Monday, March 14, 2011

Review AND Giveaway - Death of a Chimney Sweep - M.C. Beaton

M.C. Beaton is the author of two very light hearted  mystery series set in Scotland. Of the two, I enjoy the Hamish Macbeth tales just a tad bit more than Agatha Raisin, although they're both wonderful. Death of a Chimney Sweep is the 26th book in the Hamish series.

Hamish is the local policeman in the isolated Scottish village of Lochdubh. (Which seems to have had more than it's fair share of dead bodies popping up over the years!)

Chimney sweeps are still employed in this rural village, but someone did a job on the latest homeowner to employ Pete Ray. Captain Davenport is found quite dead, stuffed in his chimney. Hamish can't believe that local  Pete Ray is capable of such a crime. And he's proven right when Pete's body is the next one found. So who is doing the killing - and why?

The crimes, although interesting, aren't the draw for me in this series. It is the recurring characters. The town of Lochdubh is populated with more than a few eccentric characters. This quirkiness that draws me back time and time again. But Hamish is the best character of all. He has no desire to be promoted and leave his beloved pets (Sonsie - a feral cat and Lugs the dog) and his tiny live-in police station. In fact he does his best to make sure it doesn't happen, having let others take the credit for cases he has solved in the past. He has no respect for authority and his ongoing battle with nemesis Chief Inspector Blair is a source of constant conflict for Blair but a source of amusement for readers.  Hamish's willingness to work outside the law a wee bit to take care of his villagers doesn't endear him to the powers that be. Women are drawn to the tall, lanky red haired bobby, but he always seems to mess up his romantic involvements.

I have chosen to listen to the last few books in audio format. The reader, Graeme Malcolm, has a wonderfully expressive voice and a good thick brogue. He has solidified the image of Hamish for me.

Hamish Macbeth also ran as a BBC television series in 1995-1997 starring Robert Carlyle. Read an excerpt of Death of a Chimney Sweep. (Fun fact - M.C. Beaton is only one of the pseudonyms of prolific author Marion Chesney)

I don't read a lot of 'cozy' mysteries, but I just adore this series! Want to see if you'll love it too? Thanks to the generosity of The Hachette Book Group, I have two hardcover copies of this latest title to giveaway. Open to US and Canada, no po boxes please. One winner per address. Simply comment to be entered. Ends Sat. April 9th at 6 pm EST. Good luck and check the sidebar for ongoing giveaways.

63 comments:

  1. I do love cozies and would love to read this one. Thanks for the chance.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

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  2. I enjoy cozy mystery series, but have never tried this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  3. I love this series, it is one of my favorites. I feel like every time I read one, I always think, this will be the one where Hamish finds his true love.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  4. This is an excellent series, would love to win.

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

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  5. My sister and I both enjoy this series.
    djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I wish your American & Canadian readers luck - Hamish Macbeth is a fine series.

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  7. would love to read it

    vidishamun@gmail.com

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  8. This sounds like a great cozy read. I love characters that make you root for them, and want to read them over and over.

    helpersarah2009@gmail.com

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  9. I'd love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

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  10. I'd love to try this series! Thanks for the chance to win!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. I haven't read any of the series, but I have this book, I hope it stands well alone. No need to enter me.

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  12. Today would be a great day to read this book as it is a cold, gray day.
    Would love to win.
    susan.byerly@comcast.net

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  13. I have been wanting to read this book! Thanks, for the chance to win it!

    gcpeach17 at aol dot com

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  14. I love reading mysteries, thanks for the opportunity to win!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I've just barely dipped into the cozy mysteries and like them!

    taffy.lovell@gmail.com

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  16. I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  17. Love her books!! Throw my name in the hat, please.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  18. This sounds like the type of book I enjoy reading.

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  19. I enjoyed your review and would love to read Death of a Chimney Sweep :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. Looks like a great read - I love Cozy mysteries :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

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  21. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you Luanne. No need to enter me.

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  22. I love the stories written by M.C. Beaton.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

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  23. Please count me in. It sounds like a great series.
    mnsteph[at]gmail[dot]com

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  24. I loved the Hamish Macbeth series but never read any of the books.

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  25. I love Marion Chesney and would love to read this one. Thanks. :)

    vgsaxon(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. I think I would really enjoy this book. Please enter me!
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. This looks like a great mystery to curl up with.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  28. HORTON111@AOL.COM

    I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THIS TO READ

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  29. Love the Hamish series and cozies and Beaton's are some of the best. Am of Scottish ancestry and spent 4 years there caring for my Mom's sister before she passed and in many ways it is a modern country but the patina of age and tradition and lives long gone hangs over everything and everywhere and the people protect it as best they can.

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  30. I haven't read any of this series, but it sounds like something I would like.

    I won a book in a series once and liked it so much I went out and bought all of the others.

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  31. Count me in!

    dwarzel at hotmail.com

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  32. The Hamish series has been one I've always intended to begin. I guess I have a lot of making up to do.

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  33. Sounds like a good book for a warm spring day on the chaise lounge.

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  34. I love Hamish and I love this series. Thanks for the giveaway!
    eswright18 at gmail dot com

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  35. This sounds like a good read.

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  36. I enjoy cozy mysteries and haven't read anything by this author yet. After reading your review I know that this is one book I don't want to miss. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Thank you!
    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Would enjoy this cozy mystery. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. Thanks for this unique mystery. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. I would love to read this book. Thanks for having a giveaway.

    O2oole (at) verizon.net

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  40. thanks for the chance to read this novel :P)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  41. looks like an interesting read. I would love to win.
    ykatrina at hotmail dot com

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  42. Although I have seen this author's name several times, have never read any of the books. Might be time to try one.

    cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com

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  43. I always enjoy a good mystery.

    sharonaquilino(at)hotmail dot com

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  44. This would give me my mystery fix!

    shanaelyse@gmail.com

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  45. Would love to read this! thanks!

    Peachesncream887(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. I myself love them! This one sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

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  47. This sounds great, thanks! sbcashortie at hotmail dot com

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  48. I would love to read this work!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  49. My Mom loves this author. I would love to win.

    cwillsesq@yahoo.com
    celeste Wills

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  50. This sounds interesting, thanks.
    lazybones344 at gmail dot com

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  51. I'd love to bundle up and read this.

    annettekz2@yahoo.com

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  52. I would love to read the latest in this series!

    dwellenstein at cox dot net

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  53. This sounds like an interesting book. I would love to read it. garrettsambo@aol.com

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  54. i love a good book

    jim.coyne2@verizon.net

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  55. I am a big fan of these & the Agatha Raisin series, so I really hope I win. I think I've all read all of them so far!

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  56. I haven't read any of this series although I do like cozy mysteries. I'd love to read this one.

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

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  57. I am a big fan of this series -Thank you
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

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  58. Thank you for the great giveaway please count me in :)
    kathypease(at)gmail(dot)com

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  59. this sounds like something I'd enjoy reading

    alterna7 at hotmail dot com

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Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!