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Agatha Raisin #31
Au galop !
Lorsqu’elle apprend le mariage de son ami sir Charles Fraith avec une mystérieuse cavalière, le sang d’Agatha Raisin ne fait qu’un tour. Pour en savoir plus sur sa rivale, une idée folle lui vient : se glisser parmi les invités de la cérémonie, au risque de semer la zizanie… Pari réussi : la jeune mariée et Agatha se crêpent le chignon en public. Un coup d’éclat qui la désigne comme la principale suspecte lorsqu’on découvre le cadavre de la mariée dans les écuries du manoir. Pour prouver son innocence, Agatha se lance dans une course contre la montre : la vérité se présente comme un concours de sauts d’obstacles et la liste des présumés coupables est aussi longue que la queue d’un pur-sang…
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First published November 3, 2020
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About the author
M.C. Beaton
348 books6,059 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 660 reviews
September 28, 2020
I was going to let this percolate for a bit, but I realized there’s no reason to. I can’t see my feelings changing on this one.
This is a perfectly fine book. And Agatha isn’t Agatha anymore.
I realize that M.C. Beaton is dead, and the guy who took over for her really tried, but Agatha is missing so much now. Her tottering high heeled shoes. Her sauciness. Her flirtatiousness. Her romanticism. While Agatha has snark and occasional spite (don’t we all), she also has humor and heart. (And she absolutely would NOT have let a certain character get away with what they did to her in this book!)
This was a pale shadow of her.
Other characters suffered as well. James is lovely and, at times, insufferable. Here, he’s just a guy. Charles is funny and sexy and, at times, insufferable. Here, he’s…slightly insufferable. Roy…oh, don’t even get me started on Roy in this one.
I recognize that there were a whole lot of books prior to this and that it’s incredibly brave to take on such a beloved character who has tons of devoted readers, but this isn’t Agatha.
The plot was perfectly fine. I was curious about our murder. I enjoyed the solution to all that.
I’ll try again with the next book, but I’m honestly feeling that it might just be better to let Agatha Raisin rest with her creator.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
This is a perfectly fine book. And Agatha isn’t Agatha anymore.
I realize that M.C. Beaton is dead, and the guy who took over for her really tried, but Agatha is missing so much now. Her tottering high heeled shoes. Her sauciness. Her flirtatiousness. Her romanticism. While Agatha has snark and occasional spite (don’t we all), she also has humor and heart. (And she absolutely would NOT have let a certain character get away with what they did to her in this book!)
This was a pale shadow of her.
Other characters suffered as well. James is lovely and, at times, insufferable. Here, he’s just a guy. Charles is funny and sexy and, at times, insufferable. Here, he’s…slightly insufferable. Roy…oh, don’t even get me started on Roy in this one.
I recognize that there were a whole lot of books prior to this and that it’s incredibly brave to take on such a beloved character who has tons of devoted readers, but this isn’t Agatha.
The plot was perfectly fine. I was curious about our murder. I enjoyed the solution to all that.
I’ll try again with the next book, but I’m honestly feeling that it might just be better to let Agatha Raisin rest with her creator.
*ARC Provided via Net Galley
November 13, 2020
I think...it might be time for Agatha to retire and Toni to take over the agency.
This is, I believe, the first book fully written by MC Beaton's ghostwriter, and it shows. Multiple characters calling Agatha "Aggie" when it is established in earlier books that only Sir Charles calls her that. Mrs. Bloxby calling Agatha by her first name...and having a standing order at the Red Lion with the bartender using her given name! WHAT IS THIS MADNESS? James and Agatha are far too comfortable with each other, as well. In the MC Beaton novels we are definitely in the heads of all of the characters, but not so much here, we basically stay just with Agatha. The mystery itself also did not seem much like a case Agatha would take, even taking into account who was murdered.
Honestly, the book felt like watching a favorite TV show where they recast half of the characters over summer break and nothing feels right anymore. No one acted, sounded, or even looked (Bill Wong's description was particularly off) how they should. Some of the characters seemed to behave more like the characters in the TV show instead of the characters in the books.
Now that I've got that out of my system, had it not been an Agatha Raisin novel, it would have been a nice little romp. The writing was good, the mystery was solid and solved well, and the scene with the champagne tower and burger bar had me laughing out loud! Mr. Greene is definitely a good writer, just unfortunately this is not the Agatha we had for 29 or 30 books. And for crying out loud, could you not have found a WOMAN to take over the series written by a woman about a woman?
This is, I believe, the first book fully written by MC Beaton's ghostwriter, and it shows. Multiple characters calling Agatha "Aggie" when it is established in earlier books that only Sir Charles calls her that. Mrs. Bloxby calling Agatha by her first name...and having a standing order at the Red Lion with the bartender using her given name! WHAT IS THIS MADNESS? James and Agatha are far too comfortable with each other, as well. In the MC Beaton novels we are definitely in the heads of all of the characters, but not so much here, we basically stay just with Agatha. The mystery itself also did not seem much like a case Agatha would take, even taking into account who was murdered.
Honestly, the book felt like watching a favorite TV show where they recast half of the characters over summer break and nothing feels right anymore. No one acted, sounded, or even looked (Bill Wong's description was particularly off) how they should. Some of the characters seemed to behave more like the characters in the TV show instead of the characters in the books.
Now that I've got that out of my system, had it not been an Agatha Raisin novel, it would have been a nice little romp. The writing was good, the mystery was solid and solved well, and the scene with the champagne tower and burger bar had me laughing out loud! Mr. Greene is definitely a good writer, just unfortunately this is not the Agatha we had for 29 or 30 books. And for crying out loud, could you not have found a WOMAN to take over the series written by a woman about a woman?
April 3, 2021
It is but a pale imitation.
Everything that endeared Agatha to the reader and exasperated them at the same time was missing from this book. The other characters were slightly to greatly distorted as well. Since when did Mrs. Bloxby start addressing Agatha by her first name? And only Charles and Roy ever called her “Aggie”. Also, there are no other cottages really close to Agatha and James’s. But suddenly there are several in Lilac Lane apparently. Even the cats were behaving differently! These kind of basic details are character- and scene-establishing and to get them wrong shows how little homework Green did. Even fanfic writers—good ones at least—take pains to remain faithful to the original. When Agatha admonished Simon for using a vulgar epithet about their clients and lectured him on professionalism, I was done. Lol
Greene was clearly an Agatha-James shipper. Shame he decided to torpedo the slowly building arc of Agatha and Charles’s romance and promote the mismatched Agatha-James pairing. Apparently James is cuddly and sensitive all of a sudden.
I won’t be reading any new Agatha Raisin books. I wish at the very least Beaton had chosen a female author to complete her work and carry on her legacy.
