Seems like she's losing her touch or there's a ghostwriter. There was something noticeably different about it, but hard to put a finger on. It was still entertaining.

2.5 Stars

In the village of Thirk Magna in the Cotswolds, the bell ringers of the Church of St. Ethelred have a lot of practicing to do. Led by identical twins Mavis and Millicent Dupin, the ringers are preparing for a visit from their handsome bishop. Alf and Margaret Bloxby and Agatha Raisin, from the nearby village of Carsely are invited to the welcoming ceremony for the bishop. Agatha is initially attracted to, but then frightened by, the charismatic bishop and decides to look into the disappearance of his former fiancée who disappeared without a trace.

I have read the Agatha Raisin series from the very beginning. Most of her books can be read as standalones, but if you are interested in the series, I would recommend starting either at the beginning or at least with a book earlier in the series. I have enjoyed almost every book in this series, but I was very disappointed in this installment. As a fan of the series, I hate giving the book such a low rating, but neither the author nor Agatha are at the top of their game. The main plot sounds interesting, but the narrative doesn’t flow logically and side stories are all over the place. Much of the dialogue is choppy and new readers would not get to know any of the supporting characters from the lack of depth in this book.

Agatha’s spunk is gone, and her usual sharp tongue seems especially bitter and angry. Agatha has always been on the lookout for the perfect man in her life, but so is so focused on that in this book that she barely investigates the young woman’s disappearance or a series of murders which occur throughout the book. She only investigates when she starts feeling guilty about taking the client’s money, so the story becomes disjointed and hard to follow.

There are some entertaining parts in the book and I always appreciate Agatha’s friend Mrs. Bloxby’s insightful observations. I was also interested to see various exchanges between Agatha and Charles, both for what is said and left unsaid. It gives some insight into Charles’s feelings, but his actions still often leave me baffled. There is a very surprising turn of events at the very end of the book. It came out of the blue, so I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing for Agatha. I would be interested in reading the next book to find out, but either way, I hope the author gives us the “old Agatha” who takes charge and gets things done.

~ Christine

**2.5-stars**

I read a lot of Agatha Raisin books in high school and during summer break for college. This was a long time ago, certainly before I was a member of Goodreads, so I don't even recall which ones that I read. From what I remember one of the things I really liked about the series was our protagonist, Agatha Raisin. In my memory, she was snarky, impulsive, man crazy, full of fun and daring. That was not the Agatha I found in this story. This Agatha seemed miserable, desperate in her search for a man (CONSTANTLY) and down-right rude to pretty much everyone around her.

The storyline itself was all over the place in my opinion. We were introduced to quickly to way to many side characters and as the story went on, I found myself confused pretty frequently. Having completed it, I am couldn't tell you who the killer was or what their motivation was. I have already forgotten.

I have so much respect for M.C. Beaton as an author. She has created some iconic characters with Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth but this just was not a solid story for me. I hope if this series continues on that Agatha gets some of her old fun-loving spark back.

Thank you so much to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate every opportunity I receive to provide my feedback on a story even if it doesn't go 100% to my tastes.

I love all the Agatha Raisin books and this one was particularly good. It’s funny but I feel like this installment, as compared to the most recent one, had a different tone to it, and it was more like the tone of the earlier Agatha Raisin books. Sometimes the jocularity can be a bit overdone and the characters seem caricaturist, but not in this one. Agatha has her issues – with romance, men, and jealous women – and she is as cranky as ever, but she’s not as irascible as she’s been in the past few novels. The storyline with her and Charles is heating up again as well.

I love the Acorn tv series and may have to purchase Acorn so that I can get it more easily (along with other awesome British series — the Brits just do television better than we do in the States!).

If you enjoy Agatha, don’t miss The Dead Ringer!

Thank you for my review e-copy!

The Dead Ringer
Written By: M. C. Beaton
St Martin’s Press
Minotaur Books
3 Stars

The town of Thirk Magna is known for its bell ringers. The Bishop is coming to town and it’s for him that the bells toll. He is a handsome , smooth talker who woos the ladies of the town so that they will donate money to his old folk’s home. Soon after his arrival, Millicent, one of the bell ringers is found dead. Agatha also learns that the bishop’s fiancé seems to have disappeared. Agatha wonders if the two events could be related, and she decides she needs to learn more. Unfortunately, as she is trying to piece together the puzzle more bodies pile up.

