Agatha and the Bell Ringers
Review of the Minotaur paperback edition (July 2019) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (October 2018)

The Dead Ringer had a promising beginning when it seemed to centre around the subject of bell ringing, which hinted that perhaps it was inspired by Dorothy L. Sayers' classic The Nine Tailors (1934). Unfortunately it went off into all sorts of other directions and became somewhat tiresome and even repellent at times. It may be that Beaton was just tired of the series, but the nastiness seemed to really dominate this time around. Characters yelling "Shut up!" at each other, Agatha grumpy about all her foibles, a subplot of domestic abuse, etc.

These cozies 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 and love her nevertheless. The formula is 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, is helped by first village friend Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, etc.

I read the paperback this time, but if you listen to the audiobook edition then the narration of this book #29 is a part of an extended interregnum for books #25 to #29 by narrator Alison Larkin. Series regular Penelope Keith returns for books #30 to #32. Larkin is fine in the role, but I've grown most used to Keith's manner of 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
The Dead Ringer has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). ( )

TW: domestic violence. Beaton blames the female victims of domestic violence and places all responsibility on them to stop their husband's violence. "Helen Toms is the sort of woman who creates murderers".

A murderer chooses to murder. Victims don't make the choice to be murdered.

I finished this in the week a husband chose to douse his former partner and their 3 children all under 10 in petrol, set them slight and burn them to death.

Am so glad beastly Beaton is dead and I never need read her misogynist, smoke filled, climate change denying bile ever again!

Oh bugger! There's at least one more published ( )

This latest installment was not up to MC Beaton's usual standards. I found it difficult to follow exactly where the mystery was going. Romance? Detective agency? Not my favorite and I felt disappointed after finishing it. ( )

The Dead Ringer: An Agatha Raisin Mystery is a good story that held its mood from beginning to end. It took place in modern day England in a Cotswolds village. There was no need to go into depth describing the village. The majority of the book was about the people, murders and who dun it. I highly recommend this book. ( )

The mystery was interesting: Disappearance of a fiancée, clergy liking young girls, clergy using older women for $$$$, a vicar who abuses his wife, bell ringers, Agatha's boyfriend being murdered in her house, Aggie's cats being catnapped...

Charles contemplates marriage to Aggie, Aggie decides to run off w/ her lover (but he's murdered), James marries & divorces, Aggie contemplates proposing to Charles...

The mystery was good, but the story was convoluted and hard to follow.

Both Aggie & Charles need to get over themselves & grow up.... their relationship is tiring. ( )