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November 06, 2017

The Witches’ Tree:  An Agatha Raisin Mystery

The Witches’ Tree:  An Agatha Raisin Mystery

By: M.C. Beaton

I really enjoy listening to the audiobook versions of the Agatha Raisin mysteries by M.C. Beaton.  We have a large selection of these mysteries both in CD format and in Overdrive.  There are 28 mysteries in the series, so far.  The most common complaint about a series like this one is that the books are formulaic and all the same.  While this is often true, I find it comforting when an author I read publishes a new mystery in a series.   I know how the book will unfold and can just relax and enjoy the details.

I recently finished listening to the latest in the series:  The Witches’ Tree.  It is much like the others, but that did not make it any less fun.  Agatha Raisin, who is now in her early fifties, is a retired public relations manager, who owned her own successful agency in London, and has now retired to the a village in the English Cotswolds.  After unwittingly solving a number of murders, Agatha now runs her own private detective agency.

In this mystery, Agatha is drawn into a murder investigation in a nearby village when local spinster, Margaret Darby, is found hanging from the witches tree. Sir Edward Chumble, a self-important, rather confused, and retired ambassador, hires Agatha to solve the mystery—so he can take the credit!  Soon two more murders occur and Agatha Raisin finds herself in the middle of a sticky situation. Agatha and her team of sleuths, with the help of ex-husband, James Lacey, and friend (and sometimes more than friend), Sir Charles Fraith, encounter dangerous situations, including a coven of witches, before they are able to solve the murder.  This is a fun and entertaining read.

If you, like me, cannot get enough Agatha Raisin; there is also a television series which was previously released on Acorn TV and is now playing on PBS, Saturdays at 9 PM.  You can also borrow the television series on dvd from the library.  If you are a fan of these quirky and zany mysteries, you will enjoy the television show as well.

Review By:  Heidi Herald