Everything that endeared Agatha to the reader and exasperated them at the same time was missing from this book. The other characters were slightly to greatly distorted as well. Since when did Mrs. Bloxby start addressing Agatha by her first name? And only Charles and Roy ever called her “Aggie”. Also, there are no other cottages really close to Agatha and James’s. But suddenly there are several in Lilac Lane apparently. Even the cats were behaving differently! These kind of basic details are character- and scene-establishing and to get them wrong shows how little homework Green did. Even fanfic writers—good ones at least—take pains to remain faithful to the original. When Agatha admonished Simon for using a vulgar epithet about their clients and lectured him on professionalism, I was done. Lol
Greene was clearly an Agatha-James shipper. Shame he decided to torpedo the slowly building arc of Agatha and Charles’s romance and promote the mismatched Agatha-James pairing. Apparently James is cuddly and sensitive all of a sudden.
I won’t be reading any new Agatha Raisin books. I wish at the very least Beaton had chosen a female author to complete her work and carry on her legacy.
April 20, 2024
R.W. Green co-wrote this Aggie (don’t call her Aggie) book with original series author M.C. Beaton as her health was failing and, sadly, she didn’t live to see it completed. Green does a decent job of capturing the feel of the series; almost too well, to be honest, to the point where this book felt like Aggie-by-numbers. Some of the characters felt a little off, too, I’m afraid.
Still this wasn’t as terrible as all that, and I’m not sorry I read it, but I do think this will be where Agatha and I part company. Partly because I have next-to-no interest in reading series continuations by writers other than the original author and partly because, after thirty one books, I’m a little burnt out on the Beaton formula. It was a pretty good run, though.
One last time everybody: ”Snakes and bastards!”
Still this wasn’t as terrible as all that, and I’m not sorry I read it, but I do think this will be where Agatha and I part company. Partly because I have next-to-no interest in reading series continuations by writers other than the original author and partly because, after thirty one books, I’m a little burnt out on the Beaton formula. It was a pretty good run, though.
One last time everybody: ”Snakes and bastards!”
October 18, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for this free advance copy in return for an honest review.
One must wonder if after 30 books Agatha Raisin will become a bit tired and stale. This 31st book co-authored by Beaton and Rod Greene proves that there still is a lot of spunk left in Agatha!
For her fans, Agatha has always combined humor, sarcasm, a frustrating love life, as well as some endearing friends. What makes this book fun for me is that as a devotee of Agatha Raisin, I have followed her antics and mysteries on the AcornTV series and I can truly see Ashley Jensen and the cast having an absolute blast in this book.
As with all of these books, they take place in and around the Cotswolds, and this time the events surround Agatha’s friend and, sometimes love interest, Sir Charles Fraith. Much to Agatha’s horror, Sir Charles has moved on and is ready to marry one Mary Brown-Field. Is it for love or is it money? Something Charles has little of these days. Mary and her family are part of the horse-crowd. Yes, show jumping, dressage and the entire toot-toot wealthy snob set.
Mary and Agatha are not exactly friends, but nonetheless she crashes both the wedding, as well as a Versailles themed masquerade ball. And, in typical Agatha fashion she gets into a bit of a tussle with the now Lady Mary. Thrown out of both events, Agatha gets pulled in when a murder occurs shortly after this confrontation.
She now has to investigate the Charles Fraith Murder case and there are just a host of suspects, as well as many hilarious predicaments that only Agatha could get herself involved with, and which always show the pluck that Agatha uses to extricate herself, as well as to eventually in her unconventional way to solve the case.
Returning in this book are her loyal friends and employees that are as much a part of the series as Agatha herself. Along the way her Investigating firm gets involved with a mysterious pooper, a poltergeist, a cheating husband, and more. Some of these are just pure fun, and some actually are involved with the murder!
Lady Mary has a host of enemies, many of whom are part of that show-jumping world, and many of her enemies have good reason to want her dead. As Agatha sorts out the clues she takes a side trip to Bordeaux, France for an equestrian event and there almost falls head over heels for a wealthy French aristocrat and winemaker.
“Hot to Trot” is another fun entry in the Agatha Raisin series. When you sit down with this book, as with all of the Agatha Raisin books, you are surrounded by the epitome of both a cozy mystery and a welcomed friend. Originally posted at mysteryandsuspence.com
One must wonder if after 30 books Agatha Raisin will become a bit tired and stale. This 31st book co-authored by Beaton and Rod Greene proves that there still is a lot of spunk left in Agatha!
For her fans, Agatha has always combined humor, sarcasm, a frustrating love life, as well as some endearing friends. What makes this book fun for me is that as a devotee of Agatha Raisin, I have followed her antics and mysteries on the AcornTV series and I can truly see Ashley Jensen and the cast having an absolute blast in this book.
As with all of these books, they take place in and around the Cotswolds, and this time the events surround Agatha’s friend and, sometimes love interest, Sir Charles Fraith. Much to Agatha’s horror, Sir Charles has moved on and is ready to marry one Mary Brown-Field. Is it for love or is it money? Something Charles has little of these days. Mary and her family are part of the horse-crowd. Yes, show jumping, dressage and the entire toot-toot wealthy snob set.
Mary and Agatha are not exactly friends, but nonetheless she crashes both the wedding, as well as a Versailles themed masquerade ball. And, in typical Agatha fashion she gets into a bit of a tussle with the now Lady Mary. Thrown out of both events, Agatha gets pulled in when a murder occurs shortly after this confrontation.
She now has to investigate the Charles Fraith Murder case and there are just a host of suspects, as well as many hilarious predicaments that only Agatha could get herself involved with, and which always show the pluck that Agatha uses to extricate herself, as well as to eventually in her unconventional way to solve the case.
Returning in this book are her loyal friends and employees that are as much a part of the series as Agatha herself. Along the way her Investigating firm gets involved with a mysterious pooper, a poltergeist, a cheating husband, and more. Some of these are just pure fun, and some actually are involved with the murder!
Lady Mary has a host of enemies, many of whom are part of that show-jumping world, and many of her enemies have good reason to want her dead. As Agatha sorts out the clues she takes a side trip to Bordeaux, France for an equestrian event and there almost falls head over heels for a wealthy French aristocrat and winemaker.
“Hot to Trot” is another fun entry in the Agatha Raisin series. When you sit down with this book, as with all of the Agatha Raisin books, you are surrounded by the epitome of both a cozy mystery and a welcomed friend. Originally posted at mysteryandsuspence.com
November 14, 2020
As a stand alone book the plot is good. But I feel like R.W Green has perhaps not read the books in the series before. Maybe just cliff notes. It’s the small details and character developments that is missing. For one the relationship with James has changed. There has been nothing with him and Agatha since there was something with him and Toni. They established they were better just as friends. Also it’s only Charles that calls her Aggie. Charles was changing and becoming less of a ladies man. It seemed like they were about to properly get together in the last book. Also him getting himself in a mess agreeing to marry someone has already been done.
