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Agatha Raisin #36
Drôles d'oiseaux: Gare à ne pas se brûler les ailes !
Gare à ne pas se brûler les ailes !
Pour élucider un meurtre, Agatha Raisin doit pénétrer malgré elle les secrets de trois vieilles ornithologues aux relations incendiaires entre passion commune et rivalité destructrice.
Pour élucider un meurtre, Agatha Raisin doit pénétrer malgré elle les secrets de trois vieilles ornithologues aux relations incendiaires entre passion commune et rivalité destructrice.
306 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2025
205 people are currently reading
7694 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
343 books6,029 followersLike her on Facebook!
Learn more on her website!
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.
Learn more on her website!
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
April 27, 2025
Mrs. Bloxby convinces Agatha to attend a local lecture on birdwatching. The 3 presenters argue, and a man threatens them for trespassing. When one of them dies, the incompetent police chief calls it accidental, but Agatha disagrees. There are challenges to solving the case since she's not only arrested for murder, but someone also tries to kill her. With the help of Roy, John, and her staff, Agatha is determined to see justice done. I think the new author is really hitting his stride with this series--I thought Agatha seemed more like her "old self" from the MC Beaton books. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
October 25, 2025
When MC Beaton wrote these books I loved them. I have tried to stay with this new author for around 4 books now. I even thought that the last book was okay.
I did not like this book.
Agatha is not Agatha. Even when a character changes because of growth - they are still true to themselves. There is nothing left of the Beaton Agatha. Worse yet, the supporting characters are no longer recognizable. I feel really sad about what this new author has done to the character of Charles.
Nothing lasts forever. Sometimes the best thing you can do is know when to let go.
I did not like this book.
Agatha is not Agatha. Even when a character changes because of growth - they are still true to themselves. There is nothing left of the Beaton Agatha. Worse yet, the supporting characters are no longer recognizable. I feel really sad about what this new author has done to the character of Charles.
Nothing lasts forever. Sometimes the best thing you can do is know when to let go.
May 27, 2025
I have been VERY critical of this new author's take on Agatha.
I think, to date, the best I've given him is: fine.
Well, I'm happy to say that the author is getting more and more into Agatha's mind and to good effect.
While I still find her men to be anemic versions of themselves (all sugar no spice), Agatha is getting more and more like herself and I really enjoyed reading her!
She's matured and is very much comfortable with herself, while still allowing for a bit of vanity and the discomfort that comes with aging. I loved her.
The plot is fun, our new characters were a blast, and this one ends on a very emotional note.
I think I previously said I was done with this series...I take it back. I'll read another, thank you!
* ARC via Publisher
I think, to date, the best I've given him is: fine.
Well, I'm happy to say that the author is getting more and more into Agatha's mind and to good effect.
While I still find her men to be anemic versions of themselves (all sugar no spice), Agatha is getting more and more like herself and I really enjoyed reading her!
She's matured and is very much comfortable with herself, while still allowing for a bit of vanity and the discomfort that comes with aging. I loved her.
The plot is fun, our new characters were a blast, and this one ends on a very emotional note.
I think I previously said I was done with this series...I take it back. I'll read another, thank you!
* ARC via Publisher
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August 26, 2025What a great story with a great plot. Once again Agatha finds herself investigating murder and getting herself in trouble and in danger. How will it end?????? Highly recommend.
October 20, 2025
One of the best in this long-running series with an intriguing mystery and a shocking, emotional ending. The new author writing this series has taken it and made it his own with great results.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and rhetorical opinions expressed are my own.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and rhetorical opinions expressed are my own.
June 6, 2025
Sugar and Spite: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green is a great murder/mystery that is the 36th book in this awesome long-standing series.
I have read every book in this series and have gone through all the ups and downs of rhe last few years of Agatha Raisin’s life. Her transition from the first few books to now, is quite surprising…in a good way. She still has that sass that only she can do, but there is heart, and I love it.
This was a quick murder/mystery that had a great pace, and I devoured the whole book in two days. The ending is bittersweet, but she will persevere and I look forward to her next adventure.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/14/25.
I have read every book in this series and have gone through all the ups and downs of rhe last few years of Agatha Raisin’s life. Her transition from the first few books to now, is quite surprising…in a good way. She still has that sass that only she can do, but there is heart, and I love it.
This was a quick murder/mystery that had a great pace, and I devoured the whole book in two days. The ending is bittersweet, but she will persevere and I look forward to her next adventure.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/14/25.
