There is nothing more depressing for a middle-aged lovelorn woman with bald patches on her head than to find herself in an English seaside resort out of season. Agatha Raisin, her hair falling out after a run-in with a hairdresser-cum-murderess from a previous investigation, travels to an old-fashioned hotel in order to repair the damage away from the neighbors in her all-too-cozy Cotswolds village. Unhappy about the slow results and prompted by the elderly residents of the resort, she consults the local witch for help. Agatha purchases a hair tonic (and a love potion, just in case!) and is soon sprouting hairs and capturing the fancy of the village police inspector. But the quiet town is stunned by the murder of the witch. Which of the graying guests is capable of such a brutal crime? The brassy yet endearing Agatha won’t stop until she finds the culprit—and, of course, a little love too.
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"The very first book that didn't send me to sleep as an audiobook! Agatha Raisin is back to no-nonsense, looking-for-love self, but on "vacation" in Wyckhadden. In this book, the local "witch" has just given Agatha hair tonic (and a love potion, but Agatha doesn't want to mention that to anyone) when later that evening, the witch dies. The colorful cast of retired characters at Agatha's hotel and Inspector Jessop (spelling?) help propel the story forward as Agatha gets drawn further and further into the social world of Wyckhadden. I'll definitely be borrowing the next book in this series on audiobook. :)"
— Rebecca (4 out of 5 stars)
“A treasure of a book! The story sparkles with mystery, humor, and several romances. The always wonderful M. C. Beaton has outdone herself with this cozy-lovers delight.”
— RT Book Reviews“A charming cozy that successfully blends mystery, interesting characters, and personal relationships. A true delight for the first time or longtime mystery fanatic.”
— Mystery Reader“More great fun from an endearing heroine.”
— Library Journal" In this installment we find Agatha leaving her beloved Carsley for seaside town Wyckhadden. Here she meets the long time residents of The Garden hotel. Of course it isn't long before there is a murder that Agatha becomes mixed up with. Poor old Agatha's love life never ceases to become more complicated, and more hopeless, and this time she starts interferring with the lives of her fellow residents with dubious results. I couldn't help but feel that the murder took something of a back seat - and suddenly became solved - as if we needed to get that out of the way before we could decently wrap up the story. Good old escapism though as always. "
— Ali, 2/20/2014" This series of books is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. A good old fashioned English murder, nicely written and amusing. "
— Mary, 2/20/2014" I needed something for a short road trip. I had no idea this character, Agatha Raisin, was so funny! Serious tongue in cheek, foot in mouth, dry British wit and humor. "
— Carrie, 2/12/2014" Another great dose of the amateur investigator, who invariably annoys the police and the authorities on the way to being instrumental in solving the crime! She doesn't disappoint as, once again, she unveils the murderer of the witch of Wyckhadden but not before embarking on her usual trials and tribulations, particularly in the love stakes! Will she ever find true love??? "
— Gerry, 2/3/2014" This is my first experience with Agatha Raisin. I can't decide about her. By the end of the book I thought she got just what she deserved. I'm not sure if I want to experience more of her or not. "
— Judie, 2/2/2014" I still enjoy nutty, self-centered agatha, but sadly the books are getting beyond formulaic. I am all for the cozy mystery formula but there used to be a bit more spark in this series that is no longer there. "
— Nancy, 1/28/2014" This was another entertaining read from this author. It's the perfect book to read while commuting to work as it's very easy to read. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. "
— Grace, 1/13/2014" This was a better book by this author. It still took place in England, but the plot and story were more exciting than a well and who gets the water. "
— Anne, 1/1/2014" This version is the Chivers Audio book, with Penelope Keith reading the story. Unabridged. "
— Mandy, 12/11/2013" These lite little books are good entertainment "
— Connie, 12/2/2013" how many times must she shoot herself in the foot before she realizes who causes her pain? "
— Helen, 11/27/2013" Not too bad. Par for the series. "
— Cathy, 11/26/2013" fun read, a little unusual style. "
— Maria, 11/19/2013" I read this book as part of a reading challenge at my local library. I had to read 10 books from 6 catagories. I'd never read a crime book so I decided I liked the light heartedness of this one. I absolutely loved it. I read it in a day and will definitely be reading more of Miss Agathas adventures "
— Sarah, 11/11/2013" A client in the tax office recommended MC Beaton to me, and I'd like to thank him. Though this book offered none of the history and cultural knowledge I look for in my reading, it dished up loads of fun in an entertaining mystery. I'll be following more of Agatha Raisin's exploits for sure. "
— Bonnie, 10/19/2013" very book i read of hers got it at a book sale and was hooked ever since "
— Brian, 8/5/2013" Another enjoyable book in the Agatha Raisin series. She goes on holiday to Wyckhadden and stays in a hotel where a number of pensioners live. There are several murders, a romance and she solves the crime! "
— Kim, 7/20/2013" A good mystery in a new location with new characters. "
— Annette, 7/18/2013" I couldn't tell which book was first in this series and I hate reading things out of order, but this is a pretty enjoyable read. Cute and whimsical and colorful characters. I would read more. "
— Melyssa, 5/28/2013" Agatha Raisin is one of those characters you love to hate. I listened to the audio of this book and thought it was exceptionally well-read. "
— Katie, 5/24/2013" Agatha takes a holiday & the change in background for the novel is refreshing once again. Although I was rooting for her to find love this time.. "
— Jocelyn, 4/24/2013" Poor Agatha. She seems to have burned all her bridges and has less self-confidence than ever. "
— Andree, 3/28/2013" More "jolly good fun" with another Agatha Raisin mystery novel, this time in a gloomy seaside town, out of season. Very light reading, but that's all I can manage when I'm not on holiday. "
— Sarah, 3/12/2013M. C. Beaton (1936–2019), hailed as the “Queen of Crime” by the Globe and Mail, was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels—the basis for the hit series on Acorn TV—as well as the Hamish Macbeth series. Born in Scotland, Beaton also wrote nearly one hundred historical romances under several pseudonyms. Her books have been translated into nineteen languages and sold more than twenty-two million copies worldwide.
Penelope Keith is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and award-winning actress who is best known for her roles in To the Manor Born and The Good Life, but she has appeared in many other television programs, including No Job for a Lady and Law and Disorder. Her theater performances include The Norman Conquests, Hay Fever, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession. She has received several BAFTA Awards and in 2014 was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.