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Agatha Raisin #3
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener
Agatha Raisin has a crush on James Lacey. In order to endear herself to him, she takes up gardening, hoping to participate with him in the prestigious Carsely Horticultural Contest. But as the contest approaches, plants are being mysteriously uprooted, poisoned, and burned. When the prime suspect turns up dead, Agatha must solve the murder mystery.
5 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 1993
740 people are currently reading
3959 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 1,673 reviews
July 24, 2024
Agatha cheats again.
You'd think after the quiche debacle she'd have learned her lesson.
But no.
This time, she's determined to win the Horticultural Society's best garden contest in Carsely.
And if you think she's going to do it with hard work and honesty, you're fooling yourself.
In an embarrassing turn of events, Agatha books a holiday to (somewhere warm?) because she hears James Lacey is going to be there. He then cancels. Pretty sure he got wind of her plan to stalk him, and who can blame the fellow for that, really?
So, when Agatha turns back up at her home, she discovers that a lovely newcomer, Mary Fortune, has snatched up her love interest and is deeply embedded in Cotswold life.
Her life.
To make matters worse, Mary is a snarky bitch that likes to poke Agatha in her sore spots, and it seems as though she's the only one who notices her obnoxious behavior.
However, after several of the village's gardens are defaced, followed by a shocking murder, Agatha gets her chance to shine and team up with Lacey again to find the killer.
This is another fun cozy mystery in the series, but I seriously hope that James Lacey takes a beating to the face in the next book. God, he works my nerves.
Recommended.
You'd think after the quiche debacle she'd have learned her lesson.
But no.
This time, she's determined to win the Horticultural Society's best garden contest in Carsely.
And if you think she's going to do it with hard work and honesty, you're fooling yourself.
In an embarrassing turn of events, Agatha books a holiday to (somewhere warm?) because she hears James Lacey is going to be there. He then cancels. Pretty sure he got wind of her plan to stalk him, and who can blame the fellow for that, really?
So, when Agatha turns back up at her home, she discovers that a lovely newcomer, Mary Fortune, has snatched up her love interest and is deeply embedded in Cotswold life.
Her life.
To make matters worse, Mary is a snarky bitch that likes to poke Agatha in her sore spots, and it seems as though she's the only one who notices her obnoxious behavior.
However, after several of the village's gardens are defaced, followed by a shocking murder, Agatha gets her chance to shine and team up with Lacey again to find the killer.
This is another fun cozy mystery in the series, but I seriously hope that James Lacey takes a beating to the face in the next book. God, he works my nerves.
Recommended.
April 18, 2017
It's always comforting to see Agatha again and the village of Carsley, almost like coming home. This time Agatha is searching for the murder of a beautiful yet surprisingly unpopular newcomer to the village who has been found quite literally 'planted' to death. I love all the characters, and even the cats are a constant highlight.
February 25, 2024
Well the victim incited her own murder but she wasn't nearly as nasty as the victim in THE VISCOUS VET, the preceding Agatha Raisin volume.
In this volume Agatha is jealous of a new comer to the village but discovers a darkness beneath the surface. Agatha also discovers, to her surprise and pleasure, that she herself is popular in the village. Meanwhile, the newcomer's popularity is waning as the darkness and a streak of meanness comes out.
In this volume Agatha is jealous of a new comer to the village but discovers a darkness beneath the surface. Agatha also discovers, to her surprise and pleasure, that she herself is popular in the village. Meanwhile, the newcomer's popularity is waning as the darkness and a streak of meanness comes out.
March 7, 2022
Me encanta esta saga, siempre me río. Me declaro fan de Raisin.
October 11, 2011
I have one major issue when it comes to the cozy mystery: just a blink of the eye and I suddenly realise I've spent the better part of an evening completely engrossed in mischief and murder.
It's been awhile since I last visited Agatha, yet I found it easy to get sucked back into her not-so-quiet world. She's a strange little woman, one I'd dearly like to shake into feeling more self-assured. If only she could picture herself as others do...but I suppose that's true of all of us and it probably makes the abrasive Agatha more relatable a character.
As is common with a cozy mystery (the good ones, at least), The Potted Gardner brings back a cast of familiar characters and makes me feel right at home amidst the village intrigue. The usual question also occurs to me: with so many people getting murdered in this "idyllic" locale, why on earth do people stick around?!
Agatha is endearing in her ridiculous way, her neighbours delightfully peculiar, and the murder so oddly executed that I was comfortably entrenched from start to finish. I do wish the resolution of the mystery had a bit more wow factor, but again this is often the way of the genre - lots of clues, liberal splashes of local color, and then the answer suddenly arrives wrapped up in a tidy little package.
