Featured Author - June 2011 - M.C. Beaton

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

I'm glad so many of you are enjoying this month's featured author.

[Sherry]

Kimmie wrote: "In honor of our featured author I listened to and on audiobook. Agatha is always enjoyable. Lady Rose and Captain Harry are a fun ..."

Kimmie, who are "Lady Rose and Captain Harry, please? Sounds like a couple I'd enjoy reading about!

[Linda]

I know this is not a mystery but I have read all the mysteries and have enjoyed them all. I have finished The Banishment and I love the era.

[Heidi]

I love all her daughter books Linda!

[Kimmie]

Sherry wrote: "Kimmie wrote: "In honor of our featured author I listened to and on audiobook. Agatha is always enjoyable. Lady Rose and Captain H..."

Sherry. Marion Chesney is the author who goes by the pen name MC Beaton. This series is set around the 1920s in London. This was a time when the higher classes ruled society. Detective Captain Harry is ex-military high society dropped to lower class by working. Lady Rose is a high spirited debutante of the higher class whose curiosity gets her into the middle of Captain Harry's cases. I found her similar to Mary Russell but a little more spoiled. The story also involves her gregarious maid. This is a period series that has a bit of humor but is often light on mystery.
-Kimmie

[Susan]

Hello Everyone. I just joined the group and was thrilled to see that there are monthly selections. Stopped at the library today and picked up Quiche of Death but could not remember the Hamish book.

Years ago I joined an internet bookgroup and when it was my turn to be the monthly leader, I chose an MC Beaton book. I found out there were not too many cozy fans in the group--but we all read the book and had a lively discussion.

Looking forward to the formal discussion at the end of the month--is that how it works??

Best regards, Susan

[Melodie]

Susanrgrimes wrote: "Hello Everyone. I just joined the group and was thrilled to see that there are monthly selections. Stopped at the library today and picked up Quiche of Death but could not remember the Hamish book..."

We don't have a formal discussion and you don't have to pick a particular book by the author. You can choose any one you want. Some people don't participate if the author isn't their cup of tea. Most people do post if they've read something by the author that month and give an opinion of what they've read.

[Karen]

Karen wrote: "I found two M.C. Beaton Paperbacks at library. should be able to do both by months end. neither one is Agatha Raisin series. Am disappointed that I will have to do two of Hamish since I would have ..."

Karen wrote: "I found two M.C. Beaton Paperbacks at library. should be able to do both by months end. neither one is Agatha Raisin series. Am disappointed that I will have to do two of Hamish since I would have ..."
I finished this one. I really liked it a lot. I picked up the 2nd one they had at my library and will start it after I finished another book I started last night.

[Susan]

Melodie wrote: "Susanrgrimes wrote: "Hello Everyone. I just joined the group and was thrilled to see that there are monthly selections. Stopped at the library today and picked up Quiche of Death but could not rem..."

Fabulous--sounds very easy. . .Thanks for letting me know Melodie

[Lisa]

I really enjoy this author!! Agatha is hilarious and I always try to imitate Hamish in my best Scottish brogue, which is terrible. I've also read the Regency books and enjoy those also, although they do tend to blend together after awhile.

[Karen B.]

I forgot I have one Agatha Christie book I got for free for my Kindle so that will be my next cozy I guess. Thanks for reminding me.

[Donna]

I read yesterday and I really liked it. I finally found at the library so I'll read that also.

[Ellen]

I'm going to be so sad when June is over. I'm enjoying having so much company in reading Beaton.

Thanks Briansgirl!

[Nell]

Kari wrote: "Shipping can vary a lot. It maybe some booksellers instead of raising the price of the book raise the shipping because at least for now ABE does not take a commission from the Shipping. Ebay caug..."

Thanks for the info about AbeBooks. I have ordered from them a couple of times when Bookfinder lists it as the lowest price. Your comment explains why the books were $1 and shipping was $2.95. I like using bookfinder because it tells you the real price of a book (including shipping). Next time I will go directly to the booksellers site and compare the prices.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

I've read and I've liked it, although at the beginning I didn't "feel" it.

[Karen]

Karen wrote: "Karen wrote: "I found two M.C. Beaton Paperbacks at library. should be able to do both by months end. neither one is Agatha Raisin series. Am disappointed that I will have to do two of Hamish since..."
Finished the 2nd one. I really enjoyed it also. I did not like that it was shorter though.Liked the Scotland settings.

[Karen]

Also waiting on July author. Am I missing it?

[Ellen]

I was noticing that. I thought maybe (hope hope) M.C. Beaton was just being carried over. :K

[Karen B.]

Ellie, I'd vote for that!

[Ellen]

;D

[Nell]

I just finished Death of a Gossip, the first Hamish MacBeth. What a delightful character! The next one in this series just moved to the top of my TBR.

[Nell]

Nell wrote: "Kari wrote: "Shipping can vary a lot. It maybe some booksellers instead of raising the price of the book raise the shipping because at least for now ABE does not take a commission from the Shippin..."

When I went directly to a couple of the booksellers sites, I found the book prices were the same but apportioned differently. For example, the book was $3.95 with free shipping where through ABEbooks it was $1 for the book and $2.95 for shipping. From what Kari told us, I understand why.

[Melodie]

I just started late Saturday and so far it's not bad. As a general rule I don't usually care much for British mysteries, but this one's okay.

[Karen B.]

