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Agatha Raisin #35
Agatha Raisin: Killing Time
Life is never, ever dull in Agatha Raisin's sleepy Cotswolds village!
Agatha Raisin's private detective agency is working flat out on a series of burglaries which take a violent turn when a friend of Agatha's is murdered during a raid on his antiques shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House.
When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Majorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John's apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life.
Can Agatha track down the would-be killer, nail her friend's murderers and rescue her romance with John? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when on top of everything else, Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!
Agatha Raisin's private detective agency is working flat out on a series of burglaries which take a violent turn when a friend of Agatha's is murdered during a raid on his antiques shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House.
When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Majorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John's apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life.
Can Agatha track down the would-be killer, nail her friend's murderers and rescue her romance with John? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when on top of everything else, Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!
246 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2024
226 people are currently reading
6024 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,018 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 322 reviews
October 12, 2024
M.C. Beaton has moved on and taken Agatha Raisin with her.
I wanted to love this book because I ADORE Agatha Raisin and Carsley and all of the characters in Agatha’s orbit.
The reader spends no time in the village, there are no cozy moments in Agatha’s cottage or garden or with Hodge and Boswell. No visits to the vicarage to hash things over with Mrs. Bloxby, who is no longer Mrs. Bloxby but Margaret. And I think that’s a huge deal.
An inordinate amount of time is spent on a “mystery” from hundreds of years ago which had no relevance to the books at all and I couldn’t have cared less about any of it. The passages read like a synopsis from some obscure history book.
Actually, much of the story is told rather than shown. One of the delights of reading this series is in experiencing Agatha’s adventures along with her ~ the good, the bad and the ugly. This just doesn’t happen in “Killing Time”.
The dialogue is sparse. The personalities are flat and one dimensional. And it’s very obvious that the new author is not a woman. (There isn’t a woman on the planet that equates her car as an extension of a makeup vanity table).
Fortunately I can return to the magic over and over by revisiting the library of completed works.
I wanted to love this book because I ADORE Agatha Raisin and Carsley and all of the characters in Agatha’s orbit.
The reader spends no time in the village, there are no cozy moments in Agatha’s cottage or garden or with Hodge and Boswell. No visits to the vicarage to hash things over with Mrs. Bloxby, who is no longer Mrs. Bloxby but Margaret. And I think that’s a huge deal.
An inordinate amount of time is spent on a “mystery” from hundreds of years ago which had no relevance to the books at all and I couldn’t have cared less about any of it. The passages read like a synopsis from some obscure history book.
Actually, much of the story is told rather than shown. One of the delights of reading this series is in experiencing Agatha’s adventures along with her ~ the good, the bad and the ugly. This just doesn’t happen in “Killing Time”.
The dialogue is sparse. The personalities are flat and one dimensional. And it’s very obvious that the new author is not a woman. (There isn’t a woman on the planet that equates her car as an extension of a makeup vanity table).
Fortunately I can return to the magic over and over by revisiting the library of completed works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
I have only had a chance to read a couple of the Agatha Raisin Mystery books, but those I really enjoyed. And since this is the thirty-fifth in the series, I have many more to enjoy - and I'm looking forward to them.
Description:
Agatha Raisin’s private detective agency is working flat out on a series of shop burglaries. The break-ins seem to have taken a violent turn when a friend of Agatha’s is murdered during a raid on his shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous, promotional event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House. When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Mallorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John’s apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life. Can Agatha track down whoever it is that wants her dead, nail her friend’s murderers and rescue her romance with John Glass? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!
My Thoughts:
Agatha Raisin is a quirky, take-charge private investigator. Let me just say that I love her methods and her attitude - a great character. In this one, a friend of Agatha's is murdered and Agatha is getting death threats so the investigation gets intense and personal. Too bad she had to put her romantic trip on hold to handle the immediate issues. Well written with a good plot and great characters. I would recommend to anyone wo likes a good cozy mystery. Oh, I now I know there is a tv series too that I will need to see!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Agatha Raisin’s private detective agency is working flat out on a series of shop burglaries. The break-ins seem to have taken a violent turn when a friend of Agatha’s is murdered during a raid on his shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous, promotional event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House. When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Mallorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John’s apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life. Can Agatha track down whoever it is that wants her dead, nail her friend’s murderers and rescue her romance with John Glass? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!
