Agatha Raisin e l'amore infernale

Agatha Raisin #11

by M.C. Beaton

E così Agatha è riuscita a sposare James. Chi l'avrebbe mai detto! Un matrimonio felice? Proprio no. Le diversità tra i due - notate da tutti tranne che dagli sposi - emergono quasi subito e a soffrirne di più sembra essere Agatha, cui non pare vero aver patito così tanto per ottenere in cambio una relazione davvero poco soddisfacente. Tuttavia, i litigi provocati dall'attitudine donnaiola di James e dalla totale insipienza casalinga di Agatha da lì a poco perdono di importanza: viene infatti trovata morta Melissa Sheppard, l'ultima fiamma di James prima (solo prima?) delle nozze. Ma James è sparito e i sospetti cadono su di lui. Quale migliore occasione per Agatha di investigare, visto che si tratta di scagionare (e trovare) suo marito?

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

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

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

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

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

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha keeps pulling me back; I cannot say that each book is better than the last, because that is not always the case, but I find myself wanting to be Agatha’s cheerleader.

She constantly makes bad choices, but I am not sure that she does it intentionally. She seems to be that person who always fails at doing the right thing. For instance, the ink is barely dry on her marriage certificate to James Lacey when already the marriage is over. Agatha is just too independent to be married to the demanding James, so when their small community witnesses a very public argument and then James turns up missing with blood on his front doorstep, Agatha is most assuredly the prime suspect. Nevertheless, there is more to this story since James himself seems to have a wandering eye and the town knows about that too.

Now it is up to Agatha to find James, prove her innocence, prove that James did not murder the trollop that he was rumored to have been having a not so clandestine affair with and tie it all up in a neat bow so she can move on with her life.
I know it sounds like just another day in Agatha’s life, but somehow this book is just a little bit different. Agatha comes across as bit more human, a bit less assured and possibly a bit more likeable, even if she does have hard cruel bearlike eyes.

As I have said before, you really do have to begin these books at the beginning to get the full Agatha effect. Some are better than others; some leave you wondering what goes on in Agatha’s mind, but in the end, she is an endearing character that makes you wonder what she could get up to next.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good riddance to James Lacey.



This one might be my favorite yet, as the culmination of the will-they-won't-they relationship between Agatha & James finally gets resolved. If you've been reading along so far, you know that he unromantically proposed marriage to her in the last book and she said yes.
Well, be careful what you wish for, Agatha.
Because marriage to a cold fish isn't all it's cracked up to be for a woman who has been used to her independence. Especially when your spouse decides that you need to change everything about yourself.
Clothes too tarty, makeup too heavy, heels too high, smoking too disgusting, and god forbid she wants to take a job!



Not for nothing, but this one takes some WEIRD turns. <--even for an Agatha Raisin book!
Very early in the story, James gets diagnosed with a brain tumor, doesn't tell Agatha, and then proceeds to cheat on her with the new chick in town.
After being confronted by Agatha and lying about it, the reader sees him stumble around injured and then leave the country on a friend's yacht. Meanwhile, Agatha and Charles are left to discover the body of his ex-lover.



Agatha refuses to consider that James might have done it, and she and Charles set out to clear both Agatha and James' names in the murder.
It's a wild story that ends with the two of them in a monastery in France.
That's all I'll say about that.



As someone who has been frustrated by the storyline for quite some time now, this is the book I had been waiting for.
Recommended for Raisinets.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta tell ya, I love Agatha! She's so human. She hates all the stuff that comes with middle age and fights it with everything short of healthy eating and exercise. Let's not be nuts here. If facials and high heels can't handle it, what can?
Her marriage to one of the worse husbands in the world crashed and burned. James is a major jerk! But his ridiculousness is kind of funny, and his character changes a lot.
Agatha says she's done with murders, but since there a lot more books in the series, I'm guessing she's going to be tripping over another one soon.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Agatha's better adventures. This time she's on the pursuit of her husband James who has gone missing under mysterious circumstances after forming a close relationship with an emotionally unstable woman in the village who is murdered. Agatha can be a huge pain but also utterly hilarious. I wouldn't mind spending a day in her company!!

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one immensely. Agatha and James marriage is on the rocks partly because he has a brain tumor but he goes to a monastery in the south of France and gets cured. Meantime Agatha and Sir Charles have to solve the murder mystery. As usual they do a great job of it. Wish I had the next one ready to go!

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endlich hat Agatha es geschafft: sie und James haben geheiratet! Doch schnell trübt sich ihre Freude, denn die schöne neue Dorfbewohnerin macht James schöne Augen und Agatha befürchtet das Schlimmste. Hat James etwa eine Affäre? Es kommt zum Streit. Dann ist James plötzlich spurlos verschwunden und hinterlässt nur einen großen Blutfleck und die angebliche Geliebte wird ermordet! Agatha nimmt sich der Sache an ...

