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Agatha Raisin #19
A Spoonful of Poison
Cranky but lovable sleuth Agatha Raisin’s detective agency has become so successful that she wants nothing more than to take quality time for rest and relaxation. But as soon as she begins closing the agency on weekends, she remembers that when she has plenty of quality time, she doesn’t know what to do with it. So it doesn’t take much for the vicar of a nearby village to persuade her to help publicize the church fete---especially when the fair’s organizer, George Selby, turns out to be a gorgeous widower.
Agatha brings out the crowds for the fete, all right, but there’s more going on than innocent village fun. Several of the offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be poisoned, and the festive family event becomes the scene of two murders.
Along with her young and (much to her dismay) pretty sidekick, Toni, Agatha must uncover the truth behind the jam tampering, keep the church funds safe from theft, and expose the nasty secrets lurking in the village---all while falling for handsome George, who may have secrets of his own.
Agatha brings out the crowds for the fete, all right, but there’s more going on than innocent village fun. Several of the offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be poisoned, and the festive family event becomes the scene of two murders.
Along with her young and (much to her dismay) pretty sidekick, Toni, Agatha must uncover the truth behind the jam tampering, keep the church funds safe from theft, and expose the nasty secrets lurking in the village---all while falling for handsome George, who may have secrets of his own.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2008
456 people are currently reading
2619 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,013 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 621 reviews
May 20, 2025
I miss all the good parties.
Agatha does PR for a church fete in order to cozy up to a hot widower. But before the judges can pick a winner someone spikes the jams on display with some kind of hallucinogen, and a local decides to do their own rendition of I Believe I Can Fly right off the top of the roof.
Was it a prank gone wrong, or something more nefarious?
Well, I'm not going to tell you.
There were a lot of twists, though. Too many? Maybe.
If you've stuck around for the other 18 books, I probably don't need to explain to you why I keep coming back. Agatha can be terribly annoying, and I want to slap her as much as I want to hug her.
It is what it is.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Raisin.
Agatha does PR for a church fete in order to cozy up to a hot widower. But before the judges can pick a winner someone spikes the jams on display with some kind of hallucinogen, and a local decides to do their own rendition of I Believe I Can Fly right off the top of the roof.
Was it a prank gone wrong, or something more nefarious?
Well, I'm not going to tell you.
There were a lot of twists, though. Too many? Maybe.
If you've stuck around for the other 18 books, I probably don't need to explain to you why I keep coming back. Agatha can be terribly annoying, and I want to slap her as much as I want to hug her.
It is what it is.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Raisin.
June 7, 2017
The more I read about Agatha Raisin, the more I like her! She is bossy, rude, lies, falls in 'lust' easily, yet she is funny and she gets the job done. She does not give up and will yell 'snakes and bastards!' and tell you to 'sod off' if you say something to her. I enjoy this series.
March 24, 2012
A Spoonful of Poison is a recent entry in the Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series of M.C. Beaton. If you enjoy Agatha as much as I do, you will not be disappointed. If you have not read the series (and you like humorous, British cozies featuring middle-aged women, again, as I do), I urge you to do so.
However, I would suggest beginning with the first in the series(or at least somewhere near the beginning) since Agatha's life as greatly evolved (in some ways) since she first retired from her successful public relations firm to an English village where she struggles to adjust and finds herself become a (somewhat) nicer person as well as a detective of murder crimes.
Agatha does not totally change, thank goodness. She remains acerbic, sarcastic, slightly vain, and moved easily to infatuations with attractive members of the opposite sex, regardless of their suitability-of lack thereof. She is also randomly kind and self aware, a lovely combination.j
I'm grateful for this series: it makes me feel good!
However, I would suggest beginning with the first in the series(or at least somewhere near the beginning) since Agatha's life as greatly evolved (in some ways) since she first retired from her successful public relations firm to an English village where she struggles to adjust and finds herself become a (somewhat) nicer person as well as a detective of murder crimes.
Agatha does not totally change, thank goodness. She remains acerbic, sarcastic, slightly vain, and moved easily to infatuations with attractive members of the opposite sex, regardless of their suitability-of lack thereof. She is also randomly kind and self aware, a lovely combination.j
I'm grateful for this series: it makes me feel good!