October 4, 2025
I have always enjoyed reading about the adventures of Agatha, even as the last few books didn't quite seem to have her character as I would have expected, and in this 36th book we have Agatha back in full force.
She attends a lecture at the Carsely Ladies Society about bird-watching, but the event is interrupted by a local farmer threatening the three presenters as he feels they have been trespassing on his land. When one of the three presenters is found dead, killed by a falling tree, the police are convinced that it was an accident. But Agatha thinks otherwise, and starts investigating. When she finds the second presenter dead in the river, Agatha is arrested for murder.
Agatha and her team ratchet up the investigations, to prove her innocence. There are the usual red herrings and clever plot twists, along with Agatha's deepening relationship with John Glass. Sir Charles Fraith is also back in the picture, trying to win Agatha back.
That ending was totally unexpected!
I found this book much better than the last few, and thoroughly enjoyed Agatha's character as well as the usual crew around her. A very entertaining read, and I am looking forward to the next one.
She attends a lecture at the Carsely Ladies Society about bird-watching, but the event is interrupted by a local farmer threatening the three presenters as he feels they have been trespassing on his land. When one of the three presenters is found dead, killed by a falling tree, the police are convinced that it was an accident. But Agatha thinks otherwise, and starts investigating. When she finds the second presenter dead in the river, Agatha is arrested for murder.
Agatha and her team ratchet up the investigations, to prove her innocence. There are the usual red herrings and clever plot twists, along with Agatha's deepening relationship with John Glass. Sir Charles Fraith is also back in the picture, trying to win Agatha back.
That ending was totally unexpected!
I found this book much better than the last few, and thoroughly enjoyed Agatha's character as well as the usual crew around her. A very entertaining read, and I am looking forward to the next one.
October 27, 2025
Damn. I didn't see that ending coming, well done! This whole book was one of the best in the series. The twists and turns the plot took kept me changing my mind about who the killer was and while I did figure it out eventually, I took the long way. Lots of quiet life lessons here, so if you've gone off this series after the last few, come back. It'll be worth it.
October 20, 2025
As a longstanding devotee of the Agatha Raisin series, having commenced my journey with the inaugural volume in 1992, I have witnessed the evolution of this cherished series through the passing of Marion Beaton and the subsequent stewardship of R.W. Green. Despite initial reservations regarding the pacing of _Sugar and Spite_, the 36th installment, I found R.W. Green to have astutely captured the essence of Agatha Raisin—her moods, personality, and characteristic energy—through nuanced cues and tonal inflections inherent in his prose. With each successive book, my appreciation for the intricacies of the narrative deepens
Set against the backdrop of a birdwatching group in the Cotswolds, the story unfolds as a series of murders occur, prompting Agatha Raisin and her investigative team to navigate a plethora of suspects. In a riveting turn of events, Agatha and John Armitage face arrest, precipitating a heightened sense of peril for Agatha. The denouement of the book is both emotionally resonant and heartfelt.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this engaging volume, scheduled for release on October 14, 2025.
Set against the backdrop of a birdwatching group in the Cotswolds, the story unfolds as a series of murders occur, prompting Agatha Raisin and her investigative team to navigate a plethora of suspects. In a riveting turn of events, Agatha and John Armitage face arrest, precipitating a heightened sense of peril for Agatha. The denouement of the book is both emotionally resonant and heartfelt.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this engaging volume, scheduled for release on October 14, 2025.
August 21, 2025
It’s been years since I read an Agatha Raisin book and this was my first from R.W Green. The story and writing felt very classic Agatha Raisin, I was surprised! It had the charm and sharp wit, but you could see the many ways her character has grown. I was however, disappointed by the last 10%, it came on very fast, and Agatha seemed to regress to some of her more selfish traits in the end (I won’t say anymore to not spoil it).
I will absolutely read the next installment and was so excited to return to Carsley, with the wonderful cast of characters by M.C Beaton, even just for a little while.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
I will absolutely read the next installment and was so excited to return to Carsley, with the wonderful cast of characters by M.C Beaton, even just for a little while.
Thank you to Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
May 14, 2025
Book 36 of the Agatha Raisin series. Another cozy mystery full of mystery, humor and village drama. This book follows a birdwatching club. As their members are murdered Agatha jumps into action to uncover the killer. There’s no shortage of suspects. Will Agatha and her team solve the mystery? Is Agatha’s life in danger? A fast read that won’t disappoint you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
October 20, 2025
I've been reading the Agatha Raisin books for many years. Agatha is such a fantastic main character - she's clever, opinionate, and outspoken. She can come across as abrasive, but inside she is vulnerable and often insecure.