There are a number of issues I had with this book. The first is the number of characters introduced in the first chapters. I had to go back to the beginning to make a list of characters in order to keep track of everyone. I also didn’t find the main character very likable. She was standoffish and rude even to the people that care about her. Thirdly, Agatha does very little investigating in this novel. She seems more concerned about her love life than solving the mystery.

Underneath all the flaws, however, is a well written cozy mystery. I found the book hard to put down, and I would read late into the night. There are also some great characters. I cared enough about the characters, that I plan on continuing the series to see how the characters progress and what happens to them. This story also had a great ending that was totally unexpected. Just when you think the mystery is solved, a wrench is thrown in, and you have to readjust your original conclusions.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #TheDeadRinger

I’ve read just about every book in this series and always enjoy them but this one was a big disappointment. The story started out in such a confusing way that it didn’t even feel like an Agatha book. Although all the usual characters were included they were all sort of dull and not themselves, including Roy. Roy Silver is never dull! There’s also some weird repetitive dialogue that should have been edited out. I've never given a bad review to an Agatha Raisin book and it makes me sad to do so.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dead Ringer by MC Beaton is the 29th book in the Agatha Raisin series. I have read all the books in this cozy mystery series. I love that Agatha is a strong woman, but can be whiny and has a low self esteem, she sees every man as a possible husband. She is outspoken and can be dominating, but she seems to be mellowing, at least a little, with age, maybe. As with all Agatha Raisin books, it has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page. It feels like I dropped in for a visit and catching up on all the gossip. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries and I strongly recommend this book. To get the most out of this series, I would start book one and read them all in order. 

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Agatha Raisin’s future is taking a big turn, and I’m kind of sad for Sir Charles. M. C. Beaton presents this newest installation of the adventures of Agatha Raisin - who seems to finally be starting to grow up – with a very messed up nearby village where the representatives of the church, from the vicar to the Bishop, are incredibly disturbing.

As typical of Ms. Beaton, her characters remain true to their developed history. The story is an easy read and an enjoyable escape. Her well written prose and consistency of character development and detail provide easily acceptable hypotheses within the story.

Readers who do not want to read a story focused on an overall unlikable main character should likely avoid this one, because Agatha is certainly not someone one would look for as a friend. But in time, she does tend to grow on you. One thing of note, Agatha seemed to take a slightly less prominent role in the book than normal, however, her love life rollercoaster remains true to form.

Agatha Raisin returns in another reliably cozy, madcap mystery. Once again, she's in love with a handsome man. Is he all he seems, or is there some darkness in him?

While this, the 29th in the series, isn't my favorite, not every one in any long running series can hit the right tone every single time. Just like friends, sometimes you just has to shake your head and move on. In this entry, I really wanted to give Agatha a very strong talking to as her moodiness and rudeness got under my skin. Yes, more than usual. Those characteristics are part of her but, boy, is she on a roll in this mystery. On top of that, I really had to concentrate on the jumble of characters and various story lines.
Agatha has to deal with a visiting bishop, a real hunk who attracts women like catnip to cats. Agatha, of course, is right in there with them. Then the middle aged, well off, twins, fighting to be head of the line for the bishop's attention. Having the bishop make a visit is a very big deal and the bell ringers decide to honor the occasion with bell ringing, one even wanting to break the old record for the longest one ever, an idea which is squelched fast. After all, that record would add up to over half a day and the bishop will be lucky to stick around for tea and scones. With all of that going on, Agatha is asked to investigate the disappearance of the bishop's fiancé several years ago. And then there are some cases of assault and a corpse or two.....it's a good thing Agatha has her employees to help sort things out because, this time around, Agatha is a tad bit more focused on finding true love than a killer. It has been said that, while Agatha is a very good investigator, she sometimes finds the killer when the killer comes after her.
If you are new to this series, I would advise trying some of the earlier books in the series first, to get a proper introduction to quirky Agatha Raisin. The Dead Ringer can be read as a stand alone but, in this one, Agatha really can put you off if you haven't read some of her backstory. All Agatha really wants out of life, as she says, is to grow old in the arms of a man and she tends to believe in love at first sight. Other women better get out of her way and killers don't stand a chance.
Because there is a bit of a cliffhanger, I can say, for certain, that I will read the next entry, regardless of Agatha's behavior. She never fails to entertain.
My thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review

The Dead Ringer is the 29th book in the Agatha Raisin series. It is the 29th book that I have read in this series. I adore Agatha Raisin. She is one of a kind!

