Mr. Green is really learning how to write about Agatha Raisin and her cohorts. This story had some interesting twists.

"Down the Hatch" by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green is a mystery novel with a dose of humor and quirkiness. The protagonist, Agatha Raisin, is a private detective who takes on the case of an elderly couple who are accused of murder. The man, known as "the Admiral", died of poisoning, but Agatha doesn't believe it was an accident and takes on the case to clear the couple's name.

As she delves deeper into the case, Agatha encounters a cast of suspicious characters and finds herself enmeshed in the Admiral's own dark and shady past. The story takes unexpected twists and turns, with Agatha narrowly escaping danger as she tries to solve the case. The narrative is well-paced, with just the right amount of suspense to keep the reader engaged.

The humor in the book is delightful and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the story. The characters are quirky and unique, making them stand out from the usual suspects in a mystery novel. Whether it's the sarcastic banter between Agatha and the Chief Inspector, or the antics of the elderly couple, there's something for everyone in "Down the Hatch". Overall, this is a fun and engaging mystery that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Once again ... Beaton pulls off the sweetest mystery. Fun, spirited, and with the usual characters you've fallen for in her recent Agatha Raisin series. I don't want to spoil anything, and won't, but this cozy is delightful and NOT going to put you to sleep. On the contrary, it will keep you reading from page to page. Plus ... the ending is a big surprise, and worth your time. I say have at with a few cups of coffee or tea. Enjoy!!!

The plot was just okay, R. W. Green doesn't capture the essence of M.C. Beaton's writing style or characters. This Agatha didn't have any of the insecurities of the past that made her who she is. She would never have admitted pride at being Toni's mother, only horror at accepting her own true age. She would have thundered at Simon's hospital bed, she would have just not behaved like the Agatha in this book. Her flaws were what made her interesting, without them she's just another private detective.

Thank you Net Galley for this copy of Down the Hatch, by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green
Always love a good update on what Agatha has been up to! This is the second book by R.W. Green and he is doing better in taking over the helm from M.C. Beaton. He is still missing the quirkiness of her character and has her coming off less herself and more a water downed version. I do suggest he listen to the audio books to see if he can get a better grasp of her not mean spirited crankiness, her quick to rise to temper but not one to hold it, and her lusty approach to both men and life.
Noting much has changed for Agatha, her love life is still in disarray, will it be Lacey or Fraith, Fraith or Lacey! Or perhaps the coroner? Still fun to see what she decides in each book. Eventually, I hope she does make a decision.
Murders continues to come across her path and the case here is an interesting one, and well written.
The same cast of characters make their appearances and it is fun seeing what they are up to. Some the author does well on and again on some he just loses the flair of recanting their conversations with Agatha. He seems to think, perhaps due to her age, she is not a high spirited, full of life, I don't know but again I suggest go to the beginning and listen to the books vs read them and see if he can get a better feel for how she communicates.
I am not ready to be done with her, and look forward to the next installation of this series.

Sadly we all know that M.C. Beaton is no longer writing this series, and the writing is not entirely the same. However, I still find this book to be a very enjoyable read and I am very grateful that someone is continuing the series that so many of us love. Yes, the writing could be less wordy and Agatha’s tone could be a little more snarky, however, that does not take away from the fact that this is still a great mystery and a nice installment in this series.

Down the Hatch marks the second Agatha Raisin book written by R.W. Green and I'm happy to report I found this to be an excellent continuation of the series. One of the things I found most frustrating about the long standing series was Agatha's lack of growth or any true change in her learned behaviors. Of course we want her to be a strong willed woman who doesn't let others get away with murder (both literally and figuratively!) but I was tired of her letting her ego get in the way of genuine relationships. R.W. Green has kept the Agatha Raisin we know and love but allowed her to maybe let her guard down with those close to her and that's a very welcomed change!

The mystery was very good in this book and was very dramatic (no spoilers). Although I guessed the killer, the situation was quite different than I imagined.