I'm happy that R.W. Green has continued the series. I missed the last couple of books, but I enjoy his take on the characters and am glad I read this book. All the regular characters play a part in this book. Agatha gets involved in a case related to intense birdwatcher - "twitchers" - and I liked the factual information the author supplied in the book's forward. The case takes a few twists and turns ending in a very unexpected development at the end of the book. No spoilers, but Agatha shows why readers love her so much.
I received a copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
I'm happy that R.W. Green has continued the series. I missed the last couple of books, but I enjoy his take on the characters and am glad I read this book. All the regular characters play a part in this book. Agatha gets involved in a case related to intense birdwatcher - "twitchers" - and I liked the factual information the author supplied in the book's forward. The case takes a few twists and turns ending in a very unexpected development at the end of the book. No spoilers, but Agatha shows why readers love her so much.
I received a copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
December 16, 2025
A bit of a slow start but it picked up. I am so happy that the Agatha Raisin books are still being written by Green. I love all of the characters and delight in catching up with them and their adventures.
January 9, 2026
I continue to enjoy listening to the new author of these mysteries. He keeps the stories in Beaton's style, yet this one ended with a surprise. There was a touch of foreshadowing, but I was still surprised at the ending & am wondering what's next for Agatha?
December 14, 2025
Good old Aggie!
December 31, 2025
I think the new author has improved this series. I appreciate the forewords where he explains about Agatha’s character. I also think the books and the show align well. Well done!
January 4, 2026
Le plus triste de la série ☹️ on sent bien que ce n' est plus l'écriture de MC Beaton
October 30, 2025
Read with my husband while touring Kent, UK
December 19, 2025
A plea to R W Green - Stop. Really. Stop and let the series die an honorable demise.
I will no longer be reading any future Agatha Raisin stories. Beaton created characters who were fun, feisty, charming, quirky and interesting. They interacted so nicely together. However, now I honestly don’t know who these characters are. The stories are no longer fun to read because the characters are shells of their former selves. Additionally, I didn’t even like the story. I was utterly bored.
So, again, Mr Green STOP.
BYW i’m being very generous with 2 stars, which is only in honor of Ms Beaton.
I will no longer be reading any future Agatha Raisin stories. Beaton created characters who were fun, feisty, charming, quirky and interesting. They interacted so nicely together. However, now I honestly don’t know who these characters are. The stories are no longer fun to read because the characters are shells of their former selves. Additionally, I didn’t even like the story. I was utterly bored.
So, again, Mr Green STOP.
BYW i’m being very generous with 2 stars, which is only in honor of Ms Beaton.
November 5, 2025
RW Green just can’t get the characters right, no banter between Agatha & James or Charles and the story padded out with pointless fluff. I’ve read all the Agatha Raisin books and the wit & spark has gone from them. Might be time to end the series out.
April 30, 2025
This is my first time reading an Agatha Raisin book but it did NOT disappoint!! I have watched the Agatha Raisin TV series and I absolutely loved it so when I read this book, I put those characters to this story lol!! It really helped make this book that much more enjoyable!!
If you like mysteries with the FMC is feisty but smart, she's your girl!!
You'll love the banter, the plot, the characters, all of it!
If you like mysteries with the FMC is feisty but smart, she's your girl!!
You'll love the banter, the plot, the characters, all of it!
November 27, 2025
This was by far one of the weaker ones from the new author. I still miss Agatha’s detailed commentary on her beauty routines, and this book made it so clear that it’s a man writing a female character (so much of the dialogue didn’t sound legit to me). I also thought this ending was ridiculous, and very UN-Agatha. (Sappily pouring her heart out at a funeral about her love?!) It didn’t fit at all, IMO.
September 27, 2025
Let’s set the scene. Agatha Raisin, a woman who once lied about baking a quiche just to impress a village fête committee and ended up at the center of a murder investigation, is now voluntarily attending a birdwatching lecture. Not because she gives a flying sparrow about robins or rare warblers, but because Mrs. Bloxby asked nicely and Agatha has a soft spot for guilt-wrapped moral obligation. So she shows up, slaps on a smile, and within ten minutes she’s in the middle of a murder, a land rights dispute, and a hostile crowd of twitchers with binoculars and secrets.
