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Agatha Raisin #37
Agatha Raisin: Dead Before Teatime
Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton's cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin—the star of her own hit T.V. series—is back on the case again.
Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub’s owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery’s mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub.
Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha’s affection, crossing swords with James—Agatha’s other paramour—who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business.
After an attempt is made on Agatha's life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?
Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub’s owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery’s mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub.
Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha’s affection, crossing swords with James—Agatha’s other paramour—who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business.
After an attempt is made on Agatha's life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?
320 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2026
About the author
M.C. Beaton
293 books6,161 followersMarion 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.
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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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This long-running series has stayed fresh by weaving in current problems in society into the mysteries. In this story, Carsley residents are appalled to learn The Red Lion will be closing at the end of the month, a fate befalling many of England's pubs. And worse, it seems the wealthy owner of the building, Lord Ancomb, wants to build a housing development that will change the cozy Cotswold feel of the village. Will signing petitions change his mind? Or are more violent means necessary to stop him?
When the worst happens, Agatha and her staff of detectives are hired to look into the case while working on several others, including the theft of three priceless classic cars. All are resolved by the end in some remarkable ways, making for very entertaining reading. I always enjoy spending time with these characters. Agatha has evolved a bit under the current writer Green's hand, but she's still smart, irascible and vain. I think it's possible to read this as a standalone, but the series is such fun, don't miss out on the rest.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley.
When the worst happens, Agatha and her staff of detectives are hired to look into the case while working on several others, including the theft of three priceless classic cars. All are resolved by the end in some remarkable ways, making for very entertaining reading. I always enjoy spending time with these characters. Agatha has evolved a bit under the current writer Green's hand, but she's still smart, irascible and vain. I think it's possible to read this as a standalone, but the series is such fun, don't miss out on the rest.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley.
October 19, 2026
Agatha’s personality is changing in the series now and I’m not liking it. She would have never said, “just humor an old lady” calling herself old. Never!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s always such a treat to see another Agatha Raisin adventure hit the shelves, especially when it lands right around my birthday in October. I’ve been reading this series for so long that I’ve come to expect (and eagerly await) that fresh hardbound copy as my annual gift to myself. After so many books, it’s easy to worry that a long-running series might lose its spark, but RW Green has once again proven he’s more than up to the challenge. Dead Before Tea Time (the 37th installment) is an absolute delight from start to finish.
What I loved most was how much of the classic Agatha we get in these pages—the wonderfully flawed, opinionated, laugh-out-loud Agatha we fell in love with in the earlier books. She’s still gloriously human, and Green captures that perfectly. One of my favorite scenes had me chuckling:
“She parked at the edge of the embankment, checked her hair and make-up in the car’s sun-visor vanity mirror and went to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It was stuck again. Slapping the door with the palm of her hand didn’t help, and neither did threatening it, bumping it with her shoulder or calling it all sorts of words that would certainly have made Jane Austen blush. Finally, she leaned away from the door to swing her whole upper bodyweight behind one mighty shoulder charge. The door sprang open and she shot out, landing full length on the grass and rolling, out of control, down the embankment. She came to rest on a narrow path and lay there for a moment, staring at the ground, catching her breath.”
That’s pure Agatha Raisin magic—dignity attempted, chaos achieved. I can so relate.
It was also wonderful to see the whole gang back in full force. I’ve grown to love all the recurring characters equally, so I’m never happy when Charles, James, Roy, or the rest of the team get sidelined. In Dead Before Tea Time, they’re all front and center, and it makes the story feel rich and satisfying. The romantic tension between Charles (who’s wheedling his way back into Agatha’s good graces) and James is as entertaining as ever, especially during the 17th-century battle reenactment that turns into the scene of a murder.
The plot itself is a winner. Agatha’s peaceful Cotswolds village is thrown into uproar when the beloved Red Lion pub—the heart of the community, along with the church as Mrs. Bloxby is quick to point out — is threatened with closure. The brewery has jacked up the rent to convert the space into apartments, and the villagers are scrambling to fight back. Of course, Agatha and her Raisin Investigations team can’t just sit idly by. What starts as a campaign to save the local pub quickly turns into a full-blown murder investigation after a body turns up near the battleground. As usual, the police (hello, DCI Wilkes) are less than helpful, so it’s up to Agatha to dig deeper—especially once she realizes the victim had ties to the same brewery causing all the trouble. Throw in an attempt on Agatha’s own life during a visit to the brewery, and you’ve got classic high-stakes cozy mystery fun.
What really impressed me was how thoughtfully Green handles character growth while staying true to the spirit of M.C. Beaton’s creation. Agatha still has all her signature Mrs. Raisin quirks, but she’s also becoming a bit more self-aware and even softens around the edges in this book. Watching a character mature after 37 installments is a rare treat, and it feels completely natural. The supporting cast gets meaningful moments too, including a powerful dressing-down from Toni about classism and outdated sexism that sparks some genuine evolution in the group. Green also gently weaves in timely real-world issues—like the post-pandemic loss of beloved local pubs—without ever feeling preachy. It adds welcome depth to the story.
M.C. Beaton would have been delighted with Green’s work. He keeps the humor sharp, the village charm intact, the characters vibrant, and the mystery engaging. Dead Before Tea Time is everything I want from an Agatha Raisin novel: funny, cozy, clever, and heartwarming, with just enough edge to keep things exciting. If you’re already a fan of the series, this one will feel like coming home to old friends. And if you somehow haven’t started yet… well, what are you waiting for?
I received a copy from NetGalley.
What I loved most was how much of the classic Agatha we get in these pages—the wonderfully flawed, opinionated, laugh-out-loud Agatha we fell in love with in the earlier books. She’s still gloriously human, and Green captures that perfectly. One of my favorite scenes had me chuckling:
“She parked at the edge of the embankment, checked her hair and make-up in the car’s sun-visor vanity mirror and went to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It was stuck again. Slapping the door with the palm of her hand didn’t help, and neither did threatening it, bumping it with her shoulder or calling it all sorts of words that would certainly have made Jane Austen blush. Finally, she leaned away from the door to swing her whole upper bodyweight behind one mighty shoulder charge. The door sprang open and she shot out, landing full length on the grass and rolling, out of control, down the embankment. She came to rest on a narrow path and lay there for a moment, staring at the ground, catching her breath.”
That’s pure Agatha Raisin magic—dignity attempted, chaos achieved. I can so relate.
