14.7.09

Review: Agatha Rasin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton


I discovered the Agatha Raisin series a few years ago when I went on a cruise and read everything too quickly so had to raid the ship's library! They were such a great discovery, Agatha Raisin is a brilliant character and I love finding out about all of the trouble that she has been getting into! This is the fourteenth book in the series:
Reports of a haunted house soon have Agatha snooping round, but it turns out the victim is a universally disliked old biddy and someone is playing a practical joke. And then the old lady is murdered- but for Agatha, solving a crime is much more fun than hunting a ghost! Very soon she's up to her usual tricks, involving the villagers, local police, and, of course her handsome new neighbour...
M.C. Beaton has created another fantastic mystery in the Cotswolds and Agatha Raisin once again is there to save the day. I love her character, on the outside she is incredibly feisty and forward but the reader also gets to hear all the insecurities and worries that she carries round with her; making her a very believable and likable character. Her eye has been caught by her handsome new neighbour Paul Chatterton; he has a wife in Spain but is extremely flirtatious with Agatha so trouble soon ensues. Familiar characters from the series pop up in this book, there's Mrs Bloxby the vicar's wife, Bill Wong the policeman trying to keep Agatha out of trouble and Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha's part-time partner in crime. Beaton keeps you guessing to the very end about the death of the old lady and there are many red herrings along the way.
These books are a good, quick read, they keep you interested all the way through and the characters are so lovely that I always feel like I have spent the day with old friends whenever I read any of these! M.C. Beaton has a brilliant website so go and have a look and see if the Agatha Raisin mysteries interest you!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I've only read the first one - quiche of death, but I really enjoyed it.

They are so light and entertaining. I'm pleased to hear that there are lots of other good ones out there, and I'll read another one when I next need something a bit lighter to distract me!

Dot said...

farmlanebooks- I really liked The Quiche of Death, that was the first one that I read! It's nice to have something light to read every now and again!

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

I've never heard of these, so it's good to know of a light and fun series of mysteries to read. I love that you made a discovery like this after you had exhausted all your other reading options. I just love those surprise boos that turn out to be a great read.

Dot said...

Nicole- I think they're the best kind of book surprises!

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