I will continue to recommend this book to my cozy mystery readers and look forward to the next installment.

This story makes poor Agatha appear like a shrew. Disappointing effort for a great and witty series.

Agatha Raisin is walking down the street, minding her own business, when she hears a scream coming from the Mircester Crown Green Bowling Club. She rushes over to find an elderly man sprawled on the green, froth around his mouth, a rum bottle nearby. She realizes he’s been poisoned, but DCI Wilkes, always one for the easiest simplest solution, Insists the man died of natural causes. Not to be deterred, Agatha puts her private investigator skills to work, not wanting a murderer to go free.
Asking around at the club, she quickly finds out the man known as Admiral Harold Nelson was not a popular man. Although a few people sing his praises, most are vocal in their dislike. As president of the club, he’d made unwelcome changes, and he was working on a scheme to become President for Life. He drank heavily, was generally unpleasant, and scandalized local society with his marriage to a much younger woman. DCI Wilkes warns Agatha to stay out of it, but when the widow hires Agatha to find her husband’s killer, she can’t say no. There is an abundance of likely suspects for her team to investigate.
At the same time, the agency has other cases to solve: an elderly lady reports an other-worldly peeping tom is spying on her; a lonely gentleman says there are wizards and huge grinning rats in his garden; and a spoiled rich boy wants Agatha to clear him of a paternity suit. She does her best to see that all her clients get exactly what they deserve.
The multiple investigations are not without their perils. Team members are attacked when they get too close to the truth, a ruthless eastern European gang is determined to protect its lucrative trade, and Agatha goes for an unexpected swim.
Agatha and James Lacey have recovered from their short and disastrous marriage experiment. Working together on these cases has renewed and strengthened their friendship. Will this lead to more? Read on and find out.

Down the Hatch earns 5/5 Rum Bottles…Clever & Engaging!

Raisin Investigations’ caseload is as varied as the community. Case One: The Admiral. Agatha discovers the body of Harry Nelson, known as the Admiral, sprawled on the lawn of the Mircester Crown Green Bowling Club. The man had evoked varied reactions from those who knew him from he’s a fine lad to he’s a drunken monster. Officially it is deemed an accidental poisoning which seems reasonable to everyone but Agatha. Addendum to case one: A woman who told Agatha she knew the how, the who, and the why the Admiral was murdered is herself murdered. The case expands into a complicated and dangerous mess. Case Two: Exotic Dancer Shenanigans. An employer accuses an employee of fraud and staking out Shirley’s Girlies may hold key evidence, but it may also embarrass the accountant when expense reports are reviewed. Case Three: Trash Trouble. There’s a rumor the bin lorries (garbage collectors) may be dealing drugs, so who’s up for going undercover? Case Four: Paternity Schmernity. A friend of a friend swears he is not the father, but why is he so set against relying on DNA? Case Five: Aliens and Aslan. An elderly lady reports having a visitor from Venus in her living room, and another man reports visits from smiling rats, wizards, and Aslan. When some evidence proves one is accurate, it’s off to the woods and another ruined pair of shoes. Case Six: Off-the-Books. Agatha is always there to help her friends with any personal issue: assistant Toni Gilmour, DC Alice Peters, Sir Charles Fraith, DS Bill Wong, ex-husband James Lacey, and the vicar’s wife Mrs. Bloxby. Just another day in the life of Agatha Raisin.

