heaven_ali (heaven_ali) wrote in 50bookchallenge,
heaven_ali
heaven_ali
50bookchallenge

#114 Agatha Raisin: a spoonful of poison - M C Beaton (2008)

Agatha Raisin's detective agency has become so successful that she decides to take time off for rest and relaxation. But as soon as she does, she remembers that when she does have time on her hands, she doesn't know what to do with it. So it doesn't take much for the vicar of a nearby village to persuade her to help publicize the church fete - especially when the event organizer, George Selby, turns out to be a handsome widower. Agatha brings out the crowds for the fete all right, but there's more going on than innocent village fun. Several of the offerings in the jam-tasting booth turn out to be poisoned and the festive entertainment becomes the scene of two murders. Along with her young assistant, Toni, Agatha must lift the lid on the jam tampering, see to the safety of the church funds, and root out the nasty secrets lurking in the village. Quite a tall order while she is attempting to flirt with gorgeous George, who probably has a few secrets of his own!

You know where you are with Agatha Raisin, they're not taxing books, not complicated and they each run pretty much along similar lines. In this one we the good old village fete and a bizarre poisoning. I was glad this didn't go over the top again like we had a couple of books ago, the story is more reminiscent of earlier A R novels except fotr the detective agency and the new characters. I did think this one did seem a bit padded out. As if M C Beaton had to write a certain length book and the plot didn't quite fill it. This is an easy cosy read, enjoyable enough, Agatha is her usual self, as is Sir Charles, Mrs Bloxby and Roy - always glad to see these old favourites, I'm just not so convinced by the newer characters like Toni and Harry. I was amused to see Agatha raging over the smoking ban - which brings things up to date a bit - amazing therefore that Agatha never gets any older, something the actual A R would be delighted by. I have the next 2 in the series tbr - and will read them, but maybe my love of A R is waning.
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