Something Borrowed, Someone Dead

Agatha Raisin #24

by M.C. Beaton

Gloria French was a jolly widow with dyed blonde hair, a raucous laugh and rosy cheeks. When she first moved from London to the charming Cotswolds hills, she was heartily welcomed. She seemed a do-gooder par excellence, raising funds for the church and caring for the elderly. But she had a nasty habit of borrowing things and not giving them back, just small things, a teapot here, a set of silverware there. So it's quite the shock when she is found dead, murdered by a poisoned bottle of elderberry wine. Afraid the murder will be a blight on the small town, Parish councillor, Jerry Tarrant, hires private detective Agatha Raisin to track down the murderer.

But the village is secretive and the residents resent Agatha's investigation. Of course that doesn't stop the ever-persistent Agatha from investigating and sticking her nose where no one wants it--especially as the suspect list grows. And, as if it isn't enough that Agatha's ex has reentered the picture, the murderer is now targeting Agatha!
With M.C. Beaton's "Something Borrowed, Someone Dead "the bossy, vain, and absolutely irresistible, Agatha Raisin continues to be a fan favorite.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Cozy, British Literature

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 17, 2013

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Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.

Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.

Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 24th book in the 'Agatha Raisin' series, the private detective is on the trail of a poisoner. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

People who live in the Cotswold village of Piddlebury are gracious when newcomer Gloria French - who always helps out at church and reads to the elderly - asks to borrow things.....like a bag of flour, a pot, a bowl, a necklace, and so on.



The residents get annoyed, however, when Gloria refuses to return anything....claiming it's all hers. And everyone KNOWS Gloria is the culprit when several bottles of homemade elderberry wine are nicked from a church event.



As it turns out, stealing the wine was a big mistake. One of the bottles labeled 'Very Special' is laced with poison.....and Gloria is found dead.



A village murder is a calamitous event and Jerry Tarrant, head of the Piddlebury parish council, hires private detective Agatha Raisin to investigate the incident. Agatha, who lives in the nearby town of Carsley, is a stout fiftyish Englishwoman with small bear-like eyes, shiny brown hair, and a knack for solving crimes.



Agatha and one of her operatives, a beautiful girl named Toni, take a room in a Piddlebury pub and proceed to investigate Gloria's homicide. They speak to local residents; inquire about the wine; learn what kind of poison was used; etc.

Agatha and Toni discover that many people disliked Gloria, either because she was a thief or because she chased married men. There would seem to be many local suspects, but the townsfolk form a united front and insist 'a passing outsider' must have committed the crime.



A second poisoning with elderberry wine makes this seem HIGHLY unlikely, but the Piddleburians stick to their story. This makes Agatha extremely suspicious and she pursues various lines of inquiry.

Agatha's investigation takes many weeks, during which she makes numerous trips to and from Piddlebury and relies on her friends and co-workers for help. As always Agatha develops a crush on a handsome man - this time it's a traveler called Brian Summers, who's staying in Piddlebury for a rest.



Agatha eventually comes up with a theory that pans out, but puts more than one person in danger.

Favorite recurring characters make an appearance in the story, including: James Lacey - Agatha's ex-husband; Sir Charles Fraith - Agatha's long-time friend; Mrs. Bloxby - the vicar's wife; Roy Silver - Agatha's former employee; and more. Toni, who should know better by now, continues to get involved with older men, and this causes more trouble than usual.



The plot is rather thin, and mostly a vehicle for Agatha's usual antics, such as: chasing a good-looking man; getting jealous when James dates other women; interfering in Toni's private life; dining with Sir Charles (who always 'forgets his wallet'); getting into amusing scrapes; stressing over her weight and appearance; and so on.

The novel is fun for a light read, but it's not among the best books in the series.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This is the first i have read from this series. I found it good fun. I mean theres more murders and scandal squashed into this than i imagined 😂. A few occasions i burst out laughing reading it from just picturing in my head this playing out. This is also a tv series and i feel i must watch it now after reading this madness lol.

