“The strong narrative drive comes from Agatha’s changing personality as awkward and perilous situations shape her into a softer, more admirable person.”

“Beaton, always deft with imperfect human beings, guides Agatha through her travails until she becomes almost likable. You will want to see her again.”

“In Agatha, Beaton has blended perfectly the classic ingredients of a village with secrets and stock characters. The irascible but endearing personality of Agatha Raisin is like a heady dash of curry. May we have another serving, please?”

“Beaton has thus launched a new series featuring an eccentric sleuth with human foibles galore, combined with an indomitable spirit, who will long persevere and endear herself to the village (and the reader).”

“A hilarious, up-to-the-minute murder romp that’s as delicious as a Christmas pudding.”

“In this highly promising launch to a new mystery series, Beaton…introduce[s] the redoubtable Agatha Raisin…whose personality is a piquant combination of brusque competence and fallibility…Beaton’s playful depiction of village life makes it all a delicious romp.”

“The cozy British mystery gets a feisty new sleuth in the person of Agatha Raisin…Beaton spices up the story with so many delightful characters that whodunit hardly matters. Agatha herself is an irascible, testy tyrant who is as cranky as the rest of us would like to be. Still, she’s not completely stodgy; she does have an eye for the gentlemen. With a handsome neighbor moving next door in the book’s last few pages, it seems clear there’s more of Agatha to come.”