My Thoughts:
Agatha Raisin is a quirky, take-charge private investigator. Let me just say that I love her methods and her attitude - a great character. In this one, a friend of Agatha's is murdered and Agatha is getting death threats so the investigation gets intense and personal. Too bad she had to put her romantic trip on hold to handle the immediate issues. Well written with a good plot and great characters. I would recommend to anyone wo likes a good cozy mystery. Oh, I now I know there is a tv series too that I will need to see!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
April 20, 2025
This Agatha Raisin was a good one. Lots of sub plots going on and more than one murder.
Agatha attends her first auction with her neighbor, Mr. Tinkler, who owns the antique store below her investigation agency. While there she makes her first and only bid on a broken clock that two other people also want. After spending an exorbitant amount of money on it, she gives it to Mr. Tinkler to find someone to fix it. The next day her neighbor’s shop has been burglarized and he has been murdered.
Agatha is to set sail with her boyfriend John Glass, to Mallorca, but when she sees another woman hanging on his arm, is it over for them?
Sir Charles Fraith has asked her to stage a gala at his home to promote his new vineyard and wine products. So Agatha calls in Roy for his sage advice and help.
At the same time as this all happens the local Chamber of Commerce hires Agatha to find out who is burglarizing the local businesses in the area. One member sells alarm systems, of course.
As always all is revealed in the end and wrapped up in a nice bow.
Agatha attends her first auction with her neighbor, Mr. Tinkler, who owns the antique store below her investigation agency. While there she makes her first and only bid on a broken clock that two other people also want. After spending an exorbitant amount of money on it, she gives it to Mr. Tinkler to find someone to fix it. The next day her neighbor’s shop has been burglarized and he has been murdered.
Agatha is to set sail with her boyfriend John Glass, to Mallorca, but when she sees another woman hanging on his arm, is it over for them?
Sir Charles Fraith has asked her to stage a gala at his home to promote his new vineyard and wine products. So Agatha calls in Roy for his sage advice and help.
At the same time as this all happens the local Chamber of Commerce hires Agatha to find out who is burglarizing the local businesses in the area. One member sells alarm systems, of course.
As always all is revealed in the end and wrapped up in a nice bow.
October 15, 2024
Makes me so sad I really use to love this series but the new author is really missing the mark on all the characters. I didn’t enjoy the story and the characters are so different now 🤦🏾♀️
June 9, 2025
Book number 35, and Agatha Raisin is still going strong. Agatha has her hands full in this entry with death threats, burglaries in the Cotswolds village shops, a murder, and planning a fair/party for Sir Charles. On top of all of that, she's planning a romantic getaway. Of course none of it goes as planned, but Agatha is a determined woman and setbacks won't derail her. I actually found the personal adventures of Agatha and her friends more interesting than the mystery this time. This is a favorite cozy series and I'm definitely on board for number 36.
October 14, 2024
2 stars
Mediocre at best.
First of all the narrator is terrible. I've said it before (cause it is the same as in the previous ones), having an 80 year old voice reading a story where we have a 40+ year old having all this sexual innuendos it's simply not working.
Then we have far too much time spent on shallow things like Agatha's appearance and what she is dressed with and, especially, when something goes wrong like she is caught up in a rain and she doesn't look her very best anymore. Soooo many details about something that is utterly irrelevant. Yes, I am yet to see a person that wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror and looks spectacular. So what's the point of emphasizing the obvious?
As for the mystery...it was terrible. I was more interested and I liked more the ending, the conclusion of the medieval murder mystery.
Mediocre at best.
First of all the narrator is terrible. I've said it before (cause it is the same as in the previous ones), having an 80 year old voice reading a story where we have a 40+ year old having all this sexual innuendos it's simply not working.
Then we have far too much time spent on shallow things like Agatha's appearance and what she is dressed with and, especially, when something goes wrong like she is caught up in a rain and she doesn't look her very best anymore. Soooo many details about something that is utterly irrelevant. Yes, I am yet to see a person that wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror and looks spectacular. So what's the point of emphasizing the obvious?
As for the mystery...it was terrible. I was more interested and I liked more the ending, the conclusion of the medieval murder mystery.
