Mark A. (mja12321) reviewed Agatha Raisin: The Quiche of Death & the Vicious Vet (BBC Dramatization) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a BBC Radio dramatization of the first two Agatha Raisin mysteries by M.C. Beaton. The production qualities are excellent, with trained actors doing the voices of the various characters. Agatha is an intriguing character, being somewhat more curmudugeonly than you would expect a successful founder of a London Public Relations firm to be. Both stories held my interest very well. As with the Agatha Christie mysteries, the problem for the author is how the amateur sleuth can get involved with a murder investigation without interfering with the police. Beaton's approach is to make Agatha good friends with the local police detective, who indulges her somewhat. Now that I have heard these two discs, about 1 hour 45 min total, I want to go back and read or listen to the complete novels to see what was left out. But this is a very entertaining introduction to Beaton's second major series (after Hamish MacBeth) and I recommend the set.
Mark A
Mark A
Laurie S. (LaurieS) reviewed Agatha Raisin: The Quiche of Death & the Vicious Vet (BBC Dramatization) on + 504 more book reviews
Although mysteries aren't my favorite genre this book managed to capture my attention right away. The main protagonist, Agatha Raisin, is a middle-aged business woman who has made enough cash to retire. She decides to buy a home in a little town and has some difficulty adjusting to small town life and comes to the realization that she is seriously lacking in people skills. Being a sales person she's spent years bulling and talking people into things but when it comes to small talk and making friends she hasn't a clue as to how to go about it. Needing to make herself known, she decides to enter a baking contest but because she can't cook she buys a quiche and enters it under her name. Unfortunately, the quiche is taken home by a local couple and the husband croaks after eating it. Someone, it seems, poisoned said quiche and may have it out for Agatha who then decides to become an amateur sleuth which doesn't much endear her to the locals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be sure to pick up the sequels. I was surprised to have loved the abrasive bordering on mean Agatha so much, probably because she just couldn't seem to help herself. She truly has zero people skills when the book begins. I'm actually interested in seeing where she goes with the characters set up in this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be sure to pick up the sequels. I was surprised to have loved the abrasive bordering on mean Agatha so much, probably because she just couldn't seem to help herself. She truly has zero people skills when the book begins. I'm actually interested in seeing where she goes with the characters set up in this book.