Agatha walks into a bird lecture to mind her own business and ends up accused of murder. First time for that, somehow. One of the birdwatchers ends up crushed by a falling tree branch... or so they say. The whole thing gets written off as a tragic woodland oopsie, but Agatha isn’t buying it. She starts digging, and surprise, what looked like a petty turf war over trespassing and rare birds turns out to be a full-blown nest of secrets. There’s inheritance drama, ancient grudges, and one deeply incompetent detective who would rather lock Agatha up than do his job. Which he does. He arrests her. Formally. For murder.
And yes, I said her. Agatha Raisin, the woman who can’t go two weeks without offending someone or accidentally solving a homicide, finds herself charged, booked, and stewing in a holding cell. Does she scream at everyone? Of course. Does she immediately begin solving the case from jail? Absolutely. It’s like Sherlock Holmes got dumped by all his exes and decided to solve crimes in leather boots and an emotional support blowout.
Meanwhile, her relationship with John Glass is actually going well, which in Agatha terms might as well be a curse. He’s present. He’s warm. He literally saves her life at one point. It’s sweet in a way that feels almost dangerous, like the story might be lulling us into a false sense of security. Because just off to the side, sipping something expensive and quietly regretting all his life choices, is Sir Charles Fraith. He’s less smug, more bruised, and every glance between them feels like a ghost of the life they almost had.
Agatha’s instincts are sharp as ever, but this time she’s solving the case under arrest, under scrutiny, and with a lot more to lose. She almost dies. Twice. She gets drenched in mud. She deals with a petty shoplifting case while trying to prove she didn’t commit actual murder. And through it all, she refuses to give up or dress appropriately for the terrain. She’s a force of nature in kitten heels and she will drag the truth out of this village even if it kills her.
And then comes that final chapter. That twist. That emotional curb-stomp I absolutely did not sign up for. I went from laughing at Agatha insulting someone’s “ghastly” tea service to sitting in stunned silence with a single tear sliding down my face like I’d just finished season two of Fleabag.
This book hits harder than expected. Yes, it’s got the usual cozy chaos. Nosy villagers. Passive-aggressive tea rituals. Agatha judging everyone’s outfits and life choices. But under all that, Sugar and Spite is about loneliness. About the ache of aging, the cost of stubbornness, and the love you almost let yourself have. It’s funny and sharp and devastating in that quiet British way where no one ever says what they mean but you still feel everything.
Four stars. I’m still emotionally compromised.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Trust No One Wearing Fleece and Carrying a Field Guide
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Sugar and Spite. I came for the cozy crime and cranky detective energy, and stayed for the emotional sabotage. You really said, “Here’s a murder mystery... and also, heartbreak.” Rude. Perfect. I loved it.
Agatha walks into a bird lecture to mind her own business and ends up accused of murder. First time for that, somehow. One of the birdwatchers ends up crushed by a falling tree branch... or so they say. The whole thing gets written off as a tragic woodland oopsie, but Agatha isn’t buying it. She starts digging, and surprise, what looked like a petty turf war over trespassing and rare birds turns out to be a full-blown nest of secrets. There’s inheritance drama, ancient grudges, and one deeply incompetent detective who would rather lock Agatha up than do his job. Which he does. He arrests her. Formally. For murder.
And yes, I said her. Agatha Raisin, the woman who can’t go two weeks without offending someone or accidentally solving a homicide, finds herself charged, booked, and stewing in a holding cell. Does she scream at everyone? Of course. Does she immediately begin solving the case from jail? Absolutely. It’s like Sherlock Holmes got dumped by all his exes and decided to solve crimes in leather boots and an emotional support blowout.
Meanwhile, her relationship with John Glass is actually going well, which in Agatha terms might as well be a curse. He’s present. He’s warm. He literally saves her life at one point. It’s sweet in a way that feels almost dangerous, like the story might be lulling us into a false sense of security. Because just off to the side, sipping something expensive and quietly regretting all his life choices, is Sir Charles Fraith. He’s less smug, more bruised, and every glance between them feels like a ghost of the life they almost had.
Agatha’s instincts are sharp as ever, but this time she’s solving the case under arrest, under scrutiny, and with a lot more to lose. She almost dies. Twice. She gets drenched in mud. She deals with a petty shoplifting case while trying to prove she didn’t commit actual murder. And through it all, she refuses to give up or dress appropriately for the terrain. She’s a force of nature in kitten heels and she will drag the truth out of this village even if it kills her.