March 25, 2019
Another wonderful trip with Agatha.
After realising that closing the agency at weekends means she has far too much free time, Agatha is persuaded to try and publicise the local church fete in the name of village relations. And when the organiser is a handsome and charming widower named George Selby, how could Agatha refuse?
All is initially fine, until the discovery that the homemade jam has been poisoned leads to the deaths of two locals. Agatha must uncover the culprit, whilst trying not to fall head over heels for George, who might not be as innocent as he has made out.
I love Agatha, and coming to one of her novels is like a warm hug in a mug that never fails.
After realising that closing the agency at weekends means she has far too much free time, Agatha is persuaded to try and publicise the local church fete in the name of village relations. And when the organiser is a handsome and charming widower named George Selby, how could Agatha refuse?
All is initially fine, until the discovery that the homemade jam has been poisoned leads to the deaths of two locals. Agatha must uncover the culprit, whilst trying not to fall head over heels for George, who might not be as innocent as he has made out.
I love Agatha, and coming to one of her novels is like a warm hug in a mug that never fails.
May 14, 2009
I really don't know why I read the Agatha Raisin novels. I love Hamish Macbeth so of course I decided to try Beaton's other mystery series, but found that I really dislike Agatha a lot. Because I am a compulsive reader I just had to read all the Agatha Raisin novels in the series that I could get from my library, even though a lot of them annoyed me. This one was just too much. These novels are just so repetitive, in every single one the same character flaws are stressed, the same sentiments expressed (I think I counted three times in this one particular book where Agatha says that she hates how Charles uses her home as a hotel - yet she never once did anything about it - just like the dozens of other times you read the same scenario in the other books). Agatha never ever grows up, not even a teeny bit, and it is getting really old. Yes, she is immature and incredibly insecure and horribly pushy and not very nice and overall annoying - I'd like something to change somewhere! Now, I know Hamish Macbeth has his flaws, and yes, Beaton beats the same old issues with him as well, but he does move on and grow through the series. He still hasn't gotten past Priscilla (something he should have let go by now and I am starting to get fed up with as well), but his women issues are not self-inflicted, they are largely the result of huge misunderstandings, Hamish always has good intentions but things just go wrong and he never really attempts to explain anything to anyone (also a bit annoying). Okay, so the Macbeth series can be just as annoying (if she were real I'd shoot Jessie Currie), but its much easier to forgive the repetitiveness and stagnancy because Hamish is likeable and good and I've got a bit of a crush on him. Agatha, well, she deserves to be miserable and alone.
February 10, 2016
Agatha Raisin always frustrates me with her silly, emotional decisions (especially about men), but I keep coming back to her. She's fun. :)
October 21, 2019
Well Agatha is back, with another mystery to solve. This time in the village of Comfrey Magna.
Agatha has been asked to help with the PR for the local fete, so that the village can make as much money as possible in order to fix the church roof. All goes well, and the fete is turning out to be a huge success with Agatha's contacts bringing in the youth from far and wide. However, this is an Agatha Raisin mystery, and so someone must die.
A couple of elderly parishioners are adversely affected by something that has been put into the jam, and subsequently end up dead. Agatha must find out who killed them and why.
Along the way she meets a host of characters, some nice, some nasty, and also a few more bodies turn up. Of course.
Can she find out who tampered with the jam? Can she keep her hands off the handsome villager called George? Is she safe, with all her meddling rubbing people up the wrong way?
I enjoyed reading this one, although it wasn't the best I've read in the series. It dragged on a little and took an age to get to the point. I felt there were loads of extra added bits that were just uneccesary for the story. There is a random bit in there about a shoe factory that takes up about 2 pages..? With no relevance to the story at all, that I could see. These random bits are what drove down the stars to a generous 2.5 for me.
It is always a cosy read, when you pick up an Agatha Raisin. If you want a quaint little murder mystery to tide you over for a couple of days on these cooler nights, then this could be for you.
I would recommend, but not my fav of MC Beaton's by far.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
Agatha has been asked to help with the PR for the local fete, so that the village can make as much money as possible in order to fix the church roof. All goes well, and the fete is turning out to be a huge success with Agatha's contacts bringing in the youth from far and wide. However, this is an Agatha Raisin mystery, and so someone must die.
A couple of elderly parishioners are adversely affected by something that has been put into the jam, and subsequently end up dead. Agatha must find out who killed them and why.
Along the way she meets a host of characters, some nice, some nasty, and also a few more bodies turn up. Of course.
Can she find out who tampered with the jam? Can she keep her hands off the handsome villager called George? Is she safe, with all her meddling rubbing people up the wrong way?
I enjoyed reading this one, although it wasn't the best I've read in the series. It dragged on a little and took an age to get to the point. I felt there were loads of extra added bits that were just uneccesary for the story. There is a random bit in there about a shoe factory that takes up about 2 pages..? With no relevance to the story at all, that I could see. These random bits are what drove down the stars to a generous 2.5 for me.
It is always a cosy read, when you pick up an Agatha Raisin. If you want a quaint little murder mystery to tide you over for a couple of days on these cooler nights, then this could be for you.
I would recommend, but not my fav of MC Beaton's by far.
www.thebeautifulbookbreak.com
June 22, 2019
Come al solito divertente questo giallo con protagonista indiscussa Agatha Raisin, che ficca il naso dappertutto (e adesso è anche autorizzata a farlo, essendo diventata un'investigatrice privata con tanto d'agenzia) e scatena ogni sorta di antipatie. Questa volta è alle prese con un'indagine nel vicino villaggio di Comfrey Magna, dove viene ingaggiata dal pastore per le sue capacità di PR per organizzare un evento di beneficenza. In principio Agatha è decisa a rifiutare, ma poi, i begli occhi verdi di George Selby, un avvenente architetto che monterà i tendoni per la fiera, la spingono ad accettare. E durante l'evento, diverse persone mangiano una marmellata drogata all'LSD e due si suicidano a causa delle violente allucinazioni...
Ma Agatha non indagherà solo su queste morti: porterà alla luce anche altri omicidi.
Ma Agatha non indagherà solo su queste morti: porterà alla luce anche altri omicidi.
July 23, 2025
(4.5⭐️) Fini aux aurores ce matin mais je me suis endormie avant de pouvoir vous faire la review…
C’est vraiment comme toujours ma lecture qui me fait du bien et qui me permet de mettre de côté ce qui pourrait me tracasser.
L’enquête était vraiment bien ficelée, jusqu’au bout j’ai eu des doutes donc c’est super. J’ai trouvé que malheureusement Charles n’était pas beaucoup présent dans cette enquête, cependant Roy est apparu à plusieurs reprises (d’habitude je n’aime pas trop mais là c’était bien).
Enfin bref, un cosy mystery comme on aime et qui fait du bien hihihi
C’est vraiment comme toujours ma lecture qui me fait du bien et qui me permet de mettre de côté ce qui pourrait me tracasser.
L’enquête était vraiment bien ficelée, jusqu’au bout j’ai eu des doutes donc c’est super. J’ai trouvé que malheureusement Charles n’était pas beaucoup présent dans cette enquête, cependant Roy est apparu à plusieurs reprises (d’habitude je n’aime pas trop mais là c’était bien).
Enfin bref, un cosy mystery comme on aime et qui fait du bien hihihi
January 31, 2022
So cranky, so lovable, so romantic beneath that formidable exterior, and always shooting herself in the foot with her inferior complex. Agatha is surrounded by the best people though, and I don’t think she realizes how much she’s loved. She’s so obsessed with James. First it was winning him, then marrying him, then getting over him after their divorce, then it was about making him jealous or regret his choices. I hope by the end of this series, she’ll actually be able to see how much her friends love her.
August 18, 2017
When I picked up the first book in the series a year ago I never thought I'd love it so much I'd be on book 19 by now....
