MC Beaton was a delightful writer, and I sincerely mourned her when she died. Partly, I was sad for me, because I thought that was the end of Agatha Raisin and Hamish Mavbeth. Fortunately for us devotees, RW Green has picked up the dropped torch and skillfully continued Beaton's work.

Although this is the 34th book in the series, it would read well as a standalone. I am not going to give any spoilers, the publisher has provided a blurb for that. I will say that the plot is interesting and holds the reader's attention. As usual in an Agatha Raisin book there is a lot going on.

I was so pleased to read this book, and so grateful to RW Green for continuing to provide us with Agatha Raisin and the other beloved characters of this series

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: 3.5 rounded up. I devoured the original M.C. Beaton mysteries. These post humous mysteries are perfectly fine, well crafted cozy mysteries. What has been lost is the sly, subtle humor. Agatha used to be a middle aged woman of vanity and insensitivity who could never understand why her new neighbors didn't appreciate her. The "new" Agatha has lost her sharp edges. I read a previous book of the new series and I found this book to be improved. As stand alone cozy mysteries they're great. They're just not M. C. Beaton--but getting a bit closer.

Agatha is suspected of shooting an arrow through the newest victim in the Agatha Raisin series and of course, DCI Wilkes believes Agatha is involved. I enjoyed this story although it’s the first one I’ve read in this series , but I’m going back to start from the beginning so I can catch up!

Reading the latest book in a long-running series as your introduction to the series can be like starting a long-running soap opera on television. The barrage of new characters can be daunting, and the author’s references to earlier works can be puzzling. I hadn’t read any of M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin books before starting the newest in the series, “Dead on Target.” So, I’m trying to look at this objectively, without the benefit of long-time readers’ liking of the author and the characters. On this basis, “Dead on Target” is a decent mystery with some significant issues.

M.C. Beaton was one of many pen names used by the prolific author, Marion Chesney. Under the Beaton name, she wrote 30 novels featuring Agatha Raisin, a retired PR executive turned private eye. Since Beaton died in 2019, another author, Rod (or R.W.) Green has written four more Raisin novels, presumably with the approval of the Chesney estate. So, it’s difficult for me to come into “Dead on Target” fresh and determine how closely Green kept Beaton’s style. All I can say is that I find it hard to believe that this version of Agatha Raisin could have sustained the devoted following the author had in her 30 novels.
In “Dead on Target,” Agatha literally stumbles across the dead body of Sir Godfrey Pride, a local landowner with extensive holdings and more extensive financial problems. She’s attending a local country fair where an amateur archery competition is one of the chief attractions. When she goes for a walk in the nearby woods, she discovers Pride dying of an arrow wound, possibly a stray shot from a competitor. Agatha soon determines that Pride was murdered. The suspects list includes relatives and a shady London entrepreneur trying to make a deal with Archer for some of his properties.

I enjoyed the mystery aspects of “Dead on Target.” Agatha Raisin isn’t a Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple. She runs a professional detective agency with operatives she assigns to tail various suspects and perform similar PI functions. And her agency has other clients, including a man trying to find a missing llama. I guess that’s the type of case you take if you’re trying to keep several investigators employed in rural England. It’s also the type of case that begs for more comic detail, even though it’s irrelevant to the book’s central mystery. But the author dispenses with it in two pages. The llama’s primary function is to sneeze all over the stylishly dressed Agatha. (It’s a running joke in the book that her attire winds up the worse for wear on several occasions.)

Most of the characters in “Dead on Target” are nondescript stereotypes. Agatha has a new boyfriend, an old boyfriend, and an ailing ex-husband, all of whom appear in the book. None of them made much of an impression. I liked some aspects of Agatha’s character, such as her willingness to lie through her teeth to manipulate an unsavory person. But overall, I didn’t feel the same identification with her as with the best fictional detectives.

While the mystery in “Dead on Target” is good, sleuthing fans will be hard-pressed to identify the killer other than by lucky guesswork. That’s not because of the author creating a brilliant puzzle, but rather because key information is withheld from readers until Agatha reveals it all in the last few chapters. This revelation occurs at a traditional gathering of all the suspects, a get-together that seems contrived here.
Even more contrived is the character of the local police inspector. Dimwitted police who obstruct private investigators are a staple of detective fiction, but Inspector Wilkes here takes dimwittedness to ridiculous levels. He is determined to pin the murder on Agatha (after first assuming it was an accident), but his determination is matched by his idiocy and the degree to which he annoys readers. Wilkes isn’t a good comic or serious foil, just one who detracts from reader enjoyment of “Dead on Target.”

