Death of a Snob

Book Description

"Pure bliss." Atlanta Journal & Constitution
A Hamish Macbeth Mystery by the author of "Death of a Hussy."
With a cold in his head and no place to go for Christmas, Hamish snaps up the invitation of drop-dead gorgeous Jane Wetherby to spend the holiday at her Scottish island health farm -- and figure out who is trying to kill her.
When Hamish arrives on the island of Eileencraig, he finds threatening locals and fellow guests barely more civil, especially a terrible snob named Heather Todd. It seems like everyone on the island has a grudge against Jane. How to choose among so many suspects?
But then one suspect is eliminated. Heather Todd is murdered. And suddenly Hamish's Christmas is looking very black indeed . . .

Customer Reviews:

A Deeply Ironic and Memorable Christmas Mystery.......2006-12-28

Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is miserable. He's sick . . . and no one seems to notice. He also is looking forward to visiting his family on his Christmas holiday . . . until he's warned off because his aunt who cannot stand him is coming from America. In a foul mood, he's not too excited when Priscilla Hallburton-Smythe asks him to talk to a guest, Jane Wetherby, at the family hotel (formerly the family castle) about two brushes with death and an inauspicious tea leaf reading. Meeting Jane, he's quickly impressed by her looks, her wealth, and her health farm (the Happy Wanderer) on remote Eileencraig. His mood lifts when he's able to inveigle an invitation for a free trip over Christmas to "look into things there." He leaves the exhausted Priscilla to trek to his parents' home to deliver Christmas presents in a terrible blizzard . . . and promptly forgets about her while becoming intrigued by the widowed cookbook author, Harriet Shaw, who becomes Dr. Watson to his Sherlock Holmes.

Naturally, Hamish is trying to fit in with the other guests . . . and not indicate that he's a policeman on holiday with a purpose. Choosing a cover as a forester, he's ripped up one side and down the other by one of the guests, Heather Todd, who is a social climbing communist sympathizer who favors any trendy left-wing cause for which she can hold a party. But you cannot blame Heather too much for her self-absorption: Her husband mainly likes to admire himself in the mirror. The other guests don't endear themselves to Hamish very much either. He soon wishes that he were anywhere else. And then, mysterious events start to occur. Jane disappears, and Hamish sets out to find her. Then one of the guests disappears and the search is even more challenging.

The mystery is a delightful one, with fair clues to help you figure out who did what to whom. The detection process is also fun. Hamish's attraction to Heather provides lots of amusing scenes. Priscilla's Christmas story will be one you'll long think about.

The book's only weakness is that the victim is painted in harsher colors than are needed for the story. That creates a memorable character, but hardly a realistic one.

Christmas in the Highlands.......2006-02-02

The holidays are not starting out too well for Constable Hamish Macbeth, he has time off but nowhere to go, Priscilla is totally immersed in running the family-home-turned-hotel and he's coming down with a cold. Things begin to look up when a friend of Priscilla decides that she has been targeted for murder and would like Hamish to find out who is behind the attempts on her life. Hamish is convinced that the matter is all in her head but since the investigation would involved free room and board at the would be victim's resort it might bear looking into after all.

The resort turns out to be a health spa on an island in Hebrides and currently filled with a group of the owner's (and potential victim's) friends. Just as Hamish decides that there is really nothing to these murder attempts someone is killed and in a very suspicious manner. Hamish goes about solving the crime in his own unique way.

This is the sixth entry into the series about the young police constable in the remote village of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands. Hamish has been smitten for years with Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, daughter of a formerly wealthy family now fallen on hard times - whence the need to manage the family home as a hotel, unfortunately the romance has proceeded only in fits and starts.

This is definitely a 'cozy' style of mystery. The mystery itself, although clever and fairly laid out, is perhaps secondary to the life and loves of young Hamish himself. It's a pleasant read and a moderate challenge to a fan of this genre. If you enjoy this type of mystery I would recommend beginning at the beginning - DEATH OF A CAD - but it is definitely a series worth beginning.

