Love a bit of Agatha

A funny quirky read set the lovely Cotswolds highly fun and entertaining

Lighthearted and cosy perfect for a lovely afternoon

Dead on Target by M.C. Beaton

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Constable and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A visit to the local village fete for a spot of fun and relaxation turns into a nightmare for Agatha Raisin when she discovers the body of the local landowner in the woods—with an arrow in his chest and his trousers round his ankles.

At first her old adversary, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes, declares the death a tragic accident, believing the victim has been hit by a stray arrow from an archery demonstration. Agatha is convinced the man was murdered and is shocked when Wilkes eventually agrees...particularly as he considers her to be his prime suspect.

Determined to clear her name and find the real killer, Agatha launches her own investigation, quickly becoming involved with a family at war, an unscrupulous gangster—and a murderer who is determined to make her the next victim...

My Opinion

It has been a while since I have read an Agatha Raisin book and I have definitely not read them all - but this can be read as a standalone. Agatha is a PI but when she discovers a body it is clear that she is being treated as the prime suspect. For a short book there is an awful lot going on. If you enjoy short, cosy mysteries then I would highly recommend starting something that M.C. Beaton has written.

Rating 4/5

I have read all of the Agatha Raisin books, and I have loved every single one of them, including this one! I have also watched all of the TV shows, which are also amazing.

In this story, Agatha finds the body of a man in the woods, with an arrow in his chest, and she starts investigating what has happened to him, since the police are not doing anything about it. Throughout the book, there is a lot of action, fun, mystery, friendship and romance.

I loved being back with Agatha and all of her friends. They are all like a big family to me, and I always love to see how they are all getting on.

I highly recommend this book, and all of the books in the series, as they are all so much fun!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I have enjoyed this series for a while, it was lovely reading the latest instalment. The plot moved really quickly, and was easy to follow despite there being a number of characters. If there’s a criticism, it I would’ve liked a little more involvement from the village characters like Mrs Bloxby, they didn’t feature as much as in previous book (but that’s me being really picky). I love Agatha’s character, she’s so headstrong and clumsy at the same time. The setting of this book was idyllic in the Cotswolds countryside. This was such a cosy book, a perfect read to curl up and enjoy.

Not sure this continuation by RW Green really hits the 'Agatha Raisin spot'. The plots seem a lot more violent now. Feel the name should be rather more prominent on the covers so nobody is confused about who exactly writes now. Shall continue to read though. Thanks to Netgalley.

I loved this book. It's the first Agatha Raisin book that I have read and I think I am going to need to read the earlier ones. The concept of the murder and the story behind it was different and so very British. I would definitely recommend it for a cosy read by the fire.

It has been a while since I read an Agatha Raisin Mystery- but it's easy to catch up with the cosy stories again. Agatha finds Sir Godfrey dying in the woods near an archery display at the village fete. She's in the middle of the investigation, we meet her ex husbamd James again and it was like catching up with old friends. I think I will try to catch up with the mysteries I have missed.

Agatha Raisin books are an absolute joy to read. They are funny, gentle and I love the characters. This one reads really well. Agatha is her usual sassy vain but vulnerable self.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

I love cosy mysteries/crime and was introduced to Agatha Raisin shortly before the first extended TV episode back in 2016. I was hooked. I took my time reading them and, admittedly, picked up whichever ones became available through the library (so I didn’t read them all in order). The earlier ones remain my favourites and, over time, I found that Agatha became more and more bitter. She was jealous, resentful, angry, frustrated. All very negative qualities that made her a decidedly unlikeable person who, I hate to say, made the books difficult to enjoy.

As a long-time fan, I was curious to see what this new book would have to offer. Agatha has been through so much, but her supporting cast remains very much the same, flirty Charles, wonderful Roy (I love him), Toni, and I cannot forget the superb Elizabeth Bloxby.

