Customer Reviews

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 10)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I really enjoyed this book. I like a book that gets me into it in the first few pages and this one did that. I love Agatha she is so real with warts and all. She does try. The storyline was excellent and kept me on my toes and I could not decide who was the murderer plenty of suspects. I like all the main characters in these books and am always glad to see them pop up. I am eagerly awaiting the next one. It was one of those books you cannot put down but when it's finished your sorry, and want it to continue.

I love the Agatha Raisen series. Agatha's sleuthing adventures are fun and unique. My favorite friends of Agatha's, Mrs. Bloxby and James Lacey, both seemed to have had a change of personality in this book. I'm worried that these good friends will not participate in her future crime solving. That special blend of understanding that runs through the three gives zest to the series. Long live the romance in these mysteries. Will the real James Lacey please remain standing. Looking forward to Agatha's next surprise.

In this story, Agatha Raisin decides to take a short vacation in the Norfolk area of England, where she rents a small cottage in the village of Fryfam. She felt that she needed to get away from her home in the Cotswolds, and think of something else rather then James Lacey, a man who didn't return her love. Also, by chance, a fortuneteller told her that she might find true love in Norfolk.

The rented cottage in Fryfam has a large garden and often little lights appear among the bushes. Many of the villagers seem to believe that fairies are the cause of the mysterious twinkling lights. Agatha makes a few friends who invite her to quilt with them, and when she discovers that their husbands are ignoring them, she intrudes with some suggestions to make the errant husbands take notice. Agatha's friend, Sir Charles Fraith shows up for a surprise visit and to keep Agatha company. When the local squire is murdered, she and Charles do some sleuthing to try and discover the killer.

I've read several of the Agatha Raisin books and learned that the more you read them, the more interesting you find the stories and the characters. Initially, it did take more than a few chapters to get involved with, and understand Agatha, who is a little cranky. If you like mysteries that are set in the British Isles, try out a M. C. Beaton book, they are all fun to read.

This book was much better than the last one. It was a fun read and kept you guessing until the end. And the ending was worth the time! I can't wait to find out what happens next. If you have been keeping up with Agatha, you MUST read this book.

What a fun read. I really enjoyed this and liked seeing a slightly different Agatha. Her relationship with Sir Charles reminds me a little of the antagonism between Sayer's Harriet and Peter Wimsey. Just a little! Great ending, can't wait to read the next. Agatha has jumped ahead of Hamish as M.C.'s best character.

Who else but a 50ish, amateur, wanna be sleuth, upon a fortuneteller's advice, would up and move to Lavender Cottage in the Norfolk village of Fryfam JUST to find the man of her dreams! She meets some truly odd people; reunites with a past sticky situation and in the end... Ahhhh, IT'S GREAT ! I cannot wait for the next Agatha Raisin adventure. Read one M.C. Beaton novel and you'll be hooked!

I love Agatha Raisin, and in this book she is especially funny. Agatha follows a fortune teller's advice that her future is in Norfolk, so she rents a cottage in Fryfam (a villiage she picked by sticking a pin in a map). As usual she gets caught up in village life and sooner or later we know that there will be a murder for her to solve. This book has the "manor-lord" murdered in his home (why is Agatha's book that she's writing called "Murder at the Manor"?) Her and Sir Charles set out to unlock the mystery, and discover more shenanigans in this pokey little town than they ever expected to. There's a stunner at the end of the book, that makes me excited to read the next one.