I've just read three of the books in the series in a row, so I must admit they slightly blend together.... The author even enjoys using the same names, in all three of the books there were different Jimmy's, different Georges, and in two of the the books there Were Phyllises; I'd venture to guess there is a Jimmy in every single book, not to mention that Agatha's ex-husband was named Jimmy, and her on again off again love interest is named James(She was actually married to him at some point).... this book had Agatha on the case, a little different this time somebody put LSD in the jam.... Tony is still around, still such a great addition to the series, and Agatha does seem to get a little jealous because Tony is younger and of course more photogenic..... and now James is getting remarried, of course to a much younger woman, Agatha is just going through a crisis now.... always fun to spend time with all of these characters....
*** there is also a Trixie in this book and the following book, just adding to the name list :-)
I've just read three of the books in the series in a row, so I must admit they slightly blend together.... The author even enjoys using the same names, in all three of the books there were different Jimmy's, different Georges, and in two of the the books there Were Phyllises; I'd venture to guess there is a Jimmy in every single book, not to mention that Agatha's ex-husband was named Jimmy, and her on again off again love interest is named James(She was actually married to him at some point).... this book had Agatha on the case, a little different this time somebody put LSD in the jam.... Tony is still around, still such a great addition to the series, and Agatha does seem to get a little jealous because Tony is younger and of course more photogenic..... and now James is getting remarried, of course to a much younger woman, Agatha is just going through a crisis now.... always fun to spend time with all of these characters....
*** there is also a Trixie in this book and the following book, just adding to the name list :-)
April 2, 2015
Ever the loving Agatha is off again. Solving mysteries and wondering is she ever going to find someone to love or lust. I totally love these series of books. It's easy reading, funny and totally keeps you going till the very end.
I say this after every book. I can't wait to read the next one.
I say this after every book. I can't wait to read the next one.
March 29, 2017
Agatha Raisin is asked to publicise a village fete by her friend Mrs Bloxby. Before long she has taken on the task with her usual enthusiasm and the village of Comfrey Magna is inundated with reporters when a well known star is persuaded to open proceedings. Everything is going well until someone jumps to their death from the church tower.
Agatha feels responsible and sets out to investigate ably assisted by staff from her detective agency. But it isn't just the strange effect which the jam has on some of the visitors to the fete which needs investigating and the villagers seem to have more secrets than any collection of people is entitled to have.
As ever this is a fast paced and intriguing mystery with a far from perfect heroine who is all the more endearing for her very human faults. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in less than 24 hours. If you want an intriguing mystery without an overload of violence this could be one to try. The dialogue is amusing and Agatha's ever present yearning for a handsome man to sweep her off her feet complicates her detective activities. This is the nineteenth book in the series.
Agatha feels responsible and sets out to investigate ably assisted by staff from her detective agency. But it isn't just the strange effect which the jam has on some of the visitors to the fete which needs investigating and the villagers seem to have more secrets than any collection of people is entitled to have.
As ever this is a fast paced and intriguing mystery with a far from perfect heroine who is all the more endearing for her very human faults. I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in less than 24 hours. If you want an intriguing mystery without an overload of violence this could be one to try. The dialogue is amusing and Agatha's ever present yearning for a handsome man to sweep her off her feet complicates her detective activities. This is the nineteenth book in the series.
May 18, 2022
I read the first four chapters then skipped to the end, but I really think this series is stuck in a rut. The same ideas are regurgitated and there’s no passion in the writing. The crimes are weak and are only solved by a hunch from Agatha near the end. You can’t make any real attempt to solve them yourself, although I don’t really care enough to try now.
Not that we’re really here for the murders, it’s Agatha Raisin and her friends we’re interested in. Unfortunately, their stories are going round in circles, or even going downhill - once likeable characters are starting to irritate me. Agatha’s obsession with finding a husband, Charles being a parsimonious, flakey friend, Bill Wong’s awful parents *sighs* it’s always the same. And we rarely hear about the inhabitants of Carsely anymore, apart from Mrs Bloxby.
It was fun when it started, and ‘Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance’ was one recent highlight that kept me going a bit longer, but I’m done with this series now.
Not that we’re really here for the murders, it’s Agatha Raisin and her friends we’re interested in. Unfortunately, their stories are going round in circles, or even going downhill - once likeable characters are starting to irritate me. Agatha’s obsession with finding a husband, Charles being a parsimonious, flakey friend, Bill Wong’s awful parents *sighs* it’s always the same. And we rarely hear about the inhabitants of Carsely anymore, apart from Mrs Bloxby.
