Read in 2026 - 7: Agatha Raisin - Hot to Trot

Agatha Raisin - Hot to Trot

M.C. Beaton with [actually, by] R.W. Green

It's been nearly 1 1/2 years since I last read an Agatha Raisin book; you can find my review from October 2024 here. Somehow, news about new books in the series passed me by, and in the weeks leading up to Christmas, I found that not one, but THREE had been published, and I bought them all as a Christmas present for my Mum and myself.

After my Mum had finished the first of the three, she passed it to me, and I have finished it today during my lunch break.

As before since R.W. Green took over from the late Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton's real name), this one did not disappoint. It was as fast-paced and true to the familiar characters as before, but had the witty dialogue and overall more modern feel I have noticed since the change in authorship.

Agatha's close friend and former lover Sir Charles Fraith marries into a rich family, and it is perfectly obvious to anyone that it is not a love match, but a way to end his constant money worries once and for all. The bride is quite an unpleasant person, and her father is even worse - but a deal is a deal, and Charles is determined to keep his part of it.

However, during a masked ball at Charles' manor, his young wife is found murdered - and both he and Agatha are quickly top of the long list of suspects. Of course Agatha does everything she can to clear her old friend and herself and pulls in her trusted team to solve the mystery.

The world of wealthy stable owners, show-jumping and wine in the French countryside all make for an interesting mix. Agatha makes new friends, but also a new enemy who I wouldn't be surprised to see again.

True to character, Agatha finds herself interested in a handsome Frenchman while at the same time she gets once again close to her ex-husband James...

I am already looking forward to the other two books my Mum still has, but I am going to read a work of non-fiction next.