Agatha is a rough diamond version of any detective but she definatly keeps you interested in her shenanigans. From her man hungry attitude to her need to find the truth, it gets her in all sorts of situations. It really was funny and i would like to read others from this series.
There are lots of people and goings on in this to pleasantly keep you interested. A quick fun read

[Katy Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of a Netgalley review copy.

I read the first five books in the series several years ago, and did enjoy them, but found the formula a little tedious after a while and stopped. Asked to review the latest in the series I was interested to see where the series had gone.

Nothing much has changed. It's still murder investigations and pub lunches, Agatha moaning about her waistline and smoking and flirting with middle aged handsome men.

Agatha Raisin is a detective in a small village, with a small team and office. A kleptomaniac is murdered nearby and Agatha is asked to investigate and find out 'whodunnit'.

I really think this is 'detective by numbers' now. If you're a fan of the series you'll probably like this, but I was getting annoyed at the sloppy plotting, silly dialogue and lazy writing.

Would there be any other reason than to make a character a murder suspect to make her say: "You stole my flour. I hope someone kills you!"?

There is some language that surprised me. Not terribly rude but not appropriate for the target market: "Snakes and bastards", someone "pissed herself, dirty old cow".

Lots of lazy plotting where one suspect gives the name of another who gives the name of another and so on in a boring and direct line. Agatha is even given pictures and descriptions of all the suspects. Very convenient, for the reader.

And I was very tired by the end of every meal being eaten in a pub. We were treated to dozens of British pub dishes that just got dull.

The murder plot was neither here nor there. You had lots of suspects to choose from, false leads and twists but it really is much of a muchness. The personal life part was dull too, scenes of Agatha's employees and their love lives, and a really silly rushed epilogue that seems to be leading the reader on to buy the next in the series.

If you like this series, then enjoy. If you're a novice maybe try the early ones that are more amusing, but don't start here.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading twenty four of these books (and two short stories) I’m confident I could write one myself. The formula is well-established and one knows exactly what’s going to happen and when. Still, they are quite amusing, if somewhat frustrating, at times and they make the daily commute seem shorter, especially now my wife and I have developed the Agatha Raisin drinking game...

[Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read in the Agatha Raisin series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The writing is lighthearted despite the dark topic. I am going to start seeking out more of the series. I look forward to sinking my teeth into more of Agathas lighthearted detective work.

[Darci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Agatha Raisin is like paying a visit to an old friend. She's feisty, prickly, yet has a big heart.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a big disappointment. It took me forever to read, mainly because it just didn't hold my interest. I have to wonder if M. C. Beaton is still writing the Agatha Raisin series or if she has a ghost writer. I've noticed that the last few Agatha books are lacking in good storylines, well-developed characters, and humor. After pre-ordering this book and waiting so long to receive it, I feel somewhat cheated. So sad. I miss the old fiesty Agatha Raisin character, the wise and dependable Mrs. Bloxby, sarcastic Alf, sweet, but tarty Miss Simms, and others. Hopefully, the next in the series will be better.

[Jo Berry ☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed through most of this, because the stories are pretty much identical now. In fact, you could start a drinking game for this series for every time the same idea or phrase pops up. Try this list:

Take a drink every time…

Agatha yells, ‘Snakes and Bastards!’
Charles ‘forgets’ his wallet.
Agatha puts her make-up on.
Someone orders some combination of sausage/egg/pie & chips.
Agatha gets the hots for a man she’s just met (you’ll drink yourself silly there).
We are told Agatha has bear-like eyes and good legs.
Agatha bemoans her cats don’t care about her.
We get a run down of what clothes Agatha has just changed into.
Charles scares Agatha by walking into her house uninvited.
Someone tries to kill Agatha.
The criminal is caught, but commits suicide.
Someone makes a creepy comment about Toni’s youth.
James Lacey takes off abroad.
Mrs Bloxby comes to stay the night with Agatha.
We hate on Bill Wong’s parents.
A building is set on fire.
The police interview Agatha as their prime suspect…

