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Agatha Raisin #16
Agatha Raisin and The Perfect Paragon
Is she too good to be true?
After being nearly killed by both a hired hitman and her former secretary, Agatha Raisin could use some low-key cases. So when Robert Smedley walks through the door of her detective agency, determined to prove that his wife is cheating on him, Raisin Investigations immediately offers to help.
Unfortunately for Agatha, Mabel Smedley appears to be the perfect wife: young, pretty, and a regular volunteer at church. But just as Agatha is ready to give up, Smedley is poisoned with weed killer, leaving Mabel, the prime suspect, to inherit a fortune.
With no one left to pay her, Agatha has to drop the investigation... that is, until her old friend Sir Charles Fraith turns up again to rekindle her curiosity in the case.
After being nearly killed by both a hired hitman and her former secretary, Agatha Raisin could use some low-key cases. So when Robert Smedley walks through the door of her detective agency, determined to prove that his wife is cheating on him, Raisin Investigations immediately offers to help.
Unfortunately for Agatha, Mabel Smedley appears to be the perfect wife: young, pretty, and a regular volunteer at church. But just as Agatha is ready to give up, Smedley is poisoned with weed killer, leaving Mabel, the prime suspect, to inherit a fortune.
With no one left to pay her, Agatha has to drop the investigation... that is, until her old friend Sir Charles Fraith turns up again to rekindle her curiosity in the case.
287 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
427 people are currently reading
2415 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Beaton
340 books6,012 followersLike her on Facebook!
Learn more on her website!
Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
Learn more on her website!
Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
April 25, 2022
3,5 Sterne
Ich mag die Reihe um die Privatermittlerin Agatha Raisin sehr gerne, auch wenn die Hauptfigur eigentlich gar nicht so sympathisch erscheint. Sie ist oft kratzbürstig und schnell genervt, aber irgendwie mag ich sie doch.
In diesem Band bekommt Agatha den Auftrag, eine Ehefrau des Ehebruchs zu überführen, doch die Ehefrau scheint keinen Liebhaber zu haben, ganz im Gegenteil. Der Auftrag wird dann auch zurückgezogen, doch kurze Zeit später ist der Ehegatte tot. Ermordet mit Unkrautvernichtungsmittel.
Bei einem Mord bleibt es aber nicht. Auch ein vermisstes Mädchen wird ermordet aufgefunden, und im Laufe der Geschichte gibt es einen dritten Toten.
Drei Morde, drei Täter? Oder haben die Taten etwas miteinander zu tun? Es gibt auf den ersten Blick keine Anhaltspunkte...
Agatha hat zudem zwei neue Mitarbeiter in ihrem Team, die beide wohl nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten.
Es ist viel los in diesem Buch. Viele Charaktere, viel Handlung, viel Ermittlungsarbeit. Ein flottes Tempo; mir hat das Buch wieder sehr gefallen. Für mich ist es zwar nicht der beste Band der Reihe, aber Spaß hatte ich auf jeden Fall!
Ich mag die Reihe um die Privatermittlerin Agatha Raisin sehr gerne, auch wenn die Hauptfigur eigentlich gar nicht so sympathisch erscheint. Sie ist oft kratzbürstig und schnell genervt, aber irgendwie mag ich sie doch.
In diesem Band bekommt Agatha den Auftrag, eine Ehefrau des Ehebruchs zu überführen, doch die Ehefrau scheint keinen Liebhaber zu haben, ganz im Gegenteil. Der Auftrag wird dann auch zurückgezogen, doch kurze Zeit später ist der Ehegatte tot. Ermordet mit Unkrautvernichtungsmittel.
Bei einem Mord bleibt es aber nicht. Auch ein vermisstes Mädchen wird ermordet aufgefunden, und im Laufe der Geschichte gibt es einen dritten Toten.
Drei Morde, drei Täter? Oder haben die Taten etwas miteinander zu tun? Es gibt auf den ersten Blick keine Anhaltspunkte...
Agatha hat zudem zwei neue Mitarbeiter in ihrem Team, die beide wohl nicht unterschiedlicher sein könnten.
Es ist viel los in diesem Buch. Viele Charaktere, viel Handlung, viel Ermittlungsarbeit. Ein flottes Tempo; mir hat das Buch wieder sehr gefallen. Für mich ist es zwar nicht der beste Band der Reihe, aber Spaß hatte ich auf jeden Fall!