November 12, 2024
Cannot recommend this latest book that comes from a series I enjoyed years ago. Now it is just silly.
Library Loan
Library Loan
May 16, 2024
Killing Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green is a great murder/mystery that is the 35th book in the long-standing,and personal favorite of mine, series.
As always, we get to follow along with Agatha who is enveloped into a multi-layered murder mystery. However, this time it is both professional and personal in nature. There are several twists (a few I saw coming) that makes for an engaging narrative.
I really like how Agatha has grown and changed throughout the course of this series. Yes, she still has a fiery temper, and sometimes speaks before thinking, but there is most definitely a softer side of her that has developed that we can see when she interacts with those she cares about. That doesn’t mean that she doesn’t hold them accountable nor save her barbs or scathing comments for another time, but it is balanced out with gratitude and the occasional thanks.
I have said this before, and I will say it again, my favorite characters are Toni, Bill, and Charles…especially Charleston. (Team Charles all the way.) I also get to see a few tender moments and thoughts accidentally fall out of his mouth…which just endears him towards me even more. What the future will hold? I will definitely be reading to find out.
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 10/8/24.
As always, we get to follow along with Agatha who is enveloped into a multi-layered murder mystery. However, this time it is both professional and personal in nature. There are several twists (a few I saw coming) that makes for an engaging narrative.
I really like how Agatha has grown and changed throughout the course of this series. Yes, she still has a fiery temper, and sometimes speaks before thinking, but there is most definitely a softer side of her that has developed that we can see when she interacts with those she cares about. That doesn’t mean that she doesn’t hold them accountable nor save her barbs or scathing comments for another time, but it is balanced out with gratitude and the occasional thanks.
I have said this before, and I will say it again, my favorite characters are Toni, Bill, and Charles…especially Charleston. (Team Charles all the way.) I also get to see a few tender moments and thoughts accidentally fall out of his mouth…which just endears him towards me even more. What the future will hold? I will definitely be reading to find out.
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 10/8/24.
October 4, 2024
This is the 35th book in a fun cozy mystery series featuring Agatha Raisin--that alone shows remarkable staying power! Ms Beaton passed away several years ago but R.W. Green has since picked up the baton with her blessing and has made the series even better, imho, with much meatier plots. All of our favorite characters are back investigating several cases and Agatha's love life is on the rocks once again. By the end, Agatha has everything figured out--including the solution to a nearly 400-year-old case. A very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
March 9, 2025
Another enjoyable book in the Agatha Raisin series, quick and fun. Love reading about her adventures and keeping up with all of the characters.
October 19, 2024
This was…not great. In fact it was pretty bad. I’ve read every single one of the Agatha books, many I’ve reread multiple times. I thought when RW Green started showing up on the books around the time MC Beaton passed away I felt ok, nothing seemed to have changed. But it’s clear now those books were most likely written by Beaton with Green’s name attached to start to intro him.
This book felt like I had no idea who these characters were?? Plus we had very little interactions with them. And what’s with Mrs. Bloxby now using Margaret?! Plus, the storyline was bananas! This weird mystery? So many weird subplots that I ended up not even following.
But the thing that really distracted me? The strange references to James, Agatha, or who ever reaching out and touching another character’s hand?! So weird and not one person in Carsley has ever done that lol.
Oh well. Nothing lasts forever. Maybe this was just a bad book and the next one will be better.
This book felt like I had no idea who these characters were?? Plus we had very little interactions with them. And what’s with Mrs. Bloxby now using Margaret?! Plus, the storyline was bananas! This weird mystery? So many weird subplots that I ended up not even following.
But the thing that really distracted me? The strange references to James, Agatha, or who ever reaching out and touching another character’s hand?! So weird and not one person in Carsley has ever done that lol.
Oh well. Nothing lasts forever. Maybe this was just a bad book and the next one will be better.
June 22, 2025
Agatha is back!
I have to say that I am so glad that the new writer has gotten into the swing of things because Agatha Raisin Mysteries are a comfort read for me.
I wish the new writer would get a better feel for Charles though. Remember when Aggie would find him in her kitchen wrapped in her robe? Cigarette in hand and coffee already made? As much as Charles had a problem with commitment he really loved Agatha.