But we read cozies specifically for their comfort value and Agatha Raisin delivers that in spades, along with a welcome dash of humor. The Potted Gardner is an amusing addition to the series, making me anxious to discover Agatha's next embarrassing manoeuvre. And the next murder victim, of course.
It's been awhile since I last visited Agatha, yet I found it easy to get sucked back into her not-so-quiet world. She's a strange little woman, one I'd dearly like to shake into feeling more self-assured. If only she could picture herself as others do...but I suppose that's true of all of us and it probably makes the abrasive Agatha more relatable a character.
As is common with a cozy mystery (the good ones, at least), The Potted Gardner brings back a cast of familiar characters and makes me feel right at home amidst the village intrigue. The usual question also occurs to me: with so many people getting murdered in this "idyllic" locale, why on earth do people stick around?!
Agatha is endearing in her ridiculous way, her neighbours delightfully peculiar, and the murder so oddly executed that I was comfortably entrenched from start to finish. I do wish the resolution of the mystery had a bit more wow factor, but again this is often the way of the genre - lots of clues, liberal splashes of local color, and then the answer suddenly arrives wrapped up in a tidy little package.
But we read cozies specifically for their comfort value and Agatha Raisin delivers that in spades, along with a welcome dash of humor. The Potted Gardner is an amusing addition to the series, making me anxious to discover Agatha's next embarrassing manoeuvre. And the next murder victim, of course.
March 4, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎎🎉
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 3 of 35.
Agatha has been traveling and is returning home. A new person has moved into the village. The garden competition is being planned and Agatha has plans. Then the new person is found dead. Agatha and James are in the middle of the investigation leading to the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of mystery novels. 2024
This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 3 of 35.
Agatha has been traveling and is returning home. A new person has moved into the village. The garden competition is being planned and Agatha has plans. Then the new person is found dead. Agatha and James are in the middle of the investigation leading to the killer.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of mystery novels. 2024
May 7, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book and want to give a high rating and an excellent review, but I cannot. This is the third book in the series and the first I have read. A new woman comes to Agatha's village and gets murdered. As Agatha peels off the layers of truth, she discovers that the murdered woman, Mary, was not as nice as originally everyone thought. The problem lies in the climax - or lack of one. It is as if the author suddenly picked one of the villagers and labelled them as the murderer without any legitimate reason. And the story of how Agatha unravels the mystery is not explained at all. She too, suddenly picks on one of the villagers and pronounces them the murderer - for no reason I can understand. The book was very weak on plot, and would not stand up to seasoned mystery readers.
So why did I enjoy it? The author built up a beautiful world with interesting characters. It was a delight to read about Agatha's problems, even though she comes across as childish sometimes. But she was a balanced character and invites sympathy. All the other characters are also well drawn and the descriptions of village life was fun to read. The everyday life of the village was dissected in detail, which was interesting.
So while I would not recommend this book on the basis of it being a good mystery (it is not!), I have no problem recommending it for a quick cosy read. It's perfect for a lazy reading session. Just don't expect amazing plot twists or brilliant deductions.
So why did I enjoy it? The author built up a beautiful world with interesting characters. It was a delight to read about Agatha's problems, even though she comes across as childish sometimes. But she was a balanced character and invites sympathy. All the other characters are also well drawn and the descriptions of village life was fun to read. The everyday life of the village was dissected in detail, which was interesting.
So while I would not recommend this book on the basis of it being a good mystery (it is not!), I have no problem recommending it for a quick cosy read. It's perfect for a lazy reading session. Just don't expect amazing plot twists or brilliant deductions.
March 6, 2023
Si buscas un buen cozy, esta serie no está nada mal. Es el tercero que leo y me encanta el ambientillo de pueblo inglés así como la protagonista, Agatha Raisin, una mujer poco ejemplar pero con una fuerte personalidad. También disfruto con todos los personajes secundarios que aparecen y, sobre todo, con los concursos y las charities que se organizan, y que suelen acabar mal, en este caso ha sido de horticultura. La trama no mata -jiji - pero me lo he pasado genial.
July 7, 2023
The world is full of bitches…
Never knew a death scene could be so inventive.
This is a return to the charm and humor of the first book (and a return of the original and preferable audio narrator). But it does play off of events in book 2, which I found a little lacking, but which I now appreciate more. The relationship between Agatha and James is weird and entertaining.
Looking forward to the next.
3.5
Never knew a death scene could be so inventive.
This is a return to the charm and humor of the first book (and a return of the original and preferable audio narrator). But it does play off of events in book 2, which I found a little lacking, but which I now appreciate more. The relationship between Agatha and James is weird and entertaining.
Looking forward to the next.
3.5
October 16, 2017
I continue to be surprised with Agatha Raisin! The books give you such a different feeling then the TV show. Loved this book and new character Mary Fortune who ends up not being so "fortunate" Perfect foil for Agatha and all of Carsley. So much background in this book, and we find out that Agatha seems to still have a love/hate relationship with Carsley. On the one hand she goes on long Holiday, but then dives back into town life. Gets jealous of Mary who has attached herself to Agatha's neighbor James, and then decides to join the Horticultural Society to show that she has just as much a green thumb as Mary Fortune. Lots of silly stuff goes on in the book but we end up with ruined gardens, dead fish, a promiscuous Mary who flirts with everyone and then a gruesome murder - just what we like in our small little British country villages! By the end Agatha is back working in PR in London for six months and seems to be very happy away from Carsley - but I am sure it will be pulling her back come book 4!
November 17, 2023
"Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" is the third novel in the Agatha Raisin series created by writer M.C. Beaton. In the small and peaceful community of Carsely, a new figure tries to establish herself in the hearts of the townspeople, Mary Fortune, a beautiful woman with affable manners but a deeply wicked and unpleasant soul.
Compared to Mary Fortune, Agatha feels extremely inadequate, and the final blow to her fighting spirit comes in the form of James, her neighbor for whom she has pined for a year and who seems to be very close to the new arrival.
When Mrs. Fortune, a dispenser of dissension and discord, is murdered, our heroine Agatha decides to investigate to uncover the truth behind this gruesome murder.
Much of the novel focuses on the development and growth of Agatha's character. In this chapter of her adventures, one can perceive a poignant vulnerability and increasing insecurity, adjectives that certainly do not typically describe her. Will Agatha succeed in returning as the tough and prickly woman, but with an increasingly tender heart, capable of uncovering the murderer?
If you love mystery with a touch of humor, this series is definitely worth trying.
Compared to Mary Fortune, Agatha feels extremely inadequate, and the final blow to her fighting spirit comes in the form of James, her neighbor for whom she has pined for a year and who seems to be very close to the new arrival.
When Mrs. Fortune, a dispenser of dissension and discord, is murdered, our heroine Agatha decides to investigate to uncover the truth behind this gruesome murder.
Much of the novel focuses on the development and growth of Agatha's character. In this chapter of her adventures, one can perceive a poignant vulnerability and increasing insecurity, adjectives that certainly do not typically describe her. Will Agatha succeed in returning as the tough and prickly woman, but with an increasingly tender heart, capable of uncovering the murderer?
If you love mystery with a touch of humor, this series is definitely worth trying.
February 11, 2025
"The manner in which she was killed suggests a brooding hatred. A real village murder."
On the surface it seems as though everybody LOVES the village's newest resident. She's a vision in green, possessing long golden locks, mad cooking and gardening skills, and the ability to charm and flatter her way into any man's arms. But Mary Fortune has a dark side that occasionally breaks through her polished veneer - she launches little jabs and swipes that sting and hurt - and may lead to her ignominious demise.
And speaking of ignominious . . . Agatha, it seems, has NOT learned her lesson from the quiche incident, and is planning once again to pass off others' efforts as her own. Well, if she were practically perfect in every way she wouldn't be Agatha Raisin, the cantankerous, crime-solving doyenne of Carsely. She's still mooning far too much over her handsome neighbor, though I suspect this will be a long-running Sam-&-Diane situation.
Or . . . maybe not.
Agatha's off to the big city for her next adventure, and who knows what horrors might befall poor James Lacey in her absence. (Fingers crossed that she'll be solving his murder in an upcoming volume.)
On the surface it seems as though everybody LOVES the village's newest resident. She's a vision in green, possessing long golden locks, mad cooking and gardening skills, and the ability to charm and flatter her way into any man's arms. But Mary Fortune has a dark side that occasionally breaks through her polished veneer - she launches little jabs and swipes that sting and hurt - and may lead to her ignominious demise.
And speaking of ignominious . . . Agatha, it seems, has NOT learned her lesson from the quiche incident, and is planning once again to pass off others' efforts as her own. Well, if she were practically perfect in every way she wouldn't be Agatha Raisin, the cantankerous, crime-solving doyenne of Carsely. She's still mooning far too much over her handsome neighbor, though I suspect this will be a long-running Sam-&-Diane situation.
