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Agatha Raisin #27
Pushing up Daisies
When Agatha Raisin left behind her PR business in London, she fulfilled her dream of settling in the cozy British Cotswolds where she began a successful private detective agency. Unfortunately, the village she lives in is about to get a little less cozy. Lord Bellington, a wealthy land developer, wants to turn the community garden into a housing estate. When Agatha and her friend Sir Charles Fraith attempt to convince Lord Bellington to abandon his plans he scoffs: “Do you think I give a damn about those pesky villagers?” So when Agatha finds his obituary in the newspaper two weeks later, it’s no surprise that some in town are feeling celebratory.
The villagers are relieved to learn that Bellington’s son and heir, Damian, has no interest in continuing his father’s development plans. But the police are definitely interested in him―as suspect number one. His father’s death, it seems, was no accident. But when Damian hires Agatha to find the real killer, she finds no shortage of suspects. The good news is that a handsome retired detective named Gerald has recently moved to town. Too bad he was seen kissing another newcomer. But when she is also found murdered, Gerald is eager to help Agatha with the case. Agatha, Gerald, and her team of detectives must untangle a web of contempt in order to uncover a killer’s identity.
Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
The villagers are relieved to learn that Bellington’s son and heir, Damian, has no interest in continuing his father’s development plans. But the police are definitely interested in him―as suspect number one. His father’s death, it seems, was no accident. But when Damian hires Agatha to find the real killer, she finds no shortage of suspects. The good news is that a handsome retired detective named Gerald has recently moved to town. Too bad he was seen kissing another newcomer. But when she is also found murdered, Gerald is eager to help Agatha with the case. Agatha, Gerald, and her team of detectives must untangle a web of contempt in order to uncover a killer’s identity.
Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
7 pages, Audiobook
First published September 20, 2016
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About the author
M.C. Beaton
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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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June 26, 2017
Lying somewhere in the range between cozy mystery and crime suspense, the Agatha Raisin series is great, undemanding entertainment reading.
Twenty-seven books ago, Agatha Raisin left her PR job in London to take early retirement in a small village in the Cotswolds. She is irascible, very rarely graceful unless she puts on her heels (forcing a certain amount of necessary grace short of falling on her fanny), with an acerbic sense of humor, and the tendency to get mad crushes on any single male who finds himself within a 50 mile radius. Opinionated and incorrigibly politically incorrect, she also has a razor-sharp mind and a totally uncensored intuition.
Out of boredom, Agatha Raisin decided to set aside her retirement and open her own Private Investigation service. What started as just her poking around until something flew out gradually grew into a full agency with 4 assistant investigators, all of them added gradually over this series, complete with fascinating back stories. And yes, I have read the entire series so far – starting with an amazing deal for the boxed e-Set of the first 25 books – and continuing through to this most recent one.
A retired detective named Gerald Devere has moved to the village and Agatha is set to pounce – especially when she notices that Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar’s wife, has taken to wearing fancier outfits and a new hairstyle. (Did I mention Agatha is highly competitive?) She rationalizes her predator’s instincts under the guise of saving Mrs. Bloxby from herself. Both women are crushed when it appears obvious that Gerald has a ‘thing’ for another new resident – Peta Currie.
Meanwhile, the residents are upset because their allotments (areas villagers can rent within a large community garden to plant vegetables) is about to be turned into a housing development by the owner of the land, Lord Bellington. One of Agatha’s oldest friends, Sir Charles Fraith, goes with her to try and persuade Lord Bellington against this plan and shortly thereafter, Lord Bellington is dead. When told of the symptoms, Agatha intones that he has been poisoned, and since it turns out to be exactly how she called it, she gets herself in trouble – again – with the local constable, who is always irked that Agatha beats him to the punch. (Did I mention that Agatha is super ambitious and loves having her agency get to the finish line before the police?) As has happened before, Agatha is thoroughly questioned . . . but she is not the only one. Damien, Lord Bellington’s son is a prime suspect, and there is a long line-up of other possibilities.
Damien hires Agatha and her agency to figure out who did this so he can clear his name. And that is where things get really interesting as bodies continue to pile up . . .
I’m not sure what it is about Agatha Raisin, but despite cringe-worthy behavior, a lack of social graces, and a personality that cannot decide if it’s insecure or confident, bumbling or competent – Agatha Raisin just grew on me. She is funny, thinks things that boggle my brain, says things that would scald my mouth, and is outrageous in so many ways. Yet, I really enjoy reading about her exploits and love the fact that in the end, she always figures out “who dunnit.”
Twenty-seven books ago, Agatha Raisin left her PR job in London to take early retirement in a small village in the Cotswolds. She is irascible, very rarely graceful unless she puts on her heels (forcing a certain amount of necessary grace short of falling on her fanny), with an acerbic sense of humor, and the tendency to get mad crushes on any single male who finds himself within a 50 mile radius. Opinionated and incorrigibly politically incorrect, she also has a razor-sharp mind and a totally uncensored intuition.
Out of boredom, Agatha Raisin decided to set aside her retirement and open her own Private Investigation service. What started as just her poking around until something flew out gradually grew into a full agency with 4 assistant investigators, all of them added gradually over this series, complete with fascinating back stories. And yes, I have read the entire series so far – starting with an amazing deal for the boxed e-Set of the first 25 books – and continuing through to this most recent one.
A retired detective named Gerald Devere has moved to the village and Agatha is set to pounce – especially when she notices that Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar’s wife, has taken to wearing fancier outfits and a new hairstyle. (Did I mention Agatha is highly competitive?) She rationalizes her predator’s instincts under the guise of saving Mrs. Bloxby from herself. Both women are crushed when it appears obvious that Gerald has a ‘thing’ for another new resident – Peta Currie.