Mein Leseeindruck:

Ich bin ein großer Fan der Agatha-Raisin-Krimireihe und habe auch diesen Band sehr gemocht! Er ist wieder sehr leicht geschrieben mit britischem Humor und Spannung, wobei der Krimifall für mich gar nicht so sehr im Vordergrund steht. Ich mag die schrägen und zum Teil vielleicht auch überspitzten Charaktere sehr! Aber es macht auch Spaß, mit Agatha mitzurätseln und dem Täter Schritt für Schritt auf die Spur zu kommen! Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung!

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 11th in the series - I am amazed at how quickly I have got through this series - but then they are a little addictive. I really enjoyed this installment - where we discover that, as predicted by the marvelous Mrs Bloxby and the also marvelous Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha's marriage to James is a complete disaster. James disappears leaving blood in his house, and then a woman he was apparently involved with is found murdered. A rather vulnerable Agatha - accompanied by the faithful Sir Charles is soon investigating. I did think the plot of this book was less predictable than some of the others - and I only guessed whodunnit - half a page before Agatha - after the reader has had enough clues to do just that. As always good escapism and perfect for a lazy Sunday/bank holiday Monday morning read.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars =Quite Good

Another enjoyable encounter with Agatha Raisin.
Good, harmless fun.

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha finally gets her Man
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (January 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (December 2001)

The Love from Hell finds Agatha Raisin finally married to her village crush James Lacey but they soon begin to annoy each other and James takes up with an incomer named Melissa. Melissa is found murdered and James disappears. Agatha and her regular allies esp. Sir Charles Fraith, have to solve the crime and find out where James has gone.

I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of this cozy series which is somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit. The narration by regular reader Penelope Keith is always excellent in all voices.

Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A posthumous Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021.

Trivia and Link
The Love from Hell was adapted as Episodes 5 & 6 of Series 3 for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). A trailer can be seen on Vimeo here.

[Tressa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pray when I start each book that Sir Charles Fraith will be in it. What a hoot!

[_inbetween_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Grrrr argh. Once upon a time, due to many bad experiences with authors going out of print, I tended to buy series as they came, even if I hadn't been able to catch up with reading them. This explains Cornwell et al, but MCBeaton is a case of her own - worse, in a way. There ae many (esp. contemporary American female authors) who basically just describe their daily routines and add some "crime" elements around it; some are cozies, many aren't. "The Cat Who" series degraded into one of the most boring of them, and I have half a shelf of other perpetrators - but nobody did or does it with the same outrageousness as MCBeaton (aka Marion Chesney aka others). You can read any of her slim volumes in an hour or two, and you can reread them because there IS nothing to remember them buy. So why buy another if they are all absolutely the same, again and again? Because you (meaning me) CAN'T BELIEVE THAT IS POSSIBLE. As in the parallel series of Hamish McBeth, Agatha Raisin constantly pines for the love of her life, but they never get together - only Hamish is a hero, and Agatha gets shat on, not just by the other characters but by Beaton. For years I tried (see also: -i- read Cornwell) to see it as intelligent, sarcastic meta writing - Beaton started out with Regency romance (yes, I'm stupid enough to still wait for one of those, it's in Australia ATM) and now writes anti-romance. Beaton knows the realities women face, esp. less attractive, older women, so she shows their hopes and illusions being burst. BUT she does it over and over again, each chapter, each novel, and it's a see-saw, the constant put-downs and humiliation change nothing. We are meant to see that that is why Agatha deserves all she gets? We are meant to laugh because everyone is a nasty piece of shite? The feminism of this is that the vicar's wife states she shaves and waxes because hair on her skin is itchy, and the state of Agatha's hair and make-up isn't something nasty outsiders comment on but the only good thing about her (ie. if she spends half a day on it)?

Oh but it gets more devious - while Hamish doesn't fuck the blonde of his dreams, Agatha gets to bed her James - only James really is an asshole with no redeeming feature. So Beaton later introduces Sir Charles, who on the surface seems even worse - he's younger than Agatha, more fey, and sometimes openly rude, he also leaves her when bored - but the thing is, he's the only damn person around who seems intelligent, attractive and is actually nice to Agatha. He might say she looks old and he might have other women (they all do) but he actually defends her against others and spends a lot of time with her. That is the worst perfidity, three measly sentences thrown into the 220 pages of limited-vocabulary tripe and there I go, hoping against all wisdom that something or someone will EVOLVE and stop stagnating ... *pant pant* ok, no, that's it, I'll get rid of this series ... but somebody please let me know if she actually brings it to some conclusion before she dies (shouldn't she be dead by now?).