The mystery starts at one of the fayre-type events that seem to happen often in the Cotswolds (at least in books - do they happen like this in real life?) and of course, Agatha has to be at the heart of it. So when our intrepid investigator discovers the body of a dying Sir Godfrey, who she has only just met, of course she is going to be the prime suspect - at least as far as Wilkes is concerned (because he has never liked the fact that Agatha is continually proving herself far more efficient than him).

This starts an investigation that involves infidelity, illegitimate children, inheritance and some dirty dealings.

I really enjoyed the way that the plot unfolded and I liked re-meeting the people who make up Agatha’s Carsley family.

I found, in previous books, that there could sometimes be far too much going on that the core plot was lost beneath a lot of unnecessary sub-plots that merely muddied the waters. Though there were other investigations taking place (such as the search for a missing animal and following around a possibly unfaithful husband), but none of these detracted from the real mystery - who killed Sir Godfrey and why?

I liked this version of Agatha, it’s as though she’s realised that just because she’s getting older doesn’t mean that she has to be jealous, mean or bitter about other, younger women and this was a massive relief for me as a woman about to enter her 50s…this particular portrayal always felt decidedly uncomfortable and unpleasant.

A wonderful addition to the series, and one that I will definitely both recommend and re-read at a later date.

Agatha ends up in her usual predicament - Agatha finds a someone she just met murdered in the woods. The angry police chief thinks the murderer is Agatha, so she sets off to find out the truth.

If you love Agatha Raisin, you'll love this - this one is archery themed.

There are several possible suspects, you're kept guessing until the end.

I really enjoyed this, but I like 'silly' murders where nothing is particularly gruesome and everything works out in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

More Murder And Mayhem..
Agatha is back and in more trouble than ever in the latest, and the thirty fourth instalment, in this hugely entertaining series. The local village fete should be a fun day out but it soon takes a macabre turn when a fatality is discovered - but was it an accident or murder? Agatha is convinced that she knows, but in no time at all, finds herself a prime suspect in the death. Can she clear her name despite Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes best efforts? More mayhem and murder and frequent hilarity and a wholly enjoyable read. RW Green is carrying the banner of Agatha Raisin with great success and long may she reign.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I do love an Agatha Raisin! Light crime related entertainment and this didn't disappoint.

I’m really pleased to see the series of Agatha Raisin books back on track as they became a little bit less interesting and quite mundane in the last couple of years. This has Agatha firing on all cylinders with a great storyline with good twists and turns, interesting characters and amusing incidents.

I look forward to many more Agatha adventures more the writing is back to where it was. Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I am not sure how many books RW Green has completed in this series but, to me, the transfer has been seamless. It's explained that they did work together a lot and the late great MC Beaton left a bunch of plots etc... I guess some people believe it's a travesty when a series is taken on by another author, and that's ok. Me, I have an open mind and am happy to embrace the new as long as it all keeps on track. Which, at book 34, it most definitely is...
So, the local village fete has an archery display. Agatha in in attendance and witnesses a confrontation. Can you see what is going to happen? Yes, one of the arguers is subsequently found dead with an arrow in his chest. Wilkes, that most diligent of police DCIs declares it an accident immediately. Believing it to be a wayward arrow from the display. The display that Agatha herself was watching and it pretty darned certain that there was no such arrow. Wilkes concedes but then turns on Agatha as the prime suspect as it was she who found the body... Agatha starts to investigate in earnest...
But, has she bitten off more than she can chew with this one as, when you factor in Roy's shenanigans, it soon becomes clear that she is to be dealing with some very nefarious characters!
As with the majority of the books in this series, this is typical Agatha and typical Carsley and its inhabitants. I always say that I can play Agatha Raisin Bingo when reading one of these books (and Hamish for the other series) as there are things that ALWAYS happen. Which I guess is part of why I do love this series. You know what you are getting outwith the crimes investigated, which makes it all very comfortable indeed.
And the crimes are always interesting, intriguing, and new. You'd think that by book 34, things would be getting a bit stale. Well, that's definitely not how I see it. And I've read them all :)
Oh and it's laugh out loud funny in places and that can't be a bad thing!
All in all, another winner in an old faithful series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Agatha is attending a local fete where she stumbles upon the body of Sir Godfrey a local landowner and acquaintance of Sir Charles Fraith ( a long term friend of Agatha.)
The circumstances that Agatha finds Sir Godfrey’s body leads her to believe a murder has been committed he’s found in a compromising position with an arrow in his chest , suspicious ?
DCI Wilkes her arch nemesis believes it to be a tragic accident , which makes Agatha more determined to find the truth behind the murder .
Agatha and her team begin an investigation in the unique Agatha Raisin detective agency way .
This makes for an enjoyable and amusing read with a sprinkling of poignancy.
A must read for Agatha Raisin fans!
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.