Meanwhile, the residents are upset because their allotments (areas villagers can rent within a large community garden to plant vegetables) is about to be turned into a housing development by the owner of the land, Lord Bellington. One of Agatha’s oldest friends, Sir Charles Fraith, goes with her to try and persuade Lord Bellington against this plan and shortly thereafter, Lord Bellington is dead. When told of the symptoms, Agatha intones that he has been poisoned, and since it turns out to be exactly how she called it, she gets herself in trouble – again – with the local constable, who is always irked that Agatha beats him to the punch. (Did I mention that Agatha is super ambitious and loves having her agency get to the finish line before the police?) As has happened before, Agatha is thoroughly questioned . . . but she is not the only one. Damien, Lord Bellington’s son is a prime suspect, and there is a long line-up of other possibilities.
Damien hires Agatha and her agency to figure out who did this so he can clear his name. And that is where things get really interesting as bodies continue to pile up . . .
I’m not sure what it is about Agatha Raisin, but despite cringe-worthy behavior, a lack of social graces, and a personality that cannot decide if it’s insecure or confident, bumbling or competent – Agatha Raisin just grew on me. She is funny, thinks things that boggle my brain, says things that would scald my mouth, and is outrageous in so many ways. Yet, I really enjoy reading about her exploits and love the fact that in the end, she always figures out “who dunnit.”
January 12, 2018
*3.5 to 4 stars.
I recently picked up The Witches' Tree, the 28th in the Agatha Raisin mystery series, from the new book shelf at the library and realized I had somehow missed reading number 27. Gasp! Thankfully my library had a copy of Pushing Up Daisies on the shelf. I wouldn't want to read them out of order, after all!
Agatha Raisin is such a hoot! At fifty-three, she is single, lives in the Cotswolds and runs her own detective agency. In this outing, Agatha is hired to figure out who killed Lord Bellington--his son and heir wishes to clear his name.
Most small agencies like hers survive on missing pet and divorce cases, but Agatha has had some success solving murder cases in the past, mostly through her intuition and stumbling upon clues. But as her ex-husband says: "The trouble with you, Agatha, is that you solve your cases by ending up a sort of tethered goat. The murderer realizes you are on to him, and he decides to bump you off."
While working the case, Agatha has her usual romantic problems, as do her staff and friends. Will she ever find true love? Or is she much too independent and feisty for that?
These books are delightfully funny and can be gobbled down in one sitting, like a bag of chips! They sort of remind me of the Nancy Drew mystery books that I loved as a child, but a more adult version, with a little sex, its problems and consequences thrown in.
Now on to book 28!!
I recently picked up The Witches' Tree, the 28th in the Agatha Raisin mystery series, from the new book shelf at the library and realized I had somehow missed reading number 27. Gasp! Thankfully my library had a copy of Pushing Up Daisies on the shelf. I wouldn't want to read them out of order, after all!
Agatha Raisin is such a hoot! At fifty-three, she is single, lives in the Cotswolds and runs her own detective agency. In this outing, Agatha is hired to figure out who killed Lord Bellington--his son and heir wishes to clear his name.
Most small agencies like hers survive on missing pet and divorce cases, but Agatha has had some success solving murder cases in the past, mostly through her intuition and stumbling upon clues. But as her ex-husband says: "The trouble with you, Agatha, is that you solve your cases by ending up a sort of tethered goat. The murderer realizes you are on to him, and he decides to bump you off."
While working the case, Agatha has her usual romantic problems, as do her staff and friends. Will she ever find true love? Or is she much too independent and feisty for that?
These books are delightfully funny and can be gobbled down in one sitting, like a bag of chips! They sort of remind me of the Nancy Drew mystery books that I loved as a child, but a more adult version, with a little sex, its problems and consequences thrown in.
Now on to book 28!!
September 30, 2016
It was okay, but the story was choppy and someone should have done a better job of editing.
November 7, 2016
It was nice to see all the characters (this is the 4 part). The set up and resolutions are without much meat to them. People are ALWAYS home and not too busy to talk to Agatha. Many of the things are not reasonable. I think she crowded the book with characters and murders without a benefit to the reader.
Did James have anything to do with naming the cats?
Did James have anything to do with naming the cats?
June 17, 2025
Agatha takes pity on a young man who is suffering under this father's rule but for the most part it is his own fault. She takes him home where he seduces her and that makes her feel terrible. Her friend Sir Charles Fraith is furious about it but he is engaged again. Agatha offers his fiancee a job and she falls in love with the gorgeous young guy so they both take off back to London not helping the case at all. I guess I have revealed too much but I sure enjoyed it with all the twists and turns so read it for yourself.
Agatha's battle with cigarettes was very amusing in this one. I am glad to see her trying hard to quit and I believe she also gives up high heels which is another smart move on her part!
Agatha's battle with cigarettes was very amusing in this one. I am glad to see her trying hard to quit and I believe she also gives up high heels which is another smart move on her part!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2016
RE-READ UPDATE 7/21/16
First Review (6/25/16):
This is the first book I've read from the Agatha Raisin series and I think that maybe it wasn't the best one to start on. The mystery was ok, the pacing was fine. There wasn't really anything I could fault, but there's nothing I can really praise either. This felt very much like a "meh" read for me. I honestly don't think I'll remember reading it in six months time. Heck, I finished it two days ago and I'm already forgetting it. The best thing about this book was the characters. They felt very solid and fleshed out. I do feel like I missed something not having read the previous books, though. Some of the character interaction seemed to depend on those previous stories. So, I didn't love this book, but it intrigued me enough to want to read more Agatha Raisin mysteries. I'm actually reading the first in the series now and I must say, it is better than this one. But maybe, if I decide to read all the books in the series, when I get to this one again I might appreciate it more. Only time will tell.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
EDIT: Re-read this and finished on July 20 2016, after reading the entire Agatha Raisin series. I definitely enjoyed it more this time around. I had a MUCH better understanding of the characters and got the little inside jokes this time. I really liked the character development of Bill and Mrs. Bloxby. I liked the Charles/Agatha relationship in this one too (I admit, I ship Agatha and Charles pretty hard. Come on. Beaton! A/C 4 eva).
