Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

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Summary: --Until death do you part--
Review: AGATHA RAISIN AND THE MURDEROUS MARRIAGE begins with Agatha preparing to marry James Lacey, the man of her dreams. Agatha was married when she was very young and since her first husband had not been heard from in years, she preferred to think that he must have died from his alcoholic life style. Unfortunately, Jimmy Raisin was not dead, and showed up at the beginning of Agatha's wedding to James Lacey.

Poor Agatha is humiliated and James is furious with her. Her life is in turmoil. She had already sold her cottage and had started moving her belongings into the house she was to share with James. He agrees to let her stay with him, but tells her that he no longer wants to marry her, ever. When Jimmy Raisin is found murdered, the police suspect Agatha or James. The disgruntled couple form somewhat of a truce and agree to do their own investigating into Jimmy's death. As the story continues, several of Jimmy's associates are also murdered and the search for the killer becomes more complex for Agatha and James. M.C. Beaton does a good job of tying up the story and keeping her readers interested in the perils of Agatha Raisin.

This is the fifth story in the Agatha Raisin mysteries. I highly recommend the entire series.

Rating:
Summary: --Until death do you part--
Review: AGATHA RAISIN AND THE MURDEROUS MARRIAGE begins with Agatha preparing to marry James Lacey, the man of her dreams. Agatha was married when she was very young and since her first husband had not been heard from in years, she preferred to think that he must have died from his alcoholic life style. Unfortunately, Jimmy Raisin was not dead, and showed up at the beginning of Agatha's wedding to James Lacey.

Poor Agatha is humiliated and James is furious with her. Her life is in turmoil. She had already sold her cottage and had started moving her belongings into the house she was to share with James. He agrees to let her stay with him, but tells her that he no longer wants to marry her, ever. When Jimmy Raisin is found murdered, the police suspect Agatha or James. The disgruntled couple form somewhat of a truce and agree to do their own investigating into Jimmy's death. As the story continues, several of Jimmy's associates are also murdered and the search for the killer becomes more complex for Agatha and James. M.C. Beaton does a good job of tying up the story and keeping her readers interested in the perils of Agatha Raisin.

This is the fifth story in the Agatha Raisin mysteries. I highly recommend the entire series.

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Summary: Terribly good fun
Review: Agatha Raisin is one of the funniest heroines in muder mysteries. She is a total jerk with absolutely no sensitivity or common sense, but she sure is funny

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Summary: Bigamist or Murderess?
Review: Agatha Raisin plunges into marital mayhem when she snares her handsome neighbor, James Lacey, assuming (incorrectly) that the derelict husband she left behind decades ago has certainly managed to drink himself to death. An inconsequential matter, and surely not worth mentioning to her slightly stiff fiancé. But, alas, who shows up at the wedding? Hint: Jimmy Raisin next shows up dead. Will James ever be able to forgive Agatha? Will Agatha be arrested for bigamy and/or murder? Can middle aged hormones be tamed? Will the quiet Cotswold village of Carsely ever be able to live down this notorious incomer? Crawl into the beautiful scenery and see if solving the mystery brings this kooky twosome back together.

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Summary: Marriage Can Be Murder!
Review: Agatha Raisin returns in the 5th book in the series, and is finally going to realize her dream of marrying James Lacey, her next-door neighbor. However, just before they can say "I do", her long-lost husband, Jimmy Raisin, returns to stop the wedding. James is shocked, having thought that Agatha was no longer married, and refuses to speak to her. However, James and Agatha must team up to find a murderer when Jimmy is found dead and they realize that they are the police's prime suspects. When each of the people they question ends up dead, it is a race against time to find the identity of the killer before he/she strikes again.

I adore this series set in the Cotswolds of England, and I cannot get enough of the character of Agatha Raisin! She has charmed me from the first book on, and I personally have felt that she was much too good for James Lacey. It is almost pitiful how Agatha has chased him only to loose him each time...although it is part of the fun of each book to see what antics she will be up to next. As Agatha grows as a character, I feel she only gets better. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, start reading this series today.

