This book was hilarious and thoroughly enjoyable. Between Agatha and the donkey…so much fun! The story was far from predictable and I liked seeing the relationship between Agatha and Toni blossom. They remind me of mother and daughter. It’s SO refreshing.

"Beating About the Bush" by M.C. Beaton is a charming mystery that follows Agatha Raisin, a retired PR executive who pivots to pursue amateur detective work. The plot revolves around the investigation of a suspicious death in the village of Carsely, and Agatha takes it upon herself to solve the case.

The book is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged. Agatha is a well-developed and entertaining protagonist, with a sarcastic and witty personality that adds a unique flavor to the story. The supporting cast of characters, each with their own quirks and motives, add depth to the plot and keep the reader guessing.

The mystery is intriguing and well-constructed, with clues cleverly woven into the narrative. The pace of the story is steady, with a balance of investigative scenes, character development, and humor. The book is a delightful and entertaining read that will keep the reader engaged until the very end.

"Beating About the Bush" is a charming and enjoyable mystery that will delight fans of the series. With its engaging plot, witty writing, and well-drawn characters, it is a must-read for mystery lovers.

Another Joy…
Another joy as the reader joins Agatha in an escapade to rival all others. From a severed leg to industrial espionage, from bumbling policemen to country esquires - a map cap romp with Agatha Raisin and her pals simply cannot be beaten. Wholly immersive and thoroughly entertaining. Always a delight.

Even after 30 books in the series, Agatha Raisin still a hoot and an enjoyable read. She has so much tenacity and spunk. Agatha has many flaws but it’s hard not to like her. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

I love this series and Agatha Raisin.  Agatha seems to make bad decisions on a regular basis, and always needs to have a man in her life, but she is still a wonderful character. The secondary characters are always fantastic and well developed. The author was wonderful with her storylines and plots. They always were fresh and original.

This cozy mystery series has been an extremely entertaining, engaging one and I'm saddened that it will be the last Agatha Raisin book, as we recently lost M.C. Beaton. Sadly, I am writing this review after the recent death of the author. I will miss reading about Agatha's adventures.

I would like to thank Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Even though I don't really care for Agatha Raisin, I love this series.  Agatha does some really dumb things and I can't get past how obsessed she is with always needing a man in her life.  That said, the peripheral characters are fantastic and the stories are always original - no same sh*t, different day for Agatha.  This cozy mystery series has been great fun to listen to and Beating about the Bush is no exception.  Sadly, I am writing this review after the passing of M. C. Beaton.  I will miss reading more adventures of Agatha and friends .

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Beaton passed away at the end of last year, so I was glad to finally get to this. The Agatha Raisin books have been my favorite of her series, so if this is truly the last one (some articles were reporting she had two books already finished), I am alright with that. Agatha's private detective firm is asked to look into possible espionage at a nearby battery company. Oddly enough, there's a donkey that takes center stage after an employee is found dead near the stable. Agatha is her usual bossy but unsure self, just wish there'd been more interaction with the regular Carsley characters.

This book was now better than the previous two books, we don't really even get a hard to solve mystery. The whole Agatha and Charles on and off relationship continues to drag on when it should just end, Charles is engaged and Agatha is starting a new relationship. The characters that we usually get to read about were either not present at all ir made a very brief appearance or two. The donkey named Wizz-Wazz seemed to get more time in the story than it really needed to have. Agatha's character and personality has seemed to go down hill she started the series being tough as nails while also having a heart of gold to being petulant, and mean spirited.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my review.

Oh, Agatha you were always jealous of the younger, prettier, skinnier girls. (chuckles) It’s so good to read you again!
She is so relatable. She once again tries to quit smoking which makes her an even more crankier Agatha. When a man catches her eye, or more so, it is she who catches a man’s eye, she goes on a health kick. (I love her conquests on men). When she believes she can become a celebrity she goes full throttle. But, in the end, it’s not how she wants be known for. We have password mishaps, newspaper mishaps even donkey mishaps. This is such a fun read!