It was also wonderful to see the whole gang back in full force. I’ve grown to love all the recurring characters equally, so I’m never happy when Charles, James, Roy, or the rest of the team get sidelined. In Dead Before Tea Time, they’re all front and center, and it makes the story feel rich and satisfying. The romantic tension between Charles (who’s wheedling his way back into Agatha’s good graces) and James is as entertaining as ever, especially during the 17th-century battle reenactment that turns into the scene of a murder.
The plot itself is a winner. Agatha’s peaceful Cotswolds village is thrown into uproar when the beloved Red Lion pub—the heart of the community, along with the church as Mrs. Bloxby is quick to point out — is threatened with closure. The brewery has jacked up the rent to convert the space into apartments, and the villagers are scrambling to fight back. Of course, Agatha and her Raisin Investigations team can’t just sit idly by. What starts as a campaign to save the local pub quickly turns into a full-blown murder investigation after a body turns up near the battleground. As usual, the police (hello, DCI Wilkes) are less than helpful, so it’s up to Agatha to dig deeper—especially once she realizes the victim had ties to the same brewery causing all the trouble. Throw in an attempt on Agatha’s own life during a visit to the brewery, and you’ve got classic high-stakes cozy mystery fun.
What really impressed me was how thoughtfully Green handles character growth while staying true to the spirit of M.C. Beaton’s creation. Agatha still has all her signature Mrs. Raisin quirks, but she’s also becoming a bit more self-aware and even softens around the edges in this book. Watching a character mature after 37 installments is a rare treat, and it feels completely natural. The supporting cast gets meaningful moments too, including a powerful dressing-down from Toni about classism and outdated sexism that sparks some genuine evolution in the group. Green also gently weaves in timely real-world issues—like the post-pandemic loss of beloved local pubs—without ever feeling preachy. It adds welcome depth to the story.
M.C. Beaton would have been delighted with Green’s work. He keeps the humor sharp, the village charm intact, the characters vibrant, and the mystery engaging. Dead Before Tea Time is everything I want from an Agatha Raisin novel: funny, cozy, clever, and heartwarming, with just enough edge to keep things exciting. If you’re already a fan of the series, this one will feel like coming home to old friends. And if you somehow haven’t started yet… well, what are you waiting for?
I received a copy from NetGalley.
October 15, 2026
🫖 Dead Before Tea Time 🫖
((SPOILER- FREE ARC REVIEW))
Title- Dead Before Tea Time
Author- M.C. Beaton R.W. Green
Genre- Cozy Mystery
Series- Agatha Raisin
Format- Kindle EPUB
Page Count- 272 Pages
Publisher- Minotaur Books
Pub Date- October 13, 2026
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for gifting me this arc! 🫶🏻
Trope City-
☕️ Incompetent Law Enforcement
☕️ Romantic Rivals
☕️ Amateur Sleuth
☕️ Body at a Public Event
☕️ Love triangle
Agatha Raisin is back in the charming Cotswolds, where the village is fighting to save its beloved local pub from closing. But when a murder turns a historical reenactment into a crime scene, Agatha finds herself caught up in another investigation. Between suspicious characters, romantic complications, and someone who may want her silenced, Agatha has plenty to keep her busy!What I loved about this story is the combination of classic cozy mystery charm, humor, and small-town drama. Agatha is such a wonderfully flawed, headstrong character, and her determination to get to the bottom of things makes her so entertaining to follow. The village setting adds that quintessentially British atmosphere, while the mystery keeps the pages turning. I especially enjoyed the community-centered storyline and the added fun of Agatha’s complicated love life.
XOXO,
The Calm Chapter
((SPOILER- FREE ARC REVIEW))
Title- Dead Before Tea Time
Author- M.C. Beaton R.W. Green
Genre- Cozy Mystery
Series- Agatha Raisin
Format- Kindle EPUB
Page Count- 272 Pages
Publisher- Minotaur Books
Pub Date- October 13, 2026
Thank you St. Martin’s Press for gifting me this arc! 🫶🏻
Trope City-
☕️ Incompetent Law Enforcement
☕️ Romantic Rivals
☕️ Amateur Sleuth
☕️ Body at a Public Event
☕️ Love triangle
Agatha Raisin is back in the charming Cotswolds, where the village is fighting to save its beloved local pub from closing. But when a murder turns a historical reenactment into a crime scene, Agatha finds herself caught up in another investigation. Between suspicious characters, romantic complications, and someone who may want her silenced, Agatha has plenty to keep her busy!What I loved about this story is the combination of classic cozy mystery charm, humor, and small-town drama. Agatha is such a wonderfully flawed, headstrong character, and her determination to get to the bottom of things makes her so entertaining to follow. The village setting adds that quintessentially British atmosphere, while the mystery keeps the pages turning. I especially enjoyed the community-centered storyline and the added fun of Agatha’s complicated love life.
XOXO,
The Calm Chapter
October 30, 2026
Not my favorite outing, but I wasn’t expecting the audio to begin with the news that Penelope Keith had passed, and it cast a pall over the experience. The new reader was skilled and professional, but it was an adjustment.
We had the usual number of interwoven plots here-- the potential closing of the Red Lion, the murder of Lord Ancomb, Gustav’s little matchmaking scheme, the porcelain art heist, but it never gelled into a cohesive whole for me.
I won’t say that I spotted the murderer, because I was suspicious of a few people, as I was meant to be, but it wasn’t a surprise at the reveal.
Has Agatha ever had to testify at a trial in the history of the series? Her murderers always either die, or run away.
I’m sure I’ll like the next one better-- I’m never quitting this series. I did like Shona’s nicknames for the regulars at the Red Lion, though I hope she never accidentally says one out loud.
November 3, 2026
I'm really joining the Agatha Raisin series late, as this is only my second book. I'll admit that there is a little bit of disadvantage to not automatically knowing all the backstory. However, the author does a good job of giving a bit of history while also keeping the plot moving. I did not feel lost.
This is also a new narrator since the former long - time narrator passed away recently. I can't imagine trying to just step in and fill those shoes, but Fenella Woolgar does a great job. She sounds like Agatha Raisin to me! She also does male characters well too. Overall, a good cozy mystery!
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
This is also a new narrator since the former long - time narrator passed away recently. I can't imagine trying to just step in and fill those shoes, but Fenella Woolgar does a great job. She sounds like Agatha Raisin to me! She also does male characters well too. Overall, a good cozy mystery!