And then comes that final chapter. That twist. That emotional curb-stomp I absolutely did not sign up for. I went from laughing at Agatha insulting someone’s “ghastly” tea service to sitting in stunned silence with a single tear sliding down my face like I’d just finished season two of Fleabag.
This book hits harder than expected. Yes, it’s got the usual cozy chaos. Nosy villagers. Passive-aggressive tea rituals. Agatha judging everyone’s outfits and life choices. But under all that, Sugar and Spite is about loneliness. About the ache of aging, the cost of stubbornness, and the love you almost let yourself have. It’s funny and sharp and devastating in that quiet British way where no one ever says what they mean but you still feel everything.
Four stars. I’m still emotionally compromised.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Trust No One Wearing Fleece and Carrying a Field Guide
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Sugar and Spite. I came for the cozy crime and cranky detective energy, and stayed for the emotional sabotage. You really said, “Here’s a murder mystery... and also, heartbreak.” Rude. Perfect. I loved it.
August 28, 2025
I always felt a bit conflicted when it came time to review an Agatha Raisin book. On the one hand, I usually find the mystery and the way her now team comes together to find clues and sort out what they really mean, if anything, impressive to watch. On the other, I've never quite liked Agatha. That changed a bit this go-round. While I can't say she's someone I'd want to spend much time hanging out with, her edges seem to have been smoothed out a bit. Not completely as, well, that just wouldn't be the Agatha Raisin so many have come to love, but she seemed more real to me, for lack of a better phrasing, this go-round. She's always ultimately had a heart of gold but, well, usually hides it well. True, she's still vain and, oh, boy, that temper, but it's obvious she cares deeply about her team and her friends. I mean, Mrs. Bioxby even talks her into attending a birdwatchers meeting. Er, twichers meeting. There seems to be a difference. That meeting leads her into a mystery investigation that involves multiple deaths, nearly being drowned, confronting a grouchy farmer angry that his land rights are being abused, and getting herself arrested and charged with murder. Just your typical Agatha Raisin case, you know. Grin.
I'm not going to detail the plot as that would take some of the fun away from watching Agatha and her team unearth clues and investigate them to see if they're pertinent or, well, red herrings. Her instincts tend to guide her although she sometimes takes away to pin-point exactly what a bit or info or item may mean in the grand scheme of things. Take the time to get to know her team members as each is a unique character with different skills and viewpoints, making for some intriguing discussions. I very much liked them, as I do John and James, the seeming loves of her life. The police chief? Not so much. He's rude, arrogant, overbearing and unlike Agatha, doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities.
Bottom line, I've surprised myself by admitting that I've slowly grown to appreciate Agatha for her good qualities, even if she's still not fond of dogs. I did laugh at her adventure in the mud, I must admit, and her choice of vehicle in the rather emotional roller coaster ending. I definitely didn't see that one coming. The plot moves along smoothly while still managing to give us a sense of why Agatha so loves living in Carsely. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for keeping me in the fold and allowing me this early peek at Agatha's life, including her clothes choices, as well as preferred foods and drinks. I wonder if sheep will ever grow on her after this episode.
I'm not going to detail the plot as that would take some of the fun away from watching Agatha and her team unearth clues and investigate them to see if they're pertinent or, well, red herrings. Her instincts tend to guide her although she sometimes takes away to pin-point exactly what a bit or info or item may mean in the grand scheme of things. Take the time to get to know her team members as each is a unique character with different skills and viewpoints, making for some intriguing discussions. I very much liked them, as I do John and James, the seeming loves of her life. The police chief? Not so much. He's rude, arrogant, overbearing and unlike Agatha, doesn't seem to have any redeeming qualities.
Bottom line, I've surprised myself by admitting that I've slowly grown to appreciate Agatha for her good qualities, even if she's still not fond of dogs. I did laugh at her adventure in the mud, I must admit, and her choice of vehicle in the rather emotional roller coaster ending. I definitely didn't see that one coming. The plot moves along smoothly while still managing to give us a sense of why Agatha so loves living in Carsely. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for keeping me in the fold and allowing me this early peek at Agatha's life, including her clothes choices, as well as preferred foods and drinks. I wonder if sheep will ever grow on her after this episode.