It was fun when it started, and ‘Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance’ was one recent highlight that kept me going a bit longer, but I’m done with this series now.
November 14, 2021
A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton was really good. I was surprised at the detail and the character building. It isn't a cozy and for that i am grateful!
I'm glad I read this one.
I'm glad I read this one.
March 13, 2023
Das "alte" Biest Agatha ist immer wieder amüsant.
May 2, 2016
I don't think Agatha will every truly grow up...but reading about her wouldn't be half as fun if she did.
It's difficult to review each book when you're binge-reading as I am. Though every story has its distinct features, there are inevitable similarities that might make reviews repetitive.
But that said, it suddenly strikes me that - unlike some other cozy mysteries - Agatha Raisin is never boring. The series avoids being twee. The long-standing characters develop over time. The new characters fit in well with the old and have their own distinct personalities. The mysteries are varied and always puzzling.
The constants are Mrs. Bloxby's patient bravery, mischievous Charles' forgotten wallet, Roy's fickle fashions, and Bill's steady presence (and horrible parents). And, of course, Agatha's fervent hope for love and affection. Though she drives me mad at times, I can't help but feel a kinship with Mrs. Raisin - one that keeps me on her side no matter what foolish obsession she entertains.
It's difficult to review each book when you're binge-reading as I am. Though every story has its distinct features, there are inevitable similarities that might make reviews repetitive.
But that said, it suddenly strikes me that - unlike some other cozy mysteries - Agatha Raisin is never boring. The series avoids being twee. The long-standing characters develop over time. The new characters fit in well with the old and have their own distinct personalities. The mysteries are varied and always puzzling.
The constants are Mrs. Bloxby's patient bravery, mischievous Charles' forgotten wallet, Roy's fickle fashions, and Bill's steady presence (and horrible parents). And, of course, Agatha's fervent hope for love and affection. Though she drives me mad at times, I can't help but feel a kinship with Mrs. Raisin - one that keeps me on her side no matter what foolish obsession she entertains.
January 6, 2020
Je m'étais dit que me plonger dans ce dix-neuvième tome des aventures d'Agatha Raisin, c'était une bonne façon de commencer l'année mais voilà qu'au milieu de ma lecture, j'ai appris le décès de M. C. Beaton. C'est donc avec beaucoup de mélancolie que j'ai finalement achevé cette histoire."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Pour les beaux yeux d'un habitant du village voisin, Agatha s'engage à faire de la publicité pour une kermesse locale mais alors que tout avait bien commencé, la fête dégénère quand une vieille paroissienne se jette du haut du clocher, persuadée de pouvoir voler..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Très très peu de James, beaucoup d'Agatha, un peu de Roy, de Charles et de Mrs Bloxby, voilà plutôt un bon combo en général. J'ai même bien aimé l'enquête même si elle finit par franchement partir dans tous les sens, à tel point qu'à la fin, on n'est plus tout à fait certain de savoir qui a fait quoi. Mais peu importe, puisque l'on s'amuse toujours autant. Après, ça commence quand même à faire beaucoup de meurtres pour de si petits villages, mais qu'importe. Agatha est plus attachante que jamais, plus raisonnable aussi mais pas d'inquiétude, pas trop non plus. Je ne m'en lasse vraiment pas et c'est donc avec d'autant plus de tristesse que je referme ce tome, sachant maintenant qu'ils me sont comptés..."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Cela fait quand même plusieurs tomes que je me demande pourquoi l'auteur en veut tellement à cette pauvre Agatha. Une nouvelle fois, et alors qu'elle a pourtant pas mal évolué, les humiliations ne lui sont pas épargnées. Et alors que M. C. Beaton vient de disparaître, je l'avoue, je ne peux m'empêcher de me demander si elle aura eu le temps d'accorder enfin à notre héroïne la happy end qu'elle aurait bien mérité."