September 17, 2024
Agatha doesn't do divorce cases.
Or so she says right up till she realizes that her business is going to go under unless she gets off of her moral high horse.
But around the same time she takes on a disgusting new client who wants her to spy on his wife, a teenage girl goes missing. So she and her new photographer head out to see if they can find something the police overlooked.
Turns out they did miss something.
Her body.
Naturally, Aggie takes on the case pro bono to get some free press - and because she's secretly not so heartless that she can just trip over a dead teen and then walk away.
Meanwhile, that divorce case starts to get weird.
But one can't possibly have anything to do with the other. Right?
This was one of the better murder mystery plots Beaton (or whomever) wrote for Agatha and Co., but if I never hear the phrase capacious handbag again it will be too soon. Enough already. She's got a big purse. We get it already!
Oh, and two new (and hopefully permanent) characters show up in this one. An elderly photographer and a seemingly surly young man who both end up being quite useful detectives to the agency.
Also, prepare yourself for a jump scare at the end, folks.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Raisin.
Or so she says right up till she realizes that her business is going to go under unless she gets off of her moral high horse.
But around the same time she takes on a disgusting new client who wants her to spy on his wife, a teenage girl goes missing. So she and her new photographer head out to see if they can find something the police overlooked.
Turns out they did miss something.
Her body.
Naturally, Aggie takes on the case pro bono to get some free press - and because she's secretly not so heartless that she can just trip over a dead teen and then walk away.
Meanwhile, that divorce case starts to get weird.
But one can't possibly have anything to do with the other. Right?
This was one of the better murder mystery plots Beaton (or whomever) wrote for Agatha and Co., but if I never hear the phrase capacious handbag again it will be too soon. Enough already. She's got a big purse. We get it already!
Oh, and two new (and hopefully permanent) characters show up in this one. An elderly photographer and a seemingly surly young man who both end up being quite useful detectives to the agency.
Also, prepare yourself for a jump scare at the end, folks.
Recommended for fans of Agatha Raisin.
August 7, 2015
I had the pleasure of listening to another Agatha Raisin adventure (#16!). There’s not much else I can say about this series that I haven’t already said. I do enjoy listening to Agatha’s latest escapades. She can be both a fun and exasperating character.
She’s still too quick to fall in love with any handsome guy she meets. Not to mention that she’s always wondering if they will propose marriage five minutes after she meets them. LOL Plus, there’s still too much talk about her being in her mid-50’s. Really, that’s not all that old. You’d think she was 90 the way they talk.
I keep coming back for more so I must be enjoying this series :) The author is keeping this series fresh by adding new characters all the time. Giving Agatha her own detective agency opened the way for more storyline possibilities, too.
Quick, easy mystery stories with a cast of crazy characters. It makes my work commute more enjoyable since commuting is never an enjoyable thing.
She’s still too quick to fall in love with any handsome guy she meets. Not to mention that she’s always wondering if they will propose marriage five minutes after she meets them. LOL Plus, there’s still too much talk about her being in her mid-50’s. Really, that’s not all that old. You’d think she was 90 the way they talk.
I keep coming back for more so I must be enjoying this series :) The author is keeping this series fresh by adding new characters all the time. Giving Agatha her own detective agency opened the way for more storyline possibilities, too.
Quick, easy mystery stories with a cast of crazy characters. It makes my work commute more enjoyable since commuting is never an enjoyable thing.
October 19, 2022
2.4 stars. Oh dear. I had such high hopes after the last book in the series that things were getting better. Unfortunately, this book was dull, strange and definitely not cosy.
First, the crime being investigated involved the murder of a teenager who is found dead and naked from the waist down. Definitely not cosy crime territory. Strangely, Agatha seemed annoyed at having to investigate the crime, even though she’s now opened her own detective agency. She does this with the help of a new colleague (yes, yet another new character) who tramples over the murder scene and takes photos of the semi-naked body before calling the police. Sorry, but this is going too far. In fact, they overstep the mark far too often and I don’t believe detective Bill Wong would keep risking his career to give Agatha information or keep covering up for her. You can only stretch credibility so far. Then, in the final chapter, the crime was explained by a sudden switch to the murder’s POV and a horrible information dump. It was all kind of seedy, the regular characters kept falling out with each other, and we seem to have left quaint village life behind for a more gritty world. Overall, there was no warmth or charm to the story.