A great book, and a great mystery.......2005-02-17

This is the sixth in a series of wonderful mysteries featuring the detective work of small town, Highland Scottish detective Hamish Macbeth, P.C. In this book, Hamish is dubious of an attractive health farm owner's belief that someone is trying to kill her, but accepts her invitation to come to her place in the Hebrides. However, when another guest turns up dead, Hamish does not agree with his superior's belief that the death was an accident, and goes on investigating. There's a lot here that doesn't meet the eye and only Hamish Macbeth will be able to find the motive for the murder, and as such the murderer.

Being a dyed-in-the-wool Hamish Macbeth fan, I can tell you that this is another great Hamish mystery, just as good as the rest. The story was quite fascinating, and I have always enjoyed M.C. Beaton's (pseudonym of Marion Chesney) Highlands & Islands setting and characters. Overall I thought that this was a great book, and a great mystery. If you like mysteries, or are merely interest in Scotland, then you must get this book!

Hamish at a Health Farm?.......2003-10-07

This is one of the best examples of a cozy Christmas mystery that I've read for awhile. Hamish is at loose ends on Lochdubh. He can't go to his parents' house since there is going to be an aunt there who hates him. Priscilla is too busy with her father's hotel, so he accepts an invitation to go to lonely, remote Eileencraig for the holidays. One of Priscilla's acquaintances has asked him to come in an unofficial capacity to investigate whether or not there is someone trying to kill her. While he's there another resident at the health farm turns up dead, and Hamish finds himself in the middle of a murder again. The best thing about this book is a native islander called Geordie and his possessed truck. Beaton never fails to amuse and Hamish is as adorable as ever.

Ya gotta love Hamish!.......2003-05-31

It's Christmas, and Hamish is sick. The unlikable Jane Wetherby from the island of Eileencraig thinks someone's trying to kill her. She runs a health farm, where lots of interesting characters are staying, all of whom, of course, become suspects in what leads to murder. DEATH OF A SNOB may be the 4th in the Hamish Macbeth series -- I've lost count. It's coprighted 1991. The awkward relationship between Hamish and Priscilla contines. This is a real cozy in the old tradition, with a group brought together on an island. It's fun, short, and light, but also moody and dark, with some elements of a real "thriller" thrown in, along with some fun characters. Once again, Beaton has made the nasty one so nasty that I'd have wanted to kill that one myself!

3 Titles By M.C. Beaton Hamish MacBeth Series : Death of a Hussy - Death of a Snob - Death of a Village

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3 Titles By M.C. Beaton Hamish MacBeth Series : Death of a Hussy - Death of a Snob - Death of a Village
M.C. Beaton
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000VTECHW

Product Description

multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.

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Death of a Snob

Manufacturer: Ivy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HHVGN6

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Death of a Snob
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: Ivy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NX3XVM

4 PBs by M.C. Beaton: Death of a Snob, Outsider, Gossip, Hussy (Hamish Macbeth Mystery)

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4 PBs by M.C. Beaton: Death of a Snob, Outsider, Gossip, Hussy (Hamish Macbeth Mystery)
M. C. Beaton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VV2UJM

Product Description

Paperbacks

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Death of a Snob
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTHDXE

Death of a Snob : A Hamish MacBeth Mystery

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Death of a Snob : A Hamish MacBeth Mystery
M. C. (aka Marion McChesney) Beaton
Manufacturer: NY : St. Martins Press (1991)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NW4T5W

Customer Reviews:

Avoid at all costs.......2000-01-07

If I'd known this novel was another Volo story by Brian Thomsen I wouldn't've bought it, and that's saying a lot, because I've got all the Forgotten Realms Novels.

As you can see by the title of the book, the story is a rip-off of "the man in the iron mask", and badly done, placing Volo in the middle of the story of a man placed in a mask because of his likeness to the current ruler.

In my opinion, the worst thing about this novel is that at one point we read a conversation giving the whole background - as to how the current ruler's father was a slave who managed to escape and end up ruling a country - and this story seems FAR more interesting than what Brian actually has us reading.

Brian - stick to the editing and away from the Authoring

Well...........1999-02-23

Let's just say that it's not the most original story in the world. The characters aren't bad, and its a change to see things such as level limits mentioned in an AD&D novel...but apart from these, the book just hasn't got the flair of a great work!! Stick to the original book.

