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Summary: Prickly, Grouchy, but Undeterred--Agatha Survives!
Review: This most recent of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series (all complete delights for cozy-holics like me) finds our Agatha at long last rid of her handsome ex-neighbor and ex-husband James Lacey, who has sold his cottage and joined a French monastery. And good enough for him, too, after the way he treated our Agatha. Regular readers will be delighted to see Agatha recovering surely if slowly from the wounds inflicted on her by the misogynistic, emotionally abusive Lacey...and will find further snickers in the brief images of the fickle tightwad Sir Charles Fraith, a former partner in investigation and erstwhile lover, caught in a not necessarily happy marriage and newly chubby to boot. Don't we all want to see Agatha find a man who thinks she's as funny and worthy as we do? Could her new neighbor, the famous author John Armitage, be The One? Can't wait for the next installment in this series to find out! As far as the plot, it's predictable and delightful. If you're an Agatha Christie fan, you'll recognize the plot and certain clue devices early on, although Beaton takes a few twists and contemporary turns on the original. Beaton never fails to delight in her plots, nor in the continuing saga of the grumpy but tender-hearted Agatha! More, more, more, and more, please Ms. Beaton!
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Summary: They just keep getting worse...
Review: This series has been going downhill for ages, but this latest is truly the worst..what a preposterous book! Read at your own peril!
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Summary: Agatha Is Still The Lovable Pit Bull From the Cotswolds
Review: What's this? Agatha Raisin making friends easily? Agatha not bragging about all the murders she's solved? Agatha making a habit out of exercising? And Agatha actually giving up cigarettes? Can the feisty amateur detective really be reinventing herself and moving on from her broken heart? Now in her 12th adventure, Agatha Raisin continues to entertain with her feisty, in-your-face attitude coupled with a poignant vulnerability. Her great love James is out of sight, but never out of mind; Sir Charles Fraith makes a cameo appearance relating his tale of being a newlywed; and old favorites like Mrs. Bloxby and Ron Silver are there to bolster Agatha's sagging spirits. The plot is light when famous writer John Armitage takes up residence in James' former cottage. Will Agatha scheme to win the attention of the handsome newcomer or will she be subtle and seductive? With Agatha, you never know exactly what to expect and that's part of the fun. Two newly-wed couples and their parallel situations are at the heart of this mystery and though Agatha butts in where sane people fear to tread and once again puts her life in danger, we can forgive any weakness of the plot because Agatha is just so much fun to spend time with. By novel's end, not only her famous neighbor John but her errant friend Charles will be making plans for Agatha, and even the police inspector is beginning to see Mrs. Raisin in a different light. The set-up is ripe for .....yet another Agatha Raisin adventure. Can't wait!
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Summary: Not Enough Adjectives for Agatha
Review: Winsome, quirky, irritable and delightfully miserable, our middle aged heroine Agatha Raisin has been deserted by James Lacy and must go on to find what life awaits. An escapist trip to Robinson Crusoe island in South America was a bit of a surprise, but it has now been added to my venue of places to visit. Upon returning to her cottages in the Cotswolds and her adoring cats, Agatha seriously takes up Pilates, determines to studiously ignore her new neighbor and to hypnotize away her cigarette habit. Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife, is a minor character, but has one line in this book that makes the whole read more than worth while. As Agatha finds herself in the midst of yet another murder mystery, she dons a wig and glasses and goes investigating. Despite rude remarks about her age, threats and more murder, Agatha perseveres and (of course) nearly gets killed herself. How M.C. Beaton can continue to improve on her Agatha formula book after book, I couldn't guess, but I found this one even more fun and even wiser than previous volumes. Exceedingly clever.
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