the largest concentration of industry in America." (p. 39)
interesting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisiinteresting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):
"Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do." (p. )
"Our consumption-mad society is a mixed bag, morality-wise." (p. )
This book offers a collection of intriguing tales, sometimes funny, sometimes horrific, sometimes contemplative. I really enjoyed listening to Neil GaThis book offers a collection of intriguing tales, sometimes funny, sometimes horrific, sometimes contemplative. I really enjoyed listening to Neil Gaiman narrating the stories on the unabridged audiobook.
interesting quotes:
“...the English always find embarrassment wherever they look for it.”
This is a fun and educational book that puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like. It'This is a fun and educational book that puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like. It's a dramatic tale, explaining the motivations, challenges, and dangers faced by Captain Drake and his crew as they sought the northwest passage.
There are a lot of facts, but the text is arranged so that there are plenty of pictures to look at and it's not overwhelming. We enjoyed this book and will look for more of the books in the You Wouldn't Want To... series....more
This audiobook presents a collection of short stories from Dame Christie. The two narrators do a wonderful job bringing the stories to life and I realThis audiobook presents a collection of short stories from Dame Christie. The two narrators do a wonderful job bringing the stories to life and I really enjoyed listening to the tales.
August 2022 update: listened to this audiobook again and I really enjoyed the stories. Somewhat disturbing to me, however, is that I couldn't remember most of them, even though I listened to them less than three years ago.
interesting quote (page number from paperback edition with ISBN13 978-0062094445):
"...ten to one, he'd alter the title and call it something rotten, like 'Murder Most Foul,' without so much as asking me." (p. 169)...more
Bizarre and funny - this book is to adults what memes are to our girls. I shared the book with our youngest and she didn't really appreciate the humorBizarre and funny - this book is to adults what memes are to our girls. I shared the book with our youngest and she didn't really appreciate the humor.
Granted, it is a bit dated in places, but I thought many of the comics were hilarious. To each their tastes, I suppose. ...more
Filled with puzzles, quizes, games, jokes, riddles, magic tricks, and other activities, this is a wonderful book to give to any fan of James Howe's BuFilled with puzzles, quizes, games, jokes, riddles, magic tricks, and other activities, this is a wonderful book to give to any fan of James Howe's Bunnicula series, especially for a rainy day or a road trip. The book has enough activities to keep someone busy for several hours!
Along with the activities, there are many pages of historic facts, trivia, superstitions, mysteries and other information about vampires, bunnies, cats, and dogs that will entertain young and old alike.
I picked up an unused copy of this book at a local yard sale and gave it away at our local library's book club for children that I facilitate, but of course, I had to flip through the pages first. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I did.
interesting quotes:
"Bugs [Bunny] was the first cartoon rabbit to win an Oscar - in 1958 for Knighty-Knight Bugs." (p. 41)
"Rabbits originated in northwest Africa, Spain, and Portugal. All the rabbits in the United States are descendants of these wild European rabbits." (p. 66)
"It was not a dark and stormy night." (p. 104)
"The word 'cocoa' means 'food of the gods.'" (p. 127)
"If cats were believed to be possessed by demons in some countries, in others they were thought to be able to drive demons away. In Russia, for instance, a cat was put into a new cradle to rid it of evil spirits before a baby was allowed to sleep in it." (p. 132)
"There have been many superstitions about cats aboard ships. In general, cats were considered good luck, especially black cats. However, in some cases where it was lucky to have a cat on board, it was extremely unlucky to say the word 'cat.'" (p. 133)...more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
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