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Death of a Prankster
 
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Death of a Prankster (Mass Market Paperback)

by M.C. Beaton (Author)
3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Price: CDN$ 9.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over CDN$ 39. Details
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Frequently Bought Together

Death of a Prankster + Death of a Snob + Death of a Hussy
Price For All Three: CDN$ 28.97

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Product Details

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Scottish constable Hamish Macbeth, following Death of a Gossip in his seventh case, once again nails a murderer despite the crude bullying and dim detecting of his nemesis and superior, Chief Detective Inspector Blair. Wealthy local Andrew Trent, notorious for practical jokes that have far exceeded short-sheeted beds and whoopee cushions, has summoned his would-be heirs to his northern mansion with the false announcement that he has only a short time left to live. Braving the Highlands winter are his adopted son and his TV-star fiancee, two spinster daughters, his brother (with his brittle wife) and his scientist stepson (with his punk, pink-haired girlfriend and colleague). After Andrew is murdered in a prank that backfires, Macbeth wends his way through a tangle of family squabbles and secrets. Another murder and an attempt on a third victim follow in this readable tale that doesn't, however, bear close scrutiny. Illogic abounds and the final confession is precipitated by a wild coincidence.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From Kirkus Reviews

A feeble new adventure for Scottish constable Hamish MacBeth of Lochdubh village (Death of a Snob, etc.). Smart, sweet, and totally unambitious Hamish is confronted with the murder of millionaire Andrew Trent--a cruel, near-certifiable practical-joker whose family had gathered in response to the message that he was dying. Just one more joke, of course--but someone had had enough, and the old man was found stabbed to death in what looked like the execution of still another prank. His adopted son Charles; spinster daughters Angela and Betty; brother Jeffrey; Jeffrey's grasping wife Jan; her mother-fixated son Paul; and a couple of unrelated tag-alongs, as well as the Spanish houseman and cook--all are subjected to the lashing interrogations of Hamish's despised superior, Inspector Blair, who gets nowhere. It takes a second murder--plus a bright idea from Hamish's friend Priscilla--to sort it all out. A clumsily contrived puzzle, full of unreal characters, artificial dialogue, and a surprisingly harmless Hamish. Beaton coasting. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Death of a Prankster
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (1)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.2 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3.0 out of 5 stars Not Much to Laugh or Smile About, Jan 19 2007

Death of a Prankster is that rarity in this series, a pretty ordinary mystery and story that borders on not quite being up to the average level. Unlike many of the other stories in the series, you could skip this one and not miss anything. But I think you'll enjoy Death of a Prankster well enough, as long as you don't expect it to begin to match up to Death of a Hussy.

Think of this novel as the case that got Hamish central heating for the Lochdubh police station where he resides.

Andrew Trent is a monster of a man, playing cruel, crude jokes on one and all: It's his purpose in life. His family avoids him like the plague, but because Andrew is rich, they flock together when he tells one and all that he's on death's door. Trent may not have meant that to be true, but it turns out to be the case when someone murders the old scoundrel. But bumping off Trent doesn't end the murderous mayhem. Until late in the book, it's clear that almost everyone hated Trent . . . but the motive and method of his murder are unclear. A chance investigative foray reveals all, and the ending simply explores the harm that greed does to the soul. In typical Hamish Macbeth fashion, there's a confrontation with all of the suspects that leads to a confession (Perry Mason style) based on a pretty far-fetched scenario.

Trent doesn't ring true as a character. That's a major flaw in the book. In addition, most of the other characters don't ring true either. Some, while ringing a little bit true, aren't anyone you want to know more about. So you're left with the story to keep you entertained. It's not a very entertaining story. So you'll find yourself simply cherishing the moments when it's all Hamish and Priscilla in their intimate-at-arm's-length relationship.

The book is ultimately almost totally forgettable. I don't even remember having a good laugh or smile while reading the material.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Not one of her best, Oct 14 2003
By S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
In this book we see Hamish called to Arrat House on the demise of the master of the house, Mr. Arthur Trent. Hamish has had a previous run-in with this man because of one of Trent's endless practical jokes, so Hamish is not sure if it's a real murder when he's called or just a prank. It turns out to be real, so Hamish sets out to find a killer. We see the odious Inspector Blair and more of Priscilla in this book. I found the plot a little thin, and it's missing a lot of the unique highland flare that shows up in Ms. Beaton's other books, but well worth a read if you're reading the series as I am.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Not her best , but still enjoyable, Jan 4 2003
By Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews
Hamish McBeth is called to a strange murder scene. Inveterate practical Joker Andrew Trent has been murdered by a guest in his home. The live in couple already have him laid out with candles on his billiard table. Apparently, the deceased got all of his relatives to visit him by saying that he was dying. After tormenting them with various cruel practical jokes, he is found stabbed to death in one of the guest's rooms. They all hated him enough to kill him, but which one actually did?

This wasn't the best of the series. The characters are not very sympathetic and are pretty two dimensional. Hamish and Priscilla's relationship has no real place in the story, and the ending really doesn't resolve much. A quick read, but not up to her usual standards.

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 		 Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Not her best , but still enjoyable
Hamish McBeth is called to a strange murder scene. Inveterate practical Joker Andrew Trent has been murdered by a guest in his home. Read more
Published on Jan 4 2003 by Moe811

3.0 out of 5 stars Death of a Prankster
"Death of a Prankster" is the seventh Hamish Macbeth mystery by M. C. Beaton. Andrew Trent, a rich old man, who is a terrible practical joker has called his family to his home... Read more
Published on Feb 2 2002 by Ricky C. Nelson

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
This was my first M.C.Beaton book, and so far I have read many more. My mother bought it for me becasue she enjoyed his writing for a long time. Read more
Published on Jan 8 2001 by - Kasia S.

3.0 out of 5 stars An average book by an extraordinary author.
This book has a good plot, but the plot is over shadowed by the amount of descriptive detail that hovers around a hippie with pink hair.A good book, but not the greatest. Read more
Published on Mar 26 2000 by brockweir@home.com

3.0 out of 5 stars A Decent, Serviceable Mystery
In Death of a Prankster, a mean-spirited millionaire claims he's at death's door. Assorted family members and hangers-on rush over to stay at his mansion, hoping to be rewarded... Read more
Published on Aug 21 1998

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