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Preview
  • Death of a Scriptwriter

  • Hamish Macbeth, Book 14
  • By: M. C. Beaton
  • Narrated by: David Monteath
  • Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (156 ratings)

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Death of a Scriptwriter

By: M. C. Beaton
Narrated by: David Monteath
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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
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What listeners say about Death of a Scriptwriter

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I liked the two stories going on at the same time .

I always enjoy the stories and this was no exception but I did notice in the narration a couple of mistakes, on two occasions he used the name Priscilla when it should have been Patricia . First in chapter 9 twenty eight minutes in and then again in chapter 10 thirteen minutes in .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another excellent Hamish Macbeth tale beautifully performed by David Monteath

Another excellent Hamish Macbeth tale beautifully performed by David Monteath whose whose warmth and professionalism bring to life a whole cast of different characters with subtle but distinctly different voices. A joy to listen to,

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Fun yarn

This is one of the better earlier Hamish stories and is all the better as the author refrains from including the rather nasty Boris Johnson Tory observations written as facts that she includes in later books in the series....this is fun and a relaxed listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Always a Joy

Hamish Macbeth books , always a great listen, and David Monteith makes them such an easy listen

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love these books

I always enjoy these books such easy listening all the same story really just different characters but still enjoyable

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