Review From Mr. Ronto's CCG and RPG Page.......1998-02-24

The Nobles series just keeps on getting better and better, before this book that is. The Mage in the Iron Mask isnt a bad book, but lets just say by far it's the worst of the Nobles series. Thomsen just isnt a great writer like Salvatore or Anthony, because his last (and only other) book was worse than this one. The thing that makes it bad is not the characters, on the contrary, the characters are very good, especially the villains and the supporting characters. And its not the story either, the story is pretty good, just not all that original. The things that make his books bad are the stupid little puns he throws in, and with really bad taste. For example, in one part of this book, Rassendyll is complaining about his neck being chaffed from the mask. Passpout (whom the bad puns usually come from) tells a story about a mage that used to make this oil to put on rough skin to make it softer and make it feel better, the mages name was Oleigh. The item he was talking about he called Oil of Oleigh (Oil of Olay). There are worse one, such as a solder that's name is Nabors, but his friends call him GoMar, and he always says "golly" at the beginning of every sentence (from the show Gomer Pile, the actors name was Jim Nabors). That's basically the worse of it, the puns, there are a few other puns that have to do with other FR novels, but they aren't as bad. The reason the puns are so bad, is that, the reason we read FR novels(or any other fantasy novel) is that we want to escape this world and go into a fantasy for awhile. With Brian Thomsen's novels, you're constantly reminded of the real world, constantly reminded that this is just a novel that your reading, not a mythical story that the Forgotten Realms has been built to become. The story is good, filled with good adventure and fighting, but not all too serious drama here. Lots of comic things but not enough dramatic moments. Over all, a pretty good book (if you can look past those terrible puns), characters are good, story is decent, this book is basically just a "if there's nothing else on the shelf, read it" book. If you like good fantasy and drama, look someplace else.

The Nobles (Forgotten Realms) Books 1-6: King Pinch/david Cook, War in Tethyr/victor Milan, Escape From Undermountain/mark Anthony, the Mage in the Iron Mask/brian Thomsen, the Council of Blades/paul Kidd, the Simbul's Gift/lynn Abbey (The Nobles, volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

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The Nobles (Forgotten Realms) Books 1-6: King Pinch/david Cook, War in Tethyr/victor Milan, Escape From Undermountain/mark Anthony, the Mage in the Iron Mask/brian Thomsen, the Council of Blades/paul Kidd, the Simbul's Gift/lynn Abbey (The Nobles, volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Victor Milan, Mark Anthony, Brian Thomsen, Paul Kidd, Lynn Abbey David Cook
Manufacturer: TSR/ Forgotten Realms
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UCT054

Product Description

Fantasy

Customer Reviews:

Not a must-read, but a good-read all the same........2006-12-01

It's an excellent story, as can be expected from Frank Herbert: the philosophy, the insights, the characters, and the inventiveness are all superb as usual-- but this time he adds a brash and down-to-earth touch that's a lot more refreshing than the deep, dark waters of the Dune series. The people are more real, more human, more accessible, more easily annoyed, more.. humble, I guess.

To put it simply: it's not an epic. It's short, it's sweet, and it's extremely enjoyable as a light read.

The only problem that I encountered was the lack of coherency. The events of the first half seemed completely stand-alone from the second half-- and even if they were centered around similar themes, there were a lot of things left dangling by the end of the book.
But actually, that might have been his entire point: leave things open-ended.

In any case, I don't mind. It was a great book. Not earth-shattering or ground-breaking, but I'm glad I read it.

Stunningly prophetic of our current world.......2006-06-21

The first thing that struck me about the main theme of The Godmakers is how incredibly prescient it was of what kind of climate we would face today. Along the same kind of prophetic lines that Dune was, The Godmakers takes on the idea of pre-emptive war or subversion of foreign states in the pursuit of engineering peace (or at least, avoiding mass-scale war). Herbert's storytelling elucidates the hazards of engineering peace, and the great danger of contradicting ideas with actions when it comes to giving peace at the barrel of a gun.

