Agatha Raisin is back again! Killing Time promises excitement with a present-day mystery, death threats, a 400-year-old murder mystery, Charles Fraith's Barfield Extravaganza, and a romantic trip to Mallorca with John Glass.

While Killing Time promised excitement, and somewhat delivered on that promises, I was still let down. It just didn't tie together like they usually do. There was too much going on. It wanted to be too exciting and should have just focused on actually coming together as a cohesive novel.

I also got this in audio format and without the audio, I might not have finished it, honestly. Charlie, who is usually my favorite, was insufferable. The whole drama with John Glass was unnecessary and annoying. (It's been 35 books of Agatha being a train wreck in love. We don't need romantic jump scares this late in the game.) The ancient mystery was cool. The present-day mystery was lackluster and I feel like I've literally read the same plot in another Agatha Raisin book... Overall, I was not pleased, but I'm giving it 3.5 stars because I love Agatha, Penelope Keith, and the ancient mystery plot was interesting.

This book did not disappoint! As an avid Agatha Raisin fan, I was thrilled to find all the wit, mystery, and delightful bumbling that make this series so enjoyable. It had me laughing out loud while eagerly trying to guess how Agatha would crack the case. I kept yelling “time” at my Kindle, anxiously waiting for the characters to figure it out. Charles left me a bit perplexed in this installment, and I’m curious to see what’s next for him and Agatha in the next book. I can’t wait to find out!

*Thank you to M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green, ​St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

3,5 stars

In this 35th book in the 'Agatha Raisin' cozy mystery series, the private detective investigates burglary, murder, and death threats. The book works fine as a standalone.

*****
Stylish fiftysomething Agatha Raisin was a public relations guru in London before she moved to the scenic Cotswolds. Now Agatha lives in the village of Carsley, where she runs a busy private detective agency.

As the book opens, Sir Charles Fraith - Agatha's friend and onetime suitor - invites Agatha to lunch to relate an intriguing story. In 1660, William Harrison, the steward of a wealthy Cotswold estate, went off to collect rents one day and never returned. Harrison's body wasn't found, but Harrison's servant John Perry - and Perry's mother and brother - were convicted of robbing and killing the steward and all three were hanged. Then in 1662 Harrison returned to the Cotswolds, with a story about being abducted, sold into slavery in Turkey, and escaping back to England. People have speculated about what really happened for centuries.

Agatha is captivated by the tale, but suspects Sir Charles has an ulterior motive for taking her out, and she's right. Sir Charles needs Agatha's help, not as a private detective but as a public relations expert. Sir Charles is producing a wine called Château Barfield, and wants to launch it with a spectacular and glamorous event. Agatha agrees to arrange the extravaganza, and brings in her flashy former employee Roy Silver to help.

Meanwhile, Agatha has cases to solve. Several local businesses have been burgled, and in the latest break-in, jewelry designer Aurelia Barclay was brutally assaulted. The police seem unable to stop the crime wave, and the Chamber of Commerce hires Agatha to catch the perpetrators. This puts Agatha at odds with her old enemy, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes, and it's entertaining to see Agatha clash with the obtuse loudmouth cop once again.

As part of her work Agatha attends an auction and - after a fierce bidding war - acquires a vintage ormolu clock with a dancing couple. This leads to the murder of an antiques dealer; the attempted kidnapping of Agatha and her assistant Toni; and death threats written in cipher. Thus, more incidents for Agatha and her team to investigate.

To take a break from her job, Agatha visits her beau - cruise ship dance instructor John Glass - in Mallorca. The visit doesn't go as planned, and Agatha spends a few days alone in the Hotel Illa d'Or in Pollensa, where she enjoys a luxurious vacation, learns the history of the region, and runs her private detective agency by phone.

When Agatha gets back to the Cotswolds, she executes plans to capture the burglars targeting businesses; identify the men who tried to abduct Toni and herself; and find the person sending cryptic death threats. Agatha also puts on a razzle-dazzle launch for Sir Charles' wine. To top it off, Agatha even comes up with a possible explanation for what happened to William Harrison in the mid-1600s, and it's not that he was enslaved in Turkey.
It's fun to watch Agatha solve mysteries while obsessing over her hair, make-up, clothing, and men. Agatha will never change, and that's the way her fans like it.

Thanks to Netgalley, M. C. Beaton and R.W. Green, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the novel.

R.W. Green carries on M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series in Killing Time. Sir Charles Fraith entangled Agatha in his plan to host an extravaganza at his home in order to keep her away from her retired policeman dance partner on the cruise ship he worked as a dance trainer. Then there are a series of local business burglaries and the murder of a man who dealt in antiques. Agatha has lost an antique clock she got at an auction before it is repaired. Who tries to murder her and why is the clock so significant? Trust Agatha to find a solution. Enjoy..

This is one of those series that is an automatic read, regardless of the level of writing. Killing Time opens with a reference to a crime from the 1660s, leaving a shadowy tone that left me curious about where this book was going. The story then changes and quickly escalates with a series of current-day events: burglaries, riddles as death threats, a murder, an attempted kidnapping, vandalism, a clock, and relationship drama—all against the backdrop of planning a grand event for Charles’s Barfield wine business.

The usual characters are here, and I particularly enjoyed Bill Wong's and Gustav’s characters—Bill’s ability to handle Agatha, mingling with Gustav’s patient endurance of her antics, always makes me laugh.

Killing Time, while short, presents an engaging start with numerous plot points and dramatic turns. It features long chapters heavily packed with activity at the start, but the pace meanders as it progresses through the extensive plot points and then focuses on tying up loose ends. Despite this, the characters and the series' charm continue to draw me back.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Killing Time, the 35th installment in the beloved Agatha Raisin series, is a delightful return to the charming yet deceptively dangerous Cotswolds village. Co-authored by M. C. Beaton and R.W. Green, this novel continues the legacy of the cranky, crafty private detective Agatha Raisin, delivering a story filled with humor, intrigue, and unexpected twists.

The plot begins with a series of burglaries that disrupt the peace of the Cotswolds. Determined to catch the culprits, Agatha juggles the investigation whike helping Sir Charles Fraith prepare for a grand event at his home.

As Agatha delves deeper into the case, she begins receiving death threats and narrowly escapes an abduction attempt. Seeking a brief respite, she heads to Majorca with her partner, former police officer John Glass. Returning home with renewed determination, Agatha pieces together the clues, leading to a thrilling climax at the Barfield Extravaganza, where she not only solves the current murder but also an ancient mystery.

Agatha Raisin remains as endearing and complex as ever. Her sharp wit, relentless determination, and occasional vulnerability make her a character readers can’t help but root for. The supporting cast, including the charming yet elusive Sir Charles Fraith and the steadfast John Glass, add depth and color to the narrative.

Killing Time explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the enduring impact of past secrets. Beaton and Green’s writing is engaging and witty, with a perfect balance of suspense and humor. The dialogue is sharp, and the descriptions vividly bring the Cotswolds to life.

M. C. Beaton and R.W. Green have crafted a cozy mystery that is entertaining and thought-provoking. Killing Time is a testament to the enduring appeal of Agatha Raisin and her adventures. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer, this book is sure to delight with its clever plot, engaging characters, and charming setting.

Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries and anyone looking for a delightful escape into the world of Agatha Raisin.

I can’t believe this is book number 35 in the Agatha Raisin series. I started reading them about 30 years ago and haven’t missed a single one! Mr Green is doing a great job keeping the series going. The story in this one is a bit disjointed but overall I really enjoyed the book. I am glad that Charles is back pursuing Agatha. I’m rooting for them to become a couple. Now I’m eagerly awaiting book number 36.

Agatha Raisin is at the top of her game. Her detective agency is going gangbusters and she has a dancing partner to boot. So when her old flame Sir Charles Fraith asks her to go back to her previous career as a public relations expert to create an event that will celebrate the best the Cotswolds have to offer in food and drink, where he can show off wines from his new Chateau Barfield, Agatha isn’t sure what to say. Charles wants the event to be huge, attracting wine lovers from all over, and he only has a few months to pull it off. He feels like Agatha will rise to the challenge, especially when he offers up a cold case murder for her to toy with too.

So Agatha calls up her old friend Roy, who is ready to jump into action to help Agatha with an investigation. But she wants his help with the event planning, and since he worked with her in her PR agency back before she retired, he agrees to help. As Agatha does some research on high ticket auctions, so she can help put together one for charity for the event, she finds herself captivated by an antique clock and outbidding everyone else to make it hers. When she shows it to the owner of the local antiques store, the man ends up dead.

Agatha is intent on investigating his murder, but she keeps getting mysterious letters. She tries to shrug them off, but her close friends insist that they are death threats. Agatha is scheduled to meet her boyfriend John in Mallorca soon, so she leaves England for her romantic tryst. But her suspicious mind goes into overdrive when she meets his beautiful dancing partner. Agatha stalks off and finds a quiet hotel where she can work in peace. Her detectives have been going through some of her old files, to see if some old enemy or someone she helped to convict might have a reason to start sending her death threats. Agatha spends her days in paradise hunched over her laptop, going through the files and racking her memories for someone who might be gunning for her.

Eventually, she gives up on that and heads back home to the Cotswolds, not having any idea about who was sending her death threats. But she finds out that someone had been desperately looking for her—John, who denies anything happening between him and his dance partner. He had been worried ever since she’d disappeared and wasn’t sure where to find her while she’d been in the hotel. With her live life back intact, now Agatha just has to figure out who it is who wants to kill her and why, all while putting on the most spectacular food and wine event the Cotswolds have ever seen.

Killing Time is book 35 in the popular Agatha Raisin series originally created by M.C. Beaton and carried forward by her hand-chosen successor R.W. Green. These charming cozies rely heavily on the personality of Agatha herself to carry the story forward, and it’s her intelligence, hard work, and confidence that have made her so popular with readers (me included). These light-hearted mysteries bring together Aggie’s big city sensibilities with the small town where she lives, making them the perfect balance of work and play.

I have come to the Agatha Raisin universe later in the series, but I am devoted to her now. These books are a sweet treat just when I need them, a touch of humor amid the difficulties of real life. I love Aggie’s spirit, the way she holds her own with anyone who comes at her, and I can’t help but root for her as she dodges bullets and bad relationships. This may be book 35 in the series, but I am ready for 35 more. I will read them all.

Egalleys for Killing Time were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I absolutely adored it.

The pacing was perfect. The mystery was well plotted. There were abundant clues and red herrings. The settings were magical. Most of all, I loved the characters and the humor.

In fairness, I have to confess that I have only read 1 other book in the Agatha Raisin series, and that was many years ago. Therefore, my opinion of RW Green’s writing of the series may differ from that of more serious MC Beaton fans. My knowledge of Agatha Raisin comes primarily from having watched and loved the series on Acorn TV, but the writing here does feel consistent with the show.

Now I very much feel the need to go back and read the entire series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free e ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Agatha Raisin returns for her 35th adventure in this book and she is still not getting tired of solving all the mysteries the Cotswolds have to offer. I’ve read not all but many of Agatha’s adventures and seen her change newcomer to quirky but beloved fixture in her Cotswold village. Reading such a long standing series offers a deep dive into a fictional world where all the characters are old friends whom you love to catch up with.

Agatha's detective agency is looking into a series of burglaries, but, of course, she has several irons in the fire, she is also helping Charles lauch a new wine venture with a big splash. An antiques dealer gets murdered and a mantel clock Agatha just purchased seems to be right in the center of it all. It features beautifully carved dancers - which enticed her to buy, thinking about herself and former police officer and fabulous dancer John. Of course she can't have this memento stained by its association with a murder.

I always enjoy returning to Agatha and Carsely and love that R.W. Green has managed continuing writing in MC Beaton's world after her death. I will be waiting for her next adventure.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my copy of Killing Time by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green in exchange for an honest review. It published October 8, 2024.
Agatha is back at it again with her wide network of friends, colleagues, lovers, and enemies. This book has a lot going for it, with a big party to plan, a centuries-old mystery, a local string of crimes, and of course, a murder.
Agatha brings the sass with this one, and all the things you’ve come to love about a Raisin mystery are all jammed into this one!

I discovered the Agatha Raisin series a few years ago and was a casual reader of the series. I've recently started at the beginning and I'm up to book 8, but that's not keeping me from skipping ahead to read the newest book. Killing Time is book 35 but you can read it as a stand alone.

I liked the story a lot. While it isn't a Halloween story it would make a great book to read for those that don't want anything too scary. There's a scene that is worthy of a Halloween horror movie.

I'm not sure I actually like Agatha. Her preoccupation with her looks has always irked me but I've been able to overlook it some. I actually started to like her in this book - she's been pretty unlucky in love but she seems happy with her ex-policeman-turned-dancer and then there were the death threats (I'm a sucker for the underdog) but then the way she treated people rubbed me the wrong way. It's like if you are in her inner circle you aren't worth her time and she is hardly nice to them. With all the hate in today's world, I don't want to see it in the fictional worlds I read.

With that said, I loved the other characters and it seemed that they played a bigger role than in the previous books (or maybe that's just my perception given that I've been reading the older books in the series).

I like the Forward that Rod Green includes. I enjoy reading about the tidbits that M.C. Beaton shared with him as well as giving background on other things in the story. In case you didn't know, Rod Green took over writing the Agatha Raisin series (and the Hamish Macbeth series) in 2020 after Beaton died in 2019.

If you are a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed and new readers will enjoy it as well. The mystery is a good one - there's more than one mystery. If you love riddles, then you will really want to read this book. It's just a fun, quick read.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/10/killing-time-by-mc-beaton-rw-green.html

Killing Time is book 35 in the Agatha Raisin series by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green.
This was an excellent mystery which kept me guessing almost until the end.
The story and the characters are so funny, and I was laughing out loud all the way through reading the book. Agatha was a fun and exciting FMC.
I loved everything about the book - the story, the characters, the setting it was all done so well.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

In KILLING TIME the mystery of William Harrison, who went missing in 1660 and was mistakenly presumed murdered, is noteworthy. Sir Charles Fraith convinces Agatha to organize a public relations event to benefit Château Barfield, Charles’s winery, in addition to investigating the William Harrison mystery that resulted in the hangings of John Perry and two others found guilty of Harrison’s murder. Throw in an additional murder or more, and Agatha is in her element.

R. M. Green does a great job writing M. C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series. I am always happy when reading the Agatha Raisin books. Agatha is such an incredible character. I like her relationship with Charles and root for them to be a romantic couple. I look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of KILLING TIME.

In her latest novel, Agatha Raisin must solve another mystery. In fact, in this novel, she has to solve multiple mysteries. The book opens with her friend, Charles, telling her about an ancient mystery. That gets her attention. He uses that as the entry point to try to convince her to step back to her public relation's expertise. It doesn't take much convincing. She agrees to hold a huge event to help Charles launch his new line of spirits.

At the same time, she is approached by the local merchant's group. There have been a series of burglaries and now, one of the merchants has been brutally assaulted. She agrees to find the burglars.

And, if that wasn't enough, the owner of a local store is found brutally murdered. In his store is a mysterious clock that Agatha had bought at an auction. Were the murderers trying to get her clock? Are the burglaries connected with the murder?

The Agatha Raisin series is still as compelling as always. Not only are the mysteries compelling and entertaining, but I found Agatha to be quite humorous. I strongly recommend this book and the whole Agatha Raisin series.

Agatha Raisin is doing everything but Killing Time in this whirlwind of a cozy mystery.

There is a murder, an assault, burglaries, death threats, a bombing, attempted kidnappings and more on Agatha’s plate. There is even a Mallorca retreat with her new boyfriend. On top of everything, Agatha has agreed to produce a village fete for Sir Charles, her old boyfriend, in less than a month. It exhausts me just reading about it.

Even though the whodunnit and motives are relatively easy to guess, the sheer volume of escapades makes Killing Time a good choice for a blustery fall weekend’s read. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

This was my first Agatha Raisin book but I have been a fan of the show for years. I was excited to start this new adventure with a new tale of mystery. Unfortunately, I was bored out of my kind for the first 2/3 of the book. The last act did speed up with action and everything coming out in the open. The. Characters felt flat which should be hard to do considering they have been around for so long.

The back and forth with all of the men around Agatha is getting a bit tiresome especially in this book as she acts at times like a 60 year old teenager.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

I have only had a chance to read a couple of the Agatha Raisin Mystery books, but those I really enjoyed. And since this is the thirty-fifth in the series, I have many more to enjoy - and I'm looking forward to them.

Description:
Agatha Raisin’s private detective agency is working flat out on a series of shop burglaries. The break-ins seem to have taken a violent turn when a friend of Agatha’s is murdered during a raid on his shop. Although determined to nail the villains, Agatha still makes time to help Sir Charles Fraith prepare to stage a massive, hugely glamorous, promotional event in the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House. When Agatha begins to receive death threats and narrowly avoids being abducted by kidnappers, she takes advantage of a previously arranged trip to Mallorca to lie low for a while. There she meets her partner, former police officer John Glass, who is now working as a dance instructor on a cruise liner. Their relationship founders over John’s apparent closeness to his stage dance partner, Louise. Putting her love life on hold, Agatha heads home, having worked out who has been threatening her life. Can Agatha track down whoever it is that wants her dead, nail her friend’s murderers and rescue her romance with John Glass? Everything comes to a climax at the Barfield Extravaganza when Agatha also manages to solve a 400-year-old Cotswold murder mystery!

My Thoughts:
Agatha Raisin is a quirky, take-charge private investigator. Let me just say that I love her methods and her attitude - a great character. In this one, a friend of Agatha's is murdered and Agatha is getting death threats so the investigation gets intense and personal. Too bad she had to put her romantic trip on hold to handle the immediate issues. Well written with a good plot and great characters. I would recommend to anyone wo likes a good cozy mystery. Oh, I now I know there is a tv series too that I will need to see!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Another great addition to the series! I love M.C. Beaton so much and Agatha Raisin is simply my favorite! I love seeing how Agatha has grown and changed throughout the series and this is another great mystery. Agatha is such a well written character.

This is the 35th book in a fun cozy mystery series featuring Agatha Raisin--that alone shows remarkable staying power! Ms Beaton passed away several years ago but R.W. Green has since picked up the baton with her blessing and has made the series even better, imho, with much meatier plots. All of our favorite characters are back investigating several cases and Agatha's love life is on the rocks once again. By the end, Agatha has everything figured out--including the solution to a nearly 400-year-old case. A very enjoyable read.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.