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Death of a Scriptwriter
 
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Death of a Scriptwriter [Large Print] (Hardcover)

by M. C. Beaton (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Product Description

From Amazon.com

M.C. Beaton's 14th adventure featuring Hamish Macbeth, lovable local bobby of Lochdubh, Scotland, is a similar treat to her previous efforts. Macbeth feels a dismal foreboding when television film crews descend into his neighborhood to film a local author's out-of-print mysteries. Not only are they led by an overbearing and egotistical scriptwriter, but they have completely stood the original manuscript on its head. The producers have determined that a sexy, pot-smoking heroine will bring in more viewers than the genteel and circumspect detective true to the original. The author herself and the local Calvinist minister are not amused. Before too long, the scriptwriter, the shapely actress playing the lead, and her jealous husband all end up dead, confirming Macbeth's suspicions that the gloomy village of Drim and glamorous media types were a dangerously combustible mix.

The mystery itself seems straightforward enough, but Beaton has provided more than the usual number of suspects and subplots. All of these spike the reader's interest while her wicked characterizations of both the locals and the inhabitants of TV-land are hilarious, and very occasionally thought-provoking. The real strength of the book, and indeed Beaton's work in general, is the way in which she evokes the genuine isolation of Macbeth's rural Highlands and blends it with breezy renderings of murder, mayhem, and cozy cups of tea. In some ways it's a bit of an incongruous mix, but Beaton successfully keeps the tone on the lighter side. Death of a Scriptwriter will certainly intrigue mystery fans as well as those who have wondered about the creations of the PBS/BBC series Mystery! --K.A. Crouch --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.



From Publishers Weekly

In his 14th bracing appearance, Scottish Highland police constable Hamish Macbeth (Death of a Dentist, 1997, etc.) investigates crimes visited upon those who tinker too much with a mystery series. Anxious to be back in print, elderly mystery writer Patricia Martyn-Broyd signs an options contract that cavalierly gives a television company all rights to her books. Poor Patricia should have read the small print. Her aristocratic heroine and staid story line are soon transformed into a wild 1960s romp, featuring buxom blonde actress Penelope Gates. Patricia is mad enough to murder the scriptwriter, Jamie Gallagher. She isn't alone. Penelope's jealous, often inebriated husband, Josh, is tired of his wife's clothes coming off in every part she plays. Jamie, Josh and Penelope all die in quick succession during location filming in the weird Scottish village of Drim, which is a mere stone's throw from lanky, laconic Hamish's hometown of Lochdubh. A good man cursed with a blustery, jealous superior and poor judgment in affairs of the heart, Hamish has a motley crew of actors and producers for suspects, in addition to the snooty yet vulnerable Patricia. There's a little less of Hamish himself this time out, and his romantic misfires feel cursory, but the environs are brooding and Beaton's affectionate wit remains dry and delightful. Mystery Guild featured alternate; author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Very Funny!, May 9 2007
This review is from: Death of a Scriptwriter (Mass Market Paperback)

Lochdubh's finest, the ease-loving Police Constable Hamish Macbeth, finds himself wanting to help others reduce their loneliness in Death of a Scriptwriter. The only trouble is, no one thinks very much about his loneliness.

When English people come to Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, they often don't adjust very well. Patricia Martyn-Broyd, a mystery writer, seems to be no exception. She sees herself as being socially above her neighbors and doesn't make any friends. Her writing has been out-of-print for some time, and she's suffering from writer's block. Ms. Martyn-Broyd also knows that her style of sedate, well-plotted mystery is no longer in favor. A momentary bright spot in her life comes when Hamish takes pity on her and they go trout fishing together without a license.

The writer's outlook is turned upside down, however, when a television producer, Harry Frame, decides to option her first mystery. She makes a classic mistake and signs the contract without advice. The television people are now free to take her title and characters and do with them as they want. Her refined detective, Lady Harriet Vere, is transformed by a lout of a bullying scriptwriter into a loose-living hippy in a sixties commune who tears her clothes off at the slightest provocation. The role will be played by a shapely, young actress, Penelope Gates, who is best known for baring all.

