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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.
©2013 M. C. Beaton (P)2013 Audible Ltd

What members say

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  • Overall
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Good listening

Time goes so fast when listening to hamish Macbeth and you do laugh and want more

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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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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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  • 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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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.