Well ..... firstly Netgalley and publisher, thank you so much for permitting me to read this advanced copy. I didn't spot that many spelling or grammatical errors in it but maybe that's because I was up till 5am reading it!!!!

I'm a big Agatha Raisin fan for various reasons and I've read ALL the books. So I must point out the last few left a question about the writing because sometimes it felt it wasn't actually Marion (MC Beaton) who's written at least parts of them. So I thought the last few were a little off form.

However ..... we're back in top gear again! Not so much of a twisty plot this time but the writing and the action truly SPED along!! Whole events were captured in two sentences or less in some parts. All our beloved characters are welcomed back. Some new, dispensable characters were introduced. Mrs Bloxby is still called Sarah (as opposed to Margaret the first time her name was revealed)! I did miss Revd Bloxby though who was reduced to maybe one sentence but the new characters and the pace made up for that.

Charles is still flitting in and out of Agatha's life as he pleases, as is Roy, as is James. There is a new love interest (short lived) and she's even taken out on a dinner date with a rather public "scene" involved before the end. The cats, the cleaner, everyone is back!

The murder is immediate the pace faster than Usain Bolt on speed! In fact, I wondered several times if Agatha and/or the author were!!!! If so, please continue during the next book!

We have Agatha's usual acerbic put down's and wit ... and the same from a few other characters. I give it 5 stars for an Agatha book even though I could deduct points for the awful "sarf London" accent of the Indian corner shop lady (irony again) .... and I'm not quite sure which accent or indeed dialect the actual witches were speaking in .... closer to tongues I think.

Interestingly, as this is the first book since the TV serialisation which fans have panned for miscasting of not only Agatha, who is mid fifties, short, solidly built, brown bobbed, bear eyed, knee skirt length and stiletto wearing, curmudgeon constantly concealing her Brummie accent ... but is actually played by the lovely Ashley Jensen who is blonde, slender, Scottish and doesn't disguise her accent) .... i found myself picturing Ashley as Agatha in PARTS of the book. The writing of course, then referred to Agatha brown bob and Brummie accent ... which means I had to mix my own image of book Agatha with TV portrayed Agatha ... and that was a bit contradictory still. The same with other cast members ... who have been changed beyond physical recognition in the tv series!

Nonetheless, sticking just to the book ... Beaton back on her best form. I loved it and so will other longstanding Agatha fans. AND finally ...... yes, where we left Charles's and Agatha "relationship" in the last book .. picks up from there in this one AND actually progresses .... but I'm not including any spoilers at all cos fans know what those two are like!!

Thoroughly enjoyed it! Now I have to go catch up on sleep!

This book was like one of those amusement part rides where you whirl around in a circle in a car that spins on its own. Just when you think you know where you are going, everything tilts and you're suddenly off in another direction. I could barely put it down. The story is solid and the characters are totally believable. I just wish M. C. Beaton could have another book in the series ready to read tomorrow.

I think you'll enjoy my review of Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree (Agatha Raisin #28). https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2058762095

Please see review at
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