I feel like normal Agatha is obsessed with a guy at some point within each plot. So to not have that seemed odd. It felt like a lot characters were missing or not featured like they normally are.
I feel like normal Agatha is obsessed with a guy at some point within each plot. So to not have that seemed odd. It felt like a lot characters were missing or not featured like they normally are.
June 5, 2021
It was a tip of the hat to this author choosing to read this book, written by a man who spent time with her in coming up with how best to write in her voice. The introduction to this book goes over her lifetime achievements and experiences, and having read so many of her books over the years I found this information helpful and endearing. I would recommend the book based on just that section.
As for the plot, characters and action in this book...not so much. I never enjoyed the Raisin books as much as I enjoyed Hamish Macbeth.
Clearly others enjoy Agatha more than I did. Acorn has renewed and there will be a Season 4 released this year (2021).
As for the plot, characters and action in this book...not so much. I never enjoyed the Raisin books as much as I enjoyed Hamish Macbeth.
Clearly others enjoy Agatha more than I did. Acorn has renewed and there will be a Season 4 released this year (2021).
October 12, 2020
Agatha Raisin runs a detective agency in the Cotswolds, and the case is too close to home when both she and Sir Charles, her erstwhile lover, become suspects in a murder. I've read all of MC Beaton's Agatha Raisin books, and apparently before her recent passing, she designated a friend, RW Green, to take over writing the series. Green does a pretty good job, but there is still something different--mainly about the character of Agatha and the predictability of the plot. I hope to continue reading the series, and thank the publisher and Edelweiss for the ARC.
November 25, 2020
I wish these characters had gotten the proper ending they deserved. It's just not the same without the late, great M. C. Beaton. Agatha just isn't Agatha anymore. I tried, but I won't be continuing.
November 23, 2020
Where is the wonderfully feisty, man-crazy, shoe-, hair-, make-up obsessed Agatha Raisin I've loved for years? For me, as M.C. Beaton is gone, so is Agatha.
December 22, 2020
I only learned from the introduction to this book that Beaton passed away just about a year ago. She had another writer help her though this story, which I believe she knew would be her last. It is true to the other Agatha Raisin books which was a relief. I will miss the feeling of looking forward to "the next Agatha Raisin book." I enjoyed many laughs over the years from this quirky and hilarious character, so much that I have often reread books in this series.
December 7, 2020
Hot to Trot earns 5/5 Powdered Wigs...Entertaining “Let Them Eat Cake” Fun!
Agatha Raisin is still uncompromising with many complicated personal and professional relationships spicing it up in a fashionable image. Raisin Investigations, her thriving business, continues as an avenue to put into practice, for a hefty fee, her investigative skill. However, despite her display of outward confidence and independence, she is consumed with her long-time friend with the occasional benefits, Sir Charles Fraith, decision to marry a much younger wealthy socialite. Is her money in exchange for his more respected peerage? The bride’s often threatening manner, behind-the-scenes plans for the estate, “stay away or else” threat issued to Agatha, and a tantrum of Agatha’s attendance at an elaborate Versailles-themed party are very problematic. Then Lady-zilla ends up dead, and Agatha accused.
I’ve read several Agatha Raisin books and watched every “based on” tele-movie, so I have a working knowledge of the style, characters, and personalities Beaton had created. This thirty-first drama, penned by Rod Green, is a tad shorter than other books I’ve read, but not short on the wit, clever banter, and karmic delight fans expect from Agatha! Green’s writing style uses descriptive language painting clear pictures of the setting and characters and dialogue that does well to illustrate tone and personalities. The drama is quite engaging with a wide reaching suspect pool and motives including the competitive equestrian community and the victim’s past foes and dysfunctional family, and of course, accusing Agatha and Charles adding to the drama ending with a “Yeah!” final reveal. Other cases at Raisin’s Investigations involved intriguing and funny clients, but I was sorry some were resolved off the page. From a technical perspective, I felt there were a few issues with transitions between events; the passing of time and changes of setting could be more easily portrayed with an end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It didn’t effect my enjoyment...I couldn’t put it down!
I love Agatha! With Green’s pen she continues to be bold, impulsive, brilliant, and like us women of a “certain age,” she worries about her aging appearance. She has friends and colleagues who admire her, love her, and battle with her strong-willed manner. She contends with a delightful triangle with ex-husband James, ex-lover Charles, and ex-wannabe boyfriend Chris. And along with all the reoccurring characters, Green has done well to keep up the image for fans continued enjoyment. Agatha Raisin is in good hands!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Agatha Raisin is still uncompromising with many complicated personal and professional relationships spicing it up in a fashionable image. Raisin Investigations, her thriving business, continues as an avenue to put into practice, for a hefty fee, her investigative skill. However, despite her display of outward confidence and independence, she is consumed with her long-time friend with the occasional benefits, Sir Charles Fraith, decision to marry a much younger wealthy socialite. Is her money in exchange for his more respected peerage? The bride’s often threatening manner, behind-the-scenes plans for the estate, “stay away or else” threat issued to Agatha, and a tantrum of Agatha’s attendance at an elaborate Versailles-themed party are very problematic. Then Lady-zilla ends up dead, and Agatha accused.
I’ve read several Agatha Raisin books and watched every “based on” tele-movie, so I have a working knowledge of the style, characters, and personalities Beaton had created. This thirty-first drama, penned by Rod Green, is a tad shorter than other books I’ve read, but not short on the wit, clever banter, and karmic delight fans expect from Agatha! Green’s writing style uses descriptive language painting clear pictures of the setting and characters and dialogue that does well to illustrate tone and personalities. The drama is quite engaging with a wide reaching suspect pool and motives including the competitive equestrian community and the victim’s past foes and dysfunctional family, and of course, accusing Agatha and Charles adding to the drama ending with a “Yeah!” final reveal. Other cases at Raisin’s Investigations involved intriguing and funny clients, but I was sorry some were resolved off the page. From a technical perspective, I felt there were a few issues with transitions between events; the passing of time and changes of setting could be more easily portrayed with an end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It didn’t effect my enjoyment...I couldn’t put it down!
I love Agatha! With Green’s pen she continues to be bold, impulsive, brilliant, and like us women of a “certain age,” she worries about her aging appearance. She has friends and colleagues who admire her, love her, and battle with her strong-willed manner. She contends with a delightful triangle with ex-husband James, ex-lover Charles, and ex-wannabe boyfriend Chris. And along with all the reoccurring characters, Green has done well to keep up the image for fans continued enjoyment. Agatha Raisin is in good hands!
