Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener

Agatha's ex, James Lacey has been captivated by a middle aged newcomer to the village who is just a bit too perfect. Agatha's competitive spirit is aroused, and she joins a local garden club, hoping to win James' attention by making her back garden a horticultural showcase. She devises expensive and cutthroat schemes to win an award for her garden despite her lack of knowledge or ability. Naturally, her rival with the botox smile is gruesomely murdered. James and Agatha collaborate once more to find the murderer. Sir Charles Fraith, Bt, and Roy Silver the young and dapper marketing twerp show up at Agatha's thatched cottage and put their two cents in as well. Another brilliant and funny Agatha Raisin novel. I can't get enough of these.

Agatha never learns from past mistakes; whenever she cheats, as with horticulture in this story, you know she’s going to be caught out. She is a mercurial character, though that’s partly what makes her fun. We like to see her fail as much as triumph. Her sense of right and wrong is her saving grace, though she has a sharper tongue than mind sometimes. In this, the sniping among the characters, not only Agatha, provides the most fun.

Okay. I am now officially addicted. Isn't it fun to stumble on a delicious author/series that you know others have loved forever but you are enjoying for the first time? This was so interesting, and kept me guessing a pretty long time.

Love the slow reveal of a well-plotted who-dun-it like Beaton always (so far, in my newbie experience) pulls off. Where you begin to guess, then think, "Nah, it couldn't....could it? .... no.. wait.. maybe.. but how... ?!?!"

It's so refreshing to read a writer who rebels in and who can write about unpleasant characters in such an entertaining way. Agatha almost meets her match in Mary Fortune but soon the latter gets her comeuppance. Such an enjoyable series.

I listened to the audio book read by Penelope Keith. Absolutely hilarious third installment to the Agatha Raisin mystery series. A good get-away from serious reading, yet well-written and charming. Penelope Keith almost steals the show, she is terrific. Looking forward to the next one.

Digital audiobook narrated by Penelope Keith

Third in the series starring 50-something Agatha Raisin, former PR executive who is trying to make a life in the village of Carsley, in the English Cottswolds. As the novel opens, she has just returned from a long holiday, and is determined to win the affections of her neighbor James Lacey. But in her absence, he has developed a relationship with newcomer and avid gardener Mary Fortune. So Agatha determines to become an expert horticulturalist … or at least give the appearance of one, in hopes of winning back James’ affection. It’s clear to all that the women are competing for James’ affection – and then Mary is found murdered.

This series is growing on me, as I get to know Agatha show more better. She’s a smart woman in business (apparently), but she is woefully bad at relationships. Seems she cannot make friends and/or keep them, other than the detective Billy Wong and – perhaps – James. It takes a long time to get to the murder (pg 82 out of 192 pages in my edition) with all the relationship drama, but once Agatha discovers the body, her curiosity keeps her nosing about.

All in all it’s a satisfying cozy mystery, and I’ll keep reading the series.

Penelope Keith does a great job performing the audio book. I really like how she brings Agatha, James and the other residents of Carsley to life. show less

4 stars
I just love Agatha Raisin, the books are so funny and the characters so likable or hateable depending on the character. It's so much fun watching Agatha shoot herself in the foot, not just because it's funny but because you know that Agatha will come roaring back stronger then ever before.

A few lines from some great scenes;
A restaurant owner confronts Agatha

The owner let out a growl of rage like a Klingon at a death ritual and seized the four corners of the tablecloth.

Agatha feeling old and depressed

Her life stretched before her one long and dusty road to the grave. Nothing would ever happen again to make her happy or excited or interested.

After Agatha is caught out in a lie.

You are regarded as something of a

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character."
"That's me," said Agatha. "The village idiot complete with cats. So where do we go from here?

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