Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell

This entry opens with our Agatha newly married at long last to her handsome neighbor James Lacey. Agatha's fans will not be suprised that James's explosive temper and fault-finding only increase after the marriage, and that Agatha's low self-esteem will only allow her to take so much verbal abuse before she explodes in defense and starts breaking dishes. Of course, some Carsely villagers overhear their rows, and see Agatha shriek at James when she finds him canoodling sexy new villager Melissa Sheppard in the pub. So Agatha is the natural suspect when James disappears suddenly and Melissa is found murdered shortly thereafter. Lightweight baronet Sir Charles Fraith returns here, and is unexpectedly attentive and thoughtful (could he actually be growing up?), and helps Agatha investigate. Greed and madness prevail in the solution. Of course, the main point is not the mystery (although it's a rattling good plot, and could stand alone without the added delight of Agatha's personal misadventures). Regular readers will want to know that James is NOT dead, but was suffering from a brain tumor (is this supposed to excuse his swinish behavior?), which is miraculously cured when he stumbles into a French monastery. Even the brain tumor isn't enough for me to develop any affection for the chilly James, who over the past books in the series has developed into just another sexy jerk. Personally, I'm delighted Agatha may get out of this disastrous marriage, and I'm eager to see if younger man Charles develops enough as a mensch to qualify as a legitimate future love interest for my favorite affection-starved heroine. As with each previous entry, I simply could not wait for the next installment in Agatha's adventures! Keep 'em coming fast, dear Ms. Beaton!

I have read all of the Agatha Raisin series, have loved each one of them and this is my favorite. The plot is excellent, thevillage people endearing, the dialogue humorous. The character development of Agatha and James has been so well done. This has a bittersweet ending which should prove satisfying to Agatha's many fans.

I once visited the Cotswolds (and will again, lovely place!) and wished I could actually meet Agatha and James, and Mrs. Bloxby. Such a cute little place for one's mind to slip away to. I wondered how things would work out when two very independent characters got married. It's about what I expected! Usually when reading M.C.'s mysteries (I read the Hamish Macbeth series, as well) I don't really try to figure out who did it, like in an Agatha Christie novel. I am just along for the ride and visit to pages of old friends. This time I really did try to guess, but I never would have guessed right. I like that! And what's up with Sir Charles? How does he fit into the picture? Well, I'm still wondering about that one, but after this latest adventure I'm not so sure that he's the shallow snob I once took him for. Loyal fans will once again be delighted to return to Carsley, and even first-time readers should enjoy the visit. I just hate to have to wait for the next book. I should have read it slower!

Please don't over-analyze Agatha - the charm of Agatha Raisin lies in her utter lack of it. Pugnacious and relentless Agatha loves life as she sees it and changes what does not suit. Her ambition to marry her neighbor James Lacey has been realized but happily ever after has not. This reader has often thought a duplex or the house next door might be an excellent aid to domestic harmony, but Agatha manages to annoy and isolate herself and drive her new husband into the arms of another woman. Or, did she? When James turns up missing, the overly thrifty Sir Charles Firth joins Agatha to solve the mystery. As they chase about the lovely Cotswolds, Agatha and Charles come upon some amazing characters as she investigates and simultaneously handles a successful PR campaign, makes a new rock band famous and raises a bundle for the Carsley Church.Ms. Beaton delivers a light hearted anti-romance-mystery, sketches a wonderful sense of place, some totally odd ball characters, gets the dialogue just right and does it neatly and concisely - with humor and delight. However, the book could have been proofed a lot better. Or is that just an idea for the next book?

The beloved Agatha Raisin has her hands full in this 11th installment of her cozy adventures. Two psychopaths, a wayward husband, and a battle with God Himself spice up Agatha's life as she runs the gamut of emotions from grief to anger. As a devoted fan of this rascally British matron since she made her first appearance in "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death," I felt for her as she suffered through an incredibly disastrous marriage to longtime love James Lacey, anguished over his disappearance, and didn't know if he were dead or alive. In order to solve the mystery surrounding James, Agatha teams up with friend Sir Charles Fraith who retains all the gentlemanly charm yet outright stinginess readers have come to expect. Old friends like Mrs. Bloxby, Bill Wong, and Ron Silver also appear as Agatha tries to come to terms with the mess James has made of her life.Be prepared for some laugh-out-loud moments as Agatha's rudeness and irritability lead to some comic moments with suspects as well as the parents of Bill Wong whom we met in earlier adventures.Longtime fans will stand up and cheer as a stronger, more secure Agatha emerges at book's closing. The only question I had while reading was the same one I have had in all the books so far....just what does she see in James Lacey?