I think that you could read The Dead Ringer as a stand alone for entertainment value alone. However, to really understand the fun that is Agatha, you really need to read the entire series.

Set in the gorgeous Cotswolds, in the English countryside, the Agatha Raisin series brings village life to the readers. While all seems calm and beautiful in these villages, there are always secrets and grudges underneath the surface. Agatha always rips these bucolic scenes apart and shows the realities of people's hearts.

Oh and of course you know Agatha will fall in love. Always inappropriately. Always a big mistake. But she cannot help herself.

Charles and the rest of the gang are all back. And we visit the lovely village of Thirk Magna...which is bubbling over with secrets.

I highly recommend The Dead Ringer and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Disappointed! Slow start and not what I was expecting after previous Agatha Raisin mysteries. I think we may have run out of stories from this character!

The 29th book in the Agatha Raisin series takes us to the Cotswold village of Thirk Magna, where the bell ringers of St. Ethelred are renowned and very serious about their pursuit. They are also very excited about the visit of the new bishop; especially middle-aged twin sisters, Mavis and Millicent Dupin. The new bishop is very dishy, seems to have sex appeal that he can turn off and on at a whim, and a questionable history with women. Despite his good looks and charm, Agatha dislikes him almost immediately. When one of the twins is murdered, Agatha is hired to find out who might have killed her and why. There are plenty of suspects because just about everyone in Thirk Magna is up to no good.

I had high hopes that Agatha was finally growing up in the previous book, Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree, but in this one, she falls back into her old insecurities. She seems even more determined to find a man to settle down with, and as a result, makes a huge mistake. And at the end of The Dead Ringer, possibly a more lasting mistake. Sir Charles is still around but as commitment phobic as ever. As ever, the Agatha Raisin series is fast and fun, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the previous books.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Minotaur for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

I definitely enjoyed this one - so many creepy characters!

I'm just finding myself torn. I love that Agatha is maturing a little - it gives us a break from the 'formula' of Agatha falling in love with anything in trousers.

Yet, I sort of miss her acerbic quality. I've decided that I want Agatha mature, but not mellow! And she's a bit mellow here.

All that being said, she's still Agatha and Charles is still Charles and I still want to slap James.

I definitely wanted to know who our murderer was and I was not disappointed in the least when I found out.

Looking forward to the next book!

I adore the writing,,charcters and locations of all of M.C. Beaton's works. This Agatha Rasin series is one of my all time favorite cozy series and I was thrilled to see that it is the 29th in series. I have read the entire series and loved every book as well as her Hamish MacBeth series. It will be a sad day indeed when this favorite series ends so every new release is cause for celebration. M.C. Beaton has a talent for a well crafted mystery that transports the reader to a charming village life in the Cotswold's with great charcters. This was a outstanding addition to the series . Thank you to the publisher and to the author for the opportunity to review this next in series.

In this next in series the author transports the reader to the charming town of Thirk Magna with a medieval castle, a sexy Bishop and a interesting cast of quirky village people. A group in the village are bell ringers and very proud of their abilities. When a murder occurs that includes the bell ringers Agatha is on the case with all of her insecurities and complaints about aging . ( I love that Agatha is portrayed as the rest of us who are aging so spot on. ) As she questions the bell ringers she soon finds animosity and distrust among the seemingly quiet idyllic village life.

Our detective Agatha is always brilliant at solving cases. Throughout is the classic M.C. Beaton humor that always has me laughing out loud and transported through reading her books. This is classic Agatha Rasin and I adored this book for the author has all the elements we love about Agatha, small English village life and a well crafted brilliant sleuth. Well done to M.C. Beaton ! I look forward to the 30th in series. Thank you for continuing this class cozy mystery series for your fans.

I highly recommend this book for all who enjoy a great sleuth with a savvy smart funny protagonist and a visit to the English country life. Each Agatha Rasin book is a delight !

The latest installment of the Agatha Raisin series finds Agatha and her detective team investigating another Cotswolds murder. She is her usual bumbling, lovesick self and falls in love with the wrong man at the drop of a hat. She always finds herself in dangerous situations, and somehow figures out who the murderer is. This book seemed to jump around a lot but was still entertaining.

The Agatha Raisin series has been around for some time. The Dead Ringer is about the death/murder of a bell ringer and a few other characters (I don’t want to give a spoiler) in the quiet little town of Thirk Magnay England. This is book #29 in the series.

