Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate

Rating:
Summary: Another great Agatha Raisin mystery
Review: Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate is another fine entry in this popular long-running series by M.C. Beaton. Beaton has earned rave reviews from critics for her Agatha Raisin series and this entry is a perfect example of why. Agatha is her usual feistry but endearing self and manages to solve another murder in the supposedly sleepy vilage of Carsely. Beaton's writing again is fun, witty and very entertaining.Like all the other entries in this series, the book is rather short and leaves you wanting more. Beaton just keeps getting better and better with each effort. Highly recomended

Rating:
Summary: Definitely The Most Enjoyable Agatha Raisin In A While
Review: As a devoted fan of Agatha Raisin, I have suppressed my slight disappointment with a couple of recent entries into the series, but applaud this latest one as perhaps the best yet. There are several reasons this book is so outstanding. One, the mystery takes center stage as Agatha unravels clues that would make another more famous Agatha proud. Second, even though Agatha maintains her unlovable ways that endear her to readers, she begins to develop the first seeds of altruistic kindness. Her innate goodness in befriending a chess-playing senior citizen and starting a project for the village's elderly give Agatha a softer side to balance her abrasive side. Third, James Lacey barely gets a mention. The egotistical former husband is mentioned merely in passing and Agatha appears well on her way to a James-less life and better for it.

Naturally, there is a love interest. Agatha is quite taken with the beautiful new curate, Tristan Delon. Flattered when he invites her to dinner, Agatha daydreams of romance before getting a first-hand taste of his malicious ways. When the curate is found murdered, rumors fly. The chief rumor appears to be that the murderer is none other than Vicar Bloxby who had good cause to be jealous of the young curate's popularity. Agatha's best friend, Mrs. Bloxby, implores Agatha to clear the Vicar's good name by finding the real murderer. Agatha teams up with next door neighbor John Armitage and together they track down numerous leads. Although Armitage's character fails to develop as anything substantial, the mystery itself is riveting and takes a few twists before the surprise ending. This reader has no regrets about Armitage's decision to move back to London, but hopes the new neighbor, a Mr. Paul Chatterton, will finally be someone who is worthy of the irrepressible Agatha Raisin.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely The Most Enjoyable Agatha Raisin In A While
Review: As a devoted fan of Agatha Raisin, I have suppressed my slight disappointment with a couple of recent entries into the series, but applaud this latest one as perhaps the best yet. There are several reasons this book is so outstanding. One, the mystery takes center stage as Agatha unravels clues that would make another more famous Agatha proud. Second, even though Agatha maintains her unlovable ways that endear her to readers, she begins to develop the first seeds of altruistic kindness. Her innate goodness in befriending a chess-playing senior citizen and starting a project for the village's elderly give Agatha a softer side to balance her abrasive side. Third, James Lacey barely gets a mention. The egotistical former husband is mentioned merely in passing and Agatha appears well on her way to a James-less life and better for it.

Naturally, there is a love interest. Agatha is quite taken with the beautiful new curate, Tristan Delon. Flattered when he invites her to dinner, Agatha daydreams of romance before getting a first-hand taste of his malicious ways. When the curate is found murdered, rumors fly. The chief rumor appears to be that the murderer is none other than Vicar Bloxby who had good cause to be jealous of the young curate's popularity. Agatha's best friend, Mrs. Bloxby, implores Agatha to clear the Vicar's good name by finding the real murderer. Agatha teams up with next door neighbor John Armitage and together they track down numerous leads. Although Armitage's character fails to develop as anything substantial, the mystery itself is riveting and takes a few twists before the surprise ending. This reader has no regrets about Armitage's decision to move back to London, but hopes the new neighbor, a Mr. Paul Chatterton, will finally be someone who is worthy of the irrepressible Agatha Raisin.

