Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 10) [Mass Market Paperback]

M. C. Beaton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2001

When a fortune teller from a previous case informs Agatha Raisin that her destiny-and true love-lies in Norfolk, she promptly rents a cottage in the quaint village of Fryfam. No sooner does she arrive than strange things start happening. Random objects go missing from people's homes and odd little lights are seen dancing in the villagers' gardens and yards. Stories soon begin circulating about the presence of fairies.

But when a prominent village resident is found murdered, and some suspicion falls on her and her friend Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha decides she's had enough of this fairy nonsense and steps up her sleuthing for a human killer.

The prickly yet endearing Agatha will have fans dangling in suspense: Will she catch her crook-and a husband?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When a fortune-teller tells Agatha Raisin that her destiny lies in Norfolk, the puckish 50-ish heroine of nine previous adventures in this witty series doesn't think twice about renting a cottage sight unseen in a county she's never visited. Of course, Agatha has been spurned by the love of her life, her Cotswolds neighbor James Lacey, which has a lot to do with her removing herself and her two cats, Hodge and Boswell, to the village of Fryfam. There she meets the members of the Fryfam's Women's Group, to whom she explains her presence by saying she's writing a crime novel, Death at the Manor--an unfortunate fib as the village squire, Tolly Trumpington-James, is soon murdered at his manor house. Aided by suave friend Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha sets about prying into the lives of the locals to discover who wanted the squire dead. Peculiar lights at the bottom of her garden (the work of fairies?), the theft of a heavily insured George Stubbs painting, the brief disappearance of her two cats and a second murder, that of Tolly's gamekeeper, may disturb but not shake Agatha from her quest. In the end Charles uses his charm to elicit an important clue from the ravishing barmaid at the pub popular with the Fryfam menfolk. That the social comedy largely overshadows the mystery and its solution won't bother Beaton fans, who will be far more concerned whether Agatha falls for Charles herself or wins back the feckless James in this highly amusing cozy.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

Bereft, as she thinks, of James Lacey, the love of her life, drolly blunt Agatha Raisin (Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden, 1999, etc.) begins her tenth acid cozy by following a fortuneteller's advice: she ups and moves to Lavender Cottage in the Norfolk village of Fryfam, where her missing vase is only the latest of a series of mysteriously vanished objects. But not everything in Fryfam disappears. There's quite a show of dancing lights at the bottom of Agatha's back garden; one of her new neighbors turns up dead; and indomitable James will return as well. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (April 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312976267
• ISBN-13: 978-0312976262
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > British Detectives

More About the Author

M.C. BEATON has won international acclaim for her bestselling Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries. She is also the author of over 100 romance titles and a series of romantic suspense, The Edwardian Mystery Series. M. C. Beaton lives in a Cotswold cottage with her husband.

Marion is active on Facebook using her most popular pen name, M.C. Beaton. You can find complete book lists, information on events, and sign up for news updates at her website, www.MCBeaton.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fun Agatha Raisin book--MC keep them coming!, May 22, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 10) (Hardcover)

I'm not sure why but I always feel sort of warm and fuzzy after I read an Agatha Raisin book (or any other book by this author in her various guises Jennie Tremayne, Marion Chesney etc. . .). There is not a lot of action or suspense, and the characters are drawn in a sort of superficial and silly way, yet I can't put Beaton's books down or wipe the smile off my face while I'm reading. Maybe that's the secret of a great mystery, I know that's the reason why I can't get enough of Agatha, middle aged woman, ex-high powered executive, and bumbling detective extraordinaire.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best one in series so far., June 15, 2000

By 

Stephen Fenn - See all my reviews

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 10) (Hardcover)

M.C. Beaton has done it again. Agatha is back in top form in her latest adventure. Instead of whining about how miserable her life is, she does what she wants to without worrying what other people will think. The end of the story was a bit of a surprise, and I found myself smiling while reading it. When I closed the book, I actually cheered. Things should prove interesting if the line spoken by Sir Charles is foreshadowing.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Can't get enough of Agatha Raisin, June 11, 2000

By 

Antoinette Klein (Hoover, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 10) (Hardcover)

For those of us who love the spirited Agatha, warts and all, she's back. Determined to forget the cold-hearted James Lacey, she rents a cottage in the village of Fryfam and immediately is swept up into the village life and its mysterious happenings. Charles Fraith joins her in this novel, and although not as interesting as some of the others, it is definitely a must for those who are following her adventures and love entanglements. Some of my favorites such as Mrs. Bloxby, Ron Silver, and James Lacey only make cameo appearances in this one and I considered that a shortcoming. Also, the fact that one of the major mysteries is left unsolved was surprising to me.

I felt the ending was too rushed. We have been waiting for so long for Agatha to get her man, and when she does we miss the thrill of the engagement period. The big question, of course, is did she get the right man.

If my interpretation of the foreshadowing on the final page is correct, the next Agatha should be the best of the series thus far.