I also think it’s time to let go of the reoccurring ’joke’ with Alf Bloxby being rude about Agatha whenever Agatha wants to speak to his wife. I get it. He doesn’t like her. But, Mrs Bloxby is Agatha’s friend and Alf is the local vicar. He would be keeping his thoughts to himself out of respect for his wife and because of his job. I’m also tired of the ‘Sir Charles Fraith has forgotten his wallet’ joke, as well. I thought this series was moving on to new pastures. Instead, it’s the same old stuff.
I’ll read one more book in this series, and if things don’t pick up, I’m done.
First, the crime being investigated involved the murder of a teenager who is found dead and naked from the waist down. Definitely not cosy crime territory. Strangely, Agatha seemed annoyed at having to investigate the crime, even though she’s now opened her own detective agency. She does this with the help of a new colleague (yes, yet another new character) who tramples over the murder scene and takes photos of the semi-naked body before calling the police. Sorry, but this is going too far. In fact, they overstep the mark far too often and I don’t believe detective Bill Wong would keep risking his career to give Agatha information or keep covering up for her. You can only stretch credibility so far. Then, in the final chapter, the crime was explained by a sudden switch to the murder’s POV and a horrible information dump. It was all kind of seedy, the regular characters kept falling out with each other, and we seem to have left quaint village life behind for a more gritty world. Overall, there was no warmth or charm to the story.
I also think it’s time to let go of the reoccurring ’joke’ with Alf Bloxby being rude about Agatha whenever Agatha wants to speak to his wife. I get it. He doesn’t like her. But, Mrs Bloxby is Agatha’s friend and Alf is the local vicar. He would be keeping his thoughts to himself out of respect for his wife and because of his job. I’m also tired of the ‘Sir Charles Fraith has forgotten his wallet’ joke, as well. I thought this series was moving on to new pastures. Instead, it’s the same old stuff.
I’ll read one more book in this series, and if things don’t pick up, I’m done.
February 1, 2019
Agatha Raisin stories are the epitome of cosy mysteries, incredibly easy to listen to and follow with characters who are, in the main, fun. In this case, the use of Penelope Keith for the audio book is a stroke of genius, as she is so relaxing to listen to and suits this cast of characters and story to a tee.
There are three cases on the go in this story, with a potentially cheating wife, a murdered teen and then the murder of the man who thought his wife was cheating. Despite the numerous story threads, it is relatively straightforward and is easy to follow. That also means it is a solvable in two minutes case. But this does not detract from the enjoyment of the story, indeed it is part of the charm.
Agatha Raisin is a consistent character, in that you know there are going to be moments in which she is going to annoy you and drive you to distraction, but that’s just our Aggie. The other main characters are also a joy to read about, and I am definitely in love with Charles. However, the suspects were perhaps the weakest element of the story with none of them being that memorable and cookie cutter participants at times. It is a shame that this is the case as I have seen what M.C. Beaton can do in some of her other stories. There were still scenes that were fun, however, which helped to make up for it. The plot itself is also well written meaning that the lack of character development and personality (at times) is not detracting from the enjoyment of the story. It is basically a fun story, with an interesting cliff hanger.
I would recommend if you want something to read that is going to be quick and relaxing, with amusing characters.
There are three cases on the go in this story, with a potentially cheating wife, a murdered teen and then the murder of the man who thought his wife was cheating. Despite the numerous story threads, it is relatively straightforward and is easy to follow. That also means it is a solvable in two minutes case. But this does not detract from the enjoyment of the story, indeed it is part of the charm.
Agatha Raisin is a consistent character, in that you know there are going to be moments in which she is going to annoy you and drive you to distraction, but that’s just our Aggie. The other main characters are also a joy to read about, and I am definitely in love with Charles. However, the suspects were perhaps the weakest element of the story with none of them being that memorable and cookie cutter participants at times. It is a shame that this is the case as I have seen what M.C. Beaton can do in some of her other stories. There were still scenes that were fun, however, which helped to make up for it. The plot itself is also well written meaning that the lack of character development and personality (at times) is not detracting from the enjoyment of the story. It is basically a fun story, with an interesting cliff hanger.
