Synopsis

Just back from an extended stay in London, Agatha Raisin finds herself greeted by torrential rains and an old, familiar feeling of boredom. When her handsome new neighbor, Paul Chatterton, shows up on her doorstep, she tries her best to ignore his obvious charms, but his sparkling black eyes and the promise of adventure soon lure her into another investigation.

Paul has heard rumors about Agatha’s reputation as the Cotswold village sleuth and wastes no time offering their services to the crotchety owner of a haunted house. Whispers, footsteps, and a cold white mist are plaguing Mrs. Witherspoon, but the police have failed to come up with any leads, supernatural or otherwise. The neighbors think it’s all a desperate ploy for attention, but Paul and Agatha are sure something more devious is going on. Someone’s playing tricks on Mrs. Witherspoon, and when she turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Agatha finds herself caught up in another baffling murder mystery.

Review

Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M.C. Beaton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Agatha, agatha. What will come your way next? Loved this one. I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Penelope Keith, always a fun time. I’m so happy to know that the series is continuing on in M.C. Beaton’s legacy.

The Story
Hilarious. Everything is witty. Sharp in the overt and nuance. Made me laugh so hard.

The historical society.

The funeral scene.

The cutting of undercuts.

“I am a writer and I have a writer’s eye for detail.”

Probably can’t write very well and must have a private income, reflected Agatha. She knew from long experience that successful writers rarely glorified their trade.

“Do you write under your own name?” she asked.

“No,” he said proudly. “I am Lancelot Grail.” He opened a drawer in his desk and took out a paperback which he handed to her. The cover showed a muscular man stripped to the waist, wielding an axe and being threatened by a dragon.

“Oh, now I know who you are,” lied Agatha, anxious to keep him helpful. “So what can you tell us about Mrs. Wither-spoon?”

The Writing
Tells it like it is, snickery, both subtle and sometimes openly. Can’t get any better than that.

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