Rating:
Summary: A Really Good Agatha!
Review: For those who are not really true "cozy" lovers, do not read this book. This book is an example of an extraordinarily well done cczy. Agatha keeps getting better and in this book she is truly refreshing. There is no man in the book that she is trying to impress so she goes it alone quite a bit, and the book is much the better for that. Here we see an independent Agatha trying to solve the mystery of an almost too-beautiful new curate that has arrived in her village. As she works to uncover the murderer she discovers that the beautiful young man was certainly not what he seemed. He had made quite a few enemies in his rather short life, and there is no shortage of suspects. Two more murders happen before Agatha determines who the murderer was, but don't give up unitl the last chapter. There are a few surprises in store. I cannot wait until the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: A Really Good Agatha!
Review: For those who are not really true "cozy" lovers, do not read this book. This book is an example of an extraordinarily well done cczy. Agatha keeps getting better and in this book she is truly refreshing. There is no man in the book that she is trying to impress so she goes it alone quite a bit, and the book is much the better for that. Here we see an independent Agatha trying to solve the mystery of an almost too-beautiful new curate that has arrived in her village. As she works to uncover the murderer she discovers that the beautiful young man was certainly not what he seemed. He had made quite a few enemies in his rather short life, and there is no shortage of suspects. Two more murders happen before Agatha determines who the murderer was, but don't give up unitl the last chapter. There are a few surprises in store. I cannot wait until the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: enjoyably witty and raunchy
Review: Her husband divorced her because he decided to become a monk. When she writes to the monastery where he is supposed to be praying, the abbot replies that he left and never returned. Now Agatha Raisin realizes that was just his clever way of dumping her. Adding to her despondency is that her next door neighbor only wants to have a fling with her, making her feel even more unloved and lonely.

The Catswold villagers of Carsley adore their new curate Tristan Delon. However that reverence does not stop someone from killing the well-liked curate. With trouble already from missing money taken from the church box, the vicar Mr. Bloxby is very disturbed because he believes people think he killed Tristan out of jealously over the curate's popularity. Agatha's friend Mrs. Bloxby asks her to find out who killed the curate so her husband's name will be cleared. Unable to say no, Agatha agrees to snoop, an action that almost proves fatal.

Reading a new Agatha Raisin book is almost as good as receiving a box of Godiva chocolates (no guilt or sharing with the former). The latest installment in this long running series is enjoyably witty and raunchy as Agatha bulldozes her way into the lives of various suspects. The repartee between John and Agatha is sophisticated yet earthly, making the readers wonder what is going on in that platonic relationship. Nobody will guess who the perpetrator is until M.C. Beaton unveils the identity of the killer leading to a one sitting read requiring handy sweets.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I agree that this is the best yet of the Agatha Raisin series.

In the Case of the Curious Curate, the mystery takes a much more central position in the book than in previous episodes. The investigation is fun and John Armitage is an excellent investigative partner, being inquisitive and determined. Unlike the last two books, in which the murder seemed to serve as little more than a backdrop to Agatha's problems with James, this is a story a mystery lover can really get their teeth into.

Which isn't to say that Agatha's life is any less the hilarious soap opera! In and out of disaster and anguish as usual, Agatha actually seems to develop a bit more confidence in this book, starting a community project on her own initiative and taking more interest in other people. And yet she remains the same entertaining bundle of neurosis as ever! And the supporting cast of characters are as colorful and distinctive as ever.

Anyone who's rooted for the abrasive Agatha through her previous adventures won't want to miss this one!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I agree that this is the best yet of the Agatha Raisin series.

In the Case of the Curious Curate, the mystery takes a much more central position in the book than in previous episodes. The investigation is fun and John Armitage is an excellent investigative partner, being inquisitive and determined. Unlike the last two books, in which the murder seemed to serve as little more than a backdrop to Agatha's problems with James, this is a story a mystery lover can really get their teeth into.

Which isn't to say that Agatha's life is any less the hilarious soap opera! In and out of disaster and anguish as usual, Agatha actually seems to develop a bit more confidence in this book, starting a community project on her own initiative and taking more interest in other people. And yet she remains the same entertaining bundle of neurosis as ever! And the supporting cast of characters are as colorful and distinctive as ever.

Anyone who's rooted for the abrasive Agatha through her previous adventures won't want to miss this one!

Rating:
Summary: I don't know why I read these books
Review: I've read all the Agatha's and still find her a bad car wreck. I just can't tear my eyes away and I'm always mad at myself for reading them. She's totally unlovable, vain, stupid and locked in the stupid "gotta have a man" mindset. Put her on Prozac and maybe she'll become more interesting. I'd rather hear from Mrs. Bloxby.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I've read every Agatha Raisin book, most of them twice, and I must say this one was the most disappointing. This series started out so strong; I used to laugh out loud, and looked forward to the release of the next book. The plots were never mundane, and the books were filled with imagination and character. But gradually this series has become less and less enjoyable for me. I certainly won't rush to buy the next one. Thankfully, the Hamish Macbeth series is still going strong. Reading this book and the latest Hamish Macbeth book in sucession, it was difficult to believe they were from the same author; the Agatha Raisin book was run of the mill, the Hamish Macbeth book was as engaging as ever.