Or . . . maybe not.
Agatha's off to the big city for her next adventure, and who knows what horrors might befall poor James Lacey in her absence. (Fingers crossed that she'll be solving his murder in an upcoming volume.)
November 5, 2020
As with the other Agatha Raisin stories, Beaton shows that she must have done research on sociopathic and psychopathic personality disorders. Not only is there a murder to solve, but a character to study.
Mary comes to Agatha's village and succeeds in winning everyone over, then crushing them where they are most vulnerable. Then, like a lot of psychopaths, turns around and is so sweet and kind, that everyone concludes they must have imagined her nasty behavior.
Spoiler alert!!
Then Mary ends up dead and in a gruesome humiliating manner. She treated everyone the same way, but who was unstable enough to do her in? Or was it anyone in the village? Maybe it was someone out of her past?
Mary comes to Agatha's village and succeeds in winning everyone over, then crushing them where they are most vulnerable. Then, like a lot of psychopaths, turns around and is so sweet and kind, that everyone concludes they must have imagined her nasty behavior.
Spoiler alert!!
Then Mary ends up dead and in a gruesome humiliating manner. She treated everyone the same way, but who was unstable enough to do her in? Or was it anyone in the village? Maybe it was someone out of her past?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2018
Agatha Raisin kehrt nach einer Weltreise zurück in ihr Cotswolds-Cottage und muss feststellen, dass ihr Nachbar James, auf den Agatha ein Auge geworfen hat, für die neue Dorfbewohnerin Mary schwärmt. Mary scheint bei allen Dorfbewohnern sehr beliebt zu sein. Sie gärtnert leidenschaftlich gerne, und kurzerhand beschließt Agatha, auch bei der bevorstehenden Gartenschau mitzumachen und ihre neue Konkurrentin zu übertrumpfen. Doch dazu kommt es nicht mehr, denn ausgerechnet Agatha und James entdecken Marys Leiche - aufgehängt und mit dem Kopf in einem Blumenkübel!
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich liebe diese Reihe, auch wenn ich mit diesem Buch nun erst drei Bände gelesen habe. Aber die Atmosphäre ist einfach klasse. Agatha Raisin ist eine schrullige und liebenswürdige Protagonistin und ich mag einfach ihre Art sehr gerne und wie sie mit ihrer Neugier Mordfälle aufklärt. Die Bücher sind mit rund um die 200 Seiten sehr dünn und schnell gelesen. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm leicht.
Ich mag die vorhandene Spannung, auch wenn es eher ruhig zugeht, sowie den durchaus vorhandenen Humor! Hoffentlich wird es noch viele weitere Fälle für Agatha geben!
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich liebe diese Reihe, auch wenn ich mit diesem Buch nun erst drei Bände gelesen habe. Aber die Atmosphäre ist einfach klasse. Agatha Raisin ist eine schrullige und liebenswürdige Protagonistin und ich mag einfach ihre Art sehr gerne und wie sie mit ihrer Neugier Mordfälle aufklärt. Die Bücher sind mit rund um die 200 Seiten sehr dünn und schnell gelesen. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm leicht.
Ich mag die vorhandene Spannung, auch wenn es eher ruhig zugeht, sowie den durchaus vorhandenen Humor! Hoffentlich wird es noch viele weitere Fälle für Agatha geben!
November 25, 2021
Who would want to move to Carsley? Mary Fortune did so, showed her skill as a gardener, much to Agatha's disgust, and then found herself murdered.
'That friend of yours, Bill Wong, took me aside and told me to make sure you did not interfere in the investigation.' So Agatha's friend James Lacey told her but this did not bother the intrepid amateur sleuth. She did her usual and followed every clue to eventually unmask the killer, trying to keep her love life on track along the way!
Another enjoyable offering from the Cotswolds ... but don't move there!
'That friend of yours, Bill Wong, took me aside and told me to make sure you did not interfere in the investigation.' So Agatha's friend James Lacey told her but this did not bother the intrepid amateur sleuth. She did her usual and followed every clue to eventually unmask the killer, trying to keep her love life on track along the way!
Another enjoyable offering from the Cotswolds ... but don't move there!
July 22, 2022
3.5 stars. I’m enjoying the humor in this series more than anything else. If you’re a mystery lover, I would say don’t read these for the mystery. I’ve found them to a bit far-fetched. The real draw here is the setting, the humor and to a lesser extent, the recurring characters. I’ll continue with it as I enjoy those things and the mystery is not the reason I read them. The audio performances are also well done.