Disclosure: I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
December 29, 2020
This was my first Agatha Raisin book and I admit I read it because of the horses on the cover! But I do enjoy mysteries and this was a fun one. I did guess who the killer was - I had figured it out about halfway through the story. There were numerous suspects in here and I suppose the author tried to make it difficult to guess which one was the actual killer, but I just found it very obvious.
I do love the cover of this book! It's very beautiful. I also love the pink and black color scheme.
Now because I have never read anything with Agatha before, I do find some of her behavior, well, questionable. She seems very concerned with dressing correctly for certain types of events instead of wearing just any old thing...so that to me makes her behavior in certain scenes even more - well - weird? It's like she can be darn right rude! And I mean in cases when she (to me) has no reason to. Like one particular scene near the end of the book (after the murder was solved) she goes to visit someone's house and a woman is leaving in a car and she sprays champagne all over the person?? I just don't understand why she does that. She's not dating the man in the house so...?? I don't think she even knew or cared who the woman in the car was.
I think my favorite character in here turned out to be the French woman, Claudette, because she just seemed so friendly. She had a very small part of the story but her personality was very big! The fact she had a horse was a plus.
There were some horses in here and one scene was at a jumping event. They are not a big part of the plot though. I still enjoyed this. Oh, I also thought it was strange that the book stated the horses train on a surface made of ash and cloth. How unusual! Hmmm....now that I think about it I do recall the stable I go to saying something about the surface being made of old "chewed up" shoes?? I guess that could be classified as cloth. So yes, I have run across interesting horse related tidbits in here. I just find these little facts fascinating.
And I'm using this book for the popsugar challenge too. A book recommended to me. It was obviously a recommendation because of the horse related topic.
I do love the cover of this book! It's very beautiful. I also love the pink and black color scheme.
Now because I have never read anything with Agatha before, I do find some of her behavior, well, questionable. She seems very concerned with dressing correctly for certain types of events instead of wearing just any old thing...so that to me makes her behavior in certain scenes even more - well - weird? It's like she can be darn right rude! And I mean in cases when she (to me) has no reason to. Like one particular scene near the end of the book (after the murder was solved) she goes to visit someone's house and a woman is leaving in a car and she sprays champagne all over the person?? I just don't understand why she does that. She's not dating the man in the house so...?? I don't think she even knew or cared who the woman in the car was.
I think my favorite character in here turned out to be the French woman, Claudette, because she just seemed so friendly. She had a very small part of the story but her personality was very big! The fact she had a horse was a plus.
There were some horses in here and one scene was at a jumping event. They are not a big part of the plot though. I still enjoyed this. Oh, I also thought it was strange that the book stated the horses train on a surface made of ash and cloth. How unusual! Hmmm....now that I think about it I do recall the stable I go to saying something about the surface being made of old "chewed up" shoes?? I guess that could be classified as cloth. So yes, I have run across interesting horse related tidbits in here. I just find these little facts fascinating.
And I'm using this book for the popsugar challenge too. A book recommended to me. It was obviously a recommendation because of the horse related topic.
June 11, 2021
At the tail end of 2019 longtime mystery and romance author M.C. Beaton passed away. The outpouring from fans was immense, and the realization that her two most famous detectives, Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth, had nabbed their last murderers hit me particularly hard—I was actually holding one of her books when I heard the news. However, Beaton apparently had one more trick up her sleeve, and her publisher soon revealed she had been working with a ghostwriter, R.W. Green, right up until her death.
For at least one more time, Agatha Raisin was back on the case.
Before I continued with her, I had one major concern: could Green make this book as fun as the rest of the series? Even the most chameleon of writers cannot imitate an author perfectly, and I knew it was vital for Green to make his own mark on the series. No doubt, Hot to Trot feels different different.
However, for all of his minor touches, Green has infused new life into this series. Agatha seems a little mellower, with her temper simmering in the background. She’s as cantankerous as ever, but her motivations feel clearer. Similarly, while she still tackles the mystery—in this case, the murder of her sometimes companion Charles Fraith’s new wife—with gusto, she takes fewer pub breaks. That’s not to suggest she doesn’t have a little fun now and again, but she seems much more interested in actually investigating the equestrian-themed murder. Green tosses in a few fieldtrips ranging from a private wedding to a show jumping event, allowing Agatha to show off her penchant for getting stuck in wicked situations while tracking suspects.
Green also didn’t shy away from making this a complete Beaton experience. The rest of her usual stable is on full display, with everyone from her detective agency employees to James Lacey to Bill Wong and, of course, Mrs. Bloxby and the other Cotswolds crew all making appearances. Everyone’s had slight adjustments, with former colleague and current pal Roy Silver feeling particularly refreshed—he’s far less whiny than he has been in many books.
Overall, for all the changes made, everything feels basically the same. There’s still a murderer on the loose, which remains a shockingly common occurrence in this tiny community. Agatha still gets flustered while nuking frozen meals in the microwave. And love—glorious, complicated love—abounds. Ultimately, this 31st book is a welcome addition to the series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also published at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
For at least one more time, Agatha Raisin was back on the case.
Before I continued with her, I had one major concern: could Green make this book as fun as the rest of the series? Even the most chameleon of writers cannot imitate an author perfectly, and I knew it was vital for Green to make his own mark on the series. No doubt, Hot to Trot feels different different.
However, for all of his minor touches, Green has infused new life into this series. Agatha seems a little mellower, with her temper simmering in the background. She’s as cantankerous as ever, but her motivations feel clearer. Similarly, while she still tackles the mystery—in this case, the murder of her sometimes companion Charles Fraith’s new wife—with gusto, she takes fewer pub breaks. That’s not to suggest she doesn’t have a little fun now and again, but she seems much more interested in actually investigating the equestrian-themed murder. Green tosses in a few fieldtrips ranging from a private wedding to a show jumping event, allowing Agatha to show off her penchant for getting stuck in wicked situations while tracking suspects.
Green also didn’t shy away from making this a complete Beaton experience. The rest of her usual stable is on full display, with everyone from her detective agency employees to James Lacey to Bill Wong and, of course, Mrs. Bloxby and the other Cotswolds crew all making appearances. Everyone’s had slight adjustments, with former colleague and current pal Roy Silver feeling particularly refreshed—he’s far less whiny than he has been in many books.
Overall, for all the changes made, everything feels basically the same. There’s still a murderer on the loose, which remains a shockingly common occurrence in this tiny community. Agatha still gets flustered while nuking frozen meals in the microwave. And love—glorious, complicated love—abounds. Ultimately, this 31st book is a welcome addition to the series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher.
