Death of a Prankster
M. C. Beaton, Author St. Martin's Press $16.95 (151p) ISBN 978-0-312-07701-3
Scottish constable Hamish Macbeth, following Death of a Gossip in his seventh case, once again nails a murderer despite the crude bullying and dim detecting of his nemesis and superior, Chief Detective Inspector Blair. Wealthy local Andrew Trent, notorious for practical jokes that have far exceeded short-sheeted beds and whoopee cushions, has summoned his would-be heirs to his northern mansion with the false announcement that he has only a short time left to live. Braving the Highlands winter are his adopted son and his TV-star fiancee, two spinster daughters, his brother (with his brittle wife) and his scientist stepson (with his punk, pink-haired girlfriend and colleague). After Andrew is murdered in a prank that backfires, Macbeth wends his way through a tangle of family squabbles and secrets. Another murder and an attempt on a third victim follow in this readable tale that doesn't, however, bear close scrutiny. Illogic abounds and the final confession is precipitated by a wild coincidence. (June)
Details
Reviewed on: 06/01/1992
Release date: 06/01/1992
Genre: Fiction
Paperback - 204 pages - 9781845297367
Hardcover - 151 pages - 9780312077013
Paperback - 198 pages - 9780783884172
Mass Market Paperbound - 176 pages - 9780804111027
Compact Disc - 5 pages - 9781482947847
Other - 93 pages - 9781780332086
Mass Market Paperbound - 215 pages - 9780446573559
Open Ebook - 97 pages - 9781455510733