Death of a Glutton by M C Beaton

Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Death of a Glutton
Hamish Macbeth - Book VIII

by M C Beaton

Lochdubh is experiencing a rare heatwave, and Tommel Castle Hotel is playing host to an upmarket dating agency. Checkmate Singles Club prides itself on finding mates for only the very best people, and its owner, Maria Worth, thinks she has four couples perfectly matched. Trouble is, not only do they not like their prospective partners, but Maria’s business partner Peta Gore turns up uninvited. There is nothing upmarket about vast, vulgar Peta, who has a huge appetite and the table manners of a hog. Perhaps this is why she is found dead with a large apple stuffed into her mouth?

There is nothing quite like a good house party murder mystery, and Ms Beaton has given this one a modern twist, setting it in a hotel, and having the guests members of a dating agency. In true classic style, the murder victim is somebody nobody liked, but if this is too cozy for you, there is plenty of equally classic Beaton comedy. However, I often feel that Lochdubh, such a delightful setting, is not truly used enough in these books, as so many of the crimes take place in this type of setting and involving outsiders. I hope that in future books we get more than a glimpse of who else lives in the village..This minor moan aside, I can recommend this as a pacy, engrossing read with plenty of satire, plenty of detection, and more than a pinch of wry social comment. Nobody does this sort of thing quite like Ms Beaton, and long may she continue to do so.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Death of a Gossip #1

Death of a Cad #2

Death of an Outsider #3

Death of a Perfect Wife #4

Death of a Hussy #5

Death of a Snob