Review also published at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
October 9, 2020
You are either an Agatha Raisin fan or you are not--there is not much middle ground for this irascible character. I happen to be a fan and was saddened by the death of author M.C. Beaton in December, 2019. Her mantle for this 31st entry into the series has been taken up by co-author Rod Greene.
As usual, Agatha solves not one but several mysteries in this outing, the primary one the murder of Agatha's sometimes lover Sir Charles Fraith's new wife with whom Agatha has quarreled, spectacularly and publicly. Adding to the mix are familiar series favorites: Agatha's ex-husband James, her housekeeper Doris Simpson, vicar's wife Sarah Bloxby, detective Bill Wong, sleazy chief inspector Wilkes, PR guru Roy Silver, and Agatha's employees at her detective agency. The eternal triangle of Agatha, James, and Charles is back in full force as well.
No one reads Agatha because she is a "nice" character, but she is an intriguing one because of her many flaws and her in-your-face approach to life.
A fun, satisfying addition to this long-running series.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
As usual, Agatha solves not one but several mysteries in this outing, the primary one the murder of Agatha's sometimes lover Sir Charles Fraith's new wife with whom Agatha has quarreled, spectacularly and publicly. Adding to the mix are familiar series favorites: Agatha's ex-husband James, her housekeeper Doris Simpson, vicar's wife Sarah Bloxby, detective Bill Wong, sleazy chief inspector Wilkes, PR guru Roy Silver, and Agatha's employees at her detective agency. The eternal triangle of Agatha, James, and Charles is back in full force as well.
No one reads Agatha because she is a "nice" character, but she is an intriguing one because of her many flaws and her in-your-face approach to life.
A fun, satisfying addition to this long-running series.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
October 18, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for this free advance copy in return for an honest review.
One must wonder if after 30 books Agatha Raisin will become a bit tired and stale. This 31st book co-authored by Beaton and Rod Greene proves that there still is a lot of spunk left in Agatha!
For her fans, Agatha has always combined humor, sarcasm, a frustrating love life, as well as some endearing friends. What makes this book fun for me is that as a devotee of Agatha Raisin, I have followed her antics and mysteries on the AcornTV series and I can truly see Ashley Jensen and the cast having an absolute blast in this book.
As with all of these books, they take place in and around the Cotswolds, and this time the events surround Agatha’s friend and, sometimes love interest, Sir Charles Fraith. Much to Agatha’s horror, Sir Charles has moved on and is ready to marry one Mary Brown-Field. Is it for love or is it money? Something Charles has little of these days. Mary and her family are part of the horse-crowd. Yes, show jumping, dressage and the entire toot-toot wealthy snob set.
Mary and Agatha are not exactly friends, but nonetheless she crashes both the wedding, as well as a Versailles themed masquerade ball. And, in typical Agatha fashion she gets into a bit of a tussle with the now Lady Mary. Thrown out of both events, Agatha gets pulled in when a murder occurs shortly after this confrontation.
She now has to investigate the Charles Fraith Murder case and there are just a host of suspects, as well as many hilarious predicaments that only Agatha could get herself involved with, and which always show the pluck that Agatha uses to extricate herself, as well as to eventually in her unconventional way to solve the case.
Returning in this book are her loyal friends and employees that are as much a part of the series as Agatha herself. Along the way her Investigating firm gets involved with a mysterious pooper, a poltergeist, a cheating husband, and more. Some of these are just pure fun, and some actually are involved with the murder!
Lady Mary has a host of enemies, many of whom are part of that show-jumping world, and many of her enemies have good reason to want her dead. As Agatha sorts out the clues she takes a side trip to Bordeaux, France for an equestrian event and there almost falls head over heels for a wealthy French aristocrat and winemaker.
“Hot to Trot” is another fun entry in the Agatha Raisin series. When you sit down with this book, as with all of the Agatha Raisin books, you are surrounded by the epitome of both a cozy mystery and a welcomed friend. Originally posted at mysteryandsuspence.com
One must wonder if after 30 books Agatha Raisin will become a bit tired and stale. This 31st book co-authored by Beaton and Rod Greene proves that there still is a lot of spunk left in Agatha!
For her fans, Agatha has always combined humor, sarcasm, a frustrating love life, as well as some endearing friends. What makes this book fun for me is that as a devotee of Agatha Raisin, I have followed her antics and mysteries on the AcornTV series and I can truly see Ashley Jensen and the cast having an absolute blast in this book.
As with all of these books, they take place in and around the Cotswolds, and this time the events surround Agatha’s friend and, sometimes love interest, Sir Charles Fraith. Much to Agatha’s horror, Sir Charles has moved on and is ready to marry one Mary Brown-Field. Is it for love or is it money? Something Charles has little of these days. Mary and her family are part of the horse-crowd. Yes, show jumping, dressage and the entire toot-toot wealthy snob set.
Mary and Agatha are not exactly friends, but nonetheless she crashes both the wedding, as well as a Versailles themed masquerade ball. And, in typical Agatha fashion she gets into a bit of a tussle with the now Lady Mary. Thrown out of both events, Agatha gets pulled in when a murder occurs shortly after this confrontation.
She now has to investigate the Charles Fraith Murder case and there are just a host of suspects, as well as many hilarious predicaments that only Agatha could get herself involved with, and which always show the pluck that Agatha uses to extricate herself, as well as to eventually in her unconventional way to solve the case.
Returning in this book are her loyal friends and employees that are as much a part of the series as Agatha herself. Along the way her Investigating firm gets involved with a mysterious pooper, a poltergeist, a cheating husband, and more. Some of these are just pure fun, and some actually are involved with the murder!
Lady Mary has a host of enemies, many of whom are part of that show-jumping world, and many of her enemies have good reason to want her dead. As Agatha sorts out the clues she takes a side trip to Bordeaux, France for an equestrian event and there almost falls head over heels for a wealthy French aristocrat and winemaker.
“Hot to Trot” is another fun entry in the Agatha Raisin series. When you sit down with this book, as with all of the Agatha Raisin books, you are surrounded by the epitome of both a cozy mystery and a welcomed friend. Originally posted at mysteryandsuspence.com
November 15, 2020
3.5 stars
I am not a fan of other people writing another authors books after the author dies. I know it is done a lot. Look at Rex Stout, Tony Hillerman, Dick Francis, etc. Some of them are relatives. Some of them done for estates that are trying to eke out more money. They are never as good as the original. This new author is on pains to say that he was blessed by M.C. Beaton before she died. He even submitted sample writing for her approval. He does catch the spirit of the novels better than most but it's still not our beloved Agatha.
For one thing, this is a softer Agatha. She is really more likable. She takes her high heels off occasionally. In some ways she is an improvement. Charles gets married and Agatha crashes his wedding feast and a wedding ball. She is thrown out by the bride who hates Agatha. The bride is really an unlikable person who Charles only married for her money. Then the bride ends up murdered and Charles hires Agatha to investigate.