Anywho - mysterious Russian clocks, death threat riddles, ghosts, and gorgeous beaches - everything you need for a fun escape.
I have to say that I am so glad that the new writer has gotten into the swing of things because Agatha Raisin Mysteries are a comfort read for me.
I wish the new writer would get a better feel for Charles though. Remember when Aggie would find him in her kitchen wrapped in her robe? Cigarette in hand and coffee already made? As much as Charles had a problem with commitment he really loved Agatha.
Anywho - mysterious Russian clocks, death threat riddles, ghosts, and gorgeous beaches - everything you need for a fun escape.
November 24, 2024
This was an entertaining and enjoyable mystery that kept me laughing with all of the colorful characters and Agatha’s spunky attitude. As my first Agatha Raisin mystery, one of my favorite things about this book was that it had lots of activities that the main characters had to figure out and solve, in addition to the main case Agatha and her employees take on. If you haven’t read one of these mysteries before, I definitely think you’ll find this fun. Besides, who can resist a sassy woman who knows what she wants and won’t stop till she finds the truth?
August 24, 2024
The description I read in Goodreads doesn’t seem to fit the book. It mentions something about, can Agatha figure out who wants to kill her, discover who killed her friend, and solve a 400-year-old murder?
1. At no point does Agatha take the riddles sent to her as serious death threats.
2. The antique shop owner wasn’t really a “friend.” She likes him, but they had only just met.
3. The book description indicates Agatha solves this 400 y o murder. No. She merely gives Charles some very convincing reasons as to why her theory is more correct than other people’s theories.
The ideas and setting felt like M. C. Beaton but the writing of this particular book in the series wasn’t as good as Green’s first post-death partner writing. I’m not sure if it was due to the editor cutting too many details or to Green’s writing. I read an early release/promotional copy. Perhaps, the final copy will be better.
There were three different “crimes” or mysteries going on. For one of the mysteries, Agatha and her team took so long to follow what I found to be obvious clues that I read ahead to see how long it was going to take her to figure it out.
In the promo copy I read, some details need to be added to introduce the characters James and Claudette to keep new (and old) readers from being confused.
The side story about her retired policeman, dance instructor boyfriend who works on the cruise ship (from an earlier book) did serve a purpose, but it felt a bit like it was placed into the story only to fill those purposes to 1) get Agatha to a different setting and 2) put Charles in his place. There was no meat to those sections, and worse, the part where his co-dancer interacted with Agatha felt like a soap opera. Even Agatha sounded like she was speaking S.O. Gag.
Other gag moments were when James consistently interacted with Agatha calling her “my dear.” He also did something like patting her hand at one point while laughing at something she said AND called her “my dear.” Double gag!
Okay. There was quite a bit I didn’t like about this book, and as far as AR stories go, it was more like a 2, but I’m giving it a 3 because I don’t want AR stories to stop. It’s like that saying about there’s no such thing as a bad day of fishing (or something like that).
1. At no point does Agatha take the riddles sent to her as serious death threats.
2. The antique shop owner wasn’t really a “friend.” She likes him, but they had only just met.
3. The book description indicates Agatha solves this 400 y o murder. No. She merely gives Charles some very convincing reasons as to why her theory is more correct than other people’s theories.
The ideas and setting felt like M. C. Beaton but the writing of this particular book in the series wasn’t as good as Green’s first post-death partner writing. I’m not sure if it was due to the editor cutting too many details or to Green’s writing. I read an early release/promotional copy. Perhaps, the final copy will be better.
There were three different “crimes” or mysteries going on. For one of the mysteries, Agatha and her team took so long to follow what I found to be obvious clues that I read ahead to see how long it was going to take her to figure it out.
In the promo copy I read, some details need to be added to introduce the characters James and Claudette to keep new (and old) readers from being confused.
The side story about her retired policeman, dance instructor boyfriend who works on the cruise ship (from an earlier book) did serve a purpose, but it felt a bit like it was placed into the story only to fill those purposes to 1) get Agatha to a different setting and 2) put Charles in his place. There was no meat to those sections, and worse, the part where his co-dancer interacted with Agatha felt like a soap opera. Even Agatha sounded like she was speaking S.O. Gag.