I’m sure you can add more if you’ve been reading this series and you can get delightfully drunk! It’s as if the stories are being generated by a computer, just regurgitating the same old lines. It’s quite unbelievable this series is so popular when each book is the same as the last. I know cosy mysteries are formulaic - the familiarity is all part of their charm - but they shouldn’t be identical.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️= Good.
Hardback.
This was #24 in the Agatha Raisin series and as is usual , I thoroughly enjoyed the capers of this private detective. I love the way she is surrounded by men that flit in and out of her life. They continue to fall out but are always there for each other.
I would read this series from the start, even though these are all stand-alone stories, as there is always a love interest thread running through each book.
A good whodunnit’ with a humorous edge.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I continue to enjoy about the Agatha Raisin mysteries is the sheer fun of them. Predictability is a good thing in these delightful stories about Agatha, a retired owner of a London public relations firm and now owner of a private detective agency in the Cotswolds. Agatha will always become involved in a murder mystery, always dress for the attractive man in the room, be dissatisfied with her friends' attentions, and be one of the most generous people in her world. The characters know their parts and play them well. Agatha's best female friend is Mrs. Bloxby, the wife of the vicar of her small Costswold village of Carsley, and this friend astutely sees beneath the somewhat annoying antics of Agatha to a well-meaning, loyal person of worth. There are the usual men from Agatha's past, her ex-husband James Lacey and sometimes lover, Sir Charles Fraith, and, of course Roy Silver, a past employee from her London days. Her detective agency is full of additional characters whose interactions with Agatha provide much entertainment. Through all of the seemingly wrong approaches and mishaps in solving the murders that Agatha is hired to investigate, she somehow comes out on top, although the police are always reluctant and stingy in giving her any credit.

In this latest book of the series, the suspicious death of an incomer to a nearby village entangles Agatha and her friends and co-workers in a web of lies and cover-ups, placing those who hope to uncover the truth in mortal danger. But, if Agatha is anything, she is stubbornly persistent, and she doesn't easily scare. Why a woman whose greatest crimes seem to be borrowing things, sometimes without permission, from her neighbors and never returning them ends up poisoned from elderberry wine turns out to be more puzzling than it should due to the closed mouth alliance of the village. Agatha must dig deep and explore clues away from the crime locale to finally see the whole picture and uncork the bottled-up secrets of the people who refuse to talk. Of course, the attempts on Agatha's and her co-workers' lives complicate and prolong the answer to the identity of a ruthless murderer.

Keep them coming, M.C. Beaton. I rely on you for a relaxing, entertaining read when I am road weary and in need of some reading balm.

[Kasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agatka, mój wakacyjny torcik, lektura na raz, poprawiająca humor, niewymagająca, lekka i angażująca. Nieważna schematyczność i powtarzalność w tej długaśnej serii, ale daje mi dokładnie to, co potrzebuję. Forever in my ❤

[Barb Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an improvement over the last book in the series, though still not as engaging as the first few titles. Agatha has become a pastiche of herself, she and the other characters continue to behave in baffling ways, responding to one another as if each one (aside, of course, from Mrs. Bloxby) is stuck in a permanent and never-maturing adolescence. The plot, as always, involves far to many trips back and forth, back and forth, back and forth from Carsely to the scene of the crime--and includes the obligatory abortive trip to the Continent, this time (spoiler alert)by Toni and James Lacey. As I have said before, I will read Beaton's books until one of us dies, it is an addiction that cannot be broken. Still. A little more effort would be appreciated by us, the nostalgic lovers of the original Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin books.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really need to stop reading this series. The characters are really unpleasant (is the author trying to discourage people from visiting the Cotswolds?) and the writing is sloppy almost to the point of incoherence.

[Alan (on December semi-hiatus) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha and the Kleptomaniac
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (September 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2013)

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead has Agatha investigating the murder of Donna French, who was known for her good works in the village of Piddlebury, but who also had a kleptomania and a "borrowing and not returning" habit. French's murder sets off an epidemic of elderberry wine poisonings and Agatha is met with antagonism by the village locals. Meanwhile, Agatha's ex-husband James Lacey and Agatha's protegee Toni Gilmour begin a flirtation which of course infuriates Agatha.