But mostly, my first review still stands. You really need to read the entire series first to appreciate this book. Also, the *mystery* part is forgettable. The character developments/events aren't, however. So if you are reading the series, you'll enjoy this one, but don't take it as a stand-alone.
First Review (6/25/16):
This is the first book I've read from the Agatha Raisin series and I think that maybe it wasn't the best one to start on. The mystery was ok, the pacing was fine. There wasn't really anything I could fault, but there's nothing I can really praise either. This felt very much like a "meh" read for me. I honestly don't think I'll remember reading it in six months time. Heck, I finished it two days ago and I'm already forgetting it. The best thing about this book was the characters. They felt very solid and fleshed out. I do feel like I missed something not having read the previous books, though. Some of the character interaction seemed to depend on those previous stories. So, I didn't love this book, but it intrigued me enough to want to read more Agatha Raisin mysteries. I'm actually reading the first in the series now and I must say, it is better than this one. But maybe, if I decide to read all the books in the series, when I get to this one again I might appreciate it more. Only time will tell.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
EDIT: Re-read this and finished on July 20 2016, after reading the entire Agatha Raisin series. I definitely enjoyed it more this time around. I had a MUCH better understanding of the characters and got the little inside jokes this time. I really liked the character development of Bill and Mrs. Bloxby. I liked the Charles/Agatha relationship in this one too (I admit, I ship Agatha and Charles pretty hard. Come on. Beaton! A/C 4 eva).
But mostly, my first review still stands. You really need to read the entire series first to appreciate this book. Also, the *mystery* part is forgettable. The character developments/events aren't, however. So if you are reading the series, you'll enjoy this one, but don't take it as a stand-alone.
August 22, 2016
3.5 stars
Agatha Raisin is really an unpleasant person but there's just something about her. She is abrupt, selfish, too outspoken, knows no boundaries and is not very nice. She is also smart, witty and, deep inside, wants to be loved. She's always on the hunt for a man in her life apparently not realizing her attitude is a major drawback. There's something about her as she has friends and loyal employees.
When the local Lord wants to sell the town's garden allotments to a real estate developer he ends up dead. His son and heir hires Agatha to find the killer. As the investigation ambles through the delightful Cotswold towns and quirky natives, a newcomer ends up dead and buried in an allotment. Are the murders connected?
She meets a potential lover but is he too young for her? She dabbles with old love Charles and meets a local gentry who has quite an interest in her until he ends up dead too. Where Agatha goes, dead bodies turn up. The investigation sprawls including uncovering a smuggling operation in London.
When the mystery ends, the murderer is found quite cleverly and Agatha is off on vacation with a love interest. What could be better?
Thank you Net Galley for providing the book in exchange for a fair review.
Agatha Raisin is really an unpleasant person but there's just something about her. She is abrupt, selfish, too outspoken, knows no boundaries and is not very nice. She is also smart, witty and, deep inside, wants to be loved. She's always on the hunt for a man in her life apparently not realizing her attitude is a major drawback. There's something about her as she has friends and loyal employees.
When the local Lord wants to sell the town's garden allotments to a real estate developer he ends up dead. His son and heir hires Agatha to find the killer. As the investigation ambles through the delightful Cotswold towns and quirky natives, a newcomer ends up dead and buried in an allotment. Are the murders connected?
She meets a potential lover but is he too young for her? She dabbles with old love Charles and meets a local gentry who has quite an interest in her until he ends up dead too. Where Agatha goes, dead bodies turn up. The investigation sprawls including uncovering a smuggling operation in London.
When the mystery ends, the murderer is found quite cleverly and Agatha is off on vacation with a love interest. What could be better?
Thank you Net Galley for providing the book in exchange for a fair review.
July 13, 2025
3⭐️ = Average.
Hardback.
Number 27 in the series.
Not one of my favourites in this series. Not a great storyline, I’m afraid. It is still not putting me off Agatha though.
Hardback.
Number 27 in the series.
Not one of my favourites in this series. Not a great storyline, I’m afraid. It is still not putting me off Agatha though.
July 3, 2016
Oh, Aggie. How I love thee. I even named my pug after you. Not to say you have wrinkles.
Agatha Raisin may not be getting any younger, but she just keeps getting better. If you, like me, have been following this series for a long time, then you will know what I mean when I say I couldn't wait to get a fix. I've missed my Raisin.
This book has the usual charming cast of characters, plus some new ones that spice things up a bit. Wherever Agatha goes, there seems to be trouble, as Bill Wong has pointed out a number of times. I like that Bill took life by the horns this time and showed some independence. I also enjoyed the furthering of Agatha's poor love life situation.
The murders in this book are unique and interesting as always, but I particularly like the way this one wrapped up. No spoilers from this girl, but I will say that it made Agatha once again, one of those characters you love because of their lack of perfection.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone that is following this series, and thank M.C. Beaton, as always, for the jolly round of giggles that ensued from reading her work.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher and was provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Agatha Raisin may not be getting any younger, but she just keeps getting better. If you, like me, have been following this series for a long time, then you will know what I mean when I say I couldn't wait to get a fix. I've missed my Raisin.
