Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews
Page One of TwoDeath of a Celebrity by M.C. Beaton
Mysterious Press, January, 2002Hardcover, 259 pages
ISBN: 0892966769
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Constable Hamish Macbeth is determined to resist
promotion, in order to remain the town constable of
the Scottish town of Lochdubh. But when a murder
occurs sometimes Hamish regrets his decision, because the
CID promptly takes over any interesting case, relegating
the unfortunate Hamish to the background. When the
local tv station decides it needs a ratings boost, it
hires barracuda newswoman Crystal French, whose
specialty is humiliating villagers on her show.
Naturally, Crystal gets murdered, and Hamish is
determined to find the killer. There are any number
of suspects to vet, but Hamish gets some help -- and
more than a little aggravation -- from local reporter
Elspeth Grant.
A trip to Lochdubh is a cozy treat that is best enjoyed with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea at your side. M. C. Beaton presents a delightful village mystery, with eccentric characters, beautiful scenery and, of course, the long-suffering Hamish who's most faithful companion is his dog, Lugs. Beaton does a wonderful job of portraying the charm of a Scottish village in this excellent addition to the popular series.
Midnight Runner by Jack Higgins
Putnam, April, 2002Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN: 0399148337
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Sean Dillon is a British spy who works for an ultra-secret agency
which reports
directly to the prime minister. In his last mission,
he defeated the powerful, wealthy and corrupt Arab/English
Rashid family who were determined to assassinate the
American president (See, Edge of Danger). The three Rashid
brothers are now dead. But their sister, the beautiful and
wealthy Lady Kate Rashid, countess of Loch Dhu
and head of the Rashid Bedu tribe of Hazar, has sworn revenge
on her brother's killers -- in spite of the fact that her brothers
were criminal psychopaths who brought about their own
demise. But Kate is more smarter and more successful than her brothers
and plans to hit America where it hurts most:
by crippling America's oil supplies, even if it means
destroying her own massive oil fields. When American Senator
and former war hero Daniel Quinn learns of his beloved daughter's
death in England, president Jake Cazalet agrees to send
Quinn to investigate the death and its relation to Kate Rashid's
threats against the U.S. Joining Quinn are former IRA enforcer
Sean Dillon, his boss, General Charles Ferguson,
and Harry and Billy Salter, Sean's ex-gangster friends who
are always up for a good fight. When Kate joins forces with
her American cousin, Chauncey, things go from bad to worse,
especially when the Rashid cousins head to the Arab
country of Hazar to begin their operation to cripple America's
oil supplies.
Always dependable, Jack Higgins knows how to craft a taut thriller, with enough action, plot twists and interesting characters to fill several books. Sean Dillon and crew are up against a formidable adversary this time; Lady Kate is equally at home in a bedu tent, a fabulous country home, or the most expensive of gourmet restaurants. The ending seems to leave room for more adventures, and that's nothing but good news for Higgins fans.
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