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Not my favorite outing, but I wasn’t expecting the audio to begin with the news that Penelope Keith had passed, and it cast a pall over the experience. The new reader was skilled and professional, but it was an adjustment.
We had the usual number of interwoven plots here-- the potential closing of the Red Lion, the murder of Lord Ancomb, Gustav’s little matchmaking scheme, the porcelain art heist, but it never gelled into a cohesive whole for me.
I won’t say that I spotted the murderer, because I was suspicious of a few people, as I was meant to be, but it wasn’t a surprise at the reveal.
Has Agatha ever had to testify at a trial in the history of the series? Her murderers always either die, or run away.
I’m sure I’ll like the next one better-- I’m never quitting this series. I did like Shona’s nicknames for the regulars at the Red Lion, though I hope she never accidentally says one out loud.
We had the usual number of interwoven plots here-- the potential closing of the Red Lion, the murder of Lord Ancomb, Gustav’s little matchmaking scheme, the porcelain art heist, but it never gelled into a cohesive whole for me.
I won’t say that I spotted the murderer, because I was suspicious of a few people, as I was meant to be, but it wasn’t a surprise at the reveal.
Has Agatha ever had to testify at a trial in the history of the series? Her murderers always either die, or run away.
I’m sure I’ll like the next one better-- I’m never quitting this series. I did like Shona’s nicknames for the regulars at the Red Lion, though I hope she never accidentally says one out loud.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: Dead Before Tea Time
Series: Agatha Raisin Mystery #37
Coauthors: M.C. Beacon and R. W. Green
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Woolgard
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: December 17, 2026
My Rating: 3.6 Stars
Pages: 272
The audiobook starts with a tribute to Dame Penelope.
M.C. Beacon’s Facebook post.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of the inimitable Dame Penelope Keith. A much-loved actress, she provided the voice of Agatha Raisin in the BBC Radio dramatizations of the novels and narrated the series on audiobook in both the US and UK. She was the Voice of Agatha Raisin for a generation, and she will be sorely missed.
Yep Agatha Raisin #37. Although, I have only read a few, but I remember her being – quirky, opinionated, overactive romantic, so yes over the top comes to mind.
She is a former PR executive but now is a private investigator.
In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units.
Agatha, of course, is out to save the pub so starts with getting petitions signed. In the meantime, Lord Ancombe has arranged for a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. However, during this event, he ends up dead.
BTW: Lord Ancombe was the owner of Ancombe Ales brewery and Ancombe Developments, that just happens to be the company planning to destroy the Red Lion.
Things certainly seem to be very busy in Cotswold Village. While Agatha is out saving the pub and finding a killer, her staff at the PI Agency are dealing with
other cases- finding three valuable classic cars that have been stolen also there is suspicion that porcelain art panels have been forged.
A lot of time is spent on solving the murder that occurred during the Civil Warre- enactment.
BTW: I learned the difference between a rifle and a musket!
Although I have read only a few stories in this series and wasn’t a big fan- this story turned out better than I expected and I did enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for this Agatha Raisin audiobook.
Pub Date scheduled for December 17, 2026.
Series: Agatha Raisin Mystery #37
Coauthors: M.C. Beacon and R. W. Green
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Woolgard
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: December 17, 2026
My Rating: 3.6 Stars
Pages: 272
The audiobook starts with a tribute to Dame Penelope.
M.C. Beacon’s Facebook post.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of the inimitable Dame Penelope Keith. A much-loved actress, she provided the voice of Agatha Raisin in the BBC Radio dramatizations of the novels and narrated the series on audiobook in both the US and UK. She was the Voice of Agatha Raisin for a generation, and she will be sorely missed.
Yep Agatha Raisin #37. Although, I have only read a few, but I remember her being – quirky, opinionated, overactive romantic, so yes over the top comes to mind.
She is a former PR executive but now is a private investigator.
In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units.
Agatha, of course, is out to save the pub so starts with getting petitions signed. In the meantime, Lord Ancombe has arranged for a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. However, during this event, he ends up dead.
BTW: Lord Ancombe was the owner of Ancombe Ales brewery and Ancombe Developments, that just happens to be the company planning to destroy the Red Lion.
Things certainly seem to be very busy in Cotswold Village. While Agatha is out saving the pub and finding a killer, her staff at the PI Agency are dealing with
other cases- finding three valuable classic cars that have been stolen also there is suspicion that porcelain art panels have been forged.
A lot of time is spent on solving the murder that occurred during the Civil Warre- enactment.
BTW: I learned the difference between a rifle and a musket!
Although I have read only a few stories in this series and wasn’t a big fan- this story turned out better than I expected and I did enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Audio for this Agatha Raisin audiobook.
Pub Date scheduled for December 17, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Well... I have lost count of the number of books in the RW Green continuation of this series, mainly cos, to me anyway, it has appeared to be a seamless transition! Agatha is still classic Agatha, her entourage are as they were, and her nemeses likewise... Even the introduction of the episode characters all feels similar and, I guess, that's the point... Obviously the setting remains the same...
So... in this outing, we follow Agatha as she is on a mission to save the Red Lion Pub. It's more than just a village pub, to the villagers, but it is more of a cash cow to the brewery owners. So she starts a petition and begins to work out a strategy, using her Investigation Agency to assist...
Part of this investigation puts her in the audience for a battle reenactment. Where tragedy strikes when the head of the brewery is found dead. On first look, it appears to have been a nasty accident, related tangentially to the battle. But Agatha is convinced it was murder and starts her investigations...
But a trip to the brewery doesn't go according to plan with rather scary and a little humorous outcome...
This book is typical Agatha. I'm guessing that, if you are intending to read this book, you will have already met Agatha - either in print, or in the rather sucessful TV series. Yes they are quite formulaic in nature, but that formula is tried and tested and has worked for the previous 30 odd books so why rock the boat?! Yes it's a bit political in this book with the pub closing to be transformed into prize real estate but politics and Agatha is nothing new, maybe it's just more obvious to me as it is happening so much these days with all forms of the hospitality industry. And anyway, she does love a cause!