Other gag moments were when James consistently interacted with Agatha calling her “my dear.” He also did something like patting her hand at one point while laughing at something she said AND called her “my dear.” Double gag!
Okay. There was quite a bit I didn’t like about this book, and as far as AR stories go, it was more like a 2, but I’m giving it a 3 because I don’t want AR stories to stop. It’s like that saying about there’s no such thing as a bad day of fishing (or something like that).
August 11, 2024
Toujours un plaisir de lire Agatha Raisin. On y retrouve tous les personnages qu'on adore. Et il se passe encore plein de choses.
January 4, 2025
2.5 stars
I've been a fan of Agatha Raisin books for a few years now, and have really enjoyed the series. The book prior to this was one of my favourite cosy mysteries of 2024, but this is not of the same quality.
Before I continue, I'm aware that a series with over 30 books can't stay the same forever. Things have to change, and I have liked some of the changes over the entire series. But the thing with this book is it doesn't have the same feel as the rest of the series. Things happen, there are several mysteries to solve, but the cosy side, which matters greatly in books like this, did not feel the same. It has shifted and become something other. And that is a big issue.
The book is very much removed from Carsley, where Agatha lives. Other books in the series have also been removed from the village, but I enjoy the village and the characters that live within. They are needed in this series. What's not needed is shipping Agatha off on a cruise for five seconds to inject another misunderstanding story line into the series. I thought that would have stopped after Agatha seemed so happy in the prior book - but no, it happens again. I was glad to see Charles back in the book, but not to see how he was portrayed. It was overdone.
The mysteries, while interesting, were not the best we've seen in the series. The major mystery seemed very obvious from the beginning.
I will continue to read this series for as long as the books are published, but this book makes me wonder if a certain magic has gone.
I've been a fan of Agatha Raisin books for a few years now, and have really enjoyed the series. The book prior to this was one of my favourite cosy mysteries of 2024, but this is not of the same quality.
Before I continue, I'm aware that a series with over 30 books can't stay the same forever. Things have to change, and I have liked some of the changes over the entire series. But the thing with this book is it doesn't have the same feel as the rest of the series. Things happen, there are several mysteries to solve, but the cosy side, which matters greatly in books like this, did not feel the same. It has shifted and become something other. And that is a big issue.
The book is very much removed from Carsley, where Agatha lives. Other books in the series have also been removed from the village, but I enjoy the village and the characters that live within. They are needed in this series. What's not needed is shipping Agatha off on a cruise for five seconds to inject another misunderstanding story line into the series. I thought that would have stopped after Agatha seemed so happy in the prior book - but no, it happens again. I was glad to see Charles back in the book, but not to see how he was portrayed. It was overdone.
The mysteries, while interesting, were not the best we've seen in the series. The major mystery seemed very obvious from the beginning.
I will continue to read this series for as long as the books are published, but this book makes me wonder if a certain magic has gone.
November 12, 2024
I hadn't read an Agatha Raisin mystery in a long time, maybe none of the R.W. Green ones, but I picked this latest one up and enjoyed it. I may go back and read some of the ones I missed.
October 14, 2024
Characters not likeable, plot is a bit of a jungle, pacing is bad. Hardy Boy/Nancy Drew es que book bit more modern and older protagonist. I liked those books as a kid but this one is not done that well.
January 4, 2025
Sadly, the essence of Agatha has passed with MC Beaton. The writing style is so markedly different, the characters are no longer themselves and their relationships are forced. The conversations between Mrs. Raisin and Mrs. Bloxby have lost their warmth and honesty. James has become a cardboard cutout of a character lacking any type of warmth. The banter between Agatha and DCI Wilkes is completely obnoxious and very mean spirited, something it never was before. The obsession with details about clothing, food/wine and especially makeup are too over the top and often out of sync, distracting from the mystery itself. While I appreciate the effort to continue the series as the author planned, I wonder if it might be better to leave Agatha and friends to exist happily in the Cotswolds of my mind, with frequent visits to their earlier adventures.
July 6, 2025
This one wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. There were several clever moments while figuring out the mystery. I kept asking myself how Agatha has so many friends. She wasn’t likeable. The second mystery was distracting. I missed the interactions of the village residents. The narrator sounds too old for the character.