I would recommend if you want something to read that is going to be quick and relaxing, with amusing characters.
January 5, 2023
3.5
I've liked all the books in this series I've read so far - only a handful but they're such easy reads!
Agatha is irritating/rude but strangely likeable... even though she's really quite awful 😂😂
I like the supporting cast though and the setting is charming.
There's a lot of chasing red herrings (par for detectives everywhere) and silliness but this is fun and entertaining.
I've liked all the books in this series I've read so far - only a handful but they're such easy reads!
Agatha is irritating/rude but strangely likeable... even though she's really quite awful 😂😂
I like the supporting cast though and the setting is charming.
There's a lot of chasing red herrings (par for detectives everywhere) and silliness but this is fun and entertaining.
September 11, 2020
I'm trying to read this series in order, but I'm not sure I'm succeeding.
There's a murder (duh). This time it's a teenage girl. Her body's been dumped in a wooded area. Who is she, why was she murdered etc...as Agatha Raisin is attempting to uncover this mystery, someone else is murdered. It turns out that the two might be related, but how?
Then yet another murder. This time someone who was suspected of murdering the the teenage girl.
As the story unfolds, all the answers get answered bit by bit, until all the pieces are put together. The ending is logical, but not predictable.
What I liked about this particular story is that Agatha is no longer the lone wolf or the wolf with a couple of sidekicks. Now she has an entire team investigating:
Harry, a young college bound man who is taking a gap year and needs something to occupy himself. He's scruffy looking with wild hair and piercings everywhere, but turns out to be a deft investigator.
The same is true for Phil, a 76 year old man, living alone, never married, needs money and a good photographer. Agatha hires him because the vicar's wife, Mrs. Bloxby has guilted her into it. Phil ends up being of a far greater to her than she imagined.
Patrick is an ex-policeman, tough, enigmatic, working in the background, but gets a lot of valuable information behind the scenes.
Because the story bounced back and forth between the above characters as well as their relationship with Agatha, add the regulars, Sir Charles, and Roy Silvers from London and you get not only an interesting plot, but also engaging, interesting characters that only add flavor to the pot.
There's a murder (duh). This time it's a teenage girl. Her body's been dumped in a wooded area. Who is she, why was she murdered etc...as Agatha Raisin is attempting to uncover this mystery, someone else is murdered. It turns out that the two might be related, but how?
Then yet another murder. This time someone who was suspected of murdering the the teenage girl.
As the story unfolds, all the answers get answered bit by bit, until all the pieces are put together. The ending is logical, but not predictable.
What I liked about this particular story is that Agatha is no longer the lone wolf or the wolf with a couple of sidekicks. Now she has an entire team investigating:
Harry, a young college bound man who is taking a gap year and needs something to occupy himself. He's scruffy looking with wild hair and piercings everywhere, but turns out to be a deft investigator.
The same is true for Phil, a 76 year old man, living alone, never married, needs money and a good photographer. Agatha hires him because the vicar's wife, Mrs. Bloxby has guilted her into it. Phil ends up being of a far greater to her than she imagined.
Patrick is an ex-policeman, tough, enigmatic, working in the background, but gets a lot of valuable information behind the scenes.
Because the story bounced back and forth between the above characters as well as their relationship with Agatha, add the regulars, Sir Charles, and Roy Silvers from London and you get not only an interesting plot, but also engaging, interesting characters that only add flavor to the pot.
October 9, 2023
Agatha has better luck with recruitments to her detective agency this time around, adding a couple of new characters to the gallery. The murder(s) in this one and the plot takes it a step towards a more “modern feeling” story, it was still a good read. At the very end, an old character is back, not sure how I feel about that, but I’ll find out. Not for a while though, because it’s time for a break.
October 2, 2022
4.5 ⭐. Very good but not quite a 5.
This felt very different to the previous Agatha Raisin books that I have read. In a good way though. Plot a lot more detailed and many new characters have been introduced. A little cracker! 😁
This felt very different to the previous Agatha Raisin books that I have read. In a good way though. Plot a lot more detailed and many new characters have been introduced. A little cracker! 😁
February 20, 2017
A great installment in the life of Agatha Raisin.