Brilliant! R.W. Green has channeled well M.C. Beaton’s vision for the continued appearance of Agatha Raisin with a descriptive narrative, clever quips, snarky responses, and endearing relationships. This thirty-second book focuses more closely on the detective agency itself and all the different cases the team is often hired to solve. The main case being murder is the most complex offering many possible suspects to examine in and outside the bowling club community despite the police perspective and obstacles from the animosity from DCI Wilkes, or his mother. The victim’s past and impact on the present leads to a shocking surprise no one could see coming…just the way I like it! Agatha’s assistant Toni Gilmour has a major roll in the caseload, and their personal discussions offer further insights into Agatha’s mentoring as well as her assessing decisions she’s made in her life. Personal issues with her ex-es (husband and lovers) add as well as complicate the drama, and an interesting off-hand analysis made by one who knows Agatha makes for an interesting question…will they get back together? Despite fans of the television show seeing many differences in the book, it is unique and a must read! Loved it!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* i really like this series as a cozy, comfortable read, this was worth the read and im looking forward to the next one

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Mintour Books for my copy of Down the Hatch by M. C. Beaton; R. W. Green in exchange for an honest review. It published October 26, 2021.
I was so excited for this one, and rightly so. I just love seeing what Agatha gets up to! I also have to note that the notes ahead of time were both very sweet, and laugh-out-loud.
This book fits right in with the rest of the series, and is totally worth the read!

This was a fun final addition to the Agatha Raisin series. R.W. Green did a good job writing the book in M.C. Beaton's style and Agatha was as sassy and lovable as ever. Recommended!

I am a sucker for a good cozy mystery, and Detective Agatha Raisin is always so entertaining. It was a good read and well written as expected. It was fast paced too and highly entertaining. I highly recommend the series!

Thank You to M.C. Beaton, R.W. Green and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, for the digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Sigh. I am late, late, late in posting this review. Life sometimes gets in the way of plans. But even tho I am tardy I wanted to let everyone know this is a very good book and very close to what Marion would have written if she could have. I enjoyed it and hope there are more in the works. Give it a try! Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I am really glad that R.W. Green has kept the character of Agatha Raisin alive after the passing of M.C. Beaton. I will admit that I enjoyed Beaton's writing style a bit more but I will never turn down a mystery with Agatha in it! The character though seems to be missing her usual sass but has gained some maturity. So I guess it depends on what you prefer. You still get some of your favorite characters that show up and a good murder mystery, so I will look forward to what comes next in the series.

I have got to say that this is the most entertaining Agatha raisin book I have ever read. The excitement and the drama were on point. The characters are your typical village dwellers. The world building has you imagining yourself to be in the Cotswolds walking right along with Agatha. I was tense reading the pages where Agatha is hot on the trail of a suspect and putting herself in harm's way. I had to keep reading until the end because I had to find out the ending. I definitely recommend this book.

Down The Hatch by M. C. Beaton

Agatha Raisin is back on a case in this novel. While walking on her lunch break, she hears a yell for help. Rushing over, she sees the body of a man lying non the grass.

I have always enjoyed the Agatha Raisin’s series. This novel was a little milder than the authors other books. Quite a group of characters.b. Did not anticipate the ending. I thought it low-key.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

R.W. Green worked with M.C. Beaton on her Agatha Raisin novels; Ms. Beaton died in 2019 but R.W. Green is continuing her cozies. Down the Hatch puts Agatha up against the police about the death of the Admiral, an old man with an unpleasant past. The new coroner calls the death an accidental poisoning, but Agatha follows the clues to whodunit. Meanwhile her detective agency has a number of interesting cases. Human interest at its best.

Down the Hatch by MC Beaton and RW Green

9781250816139

234 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Press
Release Date: October 26, 2021

Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Amateur Detective, Woman Detective, British

This is the 32nd book in the Agatha Raisin series. She is an organized fashionista and businesswoman with several men that would love to be in her life. In this story, Agatha is hired to solve three incidents. The first is the death of Admiral Nelson who was found dead with a bottle of rum laced with weedkiller. The second is an employee that has been on sick leave but may be dancing as Cindy Snakehips at exotic clubs. The third is the appearance of strange creatures.

The story is fast paced and is written in the third person point of view. There are many characters, some are developed more than others. Also, since this is the 32nd in the series, the characters have been developing thorough the series. I was sad to learn of the M.C. (Marion Chesney) Beaton’s passing in 2019. If you like Miss Marple or Ellie Haskell stories, you will enjoy reading this one.