Agatha never learns from past mistakes; whenever she cheats, as with horticulture in this story, you know she’s going to be caught out. She is a mercurial character, though that’s partly what makes her fun. We like to see her fail as much as triumph. Her sense of right and wrong is her saving grace, though she has a sharper tongue than mind sometimes. In this, the sniping among the characters, not only Agatha, provides the most fun. ( )

Okay. I am now officially addicted. Isn't it fun to stumble on a delicious author/series that you know others have loved forever but you are enjoying for the first time? This was so interesting, and kept me guessing a pretty long time.

Love the slow reveal of a well-plotted who-dun-it like Beaton always (so far, in my newbie experience) pulls off. Where you begin to guess, then think, "Nah, it couldn't....could it? .... no.. wait.. maybe.. but how... ?!?!" ( )

Auch der dritte Krimi mit Agatha Raisin ist wieder ein Lesevergnügen.
Agatha kommt von einer Weltreise zurück und stellt fest, dass eine neue Frau ins Dorf gezogen ist, die sich überall einbringt, unter anderem ist sie eine gute Gärtnerin. Dass sie auch recht gemein sein kann, fällt zunächst nicht auf. Dann wird sie ermordet und man fragt sich, womit sie so viel Zorn auf sich gezogen hat.
Ich mochte das Buch wieder gern und hab ees in einem Rutsch durchgelesen. ( )

Digital audiobook narrated by Penelope Keith

Third in the series starring 50-something Agatha Raisin, former PR executive who is trying to make a life in the village of Carsley, in the English Cottswolds. As the novel opens, she has just returned from a long holiday, and is determined to win the affections of her neighbor James Lacey. But in her absence, he has developed a relationship with newcomer and avid gardener Mary Fortune. So Agatha determines to become an expert horticulturalist … or at least give the appearance of one, in hopes of winning back James’ affection. It’s clear to all that the women are competing for James’ affection – and then Mary is found murdered.

This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. Seems she cannot make friends and/or keep them, other than the detective Billy Wong and – perhaps – James. It takes a long time to get to the murder (pg 82 out of 192 pages in my edition) with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about.

All in all it’s a satisfying cozy mystery, and I’ll keep reading the series.

Penelope Keith does a great job performing the audio book. I really like how she brings Agatha, James and the other residents of Carsley to life. ( )

In this installment, Agatha has returned from a long vacation to find an attractive new woman in the village who seems to be attracting the attentions of James. When the newcomer is murdered, Agatha amd James set out to solve the mystery. ( )