Customer Reviews

A Highland Christmas

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What I would call a feel good story. The characters were well thought out and the story draws you in. It was a nice break from some of the heavier themes I had been reading.

In this, the sixteenth book in a delightful series of cozy mysteries, the author returns to those elements that makes this series so addictive. It should be noted, however, that the book is decidedly shorter in length than usual, and the type face used is much larger. Even with the larger typeface, the story runs only about one hundred in thirty one pages, almost more of a novella than a novel.

That being said, this slim tome is an enjoyable read, despite the fact that there are no murders involved. Instead, the mystery involves a relatively minor crime, but this slight change in the author's formula does not serve to mar the reader's enjoyment of this book. The author serves up a heartwarming holiday tale of village life in northern Scotland with our lovable Highlander, Constable Hamish Macbeth, at its heart.

Do you ever remember dreading Christmas? Did something happen to make it all turn out all right? If not, you will find good holiday cheer in M. C. Beaton's A Highland Christmas.

The sun barely peeks over the horizon for a few hours near the solstice in Lochdubh. Most villagers hunker down indoors and perhaps take a wee dram while wishing that the telly would offer some new shows rather than rerunning Miracle on 34th Street for the hundredth time.

Where is the festiveness of the season? The religious villagers see Christmas as merely a pagan festival that no true Christian would observe. The streets are quiet, the houses are dark, and Hamish is lonely as the book opens. His family has fled to warmer climes after his mum wins a contest for writing a soap powder slogan. Priscilla is off in New York working on a computer contract.

How will Hamish celebrate the holidays? Hopefully, without a murder investigation intruding.

In a change of pace, this story focuses on the role of community policing and takes Hamish away from most serious crime. The old recluse, Mrs. Gallagher, has lost her cat, Smoky, and demands that Hamish leave no stone unturned to find Smoky. Hamish turns curious about Mrs. Gallagher when he realizes that she seems afraid of something more than a lost cat.

In searching for the cat, Hamish addresses the town's schoolchildren and asks them to be on the lookout. He asks them what they will receive for Christmas, and the children seem mostly happy. But did he spot a worried face?

In neighboring, but unneighborly, Cnothan, an enterprising vendor has persuaded the town to raise money by donation to purchase a tree and lights for the very first time. But the hopes for a festive celebration are dashed when the supply shed is broken into. Hamish follows the trail of needles to some tire tracks.

Hamish decides it would be kind to take the new teacher, Maisie Pease, out for dinner. She's soon swept up in his attention and invites Hamish for Christmas dinner. Will it be grand? How will he respond to mistletoe?

While trying to find out about Mrs. Gallagher's background, Hamish stumbles onto a nursing home where the patients could use some holiday cheer. Soon, Hamish has arranged for entertainment and brings his own party to celebrate.

With the clock ticking down towards Christmas day, Hamish finds himself with an opportunity to play Santa Claus. But will Detective Chief Inspector Blair destroy the good cheer?

And wonder of wonders . . . what will Hamish get for Christmas?

Don't miss this heart-warming story. It'll be one of your favorites.

This is a wonderful little Christmas novelette. I didn't enjoy it any less because I was reading it in March rather than in December, but it will be a wonderful addition to my holiday favourties. I am a huge Hamish Macbeth fan and this book is Hamish at his very best! It's Christmas in Lochdubh and Hamish is feeling blue - there are no Christmas lights and decorations in strict Calvinist Lochdubh and his old flame Priscilla is in New York, of all places (so far away, so very far away he thinks). But all of a sudden Hamish is very busy with some crimes in his patch. He has to deal with the village grumpy lady over her lost cat, he is confronted with a lonely little girl, and someone has taken all the fairy lights and the Christmas tree from a neighbouring village of Chnothan. Hamish pulls out all the stops on his charm and his detective ability to set things right in his little world.

In the small Highland village of Lochdubh, Christmas is not celebrated with bright decorations, festive trees or gaily-wrapped presents. The old Calvinist ways still endure. Since Christmas comes at the same time as an ancient pagan festival, the strict followers of Calvinism continue to celebrate Christmas with moderation.

Police Constable Hamish Macbeth does believe in having a wonderful Christmas, but since he's on duty during the holidays, he knows that it will be a dreary and lonely time for him. Thankfully, there are no violent crimes; however, Mrs. Gallagher, a mean and crabby woman, demands that Hamish find her lost cat. He also has to cover crime in the nearby village of Cnothan where a Christmas tree and lights were stolen. When Hamish questions people about the lost cat, he meets the pretty new teacher and a little girl who needs some joy in her life.

Hamish ponders the situation and decides to organize Christmas carols and a party at the local retirement home. He also decorates the village with sparkling strings of lights and brings the true spirit of Christmas to Lochdubh and himself.

This is the sixteenth in a series of mysteries featuring the detective work of small town, Highland Scottish detective Hamish Macbeth, P.C. It's Christmas time, but there is no rest for Hamish Macbeth. When a mean old woman from outside of town insists that her cat was stolen, Hamish begins to investigate. And then, he begins to wonder why the woman is so mean and lives a fearful and solitary life behind locked doors. A second mystery materializes when the Christmas decorations for a neighboring town are stolen. For Hamish this is a Christmas of finding things that were lost (sometimes a long time ago), and finding new friends.

My wife introduced me to Hamish Macbeth and made a fan of me. Although there are no murders, this is a great book, with an interesting storyline, setting and characters. (Sherlock Holmes stories rarely revolved around murders, as I recall.) I really enjoyed this book, and proudly proclaim it my favorite so far. If you are interested in a story set in modern Scotland, or just a good mystery, then I highly recommend this book to you.

I was very pleased to be able to fit A Highland Christmas into my own Christmas season. To all of us who know that a sudden sibilancy in Hamish McBeth's accent is because he is becoming angry: M.C. Beaton greets us with a wonderful highland holiday season. Yes, I am a fan. This is my sixth experience with Hamish (my favorites: Death of a Prankster and Death of a Macho Man) and I hope to read them all.

M.C. Beaton has done it again...a great tale, wonderfully set in Scotland, spun with all the trappings that make a holiday great. She reminds us again of life's priorities, bringing a sense of community to her work. If you are looking for a delightful gift during this upcoming season you will not do better than A Highland Christmas.

This was the first book I read from this author.

It was alittle strange to get used to the language, and the accent. But when I did, I was enchanted by the character and the way the author brought the whole story together.

One chapter at the end, touched me so, I dont know why, but it did, I actually had tears in my eyes.

Great reading, even in the summer.

M. C. Beaton delivers a Christmas tale worthy of Dickens in this delightful departure from the Death of A series. Ever hassled by headquarters, always tormented by a villager or two, plagued by petty crimes, Hamish MacBeth manages to create a Highland Christmas celebration you will never forget. This slim volume contains more Christmas magic than a huge department store, all of it delivered with delightfully understated Highland humor, and (a gift from the author?) decorated with some marvelous illustrations. Looking for a perfect Christmas gift? Put this first on your list, it will suit all ages (and particularly a pet lover). And no need to wait for Christmas - the cool, fresh Highland air and Hamish's gentle spirit were even able to blow away the heat and humidity of June in Dallas. Highly recommended!

Note: The Reader is finally permitted a glimpse of this author. And the mischievous twinkle is right there, just as I knew it would be.