3.49 AVERAGE

alrey's review

3.0
lighthearted mysterious
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really do like these. But I don't need Agatha swooning over some new guy. We could really let that plotline rest.
lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The usual fun Agatha Raisin fare, although it bugs me how jealous she is of young Toni. On the one hand she is very supportive, but on the other she always seems to be simmering about Toni's youthful glow - and not in a lighthearted, funny sort of way.
lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
medium-paced

I might have read too many Agatha Raisin in a row. I didn't enjoy this one as much. I liked Mentor-Agatha and would have liked that to continue. (I assume it doesn't, since Toni now has her own agency.) Charles needs to do something. I don't know *what*, but he's annoying me more than usual of late. Three and a half stars for the story.

Either I've gotten used to audiobook narrator Wanda McCaddon or she's improved since book 18. Probably a little of both. I didn't have as much trouble following her when I was distracted (listening while multi-tasking), and there were a couple of vocal choices from book 18 that I had disagreed with that she did differently in book 19. She gets 4.5 stars. (Is it petty to remove half a star simply because she's not Penelope Keith? Well, maybe Aggie is rubbing off on me.)

This was the first Agatha Raisin book I've read and I don't think I've ever read any book with such an unlikable main character! She is just horrible and was not entertaining in the least. I ended up finishing the book only because I kept hoping it would get better, but by the end -- it hadn't.

I really don't know why I like this series of books so much. No, wait, I know why. The books in this series can be read in an afternoon (particularly a rainy afternoon in front of the fireplace) and the main character is a self-centered, unfocused,cranky woman in her 50s. Sound familiar? The basic premise of the series (which is over ten books) centers around Agatha Raisin, a successful public relations guru, who took early retirement to move to the English countryside and find happiness in a thatched cottage in a small village. Doesn't work out the way she planned, predictably enough. She solves crimes (which are really a minor part of the book) while trying to find love, acceptance, and friendship. She faces some challenges. First, she falls in love with essentially every man that she meets, she doesn't appreciate the friends that she has (with the exception of the Vicar's wife), and she faces hostility both as an outsider in the village and because of her personality (the vicar can't stand her). I actually bought this book to give as a Christmas gift to my 84 year old mother, but decided, while wrapping presents on Sunday, to read it before wrapping it and placing it under the tree.

Ever the loving Agatha is off again. Solving mysteries and wondering is she ever going to find someone to love or lust. I totally love these series of books. It's easy reading, funny and totally keeps you going till the very end.

I say this after every book. I can't wait to read the next one.