IIn this 34th book in the 'Agatha Raisin' series, the private detective investigates a murder at the local fete. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Private detective Agatha Raisin - a fiftyish Englishwoman with small bear-like eyes and shiny brown hair - lives in Carsley, a pretty village in the Cotswolds.
Agatha is VERY attentive to her clothing and make-up, and various mishaps in those areas add some amusement to this story.
As the book opens, Carsley is having its annual fund-raising fete, which features homemade baked goods, homegrown fruits and vegetables, children's toys, flowering plants, second-hand tools, used bric-a-brac, a beer tent, and morris dancers.
Agatha Raisin is strolling around the fete when she bumps into her long-time friend (and onetime lover) Sir Charles Fraith, and his neighbor Sir Godfrey Pride. Pride is an estate owner who's land rich and cash poor, as indicated by his slightly frayed clothes and dilapidated manor house. Pride mentions he'd like to discuss a problem with Agatha, and they arrange to speak on the following Monday.
As Agatha continues to enjoy the festivities at the fund raiser, she gets drawn into an archery exhibition by the Ancombe Archers, and Agatha fumbles at first, but then gets a bullseye.
Later, Agatha finds the dead body of Sir Godfrey Pride, who appears to have been killed with an arrow.
Before long, Agatha's nemesis, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes - who's been tussling with Agatha for years - decides Agatha is the prime suspect for Sir Godfrey's murder.
There's no way Agatha is going to sit still for that, and she launches her own investigation, using the sleuths in her detective agency. Agatha's primary assistant is Toni, a pretty young woman who's good at computer searches and surveillance.
There are plenty of suspects for Sir Godfrey's homicide, since the lord of the manor has been arguing with his son Gerald about selling the estate; is at odds with his daughter Elizabeth, who's dating a loser; has a reputation as a nasty, lecherous coot who paws his female staff; and is generally disliked in Carsley.
Agatha makes it her business to interview all the 'suspects', and receives multiple threats for her troubles. Luckily for Agatha, she's been dining and dancing with Detective Inspector John Glass, who helps Agatha with her investigation....
.......and Agatha also gets assistance from her longtime friend, Officer Bill Wong.
The usual recurring characters make an appearance in the story. Agatha's flamboyant friend Roy Silver, who'd been brokering a deal between Sir Godfrey Pride and a London gangster, comes to Carsley;
Agatha's next door neighbor (and former husband) James Lacey is in the hospital for cancer treatment;
and Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife, is friendly and supportive as usual.
For laughs, here's part of a conversation between DCI Wilkes and Agatha:
Wilkes: "Ah, Mrs. Raisin! I'd like to say what a pleasure it is to see you again....but it's not."
Agatha: "I bet you've been practicing that line all day! It's sad that you've had three days to come up with something clever to say, and that's the best you could do. You're pathetic, Wilkes."
Wilkes: "There are several things that I would like to hear you explain to me."
Agatha: "Several things? That sounds like a lot for you to take in, but I'll do my best."
And so on. Luckily Wilkes isn't too bright, or he might find a way to clap Agatha in jail. 🙂
Naturally, Agatha solves the case, though I found the denouement to be a bit tangled. Still, I think people like the books for the smiles as much as the mystery, and I'd recommend the novel to Agatha Raisin fans.
Rating: 3 stars
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