Another enjoyable cosy crime with Agatha Raisin . Love Penelope Keith’s narration ( )

Not as good as some of the other Agathas ( )

Agatha and the Kleptomaniac
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (September 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (September 2013)

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead has Agatha investigating the murder of Donna French, who was known for her good works in the village of Piddlebury, but who also had a kleptomania and a "borrowing and not returning" habit. French's murder sets off an epidemic of elderberry wine poisonings and Agatha is met with antagonism by the village locals. Meanwhile, Agatha's ex-husband James Lacey and Agatha's protegee Toni Gilmour begin a flirtation which of course infuriates Agatha.

I'm enjoying the fun of these cozies which are always somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Agatha is definitely more cranky in the books, but her human faults and foibles make us accept her nevertheless. The formula is pretty much set in stone now for the series. Agatha finds a new man, is jealous of ex-husband James Lacey and occasional lover/friend Charles Fraith, is jealous and meddling with Toni Gilmour's love life, helps Roy Silver out despite his publicity transgressions, gets sympathy from Mrs. Bloxby, etc.

The narration of this book #24 is a brief return to the series of regular Penelope Keith who I find is the best at adding character to the different voices.

Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published on October 26, 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.

Trivia and No Link
Something Borrowed, Someone Dead has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). ( )

This is the first time I have ever read Agatha raisin by Marion Chesney (M.C.) Beaton. I have purposely avoided this series for the reason that I surmised (correctly) that Agatha Raisin was an blatantly brassy & bold busybody (alliteration) . Ah Ha! I was correct, she certainly isn't an endearing old biddy (Nosy Parker) like Miss Marple, although someone in the book likened her to be.....

In the neighboring village (hamlet) a woman is found poisoned, no one really liked her except for the Vicar, she was full of good church deeds, however, she was also pushy, a liar, & a thief. When she is found poisoned by a bottle of locally made elderberry wine the townspeople are actually quite relieved.

Agatha Raisin is called in to investigate by one of the locals, but because Agatha goes in brassy, bold & rude as the midday sun, and nobody is who they appear to be, the town closes ranks and Agatha is left to send in others to investigate for her.

The story; with the exception of Agatha's neediness of being with a man and her never-ending jealousy over her ex-husband as well as over another man with whom she had a thing was seriously off-putting.

...and another thing that bothered the pffffft out of me, the book should have ended on page 248 with the arrest of the murderer, but for some reason M.C. decided to keep it going for another 43 pages putting Agatha in mortal danger from the imprisoned murderer.

I was correct in thinking I would not like Agatha, she's a narcissistic harpy, which is a shame, because other than Agatha's over-the-top foibles, I liked the story. ( )

Another fun and interesting read in the Agatha Raisin Series, although in this one she descends into the village from hell! What is it about these quiet rural English villages, they are deathly; just ask Miss Marple and so many others. ( )