The production company gets the needed financing and heads north to scout locations. Hamish doesn't like the scriptwriter and recommends that dark den of negative passions, Drim. The fool takes Hamish's advice, and strong emotions are soon simmering as shooting begins. It's hard to say who is angrier about the series idea, Patricia, the local minister, or Penelope's drunken husband who made her swear to keep her clothes on.

Everyone is soon trying to fire or stop everyone else, and tempers flare even more. When someone bashes in the scriptwriter's head with a rock, Detective Chief Inspector Blair is easily satisfied that he's found the guilty party. But when another person is killed, all bets are off. Blair's bullying gets him suspended from the force.

Meanwhile, Hamish is trying, once again, to solve the cases from afar . . . as a favor to distraught Patricia. There's a bright spot for Hamish; there seems to be a mutual attraction between Sheila, the attractive young assistant, and him. Could this relationship go someplace? Priscilla makes a brief appearance over the telephone to remind Hamish to look into the backgrounds of the suspects.

This story is much more complex than most of M.C. Beaton's novels in the Hamish Macbeth series. You have the saga of Patricia's writing career, the squabbles and problems among those in the television production company, the undercurrent of anger and envy among the women in Drim as they vie for attention, the new minister's unstable marriage, Hamish's courting of his new lady friend, as well as two murders. Hamish also has to deal with two heavy-handed detectives, rather than just Blair.

There are many ironies in the story, as befits a satire of making a soap opera based on a fusty fictional detective story. Naturally, the fact that the BBC produced so many stories based on the books in the series adds even more irony. How much of this book is autobiographical? I found myself laughing much more than usual as standard soap opera complications were worked into the plot of Death of a Scriptwriter.

The character development in Death of a Scriptwriter is much better than in most of the other books in this series. Almost all of the new characters become people you'll feel you understand before the book is done. It is most impressive to put in so many plot elements and such fine character development.

Unlike some of the other stories in the series, you could read this book without having read the earlier ones and appreciate the book quite well.

Strongly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Charming Hamish at his best., Feb 8 2004
By S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Death of a Scriptwriter (Mass Market Paperback)
In this book we see Hamish at his best. He's charming and endearing. This book portrays the life of an aging mystery writer in the way only M.C. Beaton can. A television company is going to serialize some of Patricia Murtyn-Broyd's old, out-of-print books, which puts Ms. Priscilla over the top. But then people begin mysteriously dying. Is this potential revial to her books going to go up in smoke? Hamish is on the case (minus his Priscilla this time), and you can bet he solves it, but not before uncovering more twists and turns and potential murderers than he knows what to do with. Again Hamish steals the book. He is the most endearing sleuth out there right now.
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5.0 out of 5 stars "HAMISH IS GREAT"!!!!!!!, Jul 9 2001
By Mac Blair "Mac Blair" (Huntingdon, TN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Death of a Scriptwriter (Mass Market Paperback)
Another good book in the Hamish Macbeth series. I enjoy these much better than the Agatha Raisin books. A group from a TV production company come to Drim to film a TV show. The scriptwriter is killed. Who could have done it? Several has said they would kill him. Was it Fiona, Patricia, Angus or Josh? Inspector Blair believes it was __________. Hamish is not so sure, then someone else is killed. Who killed the second person? Was it Gervase, Fiona or Shella? Hamish keeps digging until he comes up with an answer. As usual Beaton writes so you can feel like you are there. I can see the mountains and the mist in my mind. The characters are great and seems so real. Will be glad to read the next book. If you have not, please read one of the Hamish Macbeth books, I think you will like it.
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 		 Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Delicious satire on British "cozies"
Readers who do not like M. C. Beaton's Hamish McBeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries are missing the point. Read more
Published on May 11 2000 by Kathryn B. Gurkin

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly, wonderful series!
I had bought a copy of Death of A Hussy a long time ago and never read it - keeping it in the back of my bookshelf. Read more
Published on Oct 12 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars This is a dull book with predictable characters.
I have not read any book in this series before. Perhaps other books by this author are better. However, "Death of a Scriptwriter" is mystery by the numbers. Read more
Published on Aug 15 1999 by E. Bukowsky

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
This is the first book I read by this author and thought it was quite entertaining. I read the entire book in one day and would have liked it to be a little longer. Read more
Published on Aug 3 1999

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