I absolutely loved this book,Green has done an amazing job at continuing the series and has put a new fresh spin on the books which I feel has refreshed the series and has given it the lift it needed.

*a big thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review*

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of Agatha Raisin: Dead on Target, the thirty-fourth novel to feature Private Detective Agatha Raisin and her agency in the Cotswolds.

Agatha is attending the local church fête when she finds the body of a local landowner in the woods with an arrow in his chest and his trousers around his ankles. DCI Wilkes immediately calls it an accident, although Agatha knows its murder, but he soon changes his mind and has Agatha down as his prime suspect. She launches her own investigation to clear her name and soon gets tangled up with a London gangster.

I thoroughly enjoyed Agatha Raisin: Dead on Target, which is the usual fun mayhem, including Rocco the llama stud, and a good mystery as well. It made me laugh frequently and had me puzzled over the murderer’s identity and motive. Money is the second answer, although it’s not much of a stretch as every suspect except Agatha, maybe, has a financial motive and I’m not commenting on the first.

The novel is not a long read, but it’s fun with a lot of situational humour and some light mockery of Agatha and her vanity. The landowner is the only who dies, but there are a couple of close shaves for other characters, so it’s not all fun in amongst the mayhem. It feels like nonstop action as the novel is propulsive. There are continuous developments, but few reveals as the authors build up to an explosive finish. I was glued to the pages and read it in one sitting.

The Cotswolds are becoming littered with Agatha’s former beaux. James, her former husband, is back from wherever and thinking about rekindling their romance and Sir Charles Fraith is dropping hints about another go. Meanwhile she is seeing DI John Glass. As I said, nonstop action!

Agatha Raisin: Dead on Target is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

I have read all the books in this series and I'm delighted to say this did not disappoint. I was worried when a new author took over but its lovely having Agatha and the gang still with us. I don't think the stories are as creative as earlier books and Agatha does seem to have mellowed but they are still a very enjoyable read.

In this book there is a Robin Hood style death and Agatha is on hand to find the murderer. Her clashes with DCI Wilkes are entertaining and certainly a battle of wits. The only downside for me was I felt some of the other main characters such as Mrs Bloxby, Toni and Bill were not as prominent as usual and I missed their banter. This was still a very entertaining book which I recommend.

Another entertaining book with Agatha Raisin. Although a little farfetched it's a good easy read that I read in 2 sittings. The light hearted murder mystery is enjoyable to read. Bring on the next book.

A rather convoluted story but no more far-fetched than previous Agatha Raisin books. It was good to see James becoming more of a background character but Agatha didn't seem to be quite the Agatha of other books.

This is the disadvantage of a beloved character being written by a new author. On that matter, the words "New York Bestseller MC Beaton" takes the top billing, with her name being the same size as the title yet this book was in fact written by R W Green. The words 'with R W Green' are included in small letters at the bottom of the title page.

I expect this is a commercial decision but it does seem dishonest.

A slightly disappointing novel but I will be on the look out for future work as it's always a pleasure to hear from Agatha.