Author Green explains in the book’s Foreword how much he studied Agatha’s character from Beaton’s earlier books and why he involved archery in this book’s plot. He may have done his homework, but the results weren’t quite there for me. This is a good mystery and an occasionally interesting story around it, but not one that would compel me to keep reading Green’s books. (I felt much the same way when reading the new Nero Wolfe books by Robert Goldsborough.) I will try to pick up some of Beaton’s original Agatha stories to see how her character differs from Green’s version. Based on what’s contained in the pages of “Dead on Target,” I’m giving the book a mild recommendation. It hits the edge of the target, but it’s not a bullseye by any means.

NOTE: The publisher graciously gave me a copy of this book. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of that review are entirely my own.

I continue you to enjoy Agatha Raisins adventures and series.Even though there’s been a change in author they still draw me in and keep me entertained.#netgalley #st.martinsbooks

“No one who knew Agatha Raisin would ever accuse her of losing her patience. Everyone knew she had none to lose.”

“Rash moves are practically your modus operandi.”

I’ll be completely honest here. This is the first Agatha Raisin book I’ve read because it seemed to be a daunting task, taking on a series with so many books already in print! So I don’t know what the series was like before RW Green took over for the late MC Beaton but I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this iteration of it and it definitely won’t be my last!

The Agatha Raisin series has not been the same since the passing of M.C. Beaton but this addition to the series comes very close to the original books.

The 34th book in the Agatha Raisin Cozy Mystery Series. Agatha is how I want to be. She's bold, intelligent, and doesn't care about putting people in their place, even if it's Chief Constable Wilkins.

Agatha is at a fair, when she comes across Sir Godfrey in the woods. Soon she is involved in a murder, and is butting heads with Winslow. She's his number one suspect, and informs her to stay out of the police investigation. Well, if you have read any Agatha Raisin books, you know that's the wrong thing to say😂. On top of a murder investigation, Agatha is dealing with her ex-husband, her friend Roy, and John her beau. She has her hands full.

M C. Beaton has passed away and now R. W. Green is writing this series. He has come to finally know the old Agatha and I couldn't be happier. He had me laughing, and relaxing with this read.

Tentative Publishing Date:
September 19, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#minotaurbooks
#deadontarget
#rwgreen
#agatharaisinseries
#serieslove2023
#cozymystery

I love cozy mysteries and one that is set in the Cotswolds in England? Be still my heart. Unfortunately this instalment of Agatha Raisin missed the mark (see what I did there with "missed the mark" the book starts out at an archery demonstration, arrows flying everywhere)...anyway while Agatha was as entertaining as ever the book had far too many characters and way too much happening to each character. I have read all of the Agatha Raisin books by M.C. Beaton and now R.W. Green, but this one just didn't connect for me. If you haven't read any books in this series you could read this as a stand alone and understand the relationships between the characters but it's so worth it to read the series from the beginning to see the characters grow and develop.
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In this 34th outing (wow!), PI Agatha Raisin is led to a wounded man in the woods during a village fete by a dog she's been trying to catch. The man has been shot by an arrow and dies soon after. Of course, Inspector Wilkes treats her like the number one suspect so it behooves her and her agency to find the real culprit.

RL Green has been writing this series since the illness and passing of Ms Beaton and I think he's done a great job of picking up the mantle. His characters are spot on and he's been able to flesh out these stories a bit more and keep the humor. This mystery was interesting with enough suspects to keep the reader guessing. A quick and entertaining read.

I received an arc of this new novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is a series that is new to me. I am excited to read it. I quickly read the first in the series so I had an idea of what was going on. I liked it and then I read this one I realized there is a lot of things that happen from that first book to this one and now I want to read them all in between! I don't think you necessarily have to have read all the books in between, but it is helpful for background information. This book surprised me a bit and I didn't see the ending coming. I realize that the author passed away and the person who is now writing the books did a great job with it! Agatha's character is fun to read.

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for the ARC.

This was my first Agatha Raisin mystery, and while it was a decent cozy mystery, the characters felt a little flat. The story felt a bit like an Agatha Christie novel, but overall lacked the Christie magic. Personally I could not feel connect to Agatha as she felt more focused on her clothes and looks than the mystery. It was an enjoyable cozy mystery, but not a memorable one for me.