The investigation takes her to the horse racing world where there were quite a few suspects. The bride was so unlikable that a lot of people could have murdered her. She even goes to France and meets some interesting people. There is a marital affair and lots of physical attacks. It keeps the story moving along.
For a book written by a different author, this is OK. I had some real fun reading it but I miss the old Agatha. RIP in M.C. Beaton and thanks for all the entertainment you have provided me. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
I am not a fan of other people writing another authors books after the author dies. I know it is done a lot. Look at Rex Stout, Tony Hillerman, Dick Francis, etc. Some of them are relatives. Some of them done for estates that are trying to eke out more money. They are never as good as the original. This new author is on pains to say that he was blessed by M.C. Beaton before she died. He even submitted sample writing for her approval. He does catch the spirit of the novels better than most but it's still not our beloved Agatha.
For one thing, this is a softer Agatha. She is really more likable. She takes her high heels off occasionally. In some ways she is an improvement. Charles gets married and Agatha crashes his wedding feast and a wedding ball. She is thrown out by the bride who hates Agatha. The bride is really an unlikable person who Charles only married for her money. Then the bride ends up murdered and Charles hires Agatha to investigate.
The investigation takes her to the horse racing world where there were quite a few suspects. The bride was so unlikable that a lot of people could have murdered her. She even goes to France and meets some interesting people. There is a marital affair and lots of physical attacks. It keeps the story moving along.
For a book written by a different author, this is OK. I had some real fun reading it but I miss the old Agatha. RIP in M.C. Beaton and thanks for all the entertainment you have provided me. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
July 15, 2021
Sadly, Marion Chesney, who wrote the long-running Agatha Raisin mystery series under the pen name M.C. Beaton, passed away in 2019. Her friend and fellow writer, R. W. Green, has picked up the mantle and written THIS book in her name, with her blessing before she passed.
Along with Agatha, all of our favorite characters are present in this story...but it's just not quite the same. The mystery is well written and perhaps even has a bit more 'meat' to it than the usual Agatha mystery, but gone is the feistiness that was Agatha, gone is the standoffishness that was James, gone is the...well the certain sparkle that made each of these characters special.
Don't get me wrong--I enjoyed this story and will probably continue reading the series, but not with the same expectation of amusement that always came before.
Along with Agatha, all of our favorite characters are present in this story...but it's just not quite the same. The mystery is well written and perhaps even has a bit more 'meat' to it than the usual Agatha mystery, but gone is the feistiness that was Agatha, gone is the standoffishness that was James, gone is the...well the certain sparkle that made each of these characters special.
Don't get me wrong--I enjoyed this story and will probably continue reading the series, but not with the same expectation of amusement that always came before.
Read
September 14, 2022Most of my followers know that I read M.C. Beaton with a passion. I've read all of her books I've ever gotten my hands on. With her passing, however, we're left with a replacement author who seems to plan to pick up the series where it left off.
Like most of the other reviewers state, it is clear almost at the outset that this author has never read Beaton as extensively as I have. Certainly he could not have read more than five books of this series. So many of the adjectives and adverbs that Beaton used with regards to Agatha Raisin are completely missing. The omniscient POV and caustically objective tone used in narration are missing. The snarky tongue-in-cheek humor in the observations of human nature is completely gone.
Sigh. A star in the writing world is gone. I wish they could have laid her to rest and honored her contributions instead of this.
Like most of the other reviewers state, it is clear almost at the outset that this author has never read Beaton as extensively as I have. Certainly he could not have read more than five books of this series. So many of the adjectives and adverbs that Beaton used with regards to Agatha Raisin are completely missing. The omniscient POV and caustically objective tone used in narration are missing. The snarky tongue-in-cheek humor in the observations of human nature is completely gone.
Sigh. A star in the writing world is gone. I wish they could have laid her to rest and honored her contributions instead of this.
October 4, 2020
Rod Greene did a great job here. The explanatory intro and anecdotes were touching.
This was just as much fun as any previous Agatha book. Good to see the team back together again. I laughed out loud at quite a few parts. Nice to have Roy back as well. Based on the ending can I expect more Agatha tales? I sure hope so!
Or should I say...Sally Sultana! 😂
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review.
This was just as much fun as any previous Agatha book. Good to see the team back together again. I laughed out loud at quite a few parts. Nice to have Roy back as well. Based on the ending can I expect more Agatha tales? I sure hope so!
Or should I say...Sally Sultana! 😂
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review.
December 20, 2020
MC Beaton is gone, and so is Agatha. This book is a valiant, though ineffectual, attempt to continue her tradition. It is an ok story in itself, well written, but it is not near as much fun as Agatha.
Agatha, we will miss you. Snakes and bastards.
Agatha, we will miss you. Snakes and bastards.
November 28, 2023
A entertaining read. Outing 31. Agatha investigates the murder of Charles new bride Lady Mary. Her and Charles are suspects along with several others as Mary was a nasty bully with anger management issues. Set once again in the idyllic Cotswolds. Roy also makes a colorful appearance.
The investigation takes Agatha into the horsey world of jumping and dressage. Mary’s father is a horrible person with aspirations of grandeur. The story has interesting suspects with a twist at the end with Agatha’s new French friends. I did find the semi paraplegic Deborah and her brother suspicious especially given what Mary did to her.
Charles truly has awful taste in women.
The investigation takes Agatha into the horsey world of jumping and dressage. Mary’s father is a horrible person with aspirations of grandeur. The story has interesting suspects with a twist at the end with Agatha’s new French friends. I did find the semi paraplegic Deborah and her brother suspicious especially given what Mary did to her.
Charles truly has awful taste in women.
January 10, 2021
Agatha Raisin is the lead detective of her own private investigative firm and when her former lover Charles announces he is getting married to a mysterious bride, Agatha is determined to get to the bottom of the unlikely match.
This was my first Agatha Raisin mystery and I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand, this was a fun, lighthearted, cozy mystery with some likeable and outrageous characters.
On the other hand, Agatha herself is not exactly my cup of tea. She tends to be quite rude and has an internal monologue that seems to revolve almost entirely around her clothing and appearance and how it compares and contrasts with other peoples’ clothing and appearance. Not to say that there aren’t people who think and speak this way, but I am not particularly interested in reading about those people. There is also some questionable use of language bordering on the realm of fatphobia and transphobia that didn’t sit well with me. I think the use of a more diverse group of sensitivity readers could have weeded out these missteps before publication.
Lastly, the mystery itself (while generally fun) was not particularly complex and was quite easy to solve once the culprit was introduced.
