{first two of 34+3 in Agatha Raisin series; detective, murder, village life, Cotswolds, comedy, audiobook, BBC adaptation}

I've enjoyed watching Ashley Jensen portraying the titular Agatha Raisin in the TV adaptation of M.C. Beaton's series and I came across them (probably in my Recommendations) and thought I'd give the books a go. Since there was an audiobook of the first two available at one of my libraries I decided to give listening while I work (or, more accurately, potter) another try. These books are narrated by a full cast (including brass band sound effects) with Penelope Keith as Agatha. I loved hearing her voice with those '[To the Manor Born]' tones which suited the character in a different way from Jensen's take.

ETA: I suspect, from reading a few other reviews, that I listened to an abbreviated/ adapted version; some of the incidents didn't happen in the book I borrowed (who's Doris?) and the cat's name was different. But I didn't find Agatha as abrasive or unlikeable as some people seem to have found her; in this edition she resembled Jensen's version quite a bit. I did wonder how I whizzed through two audiobooks so quickly. Maybe I'll rethink my complete conversion to this media ...

The Quiche of Death

Agatha Raisin, having started a PR firm in London, made it successful and sold it for a fortune (or at least for more than the cost of a cottage in the Cotswolds) has now moved to said cottage and wants to integrate into Carsely village life. To this end she enters a local baking competition - and orders Roy, her former employee, to buy a quiche from the best quiche shop in London. Despite her nefarious plan, she doesn't win - but the judge does take it home to have for dinner. When he's later found dead from cowbane poisoning from the quiche, Agatha falls under suspicion.

So of course she's not going to take that sitting down and sets about proving her innocence, totally upsetting the police investigation. And she makes classic mistakes, like being alone with the murderer when she accuses them - which are pointed out to her when it's just too late. Fortunately she has friends in local policeman Bill Wong who is also considered an outsider by the locals (though he's a Gloucestershire lad born and bred, his dad is half Chinese) and Chivers, the orange (marmalade?) kitten he leaves with her to foster.

3.5 stars

The Vicious Vet

A handsome new vet moves into the village and Agatha gets a new neighbour - James, an ex-military colonel who just wants to be left alone to write his book on British military history without having to fend off all the single ladies bringing food to his door. Though Paul, the vet, has plenty of female admirers who consider him a miracle worker for their pets, one elderly lady claims that her Charlie had no reason to die. When Paul, and later his accuser, are found dead due to accidents Agatha thinks it's time to stick her nose in.

I found the way Agatha bosses James around hilarious. And he, colonel that he was, must enjoy their detective work because he goes along with her escapades without much protest. Or not until afterwards, anyway - at which point he's quite voluble.

3.5 stars (rounding down for animal cruelty)

(January 2024)
3.5 stars
plus an extra half star for the audio. 4.0 stars ( )

An easy-to-listen-to murder mystery with no great surprises. Agatha Raisin makes an engaging main character and her relationship with James Lacey is entertaining. ( )

THE QUICHE OF DEATH is set just after Agatha Raisin has left her PR business in London and retired to the quiet life in a Cotswold's village. It is typical of Agatha to want to make her mark, so she enters the village quiche baking competition. But of course she can't really bake to save herself so she enters a bought quiche. She doesn't win, but the judge takes her quiche home to eat for his dinner. The next morning he is dead. Agatha is convinced his widow isn't sufficiently grief stricken.

THE VICIOUS VET is set a year later. Agatha has had a spell of PR work back in London but has been defrauded by someone she thought was a friend. So it's back to the village and the quieter life. She has a new neighbour, James Lacey, a retired colonel who simply wants to get on with writing a military history. When the local vet dies, hoist on his own syringe, and then his death is followed by that of one of his clients, then Agatha drags the unwilling James into what she is convinced are two cases of murder.

So now I've read 5 Agatha Raisins, and I actually have one more book out from the library. I have met Mrs Bloxby the Vicar's wife, Bill Wong the policeman, and Roy, Agatha's London friend. I'm not yet rescinding all of my earlier criticisms, but I certainly enjoyed these two tales. Would I have enjoyed them as much if I had been listening to them being read I wonder? ( )