Have you met Agatha Raisin? She is a 50′s something lady who retired from London to the quiet village of Carsley in the Cotswolds in England. She rapidly got bored after her high flying PR job and needed something to do so she set up a detective agency.
There are over 30 books in this series and I’ve been reading it for a few years now. Whenever a new book comes out I reserve it from the library. Each book in the series tells the tale of how her agency solved the crime.
Usually Agatha encounters a life threatening episode. Other characters in the series are James Lacey, her former husband, Sir Charles Fraith, Mrs. Bloxby the vicars wife, Roy Silver a friend from London and Bill Wong a police detective from nearby Mircester
Her agency staff consisted of two young people, Toni Gilmour and Simon Black, as well as retired policeman, Patrick Mulligan, elderly Phil Marshall, and secretary Mrs. Freedman.
One of the latest book in the series, Something Borrowed, Someone Dead, was a good read.
Agatha is investigating the murder of Gloria French. When Gloria had first moved from London to the Cotswolds hills, she was welcomed into village life. She got involved raising funds for the church and visiting the elderly. But has had a habit of borrowing things and never returning them. One day she was found dead, probably murdered by a poisoned bottle of elderberry wine … wine that she had stolen from a church fete.. The village is secretive and resent Agatha’s investigation.
Does Agatha upset folks with her sleuthing? Will she find the killer in this book?
Once you get acquainted with Agatha you will want to read the books in this series. You will want to find out if she rekindles her romance with James Lacey? You’ll be curious to know what antics she gets up to in solving the mysteries.
There is also a tv series, but after reading all the books it took me a long time to enjoy the shows. The characters were so different from the books, which very frequently happens. The series doesn’t cover all the books but I think a fourth series was supposed to be filmed before the covid19 pandemic halted things.
Time to join Stacking the Shelves and Book Date.
Kathy Martin
I have seen this series around but have never read any of the books. I’ll have to give them a try. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Crafty Gardener
Hi Kathy, I love the books and it took me ages to like the series, as they are so totally different. Thanks for stopping by. Happy reading.
Sue at Book By Book
I’ve heard from so many people who are Agatha Raisin fans and find comfort in her escapades (even though they involve murder!). Glad you enjoy them, too.
Enjoy all of your books this week!
Sue
Book By Book
Crafty Gardener
Hi Sue, I think the books are great, humour with murder thrown in. Happy reading, thanks for visiting today.
Laurie C
I’ve been listening to the Agatha Raisin books on audio. I’m only up to #7, though, so I have a long way to go! I don’t think I’ll try the TV show. Usually if I’ve read a book, I don’t like the TV show version of it. I’m an Agatha Raisin purist!
Crafty Gardener
Audio books are good to listen to, hope you get to listen to some more of the series and Agatha’s antics. Thanks for stopping by, happy reading.
Myrtle
I have watched some of the Agatha Raisin series on tv. I have watched and still do watch some of the series.
Crafty Gardener
I much prefer the books Myrt, and it took me a long time to get into the series as it is so different from the books.
Debbie M
Love both the series and the books even though they are different. I just think of them as two separate entities. The book series is one thing and the tv series is something entirely different. Her escapades in the tv series brings to mind the antics on the old ‘I Love Lucy’ show.
Crafty Gardener
I agree with you Debbie, have to think of the books and the series as two separate entities. Thanks for stopping by, happy reading.
Margie
Thank you for the introduction to Agatha Raisin!
Her cozy mystery series sound like a fun read!
Linda
I absolutely love the Agatha Raison books and have read them all, I have seen a few episodes of the TV series but I was disappointed, I had a picture of Agatha in my mind and it wasn’t like Ashley Jensen who portrayed her.
Crafty Gardener
Me too, the Agatha portrayed in the tv series did not match the Agatha from the books.
Jennifer Jilks
I love me a good series!
Crafty Gardener
Me too, and I’m doing a lot more reading now we are home much more.
Susan @ The Book Bag
My book club read a couple of these books once upon a time. Very enjoyable. 30+ books is a lot! Have a great week and happy reading!
Crafty Gardener
It sure is a big series, and it has taken me quite a while to read them all. But good things shouldn’t be rushed. Thanks for stopping by today, happy reading.