December 17, 2025
Sugar and Spite is the 36th book in the Agatha Raisin mystery series originally written by M.C. Beaton. Now a good friend of hers, R.W. Green, is continuing in the author's place. This book would have been considered a short story if it were not for repeating the background for Agatha's work in the 35 other books written featuring her detective agency. Hints of the new mystery were dropped in the first few hundred pages to keep the reader hanging on to find the answer to the present mystery.
Three local women who were friends since grade school and who were all spinsters had been keeping busy being avid birders. While they were giving a talk at the Carsely Ladies Society gathering, a man came in and threatened them for trespassing on his property. Agatha had been talked into going to the event by her friend, Mrs. Bloxby. Agatha was intrigued by the intruder and when one of the three was found dead a few days later, Agatha was ready to talk with this irate farmer who might be the killer. The woman was found under a huge tree that had fallen over the road during a horrid storm, Chief Inspector Wilkes was willing to call the whole investigation off and say it was accidental even though the evidence did not support this. Thus Agatha had to prove Wilkes wrong again.
Even though I have read all the previous books and now several penned by R.W.Green, I am going to say farewell to Agatha and her detective agency. Mr. Green may know the facts about the characters, but he has not provided much of an original story. By removing a well-loved character in this book is not necessarily a way to write the series. Eliminating the characters one by one until Agatha is left alone, is not what I want to see happen.
I have grown to love many story characters and I have hated to see them die when their author dies. However, continuing the stories by another author is not always successful. In the case of Robert B. Parker, his family trust had used several authors to write the books using the different characters that he originated. Mr. Green has tried to write about the two characters originated by M. C. Beaton and as well as he knew the author, he can not 'speak' in her same voice. The books may be factual but they lack the warmth of the original writer. We, as her fans, want those characters to grow and develop and maybe that just is not happening.
Three local women who were friends since grade school and who were all spinsters had been keeping busy being avid birders. While they were giving a talk at the Carsely Ladies Society gathering, a man came in and threatened them for trespassing on his property. Agatha had been talked into going to the event by her friend, Mrs. Bloxby. Agatha was intrigued by the intruder and when one of the three was found dead a few days later, Agatha was ready to talk with this irate farmer who might be the killer. The woman was found under a huge tree that had fallen over the road during a horrid storm, Chief Inspector Wilkes was willing to call the whole investigation off and say it was accidental even though the evidence did not support this. Thus Agatha had to prove Wilkes wrong again.
Even though I have read all the previous books and now several penned by R.W.Green, I am going to say farewell to Agatha and her detective agency. Mr. Green may know the facts about the characters, but he has not provided much of an original story. By removing a well-loved character in this book is not necessarily a way to write the series. Eliminating the characters one by one until Agatha is left alone, is not what I want to see happen.
I have grown to love many story characters and I have hated to see them die when their author dies. However, continuing the stories by another author is not always successful. In the case of Robert B. Parker, his family trust had used several authors to write the books using the different characters that he originated. Mr. Green has tried to write about the two characters originated by M. C. Beaton and as well as he knew the author, he can not 'speak' in her same voice. The books may be factual but they lack the warmth of the original writer. We, as her fans, want those characters to grow and develop and maybe that just is not happening.
January 4, 2026
🎧 Listened in audio
📢 Narrated by: Penelope Keith
⏱ Duration: 8 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Published: October 14, 2025
🗂 Genre: Cozy Mystery
I dove back into the Agatha Raisin world with pure nostalgia with those familiar Cotswolds quirks, the prickly village vibes, and Agatha's endless drama with men and murders. I was hoping for that classic cozy mystery comfort with a side of snark, the kind that used to have me grinning through every outrageous scheme. The birdwatching angle promised some fresh, feathery fun, and Penelope Keith's narration always brings Agatha's sharp edges to life so perfectly.
But this time, the spark just didn’t catch. The humor that once made me grin now felt a little tired. The birdwatching setup had potential, but the pacing felt sluggish, and the plot beats didn’t land with the same bite I remember loving in earlier books. Instead of feeling delightfully outrageous, Agatha’s familiar abrasiveness felt… tired. What once read as bold and funny now felt repetitive, like the series is leaning too hard on old habits.
M. C. Beaton’s trademark wit still peeks through, and R. W. Green does his best to channel her spirit, but something about the rhythm felt off. The once-bright cozy comfort came across as faint echoes of what made me fall in love with the series in the first place. This ended up being a regretful DNF, not because it was objectively bad, but because it no longer fits where I am as a reader. Sometimes, the series just stays exactly the same while you move on.
Would I recommend it?
