Review: Dishing the Dirt

Dishing the Dirt: An Agatha Raisin Mystery

M.C. Beaton

When a new therapist Jill Davent comes to Carsely, a village in the Cotswold, she stirs up no end of trouble. For one thing, she is spreading rumors about Agatha Raisin, the village's local private investigator. After Agatha confronts Ms. Davent, she ends up dead. Of course Agatha feels compelled to find a motive and a murderer. Not easy, when the police consider her the number one suspect.

What follows is a fun lighthearted mystery in which Agatha's colleagues, friends and an ex-husband lend their help in trying to catch the killer before he or she strikes again. The story is full of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Agatha Raisin is a loveable character full of contradictions and with a knack for attracting the wrong men. The other characters are well depicted and occasionally eccentric.

Overall, the story is an entertaining one. I can't think of a better way of spending a lazy afternoon, curled up on the sofa, following Agatha Raisin on the hunt for a killer. This is definitely a book that will appeal to those who enjoy the typical English village murder story.

Review Originally written for and published by Manhattan Book Review