So yeah, if you love Agatha already you'll love this book. If you've never read her before, yes you can start here, but you'd be better off starting from the beginning. And if you loved "original" Agatha and are wondering whether this continuation is worth your time, I'd say yes, please give it a go...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... in this outing, we follow Agatha as she is on a mission to save the Red Lion Pub. It's more than just a village pub, to the villagers, but it is more of a cash cow to the brewery owners. So she starts a petition and begins to work out a strategy, using her Investigation Agency to assist...
Part of this investigation puts her in the audience for a battle reenactment. Where tragedy strikes when the head of the brewery is found dead. On first look, it appears to have been a nasty accident, related tangentially to the battle. But Agatha is convinced it was murder and starts her investigations...
But a trip to the brewery doesn't go according to plan with rather scary and a little humorous outcome...
This book is typical Agatha. I'm guessing that, if you are intending to read this book, you will have already met Agatha - either in print, or in the rather sucessful TV series. Yes they are quite formulaic in nature, but that formula is tried and tested and has worked for the previous 30 odd books so why rock the boat?! Yes it's a bit political in this book with the pub closing to be transformed into prize real estate but politics and Agatha is nothing new, maybe it's just more obvious to me as it is happening so much these days with all forms of the hospitality industry. And anyway, she does love a cause!
So yeah, if you love Agatha already you'll love this book. If you've never read her before, yes you can start here, but you'd be better off starting from the beginning. And if you loved "original" Agatha and are wondering whether this continuation is worth your time, I'd say yes, please give it a go...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
June 15, 2026
Dans ce trente-septième tome de la série Agatha Raisin enquête, R. W. Green poursuit avec fidélité l’univers créé par M. C. Beaton, en conservant ce mélange si particulier d’humour, de suspense et de convivialité.
J’ai trouvé très touchante la mobilisation des habitants pour sauver leur pub, le Red Lion. Cette mobilisation collective donne au récit une chaleur très réconfortante et, pour ma part, j’ai eu le sentiment de rentrer davantage dans cette communauté que dans la seule résolution de l’énigme.
L’intrigue débute sur une lutte pour sauver ce lieu emblématique menacé de fermeture, avant de basculer dans le mystère lorsqu’un meurtre survient lors d’une reconstitution historique. Agatha, toujours aussi impulsive et déterminée, se retrouve une nouvelle fois au cœur de l’enquête avec son équipe, tout en composant avec une police peu efficace et l’incontournable inspecteur Wilkes, fidèle à ses conclusions erronées.
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été prise par le mystère et j’ai aimé décoder les indices au fur et à mesure. Même si certains passages sont un peu lents, ils donnent plus de profondeur à l’ambiance du village et permettent de mieux connaître les personnages secondaires. Cela renforce l’impression d’un univers vivant et habité.
C'est toujours inintéressant de découvrir l’évolution d’Agatha, elle gagne en maturité sans perdre son tempérament bien trempé. R. W. Green parvient à moderniser la série tout en respectant son esprit d’origine, en intégrant notamment des thématiques actuelles comme la fragilité des commerces locaux ou les enjeux sociaux qui traversent la communauté.
Une lecture idéale pour les amateurs de polar cosy, à la fois légère et captivante. Il offre une intrigue solide, des personnages attachants et une atmosphère chaleureuse. Pour ma part, j’ai refermé ce livre avec le sentiment d’avoir partagé un moment agréable, presque comme une visite chez de vieux amis dans les Cotswolds.
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J’ai trouvé très touchante la mobilisation des habitants pour sauver leur pub, le Red Lion. Cette mobilisation collective donne au récit une chaleur très réconfortante et, pour ma part, j’ai eu le sentiment de rentrer davantage dans cette communauté que dans la seule résolution de l’énigme.
L’intrigue débute sur une lutte pour sauver ce lieu emblématique menacé de fermeture, avant de basculer dans le mystère lorsqu’un meurtre survient lors d’une reconstitution historique. Agatha, toujours aussi impulsive et déterminée, se retrouve une nouvelle fois au cœur de l’enquête avec son équipe, tout en composant avec une police peu efficace et l’incontournable inspecteur Wilkes, fidèle à ses conclusions erronées.
Dès les premières pages, j’ai été prise par le mystère et j’ai aimé décoder les indices au fur et à mesure. Même si certains passages sont un peu lents, ils donnent plus de profondeur à l’ambiance du village et permettent de mieux connaître les personnages secondaires. Cela renforce l’impression d’un univers vivant et habité.
C'est toujours inintéressant de découvrir l’évolution d’Agatha, elle gagne en maturité sans perdre son tempérament bien trempé. R. W. Green parvient à moderniser la série tout en respectant son esprit d’origine, en intégrant notamment des thématiques actuelles comme la fragilité des commerces locaux ou les enjeux sociaux qui traversent la communauté.
Une lecture idéale pour les amateurs de polar cosy, à la fois légère et captivante. Il offre une intrigue solide, des personnages attachants et une atmosphère chaleureuse. Pour ma part, j’ai refermé ce livre avec le sentiment d’avoir partagé un moment agréable, presque comme une visite chez de vieux amis dans les Cotswolds.
https://latelierdelitote.canalblog.co...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dead Before Tea Time by M.C. Beaton with R.W. Green
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Dead Before Tea Time is an entertaining and engrossing Agatha Raisin mystery featuring a charming Cotswolds setting, many suspects, and plenty of twists and turns. The plot involving the Red Lion pub, the company trying to replace it with apartments, and the mystery connected to the same company is intriguing and fast-paced.
Word gets around that the Red Lion pub is closing and Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar. The rent increase will oust the pub’s owner and the space will be redeveloped into apartments if something isn’t done. As the villagers try to help, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations try to find a feasible way to save the pub. Sir Charles Fraith tries to get back into Agatha’s good graces and clashes with James, her other romantic interest, who is determined to stop his efforts. As they attempt to woo Agatha, she has her sights set on something else entirely as a body is discovered. While others think the death as an accident, Agatha investigates after discovering the dead man had connections to those who are trying to put the Red Lion out of business. Agatha has to uncover who did it before she becomes the next victim. And she has to find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time as well.
Dead Before Tea Time is an amazing cozy mystery from start to finish. From the village dynamics to the humor to the romance to the mystery, this is a stellar read!
Agatha getting caught between James and Sir Charles adds some humor to the story and the high stakes of the investigation makes the story feel mysterious. Agatha Raisin’s personality, the cozy Cotswolds atmosphere, and the well written mystery make this a super enjoyable read.
