Death of a Prankster

Everybody hates Andrew Trent, an unpleasant old man with a penchant for playing nasty tricks on everyone around him. But he’s extremely rich, so when he summons his scattered family members with the statement that he is dying, all of them make the long trek to northern Scotland to attend his deathbed despite a massive snowstorm. Of course, he’s not actually dying but rather just wants the joy of maliciously pranking a bunch of people who are now trapped at his home. But not everybody is willing to go along with his plans, and when he turns up in a cupboard with a knife through his heart, Police Constable Hamish Macbeth is called upon to investigate the murder…. Another fun Hamish Macbeth book, this one takes Hamish to another part show more of the Highlands, but the people once again seem to be largely English (although there’s a pair of servants who are Spanish). Hamish is often seen as slow and lazy, but he’s much sharper than he appears and he seems to relish giving these foreigners their comeuppance in short order, and certainly they deserve it! Recommended. show less

Macbeth and the Heirs of the Prankster
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (2013) of the St. Martin's Press hardcover original (1992)

After discovering M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth cozy mystery series due to the Estonia cameo in "Death of Yesterday", I started to seek out the earlier books by finding several at Toronto's Sleuth of Baker Street. I enjoyed those and found them to be an especially delightful diversion during this continuing pandemic. My next plan was to go back and read the series in order. I then discovered the rather terrific bonus that most of the books are available for free on Audible Plus, a service that I had previously been underwhelmed by (some early attempts with longer books had audio show more difficulties, with book narrations freezing in midstream). Beaton's shorter books (usually 4 to 5 hours on audio) seem to be perfect for this medium.

Death of a Prankster is the seventh of the series and continues the audiobook editions with the voice of Shaun Grindell in an ongoing excellent performance. Macbeth has to sort out the heirs of a unrepentant prankster who had called them all together to his highland retreat under false pretenses. One of them appears to have murdered the joker for revenge. show less

I really enjoyed this book in the Hamish Macbeth series, which are always funny and quirky. In this one you saw the murder coming, but there were so many potential suspects it was difficult to decide who the murderer was and why. A very intriguing storyline despite being quite a shirt book (204 pages). It was also interesting to see the relationship (?), if that is the right word, between Hamish and Priscilla, and particularly to see jealousy rear it's head! I look forward to the next book in the series with relish!

"When Police Constable Hamish Macbeth receives the news that there has been a murder at Arrat House, home of the relentless practical joker Arthur Trent, he doesn't exactly race to the scene of the crime. After all, the last time Macbeth was called to investigate a death at the isolated Scottish manor, the 'victim' turned out to be Trent's manservant coivered in fake blood, who gave poor Hamish the shock of his life when he jumped up and revealed himself to be very much alive,

"Thus prepared for another prank, Hamish arrives to find that Trent is most decidedly dead, having been stabbed and stuffed in a closet. For suspects, there is a houseful of greedy relations, all of whom are more interested in the contents of the will than the show more crime at hand. To complicate matters further, Chief Inspector Blair, Hamish's old nemesis, arrives on the scene as determined as ever to stand in the way of Macbeth's investigation.

"When his former flame Priscilla Halburton-Smythe gets involved as well, Hamish quite nearly has his hands full. Accordingly, the charming constable must enliven his sleepy style of detection ..."
~~front & back flap

Ah, our old friend the English country house mystery. Complete with the usual assortment of unlikeable, egocentric, grasping relatives. And as is generally the case, the murderee is the chief unlikeable character, and has seemingly brought his demise upon himself with his nonstop annoying and dangerous pranks.

I think if every one of this series was set in Lochdubh, we'd get tired of it, so the occasional excursion to another part of Hamish's patch is always most welcome. show less

It seemed like everyone had a motive, but I knew the answer related to who Charles parents really were. The murder itself was a little far-fetched. But he did deserve it. I liked that Jeffrey came to his senses. I think Paul is going to be stuck with his mother, unless his newly discovered libido leads him astray.

Andrew Trent has invited his family to his Scottish Estate for an important announcement. Most if not all the members of the family can't stand Andrew Trent. Mr. Trent is the type of joker who most people would detest, with petty tricks designed to make the victim feel foolish or annoyed. Nevertheless, the family turns up because he's told them he's at death's door. Of course, they all want to know if they will inherit some or all of his vast fortune. If not for the hint of money there would be no reason for any of them to attend this dreaded gathering.

Upon arrival it becomes clear the Trent may not be on death's door, after all, it was just one of his pranks, used to entice them to Arrat House. But, the joke may be on Trent this time, show more when his body is discovered in a wardrobe in a guest bedroom. The twisted turn of events means Hamish Macbeth will have to search high and low to find out who wanted Mr. Trent dead.

As usual, M.C. Beaton has created a fun and entertaining drama. Hamish Macbeth, the officer responsible for the village of Lochdubh, with the help of his friend Priscilla will do all he can to find the answer to this puzzle before the police from Strathbane can take all the credit.
More reviews at: www.susannesbooklist.blogspot.com show less

Multimillionaire prankster Andrew Trent invites his family members to his home in the north of Scotland. None of them really like him, but did someone hate him enough to murder him? That's the question PC Hamish MacBeth finds himself contemplating as DI Blair and his team investigate. It's a nice little formulaic mystery, and Hamish is a likable character. Few of the other characters truly appealed to me, and it's almost a shame that some of those implicated by the red herrings were not guilty of collaborating. I listened to the Blackstone audio recording available through Overdrive. The reader did an acceptable, but not outstanding job.