March 8, 2022
Ya es oficial. Agatha Raisin es mi nuevo lugar feliz. Me cuesta describir con palabras lo que sentí al adentrarme en este tercer libro. Volver a los Cotswolds con Agatha, a la que cada vez quiero más, fue un soplo de aire fresco, el método de escape perfecto en esos días en los que el mundo se me estaba haciendo un poco bola.
A pesar de lo bien que me ha hecho sentir la historia, reconozco que tiene algunos detalles mejorables. Por ejemplo, en este tercer libro, la autora ha vuelto a repetir cierto patrón en cuanto a la relación de Agatha y James. Por otro lado, Agatha vuelve a las andas y repite cierto comportamiento que yo creía que ya tendría más superado. Pero supongo que es parte del encanto de Agatha, es muy humana, con sus consiguientes defectos.
Pero reconozco que no me ha importado mucho esa "falta de originalidad" porque lo he disfrutado inmensamente de principio a fin. También creo que los misterios se van afinando cada vez más, así que me muero de ganas de conocer la próxima aventura de nuestra Agatha.
A pesar de lo bien que me ha hecho sentir la historia, reconozco que tiene algunos detalles mejorables. Por ejemplo, en este tercer libro, la autora ha vuelto a repetir cierto patrón en cuanto a la relación de Agatha y James. Por otro lado, Agatha vuelve a las andas y repite cierto comportamiento que yo creía que ya tendría más superado. Pero supongo que es parte del encanto de Agatha, es muy humana, con sus consiguientes defectos.
Pero reconozco que no me ha importado mucho esa "falta de originalidad" porque lo he disfrutado inmensamente de principio a fin. También creo que los misterios se van afinando cada vez más, así que me muero de ganas de conocer la próxima aventura de nuestra Agatha.
July 24, 2022
Estas novelas están siendo muy divertidas y me parecen ideales para el verano, cortas y divertidas, además de tener la investigación de un asesinato que siempre anima las veladas, y seguimos la vida de Agatha en su nueva vida en este estupendo pueblo que me enamora.
En este caso conoceremos a una nueva vecina que querrá intimar con James y es de una forma de ser muy irritante.
Me ha gustado mucho en general y sobre todo me he reído mucho con Agatha. Tiene cada idea loca que pa que.
En este caso conoceremos a una nueva vecina que querrá intimar con James y es de una forma de ser muy irritante.
Me ha gustado mucho en general y sobre todo me he reído mucho con Agatha. Tiene cada idea loca que pa que.
March 15, 2022
Si no conocéis a Agatha Raisin, os la presento: Es una mujer, de unos 50 años jubilada y divorciada que se va a vivir a un pueblecito, lejos de las grandes urbes. Ahora sólo quiere "tranquilidad" en esta nueva etapa de su vida.
Pero ella es inquieta, histriónica y peculiar.
Un personaje que a veces gusta mucho pero otras veces puede llegar a caer mal.
Lo que no te va a pasar con ella, es que te aburras. Aunque ella busca tranquilidad, es lo que menos va a encontrar en este pueblecito, donde en cada libro vamos a encontrar un caso de asesinato, y nuestra querida Agatha Raisin (curiosa e inquieta por naturaleza) va a hacer de detective para dar con el culpable.
En esta ocasión, en este tercer libro, va a llegar otra mujer al pueblo, más o menos de su misma edad, y que en principio ella considerará su competencia. Pero, va a suceder algo de lo más estrambótico... como todo lo que sucede en este pueblo (que aunque se dice que es tranquilo, después de leer tres libros de la saga, yo creo que tranquilo no es)... Va a haber un crimen, un asesinato. Y el cadáver se va a encontrar... mejor no os lo digo y lo descubrís por vosotros mismos. Yo cuando lo leí, no me lo creía. Pensé que había leído mal, y hasta me dio la risa. Pero es lo que tienen de característico estos libros: un pueblecito tranquilo, un asesinato, protagonista peculiar (y otros personajes también muy llamativos) y alguna que otra situación cómica. Vaya, un "Cozy Mistery" en toda regla. Término que he aprendido este año gracias a mikeyf y evitalecturitas que son los que mejor manejan este tema y sobre todo a la Raisin!
Si queréis un libro que sea rápido, fácil y que te haga desconectar, esta es la mejor opción que podéis encontrar.
Pero ella es inquieta, histriónica y peculiar.