Don't worry, Herbert won't bash you over the head with these ideas like I've been doing. Just like in Dune, he delicately develops this and other tangential themes using complex characters who seem human on one side, and messiahs on the other (think Paul Atreides). If you want science-fiction that glistens with the sheen of brilliance but never blinds you, this book affirms that yet again, Herbert is your man.

Too grand and atmospheric.......2006-03-29

I am a huge Frank Herbert fan, and although I enjoyed the book, too much was left unexplained, both the 'technology' (?) and character motivations (what is psi, exactly???). The book seemed to jump from episode to episode, and unlike many of Herbert's better books, it focuses on a single character. While philosophically interesting, it does not provide the sense of adventure that Dune does. Thankfully the book is a quick read, or else it would require alot of imagination and a very long attention span. Recommended for diehard fans only.

Excellent, if awkward.......2004-05-30

Frank Herbert asks interesting questions, here, but the writing seems a little awkward, as though he were unsure of how to communicate his awesome ideas. While the writing here is not as good as it eventually became, and some of the story is awkward, it is well worth reading. If you're a Herbert fan, then you should enjoy it.

To clear up the confusion.......2003-12-11

Some are confuded about the references some of these reveiws have to Mormonism. This book does not discuss Mormonism, the book that they are refering to is a book by Ed Decker and Dave Hunt which has the same title.

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The Godmakers
Don Pendleton
Manufacturer: Pinnacle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0523003234

Product Description

Patrick Honor was possessed by Psychic Power Sources, which led him, even though he could not understand them.

The Godmaker Legacy: The Celestial Machine: A Novel

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The Godmaker Legacy: The Celestial Machine: A Novel
Kirkland D Casey
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595334423

Book Description

Peace was abruptly shattered throughout the Universe. The two Great Forces of the undecided War for the Godmaker had ignited a flame that soon became the first true Universal War. For seven months, the cosmic conflict raged as the Dark Alliance, loyal to the thought dead Lu'saferon, openly invaded galaxies and star systems with no apparent pattern to their carnage. In response, the followers of the Star Gods continued to hopelessly attempt to mount any kind of defense.

Sequestered on the Forbidden First Space World of Infinati, the self-imposed exiles of Acquisition Team Phoenix become increasingly aware of how the Universe was tearing itself apart around them. No longer able the luxury of remaining in hiding, Dr. Thomas London and his family are forced to expose the Godmaker to the fires of the Universal War in a desperate attempt to uncover the secrets behind Lu'saferon's Grand Design. And at the heart of that design is an artifact under construction that could rival even the energies of the vaunted Godmaker. With new allies, Team Phoenix is about to discover the deadliest and most dangerous find yet in the Celestial Machine.

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The Godmaker Legacy: The Derelict: A Novel

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The Godmaker Legacy: The Derelict: A Novel
Kirkland D Casey
Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595296874

Book Description

Since the beginning of time, the Derelict has been trapped within the confines of Forbidden Space. Only the most ancient races in the Universe know of its existence and that of the darkness concealed on board. The Derelict was supposed to be an enigma that was to forever remain unsolved. However, for xeno-archeologist Dr. Thomas London and the crew of Union Acquisition Team Phoenix, the Derelict was about to become their next assignment.

Known as the best at acquiring rare artifacts of dead alien civilizations, Team Phoenix becomes the prime target of a plot to secure the secrets from the Universe's most coveted mystery. To acquire the Derelict, London and his team will have to challenge a pantheon of the Universe's most revered race, the Star Gods, with the survival of the Universe hanging on the outcome.

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THE GODMAKERS

Manufacturer: Berkley Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000GQXJ6U

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The Godmakers
Frank Herbert
Manufacturer: Berkley Medallion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TXUX8W

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The Godmakers
Dan (Don Pendleton) Britain
Manufacturer: Pinnacle Books P010-N: New York, NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000CSYNVW

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The Godmakers

Manufacturer: Pinnacle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0523000103

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Godmakers Frazetta Cover
Dan Britain
Manufacturer: PINNACLE BOOKS INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000Q11LGK

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Godmakers Frazetta Cover
Dan Britain
Manufacturer: PINNACLE BOOKS INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TNCEJ8