September 7, 2021
Agatha and the Too Perfect Wife
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (February 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (August 2005)
The Perfect Paragon finds Agatha Raisin's detective agency investigating Mabel Smedley, a possible cheating wife, on behalf of her husband Robert. But Robert is soon murdered and Agatha is left without a client. Everyone views Mabel as the perfect wife, but Agatha thinks she is too good to be true. Then the murders start to pile up, but Sir Charles is there to help Agatha out as well as a few new agents at the office. A surprise return of an old flame marks the end of the book.
I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit. The narration by regular reader Penelope Keith is always excellent in all voices. Keith is as perfect a voice fit for the audiobooks as Ashley Jensen is to the TV role.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
The Perfect Paragon has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is possibly in the running to be part of Series 4 which will probably be aired late in 2021 as they have been adapting the books roughly chronologically.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (February 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (August 2005)
The Perfect Paragon finds Agatha Raisin's detective agency investigating Mabel Smedley, a possible cheating wife, on behalf of her husband Robert. But Robert is soon murdered and Agatha is left without a client. Everyone views Mabel as the perfect wife, but Agatha thinks she is too good to be true. Then the murders start to pile up, but Sir Charles is there to help Agatha out as well as a few new agents at the office. A surprise return of an old flame marks the end of the book.
I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit. The narration by regular reader Penelope Keith is always excellent in all voices. Keith is as perfect a voice fit for the audiobooks as Ashley Jensen is to the TV role.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
The Perfect Paragon has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is possibly in the running to be part of Series 4 which will probably be aired late in 2021 as they have been adapting the books roughly chronologically.
January 29, 2022
Really enjoyed this one. I love Agatha’s rag-tag detective agency. I thought this mystery was probably the best yet with multiple twists and turns. And then there was the surprise visitor at the end.
May 25, 2018
Another great Agatha story! Lots of twists and turns and a couple new characters. I'm liking Charles having a bigger role in her life. Those two are a lot alike and kind of deserve each other. Haha.
February 4, 2023
An interesting Agatha Raisin book!
I see many readers not liking this book because they feel that the murder was so seedy that it pushed it out of the cozy murder genre.
I am not sure if I agree with that.
I guess that some readers may want a more genteel read. I was fine with the subject matter and did not feel like it crossed a line.
I am enjoying the new characters that Agatha’s detective agency has brought into the books. I like the multiple plot lines.
These books are a nice escape from the real world ~ and from more heavy reading.
Can we talk some trash here? I really like the dynamic between Charles and Aggie. They are two peas in a pod! Uuugh! JAMES is back?! What a mean man and a horrible bore!
I see many readers not liking this book because they feel that the murder was so seedy that it pushed it out of the cozy murder genre.
I am not sure if I agree with that.
I guess that some readers may want a more genteel read. I was fine with the subject matter and did not feel like it crossed a line.
I am enjoying the new characters that Agatha’s detective agency has brought into the books. I like the multiple plot lines.
These books are a nice escape from the real world ~ and from more heavy reading.
Can we talk some trash here? I really like the dynamic between Charles and Aggie. They are two peas in a pod! Uuugh! JAMES is back?! What a mean man and a horrible bore!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2009
Hmmmm...It may have been the medicine fog I was in, but this was the first time I found myself let down by MC Beaton. I've so enjoyed discovering Agatha and her cronies, and that wonderful village in the Cotswolds. Somehow, this one came across a little formulaic (is that a word? Not sure.) I've been reading the series out of order, so I never know where Agatha will be in terms of her love life and employment opportunities. Now she's running a detective agency, still looking for love, still enraging Inspector Wilkes and still subsisting on ghastly microwaved foods. Some things never change it seems. I liked the new characters introduced via the detective agency and enjoyed meeting up with old friends such as Bill Wong, Mrs Bloxby and Hodge and Boswell.
Even though I was not as enchanted with the plot of this one, I still am happy to have spend the weekend with Agatha, and look forward to filling in the gaps in our relationship.
Even though I was not as enchanted with the plot of this one, I still am happy to have spend the weekend with Agatha, and look forward to filling in the gaps in our relationship.