I'm enjoying the fun of these cozies which are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept her nevertheless. The formula is pretty much set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, etc.

The narration of this book #24 is a brief return to the series of regular Penelope Keith who I find is the best at adding character to the different voices.

Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.

Trivia and No Link
Something Borrowed, Someone Dead has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-).

[Kaitlin Lorelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Agatha mysteries!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Agatha Raisin book. I haven't read them for a while and it was like returning to old friends. I have warmed to Agatha and her group of friends, Roy, James, Charles and Mrs Bloxby, the vicar's wife, as well as the glamorous Toni Gilmour, Agatha's assistant.

As always the characters are interesting, intriguing, some come to an unfortunate end, being murdered in ever more ingenious ways. There is always a surprise and a shock on discovering the mystery as it unfolds. There is unrequited love, romance, passion, a comedy of errors and some uproarious laughter at the antics of Agatha and her group of pals.

Several members of the team put their lives on the line in the pursuit of the truth and justice, Agatha herself is subject of an assassination attempt by an outraged murderer. Will she survive this attempt on her life, read on to discover more.....

A very good read, exciting and interesting from start to finish. I can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys black comedy, passion, romance, and a good detective story.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not having read an Agatha Raisin for some time, I had forgotten just how dangerous it is to live in and around the village of Carsley in the Cotswolds. I very quickly realised, for before page 50 there were two dead ... and more to follow!

Gloria French is an incomer to the village of Piddlebury and, although appearing all sweetness and light on the surface, she had a nasty habit of borrowing things and not returning them. So when she is found dead, none of the locals are too worried. Another death occurs, and it could so easily have been Agatha, so local councillor Jerry Tarrant hires Agatha to investigate the deaths.

Agatha travels from her nearby home at Carsley but she is not welcomed by the locals who close ranks and lead her, and her team - she is variously accompanied by her young protégé, Toni Gilmour, her friend and occasional lover Sir Charles Fraith, one of her former colleagues in the advertising business, Roy Strong, and her ex-husband James Lacey - on a veritable witch-hunt, almost literally!

But, Agatha is nothing if not resilient and, despite experiencing severe pangs of jealousy when Toni hooks up with her ex and very nearly falling foul of some of the miscreants, she comes through with flying colours (as usual). And this despite being warned off by the sometimes-friendly, sometimes-antoagonistic police of whom Inspector Wilkes feels that Agatha is making the police force in general and himself in particular look like a bunch of amateurs. When Agatha rebels against this view he tells her, 'Calm down, If you had told us what you had guessed, we would have got onto it right away.'

I'm not so sure of the veracity of this last statement and, anyway, if they had we would have missed the pleasure of another amusing, entertaining, occasionally romantic (Agatha can't resist a bit of romance) - and successful - Agatha Raisin investigation!

[Carola Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author has become a real disappointment. When she first began her Agatha Raisin series I very much enjoyed the books. She is a prolific writer coming out with a yearly addition to the series.

Unfortunately, for the past decade she has followed a recipe for her plots only changing the names of the characters. Another highly irritating and maddening aspect is her virulent hatred of women. The great majority of her female characters are angry, lascivious, foul-mouthed women. And these aren't the antagonists! Her lead character, Agatha Raisin is a caustic, histrionic, lecherous woman in her fifties who is continually lusting over every man she meets - she's even had one time stands with her "best" friends whom she is constantly deriding.

There are pages and pages of nonsensical traveling between places which never get the lead characters anywhere and only serve to add pages to the book. To add insult to injury the books are written in a staccato style making it seem like reading old telegraph or morse code messages.

[Mystery, She Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

Mood/ Seasonal Reading: spring or summer

My first finished Agatha story as I DNFed the first one I bought.

Blunt is the best word for this book and series as a whole. While I really enjoyed the tv show I find her character doesn’t come across as likeable in the books.