I have read all of the 29 books in order of the Agatha Raisin series and to see how much the characters have grown throughout the series is wonderful.
This book Beating Around The Bush is by far the best book in the series. It kept me laughing and cheering on Agatha and her investigation. That donkey was a hoot!
It was so good to be back in Cogsdale, being around Agatha, Toni, Patrick, Bill Wong and his fiancé Alice, Sir Charles Fraith, Gustav (LOL), Mrs. Bloxby, even Chief Inspector Wilkes, and all the other characters in this work of genius. (I say that for the entire Agatha Raisin Series).
The relationship between Toni and Agatha is becoming so much like family. I believe Agatha sees Toni as a daughter she never had.
Roy Silver makes an appearance in the book. I always liked his and Agatha banter. Sir Charles Fraith is engage yet again, but not to Agatha. She has her sites on a new man in the picture. (Of Course) But, to be honest I hope Charles and Agatha get together. He has been in the book series since Book 4; they have a whole lot of history between them including friends with benefits (sometimes).
We didn’t get but a few mentions of James Lacey (Agatha’s Ex-husband), but he is to return in the next book of the series Hot To Trot Book 31. And I hear those old feelings for him will be back too! (SMH) LOL! I can’t wait!

I highly recommend reading the entire series of Agatha Raisin.

5 + stars

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free digital copy. The opinion expressed are my own.

Quotes:
“That skirt’s a bit tarty for business, isn’t it? Agatha said.
Toni shot her a look of exasperation. “Last time I wore it, you said it looked just right!” she said. “Or was that only because you wanted me playing the dumb blonde?”
“Be careful not to typecast yourself, dear,” warned Agatha.

“Snakes and Bastards!” – Agatha

Beating About the Bush is the 30th title in the Agatha Raisin series. After so many books, a reader comes to expect a few things from our sleuth and this book delivers!

Agatha returns to rare form in this delightful (and maybe final) installment of a beloved series. The author, MC Beaton recently passed so I believe it will be the last book. And if it is, it ended on a high note. Agatha was back to her old feisty self with the possibility of a happy ending and new love interest for the old girl.

The writing was good - good pace with details that didn't way the story down but instead developed a richer story. Interesting characters and an ornery donkey add color and humor to this cozy. This story also involved a grittier underbelly that was exciting to see in the usually cozy Cotswolds. Genuine danger and threats kept the suspense going to the very end and truly kept you interested. Great final installment of the well-loved series.

Once again Agatha and 'crew' are involved in another case that kept me guessing until the end. Although relationships are 'stable' like old friends are with each other, it was nice seeing a little tension between some of her staff and Charles as well.

This one kept my attention until the very end.

I came late to the Agatha Raisin mysteries and have read them all in the past few years. The books are always humorous with an entirely original heroine in the person of Agatha Raisin. Brash, opportunistic, publicity-hungry, and difficult, Agatha also has a heart of gold. One has to dig down to find it at times, however. She also is looking for love in all the wrong places. This time around, she and her detective agency have been hired to investigate industrial espionage and along the way meet an ill-tempered donkey, some very nefarious characters, and a possible new love interest. The whole story is quite silly and delightful bedtime reading. If you are looking for a complete escape read, Beating About the Bush is a great choice. Sadly, M.C. Beaton has passed away since the novel's publication and this is in all likelihood, the final of the series. Luckily there are 29 more.

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

I read this with a heavy heart, knowing that it was Agatha’s last case. I’m glad, though, that it was such a strong and interesting case (and Agatha’s 30th!).

I was really torn about even reading it, knowing that Beaton just passed. I’ve been an avid Agatha Raisin fan for quite some time. I am sad that James wasn’t in the book. I LOVED the way Tony’s story ended in the book...it fit the situation almost as if she was striking out on her own adventure/life, which is perfect. I was saddened on how little closure either Charle’s or Agatha’s storylines had.

