Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

A light, amusing series to devour. Opinionated, outspoken & faulted Agatha is about to marry when her long gone first husband materialises. Agatha once again plays detective while trying to make amends to her next-door boyfriend. Listened to this with Penelope Keith playing the perfect Agatha. Irreverent & cosy murder-mystery series.

An easy read that I might have enjoyed more if I had read the others in the series. Agatha and James, who are briefly suspected of murder, decide to figure out whodunit in spite of many requests by the police not to interfere, especially since it seems like almost every time they talk to someone that person ends up dead. Like some other warm cozies, by the time Agatha figures out who did it, she is in mortal danger of being the murderer's next victim.

Agatha has finally gotten skittish James Lacey to the altar, but before they can say their vows, Agatha's first husband appears to say that they are still married. And so, James gets away.
Agatha had assumed that her alcoholic husband was dead as she hadn't seen him in 30 years, but soon after ruining her wedding day, someone helps by murdering him. Was it furious Agatha, cold-hearted James, or one of the many horrible people Raisin had been involved with? There are actually plenty of deaths in this one.

Agatha just cracks me up, maybe because I can so thoroughly relate to the differentiation between inner monologue and what she actually says. Cozies are my guilty pleasure, and Agatha ranks as a favorite (though the seesaw of her romance is something of a frustration at points). Not a stellar addition to the series, but enjoyable here as usual.

My only problem with this series is that they're so easy to read and enjoyable that I finish them far too quickly! There are many things that surprise me: on some levels Agatha isn't particularly likable but I care about here; I'm surprised she'd have sex before marriage; I'm surprised she smokes; and I'm constantly surprised how unpleasant some of the characters are in this cosy, Cotswold village of Carsley.

I'm dangerously close to od'ing on these as I'm starting to feel like I could quote the upcoming lines before they are uttered. Still these sorts of books are the ones I turn to when I'm doing something else that really requires concentration. They are more than a bit silly, weirdly obsessed with the way that people look, and very samey after a while. Perhaps don't binge listen like I've been doing as the repetitiveness really stands out, but on the whole, really good for people looking for something less confrontational that many crime fiction listens. (And don't expect these to match up with the TV series - even when the plot co-incides the characters are so different you'll either be terminally confused, mildly disappointed, or oddly show more relieved that the perky is well and truly not part of the books). show less

Another light hearted episode in this very different series. Usually you are left not really liking Agatha, although in this one I did end up feeling rather sorry for her! Even if she did bring on herself by the most stupid of actions in agreeing to a marriage whilst the possibility that her husband may still be alive. Whilst not always liking the main character I do like the feel of this series, but do appreciate the series is not for everybody but I do intend continuing with the series.