Agatha and the Too Perfect Wife
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (February 2013) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (August 2005)

The Perfect Paragon finds Agatha Raisin's detective agency investigating Mabel Smedley, a possible cheating wife, on behalf of her husband Robert. But Robert is soon murdered and Agatha is left without a client. Everyone views Mabel as the perfect wife, but Agatha thinks she is too good to be true. Then the murders start to pile up, but Sir Charles is there to help Agatha out as well as a few new agents at the office. A surprise return of an old flame marks the end of the book.

I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit. The narration by regular reader Penelope Keith is always excellent in all voices. Keith is as perfect a voice fit for the audiobooks as Ashley Jensen is to the TV role.

Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.

Trivia and No Link
The Perfect Paragon has not yet been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is possibly in the running to be part of Series 4 which will probably be aired late in 2021 as they have been adapting the books roughly chronologically. ( )

As always these Agatha Raisin books are easily devoured in a couple of sittings. Agatha 'so always more likable when Sir Charles is around and he wanders in & out of this episode. The detective agency continues though how Agatha employs so many people I don't understand. Nice to have a Bill a bit more involved and Mrs Bloxby is always a welcome regular. ( )

This is one of the last Agatha raisin mysteries I’ve read, and one of the most enjoyable. It’s like visiting friends. ( )

My favorite so far ( )

This was an enjoyable read, and I think the fact Agatha Raisin is now running a detective agency adds to the books. If you've read the other books in the series watch out for a surprise at the end of the book. 4 stars. ( )