It’s been a while since I read an Agatha Raisin mystery and by getting this publication, I realized I missed a few things going on in her life. The first book in the series depicts her as a cranky, middle-aged publicist, supposedly 53 years of age. I’m guessing she doesn’t age in real time as years later, she’s still a middle-aged lady and described as attractive if not abrasive. My bookish friend Angry Grey Cat renewed my interest in the series.

Agatha has her own detective agency set up now, a change from books in the past where she was more like a Jessica Fletcher character in Murder, She Wrote. What I liked about this book was the familiarity of the little town in the Cotswolds. The picturesque setting and scenery are inviting. Thirk Magna has an ancient church called St. Ethelred and it’s the pride and joy of the community.

There are adult twin sisters who are part of the bell ringers group and very involved in the church. Apparently bell ringing is like no other type of music and isn’t written on a standard score. The six bell ringers change their order and each time they strike it’s done from memory. Quite an art of memory and dedication. It most certainly wouldn’t be for me.

The twins are swooning on about the visit of a bishop who is reputed to be very handsome and they are determined to take charge of the visit, arranging which “song” they will play on bells and generally being pains in the butt. This bishop has some scandal following him as his rich ex-fiancé has disappeared. That’s what interests Agatha very much. Now the bodies start piling up, as you would expect from one of her novels.

The mention of Detective Sargent Bill Wong was a familiar character as I remember him from all the previous books. I wondered why he hasn’t been promoted to a higher rank than D.S. in all the years (29 years!) of being on the police force. But I have to remind myself that this isn’t written in real time as DCI Alan Banks novels. Also, it has been well established that Bill is half Chinese and half British so when I read that again I thought – yeah, yeah…we all know Bill if half Chinese and Brit. That could have been left out.

Food: There are mentions of Greek food, pub meals, gin and tonics, tea and cakes. I am on board with any of those things!

Overall, this isn’t the edgy sort of mystery I love but a milder mystery, not quite a cozy. Clear as mud? It’s fun to follow a character through a long series so if you are looking for a light mystery series, you may want to give Agatha Raisin a chance.

Much thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy. Opinions are mine and I was not compensated for the review.

Dead Ringer is another perfect cozy mystery featuring Agatha Raisin!

A group of eight bell ringers is planning a song to welcome the handsome and single bishop to their small village, Thirk Magna. The village church is full of secrets. Bishop Peter’s girlfriend disappeared without a trace a few years earlier. The vicar allegedly beats his wife. When he is found bound and injured in his home, two twin congregants explain they were playing a bondage game with him. The new policeman who responds to Agatha’s call sells the vicar’s story to the tabloids. When the policeman is later found dead, Agatha and her detective agency spring into action.

After watching the excellent Acorn Agatha Raisin series on television, I couldn’t wait to read the latest book in the series. Dead Ringer doesn’t disappoint. The bodies pile up, and multiple people fall into and out of love. Just another day in the Cotswolds.

Dead Ringer is perfect for readers looking for a side of dry British wit with their cozy mystery. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.

M. C. Beaton has written two delightful series; there are the Hamish McBeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. The Dead Ringer is an entry in the long running Agatha Raisin series. If you like cozy mysteries, you will most likely enjoy spending time with Agatha in the Cotswolds. She often gets in over her head but somehow always survives.

"New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton's cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin―now the star of a hit T.V. show―is back on the case again in The Dead Ringer.

The idyllic Cotswolds village of Thirk Magna is best known for the medieval church of St. Ethelred and its bells, which are the pride and glory of the whole community.

As the bell-ringers get ready for the visit of the dashing Bishop Peter Salver-Hinkley, the whole village is thrown into a frenzy. Meanwhile, Agatha convinces one of the bell-ringers, the charming lawyer Julian Brody, to hire her to investigate the mystery of the Bishop’s ex-fiancée: a local heiress, Jennifer Toynby, who went missing years ago and whose body was never found...

Meanwhile, the bodies in the village just keep on piling up: the corpse of Larry Jensen, a local policeman, is discovered in the crypt. Millicent Dupin, one of a pair of bell-ringing identical twins, is murdered near the church. And Terry Fletcher, a journalist and (briefly) Agatha’s lover, is found dead in her sitting room! Agatha widens her investigation and very soon her main suspect is the handsome Bishop himself. But could he really be behind this series of violent killings, or is it someone who wants to bring him―and his reputation―down?"

For my mom, who just loves this series of books. Also, she would be mad if I didn't mention how much she hates the TV adaptation.