Reviews

Agatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison by M.C. Beaton

ulrikedg's review against another edition

4.0

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.)

elisabeth_reads's review against another edition

1.0

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.

judyward's review against another edition

3.0

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.

woolyj's review against another edition

4.0

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.

imyerhero's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

gainsandbrains's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

booreadsbooks's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

helenephoebe's review against another edition

4.0

Review - I really love Toni and I hope we see a lot more of her in future books. The foils of Collins, Wilkes and Bill Wong are interesting, as they're all so different and treat Agatha so differently. The mystery was quite a good one, although I did guess who the murderer was in the end. The drugs angle was something interesting and allowed Toni to take a more prominent role in the novel.

Genre? - Murder / Crime / Mystery

Characters? - Agatha Raisin / Toni Gilmour / Sir Charles Fraith / James Lacey / Mrs Bloxby / Roy Silver / Collins / Wilkes / Trixie / George Selby / Bill Wong

Setting? - Carsely (England)

Series? - Agatha Raisin #19

Recommend? - Yes

Rating - 16/20

julie7's review against another edition

lighthearted

4.0

4 ⭐ = Good.
Another great little book. This series does make me smile. 

devjpg's review against another edition

2.0

i will pay someone to never have to read or hear the phrase “snakes and bastards” ever again.