This book has the usual charming cast of characters, plus some new ones that spice things up a bit. Wherever Agatha goes, there seems to be trouble, as Bill Wong has pointed out a number of times. I like that Bill took life by the horns this time and showed some independence. I also enjoyed the furthering of Agatha's poor love life situation.
The murders in this book are unique and interesting as always, but I particularly like the way this one wrapped up. No spoilers from this girl, but I will say that it made Agatha once again, one of those characters you love because of their lack of perfection.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone that is following this series, and thank M.C. Beaton, as always, for the jolly round of giggles that ensued from reading her work.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher and was provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2016
This was not the usual, feisty Agatha that I've come to know and love. She has become a little soft and tired, leaving much of the detecting to Toni and Simon. Surprisingly, she seems to be getting younger and has taken to petting and playing with her cats. I missed some of the old characters. Gone are the long chats with Mrs. Bloxby, whose appearance has changed a great deal, and the shenanigans of Roy Silver. James is mentioned briefly. Thankfully, Charles is still present.
The book rambled a lot and was in need of editing. The ending fell flat and there was no hint in the epilogue of another murder or anything exciting to look forward to in the next book. Wish I could have given this one more than three stars.
The book rambled a lot and was in need of editing. The ending fell flat and there was no hint in the epilogue of another murder or anything exciting to look forward to in the next book. Wish I could have given this one more than three stars.
October 2, 2016
The story was choppy and honestly to me it felt like solving a murder was just an afterthought slotted in when it's realised that nothing murder-y had been mentioned in 20 pages!
The characters were just replaying stereotypes set out from previous books rather than furthering their development and I swear the conversations between Aggie and the regulars were rehashes of scenes from earlier books.
Nothing new.
The characters were just replaying stereotypes set out from previous books rather than furthering their development and I swear the conversations between Aggie and the regulars were rehashes of scenes from earlier books.
Nothing new.
February 11, 2020
The plot (and I use the term loosely) was so meandering in this one I really struggled to maintain my attention. Far too much time was spent on the latest disasters in Agatha’s perpetually stalled love life.
On the plus side, it was the first of these books in quite some time not to suffer from a painfully overlong epilogue.
On the plus side, it was the first of these books in quite some time not to suffer from a painfully overlong epilogue.
June 10, 2021
I love Beaton and especially her two mystery series, Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin. I love spending time in each of their company.
Agatha was a public relations dynamo who left London for a quiet life in a small English village. Of course, her life is anything but quiet. Aside from the difficulty for this acerbic, career driven middle aged (she's 53 in this one) woman (who is also always on the look out for love) in fitting into a small, conservative society, there are always murders around her, people dropping left and right.
In this book, a wealthy and universally disliked aristocrat is murdered and virtually everyone in the village, including his own children, have a motive for killing him. Agatha is hired by his son to find the murderer (thus clearing the son from suspicion) and she adeptly dodges local police and various opinionated villagers while suffering some small romantic heartbreaks along the way. I especially enjoy spending time with an older woman who is edgy and not always likable but smart and funny. (It gets harder to find characters with whom to identify as one ages--especially as a woman!)
The stories aren't especially original which is why I'm giving it 3 stars but it's a 3 stars of pleasure for someone who enjoys this type of story. For me, I'm not too picky about plot when I love the characters.
So if you want to spend some time in a quiet English village hunting down killers, this may be a book for you.
Agatha was a public relations dynamo who left London for a quiet life in a small English village. Of course, her life is anything but quiet. Aside from the difficulty for this acerbic, career driven middle aged (she's 53 in this one) woman (who is also always on the look out for love) in fitting into a small, conservative society, there are always murders around her, people dropping left and right.
In this book, a wealthy and universally disliked aristocrat is murdered and virtually everyone in the village, including his own children, have a motive for killing him. Agatha is hired by his son to find the murderer (thus clearing the son from suspicion) and she adeptly dodges local police and various opinionated villagers while suffering some small romantic heartbreaks along the way. I especially enjoy spending time with an older woman who is edgy and not always likable but smart and funny. (It gets harder to find characters with whom to identify as one ages--especially as a woman!)
The stories aren't especially original which is why I'm giving it 3 stars but it's a 3 stars of pleasure for someone who enjoys this type of story. For me, I'm not too picky about plot when I love the characters.
So if you want to spend some time in a quiet English village hunting down killers, this may be a book for you.
August 16, 2017
Oh, come on! I want Agatha and Charles together...Snakes and bastards!
September 27, 2016
It took three tries to get through this book. Agatha Raisin is probably one of the most unpleasant characters ever created for a cozy. She's everything I hate in a person and the fact that she's a successful business woman makes it even worse. She's self-absorbed, judgmental, and lacks empathy. People are to be used and to serve Agatha.
In this book she's investigating a murder, but I just wasn't that interested. The writing of this series has gotten more and more slack. This is definitely a thumbs down for me.
In this book she's investigating a murder, but I just wasn't that interested. The writing of this series has gotten more and more slack. This is definitely a thumbs down for me.
September 25, 2016
I really don't know how M. C. Beaton does it. The mystery is all over the place before it fizzles out (Agatha even thinks this), and the editing is *horrific*. Yet, it's imminently readable, and curmudgeonly Agatha is oh-so lovable.
August 10, 2017
This was my first Agatha Raisin book and it will be the last. I wanted to like it. After all, it is a British mystery by a very well-known author (the Queen of Crime!) and I do love me a good British whodunnit. The fact that the author has written well over a hundred books (!) should have alerted me to something wrong. There is a lack of care and thought in the writing when one is simply churning them out.
The writing was jerky and felt rushed, the characters were laughably shallow and the plot was ridiculous. The copy editing is deplorable! I realize that it is a "cozy" mystery but that is no excuse for insulting the reader with such sloppy writing.
