Cozy Mysteries discussion

I recently found out about this series and just purchased the first 8 titles(Nookbooks) for $2.99 a piece over at Barnes and Noble. They won't be available for download until June 1, but with Summer vacation around the corner, I thought I'd read as many of these as possible.

I love this series and have gone back to the beginning to read them again. They're quite good.

Thanks for the feedback. Are you currently reading them, if so which one are you currently on?

I love this series! I'm up to Death of a Dustman which is I think somewhere around 18? I love that they're little short reads. Sometimes I'm just in the mood to sit down and read a whole book cover to cover in one sitting.

I've read and listened to these depending on what I could get easiest. I think I have the next 5 or 6 in my TBR. I tend to read several in a row and then take a break.

You could really read them out of order as far as the mystery part goes. But they're better in order for the personal life aspect.

I love the Hamish series. I've read them all. I wish there were more!

I read the first 3 last year when M.C. Beaton was a featured author. (I'm an Agatha Raisin fan and have read most of those.) I scoured UBSs and on-line sites and now have all but the most recent Hamish in my TBR from Death of a Perfect Wife to Death of a Chimney Sweep. Great idea for summer reading because they are quick, good reads. We can revive the M.C.Beaton thread in featured authors and post over there. I think that's happened before with her Agatha series.

I just found out about this series and haven't read any of the books yet. I'm excited to do so.

Jeanine wrote: "I just found out about this series and haven't read any of the books yet. I'm excited to do so."

Have you bought any of them? They are still$2.99 @ b&n. We could read them together

Sounds good to me! I'll head to B & N right now.... Which series Karen? Hamish MacBeth or Agatha Raisin?

Jeanine wrote: "Sounds good to me! I'll head to B & N right now.... Which series Karen? Hamish MacBeth or Agatha Raisin?"

Hamish Macbeth. I have the first 8.

I'll get them as well. When are we starting? I started Grace Among Thieves a few minutes ago but that will be done by this afternoon.

You say when, I am flexible and they are quick reads. I can begin anytime.

Start this evening with Death of a Gossip?

I've read the first four in audio and plan to continue with a new one about every one or two weeks, but Audible has several in the series missing when the narrators switch from Davina Porter to a male. Still, i've really enjoyed the four I've read.

M.C. Beaton was the featured author in June 2011 so there is a discussion thread about both series there. Folks have continued to post comments about her books there as recently as last month. You can also read comments made earlier about this series. I suggest moving this discussion to her featured author thread.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...

That sounds good to me!

Great!

Sorry, I already most all of her books but in the discussion threads I will give my ideas of what I thought of the books.

Karen wrote: "I recently found out about this series and just purchased the first 8 titles(Nookbooks) for $2.99 a piece over at Barnes and Noble. They won't be available for download until June 1, but with Summ..."

Thanks for letting me know, I just got four of them!

Oh, ladies, and gentlemen! Both Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series are so good.....they feel like old friends to me, and are about the only cozies I read. I dread the day the last ones are published! Maybe by then I will just reread them all!

I know there is something so quaint about reading these books, I read both Agatha Raisin and Hamish series. I ended up liking the Hamish Macbeth's better.

Well all done with Death of a Gossip; on to Death of a Cad.

I have only read 3 or 4 of these, but really like them. Plan to read more. I have one given to me I have not gotten to yet. I still have not read any Agatha ones. They do not sound as good.

Both series are very good.....depends on the mood I'm in as to which I like better. Hope y'all like them! Do any of you know of another great cozy series?

I have enjoyed the Hamish McBeth books so much - I've read them all in paperback. Also, the audiobooks are great to listen too. I don't care for all books in audio but these were so well done.

I've never read this series but really enjoy the author's Agatha Raisin books so I have just downloaded the first in the McBeth series to my Kindle - very good price on Amazon you know.

I enjoy them very much, I've read 1 and 2 in the series and have 6 more on my Nook. At $2.99 each, I snatched them!