If you’ve been a longtime Agatha fan, you might still find cozy comfort here. But for me, it was a gentle reminder that sometimes, beloved series are best remembered rather than revisited.
Farewell, Agatha?
Do you ever go back to an old favorite series only to realize it just doesn’t hit the same anymore? Tell me about a series that used to be a comfort read, and when you knew the magic had faded.
📢 Narrated by: Penelope Keith
⏱ Duration: 8 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Published: October 14, 2025
🗂 Genre: Cozy Mystery
I dove back into the Agatha Raisin world with pure nostalgia with those familiar Cotswolds quirks, the prickly village vibes, and Agatha's endless drama with men and murders. I was hoping for that classic cozy mystery comfort with a side of snark, the kind that used to have me grinning through every outrageous scheme. The birdwatching angle promised some fresh, feathery fun, and Penelope Keith's narration always brings Agatha's sharp edges to life so perfectly.
But this time, the spark just didn’t catch. The humor that once made me grin now felt a little tired. The birdwatching setup had potential, but the pacing felt sluggish, and the plot beats didn’t land with the same bite I remember loving in earlier books. Instead of feeling delightfully outrageous, Agatha’s familiar abrasiveness felt… tired. What once read as bold and funny now felt repetitive, like the series is leaning too hard on old habits.
M. C. Beaton’s trademark wit still peeks through, and R. W. Green does his best to channel her spirit, but something about the rhythm felt off. The once-bright cozy comfort came across as faint echoes of what made me fall in love with the series in the first place. This ended up being a regretful DNF, not because it was objectively bad, but because it no longer fits where I am as a reader. Sometimes, the series just stays exactly the same while you move on.
Would I recommend it?
If you’ve been a longtime Agatha fan, you might still find cozy comfort here. But for me, it was a gentle reminder that sometimes, beloved series are best remembered rather than revisited.
Farewell, Agatha?
Do you ever go back to an old favorite series only to realize it just doesn’t hit the same anymore? Tell me about a series that used to be a comfort read, and when you knew the magic had faded.
May 26, 2025
The Agatha Raisin series is among my favorite cozy mysteries, and I am always thrilled to read a new installment. The books written by R.W. Green have been similar enough to those by the original master M.C. Beaton such that they pretty much seamlessly blend into the canon. The latest book is Sugar and Spite, and it's another great Agatha Raisin story full of the fun regulars, interesting new characters, and a great storyline I've come to expect from the series.
A trio of birdwatching friends (or maybe a better term might be "frenemies") comes to Agatha's hometown of Carsley to deliver a lecture, which is interrupted by an angry man who threatens harm to the group of bird enthusiasts if they continue to use his property to look at the wildlife. Soon thereafter, a dead body is found under a fallen tree. Agatha and her team of investigators begin to look into the situation, and the plot quickly becomes more complex as more information is discovered and several characters are deemed suspects.
As is expected, Agatha and her friends and colleagues divide and conquer, and they work through the evidence and their theories to figure out what has happened and who is responsible. The trail of clues and the ensuing twists make for a fun and quick read that is sure to entertain fans of the series and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A trio of birdwatching friends (or maybe a better term might be "frenemies") comes to Agatha's hometown of Carsley to deliver a lecture, which is interrupted by an angry man who threatens harm to the group of bird enthusiasts if they continue to use his property to look at the wildlife. Soon thereafter, a dead body is found under a fallen tree. Agatha and her team of investigators begin to look into the situation, and the plot quickly becomes more complex as more information is discovered and several characters are deemed suspects.
As is expected, Agatha and her friends and colleagues divide and conquer, and they work through the evidence and their theories to figure out what has happened and who is responsible. The trail of clues and the ensuing twists make for a fun and quick read that is sure to entertain fans of the series and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 6, 2025
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with a gifted ebook copy of Sugar and Spite through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I can't resist a good cozy mystery, and Sugar and Spite lived up to all of the cozy and mystery vibes!! Sugar and Spite is the 36th book in the Agatha Raisin series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but I had no trouble following the storyline or feeling connected to the characters.
Agatha is the perfect capable female detective, and I loved the bluntness of her character. There are some great side characters that add interest to the story and a long list of suspects being investigated that bring a fun whodunnit feel to the mysterious deaths. I thought the mystery unfolded at a great pace, and the book is a fun, quick read. And I also really enjoyed the historical aspect that is referenced, with the law preventing people to wander across land in the UK, and the rights of its owners.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Female Detective
* Cozy Mystery
* Mature Characters
* Birding Community
* Quirky Characters
* Historical Fiction
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you love series like the Veronica Speedwell books or the Stalking Jack the Ripper books, then I would definitely recommend Sugar and Spite. This book delivers that same strong FMC mystery solving vibe, but with a modern day setting.