February 24, 2011
The sixteenth Agatha Raisin book see Agatha continuing to run her new detective agency. These fun little novels have changed a little, now that Agatha has her agency, the action centres around that more than in Carsley, and she has several members of staff who help her out. We also have 3 seperate (or are they?) cases which need to be solved. Agatha is her dear old self, as if the marvelous Mrs Bloxby and Roy Silver who along with Sir Charles Fraith pop up along the way. There is also an intriguing surprise at the end which may make you want to reach for the next book atraight away. Good escapist stuff as ever.
August 2, 2021
The Perfect Paragon by M.C. Beaton is the 16th book in the Agatha Raisin Mystery series. Agatha Raisin, running her own detectice agency, is hired to find a missing teenager and finds her dead body instead and then another client, who thinks his wife is having an affair, is murdered. I love Agatha's no nonsense attitude, business sense and kindness towards her friends. You can't help but like her attitude and sense of fairness. She is exasperating regarding her love life fantasies and her fear of aging. These books are quick, fun and entertaining and I look forward to catching up with her and her friends once again.
September 27, 2013
Read them! All of them. All 23. They are simply fabulous! I love them and love Agatha Raisin. The stories are set in the English Cotswolds - which is where I'm from, so that makes them extra special, but I cannot recommend them highly enough. If you want to read about an opinionated, outspoken, headstrong single woman in her middle years with no money worries, but men worries and murder at every turn, then you too will love Agatha Raisin. Just make sure you buy more than one at a time, because you will regret it otherwise!
January 26, 2017
Nonostante i suoi problemi, Agatha resta sempre la solita impicciona acida di sempre.
La rivederemo insieme a Charles e sul finale ci sarà anche una sorprendente sorpresa!
Questo piccolo particolare mi spinge a desiderare di poter leggere il seguito quanto prima, che sia in arrivo per Agatha un pacco pieno d'amore?
Una lettura spensierata anche se non troppo brillante, una trama non troppo complessa, dalla narrazione, come sempre, avvolgente.
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.it/20...
La rivederemo insieme a Charles e sul finale ci sarà anche una sorprendente sorpresa!
Questo piccolo particolare mi spinge a desiderare di poter leggere il seguito quanto prima, che sia in arrivo per Agatha un pacco pieno d'amore?
Una lettura spensierata anche se non troppo brillante, una trama non troppo complessa, dalla narrazione, come sempre, avvolgente.
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.it/20...
November 10, 2019
J'ai eu grand plaisir à lire cette enquête d'Agatha Raisin... enlevée, pleine d'humour et de rebondisssements (un, deux, puis trois meurtres !), une des meilleures à mon avis.
Plein de personnages dont pas mal de nouveaux mais aucune trace de James, ce qui est toujours un plus à mon avis !
Plein de personnages dont pas mal de nouveaux mais aucune trace de James, ce qui est toujours un plus à mon avis !
August 9, 2024
I always enjoy the next Agatha Raisin installment! At this point, I feel like all the characters are old friends. Agatha and her friends are investigating no less than three murders this time, which may or may not be related. Not to mention all the missing cats, dogs, and divorce cases. The residents of the Cotswolds keep Agatha's detective agency busy. So busy, in fact, that she finds herself needing to hire some new help, so we meet some new characters in this story. As usual, her old faithful friends like Bill, Mrs. Bloxby, and Charles are there to keep Agatha in line as well. And don't forget her cats - Bowell and Hodge!
There are a few mistakes that should have been caught by an editor, as I have found there are in most of these books. For example, Mrs. Wong is described as small and bent, whereas in other books, she was described as enormous. There are several misspellings or misused pronouns. Hopefully, Ms. Beaton gets a better editor in her later books. Anyway, not enough to make me quit reading these delightful books!
There are a few mistakes that should have been caught by an editor, as I have found there are in most of these books. For example, Mrs. Wong is described as small and bent, whereas in other books, she was described as enormous. There are several misspellings or misused pronouns. Hopefully, Ms. Beaton gets a better editor in her later books. Anyway, not enough to make me quit reading these delightful books!
April 29, 2016
Though I do sometimes miss knowing Agatha's every little spiteful thought, I'm very much enjoying the turn the series has taken.
Moving away from the simple (though entertaining) cozy mystery, the stories have blossomed into more complicated tales with varied moving pieces. Agatha no longer detects alone, but with an ensemble of characters. Each of her cohorts brings a different skill and an impressive amount of common sense. Most of them may be amateurs, but their ideas and hunches make them as formidable as Agatha in their own ways. And Agatha is even willing to give them the credit they deserve! Most of the time.