Un personaje que a veces gusta mucho pero otras veces puede llegar a caer mal.
Lo que no te va a pasar con ella, es que te aburras. Aunque ella busca tranquilidad, es lo que menos va a encontrar en este pueblecito, donde en cada libro vamos a encontrar un caso de asesinato, y nuestra querida Agatha Raisin (curiosa e inquieta por naturaleza) va a hacer de detective para dar con el culpable.
En esta ocasión, en este tercer libro, va a llegar otra mujer al pueblo, más o menos de su misma edad, y que en principio ella considerará su competencia. Pero, va a suceder algo de lo más estrambótico... como todo lo que sucede en este pueblo (que aunque se dice que es tranquilo, después de leer tres libros de la saga, yo creo que tranquilo no es)... Va a haber un crimen, un asesinato. Y el cadáver se va a encontrar... mejor no os lo digo y lo descubrís por vosotros mismos. Yo cuando lo leí, no me lo creía. Pensé que había leído mal, y hasta me dio la risa. Pero es lo que tienen de característico estos libros: un pueblecito tranquilo, un asesinato, protagonista peculiar (y otros personajes también muy llamativos) y alguna que otra situación cómica. Vaya, un "Cozy Mistery" en toda regla. Término que he aprendido este año gracias a mikeyf y evitalecturitas que son los que mejor manejan este tema y sobre todo a la Raisin!
Si queréis un libro que sea rápido, fácil y que te haga desconectar, esta es la mejor opción que podéis encontrar.
November 1, 2023
An easy comfort read. Formulaic but also enjoyable with the wealthy, lovesick, insecure and bad tempered Agatha Raisin. Having been caught cheating in the Quiche village competition she fails to learn her lesson in the open day gardens organized by the horticultural society.
Another new incomer Mary Fortune attracts Agatha’s neighbor Richard Lacey to her chagrin and jealousy. Then Mary is found murdered and her true colors are revealed. In the end we have a to tidy ending when the murderer is near to home and lobes his goldfish a bit to much.
Another new incomer Mary Fortune attracts Agatha’s neighbor Richard Lacey to her chagrin and jealousy. Then Mary is found murdered and her true colors are revealed. In the end we have a to tidy ending when the murderer is near to home and lobes his goldfish a bit to much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2021
Probably my favorite Raisin so far. She's gone from almost completely unlikable and absolutely irritating to mildly cantankerous and slightly off-putting. The mystery was no great shakes, but it was...odd, so at least that made it interesting. I'm already tired of the James Lacey storyline, but I appreciate that it is evolving somewhat in this third book of the series.
August 5, 2017
Digital audiobook narrated by Penelope Keith
Third in the series starring 50-something Agatha Raisin, former PR executive who is trying to make a life in the village of Carsley, in the English Cottswolds. As the novel opens, she has just returned from a long holiday, and is determined to win the affections of her neighbor James Lacey. But in her absence, he has developed a relationship with newcomer and avid gardener Mary Fortune. So Agatha determines to become an expert horticulturalist … or at least give the appearance of one, in hopes of winning back James’ affection. It’s clear to all that the women are competing for James’ affection – and then Mary is found murdered.
This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. Seems she cannot make friends and/or keep them, other than the detective Billy Wong and – perhaps – James. It takes a long time to get to the murder (pg 82 out of 192 pages in my edition) with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about.
All in all it’s a satisfying cozy mystery, and I’ll keep reading the series.
Penelope Keith does a great job performing the audio book. I really like how she brings Agatha, James and the other residents of Carsley to life.
Third in the series starring 50-something Agatha Raisin, former PR executive who is trying to make a life in the village of Carsley, in the English Cottswolds. As the novel opens, she has just returned from a long holiday, and is determined to win the affections of her neighbor James Lacey. But in her absence, he has developed a relationship with newcomer and avid gardener Mary Fortune. So Agatha determines to become an expert horticulturalist … or at least give the appearance of one, in hopes of winning back James’ affection. It’s clear to all that the women are competing for James’ affection – and then Mary is found murdered.
This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. Seems she cannot make friends and/or keep them, other than the detective Billy Wong and – perhaps – James. It takes a long time to get to the murder (pg 82 out of 192 pages in my edition) with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about.
All in all it’s a satisfying cozy mystery, and I’ll keep reading the series.
Penelope Keith does a great job performing the audio book. I really like how she brings Agatha, James and the other residents of Carsley to life.