Caroline wrote: "I have enjoyed the Hamish McBeth books so much - I've read them all in paperback. Also, the audiobooks are great to listen too. I don't care for all books in audio but these were so well done."

I like both, but like the McBeth series much more.

I recently finished Death of a Dentist in the Hamish Macbeth series and so my next one will be Death of a Scriptwriter. I have read a couple of the Agatha Raisin books, but I prefer Hamish.

I've read every Hamish book so far and am at least half way through Agatha. Has anyone tried her new one--Hiss and Hers yet?

Not yet...but I'm almost to the top of the list for it at the library. Hopefully this week I will get it!

I just started reading Death of a Gossip. Beaton really created a despicable character in Lady Jane. No wonder everyone is wishing her dead- I like the way you see what everyone is thinking.

Stephen wrote: "I've read every Hamish book so far and am at least half way through Agatha. Has anyone tried her new one--Hiss and Hers yet?"

I've also read all of the Hamish stories and now I'm working my way through the Agatha Raisin ones. I am up to Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell, so I won't read Hiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin Mystery for awhile yet.

@Stephen, I am reading Hiss and Hers it is a good read. although not so much descriptive wise as her other novels. The same characters are in it, but usually if someone is reading a series, shouldn't the characters be reintroduced to the reading public, that is just my thoughts on this.

Read Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton not too long ago and it was pathetic. I think I am done with this series. The first ones were good but it's getting to be time to retire this series.

I'm about to read my first in the series "death of a scriptwriter"! so excited, is there a thread going where the books/characters are discussed??

I just managed to pick up from a friend. I've always enjoyed this series as it's a quick, fast read and I find Hamish entertaining.

I'm thinking about starting this series but I'm a little discouraged by Kaye's comment about Death of a Kingfisher. Unfortunately, authors sometimes don't know when to retire a character. Luckily, it will take me a long time to get through the entire series so I will start with the first Hamish book and see if I like it.

A lot of series seem to deteriorate over time. I think you will enjoy the Hamish series, especially if you read the earlier ones. I think a lot of authors get tired of their characters after a while and it shows in their writing.

If you are looking for hard copy books, there are several Hamish titles in the Bookshelves of PaperbackSwap dot com. Membership there is free, too. Just a suggestion.

I wouldn't necessarily say reading only these books is a good thing...I read others but do enjoy both series as they are available at my library. Very good, quick reads. Beaton is my favorite cozy author.

Melody wrote: "I wouldn't necessarily say reading only these books is a good thing...I read others but do enjoy both series as they are available at my library. Very good, quick reads. Beaton is my favorite cozy..."

I really like this author a lot also.

Laura wrote: "If you are looking for hard copy books, there are several Hamish titles in the Bookshelves of PaperbackSwap dot com. Membership there is free, too. Just a suggestion."
I am checking this out. I have some books to swap.

Joined the swap.

I like Hamish Macbeth, too. I've read several but not all of the series--yet. I've read several of the Agatha Raisin series, too, and I like them, but I'm not as fond of them as the HB ones.

I've read all of both series. It takes time to develop a taste for Agatha. I didn't like her much at first, but she kind of grows on you as the books go on and find myself feeling sorry for her at times.

Agatha does have this problem of not being very likeable. I can only take small doses of her. That 's probably why she can't keep any men friends.

I am very excited to read Death of Yesterday later this month! I read all 27 of the Hamish Macbeth books last year (and a Highland Christmas during the holiday) and I have been chopping at the bit for the next one. I haven't been able to get into the Agatha books, I just don't really like the character enough I suppose.

I didn't realize there were 27 books in the Hamish Macbeth series. I need to get busy! Taking care of my mom 24/7 (hospice) right now has first priority, though. Getting my next book ready has second priority. I will be glad when I can read again! And I am taking notes. I don't get a chance to respond often, but I am trying to keep up with what's new on the cozy front.

Has anyone picked up Death of Yesterday yet? I am waiting for the library to sort out their order so I can read it myself.