Reviewer : Gillian Hamer, author of The Charter, Closure, Complicit, Crimson Shore, False Lights & Sacred Lake (www.gillianhamer.com)
What we thought: If there is anything more Christmassy than turkey and all the trimmings it’s revisiting the world of Agatha Raisin over the festive period.
Agatha doesn’t have a good track record in life with two things – firstly men, ex James Lacey in particular, and secondly her attempts at creating her idea of a perfect world. So, when she decides to host the Christmas party to beat all other parties, then regular readers of the series are already sitting on the edge of seats chewing their nails.
Added to this, Agatha and her team of private investigators are faced with a complicated case of poisoning in a remote Cotswold village that has elements of witchcraft, family betrayal and intriguing historical links. She is grateful for the services of her latest protégé Tony Gilmore, a young girl from a similarly troubled background as Agatha, who has the makings of a top detective.
There are the usual cast of characters here lined up for this Christmas special - DS Bill Wong, Sir Charles and Mrs Bloxby to name a few. And there twists and turns galore to delight ardent crime fans in this very clever murder enquiry. For once Agatha’s personal life takes a back seat and seems a little more settled ... but then she never knows what is round the corner!
It was the perfect time of year to listen to Penelope Keith narrate the audiobook version of this novel and it was with a huge sadness that I had to say goodbye for a short time.
You’ll enjoy this if you like: J.J Marsh, Agatha Christie, Mandy Baggot.
Avoid if you don’t like: Crime fiction with a gentle touch.
Ideal accompaniments: Christmas pudding and a glass of mulled wine.
Genre: Crime
Available on Amazon
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