For example, consider the timeline: Lord Bellington dies on a Sunday, a few days later his obituary is in the Times newspaper, which is when Agatha learns of his death. Then "two weeks later, on a Sunday, she attended a meeting of the allotment users" (page 15). Then "the following Sunday" (page 16) Agatha learns that the cause of death was antifreeze poisoning (page 17). On the Friday of the following week, Agatha is hired by the son Damian to investigate the murder (page 21-22). Damian tells her that the funeral had finally been held the day before: "we had the funeral yesterday and hers (Andrea) were the only wet eyes around" (page 22). A couple of days later, Damian informs Agatha that his sister Andrea "got back yesterday" (from Scotland) and "the funeral is tomorrow" (page 54).
Well, which is it? Or are we to understand that the funeral was held again?
Perhaps the publisher has decided to skip editing Beaton's books to save money? Books use up trees and cost library budgets...so don't churn out poor novels just to keep a series going. A book should be published with care and with some respect for the reader.
I wasted my time with this one!
The writing was jerky and felt rushed, the characters were laughably shallow and the plot was ridiculous. The copy editing is deplorable! I realize that it is a "cozy" mystery but that is no excuse for insulting the reader with such sloppy writing.
For example, consider the timeline: Lord Bellington dies on a Sunday, a few days later his obituary is in the Times newspaper, which is when Agatha learns of his death. Then "two weeks later, on a Sunday, she attended a meeting of the allotment users" (page 15). Then "the following Sunday" (page 16) Agatha learns that the cause of death was antifreeze poisoning (page 17). On the Friday of the following week, Agatha is hired by the son Damian to investigate the murder (page 21-22). Damian tells her that the funeral had finally been held the day before: "we had the funeral yesterday and hers (Andrea) were the only wet eyes around" (page 22). A couple of days later, Damian informs Agatha that his sister Andrea "got back yesterday" (from Scotland) and "the funeral is tomorrow" (page 54).
Well, which is it? Or are we to understand that the funeral was held again?
Perhaps the publisher has decided to skip editing Beaton's books to save money? Books use up trees and cost library budgets...so don't churn out poor novels just to keep a series going. A book should be published with care and with some respect for the reader.
I wasted my time with this one!
July 26, 2018
This series continues to go downhill. Bad writing, bad editing and a plot which is a shambles. "Large" seems to be the favourite adjective in the first chapter: it's repeated no end of times.
Of no interest whatsoever.
Of no interest whatsoever.
September 26, 2016
I think reading this series is becoming more habit than anything. None of the characters have a redeeming quality. I would hate to live in Carsely.
January 22, 2023
... unless you don't read cozy for the crime story
February 19, 2019
It was fun to catch up with some of the regular characters. I do enjoy this series. I've been reading it for many years. It's definitely a series I recommend if you enjoy cosy crime.
February 7, 2017
Now in her twenty-seventh outing since taking early retirement and selling up her PR business in London for life in the Cotswolds village of Carsley, the incorrigible Agatha Raisin is still poking her nose in where it isn't wanted and lusting after unsuitable men. Her lack of diplomacy might not have made her popular but as her loyal best friend, vicar's wife Mrs Bloxby knows, her heart is in the right place. With her private detective agency based at Mircester thriving and a team of four detectives gainfully employed, Agatha has her eye on ex-Scotland Yard detective Gerald Devere, only to find competition in the form of married Mrs Bloxby! Sporting a chic new look and a spring in her step, Mrs Bloxby is attracting admiring glances so when she tells Agatha about the odious Lord Bellington's plans to sell the local allotments land in order to build a housing estate, she sees an ideal opportunity to persuade him otherwise and impress an eligible bachelor in the process.
Calling at Lord Bellington's estate as an emissary Agatha is accompanied by friend Charles only to swiftly be sent away with a flea in their ear and Agatha fuming! When she later reads his obituary and suspects that his death sounds like antifreeze poisoning, the abundance of suspects is overwhelming and with heir and son Damian making no secret of his feelings for his father, he is prime suspect. Employing Agatha to get to the bottom of things she is led a merry dance by the multitude of suspects only for the discovery of the body of latest newcomer and former model, Peta Currie to be found buried in the allotment the very next day. Once married to a cousin of Lord Bellington, patriotic Independent MP Nigel Farraday (cheap shot), she suspects a connection between the two murders. The resulting pursuit sends Agatha up to London and sees her return with a late twenties public school educated male in tow, creating tension between detective Simon Black engaged in an unrequited affection and pursuit of gorgeous colleague, Toni Gilmour. With a clever resolution to matters in the closing pages the novel finishes on a high and with two murders by page twenty-five, M.C. Beaton's leading lady proves as deadly as ever! Alongside the murders the mystery of the vegetable thief causing uproar amongst the allotment holders creates a diversion to proceedings and rather comically a request for a house-to-house search for a prize winning marrow by a certain green-fingered grower.
Entering into a dream of idyllic village life prior to her retirement, Agatha neither gardens, bakes cakes or enjoys pottering around, giving her plenty of time to get to the bottom of juicier village matters. Forthright with an acidulous tongue she excels at the helm of her own detective agency, blessed with a willingness to pry and the gift of intuition. Although not a lover of cozy mysteries, my one guilty pleasure are the often farcical tales of Agatha Raisin, and with each appearance the plots get more threadbare, the cast more like caricatures and Agatha finds at least one man to take her fancy. Indeed the interest here is in the continuing drama amongst the cast of regulars who surround Agatha; notably ex-husband James Lacey, charmer Sir Charles Fraith and DS Bill Wong.