I have one I have checked out of the library *head hanging in shame*; It's overdue already and I haven't started it. Guess that is what I will read during daytime reading today. Death of a Scriptwriter

[Ellen]

I have that one! Let's read it together. :)

[Karen B.]

Ellie,
are you talking to me about reading together?

[Ellen]

Well, a buddy read.

[Karen B.]

Yes, I just didn't know if you meant that message for me or for Melody.

[Ellen]

Oh, sorry-you. The Scriptwriter. I just finished Death of a Gentle Lady so it's time for a new Hamish for me, lol.

[Karen B.]

well I was going to take it back to the library but I can keep it over the weekend and give it a try. Thanks ...So it will be my June-July read

[Terri]

I really enjoy Hamish MacBeth.

[Ellen]

There we go-I'll start it tonight.

[Robin]

I'm listening to Death of a Valentine on CD while I knit. The body count is pretty high in this book, but it's good.

[Nell]

Just finished Death of a Cad , the second Hamish MacBeth. The perspective in this one is better - that of multiple characters, including Hamish. (The first was told from the view of one lovelorn minor character.) The murderer is convenient but well done. I didn't guess until the end. I really like the character of Hamish; he's different and delightful. Because of this featured author choice I've moved these mysteries to the top of my TBR and scoured my local UBS for others.

[Donna]

I finished , and I loved it. I can see why some people don't like Agatha, but most of the time I thought she was hilarious.

[Hannah]

I just finished ; it's now July, but close enough. :P I liked it! Well, I really liked Hamish, anyway - he's wonderful. I'd probably have liked the book even more if it wasn't mostly told from the point of view of Alice, who really was rather insipid and delusional.

[Melodie]

I finished yesterday. It wasn't bad. I think I mentioned before that I don't usually care for this type of British mystery, though I have read some pretty good ones that were more hardboiled. For the type of book this was pretty enjoyable, but I probably wouldn't rush to read another one. It's nice to try something different every now and again.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Finished Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet last night. Another okay read.

[Dolly]

I really enjoy M.C. Beaton's books. My mother-in-law and I are steadily working our way through the Hamish Macbeth series (we are currently reading Death of a Celebrity.) And I've just gotten started with the Agatha Raisin series (I'm currently reading Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener.) I consider these books some of my favorite cozy mysteries and fun, light reads.

[Ann]

Impressive number of books Marion Chesney has published.
Ann

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

MC Beaton fans! Just saw that the publisher is giving away 50 copies of the new Agatha Raisin, As the Pig Turns (Agatha Raisin #22). Deadline to enter is Sept 22. Click the link above to enter.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

Moving the buddy read of this series here, so all the discussions are in the same place.

[Tricia]

Okay, here are the slow readers for this link on MC Beaton just now starting. Although some of you have read many of her books, it takes me a couple of reminders to "get with it." So anyone else who missed the start last June, there are some of us just beginning. I'm on The Quiche of Death. Thanks Southpaw285 for getting us started again.

[Robin]

I am late to this thread, just found this. Now it is February 18, 2012, and honestly I have read most of the Agatha Raisin series maybe four or so I did not want to read. I find Hamish Macbeth a good read, no pun intended. They are both likeable in their own ways. did anyone know that this once was a series shortlived in the 1980's? Check it out, on youtube.

[Tricia]

Robin, we just started this thread again, so you're not late. Go back to the bottom of page three and you'll see where it got pushed to.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

You can always go back and read any of our past featured authors. Not everyone can get to them in the month that they are featured. However, it's still a good place to discuss the books either currently or see what others have posted previously. And any new posts will push it back to the top of the list for others to find.

[southpaw285]

Thank you, Briansgirl. I didn't even think to check the "Freatured Cozy Authors" section before starting a new buddy read thread. Sorry about that.

Tricia, I finished The Quiche of Death earlier today and absolutely loved it.

Have you had a chance to start it yet?

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ, Cozy Mysteries Group Owner]

I think it helps with long series to know, for instance, how well each book stands alone, or do you have to read the series from the beginning to understand it. I prefer to start at the beginning, but sometimes I've only managed to find just one book by an author in a series at the thrift shop and it's farther in the series. By checking with others who've read the series, they can tell you if you can read any book you find or if you can start at the beginning.

Whenever we feature an author, there are almost always someone whose read the series before who can tell those of us knew to it about the series and can answer questions. That's why I moved the thread figuring many of your questions might already have been answered here, as well as keeping new discussions in the same place (so you don't have to look in two places for information about it.)

[Robin]

I started with Quiche of Death, and Agatha enthralled me with her deceptiveness and cunning. I love all her characters. I think I have not read maybe a total of 5 of the books. I love Hamish Macbeth too, by the way, it seems kind of funny that the same author could write so many books and the voice of the protaganist stays in character. During the Christmas Holidays I got a whole stack of M. C. Beaton books from the library, and even my poor husband saw the stack and was amazed that I was diligently reading all these books. I am late in finding the series, but am trying to get some of the Beaton books that may have overlooked on the reading list.

[Tricia]

southpaw285 wrote: "Thank you, Briansgirl. I didn't even think to check the "Freatured Cozy Authors" section before starting a new buddy read thread. Sorry about that.

Tricia, I finished The Quiche of Death..."</i>

It's my cozy for the evening. I just finished [book:The Thirteenth Tale which I loved, but now need something easy and fun to read.