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Pour les beaux yeux d'un habitant du village voisin, Agatha s'engage à faire de la publicité pour une kermesse locale mais alors que tout avait bien commencé, la fête dégénère quand une vieille paroissienne se jette du haut du clocher, persuadée de pouvoir voler..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Très très peu de James, beaucoup d'Agatha, un peu de Roy, de Charles et de Mrs Bloxby, voilà plutôt un bon combo en général. J'ai même bien aimé l'enquête même si elle finit par franchement partir dans tous les sens, à tel point qu'à la fin, on n'est plus tout à fait certain de savoir qui a fait quoi. Mais peu importe, puisque l'on s'amuse toujours autant. Après, ça commence quand même à faire beaucoup de meurtres pour de si petits villages, mais qu'importe. Agatha est plus attachante que jamais, plus raisonnable aussi mais pas d'inquiétude, pas trop non plus. Je ne m'en lasse vraiment pas et c'est donc avec d'autant plus de tristesse que je referme ce tome, sachant maintenant qu'ils me sont comptés..."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Cela fait quand même plusieurs tomes que je me demande pourquoi l'auteur en veut tellement à cette pauvre Agatha. Une nouvelle fois, et alors qu'elle a pourtant pas mal évolué, les humiliations ne lui sont pas épargnées. Et alors que M. C. Beaton vient de disparaître, je l'avoue, je ne peux m'empêcher de me demander si elle aura eu le temps d'accorder enfin à notre héroïne la happy end qu'elle aurait bien mérité."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
December 26, 2019
La ravissante Toni Gilmour est toujours sur le devant de la scène - Agatha pourrait en prendre ombrage mais comment lutter contre la jeunesse, la fraîcheur, la compétence aussi ? Car Toni est extrêmement douée dans son rôle de détective ! Ce que Agatha ne lui reproche guère... en fait, notre sémillante quinquagénaire se désespère de retrouver un amoureux. *encore*
Dans cet épisode, Agatha va tomber sous le charme d'un certain George, venir à la rescousse de Mrs Bloxby et débusquer l'individu qui aurait glissé du LSD dans la marmelade de la kermesse (panique à bord, les petites dames du village ont plané des journées complètes !). Ah oui, James Lacey aussi fait son comeback.
Je n'en reviens pas d'être déjà au TOME 19 !!! Certes on tourne en rond dans cette série même si le peps ne manque pas : Agatha Raisin est une héroïne pétulante et allergique à la monotonie, donc toujours prompte à s'embarquer dans de folles aventures. Ses histoires criminelles sont cocasses sans être ébouriffantes non plus. Par contre il serait temps de lui trouver un nouvel ancrage pour adoucir ses petits coups de blues. Les hommes défilent mais nul ne parvient à convaincre l'assistance ... mise à part Charles Fraith ! HAHAHA.
Dans cet épisode, Agatha va tomber sous le charme d'un certain George, venir à la rescousse de Mrs Bloxby et débusquer l'individu qui aurait glissé du LSD dans la marmelade de la kermesse (panique à bord, les petites dames du village ont plané des journées complètes !). Ah oui, James Lacey aussi fait son comeback.
Je n'en reviens pas d'être déjà au TOME 19 !!! Certes on tourne en rond dans cette série même si le peps ne manque pas : Agatha Raisin est une héroïne pétulante et allergique à la monotonie, donc toujours prompte à s'embarquer dans de folles aventures. Ses histoires criminelles sont cocasses sans être ébouriffantes non plus. Par contre il serait temps de lui trouver un nouvel ancrage pour adoucir ses petits coups de blues. Les hommes défilent mais nul ne parvient à convaincre l'assistance ... mise à part Charles Fraith ! HAHAHA.
April 11, 2023
A Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton is the 19th book in the Agatha Raisin Mystery series. Agatha Raisin is asked to promote a nearby church fete, but when during the fete deaths occur after sampling spiked jam, Agatha and her team are hired to investigate. I enjoy this series but I wish Agatha would not keep falling for attractive men, where in other ways she seems more sensible. She had a glimpse of enjoying herself on an outing with Bill Wong and hopefully she will realise that friends are more important than relationships. The mystery was interesting and catching up with Agatha and her friends is always a lot of fun.