There are still lots of references to village life. The reliance on busy-body neighbours will never go away. The community social functions still play a part. Mrs. Bloxby is still on hand to lend a peaceful atmosphere and some grounding common sense. And Charles and Roy still pop up to get into mischief...and get offended. Poor Agatha. She'll never fully get a handle on this whole friendship thing.
The book ends with a surprise. I dont know whether I approve of this latest snag, but I'm certainly eager to find out more.
Moving away from the simple (though entertaining) cozy mystery, the stories have blossomed into more complicated tales with varied moving pieces. Agatha no longer detects alone, but with an ensemble of characters. Each of her cohorts brings a different skill and an impressive amount of common sense. Most of them may be amateurs, but their ideas and hunches make them as formidable as Agatha in their own ways. And Agatha is even willing to give them the credit they deserve! Most of the time.
There are still lots of references to village life. The reliance on busy-body neighbours will never go away. The community social functions still play a part. Mrs. Bloxby is still on hand to lend a peaceful atmosphere and some grounding common sense. And Charles and Roy still pop up to get into mischief...and get offended. Poor Agatha. She'll never fully get a handle on this whole friendship thing.
The book ends with a surprise. I dont know whether I approve of this latest snag, but I'm certainly eager to find out more.
May 1, 2021
I feel like Agatha Raisin books are better now that she's not pining after James Lacey (as much) and is in charge of her own agency. I like the new characters and only hope we get more of them, particularly the young and pierced Harry Beam and Phil the 76-year-old photographer. The whole team plays a role here, especially because there are ultimately
March 26, 2014
This is your typical Agatha Raisin book and because I love Agatha, I liked the book. Many people have expressed that her latest ones leave something to be desired but I must disagree. All cozy readers of the many series available must know that authors do have a formula for their books just as romance writers do. Realizing this, you still can enjoy the characters and the story. We are talking about entertainment not Pulitzer Prize quality, folks. And Agatha is always entertaining.
April 15, 2017
Not as much of Agatha as usual; more of her detective agency characters. Good drama but I figured it out in the first chapter (or second). Agatha's angst has worn me out. I want more of Sir Charles and her: he keeps her honest and real. And now, at the last sentence, we have James Lacy come back to haunt her.
Oh brother.
Oh brother.
January 26, 2021
La cara solita Agatha Raisin, così scontrosa e così fragile! Come si fa a non volerle bene? Anche in questo capitolo fa del suo meglio per risolvere i casi con l’aiuto di tutta la sua truppa. Una bella ventata di aria fresca con il personaggio di Harry speriamo di ritrovarlo in futuro!
March 19, 2019
I'm not sure why I keep coming back to this series...
May 9, 2019
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Jamais Deux Sans Trois ?
"Les cloches de Pâques ont eu la gentillesse de troquer mes chocolats contre ce seizième tome des aventures d'Agatha Raisin, pour mon plus grand bonheur."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Agatha est fatiguée de sa nouvelle agence, de courir après les chiens et les chats perdus, sans parler des conjoints adultères mais maintenant qu'elle a embauché de nouveaux enquêteurs, il faut bien faire rentrer de l'argent. Alors quand un homme riche vient lui demander de suivre sa femme réputée parfaite, Agatha va non seulement accepter mais également se faire un malin plaisir de gratter la surface..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"J'ai beaucoup pesté et attendu à un certain moment pour que l'auteur se renouvelle et je trouve que c'est enfin le cas depuis quelques tomes. Une agence à faire tourner, de nombreux nouveaux personnages interessants, plusieurs enquêtes qui se croisent... Vraiment, plus on avance, plus la série se bonifie. Que dire de plus, c'est un régal à tous points de vue."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"M.C. Beaton est toujours aussi forte et machiavélique pour nous retourner le cerveau à la toute dernière ligne du roman, sauf que cette fois, même si cela me donne indéniablement envie de lire la suite au plus vite, j'ai quand même un peu peur de ce qui pourrait se passer et j'espère vraiment qu'on ne va pas retomber dans le schéma qui m'avait lassé il y a quelques tomes de cela..."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"Les cloches de Pâques ont eu la gentillesse de troquer mes chocolats contre ce seizième tome des aventures d'Agatha Raisin, pour mon plus grand bonheur."