I can't resist a good cozy mystery, and Sugar and Spite lived up to all of the cozy and mystery vibes!! Sugar and Spite is the 36th book in the Agatha Raisin series, but can easily be read as a stand alone. I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but I had no trouble following the storyline or feeling connected to the characters.
Agatha is the perfect capable female detective, and I loved the bluntness of her character. There are some great side characters that add interest to the story and a long list of suspects being investigated that bring a fun whodunnit feel to the mysterious deaths. I thought the mystery unfolded at a great pace, and the book is a fun, quick read. And I also really enjoyed the historical aspect that is referenced, with the law preventing people to wander across land in the UK, and the rights of its owners.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Female Detective
* Cozy Mystery
* Mature Characters
* Birding Community
* Quirky Characters
* Historical Fiction
𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)
If you love series like the Veronica Speedwell books or the Stalking Jack the Ripper books, then I would definitely recommend Sugar and Spite. This book delivers that same strong FMC mystery solving vibe, but with a modern day setting.
September 28, 2025
"Sugar and Spite (Agatha Raisin Mysteries #36)" by M.C. Beaton was actually my first book in the Agatha Rains Series that I've read. It was fairly standalone. However, I think I would have been more invested in the characters had I read any of the previous books. This series is technically a P.I. Cozy Mystery but read a bit more like an Amateur Investigator Cozy Mystery at times. I say this because I'm honestly a little surprised that she doesn't have more of the tools she sometimes mentions wishing she had as a P.I. She also seems to rely more on other people to do some of the real clue gathering and then just leads the brainstorming.
There is seemingly a lot of little problems going on at once that Agatha gets pulled into. There is some maybe missing sheep, a theft problem at a local mall and then there's the deaths. Agatha seems most preoccupied with the deaths and sets up one of her employees to investigate the theft problem. The sheep mystery just accidentally gets solved. There is just a lot going on and that's just her professional life.
Like I said, I think I would have been more invested in this book if I had read the others. I at least was able to finish the book and found it moderately interesting. I will probably go back and start from the beginning of the series to get it a fair shot.
There is seemingly a lot of little problems going on at once that Agatha gets pulled into. There is some maybe missing sheep, a theft problem at a local mall and then there's the deaths. Agatha seems most preoccupied with the deaths and sets up one of her employees to investigate the theft problem. The sheep mystery just accidentally gets solved. There is just a lot going on and that's just her professional life.
Like I said, I think I would have been more invested in this book if I had read the others. I at least was able to finish the book and found it moderately interesting. I will probably go back and start from the beginning of the series to get it a fair shot.
October 1, 2025
Cheers to the 36th mystery for Agatha Raisin. I have only missed a few of these cozy mystery books mostly set in the Cotswold’s. Agatha attends a lecture by three local birdwatchers (they are called twitchers which is explained by the author before the story). A stranger bursts in and threatens the twitchers. Of course one of the ladies turns up dead and the victim’s brother blames her two friends.
As usual her friend group is part of the story. The staff at her private detective agency, Boyfriend John, who is a retired police detective and Bill Wong who is a detective sergeant in her town of Carsely. You can count on Agatha to ruffle some feathers and she looks into the murder. There is also a local theft ring, drug issues and even some blackmail happening in the story.
I know the stories are formulaic but I enjoy catching up with the characters. I usually can predict the baddie although not always the reason. R.W. Green has written a handful of these books after being selected by Beaton to continue the series and I am enjoying them. The ending of this one caught me off guard and I confess I got a little teary eyed.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
As usual her friend group is part of the story. The staff at her private detective agency, Boyfriend John, who is a retired police detective and Bill Wong who is a detective sergeant in her town of Carsely. You can count on Agatha to ruffle some feathers and she looks into the murder. There is also a local theft ring, drug issues and even some blackmail happening in the story.
I know the stories are formulaic but I enjoy catching up with the characters. I usually can predict the baddie although not always the reason. R.W. Green has written a handful of these books after being selected by Beaton to continue the series and I am enjoying them. The ending of this one caught me off guard and I confess I got a little teary eyed.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
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