The first book in this series is "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death". Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Marriage Can Be Murder!
Review: Agatha Raisin returns in the 5th book in the series, and is finally going to realize her dream of marrying James Lacey, her next-door neighbor. However, just before they can say "I do", her long-lost husband, Jimmy Raisin, returns to stop the wedding. James is shocked, having thought that Agatha was no longer married, and refuses to speak to her. However, James and Agatha must team up to find a murderer when Jimmy is found dead and they realize that they are the police's prime suspects. When each of the people they question ends up dead, it is a race against time to find the identity of the killer before he/she strikes again.

I adore this series set in the Cotswolds of England, and I cannot get enough of the character of Agatha Raisin! She has charmed me from the first book on, and I personally have felt that she was much too good for James Lacey. It is almost pitiful how Agatha has chased him only to loose him each time...although it is part of the fun of each book to see what antics she will be up to next. As Agatha grows as a character, I feel she only gets better. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, start reading this series today.

The first book in this series is "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death". Enjoy!

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Summary: The more books out, the more I like her
Review: Agatha was desperate to get married to James unless the bad feeling might be realized before the ceremony. But...she was almost close to commit a bigamy. The damned alchoholic and abusive husband, Jimmy came up alive in the aisle. He deserved to die because he made Agatha's life miserable...even he found to have blackmailed some at the health farm...But, it shouldn't be done by our brave Agatha...

I was touched several timed during reading this book.
One scene is that Bill and Agatha realized the love and friendship toward each other though the horrible Maddie tried to manipulated Bill (but, one thing I didn't like is that the woman in the police should be womanly. Thus Maddie was out from the investigation. I couldn't like her but the reason she was out should be her cruelty abusing the heart of the person who was nice to her..Well, women are sometimes unbelievablely cruel to men who fall for them).
And the second one is that Agatha confessed her miserable youth and the how she got married. I almost empathized, and was moved.
And the third thing was that James and the persons found the Agatha's picture in Jimmy's wallet. Jimmy might thought to use Agatha when he decided to get married. But the only picture he kept in his wallet is not the other girls but only Agatha's. He's a villian, but the one who knew how young Agatha was so sweet with full of dreams.

Wow...from the first moment I got to read the first one of Agatha Raisin series, I got to like her though she was described to be chubby, mean, tough etc. She has attractions. Originally she's a warm-hearted person. The more books out, the more I got to understand her.

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Summary: "AGATHA IS GREAT"
Review: Another good one by M C Beaton. I have enjoyed all the Agatha Raisin books I have read. In this one Agatha is finally getting to marry James Lacey. But, her first husband Jimmy Raisin shows up at the wedding. Agatha thought he was dead. Later Agatha pushes Jimmy into a ditch and he is found dead in the ditch. Agatha is suspected of murder. She and James Lacey start their usual round of questions and callin on people to try to find the killer. Other people start ending up dead after talking to Agatha and James. After another close call the killer is found. Will Agatha and James ever get together again. I guess we will have to read another book to find out. Beaton can write so that the people and the village come to life in your mind. You can just see the things as they happen. Am looking forward to the next one.

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Summary: One of the Better Ones Thus Far
Review: Having started from the beginning of this series at a late date, I have to say that this is one of the best to this point. The situations were more realistic than some of the earlier episodes and usually written with a good blend of humor and real emotions.
Agatha's dream is finally coming true: she is marrying James Lacey. Needless to say, things in Agatha's life cannot go smoothly. Her thought-to-be-dead husband shows up demanding money and then ends up dead. James, furious with Agatha, refuses to consider returning to where their relationship was but the two of the must work together to solve the murder as they are both prime suspects.
A fun book to read, particularly in regards to some new revelations regarding Agatha's childhood and family history. Looking forward to the next in the series.

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Summary: Agatha Raisin is unique
Review: I have enjoyed the character development in this series. It helps to read the Agatha Raisin books in sequence although it is not necessary to enjoy each story. Agatha and James are complex characters and M.C. Beaton does an excellent job in their delineation. The villagers in this cozy mystery are lovable and reading the book is like living in a small village.
The plot of this book was interesting and the action well-paced. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. The relationship of James and Agatha has reached a different level in this story. Being middle-aged, independent and set in their ways, their feelings for each other are bound to be mixed. They are likable and you care what happens to them.