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Agatha est fatiguée de sa nouvelle agence, de courir après les chiens et les chats perdus, sans parler des conjoints adultères mais maintenant qu'elle a embauché de nouveaux enquêteurs, il faut bien faire rentrer de l'argent. Alors quand un homme riche vient lui demander de suivre sa femme réputée parfaite, Agatha va non seulement accepter mais également se faire un malin plaisir de gratter la surface..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"J'ai beaucoup pesté et attendu à un certain moment pour que l'auteur se renouvelle et je trouve que c'est enfin le cas depuis quelques tomes. Une agence à faire tourner, de nombreux nouveaux personnages interessants, plusieurs enquêtes qui se croisent... Vraiment, plus on avance, plus la série se bonifie. Que dire de plus, c'est un régal à tous points de vue."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"M.C. Beaton est toujours aussi forte et machiavélique pour nous retourner le cerveau à la toute dernière ligne du roman, sauf que cette fois, même si cela me donne indéniablement envie de lire la suite au plus vite, j'ai quand même un peu peur de ce qui pourrait se passer et j'espère vraiment qu'on ne va pas retomber dans le schéma qui m'avait lassé il y a quelques tomes de cela..."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
December 3, 2023
L'agenzia investigativa di Agatha è noiosa; capitano soltanto casi di divorzio e di animali smarriti, niente di affascinante e di emozionante. Pertanto quando scompare una ragazza al rientro da una serata in discoteca, Agatha e il suo nuovo fotografo, un anziano signore di nome Phil, gironzolano nella zona per cercare qualche indizio. Da un'idea di Phil arrivano a trovare il cadavere della giovane, accoltellata. Lo stesso giorno, un certo signor Smidley la ingaggia per trovare prove della colpevolezza della moglie, convinto che lei lo tradisca. Poi qualche giorno dopo ritorna per ritirare il suo incarico affermando di essersi sbagliato e che lui e la moglie sono felicissimi. Peccato che il giorno dopo venga avvelenato nel suo ufficio. Le indagini saranno da accorpare? O no? Nel mezzo ci sono un altro omicidio, un orrendo pranzo a casa di Bill Wong, Charles che inizia a indagare con Agatha ma che poi la molla attirato da una donzella, Roy che viene licenziato e chiede aiuto ad Agatha. Insomma, non mancano gli avvenimenti collaterali. Alle solite, Agatha inciampa nella verità con una buona dose di intuito e si permette un salto all'estero per acchiappare i colpevoli. Stavolta nessuno tenta di ammazzarla! In compenso il finale ci riporta indietro nel tempo... Le solite quattro stelline per il piacevole intrattenimento e una certa acuta riflessione sul genere umano!
September 20, 2022
Les affaires tournent au ralenti et Agatha se résigne à accepter une affaire de surveillance, un mari étant persuadé que sa femme est infidèle.
Une affaire en entraîne une autre, et Agatha finit inlassablement par enquêter sur un meurtre...
J'ai bien aimé ce tome. Même s'il manque de crédibilité par moment, c'est bien ficelé. J'ai suspecté plusieurs personnes, j'ai beaucoup douté, donc le suspens est bien maintenu.
Agatha est égale à elle même, par moment je l'apprécie, par moment j'ai envie de la secouer, elle qui peut être si redoutable, si sûre d'elle par moment, et si crédule à d'autres.
La toute fin de l'épilogue m'a surprise, je ne sais pas si ça me plaira ou pas, mais du coup je suis curieuse de voir la suite.
Une affaire en entraîne une autre, et Agatha finit inlassablement par enquêter sur un meurtre...
J'ai bien aimé ce tome. Même s'il manque de crédibilité par moment, c'est bien ficelé. J'ai suspecté plusieurs personnes, j'ai beaucoup douté, donc le suspens est bien maintenu.
Agatha est égale à elle même, par moment je l'apprécie, par moment j'ai envie de la secouer, elle qui peut être si redoutable, si sûre d'elle par moment, et si crédule à d'autres.
La toute fin de l'épilogue m'a surprise, je ne sais pas si ça me plaira ou pas, mais du coup je suis curieuse de voir la suite.
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