August 27, 2022
3.75⭐️
La vérité je rigole trop avec cette saga ! Autant vous dire que je m’en fou un peu de l’enquête mais je suis plus intéressée par la vie sentimentale d’Agatha et les ragots du village 😂
J’ai trouvé qu’il y avait un peu de redondance avec le 2nd tome mais rien de méchant ! Je pense qu’il faut prendre son temps pour lire cette saga et pas tout enchaîner sinon on se lasse et c’est répétitif.
Sinon Agatha me fait toujours aussi mourir de rire avec son langage de charretière, sa jalousie mal placée et sa capacité à se mettre dans des situations pas possible ! Par contre j’ai envie de secouer James mais d’une force, réveille toi mon grand stp !
La vérité je rigole trop avec cette saga ! Autant vous dire que je m’en fou un peu de l’enquête mais je suis plus intéressée par la vie sentimentale d’Agatha et les ragots du village 😂
J’ai trouvé qu’il y avait un peu de redondance avec le 2nd tome mais rien de méchant ! Je pense qu’il faut prendre son temps pour lire cette saga et pas tout enchaîner sinon on se lasse et c’est répétitif.
Sinon Agatha me fait toujours aussi mourir de rire avec son langage de charretière, sa jalousie mal placée et sa capacité à se mettre dans des situations pas possible ! Par contre j’ai envie de secouer James mais d’une force, réveille toi mon grand stp !
June 29, 2021
Muy agradable, llevadero. Estilo Agatha Christie. Y como ésta, esta novela no decepciona. Se que el temperamento de Agatha no es el mejor, pero asi y todo, debo decir que lo leí de un tirón. Es el primero que leo de este autor. Pero seguramente lo seguire haciendo en el futuro.
Very pleasant, easy to read. Agatha Christie-style. And like her, this novel does not disappoint. I know Agatha's temperament is not the best, but still, I must say I read it in one sitting. It's the first one I've read of this author. But I will surely continue to do so in the future.
Very pleasant, easy to read. Agatha Christie-style. And like her, this novel does not disappoint. I know Agatha's temperament is not the best, but still, I must say I read it in one sitting. It's the first one I've read of this author. But I will surely continue to do so in the future.
August 9, 2021
2014 --RATING: 3.5 STARS
I am enjoying Agatha - she is a younger sassier Miss. Marple and is not above cheating in a contest to win. Just a quick fun read in between more dense books. Great on audio!
2021 --RATING: 2.5 STARS
When I last read this book, I enjoyed it a bit better. After seeing the TV series, this one didn't seem as exciting as that one. And, can I say? I don't like Lacey in the book version. Well, I don't care for him in the TV series either, but in the book he is more insufferable. I like Agatha. I find her crazy and selfish, but she reminds me of Emma (from Jane Austen), modern but just as selfish. I might not actually finish this series, but I will read a few more.
I am enjoying Agatha - she is a younger sassier Miss. Marple and is not above cheating in a contest to win. Just a quick fun read in between more dense books. Great on audio!
2021 --RATING: 2.5 STARS
When I last read this book, I enjoyed it a bit better. After seeing the TV series, this one didn't seem as exciting as that one. And, can I say? I don't like Lacey in the book version. Well, I don't care for him in the TV series either, but in the book he is more insufferable. I like Agatha. I find her crazy and selfish, but she reminds me of Emma (from Jane Austen), modern but just as selfish. I might not actually finish this series, but I will read a few more.
December 31, 2021
Oh, Agatha. Her obsession with James cracks me up! I’m enjoying this British countryside cozy mystery series very much. I’m looking forward to watching the television series after I finish the audiobooks.
March 21, 2023
Estos libros son como palomitas o chips. Pero éste en particular es muy bla, especialmente por la resolución. Además, tiene menos gags y humor que el anterior
October 7, 2021
Any one like food references in their stories? because if you do, then you are in luck. Agatha has a bit obsessed with her figure and gave caution to the wind and hogged out with a hamburger, smothered in katchup and then ordered another one. She couldn't stand diets. Then deared someone to buy a chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and icecream. There is fish bisque, melba toast, duck and orange sauce, and to top it all off, caraway cake, which I really would like to try.
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French perfume was mentioned, and how I wish I could afford that, the real McCoy must cost a small fortune.
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I'm drawn to patterns and the material, tweed was mentioned, how I love tweed.
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So then we get into the nity grity stuff, the garden. Planting seeds of chrysanthemums and a few other flowers mentioned.... rigaleto? sounds more like a flavour of icecream. Trays of African Daisies, a hibiscus, a variety called Disco Bell. Wisteria is mentioned which makes an appearance every year in my garden.