Overall, Dead Before Tea Time is a fantastic addition to the Agatha Raisin series and R.W. Green does an incredible job at aligning with M.C. Beaton’s classic writing style. A wonderful read!
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Dead Before Tea Time is an entertaining and engrossing Agatha Raisin mystery featuring a charming Cotswolds setting, many suspects, and plenty of twists and turns. The plot involving the Red Lion pub, the company trying to replace it with apartments, and the mystery connected to the same company is intriguing and fast-paced.
Word gets around that the Red Lion pub is closing and Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar. The rent increase will oust the pub’s owner and the space will be redeveloped into apartments if something isn’t done. As the villagers try to help, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations try to find a feasible way to save the pub. Sir Charles Fraith tries to get back into Agatha’s good graces and clashes with James, her other romantic interest, who is determined to stop his efforts. As they attempt to woo Agatha, she has her sights set on something else entirely as a body is discovered. While others think the death as an accident, Agatha investigates after discovering the dead man had connections to those who are trying to put the Red Lion out of business. Agatha has to uncover who did it before she becomes the next victim. And she has to find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time as well.
Dead Before Tea Time is an amazing cozy mystery from start to finish. From the village dynamics to the humor to the romance to the mystery, this is a stellar read!
Agatha getting caught between James and Sir Charles adds some humor to the story and the high stakes of the investigation makes the story feel mysterious. Agatha Raisin’s personality, the cozy Cotswolds atmosphere, and the well written mystery make this a super enjoyable read.
Overall, Dead Before Tea Time is a fantastic addition to the Agatha Raisin series and R.W. Green does an incredible job at aligning with M.C. Beaton’s classic writing style. A wonderful read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
RW Green did MC Beaton so proud with the latest Agatha Raisin mystery: Dead Before Tea Time. Green kept the characters true to their original selves and yet managed to allow them the space to blossom and grow, while we learn more about the main and recurring characters in the Agatha Raisin series.
I loved that Green made Agatha still keep her Mrs. Raisin-ness about her, but allowed her to become more self-aware, and even soften a bit during this book. Her character not only became more rounded, but also matured a little, which is amazing to see in any character who is part of a long-standing series.
In this, the 37th book in the series, we find Agatha Raisin getting an unexpected shock when she hears that her local pub is set to close for good at the end of the month. This starts her campaign to make sure that her favorite place to grab a quick meal remains open.
While she is attempting to have a heart-to-heart with the buyers of the pub takeover, all chaos breaks loose, and as usual, The Raisin Investigations agency must solve the mystery, as DCI Wilkes still cannot be trusted to solve anything.
This book gently brought up key issues in modern society, such as the seemingly universal issue of neighborhoods losing their pubs, especially after the pandemic. Another major criticism that was addressed by a dressing-down given by Toni was that of classism and inherent and rampant sexism that is no longer welcome nor tolerated by younger generations. This was a massive evolution of several of the characters, as a result of that argument.
This was so well done that I sat down to read it, and suddenly, I was at the About the Author section at the back of the ARC.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for this amazing digital ARC!!
I loved that Green made Agatha still keep her Mrs. Raisin-ness about her, but allowed her to become more self-aware, and even soften a bit during this book. Her character not only became more rounded, but also matured a little, which is amazing to see in any character who is part of a long-standing series.
In this, the 37th book in the series, we find Agatha Raisin getting an unexpected shock when she hears that her local pub is set to close for good at the end of the month. This starts her campaign to make sure that her favorite place to grab a quick meal remains open.
While she is attempting to have a heart-to-heart with the buyers of the pub takeover, all chaos breaks loose, and as usual, The Raisin Investigations agency must solve the mystery, as DCI Wilkes still cannot be trusted to solve anything.
This book gently brought up key issues in modern society, such as the seemingly universal issue of neighborhoods losing their pubs, especially after the pandemic. Another major criticism that was addressed by a dressing-down given by Toni was that of classism and inherent and rampant sexism that is no longer welcome nor tolerated by younger generations. This was a massive evolution of several of the characters, as a result of that argument.
This was so well done that I sat down to read it, and suddenly, I was at the About the Author section at the back of the ARC.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for this amazing digital ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Agatha is a PI who runs her own company, has very exacting habits and standards of conduct of other people. She is also someone who is always on the lookout for a good lay.
In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units. Agatha gets people who want to save the bar to go out and get petitions signed. They want to turn it over to the company who owns the property. In the meantime, the arrogant developer holds a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. During the event, he is killed. Agatha goes on the hunt, nearly getting killed herself in the process. I love Agatha! She is so unapologetically real and unique! She also intelligent and driven and sexually active. She takes no gruff from anyone, but she’s also soft and clingy when she feels like it – like when nearly killed in a brewery vat.
This book, the 37th in the series, delves into issues that face everyone today, like big companies taking over neighborhoods and turning them into executive places, and sexism that is never welcome but still happens way too often. I loved Toni’s reaction in that specific scene! And there is a very satisfying ending that makes the read worthwhile.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for providing this ARC.
In this story, the local pub–the Red Lion–is going to be closed down by a over-rich nasty developer who wants to turn the property into high-class units. Agatha gets people who want to save the bar to go out and get petitions signed. They want to turn it over to the company who owns the property. In the meantime, the arrogant developer holds a local re-enactment of a local Civil War. During the event, he is killed. Agatha goes on the hunt, nearly getting killed herself in the process. I love Agatha! She is so unapologetically real and unique! She also intelligent and driven and sexually active. She takes no gruff from anyone, but she’s also soft and clingy when she feels like it – like when nearly killed in a brewery vat.
This book, the 37th in the series, delves into issues that face everyone today, like big companies taking over neighborhoods and turning them into executive places, and sexism that is never welcome but still happens way too often. I loved Toni’s reaction in that specific scene! And there is a very satisfying ending that makes the read worthwhile.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for providing this ARC.
June 8, 2026
Dead Before Tea Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green is the 37th book in this amazing and long/standing cozy mystery series. I just loved this one.
I have read all 37 books in the Agatha raisin mystery series. I feel like I am now part of her detective team after reading so many of these novels. This book was a great addition to the series.
I enjoyed the murder mystery and the twists, and turns that the author included to make it more entertaining for the reader.
I enjoyed having all of the main characters back in action and a part of the plot. As the series has matured, so has Agatha. I do like that the new author has integrated some additional emotions and characteristics to Agatha that makes her more endearing, realistic, and heartwarming. I do like the one-liners and banter between the characters, however, there are more mellow and sweeter notes that are also added. Maybe a few readers do not enjoy this aspect, but I truly do and I hope that the author continues on this path.
