The first book in M. C. Beaton’s beloved Agatha Raisin mystery series—now a hit show on Acorn TV and public television.Putting all her eggs in one basket, Agatha Raisin gives up her successful PR firm, sells her London flat, and samples a taste of early retirement in the quiet village of Carsely. Bored, lonely and used to getting her way, she enters a local baking contest: Surely a blue ribbon … a blue ribbon for the best quiche will make her the toast of the town. But her recipe for social advancement sours when Judge Cummings-Browne not only snubs her entry—but falls over dead! After her quiche’s secret ingredient turns out to be poison, she must reveal the unsavory truth…
Agatha has never baked a thing in her life! In fact, she bought her entry ready-made from an upper crust London quicherie. Grating on the nerves of several Carsely residents, she is soon receiving sinister notes. Has her cheating and meddling landed her in hot water, or are the threats related to the suspicious death? It may mean the difference between egg on her face and a coroner’s tag on her toe…
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Agatha is quite a character! She’s not necessarily likable at first, but I found she grows on you. She just sold her business and moved to the countryside and attempts to fit in, only to stand out in not quite the way she wants to. Her quiche has unfortunately poisoned and killed one of the judges of a baking contest she really didn’t want to …
I love this book. Agatha is truly original and yet I found myself relating to her. It takes a great writer to create such a character. All the characters were wonderfully detailed and the plot was intriguing. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries.
I really enjoyed Agatha as a protagonist. She has so many flaws and says things we all wish we could say sometimes. She is both admirable and aggravating and it was great fun to be along for the ride as she gets herself into plenty of hot water.
So much fun I am so happy I discovered this series! I couldn’t wait to get back to my sofa to read it. Agatha is the anti-heroine but sassy as anything and readers are instantly transported to the Cotswolds (planning a trip now). A breezy, easy mystery. Already on book two!
I loved this book and I’ve talked with a lot of other mystery writers about it and the character of Agatha Raisin. We are all in awe of the character, the book, and the series. M.C. Beaton is a huge inspiration to me.
This book is the start of a modern “cozy” series. The herione is a single British lady of, as my aunt says, “a certain age” who lives in an idyllic small village. She participates with the church ladies society, the local fair bake-off, has dinner with the vicar.
With this description, the similarity to Miss Marple ends. Agatha Rasin, is a …
I’ve read a lot of cozy mysteries, but Agatha Raisin is my all-time favorite. I think the reason I like these books the best is because the story is only partly about the crime and solving it, but also about Agatha, her crazy friends and neighbors, the ups and downs of her personal life – dating and such. I’m reading the whole series, I can’t get …
“The Quiche of Death” Earns 5++/5 Quiche Entries…Brilliant Fun!
M.C. Beaton’s formidable, fashionista Agatha Raisin is a favorite character, especially as portrayed by Ashley Jensen in the popular television series, but despite having seen the first episode based on Beaton’s “The Quiche of Death,” I know better than to dismiss reading (or in …
I have read every Agatha Raisin novel out there. For me Cozy mysteries HAVE to be 90% about mystery, 10% romance. The main character is quirky and lovable. They are easy, fast reads, but I enjoy them. They are now on Acorn TV and they have once again cast the PERFECT BRITISH actress to play Agatha. Check it out if you want to be entertained, …
I actually listened to this book on audio. Great story with plenty of ups and downs like the hills Agatha rides her bike on. Each time I was sure the story was winding down, it would speed up like a run downhill. So many twists and turns. Plenty of suspense along with some laughs. What a great cast of characters.
This is the first book in M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin cozy mystery series. Her main character is original and quirky, but she always figures out who dunnit. A fun, entertaining series.
Poor Agatha is trying so hard to follow her lifelong dream of finding a real home in the Cotswalds and wants to build a place for herself in the local society. So she tries to take a shortcut to win the quiche cooking contest and, as usual, finds herself knee deep in trouble. But her stubborness and determination pull her through as she gains …
I’m still on the fence about Agatha Raisin. So far she is not a nice person. But I may need to read one or two more to see if she redeems herself.
I actually didn’t finish this book. Realized about less than half-way through I really didn’t care who poisoned the man who ate the quiche. Tiring read.
I have fallen in love with Agatha Raisin and author, MC Beaton. Agatha isn’t a loveable character, but that makes the series ( of which this is the first installment) especially entertaining.
I like quirky, amateur detective stories in picturesque places like the Cotswolds. This is not great literature but it is well done. I am now on my third Agatha Raisin book and have watched the series that was on the WETAUK channel.
I enjoy all of his books
I had enjoyed the Agatha Raisin TV mysteries but never read the books. I decided to try this one which is the first in the series. This Agatha Raisin is certainly different from the TV Agatha Raisin. But, even so, the mystery, the fun, and the enjoyment are the same.
If looking for a non-gory mystery with some odd ball characters and a dash …
I liked the conversations and plot twists.
The interesting thing about this book is the volume of characters that you feel you know. They are each developed so well that you don’t confuse them. The protagonist is not someone everyone will like, she’s a bit socially awkward and egocentric… but she’s refreshingly honest.
I loved this book. I can’t wait to read more.