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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Just when I thought I was getting a bit tired of Agatha Raisin, the 30th book disproved this. Agatha is in fine form, worried her employee Toni might leave, worrying about her on and off lover Charles, and getting embroiled in the mystery of the Morrison Factory. Add in a donkey, yes a donkey, and the madcap mystery series continues to entertain. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
4.5 / This was sooo much fun!! I love these books so much. The ending was kind of disappointing and I didn’t love that part, but the rest of the book was a 5/5 from me. Fun, cozy, and the perfect thing to listen to while I’m doing stuff. I can’t wait to read the next one
Even though I don't really care for Agatha Raisin, I love this series. Agatha does some really dumb things and I can't get past how obsessed she is with always needing a man in her life. That said, the peripheral characters are fantastic and the stories are always original - no same sh*t, different day for Agatha. This cozy mystery series has been great fun to listen to and Beating about the Bush is no exception. Sadly, I am writing this review after the passing of M. C. Beaton. I will miss reading more adventures of Agatha and friends .
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Can never go wrong with the ridiculously sublime antics of Agatha Raisin
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Agatha Raisin is back! Sort of.
There was a lot to like about this one. I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous, but that's what one hopes for reading an Agatha Raisin novel, and something the last few novels sorely lacked.
Toni is amazing. End of discussion.
Chris seems really promising, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. In both this series and HM, Beaton has always been horrible at what I can only call the "just kidding" cliffhanger: a romantic cliffhanger at the end of one book, immediately followed by a "oh it didn't work out" on the first page of the next book. Although she literally used that at the beginning of this novel, so she'd really be pushing it if she pulled it again at the beginning of the next.
Also how many times has Charles been engaged now? I know I kept making that joke about Hamish, but Charles is showing him up like a chump.
There was a lot to like about this one. I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous, but that's what one hopes for reading an Agatha Raisin novel, and something the last few novels sorely lacked.
Toni is amazing. End of discussion.
Chris seems really promising, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. In both this series and HM, Beaton has always been horrible at what I can only call the "just kidding" cliffhanger: a romantic cliffhanger at the end of one book, immediately followed by a "oh it didn't work out" on the first page of the next book. Although she literally used that at the beginning of this novel, so she'd really be pushing it if she pulled it again at the beginning of the next.
Also how many times has Charles been engaged now? I know I kept making that joke about Hamish, but Charles is showing him up like a chump.
Agatha and the Donkey Wizz Wazz
Review of the St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (December 2019)
Beating About the Bush still has some of the nastiness and verbal abuse between characters which I especially disliked in the previous entry of the series The Dead Ringer. Agatha and Toni start off feuding right away in chapter 1, but it does drop off afterwards. Whether the late series bitterness was a tic of author M.C. Beaton or a ghostwriter is unknown. Another uncharacteristic slip was Sir Charles Fraith referring to Agatha as "sweetie" at one point, definitely a Roy Silver-like term. The continuation series books Hot to Trot and Down the Hatch by R.W. Green start to ease off on the nastiness at least.
Beating... does add a new comic element with the introduction of the donkey Wizz Wazz, the pet of the wife of one of the chief suspects. Cranky Agatha makes a new animal friend who proceeds to embarrass her at times in front of the media, but who later becomes accused of one of the murders and ignites a "Save Wizz Wazz" campaign. That allows series regular Roy Silver a return to help with the promotions. Otherwise, the villains are pretty clear from early on in the plot.
These cozies are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept and love her nevertheless. The formula is set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, is helped by first village friend Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, etc.
I read the hardcover from the library this time, but if you listen to the audiobook edition then the narration of this book #30 marks the return of series regular Penelope Keith for books #30 to #32. Keith has a great manner of adding character to the different voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 [b:Down the Hatch|56268978|Down the Hatch (Agatha Raisin #32)|M.C. Beaton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627893353l/56268978._SY75_.jpg|87659550] was published on October 26, 2021. Down the Hatch is entirely written by continuation writer [a:R.W. Green|20458757|R.W. Green|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
Beating About the Bush has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-).
Review of the St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (December 2019)
Beating About the Bush still has some of the nastiness and verbal abuse between characters which I especially disliked in the previous entry of the series The Dead Ringer. Agatha and Toni start off feuding right away in chapter 1, but it does drop off afterwards. Whether the late series bitterness was a tic of author M.C. Beaton or a ghostwriter is unknown. Another uncharacteristic slip was Sir Charles Fraith referring to Agatha as "sweetie" at one point, definitely a Roy Silver-like term. The continuation series books Hot to Trot and Down the Hatch by R.W. Green start to ease off on the nastiness at least.
Beating... does add a new comic element with the introduction of the donkey Wizz Wazz, the pet of the wife of one of the chief suspects. Cranky Agatha makes a new animal friend who proceeds to embarrass her at times in front of the media, but who later becomes accused of one of the murders and ignites a "Save Wizz Wazz" campaign. That allows series regular Roy Silver a return to help with the promotions. Otherwise, the villains are pretty clear from early on in the plot.
These cozies are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept and love her nevertheless. The formula is set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, is helped by first village friend Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, etc.
I read the hardcover from the library this time, but if you listen to the audiobook edition then the narration of this book #30 marks the return of series regular Penelope Keith for books #30 to #32. Keith has a great manner of adding character to the different voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 [b:Down the Hatch|56268978|Down the Hatch (Agatha Raisin #32)|M.C. Beaton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627893353l/56268978._SY75_.jpg|87659550] was published on October 26, 2021. Down the Hatch is entirely written by continuation writer [a:R.W. Green|20458757|R.W. Green|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
Beating About the Bush has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-).
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Agatha and a donkey friend solve a murder.
It’s good to hear Penelope Keith narrate again.
It’s good to hear Penelope Keith narrate again.