This was a great installment, and I hope that the new author continues to stay true to the characters and continues this series for many years to come.
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 10/13/26.
I have read all 37 books in the Agatha raisin mystery series. I feel like I am now part of her detective team after reading so many of these novels. This book was a great addition to the series.
I enjoyed the murder mystery and the twists, and turns that the author included to make it more entertaining for the reader.
I enjoyed having all of the main characters back in action and a part of the plot. As the series has matured, so has Agatha. I do like that the new author has integrated some additional emotions and characteristics to Agatha that makes her more endearing, realistic, and heartwarming. I do like the one-liners and banter between the characters, however, there are more mellow and sweeter notes that are also added. Maybe a few readers do not enjoy this aspect, but I truly do and I hope that the author continues on this path.
This was a great installment, and I hope that the new author continues to stay true to the characters and continues this series for many years to come.
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 10/13/26.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've read every one of M.C. Beaton's, and now R.W. Green's, Agatha Raisin murder mysteries. Some entries have been sorely lacking (I can't imagine producing a new mystery every year!) but I'm glad I've stuck with the series, as it's gotten better and better over the past several years. This time around, Agatha and her team are on the hunt for the killer of a greatly disliked wealthy brewery owner who, before his murder at a yearly English Civil War reenactment, was intent on closing her villages' beloved Red Lion pub. The gang's all here this time around—Charles, James, Mrs. Bloxby, Gustav, Bill Wong, and the dreadful Wilkes—and there's a new love interest, to boot. Green has breathed new life in the series, and fans will rejoice at the way in which he captures the wit, insights, madcap comedy, pathos, and good versus evil that has kept the series alive for more than 30 years. I only wish the TV series was still running, as this is an especially great entry (lots of baddies, close calls, sweet old ladies, family reunions, and red herrings galore). I can't wait for Agatha's next adventure. Highly recommended for Agatha-heads and those seeking a smart, feisty mystery with a heroine who’s nobody’s fool.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dead Before Tea Time is another solid, comforting entry in the Agatha Raisin series, earning 3.5 stars from me. If you've enjoyed the previous books, this one sits right in line with them (don't worry if you're new to the series, you'll catch up easily!). It's an entertaining read, though perhaps not reinventing the wheel.
One of the highlights of the series for me is the village setting and its distinct personality. The backdrop of this particular installment focuses on the potential closure of the local pub, touching on the real-world struggles of small businesses post-pandemic and the heavy-handed impact of big developers on tight-knit communities. That local mobilization gives the story a warm, engaging core.
As for Agatha herself? Well, she remains a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, I love how fiercely protective she is of Toni and many others. On the other, her endless chasing after men is quite grating. It is very much baked into who she is at this point so you either take it or leave it as part of her charm!
Overall, it's a fun, cozy mystery that delivers exactly what fans of the series have come to expect.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
One of the highlights of the series for me is the village setting and its distinct personality. The backdrop of this particular installment focuses on the potential closure of the local pub, touching on the real-world struggles of small businesses post-pandemic and the heavy-handed impact of big developers on tight-knit communities. That local mobilization gives the story a warm, engaging core.
As for Agatha herself? Well, she remains a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, I love how fiercely protective she is of Toni and many others. On the other, her endless chasing after men is quite grating. It is very much baked into who she is at this point so you either take it or leave it as part of her charm!
Overall, it's a fun, cozy mystery that delivers exactly what fans of the series have come to expect.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Close the pub?! Over someone's dead body!😊
This has a good cozy plot with all of the favorite characters from the series and some new ones, living and dead. It lacks much of Agatha Raisin's quirkiness and brash behavior from early in the series but that's not necessarily a bad thing: she's still indomitable and too smart for the criminals by far. However Sir Charles Fraith has become a bit weird(!) and his butler Gustav has turned into a real anti-Agatha schemer. Reenactment of a local English Civil War skirmish that does not end well and a campaign to save Carsely's beloved pub from closing are the main threads, but I liked the mystery posed by Agatha's downstairs neighbor antique dealer and Gustav's antics just as well.
A good, easy read with some beloved characters addressing the serious issue of redevelopment threatening major changes to the fabric of traditional rural village life. I am so glad that Green has kept the series going since Beaton's passing.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
This has a good cozy plot with all of the favorite characters from the series and some new ones, living and dead. It lacks much of Agatha Raisin's quirkiness and brash behavior from early in the series but that's not necessarily a bad thing: she's still indomitable and too smart for the criminals by far. However Sir Charles Fraith has become a bit weird(!) and his butler Gustav has turned into a real anti-Agatha schemer. Reenactment of a local English Civil War skirmish that does not end well and a campaign to save Carsely's beloved pub from closing are the main threads, but I liked the mystery posed by Agatha's downstairs neighbor antique dealer and Gustav's antics just as well.
A good, easy read with some beloved characters addressing the serious issue of redevelopment threatening major changes to the fabric of traditional rural village life. I am so glad that Green has kept the series going since Beaton's passing.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It wouldn’t be fair for me to write my review without first saying that prior to reading this book, I hadn’t read any Agatha Raisin mysteries. As is my usual style it seems, I jumped into this popular series with Book 37. For this reason, I think I wasn’t able to really connect with any of the recurring characters as their back stories are so well-developed, but I’m completely missing them.
Agatha is a complicated woman, I feel. She’s super smart and charming, but at times, her behaviour seemed harsh towards her employees. Maybe she’s just sassy, or there’s a reason behind this, but again, I don’t know it. The mystery itself also was a bit lacklustre to me, and it was fairly obvious who the culprit was early on. I suppose I’m not accustomed to a private detective who shares her inner thoughts about romantic dalliances and what not! 😂
Having said all of this, I’ve heard people rave about this series, and so I’ll probably try another book before abandoning it completely. I do enjoy Beaton’s writing, especially her Hamish Macbeth series, so I still have high hopes.
Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Agatha is a complicated woman, I feel. She’s super smart and charming, but at times, her behaviour seemed harsh towards her employees. Maybe she’s just sassy, or there’s a reason behind this, but again, I don’t know it. The mystery itself also was a bit lacklustre to me, and it was fairly obvious who the culprit was early on. I suppose I’m not accustomed to a private detective who shares her inner thoughts about romantic dalliances and what not! 😂
Having said all of this, I’ve heard people rave about this series, and so I’ll probably try another book before abandoning it completely. I do enjoy Beaton’s writing, especially her Hamish Macbeth series, so I still have high hopes.
Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for my advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm a huge fan of M.C. Beaton and I've read all the books in both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series. I believe that R.W. Green has done an excellent job of keeping both series alive, and I am always excited when he releases a new story. This one was lots of fun, and it will be available on October 13, 2026.
The premise of one of the storylines is infuriating, with the discrepancies between the wealthy and the poor highlighted by the selfish actions of rich people who can't get enough money. As always, other stories involving cases Agatha and her team are investigating are interesting as well, an I particularly liked the case involving art and its history.
I loved spending time with this super cozy book. Seeing the cast of characters and reading about the various locales once again tickled my brain in the best way. I think fans of the series will enjoy this addition to the oeuvre.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The premise of one of the storylines is infuriating, with the discrepancies between the wealthy and the poor highlighted by the selfish actions of rich people who can't get enough money. As always, other stories involving cases Agatha and her team are investigating are interesting as well, an I particularly liked the case involving art and its history.
I loved spending time with this super cozy book. Seeing the cast of characters and reading about the various locales once again tickled my brain in the best way. I think fans of the series will enjoy this addition to the oeuvre.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Dead Before Tea Time. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the town coming together to save their beloved pub. That community-centered storyline added a cozy, heartwarming element to the mystery and made me feel invested in what happened beyond just solving the crime.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, and I enjoyed following along as the clues unfolded. While there were a few slower moments throughout the book, they never took away from my overall enjoyment. Instead, they gave the story time to develop the setting and characters, which helped bring the town and its residents to life.
Overall, this was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a charming setting, likable characters, and a solid mystery at its core. If you enjoy small-town mysteries with a strong sense of community, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, and I enjoyed following along as the clues unfolded. While there were a few slower moments throughout the book, they never took away from my overall enjoyment. Instead, they gave the story time to develop the setting and characters, which helped bring the town and its residents to life.
Overall, this was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a charming setting, likable characters, and a solid mystery at its core. If you enjoy small-town mysteries with a strong sense of community, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was my first time reading anything by M. C. Beaton, and I can definitely see why the Agatha Raisin series has such a loyal following. Dead Before Tea Time was a fun, cozy mystery with just the right balance of humor, quirky characters, and an engaging whodunit.
Agatha is such a unique main character. She’s flawed, witty, and determined, and I enjoyed following her as she unraveled the mystery. The small village setting added so much charm, and the cast of eccentric characters made the story even more entertaining.
While I figured out parts of the mystery before the big reveal, I still had a great time with the journey. The writing was easy to get into, and it was the perfect palate cleanser between heavier fantasy reads.
This may have been my first Agatha Raisin mystery, but it definitely won’t be my last. A solid 4-star read that left me looking forward to exploring more of the series.
Agatha is such a unique main character. She’s flawed, witty, and determined, and I enjoyed following her as she unraveled the mystery. The small village setting added so much charm, and the cast of eccentric characters made the story even more entertaining.
While I figured out parts of the mystery before the big reveal, I still had a great time with the journey. The writing was easy to get into, and it was the perfect palate cleanser between heavier fantasy reads.
This may have been my first Agatha Raisin mystery, but it definitely won’t be my last. A solid 4-star read that left me looking forward to exploring more of the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This was a fun, lighthearted read. It had quite a few comical moments and I do believe that reading this series rather than listening to it, makes it for a far better experience.
Agatha's favourite pub is on the verge of being closed down, but she decides to change that decision come hell or high water. Of course there are a couple of other small investigations that are happening in the same time, but the front page becomes the murder of Lord Ancombe, the owner of Ancombe Ales brewery and Ancombe Developments, the exact company who was planning to destroy the Agatha's pub, the Red Lion.
It was a good read. However the reader stands no chance to figure out the murderer as there details that are not revealed but in the last chapter, which makes it impossible to figure out the identity of the killer.
Looking forward to read the next one.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this fun book!
This was a fun, lighthearted read. It had quite a few comical moments and I do believe that reading this series rather than listening to it, makes it for a far better experience.
Agatha's favourite pub is on the verge of being closed down, but she decides to change that decision come hell or high water. Of course there are a couple of other small investigations that are happening in the same time, but the front page becomes the murder of Lord Ancombe, the owner of Ancombe Ales brewery and Ancombe Developments, the exact company who was planning to destroy the Agatha's pub, the Red Lion.
It was a good read. However the reader stands no chance to figure out the murderer as there details that are not revealed but in the last chapter, which makes it impossible to figure out the identity of the killer.
Looking forward to read the next one.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this fun book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Is it me or did Agatha Raisin regress in the man department with this one. For the longest time, she used to pine over one man or another like Charlie Brown over the little red hair girl, so I was relieved when it seemed like she finally stood on her own two feet with confidence without chasing a man. This one it seems like she's back to pining over one if not two men and comparing herself and envious of those younger like Toni dropping one star for me.
I do like them addressing real world issues which is the struggle of businesses that never recovered from the pandemic as she and the locals fight the rich over the closure of their local pub. Follow that by Toni standing up to sexism and women being treated like objects instead of having a mind of their own made me want to stand up and applaud. If only the ending left me with the same feeling of satisfaction of justice served.
I received a complimentary ARC from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I do like them addressing real world issues which is the struggle of businesses that never recovered from the pandemic as she and the locals fight the rich over the closure of their local pub. Follow that by Toni standing up to sexism and women being treated like objects instead of having a mind of their own made me want to stand up and applaud. If only the ending left me with the same feeling of satisfaction of justice served.
I received a complimentary ARC from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
June 6, 2026
Continuing the legacy of M. C. Beaton, R. W. Green has delivered another tongue-in-cheek, occasionally cringy mystery centred on the colourful and never subtle private detective Agatha Raisin. This series has evolved since R. W. Green took up the pen. Brought up to modern day sensibilities and strengthening the pro girl boss narrative.
In this instalment, Agatha takes up the cause of her local pub The Red Lion which is on the brink of closure. But before she has the opportunity to come face to face with the blustering Lord Ancombe (owner of the pub), he meets an untimely end during a reenactment of a 17th century battle. Together with her detective team, she sets out to solve the murder (and show up DCI Wilkes who, as always, has the wrong end of the stick.)
