#BookReview #LibraryReads #Mystery

Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M. C. Beaton

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre/Age Cosy Mystery / 15+

Goodreads

Synopsis

Agatha lets sleeping vets lie…

Retired PR boss Agatha Raisin is enjoying life in her pretty Cotswold village of Carsely. It even seems likely that the attractive new vet, Paul Bladen, has taken a shine to her. But before romance can blossom, Paul is killed in an accident with Lord Pendlebury’s horse. Only the circumstances are rather suspicious.

Agatha decides she must once more play amateur investigator. And this cloud has a silver lining – she can persuade her usually stand-offish neighbour, James Lacey, to become her partner in the quest. As usual, Agatha is quite prepared to rush in, heedless of the lurking menace to both James and herself.

My Thoughts

I love how these books mix the elements of cosy mystery and upmarket soap opera. Agatha Raisin is a bored, newly retired businesswoman whose curiosity gets her, and others, into a whole heap of trouble. We also have an excellent side plot of unrequited lust thrown into the mixing pot.

I’m loving getting to know the villagers of Carsley, as well as the Cotswolds setting itself. Agatha continues to be a high-handed, bulldozer of a woman who wouldn’t recognise “subtle” and “finesse” if they were tattooed on her forehead. Somehow she manages to be a character you can’t somehow help liking.

The mystery element isn’t too high-brow but neither is it too obvious. The foreshadowing and clues are all in place but there are plenty of red herrings and some misdirection to help keep you guessing. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series soon.

The Maid by Nita Prose

Rating ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Genre/Age Mystery / 15+

Goodreads

Synopsis

You don’t see her. But she sees you…
It begins like any other day for Molly Gray, silently dusting her way through the luxury rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel.
But when she enters suite 401 and discovers an infamous guest dead in his bed, a very messy mystery begins to unfold. And Molly’s at the heart of it – because if anyone can uncover the secrets beneath the surface, the fingerprints amongst the filth – it’s the maid . . .

My Thoughts

I rather enjoyed this book, despite the faults that meant I should have hated it. The secondary characters aren’t all that well fleshed out, and there is a fair amount of stereotyping. Then there was the murder mystery element that failed to generate a feeling of suspense or intrigue. However I found Molly to be utterly delightful, there was just something about her that drew me in and held my attention. I loved being inside her head, listening to her thoughts and reasoning, and always have a soft spot for the downtrodden underdog.