Before I forget: the mysteries - aren't. In each book Agatha drives around and talks to everyone (like the police did) and nothing interesting is ever said (two-syllable words rule). But of course James is the one who actually once points out that that's all they do. Still - DON'T! IT'S NOT FUNNY! IT'S NOT ENJOYABLE!

[Jo Berry ☀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just over 3 stars. This is an odd book. It’s not quite like the Agatha Raisin books so far in the series. It seemed to have a different atmosphere.

In part, I think that was because I was listening to a different narrator. I’ve listened to this series read by three different narrators so far and Penelope Keith is definitely the best. She brings an attitude and an energy to the stories these books really need. This book wasn’t read by Penelope Keith, but I think that was only half of why I enjoyed it less.

The Love from Hell strikes a bleak, downbeat note from the beginning and there’s more than the usual number of unlikely things happening throughout. It was all an odd way to change gears in Agatha’s life. To put is simply, it wasn’t particularly cosy or fun, which is what I read this series for. I’ll be interested to see where things go in the next instalment and hope things pick up again.

[Girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sort of beginning to wonder if I want to continue reading this series. I mean, I enjoy having a light page-turner on my hands, but there is just not much beyond the page-turner-edness. Neither the crime investigating nor the character work are outstanding in any particular way, and the protagonist entangles herself in still the same dillemmas.

[Pauline Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an AudioBook via Bolinda Audio.

Duration 7 hrs, 18 mins

Another worth while story listening to. I wonder by the time the series is finished will Agatha actually quit smoking? The signs are there you know, she's had ciggies in her pocket but hasn't touched them. If this was a modern version I dare say she would have looked into vaping, oh boy! Lol, how my imagination runs away with me sometimes!

Genre - mystery, crime, thriller.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha Raisin can’t believe it. After working hard to win the love of her neighbor, James Lacey, they are finally married. Much to Agatha’s dismay, marriage isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Agatha and James have problems from the start. They even retain separate residences. After a particularly loud public disagreement, James goes missing. Then, his mistress turns up dead.


The police’s attention is immediately pointed in Agatha and James’ direction. Even though James is nowhere to be found, Agatha believes in his innocence and is determined to prove it. Not to mention proving her own innocence. In Agatha’s eyes, the big puzzle is where is James? With the help of her old friend Charles Fraith, Agatha searches for answers.


This is the 11th book in the series. I can’t believe how quickly I listen to them. These move along at a great, fast pace. I’m warming up to Agatha all the time. She’s still rough around the edges, but she has a heart of gold. She just keeps it well hidden. LOL I’m looking forward to listening to Agatha’s next adventure and see where that takes her.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I think I've gone through every motion from grief to anger," says Agatha towards the conclusion of the book and much of those emotions came in her ill-fated marriage. Her husband unaccountably goes missing after being attacked and, with a murder committed just after his injuries, he is suspected of the crime. The police can't find him but, needless to say, Agatha does but only after the usual trials and tribulations. She also unmasks the killer, but once again as usual she gets little credit for her efforts. A great character, good storylines and humorous and enjoyable reading.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So langsam ist die Luft raus.

[Mikela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just love Agatha Raisin, the protagonist in this series. She's pushing middle-age, shortish, stocky, the total opposite of politically correct, independent, a highly successful retired public relations agent, brash, pushy but with terrific hair and legs. Agatha loves a good mystery and just can't help herself, she has to solve the case, to find that murderer. Her main problem is that she's absolutely besotted with her uptight, stuffed shirt next door neighbor, James Lacey, and is ruthless in her pursuit of him.

In this book we find that Agatha's dreams have come true and she and James finally married, but then she asks herself, why is she so unhappy? Marriage isn't supposed to be an early introduction to hell but this one appears to be. When James disappears leaving behind evidence of injury and a struggle as well as a murdered mistress, Agatha, along with her friend Sir Charles, springs into action to clear James' name and find not only the real murderer but also the whereabouts of James himself.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, there were moments when I just couldn't stop chuckling as Agatha found herself in one scrape after the other...and losing her dignity a little more each time as the clues are unearthed.

[Claude · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Agatha climbed out of bed. Her knees were stiff and she stared down at them. Here was another bit of body betraying her. She did some exercises and took a hot shower. By the time she had dressed, the stiffness had gone. But, she wondered, was this the beginning of the end? Good-bye healthy life and hullo rubber knickers and support hose? What would it be like to creak about on a Zimmer frame? She had a sudden craving for life, for excitement. She had an impulse to ask Charles to go upstairs to bed with her that minute. Then she thought, was this how James felt? If I can feel like this over a brief ache in the knees, what did he feel like when he learned he might die?"

