Serial crimes
As an unabashed collector (it might be genetic; I’m researching that as well), I enjoy finding things that come in sets, or series. In particular, books; any author that can string a tale along, from volume to volume, deserves a look.
The idea of the series as a way of keeping the audience in front of the television is well-tested. I mean, almost any cast worth their salt can carry a story line from episode to episode. Never forget, the British are as apt as anyone. This afternoon, I was introduced to the Hamish MacBeth stories, written by M.C. Beaton, who also has the Agatha Raisin series in her bibliography. Now, we’re only a couple of episodes in to examination of life in the village (very pretty country, in passing)…
And, I’m left wondering if someone isn’t trying to have me “take the piss”, as it is so eloquently expressed by one of the leading characters. Am I to believe that villages over there exist in a world that is completely detached from reality? I’m going to have to check out the original novels (there are more than sixty of them, across the two series) to try and better understand what is going on.
The premise is that there are police officials that not only know all the locals, but are able to serve as a foil while the crime is committed, and then solve said crime without malice. At the end of each episode, life goes on, with no serious injury (physical or mental). It doesn’t fit in with what I’ve seen along the way, but I don’t live in tiny Highland villages where the cattle roam horns up and free.