While this was decently funny and kept me entertained, it had an issue with pacing. It somehow felt so fast and so slow at the same time. Scenes would constantly change. I thought I would like this speed but it was somehow almost too short while the investigation went on for ages. I remember feeling like at only half way through the book it felt like it should have been wrapped up.

I also wouldn’t call this a cozy mystery. Minus the setting. It’s crass, swears, and deals with intense topics. The covers are so misleading. I don’t really see myself picking up another in this series.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit surprised myself by finding a 4-star Agatha this late in the series, but this one is probably among the ones I enjoyed most. It must be noted that the Agatha Raisin books follow their own rating system - many of them are highly amusing (such as this one). None of them really hold together or are very intricate. In this one, what I appreciated is that characters stayed true to character and the mystery was quite straight forward and the side tracks were not too silly.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Something wicked this way comes." Yep more witches, and these hags are meaner! It's like I always say; it's not smart to piss off an old lady. We're mean and devious.

[Clarabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Agatha est appelée pour résoudre le meurtre d'une mégère dans un village voisin. Celle-ci était tellement détestée qu'on ne compte plus le nombre de potentiels suspects. Mais le pasteur voudrait mettre un terme à ce climat délétère qui rend les uns et les autres méfiants et grincheux. Malheureusement Agatha ne se sent pas du tout à l'aise dans cette affaire et risque sa peau en fourrant son nez dans leur intimité. Elle ne se fait donc pas prier pour se tailler vite fait.

Oui, c'est encore et toujours la même rengaine. Une histoire banale et entendue. Par contre le dénouement revient de loin ou emprunte un chemin tortueux pour nous enfumer. Je ne suis pas sûre que l'option prise soit la bonne non plus. Sinon on retrouve le petite monde d'Agatha Raisin et on soupire à juste titre après James, on vénère Charles et on peste contre Roy, on regrette Bill mais on râle après Toni. MC Beaton est charmante mais ne se foule plus du tout pour nous surprendre. Au bout d'une vingtaine de tomes, c'est lassant.

C'est finalement le format audio qui me tire de l'ennui car j'aime suivre la série par ce biais très distrayant et franchement cocasse. La comédienne est géniale.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something borrowed, Someone dead by M.C.Beaton is the 24th book in the Agatha Raisin series. Agatha Raisin is hired to investigate the death of Gloria French in the Cotswold village of Piddlebury by a poisoned bottle of local elderberry wine. Agatha is always a lot of fun and seems to be getting better with her detecting and is lucky to have so many good friends to help her. This book seemed to drag out a bit longer than usual but there was always something happening. Lots of laughs and very entertaining.

[ElaF · Rating 3 out of 5]

audiobook
czasami jak tego słucham to myślę: jakie to glupiutkie i naiwne

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the last two but still not as good as the earlier books in the series.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha is back. Once again she’s stirring things up as she tries to find a killer. All her friends are back to lend a helping hand, even her handsome ex-husband. Unfortunately for Agatha, the small town is not welcome to her investigation. Now the killer’s attention is on Agatha. She’s determined to get to the bottom of this before she becomes the next victim.

I always enjoy listening to this series on audio. Agatha makes me both laugh and roll my eyes. She’s certainly the epitome of an eccentric character. Penelope Keith is my favorite narrator in this series. She has the personality, quirks and all, down perfectly. She makes this series so much fun to listen to. I’m looking forward to listening to the next one.

[Linda Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha Raisin is one of my favorite characters. Her flaws and social stumbles add to her charms and make her believable. Somehow she manages to solve the mystery. Hopefully she will find happiness with her true love. M.C. Beaton's stories makes me feel cozy, comfortable, and happy to be back with my old friends.

[Neophrem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me explain what I think of Toni:



And, again, let me say what I think of her REITERATED love troubles:

[Madeline · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I think I have read too many of her books! (According to Good Reads, I've read 61 of her books!) They are just too predictable.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely little tale. I didn't expect the twist, or guess the killer. The making of a great book. Witty, warm and clever.