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... as for the murder that took place, that will remain unsaid due to spoilers, but watch out for Mr & Mrs Boggle 🙄😏.
I listenined to this as an audiobook via BolindaAudio (Borrow Box) via Hamiltonlibraries.
Overall I'm rating this as 5 stars, so, so entertaining and it made defrosting the freezer more bearable. Recommend to all cozy mystery lovers.
.
French perfume was mentioned, and how I wish I could afford that, the real McCoy must cost a small fortune.
.
I'm drawn to patterns and the material, tweed was mentioned, how I love tweed.
.
So then we get into the nity grity stuff, the garden. Planting seeds of chrysanthemums and a few other flowers mentioned.... rigaleto? sounds more like a flavour of icecream. Trays of African Daisies, a hibiscus, a variety called Disco Bell. Wisteria is mentioned which makes an appearance every year in my garden.
.
... as for the murder that took place, that will remain unsaid due to spoilers, but watch out for Mr & Mrs Boggle 🙄😏.
I listenined to this as an audiobook via BolindaAudio (Borrow Box) via Hamiltonlibraries.
Overall I'm rating this as 5 stars, so, so entertaining and it made defrosting the freezer more bearable. Recommend to all cozy mystery lovers.
February 5, 2025
Everyone's favorite middle-aged, curmudgeonly, retired-to-the-Cotswolds woman, Agatha Raisin, is nosing her way into a murder mystery again.
In this one, book #4, Agatha has just returned from a solo mostly-around-the-world vacation, a few pounds heavier, still trying not to pine after her military-historian neighbor, James Lacey. When Agatha returns to Carsely, she learns that James is involved with the newest villager, the very attractive and well-named Mary Fortune. However, Mrs. Fortune and Agatha do not hit it off. Is jealousy raising its ugly head, Agatha? Or is it that Mary makes snide comments one moment and then is so friendly the next?
James and Mary have bonded over gardening, so in Agatha's combative way, she joins the horticultural society, orders a conservatory (greenhouse), and a great number of plants. She also ignores Mary's advice about when to actually move her plants into the actual garden, much to Agatha's eventual chagrin and more cheating in a village contest. Sigh, Agatha. Didn't you learn not to cheat in village contests in Book #1?
Book #4 IS unusual in that the murder in the village doesn't occur until 40% into the book. And boy, is it a doozy! One of the villagers is found hanging upside down in their conservatory, with their head planted in a pot!! Pretty original for a cozy mystery. Since James and Agatha find the body, they feel entitled to help Bill Wong and the other local constabulary investigate the murder, irritating most of their neighbors in the process.
Read the shenanigans for yourself to see which villager was murdered, and whodunnit. Agatha has not disappointed me so far, and did not in this read. I'm rounding up to 5 stars b/c I did not know the identity of the murderer until told.
In this one, book #4, Agatha has just returned from a solo mostly-around-the-world vacation, a few pounds heavier, still trying not to pine after her military-historian neighbor, James Lacey. When Agatha returns to Carsely, she learns that James is involved with the newest villager, the very attractive and well-named Mary Fortune. However, Mrs. Fortune and Agatha do not hit it off. Is jealousy raising its ugly head, Agatha? Or is it that Mary makes snide comments one moment and then is so friendly the next?
James and Mary have bonded over gardening, so in Agatha's combative way, she joins the horticultural society, orders a conservatory (greenhouse), and a great number of plants. She also ignores Mary's advice about when to actually move her plants into the actual garden, much to Agatha's eventual chagrin and more cheating in a village contest. Sigh, Agatha. Didn't you learn not to cheat in village contests in Book #1?
Book #4 IS unusual in that the murder in the village doesn't occur until 40% into the book. And boy, is it a doozy! One of the villagers is found hanging upside down in their conservatory, with their head planted in a pot!! Pretty original for a cozy mystery. Since James and Agatha find the body, they feel entitled to help Bill Wong and the other local constabulary investigate the murder, irritating most of their neighbors in the process.
Read the shenanigans for yourself to see which villager was murdered, and whodunnit. Agatha has not disappointed me so far, and did not in this read. I'm rounding up to 5 stars b/c I did not know the identity of the murderer until told.
November 10, 2024
My favourite Agatha Raisin mystery yet, with a gardening competition in the village that brings out the best/worst (delete as applicable) in Agatha. Of course there’s a murder and the ensuing investigation is particularly enjoyable. There’s also the continuation of the ongoing romantic sub-plot which is almost as much fun.
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