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah, in spite of the lame storyline they gave James, at least he was out of the way for a while. These books are so much better without him. Still hoping Agatha gets it together and writes him off completely sometime soon. Charles is starting to grow on me too. Interesting mystery this time...I admit I figured it out shortly before Agatha did, lots of little twists here made it a fun read. I do love this series despite Agatha's refusal to accept that she does not need a man to be happy.

[Lizzytish · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple years back I remember reading an AR book and was not too keen on it. Alas, my library did not have the books I wanted so I thought I would try Agatha again.
Agatha has got to be the most annoying, confused woman around. The writing is so-s0, they mystery was not gripping. Okay, I'll try one more, 3 strikes and AR is out!

Funny thing is, I love Hamish!

[Lea Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bon toujours pareil les enquêtes sont assez plates et creuses mais ! Comme toujours ne continue à lire pour cet ambiance costwolds que j'adore. A chaque fois je me dis que ce n'est pas possible de détester encore plus James Lacey mais enfaite si.... Bref j'ai rarement autant déteste un personnage fictif !! Mais j'ai toujours autant de sympathie pour cette pauvre Agatha qui je l'espère un jour trouvera véritablement chaussure a son pied

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining Agatha Raisin mystery! A fun read:)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Agatha, when will you ever learn?

This is the eleventh book in the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton. The plot centers on Agatha's disastrous marriage to James Lacey and his subsequent disappearance. When a woman he was once connected with is murdered, Agatha has to find a way to clear his name.

I've been steadily reading this series and I like it; Agatha is such a contrary, but entertaining character. The stories are short, entertaining brain candy. However, I am starting to feel like there's a lot of repetition in the stories and I'm not sure if I will still enjoy the series after 22+ books. Will Agatha ever make a wise decision in any matters outside of business?

interesting quotes:

"But there are happy marriages. You know there are."
"Some are lucky; most go in for compromise." (p. 15)

"Being a city mouse down to her bones, Agatha often envied the skill of the country mice." (p. 59)

"Live people can hide, dead people usually get found." (p. 118)

"God, for Agatha, stood for Grand Old-fashioned Disapproval." (p. 209)

new words: panniered, raddled, acidulous

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cranky, funny, smart

I just love the cranky smart and stubborn Agatha Raisin, she makes me laugh. Agatha gets herself in situations and says things that would only happen to a "wanna-be" sleuth character. She is perpetually single and unlucky in love, one just has to relate as we all know an Agatha!

In Love from Hell, Agatha's dreams have come true, she is finally married to the handsome James Lacey! Alas, happiness doesn't last long. James has been seen in town with a younger, prettier tart. Agatha goes bonkers and has a loud brawl with James at the local pub. And, in a small town, Agatha and her marriage soon become the talk of the town.

Soon James is missing under suspicious circumstances and his tarty girlfriend turns up dead. Agatha grabs her friend Charles and soon investigates the murder while trying to find out the fate of James. And despite their tumultuous and obtuse friendship, Charles is starting to have some redeeming qualities...hmmm

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha has finally married James, the Guy she has been obsessing on forever.... he wants a traditional wife that cooks, cleans, and stays home, however they are living in separate houses??? As you may have guessed, this marriage goes south quickly... and then James disappears, and the lady he was involved with before he married Agatha is shocker ...... killed... turns out she was a bit psychotic, and now Agatha with the help of Charles and a little help from Roy is trying to figure out where James has gone, and who has killed Melissa.....
Not sure where this series ultimately goes, however I think Charles and Agatha should ultimately end up together....

[Vanessa Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Agatha Raisin! Truly I think it deserves more like a 3.75 so I’ll round up. The bit about James and the monastery was a little out they’re for me but I really love Agatha as a character- stubborn, cranky, and a total jealous scene-maker. She’s flawed and human and pretty fun to spend time with as a character.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hope Agatha stays strong and forgets about James for good. He's a complete ass and I am only surprised that someone didn't bash him on the head sooner. Also, Sir Charles is growing on me. At least he is nice to Agatha and defends her from all the people that feel the need to put her down all the time.

[Aimee Nicole Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love from hell, indeed. Yikes! I want better for Agatha. Excellent mystery, as usual, and I love her friendship with Charles.

[AndrewP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 11 and things take a slightly different course to the previous books in that one of the central characters is involved in the initial crime. Overall I found the tone of this one not so light hearted as the others and the ending a bit of a shock. It remains to be seen if this is the end of one over reaching story arc, or if Beaton will resurrect things in later in the series. Only one way to find out....