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Death of a Scriptwriter
Summary
Patricia Martyn-Broyd, now in her seventies, has retired to the Highlands. She hasn't written a word in years and her books are out of print. But now a television company is about to film her last detective story, featuring the aristocratic Scottish detective Lady Harriet Vare.
Even better, a London publisher is bringing the book into print. Even though the snobbish Miss Martyn-Broyd doesn't care to mix with the locals she can't help but share her excitement with local policeman Hamish Macbeth.
Imagine her horror when Miss Martyn-Broyd discovers that Lady Harriet Vare is portrayed as a pot-smoking hippy, that the screenwriter is known for his violent and scurrilous scripts and that Lady Harriet is going to be played by the scene-stealing trollop Penelope Gates.
But a contract is a contract, Ms Martyn-Broyd quickly learns and when she is accused of murdering the scriptwriter and the leading lady, she turns to her one friend in Lochdubh, Hamish Macbeth, to help her.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julie
- 27-08-17
Good listening
Time goes so fast when listening to hamish Macbeth and you do laugh and want more
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- Mary Carnegie
- UK
- 06-01-17
Adaptations betray!
As ever, translators and adapters for film/TV never please an author; from Marguerite Duras to M. C. Beaton. God alone knows what Tolstoy would've made of recent TV "War & Peace" - I couldn't bear it for more than 15 minutes, and I didn't write it...
There is some self deprecating humour in this novel, very desirable. The
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- Jim Herd
- Scotland
- 19-06-16
Excellent story, keeps you hanging on to the last!
MC Newton keeps you hanging on for Hamish to solve the plot. Poor Hamish, still unlucky in love.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Jules
- United Kingdom
- 20-07-15
Good listen!
Would you listen to Death of a Scriptwriter again? Why?
Yes, the whole series following the life of Hamish Macbeth can be listened to over and over again - still as enjoyable however many times I listen. Scriptwriter didn't disappoint.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Death of a Scriptwriter?
Patricia's mortification at Lady Harriet being portrayed as a fun loving, hippy type was very amusing - I laughed out loud at some of the phrases used.
What about David Monteath’s performance did you like?
Everything! I tried listening to another of the Hamish stories by a different performer and it just wasn't the same. David brings all the characters to life.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Nothing really 'moved me' but, as usual, I found the story light hearted and amusing.
Any additional comments?
Although any of the Hamish Macbeth books can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, I think it would be better to listen to them in order.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Topsy
- 07-02-15
Very enjoyable and a good evening listen
A good evening listen. It's well written and well read, what more could you want. I will definitely go on to listen to more Hamish stories.