I was pleased to see a few routine M.C. Beaton phrases woven throughout the novel, from the bearlike eyes of Agatha, the jester face of Simon Black, the lugubrious Patrick Mulligan and the self-contained as a cat Charles Fraith. The double figures mentions of Agatha's legs are also get the requisite admiration and spotting these almost compulsory descriptions is part of the charm. I was pleased that several opportune questions were answered along the way, from Mrs Bloxby's first name (Sarah) to an exact age for Agatha and Charles and Bill finally escaping the clutches of his domineering mother! With Agatha being apparently fifty-three and Charles six-years younger, I fear she has taken a year off for each of the years she has spent in the village.
Given that I read the hardback novel which only stretched to two hundred and thirty pages and was littered with mistakes (typographical errors, incorrect tenses and even several name changes along the way), this novel could have been aided immeasurably by employing a decent proofreader. This is one for the Agatha loyalists and has the feel of being rather rushed to publication, doing a complete disservice to her readers. For fans of cozy mysteries with an English village setting, the Agatha Raisin series is worth a bash, but in all honestly the pick of the novels are the earlier tales and the scenarios gets flimsier by the minute. Although this novel would work as a standalone, it undoubtedly works best for those already acquainted with the folk of Carsley and an awareness of the history amongst them.
Calling at Lord Bellington's estate as an emissary Agatha is accompanied by friend Charles only to swiftly be sent away with a flea in their ear and Agatha fuming! When she later reads his obituary and suspects that his death sounds like antifreeze poisoning, the abundance of suspects is overwhelming and with heir and son Damian making no secret of his feelings for his father, he is prime suspect. Employing Agatha to get to the bottom of things she is led a merry dance by the multitude of suspects only for the discovery of the body of latest newcomer and former model, Peta Currie to be found buried in the allotment the very next day. Once married to a cousin of Lord Bellington, patriotic Independent MP Nigel Farraday (cheap shot), she suspects a connection between the two murders. The resulting pursuit sends Agatha up to London and sees her return with a late twenties public school educated male in tow, creating tension between detective Simon Black engaged in an unrequited affection and pursuit of gorgeous colleague, Toni Gilmour. With a clever resolution to matters in the closing pages the novel finishes on a high and with two murders by page twenty-five, M.C. Beaton's leading lady proves as deadly as ever! Alongside the murders the mystery of the vegetable thief causing uproar amongst the allotment holders creates a diversion to proceedings and rather comically a request for a house-to-house search for a prize winning marrow by a certain green-fingered grower.
Entering into a dream of idyllic village life prior to her retirement, Agatha neither gardens, bakes cakes or enjoys pottering around, giving her plenty of time to get to the bottom of juicier village matters. Forthright with an acidulous tongue she excels at the helm of her own detective agency, blessed with a willingness to pry and the gift of intuition. Although not a lover of cozy mysteries, my one guilty pleasure are the often farcical tales of Agatha Raisin, and with each appearance the plots get more threadbare, the cast more like caricatures and Agatha finds at least one man to take her fancy. Indeed the interest here is in the continuing drama amongst the cast of regulars who surround Agatha; notably ex-husband James Lacey, charmer Sir Charles Fraith and DS Bill Wong.
I was pleased to see a few routine M.C. Beaton phrases woven throughout the novel, from the bearlike eyes of Agatha, the jester face of Simon Black, the lugubrious Patrick Mulligan and the self-contained as a cat Charles Fraith. The double figures mentions of Agatha's legs are also get the requisite admiration and spotting these almost compulsory descriptions is part of the charm. I was pleased that several opportune questions were answered along the way, from Mrs Bloxby's first name (Sarah) to an exact age for Agatha and Charles and Bill finally escaping the clutches of his domineering mother! With Agatha being apparently fifty-three and Charles six-years younger, I fear she has taken a year off for each of the years she has spent in the village.
Given that I read the hardback novel which only stretched to two hundred and thirty pages and was littered with mistakes (typographical errors, incorrect tenses and even several name changes along the way), this novel could have been aided immeasurably by employing a decent proofreader. This is one for the Agatha loyalists and has the feel of being rather rushed to publication, doing a complete disservice to her readers. For fans of cozy mysteries with an English village setting, the Agatha Raisin series is worth a bash, but in all honestly the pick of the novels are the earlier tales and the scenarios gets flimsier by the minute. Although this novel would work as a standalone, it undoubtedly works best for those already acquainted with the folk of Carsley and an awareness of the history amongst them.
September 26, 2016
As I had been looking forward to this book for some time, I started it immediately it arrived even though I was half way through another book. I'm afraid to say I'm pretty disappointed with this one. It seemed very rushed to me or that not as much thought had gone into this one as previous books in the series.
I thought the last one, Dishing the Dirt was the best yet and that things were improving but this one has taken me back a step or two. Fast start, fast murder. At some points it just seems to ramble. Everyone seems to be blunt and rude, overusing "Shove off"; new characters are very unlikeable; could have been edited better as it seemed to jump from one scene to the other without warning and Mrs Bloxby, a well loved and long standing character, has a new first name (now Sarah rather than Margaret). I also found he non-progress of relationships between established characters very frustrating. I may be wrong on this next point, but this book says that Agatha's ex husband James had named her cats Hodge and Boswell, which she wasn't particularly enamored of. But I thought she had the cats (and those names) long before James came along?
Agatha Raisin herself is unchanged fortunately, but even she seemed to be bored with the plot and considered giving it up at one point! I feel a bit cheated on this one. The opportunity to have a better plot, new character exploration, giving clues that meant any one of them could have done it etc, were there, just sadly not used by the author. Am wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Agatha and that the next book may be her last. I'd rather it wasn't but I'd also rather she went out when she was still riding pretty high, rather than see her sink to humdrum. So I have a lot of hope riding on the next one!