Humorous, well-paced, and highly entertaining. A great addition to the series.
In this instalment, Agatha takes up the cause of her local pub The Red Lion which is on the brink of closure. But before she has the opportunity to come face to face with the blustering Lord Ancombe (owner of the pub), he meets an untimely end during a reenactment of a 17th century battle. Together with her detective team, she sets out to solve the murder (and show up DCI Wilkes who, as always, has the wrong end of the stick.)
Humorous, well-paced, and highly entertaining. A great addition to the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Agatha and her agency team have their hands full with the murder of a local Lord. There is no shortage of suspects or people who did not like the victim. Agatha has a tag along security of the deceased with her for the investigation when sparks fly between them. Should she risk any involvement with a potential suspect, has it blinded Agatha to the clues? Roy keeps the mood light, James is barely involved with this mystery, but we still know he is there. Toni springs some news on Aggie and once again the police are several steps behind. The storyline moves along well enough, the characters trying to save the pub bring some interesting aspects to the plot. Curl up, grab a mug of tea, biscuits and a comfy chair as you head to the countryside for another cozy mystery to solve.
Thanks to Net Galley for the preview.
Thanks to Net Galley for the preview.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Goodreads Giveaway. I am glad that the M. C. Beaton estate elected to continue her delightful Agatha Raison series. Set in the Cotswolds it is the quintessential English country village murder mysteries. Protagonist Agatha Raisin, a former PR executive turned private investigator is quirky, opinionated and a little over the top. In this outing she is determined to save her local pub, te Red Lion from development. When the local Lord of the manor who has ties to the plans is murdered during an annual battle enactment she pursues the culprit with her usual madcap vigor. Meanwhile her staff at her PI agency are working on other cases including the theft of three valuable classic cars and the possible forgery of porcelain art panels. The supporting cast of village denizens add human interest, humor and a spark of romance. An entertaining and light hearted read.
Review of advance copy
Agatha’s detective agency is engaged in various jobs. Alongside these, Agatha has found out that her local pub, The Red Lion, is going to close. In true Agatha style she rallies the troops and organises them. One action is to find out as much as possible about Lord Ancombe, who owns the pub.
He is fanatical about civil war re-enactments and she ropes Roy Silver in to take part in one. Roy is in his element.
At the re-enactment, Lord Ancombe’s character is shot and rides off to the woods. When the horse comes out without him the gang head to the woods to find Lord Ancombe dead. As usual DCI ???? doesn’t agree it’s murder and tries to stop Agatha from investigating.
As usual, this isn’t the only thing they end up investigating and Agatha finds herself in peril. Will she stop the murderer before the body count creeps up?
He is fanatical about civil war re-enactments and she ropes Roy Silver in to take part in one. Roy is in his element.
At the re-enactment, Lord Ancombe’s character is shot and rides off to the woods. When the horse comes out without him the gang head to the woods to find Lord Ancombe dead. As usual DCI ???? doesn’t agree it’s murder and tries to stop Agatha from investigating.
As usual, this isn’t the only thing they end up investigating and Agatha finds herself in peril. Will she stop the murderer before the body count creeps up?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a nice read! I loved the mystery of the book and it really kept me in the story. I really didn't suspect who might've killed the dead person until the last few chapters when I was starting to get more ideas. So the mystery was done really well!
Loved the cozy vibes of the city and how the people fought to save the Red Lion pub. It's nice to see the community fighting together for something beloved by everyone.
And I loved Agatha's involvement even when the police did everything to stop her involvement in the murder investigation, especially that police officer who I'd rather not see again, what an idiot!
Agatha is really good at what she does and I loved seeing her following the clues and finding the smallest details about things to work out who really did it.
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, M.C. Beaton and NetGalley for the e-arc! Really loved it!!
Loved the cozy vibes of the city and how the people fought to save the Red Lion pub. It's nice to see the community fighting together for something beloved by everyone.
And I loved Agatha's involvement even when the police did everything to stop her involvement in the murder investigation, especially that police officer who I'd rather not see again, what an idiot!
Agatha is really good at what she does and I loved seeing her following the clues and finding the smallest details about things to work out who really did it.
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, M.C. Beaton and NetGalley for the e-arc! Really loved it!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Agatha Raisin is back on the case in the Cotswolds and this is one of her best adventures.
As always there is a lot going on in her village. The announced closure of the local pub by the brewery/landlord and the death, or is it murder, of the brewery owner quickly jumpstart the action. This installment features a somewhat softer, more thoughtful, version of Agatha, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Appearances by most of the recurrent characters, Charles, James, Roy, Bill Wong and Wilkes are included. The side stories, an attempted murder of Agatha, Toni’s love interest and a theft of antiques from an elderly lady, added to my enjoyment.
Applause for R.W. Green, who once again, proves himself to be a worthy successor to M.C. Beaton.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
As always there is a lot going on in her village. The announced closure of the local pub by the brewery/landlord and the death, or is it murder, of the brewery owner quickly jumpstart the action. This installment features a somewhat softer, more thoughtful, version of Agatha, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Appearances by most of the recurrent characters, Charles, James, Roy, Bill Wong and Wilkes are included. The side stories, an attempted murder of Agatha, Toni’s love interest and a theft of antiques from an elderly lady, added to my enjoyment.
Applause for R.W. Green, who once again, proves himself to be a worthy successor to M.C. Beaton.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a charming setting and cast of characters!
Pub life is so central to English towns and villages, and I am definitely in my UK era. Agatha Raisin and her friends were such a highlight, and I can't wait to dive into the backlist for more of their adventures.
Even though this is a continuation of the series, I never felt lost. It works well as a standalone while still making me excited to read the earlier books.
The dialogue was fantastic, especially the banter between Agatha and Gustav. 🤣
There were several mysteries woven throughout the story, with breadcrumbs dropped along the way that made for a satisfying grand reveal.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Pub life is so central to English towns and villages, and I am definitely in my UK era. Agatha Raisin and her friends were such a highlight, and I can't wait to dive into the backlist for more of their adventures.
Even though this is a continuation of the series, I never felt lost. It works well as a standalone while still making me excited to read the earlier books.
The dialogue was fantastic, especially the banter between Agatha and Gustav. 🤣
There were several mysteries woven throughout the story, with breadcrumbs dropped along the way that made for a satisfying grand reveal.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
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