March 7, 2018
unammerda, una stella.
January 29, 2019
Another cosy mystery book with Agatha Raisin and co. I really enjoyed this latest book in the series for me. As usual plenty going on. Looking forward to the next book, as it should be interesting after developments in this book.
May 11, 2023
Agatha has such an obsessive nature. PI business is perfect for her stalkerish behaviors. She just cannot share the limelight and pushes away anyone who has talent other than her
November 10, 2023
I liked the twist, turns and unexpected developments and also the odd coincidences in this one. But I disliked the illogical parts and the complicated resolution…
June 29, 2018
As always Agatha does not disappoint. The mystery is entertaining, with some unusual twists along the way.
Developments with her ex-husband and Toni are quite unexpected.
Developments with her ex-husband and Toni are quite unexpected.
April 26, 2021
Oh how I love Agatha Raisin! Another great book.
August 7, 2024
Audiobook
September 22, 2021
Agatha and the Doped Preserves
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (November 2015) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2008)
A Spoonful of Poison has Agatha chasing down a poisoner after the preserves at a village fête are doped with LSD, causing a death. The detective agency is on the case and Agatha begins to be jealous of her protégé Toni Gilmour to the point of suggesting that the latter form her own separate detective agency. Agatha continues to moan about her arthritic hip and the banning of smoking in restaurants (one wonders if these personal asides were based on M.C. Beaton's real life experiences). The case also brings a new attractive man George Selby, into Agatha's sights.
I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but it is her human faults that make us accept her. Young detective Toni Gilmour continues here in this book #19 (in the TV series she was brought in at the beginning of Season 3, but as the niece of the housekeeper Simpson). 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 of this book #19 and the previous #18 is not by series regular Penelope Keith but by Wanda MacCaddon. MacCaddon is fine in the role but gives a much more restrained performance than Keith does in the other voices e.g. the exaggerated vocal mannerisms of Roy and Sir Charles.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
A Spoonful of Poison has been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is currently scheduled to be broadcast as Episode 3 in the upcoming Series 4 later in 2021/early in 2022. There is no trailer yet available.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (November 2015) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2008)
A Spoonful of Poison has Agatha chasing down a poisoner after the preserves at a village fête are doped with LSD, causing a death. The detective agency is on the case and Agatha begins to be jealous of her protégé Toni Gilmour to the point of suggesting that the latter form her own separate detective agency. Agatha continues to moan about her arthritic hip and the banning of smoking in restaurants (one wonders if these personal asides were based on M.C. Beaton's real life experiences). The case also brings a new attractive man George Selby, into Agatha's sights.
I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but it is her human faults that make us accept her. Young detective Toni Gilmour continues here in this book #19 (in the TV series she was brought in at the beginning of Season 3, but as the niece of the housekeeper Simpson). 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 of this book #19 and the previous #18 is not by series regular Penelope Keith but by Wanda MacCaddon. MacCaddon is fine in the role but gives a much more restrained performance than Keith does in the other voices e.g. the exaggerated vocal mannerisms of Roy and Sir Charles.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
A Spoonful of Poison has been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is currently scheduled to be broadcast as Episode 3 in the upcoming Series 4 later in 2021/early in 2022. There is no trailer yet available.
November 26, 2011
You know where you are with Agatha Raisin, they're not taxing books, not complicated and they each run pretty much along similar lines. In this one we the good old village fete and a bizarre poisoning. I was glad this didn't go over the top again like we had a couple of books ago, the story is more reminiscent of earlier A R novels except fotr the detective agency and the new characters. I did think this one did seem a bit padded out. As if M C Beaton had to write a certain length book and the plot didn't quite fill it. This is an easy cosy read, enjoyable enough, Agatha is her usual self, as is Sir Charles, Mrs Bloxby and Roy - always glad to see these old favourites, I'm just not so convinced by the newer characters like Toni and Harry. I was amused to see Agatha raging over the smoking ban - which brings things up to date a bit - amazing therefore that Agatha never gets any older, something the actual A R would be delighted by. I have the next 2 in the series tbr - and will read them, but maybe my love of A R is waning.
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