Library Journal Reviews
Trixie Thomas, "the perfect wife," moves to the highland village of Lochdubh and immediately gives Police Constable Hamish MacBeth the uncomfortable feeling that peace will be disrupted. He watches as she organizes other wives to reform the inhabitants and makes more enemies than friends. His uneasiness proves correct when she is poisoned. Prepare to be entertained as much by the fourth MacBeth mystery as by Davina Porter's charming Scottish lilt. Her unhurried reading sets the mood of the quiet town in which MacBeth makes his lazy but productive rounds. Recommended for all mystery collections. Juleigh Muirhead Clark, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Lib., Williamsburg, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Publishers Weekly Reviews
Constable Hamish Macbeth of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands returns to beguile readers in Beaton's fourth whodunit. With the arrival of Trixie and Paul Thomas from England, life in the tranquil village becomes chaotic, as brash Trixie establishes the Thomas house as headquarters for militant feminism. A ``perfect wife,'' Trixie subjugates her husband Paul and teaches the local women to follow her example. Obeying Trixie's dicta, the wives begin serving their spouses health food instead of ``harmful'' hearty meals, and campaign vigorously against smoking. It is no wonder that someone eventually murders Trixie; Hamish's problem is whittling down the number of suspects. As the pace of the merry tale quickens, gentle Hamish draws nearer to exposing the surprising killer whose motive is far different from what he expects. He is also gratified to find the male residents of Lochdubh admitting that they feel better--although not smoking and eating nutritiously--now that they are relieved of Trixie's domineering presence. (Dec.) Copyright 1989 Cahners Business Information.