May 12, 2025
Despite my many years of cozy mystery reading, I had never read a book by M.C. Beaton until I received the audio edition of Killing Time from NetGalley last year. Since I can’t start in the middle of the series, I listened to the thirty-four previous installments over the past several months. And I’m glad I did - this isn’t a series you can jump into the middle of and fully enjoy. The characters’ past relationships and experiences and how they play out over time are the real stars of the show, with each book’s central mystery serving as an opportunity to introduce new characters and learn more about the existing lineup.
In my mind, the series thus far could be divided into three parts:
Finding the Tone (1-12/13): These ones are rough - Agatha was a great character from the jump, but it took a PAINFULLY long time for the author to get past the internalized misogyny that made every book punish her for having emotions. These ones feel pretty dated now, but they’re necessary context for everything that follows.
In The Groove (12/13-20/21): The focus on James lessens, so there’s room for new characters and better mysteries. Continuity also improves, and we no longer are stuck in some weird mid-century time loop.
Writing by Committee (20/21-33/34): The tone shifts as the author gets older and engages a co-writer…and also seems to be influenced by the “wacky” tone of the TV version. Character traits become caricature, Wilkes shifts from mild antagonist to cartoon villain, and there’s just about everything short of the literal jumping of a shark.
With this book, though, I think we may be entering a new era. We’re back to a single author (RIP MC Beaton), and seem to have moved past the forced zaniness of the outlines by committee. There’s still way more action than the early years - but that’s a good thing. The central mystery is appropriate to the characters and setting, and we get small doses of the men in Agatha’s life without detracting from her work.
On the audio side, Penelope Keith is back, hopefully to stay until a more suitable successor presents herself than the folks who previously filled in (I’m American and mer-chest-er was driving me crazy, so I can only imagine how that must have been for the Brit-o-sphere).
I’m excited to see if this truly is the dawn of a new era and what will come next for the Carsley gang.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
In my mind, the series thus far could be divided into three parts:
Finding the Tone (1-12/13): These ones are rough - Agatha was a great character from the jump, but it took a PAINFULLY long time for the author to get past the internalized misogyny that made every book punish her for having emotions. These ones feel pretty dated now, but they’re necessary context for everything that follows.
In The Groove (12/13-20/21): The focus on James lessens, so there’s room for new characters and better mysteries. Continuity also improves, and we no longer are stuck in some weird mid-century time loop.
Writing by Committee (20/21-33/34): The tone shifts as the author gets older and engages a co-writer…and also seems to be influenced by the “wacky” tone of the TV version. Character traits become caricature, Wilkes shifts from mild antagonist to cartoon villain, and there’s just about everything short of the literal jumping of a shark.
With this book, though, I think we may be entering a new era. We’re back to a single author (RIP MC Beaton), and seem to have moved past the forced zaniness of the outlines by committee. There’s still way more action than the early years - but that’s a good thing. The central mystery is appropriate to the characters and setting, and we get small doses of the men in Agatha’s life without detracting from her work.
On the audio side, Penelope Keith is back, hopefully to stay until a more suitable successor presents herself than the folks who previously filled in (I’m American and mer-chest-er was driving me crazy, so I can only imagine how that must have been for the Brit-o-sphere).
I’m excited to see if this truly is the dawn of a new era and what will come next for the Carsley gang.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 29, 2024
I’m impressed that this series has made it through 35 books and still hasn’t gotten too repetitive. These continue to feel clever and inventive, and Agatha is always a delight to spend time with.
The mystery here is a good one, and I like that these are multilayered and also feature other things from Agatha’s detective agency’s caseload.
The clock, too, made for an interesting puzzle piece, and I love Beaton’s ability to take these mysteries into different locations, professional fields, and e n hobbies while still staying centrally focused on Agatha and her business.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
The mystery here is a good one, and I like that these are multilayered and also feature other things from Agatha’s detective agency’s caseload.
The clock, too, made for an interesting puzzle piece, and I love Beaton’s ability to take these mysteries into different locations, professional fields, and e n hobbies while still staying centrally focused on Agatha and her business.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
February 12, 2025
Always entertaining, Agatha runs her private detective agency with flair & enthusiasm. She is personally involved when a close neighbor is murdered & she wants to find the killer, despite being warned off by the odious DCI Wilkes. All our fav characters are here as Sir Charles tries to manipulate Agatha & her romance with John gets rocky.