I thought the last one, Dishing the Dirt was the best yet and that things were improving but this one has taken me back a step or two. Fast start, fast murder. At some points it just seems to ramble. Everyone seems to be blunt and rude, overusing "Shove off"; new characters are very unlikeable; could have been edited better as it seemed to jump from one scene to the other without warning and Mrs Bloxby, a well loved and long standing character, has a new first name (now Sarah rather than Margaret). I also found he non-progress of relationships between established characters very frustrating. I may be wrong on this next point, but this book says that Agatha's ex husband James had named her cats Hodge and Boswell, which she wasn't particularly enamored of. But I thought she had the cats (and those names) long before James came along?
Agatha Raisin herself is unchanged fortunately, but even she seemed to be bored with the plot and considered giving it up at one point! I feel a bit cheated on this one. The opportunity to have a better plot, new character exploration, giving clues that meant any one of them could have done it etc, were there, just sadly not used by the author. Am wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Agatha and that the next book may be her last. I'd rather it wasn't but I'd also rather she went out when she was still riding pretty high, rather than see her sink to humdrum. So I have a lot of hope riding on the next one!
April 3, 2018
This is my first foray into an Agatha Raisin adventures, I’ve been meaning to try these for awhile.
So when I spotted one in my local library, I felt it was worth giving it a try...
This is the 27th outing of the series, I was able to get a real sense of the cosy murder mysteries of these stories.
I practically liked the main character Agatha, a 53 year old singleton living in the Cotswolds.
The relationship with all the other characters was just wonderful. It’s the main selling point of the series.
I also liked how unlucky in love Agatha is.
As this quite far down the series, I felt as if I’d missed lots of character development.
The murder itself is fun.
Lord Bellington, one of the biggest landowners in Carsley annoys the local residents as he plans a new housing department on the local allotments, he is subsequently found poisoned.
I felt that the mystery felt secondary, I found Agatha’s latest romantic problems the far more intriguing part of the story.
I liked this book just enough that I want to go back and invest from the start, I felt this didn’t really work aswell as a stand-alone novel.
So when I spotted one in my local library, I felt it was worth giving it a try...
This is the 27th outing of the series, I was able to get a real sense of the cosy murder mysteries of these stories.
I practically liked the main character Agatha, a 53 year old singleton living in the Cotswolds.
The relationship with all the other characters was just wonderful. It’s the main selling point of the series.
I also liked how unlucky in love Agatha is.
As this quite far down the series, I felt as if I’d missed lots of character development.
The murder itself is fun.
Lord Bellington, one of the biggest landowners in Carsley annoys the local residents as he plans a new housing department on the local allotments, he is subsequently found poisoned.
I felt that the mystery felt secondary, I found Agatha’s latest romantic problems the far more intriguing part of the story.
I liked this book just enough that I want to go back and invest from the start, I felt this didn’t really work aswell as a stand-alone novel.
February 17, 2017
Maybe it's just me --- I haven't read an Agatha Raisin book in awhile since I'm caught up in the series --- but this book just seemed very choppy to me, maybe a tad too frenetic. Agatha was jumping all over the place mentally and physically. She is still battling the same old personal demons regarding her self-worth and her inability to find true love. I was prepared for that, and I keep rooting for her that she'll figure out that aspect of her life.
But the mystery(s) had her running hither and yon with various cast members from her standard work team, village folks and of course Sir Charles. I just didn't like this story as much as I've liked some the earlier books in the series. Perhaps this premise is getting played out? Come on Agatha, you've still got it!
Surprise me more in the next book!
But the mystery(s) had her running hither and yon with various cast members from her standard work team, village folks and of course Sir Charles. I just didn't like this story as much as I've liked some the earlier books in the series. Perhaps this premise is getting played out? Come on Agatha, you've still got it!
Surprise me more in the next book!
January 11, 2017
This book was a lot of fun. Beaton brought in tons of characters. Since I listened to it on cd I could just imagine the author rubbing her hands together and thinking, "How many voices can I force Alison Larkin to come up with? he he he."
June 30, 2023
Francamente non capisco perché mi ostini a leggere i gialli di Agatha Raisin e quelli di M.C. Beaton in generale. All'inizio sono tutta gongolante, perché mi diverte ritrovarmi nelle Cotswolds (anche se il paesino di Carsley è inventato) con i personaggi a cui sono affezionata. Ma poi le indagini, spesso ripetitive, con dei comportamenti sgarbati verso Agatha, di Agatha - più che altro di riflesso - verso gli altri, le cattiverie gratuite e non, mi fanno respirare un'aria da riunione di condominio che sta per sfociare nella zuffa a cui francamente preferirei sottrarmi, da farmi perdere tutto il divertimento.
E così, anche questa volta mi tocca rimandare almeno di un anno la lettura del prossimo romanzo, quando mi sarò dimenticata le sensazioni provate l'ultima volta e vorrò tornare a vedere cosa combina quell'impicciona di Agatha Raisin, che qui è davvero alle prese - almeno al principio - con quella sorta di condominio che sono gli orti in affitto nella periferia di Carsley, che stanno per essere smantellati dal proprietario, Lord Bellington, che li vuole vendere a un costruttore intenzionato a farne un quartiere residenziale. Naturalmente Lord Bellington viene ucciso, e Agatha viene ingaggiata come detective privata dal figlio Damian, che è il principale sospettato, per scoprire l'assassino.
La trama gialla, tra l'altro, è elementare, nonostante Beaton cerchi di complicarla con ulteriori omicidi - spesso fuorvianti - storie d'amore in cui non ci vedo neanche un briciolo di sentimento, e interrogatori ripetuti anche più di una volta a persone più che sgarbate che fanno pensare che in Inghilterra siano tutti odiosi e maleducati.