I’m sure this latest installment of a popular series will be a big hit with those who have enjoyed the series so far, enjoy Agatha’s sassy personality, flaws and all, and don’t mind a mystery that is not challenging to solve in the course of reading. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did a fantastic job and made the listening experience very enjoyable from an auditory perspective. I also quite enjoyed the inclusion of show jumping as a major theme as someone who rode horses for all of my formative years!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Audiobooks for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
VIDEO REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tbcj...
You can find me on...
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This was my first Agatha Raisin mystery and I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand, this was a fun, lighthearted, cozy mystery with some likeable and outrageous characters.
On the other hand, Agatha herself is not exactly my cup of tea. She tends to be quite rude and has an internal monologue that seems to revolve almost entirely around her clothing and appearance and how it compares and contrasts with other peoples’ clothing and appearance. Not to say that there aren’t people who think and speak this way, but I am not particularly interested in reading about those people. There is also some questionable use of language bordering on the realm of fatphobia and transphobia that didn’t sit well with me. I think the use of a more diverse group of sensitivity readers could have weeded out these missteps before publication.
Lastly, the mystery itself (while generally fun) was not particularly complex and was quite easy to solve once the culprit was introduced.
I’m sure this latest installment of a popular series will be a big hit with those who have enjoyed the series so far, enjoy Agatha’s sassy personality, flaws and all, and don’t mind a mystery that is not challenging to solve in the course of reading. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator did a fantastic job and made the listening experience very enjoyable from an auditory perspective. I also quite enjoyed the inclusion of show jumping as a major theme as someone who rode horses for all of my formative years!
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Audiobooks for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
VIDEO REVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tbcj...
You can find me on...
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter
October 28, 2020
Firstly, I must say that it is a good effort from R.W. Greene. It cannot be easy taking on such a vibrant character like Agatha Raisin after her 30 previous outings.
On the whole, this book was perhaps better than the previous entry. The plot certainly felt as solid as earlier books. Though, I didn’t really feel like I was going through it with Agatha Raisin. Where was the self-doubt, the high heels, the hair brushing (in fact no one mentioned her shining hair, compact but good figure, her bear-like eyes nor he innate sex appeal). For me, it felt very much like I was with Ashley Jensen’s television Agatha not the the written Agatha.
However, unfortunately none of the series regulars felt “right”. As other reviewers have noted James Lacey felt like just some guy. He also seemed a lot less irascible than usual and after being firmly friend-zone in the last 10 or so books, his place in this novel seemed odd. The same goes for Roy Silver, Margaret Bloxby and evening Hodge and Boswell.
The biggest character misstep, for me at least, was Sir Charles Fraith. For a book about the murder of his wife he was notable by his absence. However, I didn’t actually mind that at all. It was a relief not to see more of his changed personality from charming rogue to unlikeable pillock. It was also very clear that Greene was drawing a line under a story arc that has been steadily building since Agatha and Charles were in Cyprus together.
The seemingly increased use of bad language and the attempted bondage/attack scene felt somewhat uncomfortable and ill-sitting for an Agatha Raisin book.
On the whole an OK book and certainly an amazing first attempt by an author to take on such an established character. However, I hope some of the above is addressed for the next book.
On the whole, this book was perhaps better than the previous entry. The plot certainly felt as solid as earlier books. Though, I didn’t really feel like I was going through it with Agatha Raisin. Where was the self-doubt, the high heels, the hair brushing (in fact no one mentioned her shining hair, compact but good figure, her bear-like eyes nor he innate sex appeal). For me, it felt very much like I was with Ashley Jensen’s television Agatha not the the written Agatha.
However, unfortunately none of the series regulars felt “right”. As other reviewers have noted James Lacey felt like just some guy. He also seemed a lot less irascible than usual and after being firmly friend-zone in the last 10 or so books, his place in this novel seemed odd. The same goes for Roy Silver, Margaret Bloxby and evening Hodge and Boswell.
The biggest character misstep, for me at least, was Sir Charles Fraith. For a book about the murder of his wife he was notable by his absence. However, I didn’t actually mind that at all. It was a relief not to see more of his changed personality from charming rogue to unlikeable pillock. It was also very clear that Greene was drawing a line under a story arc that has been steadily building since Agatha and Charles were in Cyprus together.
The seemingly increased use of bad language and the attempted bondage/attack scene felt somewhat uncomfortable and ill-sitting for an Agatha Raisin book.
On the whole an OK book and certainly an amazing first attempt by an author to take on such an established character. However, I hope some of the above is addressed for the next book.
December 7, 2020
You don't always know when you will have the last visit with friends, but this book, and the death of M.C. Beaton probably fits the macabre thought.
The author brought in all the regulars. The one violent scene didn't feel like her writing, but that of an editor who needlessly wanted to step up the tension. It fell flat.
RIP M.C.Beaton.
The author brought in all the regulars. The one violent scene didn't feel like her writing, but that of an editor who needlessly wanted to step up the tension. It fell flat.
RIP M.C.Beaton.
February 10, 2022
Although this book was written by someone else, I did enjoy it. Agatha may not be the man chasing maniac she used to be but there was still shades of her former self. Most of the supporting characters were the same and the writing was well done.
December 18, 2020
Agatha Raisin is a private detective in the Cotswolds, and it saddens her to see her one-time lover Sir Charles Fraith getting married to a shrew who hates not only her, but Charles' long-time valet, Gustav. In fact, it seems the woman hates just about everyone. Agatha knows that Mary has a hold on Charles, and sets out to discover what it is; and is surprised to find her nemesis Gustav egging her on.
When Agatha crashes the wedding with her ex-husband James, she sneaks out before there's a confrontation. But it seems it's only postponed when she also sneaks into a masquerade ball (with the help of Gustav) and is recognized by Mary, who throws a fit - and something else at Agatha, causing pandemonium. But when Mary is murdered later that night, her friend policeman Bill Wong warns her to stay out of the investigation, because his boss hates her and has it in for her, and would pin it on her if he could.
But when Charles becomes a suspect, he asks for Agatha's help in proving his innocence. When she starts digging into Mary's past, unsavory aspects come forth. Not only hers, but her father's as well. Will Agatha find the killer, or will Charles be imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit?
I wanted to read this book because I've read the others in the series, and especially the last two, which have led me here. Unfortunately, it seems R.W. Green didn't read either of those. I say this because while the book is written in the style of Ms. Beaton, it's not written in the feel of previous books. This book gives off a different aura for Agatha, and I don't think Charles would be so cavalier to her, since in the last two books things were otherwise. (I do not want to say too much on the subject because I do not wish to spoil those books for readers who have not read them yet).
In this book, it seems that James is less of who he has been. He's rather a pale imitation of himself, as are the others. There's no pretentiousness at all; he's just anyone who walks down the street. Charles isn't charming as he has always been in other books; I didn't feel it and unfortunately, it didn't draw me to him. Agatha herself isn't being Agatha. Where are her heels? Her insecurities? Agatha has changed into someone I don't recognize at all.