Book Description

"Sound nutrition is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle," writes Michel Stroot, and he should know. As the executive chef at southern California's famed Golden Door Spa, he has perfected the art of conscious cooking and nourishment and now shares over 150 of his unique and delicious recipes in Golden Door Cooks Light and Easy. The Golden Door Spa is one of America's most exclusive holistic wellness retreats, and the celebration of food-from garden to table-is a cornerstone of the spa's "simplicity is luxury" ideology. Stroot's recipes are not only nutritionally balanced, but also imaginative, aromatic, and always delicious. In keeping with the Golden Door Spa philosophy, he aims to "provide the hurried person a cuisine of simple and enticing meals that will renew physical and mental energy," with recipes that use only fresh, healthy ingredients, allowing creativity and spirit to enhance every meal. With guidelines for creating well-balanced meal plans, advice on how to cut time in the kitchen, and ways to reduce fat while enhancing flavor, Golden Door Cooks Light and Easy surpasses so many other cookbooks that amount to nothing more than a list of exotic ingredients from a fancy kitchen. From breakfast to beverages, appetizers to sauces, salads to seafood and easy desserts, Chef Stroot shares his favorite menus as he reflects on the Golden Door belief that "it is necessary to maintain a balance between what goes into our bodies and what we can expect to get out in terms of energy, enthusiasm, and enjoyment." Classically trained, Chef Michel Stroot honed his skills as the executive chef at the Golden Door Spa for more than two decades. His food has been praised by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Gourmet, and Vogue. Stroot has been called "a kitchen genius" and his creations "tantalizing and singularly inspiring." Originally from Belgium, he lives in San Marcos, California.

Customer Reviews:

Spa Cuisine.......2005-06-14

Michel Stroot is a Belgian-born Chef with culinary experience from his life in England and the South of France. In The Golden Door Cooks Light & Easy he explores the fantasy spa life through beautiful descriptions and recipes you can make at home. He also gives advice on how to create a spa experience at home by eating outside or creating a sacred space for relaxing meals.

The pictures of Zen gardens, ancient temple bells and natural surroundings give an additional cozy atmosphere to this cookbook. It is one of those books you'd like to jump into and I'm sure this cookbook has inspired many visits to San Diego, CA or the closest spa that could be found.

Recipes you might find intriguing:

Miso Soup with Tofu, Scallions and Enoki Mushrooms
Vegetable, Chicken and Barley Soup
Cabbage Hand Rolls with Gingered Wild Rice

Apple Spice Muffins - Chef Michel Stroot uses applesauce and yogurt in place of butter and oil and also uses wheat flour and rolled oats.

Curried Leg of Lamb with Currants, Mango and Deborah's Basmati Rice
Broiled Lamb Chops with Whole-Grain Mustard and Belgian Root Vegetable Mash
Seared Duck Breast with Cherry Sauce and Butternut Squash-Orange Risotto

Each recipe is well organized with the ingredients listed in the order they are used. If you need to make a chicken stock, the page number is given for easy reference.

The chicken stock recipe in this book is almost exactly how I've been making chicken stock since forever except now I've been using a leftover rotisserie chicken and the results seem to be about the same, if not more delicious. It works and it beats any stock paste mixed with water. You can freeze the stock and the flavor in soups will surprise you if you are used to using a bullion cube or stock paste.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Easy-to-follow instructions for cooks of all skill levels.......2003-08-11

The Golden Door Cooks Light & Easy: Delicious Recipes From America's Premier Spa by Michel Stroot (Executive Chef at the luxury southern Californian spa "Golden Door", is a one-of-a-kind cookbook featuring genuine "spa cuisine", with recipes that do not require butter or unnecessary fats, but rather rely on the seasonal freshness of ingredients. Easy-to-follow instructions for cooks of all skill levels offer professional level techniques for creating scrumptious and healthy dishes such as Vegetable Terrine Provencale; Turkey Basil Mozzarella Pizza; Rose Hip and Cranberry Tea; and many more appetizing dishes. An excellent and delectable compilation, the Golden Door Cooks Light & Easy is a welcome addition to any personal or professional cookbook collection.

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