Poi, confesso che un po' mi fa strano che Agatha fosse più grande di me quando ho cominciato a leggere i romanzi, mentre adesso è più giovane. Perché è vero che certi personaggi sono immortali, ma visto che il tempo passa anche per lei, visto che la trama orizzontale è in continua evoluzione, non riesco a capire se per lei un anno duri un mese, visto che ha sempre la stessa età. Sarà invidia? :-/
E così, anche questa volta mi tocca rimandare almeno di un anno la lettura del prossimo romanzo, quando mi sarò dimenticata le sensazioni provate l'ultima volta e vorrò tornare a vedere cosa combina quell'impicciona di Agatha Raisin, che qui è davvero alle prese - almeno al principio - con quella sorta di condominio che sono gli orti in affitto nella periferia di Carsley, che stanno per essere smantellati dal proprietario, Lord Bellington, che li vuole vendere a un costruttore intenzionato a farne un quartiere residenziale. Naturalmente Lord Bellington viene ucciso, e Agatha viene ingaggiata come detective privata dal figlio Damian, che è il principale sospettato, per scoprire l'assassino.
La trama gialla, tra l'altro, è elementare, nonostante Beaton cerchi di complicarla con ulteriori omicidi - spesso fuorvianti - storie d'amore in cui non ci vedo neanche un briciolo di sentimento, e interrogatori ripetuti anche più di una volta a persone più che sgarbate che fanno pensare che in Inghilterra siano tutti odiosi e maleducati.
Poi, confesso che un po' mi fa strano che Agatha fosse più grande di me quando ho cominciato a leggere i romanzi, mentre adesso è più giovane. Perché è vero che certi personaggi sono immortali, ma visto che il tempo passa anche per lei, visto che la trama orizzontale è in continua evoluzione, non riesco a capire se per lei un anno duri un mese, visto che ha sempre la stessa età. Sarà invidia? :-/
November 15, 2023
A bit of a mish mash with the story losing its energy at the end. Lord Bellingham and unlikeable bully and all round rotter is murdered. Lots of suspects with the local villagers and his own family. Then a local newby at Carlsley is also murdered and buried in an allotment. This separate story is bizzare as the motive is a marrow!!
Still entertaining with Charles and Agatha at cross purposes and her insecurities getting worse. Agatha even beds a toy boy but of course feels guilty. Jake is a strange character who is all over the place and no moral compass.
Still entertaining with Charles and Agatha at cross purposes and her insecurities getting worse. Agatha even beds a toy boy but of course feels guilty. Jake is a strange character who is all over the place and no moral compass.
October 28, 2019
Sokáig ötösre állt, az egyik legjobb résznek tűnt. Jók az arányai, Agatha kevésbé önmaga, ami részben üdítő, részben meg odavész a humorforrás egy része. Szerettem benne a sok Charlest és kevés Jamest, de hiányoltam a beszélgetéseket a lelkésznével. Kár, hogy a kiskertes szál ellaposodott, a kétharmadától már untam egy kissé, hogy nem halad a nyomozás, és a vége is elég kusza lett. Azért hozta a szokásos színvonalat, kikapcsolódásnak remek. Eszembe sem jutna, hogy abbahagyjam a sorozat olvasását.
October 26, 2021
Agatha and the Land Speculator
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (September 2016) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2016)
Pushing Up Daisies has Agatha and the gang investigating the murder of a land speculator who was about to sell off the community garden lands to a developer against the wishes of the villagers. The suspects are therefore plentiful. Yet another man attracts Agatha's attention when retired detective Gerald moves to town.
Overall the series feels very tired and repetitive at this point and I'm only pushing through now as I've already read over 95% of them. Somewhere in the most recent books Agatha has started to be described as having "bear-like eyes" which sounds extremely odd. Every book now seems to emphasize it. The later books also are more complicated and nasty, as if to add confusion and malice to the otherwise repetitive plots. The early cozy joy is missing. It will be interesting to see if continuation writer R.W. Green can bring that back.
These cozies are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept and love her nevertheless. The formula is set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Sir Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, is helped by her first village friend Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, etc.
The narration of this book #27 is a part of an extended interregnum for books #25 to #29 by narrator Alison Larkin. Series regular Penelope Keith returns for books #30 to #32. Larkin is fine in the role, but I've grown most used to Keith's manner of adding character to the different voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch was published on October 26, 2021. Down the Hatch is entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot (2020) was still a collaboration with M.C. Beaton (1936-2019).
Trivia and No Link
Pushing Up Daisies has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-).
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (September 2016) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2016)
Pushing Up Daisies has Agatha and the gang investigating the murder of a land speculator who was about to sell off the community garden lands to a developer against the wishes of the villagers. The suspects are therefore plentiful. Yet another man attracts Agatha's attention when retired detective Gerald moves to town.
Overall the series feels very tired and repetitive at this point and I'm only pushing through now as I've already read over 95% of them. Somewhere in the most recent books Agatha has started to be described as having "bear-like eyes" which sounds extremely odd. Every book now seems to emphasize it. The later books also are more complicated and nasty, as if to add confusion and malice to the otherwise repetitive plots. The early cozy joy is missing. It will be interesting to see if continuation writer R.W. Green can bring that back.
These cozies are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept and love her nevertheless. The formula is set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Sir Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, is helped by her first village friend Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, etc.
The narration of this book #27 is a part of an extended interregnum for books #25 to #29 by narrator Alison Larkin. Series regular Penelope Keith returns for books #30 to #32. Larkin is fine in the role, but I've grown most used to Keith's manner of adding character to the different voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch was published on October 26, 2021. Down the Hatch is entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot (2020) was still a collaboration with M.C. Beaton (1936-2019).
Trivia and No Link
Pushing Up Daisies has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-).
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