Agatha Raisin: The Complete BBC Radio Drama Collection

by David Semple (Adapter), M.C. Beaton, Penelope Keith (Narrator)

After a lifetime spent in public relations, one-woman dynamo Agatha Raisin struggles to adapt to life in a quiet country village - but she soon finds that there is murder and mayhem aplenty to keep her busy. Among the cases she has to deal with are a poisoned quiche; a vet who has been 'put to sleep'; a hanged horticulturist; a murdered rambler and a curate who meets his Maker somewhat sooner than expected. Then there's the treasure hunt with a rather nasty prize at the end; the secretive salon owner; the husband who is quite definitely ex; the murder on the dancefloor and the fairies at the bottom of the garden. With all this and handsome neighbour James Lacey to deal with, the 'Columbo of the Cotswolds' has her hands full!

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

10 pages, Audiobook

Published August 1, 2019

Reviews

[AndrewP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had already listened to all of the individual books adapted to radio in this collection, but it was nice to hear them again as full BBC radio dramas. As with the books Penelope Keith plays Agatha, and even before I listened to any of the audio books I would have imagined a very similar voice in my head. If not Penelope Keith, then Patricia Routledge (of Keeping Up Appearances fame).
Each of the books is shortened into about an hour of radio split into two episodes and obviously abridges the stories somewhat. Still, very enjoyable and great to hear these presented in this way. Even if oyu have read all the books, this is well worth a listen.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. I was laughing all the way through. What a tonic. The narration from the whole cast is brilliant. Would recommend to anyone who wants a lighthearted escape, in bitesize chunks!

[Kori Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to listen because a few of my family members are long time fans of the series and it’s not what I was expecting but its good. I haven’t read the books but I gather they’re a bit different.

This series is more focused on the slow burn bickering romance and cuts off at a point where it’s equally believable they could stay together for the rest of their lives or break up the next day which is in line with the rest of their relationship where I hear they become platonic and she meets someone else in later books. Which would probably make people turn on James as he’s never heard hearing Agatha out about the abuse.

Mysteries where usually semi-obvious with not that many red herrings but the murders where treated more like an excuse for small village drama.

The protagonist is the sort of jerk people like in fiction and hate in real life, one of those change of pace characters who is outwardly confident and beloved in herself but should probably lean tact and communication skills as basically every story she confronts the murders and they try to kill her or themselves if they get the chance.

More serialised than I was expecting concidering usually when I see them packaged in CDs covering two arcs they aren’t numbered.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This light, breezy detective series was hilariously funny! I listened to the audio version. Because it was a BBC radio program, all kinds of actors read for the series, complete with all kinds of sound effects. The mysteries were pretty simplistic, often relying on Agatha Raisin's intuition and confession of the murderous offender. But, if you look beyond that, I really enjoyed this retired PR director who moves to a small town and decides she just has to to help the police by using her very amateur detective skills. She drags her reluctant neighbor to help her. The audiobooks are based on written books by the same name. I loved this silly collection of stories---laugh out loud muderously funny!

[Taylor's♡Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't had this much fun with an audiobook in a long time.

I'm a huge fan of BBC radio dramas of novels, despite the fact that so much has to be cut in order to fit them into a certain time frame.

But these were so perfect.

Obviously Penelope Keith is Agatha Raisin, and I was so happy that they got her for this series. But other than her, the secondary cast members were also incredible (my personal shout outs to the actors for James and Roy).

I can certainly see myself listening this whole collection again between Agatha Raisin book releases.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant set of audio plays adapted from M.C Beatons set of cosy crime books centering around Agatha raisin. Brilliant narration by the cast especially Penelope Keith and the actor who played James. Going to look and see if they adapted any more of these as I had such a good time with this audiobook and it made me laugh out loud at moments usually when Agatha was using her wit to be critical of something that wasn't going her way.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this audio book made every situation feel like taking a hot long bath. No matter if I was commuting on the metro, stuck in traffic in the car, relaxing after a stressful day or taking a walk around the neighborhood: I always felt like I had just put on a candle, got comfortable in my swing chair and taken a deep breath.

I’m absolutely obsessed with Agatha Raisin, but also the cast was incredible. When I closed my eyes I felt like I was there in the middle of it all.

[Ladie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This BBC Radio production starring Penelope Keith encompasses ten of Beaton's Agatha Raisin humor-laced murder mysteries. Although after the first few they became a bit predictable, it was still entertaining with Keith and the rest of the cast giving gratifyingly over the top performances. Instead of binge-listening, I would have enjoyed these stories even more if I had spaceď them out with something quite different in between.

[Katrina Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

First 5-star book of the year! These are BBC dramatizations of an entire series, so each novel is condensed into an episode. I don't know what I've lost, since I'm not reading the full novel, but Agatha Raisin is a hilarious main character (if you like British snark, which I do). I laughed out loud at various things she said.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely collection of stories about the murder mysteries an older woman investigates in her small town. There are far too many murders for such a tiny English town, but it is still a fun series.

[Pietro Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good adaptation of the stories. Penelope Keith is a hoot as Agatha and the supporting cast equally good.

Cosy mystery in that you know that the crime will be solved and some very inventive solutions.

Thoroughly recommend this audiobook of 10 plays.

[Mam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love M. C. Beaton and the flawed and funny Agatha in any format - this did not disappoint.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audio was very good, with Penelope Keith playing Agatha Raisin. The stories were a bit too similar.

[Shruti Buddhavarapu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I'm so addicted to Agatha! Why must they end?!

[A Foxtrotter Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This BBC broadcast was great. I loved all the stories and of course, Penelope Keith just rocks as Agatha!

[Kaz Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say I love the Agatha Raisin series especially the dramatized ones on audiable

[Bridget Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cotswolds, England.
citizen sleuth.
cozy and light but not saccharine.

The novels are abridged to be presented as an hour program. Many details are lost in the process. Some important ones that are critical to the plot.

These recordings are an excellent way to visit Agatha Raisin while driving, doing chores or exercising.

It's much better to read or listen to the unabridged novels in order to appreciate them.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to the full-cast audio production of the abbreviated versions of the first stories in M.C. Beaton's classic series. Some of the names have been changed and many of the plot lines were condensed, but otherwise, I think the radio drama captures the charm of the tales.

[Susan Gremillion West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have the the TV show up to current season. Then listened to all the audiobooks. Read a good review about this radio broadcast. Love it! Penelope Keith IS Agatha Raisin in my book. That voice! Really, really enjoyed this.

[Catka]

This was fun! In spite of the crime stories being oversimplified and not very believable. I very much enjoyed the conversations and banter.

[cardulelia carduelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another perfectly adapted BBC audiobook.

[Kellie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what got me hooked on the Agatha Raisin series. It's such a fun radio drama. The characters are witty, and the stories are fun.

[Tori Tabory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and fun. A great listen! *Audiobook*

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This provided me with hours of entertainment. Agatha Raisin as a character was so fun and surprising.