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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I found this unusually hard going for an Agatha Raisin mystery. It just seemed a bit boring, going round and round over the same ground over and over. It definitely lacked the usual wit and as a result took me much longer than usual to finish.
I have skipped a few books and have read one of the later ones as well. The later one was better but I found myself asking in this one where "snakes and bastards" came from. Did I completely miss this in the earlier books or was it a saying she picked up?
Altogether an unusually dull book from this series.
I have skipped a few books and have read one of the later ones as well. The later one was better but I found myself asking in this one where "snakes and bastards" came from. Did I completely miss this in the earlier books or was it a saying she picked up?
Altogether an unusually dull book from this series.
2.5 stars
This is my first Agatha Raisin story so it might make more sense that I rated it low. I enjoyed Agatha even if she is an unlikable character. There were some funny lines in the writing and the writing itself was good. I think I just got lost with all the characters. There was so much happening in the story, maybe too much, that took away from the main murder. Yes, I said main murder. Again, there was a lot happening. I may have liked this better if I had started from the beginning but although I liked Agatha - there is so much that I can take of her. So Agatha, the many storylines, and the many characters are the reason I rated this low. Otherwise it was a nice time.
This is my first Agatha Raisin story so it might make more sense that I rated it low. I enjoyed Agatha even if she is an unlikable character. There were some funny lines in the writing and the writing itself was good. I think I just got lost with all the characters. There was so much happening in the story, maybe too much, that took away from the main murder. Yes, I said main murder. Again, there was a lot happening. I may have liked this better if I had started from the beginning but although I liked Agatha - there is so much that I can take of her. So Agatha, the many storylines, and the many characters are the reason I rated this low. Otherwise it was a nice time.
This felt a bit all over the place again. I understand that the author doesn‘t want to use the same storyarc over and over again, but it‘s a lot neater with a straight storyline.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have always told myself that I like cozy mysteries, maybe because they usually involve puns as their titles, cute covers, and they give me a chance to read something lighthearted in place of all the dark fantasy/thrillers I normally pick up.
I bought this copy randomly secondhand from a book market in 2019. It looked like a fun read, and for once in my life I didn't care if it was not the first book of the series.
What I liked about this book:
The main character. Feisty, opinionated, passionate. It was really fun getting to know the witty Agatha Raisin.
The setting. Such a dainty, cozy, and peaceful vibe, it was just the ideal atmosphere and location for such a genre. Also the rainy weather and nice moments with nature makes me want to read it while curling up under the blanket with a cup of tea.
The side characters. From the suspects to the random middle-aged ladies living in this isolated little town, to the young prodigy Toni that has her own character arc, all the side characters feel well written and fun to read about. I would really enjoy a spinoff book fully centered about Toni, because I think she is more relatable to me, being a young person recently starting her adult career.
What I didn't really like about this book:
This is the 15th or something book of the series, so it's a shame that I don't know much about the main characters, their character development or back stories.
The crime and crime solving itself isn't the most exciting or engaging story in the world, but I didn't really expect much out of this sort of genre.
At times the story could get boring and I would lose track of who is who. Maybe also knowing that this book is so short that it's a bit of a waste of time for me to remember the people anyway, also makes me lose interest in the random suspects and more interested in the main characters/detectives.
Overall, a very nice cozy read. Exactly what you'd expect from something in the genre, with a very interesting main character, but not mindblowing in any way. Will I continue the series (aka go back and read all the previous books)? Maybe! Let me know if you have read the series and if it worth it to read all 15-something books in the backlist ;)
I bought this copy randomly secondhand from a book market in 2019. It looked like a fun read, and for once in my life I didn't care if it was not the first book of the series.
What I liked about this book:
The main character. Feisty, opinionated, passionate. It was really fun getting to know the witty Agatha Raisin.
The setting. Such a dainty, cozy, and peaceful vibe, it was just the ideal atmosphere and location for such a genre. Also the rainy weather and nice moments with nature makes me want to read it while curling up under the blanket with a cup of tea.
The side characters. From the suspects to the random middle-aged ladies living in this isolated little town, to the young prodigy Toni that has her own character arc, all the side characters feel well written and fun to read about. I would really enjoy a spinoff book fully centered about Toni, because I think she is more relatable to me, being a young person recently starting her adult career.
What I didn't really like about this book:
This is the 15th or something book of the series, so it's a shame that I don't know much about the main characters, their character development or back stories.
The crime and crime solving itself isn't the most exciting or engaging story in the world, but I didn't really expect much out of this sort of genre.
At times the story could get boring and I would lose track of who is who. Maybe also knowing that this book is so short that it's a bit of a waste of time for me to remember the people anyway, also makes me lose interest in the random suspects and more interested in the main characters/detectives.
Overall, a very nice cozy read. Exactly what you'd expect from something in the genre, with a very interesting main character, but not mindblowing in any way. Will I continue the series (aka go back and read all the previous books)? Maybe! Let me know if you have read the series and if it worth it to read all 15-something books in the backlist ;)
A Spoonful Of Poision
M.C Beaton
Mystery
276 pages
copyright: 2008
isbn: 0-312-34912-2
Cranky but lovable sleuth Agatha Raisin’s detective agency has become so successful that she wants nothing more than to take quality time for rest and relaxation. But as soon as she begins closing the agency on weekends, she remembers that when she has plenty of quality time, she doesn’t know what to do with it. So it doesn’t take much for the vicar of a nearby village to persuade her to help publicize the church fete---especially when the fair’s organizer, George Selby, turns out to be a gorgeous widower.
Agatha brings out the crowds for the fete, all right, but there’s more going on than innocent village fun. Several of the offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be poisoned, and the festive family event becomes the scene of two murders.
Along with her young and (much to her dismay) pretty sidekick, Toni, Agatha must uncover the truth behind the jam tampering, keep the church funds safe from theft, and expose the nasty secrets lurking in the village---all while falling for handsome George, who may have secrets of his own.
M.C Beaton
Mystery
276 pages
copyright: 2008
isbn: 0-312-34912-2
Cranky but lovable sleuth Agatha Raisin’s detective agency has become so successful that she wants nothing more than to take quality time for rest and relaxation. But as soon as she begins closing the agency on weekends, she remembers that when she has plenty of quality time, she doesn’t know what to do with it. So it doesn’t take much for the vicar of a nearby village to persuade her to help publicize the church fete---especially when the fair’s organizer, George Selby, turns out to be a gorgeous widower.
Agatha brings out the crowds for the fete, all right, but there’s more going on than innocent village fun. Several of the offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be poisoned, and the festive family event becomes the scene of two murders.
Along with her young and (much to her dismay) pretty sidekick, Toni, Agatha must uncover the truth behind the jam tampering, keep the church funds safe from theft, and expose the nasty secrets lurking in the village---all while falling for handsome George, who may have secrets of his own.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced