Agatha continues to evolve, now with her own detective agency rolling along. This was well-plotted, sprinkled with interesting twists and surprises, and quite entertaining. The droll comments and asides from Ms. Beaton continue to amuse me no end, and I am learning odd bits of British slang (probably long obsolete).

I am glad Agatha is (maybe) learning to treat her loyal friends a little better. Will it continue? Only one way to find out.. Onward! ( )

Un’altra avventura piacevole e divertente, un’altra lettura di tutto relax. ( )

Another fun, cozy mystery featuring the flawed Agatha Raisin. As much as I sometimes want to throttle her for her foolishness , she is worth sticking with. In this novel, the epilogue had me in stitches — too funny! ( )

Agatha and the Wedding Assassin
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (February 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (November 2004)

The Deadly Dance finds Agatha Raisin opening her own detective agency where initially the cases are disappointing with lost pets and divorce investigations. Finally a client brings some drama when Catherine Laggat-Brown hires Agatha and company to investigate threats. Soon Agatha is preventing an assassination and then murder follows as well. To further complicate the case, Agatha has hired her new neighbour Emma as secretary at the agency and Emma starts crushing on Sir Charles Fraith. Agatha is then in danger from the assassin and from her own staff.

I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit. The narration by regular reader Penelope Keith is always excellent in all voices. Keith is as perfect a voice fit for the audiobooks as Ashley Jensen is to the TV role.

Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.

Trivia and Link
The Deadly Dance was adapted as Episodes 3 and 4 of Series 3 for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). There doesn't appear to be a separate trailer for The Deadly Dance but clips from it are included in the Season 3 trailer which can be seen on YouTube here. ( )

No actual dead body just an attempt on a life. A bit of a convoluted plot but the joy as always is Agatha, Sir Charles, Roy and Mrs Bloxby. Not too much panting after unavailable men was a welcome relief. ( )