This series gets better with age! The characters stay interesting, anf the plots have surprising but believable twists and surprises. I don’t always keep up with this series, but this installment encouraged me to go back and read the last few that I had missed.

This is my first book of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, so yes, I would say it is a standalone read.

I found this book so delightful and even though Agatha has some quirks I still loved her. Agatha Raisin is a PI, while at a local fair she runs into Sir. Godfrey who makes an appointment with her to discuss a matter she may be able to help him with. Agatha enjoys herself and takes part in the archery show provided as entertainment for a crowd, afterwards has a bite to eat when she sees a pup that had gone missing. She decides to chase the pup and runs into Sir Godfrey dead.

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Wilkes is no fan of Agatha's, and seems to blame her for this murder, Agatha is now hunting for the killer to clear herself from accusations.

This is such a good book for those that love a good mystery, very entertaining, and an enjoyable read. I will now make sure to read more of this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.

I always enjoy an MC Beaton story...Agatha Raisin is a great character. I must note, regrettfully, that having a different author write is somehow diminishing and noticeable. I'm not going to stop reading, but it's similar to having the ingredients changed in your favorite recipe.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. This is the second Agatha Raisin book I have read and 34th in the series.

Agatha finds herself embroiled in the investigation of the murder of a member of the local gentry when she finds his body with an arrow in his chest at the village fete. The local police first accuse Agatha, and she her team must clear her name and identify the real killer.

There are a variety of suspects. The mystery is well-plotted. I adore Agatha'a grit, determination, and spark but find her obsession with her appearance trying at times (I also don't like the message it sends. Yes, I know it is part of who Agatha is.) I like the relationship Agatha has with her team and her dear friend.

A fun mystery with a good puzzle. I will check out more of this series.

No one liked creepy old Sir Godfrey so when he's found in the woods with an arrow in his chest, who does DCI Wilkes suspect? Why Agatha of course! Fans of the series know that these two have a long and contentious relationship (not really, just he's always suspecting her) and that Agatha will, against his request, go investigating to both clear herself and satisfy her curiosity. These books rise on the Agatha character because the mysteries themselves, like so many cozys, might seem a tad familiar (but there are different red herrings each time). Green has done and continues to do an excellent job of keeping the same spirit and oomph of Beaton's work - and has deepened it in many ways. Don't worry if you haven't read the series as this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Another great Agatha Raisin book! Fast paced, kept me interested. Good dialogue. Good mystery. Good book. A must read!

Dead on Target by MC Beaton with R W Green is another in the continuing series. A shout out to R W Green. Seldom does an author who picks up for another do it seamlessly. Green has accomplished this and he is to be applauded. The world would not be as colorful without Agatha Raisin inhabiting it. This was a short and sweet mystery which, of course, Agatha solved. She was encouraged to do so by the fact that DCI Wilkes was determined to pin the murder on her. It was a convoluted story of an elderly man, Sir Godfrey Pride, who was land rich but had no money. He did have two children who were after what money he had and after him to sell the property. Sir Charles Fraith, a friend of Agatha’s, had introduced them at the village fete, he promising to call her Monday with a commission. Later that same day, a lost puppy she had been chasing, led her to his body. He had been killed by an arrow, and there was an archery club doing demonstrations and introductions to the sport. That was when Wilkes decided it was her who had done the deed.

Agatha is an endearing character, although she had many traits that make her less than likable. But, she is loyal, to a fault, and loving, to those she cares for. Her best friend is Margaret Bloxby, the wife of the local vicar, so she is not at bad as some people judge her to be. She is also creative and clever, if arrogant and somewhat narcissistic. She has a rocky, inconsistent relationship with her ex-husband, James, who lives next door and an antagonistic one with Gustave, Fraith’s man. She is a fabulous character and she draws good characters into her circle. Her mysteries are simple and good. This one, for example, where the family relationships were complicated and antagonistic. A terrific read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Dead on Target by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #MCBeaton #RWGreen #DeadOnTarget

Dead on Target by M. C. Beaton & R.W. Green is another mystery in the popular Agatha Raisen series. Set in the English countryside, Agatha Raisen must solve a murder when a local landowner is found skewered by an arrow after an archery demonstration.