Let us just say that this book is taking us down a path I didn't expect nor really relish. Actually, I was hoping that the last two books would lead us to something else; but ah, well. As a book, it was written well and, of course, Agatha discovered the murderer, as we know she must. I will read the next in the series to see where it's going.
I was given an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and this has not affected it at all.
When Agatha crashes the wedding with her ex-husband James, she sneaks out before there's a confrontation. But it seems it's only postponed when she also sneaks into a masquerade ball (with the help of Gustav) and is recognized by Mary, who throws a fit - and something else at Agatha, causing pandemonium. But when Mary is murdered later that night, her friend policeman Bill Wong warns her to stay out of the investigation, because his boss hates her and has it in for her, and would pin it on her if he could.
But when Charles becomes a suspect, he asks for Agatha's help in proving his innocence. When she starts digging into Mary's past, unsavory aspects come forth. Not only hers, but her father's as well. Will Agatha find the killer, or will Charles be imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit?
I wanted to read this book because I've read the others in the series, and especially the last two, which have led me here. Unfortunately, it seems R.W. Green didn't read either of those. I say this because while the book is written in the style of Ms. Beaton, it's not written in the feel of previous books. This book gives off a different aura for Agatha, and I don't think Charles would be so cavalier to her, since in the last two books things were otherwise. (I do not want to say too much on the subject because I do not wish to spoil those books for readers who have not read them yet).
In this book, it seems that James is less of who he has been. He's rather a pale imitation of himself, as are the others. There's no pretentiousness at all; he's just anyone who walks down the street. Charles isn't charming as he has always been in other books; I didn't feel it and unfortunately, it didn't draw me to him. Agatha herself isn't being Agatha. Where are her heels? Her insecurities? Agatha has changed into someone I don't recognize at all.
Let us just say that this book is taking us down a path I didn't expect nor really relish. Actually, I was hoping that the last two books would lead us to something else; but ah, well. As a book, it was written well and, of course, Agatha discovered the murderer, as we know she must. I will read the next in the series to see where it's going.
I was given an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and this has not affected it at all.
March 8, 2023
I am a big Agatha Raisen fan and have loved this series! I purchased this book as the original. I read it 2 years ago when it did not include the forward by R. W. Green. It was very interesting to hear about the authors thoughts and the transition of the series.
This was an excellent mystery which kept me guessing almost until the end as I read so many books I don’t remember all the endings and love reading them again!
Agatha puzzles out the murder of her best friends new bride!
She is up to all of her tricks with the help of her wonderful quirky band of detectives.
Roy Silver one of her oldest friends is in this book. He is hysterical! He and Agatha must infiltrate the world of equestrian competition. I found it particularly competitive! Roy is a funny, witty, great character and any where these 2 go together is a hoot!
Tony one of her employees is a wonderful character as well who is featured in the book. She has the opportunity to do things with Agatha she would never have had. She is complex and fresh off dating. Agatha always wants her to herself and not with a man, and so do I! Simon does a bit of work too.
There is the description of a lovely manor and a masquerade ball and lovely events in the Cotswold area of England which sounds beautiful in the spring.
Her detective agency is going strong and for the mystery to be solved- Charles himself as well as Agatha must be cleared!
Back at home some simmering thoughts on her next door neighbor James are always changing. I can’t wait to read the next two books available now to find out while Agatha solves more mysteries in her special way!
This was an excellent mystery which kept me guessing almost until the end as I read so many books I don’t remember all the endings and love reading them again!
Agatha puzzles out the murder of her best friends new bride!
She is up to all of her tricks with the help of her wonderful quirky band of detectives.
Roy Silver one of her oldest friends is in this book. He is hysterical! He and Agatha must infiltrate the world of equestrian competition. I found it particularly competitive! Roy is a funny, witty, great character and any where these 2 go together is a hoot!
Tony one of her employees is a wonderful character as well who is featured in the book. She has the opportunity to do things with Agatha she would never have had. She is complex and fresh off dating. Agatha always wants her to herself and not with a man, and so do I! Simon does a bit of work too.
There is the description of a lovely manor and a masquerade ball and lovely events in the Cotswold area of England which sounds beautiful in the spring.
Her detective agency is going strong and for the mystery to be solved- Charles himself as well as Agatha must be cleared!
Back at home some simmering thoughts on her next door neighbor James are always changing. I can’t wait to read the next two books available now to find out while Agatha solves more mysteries in her special way!
January 4, 2026
2.5. Interesting and fast paced plot but unfortunately this just wasn’t Agatha Raisin, it must have been Sally Sultana. While I commend his effort, it seems R.W Green didn’t really do his homework. To start with and as others have mentioned, hearing James call her ‘Aggie’ was incredibly jarring as we all know no one calls her that except Charles, it’s his ‘thing’. Infact James ended up having a full personality transplant in this book, I barely recognised him. Same with Mrs Bloxby, her first line being ‘Agatha! Hello, my dear’, a combination of words that would simply never come out of her mouth. Also didn’t the Carlsey Ladies Society disband? Well they’re back with a bake sale in this one. Oh and James and Agatha have never had neighbours on Lilac Lane but maybe a housing estate was built somewhere between this book and the last. I could go on but there really is no need. I also missed M.C Beatons 3rd person omniscient and insight into other characters thoughts and feelings, this was strictly from Agatha’s point of view which is fine. I will say R.W Green did get into his stride the more the book continued.
Despite all the inconsistencies, the book is fine as a stand-alone and I will be treating it as a tribute to M.C Beaton rather than a continuation of her work. Alas, I will sadly be ending my adventures with Agatha here.
Despite all the inconsistencies, the book is fine as a stand-alone and I will be treating it as a tribute to M.C Beaton rather than a continuation of her work. Alas, I will sadly be ending my adventures with Agatha here.
December 7, 2020
In a matter of days, Charles becomes a married man, a widower, and a suspect in his wife’s murder. Agatha is determined to find out who hated Lady Mary enough to murder her, but the problem isn’t that there are no suspects. There are too many! This exciting mystery has Agatha dashing from one thing to another, and in the midst of all the subterfuge and anguish, her attraction to her ex-husband James is beginning to flame again. And James is the one fanning the flame. It’s a fun romp from beginning to end. This book was coauthored by M. C. Beaton and R. W. Green, and I enjoyed it as much as any other Agatha Raisin mystery. The book flowed seamlessly, and if Agatha seemed a bit less acerbic, I’m all for it. Marion Chesney left an impressive legacy, including her beloved Agatha Raisin series, and I can only hope that author R. W. Green continues it in her honor and memory.
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