Hands Up, Miss Seeton

Miss Seeton #11

by Hamilton Crane

Miss Seeton accused! The kindly Miss Seeton? A thief? A preposterous notion – until the lovable spinster mistakes tomato ketchup for blood . . . and the “wounded” man she’s trying to help is robbed by a pickpocket. In a flurry of confusion, Mis Seeton is accused of being the thief’s accomplice! And in the hands of the London police, our unlikely jailbird uncovers a veritable nest of crime . . .

Serene amidst every kind of skullduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Crime, Fiction, Humor, Cozy Mystery, British Literature

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Hamilton Crane is the pseudonym adopted by Sarah J. Mason when she was invited to continue the Miss Seeton series originally created by Heron Carvic, who died in 1980. “Hamilton” after her hall of residence at St Andrews University (the big red building behind the 18th green on the Old Course) and “Crane” to continue the bird theme – a crane has a similar form to a heron.

Series:
* Miss Seeton

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the Miss Seeton books very much. I am enjoying reading them again. Whenever Miss Seeton is around lookout as hectic time is bound to happen. It is lovely sunshine day and Miss Seeton is enjoying a leisurely stroll through London. A freak thunderstorm occurred to begin her next adventure that includes the Tomato Catsup gang, innkeeper fraud, art forgeries and drugs. Miss Seeton goes merrily on her way not understanding these activities are happening around her. Delphrick and the police are confused by her drawings. The subplots are superbly brought together for the tale. I highly recommend this book, especially for the satire.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Prelude Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost like Carvic's Seeton

Closer to the original Miss Seeton books created by Heron Carvic, this addition to the series has our retired art teacher assisting Scotland Yard in the solving of three unrelated crimes. It starts with dear Miss Seeton rushing to the aid of a stranger she believes has been stabbed and finding herself arrested for being an accomplice. The story has fraud, drugs, a bus chase, a car chase and pigeons. Mayhem is throughly blended into a delightful mix by a brolly carrying gentlewoman who is innocently convinced that nothing unsavory ever happens to or because of her befuddled behavior. A fun read, although not a good starting point for the series. Definitely read the Carvic books first. I'd skip the Hampton Charles (Roy Peter Martin) books unless borrowing them from the library or getting them free, then going on to the books by Sarah J Mason writing as Hamilton Crane. I read the entire series years ago and have been rereading them. Not great literature but remember that Carvic invented created Miss Seeton as a spoof of detective novels. It's all great fun.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ARC honest review for Farrago Books via NetGalley.

Miss Seeton decides to take a jaunt up to London on a beautiful sunny day, to gather some art supplies, some gifts for friends and a visit to an art gallery or two. Only to get caught in a storm and arrested as a thief.

Only she can inadvertently get herself involved with pickpockets, hotel jumpers, forgeries, pigeons and car chases through the streets of London and Ashford!

Another fun romp in the world of Miss Emily D. Seeton, which will have you laughing and shaking your head at the same time!

If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.

[Marjorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't care for it. The only thing I did like was the cover art, reminded me of my mother's purple coat. The idea of a fuddy duddy conversationally utterly scattered braine was irritating to read (just like her listener's experience in the book) and wildly overworked.

[Gail Gassen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of gin n!

There's lots happening in this book that brings in three different cases solved. Thanks t Miss Seeton seeing all the suspects well two out of three kind of.? Enjoy, it's a wonderful, laughable book!

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another trip back 50 years to the early seventies - well , I presume this period due to the comment "...she handed over four sixpences, as she still could not help thinking of them (two-and-a-half new pence now, she reflected rather sadly)" but otherwise it could easily be a further two or three decades back!

It's another easy read in a series where reading out of order is no problem whatsoever. Trouble once again follows the seemingly scatter brained Miss Seeton & for me, much of her charm lies in the fact she's oblivious to the chaos that follows in her wake. Although it's not always her fault as misunderstandings & presumptions abound but luckily without becoming too farcical.

[Eugene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sarah J. Mason is a contract writer hired to to continue a series which had attained a good bit of popularity due to the original author’s deft and endearing handling of Miss Seeton, the main character. Unfortunately, Heron Carvic passed away after having written only five books, and after three more written by replacement writen Hampton Charles (not as good, but enjoyable nonetheless), Hamilton Crane (Sarah Mason) has taken the helm and is steering the ship onto the rocks. The stories are more convoluted but less believable, more formulaic but less enjoyable. Will read the additional entries I’ve already obtained and hope for a miracle but doubt there will be one granted to us…

[Ruth E Bresnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands up.........

A light COZY mystery of the general Miss Seeton genre. Easy reading if you’re wanting something light — although MissEss was confusing me as well as her usual bunch of law officers!!

[Diane Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor impersonation of Miss Marple. Not really my think and at times I found miss seton very irritating which I have to admit is part of her character in the book.

It was a gift but won’t be reading any more in this series.

[Janka H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow I like this volume in the series more than the others (the “new” books does not have the same charm for me), but here I had a few good chuckles, also the characters were more colourful (as opposite to the blandness).

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read an unknown episode of a mystery series I enjoyed decades ago.

[Linda Klinedinst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is so good...mine has a different cover on it and it is Large Print Edition

I give this Book 5/5 Stars.

I dearly love Miss Seeton Series....it is so good.

Happy Reading :)

[Janell]

3.5 stars. "Hamilton Crane" captures the tone of the original books quite well.

[Katherine Spivey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer the original mapcap series by Heron Carvic.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story of Miss Seeton and her friends and neighbors, we see a different perspective of the village of Plummergen. There is not a great deal of village involvement but a great deal of getting to know individuals in law enforcement.

