When Agatha Raisin left behind her PR business in London, she fulfilled her dream of settling in the cozy British Cotswolds where she began a successful private detective agency. Unfortunately, the village she lives in is about to get a little less cozy. Lord Bellington, a wealthy land developer, wants to turn the community garden into a housing estate. When Agatha and her friend Sir Charles Fraith attempt to convince Lord Bellington to abandon his plans he scoffs: “Do you think I give a damn about those pesky villagers?” So when Agatha finds his obituary in the newspaper two weeks later, it’s no surprise that some in town are feeling celebratory.

The villagers are relieved to learn that Bellington’s son and heir, Damian, has no interest in continuing his father’s development plans. But the police are definitely interested in him―as suspect number one. His father’s death, it seems, was no accident. But when Damian hires Agatha to find the real killer, she finds no shortage of suspects. The good news is that a handsome retired detective named Gerald has recently moved to town. Too bad he was seen kissing another newcomer. But when she is also found murdered, Gerald is eager to help Agatha with the case. Agatha, Gerald, and her team of detectives must untangle a web of contempt in order to uncover a killer’s identity. 

Review:

Humorous, charming, and suspenseful.

This is a quick, easy read full of familial dysfunction, love entanglements, secrets, lies, greed, and murder.

The plot develops nicely and is full of suspects, clues, mishaps and mayhem. The setting is the quaint villages and towns found in the English countryside, complete with local pubs and manor homes. And the usual cast of flawed, multi-layered characters are back for another round of detection and investigation.

This is the twenty-seventh book in the Agatha Raisin series, and even though it can be read as a standalone novel, you may want to read some of the earlier books in the series to fully appreciate some of the continuing storylines and character development.

This book is due to be published on September 20, 2016. 

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Chapters/Indigo, Book Depository

For more information on M.C. Beaton, visit her website at: mcbeaton.com

or follow her on Twitter at: @mc_beaton