The Vicious Vet [Mass Market Paperback]

M. C. Beaton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2006

Beloved author M.C. Beaton has delighted readers and fans alike with her Agatha Raisin mysteries. Now here is the second novel in the series that started it all…

A PURR-FECT CRIME IN THE COTSWOLDS
Former London PR agent, Agatha Raisin still hasn't adjusted to village life where the only prospect for a hot evening out is a meeting of the Ladies Society. And since her overtures toward James Lacey--the retired military man next door--have failed, Agatha jumps at the chance to visit the new vet, who's single and good-looking. Although Agatha's tabby hasn't a thing wrong with him, Hodge endures having a thermometer shoved up his bum in the name of romance. Unfortunately his sacrifice is all for naught when the vet is soon found dead next to a high-strung horse.

The police call the vet's demise a freak accident, but Agatha convinces the hard-to-get James Lacey, who's also bored in the Cotswolds, that playing amateur detective might be fun. Unfortunately, just like curiosity killed the cat, Agatha's inept snooping is soon a motivation for murder...

"Anyone interested in a few hours' worth of intelligent, amusing reading will want to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Agatha Raisin."
--The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"I simply love mysteries that have all the requirements necessary to make them great--the characters, the action, the plots, and that thing we call humanity. Beaton has them all in
spades."
--Tulsa World

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author of the estimable Hamish Macbeth mysteries falters with this second story (after Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ) to feature London PR executive Agatha Raisin, who has recently retired in the Cotswolds. When handsome veterinarian Paul Bladen dies from a drug injection intended for a horse, Agatha decides it was murder and calls on her bachelor neighbor James Lacey to help investigate. Although her friend, Detective Sgt. Bill Wong, believes the death was an accident and cautions her against overdramatizing life in their village, Agatha proceeds . She discovers an angry former client of the vet whose cat had died at his hands and claims she has information about Bladen. But when Agatha shows up for their meeting, the woman is dead; another accident, suggest the police as Agatha cries murder once more. Pursuing men and clues with abandon, Agatha finally ferrets out the murderer but loses her male quarry in the process. Stretching for charm, Beaton here unexpectedly scants characterization and plot--both of which are amply supplied in Constable Macbeth's Scottish Highland adventures.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Still on break from her Hamish Macbeth series, Beaton adds to her Agatha Raisin opus ( Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death , St. Martin, 1992). Constantly shunned by the man next door, Agatha turns her attention to the handsome new veterinarian--only to become involved in investigating his suspicious death.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --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 (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312939450
• ISBN-13: 978-0312939458
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 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

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not really a mystery..., April 27, 2005

By 

clifford "akitonmyers" (Portland, OR, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second in the Agatha Raisin series and my personal favorite so far. In the Quiche of Death we met Raisin and followed her around the Cotswold's as she moved into her new home in the country. We immediately are confronted with a haggy old dame who has retired and now plans on wrecking havoc on her poor neighbors. What makes 'Vicious Vet' work on an even grander scale than 'Quiche of Death' is Beaton's willingness to further expand upon the characters and Raisins interactions with them.

This is not at all a mystery. One does take place in these pages, but it is very much secondary to the town folk. So even though Beaton references Marples in every book, this is not an engrossing mystery online with Agatha Christies work. Instead I would recommend that you think of this as a romp on par with Wallace and Grommit.

If you are looking for something similar to this, I would recommend that you pick up the Kate Shugak novel 'Break Up,' by Dana Stabenow. Another good author that slightly reminds me of Beaton is Connie Willis, and I would recommend her work, 'To Say Nothing of the Dog.'

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Agatha investigates again, September 2, 2004

By 

L O'connor (richmond, surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second book in the series about Agatha Raisin, who has worked all her life in Public Relations, and retired early to live in a picturesque country village. In this episode, an attractive local vet, very popular with the ladies, dies suddenly, apparently of an accident. Agatha is convinced that it's murder. She manages to get her neighbour, James Lacey (on whom she has a crush)interested, and together they investigate. It turns out that some of the ladies the vet charmed had a grudge against him, and one of them dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances, giving strength to Agatha's murder theory.This is quite an amusing series. Agatha is an entertaining chracter, though I would prefer it if she was a bit more independent. I find her frantic, blatant pursuit of James Lacey a bit pathetic, I would prefer it if she was more independent. I can't imagine Miss Marple pursuing her neighbour so desperately.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars --Engaging Story--, January 17, 2004

By 

Judith Miller (Bluemont, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin Mysteries, No. 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second book in the Agatha Raisin series.

Feisty Agatha Raisin is still getting used to living in a small village after retiring from her public relations business and leaving London. She's also very interested in getting the attention of James Lacey who is her handsome neighbor. Lacey seems to be avoiding her and Agatha turns to another pursuit. She hears that there is a very attractive veterinarian who has recently set up a nearby office and she makes an appointment for her cat. The vet, Dr. Paul Bladen, has attracted the attention of all of the local ladies, but he does make a date with Agatha.

When Dr. Bladen is found dead, it appears to be an accident, but after talking with several women, Agatha learns that he had angered people in the way that he treated small pets. Agatha suspects that he was murdered. The possible crime also interests James Lacey, and he and Agatha work on the mystery together.