Beaton was a great writer and I will miss adventures with Agatha (and with Hamish from her other series).

Agatha Raisin is at it again on one of her zany detective investigations. In Beating About the Bush she goes to bat for a bad tempered donkey, Wizz Wazz who is accused of murder. As she pursues a host of bad characters, she finds out her old friend and occasional lover is engaged to a women he wants to dump. Wizz Wazz goes viral on the internet and Agatha gains fame as the donkey lady. What can go wrong?

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the story line about drug smuggling and the donkey in the story was a good touch. Agatha can be really annoying sometimes but she did less complaining and more detecting in this book. I hope her new romance lasts. My one complaint is that my favorite character Mrs Bloxby didn’t a
Pear enough in the book. Overall, a light entertaining read.

Just when I thought I was getting a bit tired of Agatha Raisin, the 30th book disproved this. Agatha is in fine form, worried her employee Toni might leave, worrying about her on and off lover Charles, and getting embroiled in the mystery of the Morrison Factory. Add in a donkey, yes a donkey, and the madcap mystery series continues to entertain. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I adore Agatha Raisin, and I’ve read all the books in the series and watched the television show on Acorn TV. I am amazed that MC Beaton can keep coming up with plot lines and mysteries for Agatha solve in her cranky and determined way.
Don't miss the latest in this series! Thank you for my ARC!

EXCERPT: They were through the outer edge of the thicket, and only a few feet to their right they could see the brogue, the ankle, the lower leg, and...that was it. There was no body, just a sawn off leg lying amid the litter of dead leaves and twigs.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: When private detective Agatha Raisin comes across a severed leg in a roadside hedge, it looks like she is about to become involved in a particularly gruesome murder. Looks, however, can be deceiving, as Agatha discovers when she is employed to investigate a case of industrial espionage at a factory where nothing is quite what it seems.

The factory mystery soon turns to murder and a bad-tempered donkey turns Agatha into a national celebrity, before bringing her ridicule and shame. To add to her woes, Agatha finds herself grappling with growing feelings for her friend and occasional lover, Sir Charles Fraith. Then, as a possible solution to the factory murder unfolds, her own life is thrown into deadly peril. Will Agatha get her man at last? Or will the killer get her first?

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this romp with Agatha (she hates being called Aggie). I enjoyed her acerbic wit, and even her temper tantrums. She is a fault-finder supreme who can be equally charming when she wants or needs to be, and has a smile that lights up the room and melts hearts. But she does call a spade a spade, and abhors stupidity and/or anyone who doesn't see things from her perspective. Her personal life is something of a shambles, and I felt very sorry for her assistant Toni at times.

I love Beaton's descriptions of people...'Charles was a crease-free zone......If he were ever - perish the thought - to grow wrinkly with age, Gustav, his loyal retainer, would find a way to iron him.' And the way she gently pokes fun at the British aristocracy and their social climbing hangers on. 'They sell sanitary towels?' 'Well someone has to.' 'Of course someone has to, Charles, but you don't marry them.'

Agatha Raisin comes across much better on paper than she is portrayed in the TV series...I must admit to not having been able to sit through one entire episode.

I enjoyed this amusing interlude with Agatha. She was just the antidote I needed for all my recent dark reads. She brought a smile to my face, and I can see myself calling on her again when I am in need of some light relief.

🤗🤣😂🙂

#BeatingAboutTheBushMcBeaton #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Marion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Marion Chesney, Charlotte Ward, Sarah Chester.

Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.

Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Beating About the Bush by M.C. Beaton for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review, and others, is also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage

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Okay, so if you have never heard of Agatha Raisin then I am ashamed of you. (LOL) All kinds of silly, funny, and outlandish thing happen to her. I think that is why these are so great. She and her crew create their own brand of mischief while trying to solve mysteries. It is one of the best series out there.