April 3, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for selecting me as a GR giveaway winner. I appreciate the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, this really fell short for me. In my opinion, the characters were flat and the story was just uninteresting. I really wanted to love it, but alas...I did not.
July 9, 2025
Another enjoyable visit to the Cotswolds to catch up with Agatha Raisin. I enjoyed the plot however it felt like there was a lot going on at times with lots of plot threads needing to be tied together in the last two chapters. But overall, another enjoyable read.
December 20, 2024
I was so excited to see a new Agatha Raisin book, but I was sorely disappointed. These are not the same characters as before. This posthumous tale missed that mark. The narrator, however, was absolutely lovely and did a wonderful job.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Blackstone Publishing for my copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Blackstone Publishing for my copy of this audiobook.
December 29, 2024
4.5 - 5 stars. Another totally enjoyable Agatha Raisin book!
May 3, 2025
Very silly.
November 28, 2024
This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ki...
3.5 stars
In this 35th book in the 'Agatha Raisin' cozy mystery series, the private detective investigates burglary, murder, and death threats. The book works fine as a standalone.
*****
Stylish fiftysomething Agatha Raisin was a public relations guru in London before she moved to the scenic Cotswolds. Now Agatha lives in the village of Carsley, where she runs a busy private detective agency.
As the book opens, Sir Charles Fraith - Agatha's friend and onetime suitor - invites Agatha to lunch to relate an intriguing story.
In 1660, William Harrison, the steward of a wealthy Cotswold estate, went off to collect rents one day and never returned. Harrison's body wasn't found, but Harrison's servant John Perry - and Perry's mother and brother - were convicted of robbing and killing the steward and all three were hanged. Then in 1662 Harrison returned to the Cotswolds, with a story about being abducted, sold into slavery in Turkey, and escaping back to England. People have speculated about what really happened for centuries.
Agatha is captivated by the tale, but suspects Sir Charles has an ulterior motive for taking her out, and she's right.
Sir Charles needs Agatha's help, not as a private detective but as a public relations expert. Sir Charles is producing a wine called Château Barfield, and wants to launch it with a spectacular and glamorous event.
Agatha agrees to arrange the extravaganza, and brings in her flashy former employee Roy Silver to help.
Meanwhile, Agatha has cases to solve. Several local businesses have been burgled, and in the latest break-in, jewelry designer Aurelia Barclay was brutally assaulted.
The police seem unable to stop the crime wave, and the Chamber of Commerce hires Agatha to catch the perpetrators. This puts Agatha at odds with her old enemy, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes, and it's entertaining to see Agatha clash with the obtuse loudmouth cop once again.
As part of her work Agatha attends an auction and - after a fierce bidding war - acquires a vintage ormolu clock with a dancing couple.
This leads to the murder of an antiques dealer; the attempted kidnapping of Agatha and her assistant Toni; and death threats written in cipher. Thus, more incidents for Agatha and her team to investigate.
To take a break from her job, Agatha visits her beau - cruise ship dance instructor John Glass - in Mallorca. The visit doesn't go as planned, and Agatha spends a few days alone in the Hotel Illa d'Or in Pollensa, where she enjoys a luxurious vacation, learns the history of the region, and runs her private detective agency by phone.
When Agatha gets back to the Cotswolds, she executes plans to capture the burglars targeting businesses; identify the men who tried to abduct Toni and herself; and find the person sending cryptic death threats.
Agatha also puts on a razzle-dazzle launch for Sir Charles' wine.
To top it off, Agatha even comes up with a possible explanation for what happened to William Harrison in the mid-1600s, and it's not that he was enslaved in Turkey.
It's fun to watch Agatha solve mysteries while obsessing over her hair, make-up, clothing, and men. Agatha will never change, and that's the way her fans like it.
Thanks to Netgalley, M. C. Beaton and R.W. Green, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the novel.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
June 14, 2024
Once again Agatha Raisin does not disappoint! We go from the Cotswolds to Mallorca and back again. There’s murder, mystery, intrigue and even some romance. We get to see a softer side of Agatha which was refreshing!
I look forward to the next instalment. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
I look forward to the next instalment. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy!
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