Miss Seeton is in London, doing a little shopping and looking at art galleries. When she sees a man who apparently has been attacked and has a great amount of blood on his back, she rushes to his aid. Unfortunately, it seems the man is not wounded, the red is not blood but catsup on his clothing and he has just been robbed.

This is part of a pattern of crimes by a gang. And Miss Seeton is taken into the police station, because it is evident she is a part of the gang.

After things are straightened out and Miss Seeton is not jailed, the story moves back to the village. Life is relatively uneventful except for the visitors who are old acquaintances of Miss Seeton. They ask a tiny favor and life moves on from there.

This part of the book is interesting, but for me it seemed rather slow. There is a family who run out on a hotel bill. We meet an aging hippie who wears robes and seldom bathes. A pigeon is battered by a rain storm. Not one thing seems to be connected to another thing, but as always it all comes together in the end.

This book is in the same vein as the original series by Heron Carvic. Miss Seeton is a wonderfully absent minded woman who communicates her thoughts in a rather convoluted manner. She is an artist who at times draws pictures that look at the soul of the person being drawn. She does these drawings in an almost automatic manner. Her drawings, need to be interpreted by intelligent policemen. When studied in the right way, the true nature of the subject points to the solution of a crime. The police who care about her and her talent are both horrified and amused when they have to deal with her. But, underneath it all they care about her and her safety.

This story has several mysteries which intertwine. The police have several concerns and each of them seem to be more puzzling than the last.

Except for one book in this series, I have enjoyed every book about Miss Seeton. This book is another story I have enjoyed reading. I have begun to worry, because at times I have complete understanding when Miss Seeton is talking. If I can follow her convesation, what does that say about me?

If you are a reader who enjoys a cozy mystery that is very British in nature as well as a truly cozy mystery, you will enjoy this book.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope of a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Hands up Miss Seeton - Miss Seeton Mysteries Book 11
Author: Hamilton Crane & Heron Cervic
Published: 9-22-2016
Publisher: Farrago
Pages: 212
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Cozy Mystery; Humor; Paranormal
ISBN: 13-978-1911440017
ASIN: B01KMM9YNY
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
My Rating: 4.25 Stars



I receive a copy of Hands up, Miss Seeton from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.



The unthinkable has happened! our lovable Miss Seeton Consultant to Police and Scotland Yard has been accused of being a common criminal. A misunderstanding ensues when Miss Seeton mistakes splatters of catsup for blood and rushes to offer assistance. Unfortunately a pickpocket decides it is the perfect opportunity pick the poor man's pocket. the Luckily her connections with the police manages to help clear her and in turn Miss Seeton is asked to sketch one of her famous drawings to reveal true criminals. As usual chaos is bound to reign when Miss Seeton in involved. The Plumergen Gossip Mill continues to function at top speed. There are many subplots going on,but the author manages to bring it all together in the end.



The humor that is infused in this story keeps this story light and moving at a quick pace. If you have not met Miss Seeton before then you are in store for a treat. Although the story can be read as a stand alone you will enjoy it even more if you read the entire series. My rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.



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[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for an advance copy of Hands Up Miss Seeton, the 11th outing for Heron Carvic's naive heroine Emily Seeton and the third penned by Sarah J. Mason using the pseudonym Hamilton Crane.

It has been a few quiet months in Plummergen since the events of Miss Seeton Paints The Town so Miss Seeton decides to treat herself to a day in London visiting art galleries and doing a little light shopping - some new art supplies, perhaps? Unfortunately her day doesn't go as planned and she ends up arrested for robbery. Once this is sorted out and she returns home she is delighted to meet some friends, Dickie Nash and Juliana Popjoy, she met from the cruise she took the previous year (Miss Seeton At The Helm) and accompany them on a visit to a local artist. In the meantime Superintendent Brinton of Ashford police is trying to solve a grisly murder and Chief Superintendent Delphick of Scotland Yard is trying to break up a drugs ring. How Miss Seeton, via her drawings and escapades, helps them solve their cases is the meat of the novel.

Ms Mason does a creditable job with Mr Carvic's characters. Her emphasis is slightly different with less village gossip and a most welcome reduction in appearances of The Nuts, preferring to concentrate on Miss Seeton. The slapstick elements, not something I usually enjoy, are extremely funny and her judicious use of Miss Seeton's drawings hits the right balance between over and underdone.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hands Up Miss Seeton and read it in one sitting. The innocence and naïvety, combined with humour, make it an excellent way to slip into another world and forget real life for a few hours. I have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending it as a good read.

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing a string of delightful stories, we are reintroduced to characters from a few books back. But, never fear, if you didn't meet them then you will be adequately informed of the earlier encounter and comfortably involved in this newest adventure before you have time to remove your hatpins. Well, of COURSE Miss Seeton, that ever proper retired schoolmarm (sorry, I suspect that last may be strictly a US rather than UK usage) always wears a hat--and carries an umbrella (brolly to you)--when she leaves the house. In this outing she manages to get arrested and solve a murder, a drug crime, a fraud case, and a pickpocketing scheme. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as we "follow that bus!"

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the Miss Seeton series with several mysteries that wrap up neatly, guided, as per usual, by the psychic-ish drawings of Miss Seeton. She's a bit more active in this one and I did like that her yoga practice has really taken off! The only drawbacks, for me, are the over usage of the scatterbrained conversational style of Miss Seeton and the mean, gossipy streaks of the Plummergen residents. Recommended for reading with a cup of Earl Grey.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story of a resourceful lady, this time accused of theft.
She sets out to discover who the real culprit is, using all her wiles.
A lovely cross between Miss Marple and Agatha Raisin.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Farrago via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book