Hasty Death, M. C. Beaton
Hasty Death, M. C. Beaton
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Hasty Death

Author: M. C. Beaton

Narrator: Davina Porter

Unabridged: 6 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/15/2008

Synopsis

Eager to join the working classes, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parents’ home to become self-supporting. But life as a working woman isn’t quite what Rose had imagined—long hours as a typist and nights spent in a dreary women’s hostel are not very empowering when you’re poor, cold, and tired. Luckily for Rose, her drudgery comes to a merciful end when she learns of the untimely death of an acquaintance.Freddy Pomfret, a silly and vacuous young man, was almost certainly up to no good before he was shot dead in his London flat. When Rose discovers incriminating evidence pointing to several members of her class, she returns to London high society in order to investigate properly. With the help of Captain Harry Cathcart and Superintendent Kerridge of Scotland Yard, Rose prepares to do the social rounds―uncovering a devious blackmail plot and an unexpected killer.Set in Britain during the Edwardian world of parties, servants, and scandal, M. C. Beaton’s Hasty Death is a delightful combination of murderous intrigue and high society.

About M. C. Beaton

M. C. Beaton (1936–2019), hailed as the “Queen of Crime” by the Globe and Mail, was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels—the basis for the hit series on Acorn TV—as well as the Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, Beaton also wrote nearly one hundred historical romances under several pseudonyms. Her books have been translated into nineteen languages and sold more than twenty-two million copies worldwide.

About Davina Porter

Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookish Ally on July 31, 2019

I must say I that the whole Lady Rose, Captain Harry Cathcart, Inspector Carriage, MISS Levine, etc., are an entirely entertaining group. I am waiting for the next book in the series to come back to the library, and I'll continue reading. What a fun series, and to think I just decided to try it beca......more

Goodreads review by Marina on February 18, 2019

This is a fun and fluffy souffle of a book, populated by caricatures who’d make the most melodramatic of early silent films seem like a kitchen-sink drama. Pistol-wielding villains pop out from the bushes. Troublesome spinsters are locked up in an asylum, or even, shackled to each other. And as for......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on January 23, 2021

The second of her Edwardian mysteries about Lady Rose, Captain Cathcart, and their devoted servants. Trying for independence, Lady Rose gets kidnapped, is committed to an asylum, and once again becomes embroiled in murder, while the dashing captain finds himself finding lost dogs, solving murders, a......more

Goodreads review by Marfita on April 03, 2012

Okay, I don't have to read any more of these. They are starting to annoy me in the same way that the Agatha Raisin ones did. Rose and Harry are still talking at cross purposes, mostly because they aren't in touch with their feelings or are manipulative arseholes. One or the other. Anyway, Harry takes......more

Goodreads review by Nicky on July 25, 2016

Hasty Death is very much like the first book in tone, style and mystery. A series of coincidences seems to be all that keeps the characters from disaster — one particular chain of lucky coincidences involving a corpse who becomes unidentifiable before being found constitutes a whole side plot which......more

Quotes

“In Chesney’s top-rate murder mystery, suspense is craftily mingled with a look at the pretentiousness of class distinction.” RT Book Reviews (4 stars)

“Once again Chesney has concocted an amusing brew of mystery and romance that will keep her fans turning the pages.” Publishers Weekly

“[An] engaging Edwardian mystery.” AudioFile

“Another cozy charmer from the author of the Agatha Raisin series.” Library Journal

“Porter’s reading pace is perfect…she facilely switches tones and accents to represent various social classes and to distinguish among personalities.” Booklist

“Chesney maintains her charm and sassiness.” Kirkus Reviews

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