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Fiction. Mystery. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: A little friendly competition for the attention of a handsome neighbor turns deadly in this third installment of the popular Agatha Raisin mystery series. When Agatha Raisin returns home after a sojourn in the capital, she finds a new woman ensconced in the affections of her attractive bachelor neighbor, James Lacey. The newcomer, Mary Fortune, is superior to Agatha in every way, especially when it comes to gardening. With Carsely Open Day approaching, Agatha longs for some fascinating crime to remind James of her genius for investigation and to distract him from Mary. Soon a series of assaults on the finest gardens is followed by murder when Mary herself is discovered buried upside down in a terracotta pot. Agatha immediately starts digging up all the dirt she can on the victim-but she has a secret of her own..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kathy89
This is my 3rd Agatha Raisin and she's still trying to gain the attention of her next door neighbor, James Lacey by secretly hiring a greenhouse to supply her garden. With the help of James and detective, Bill Wong they solve another murder in the Cotswalds.
LibraryThing member smik
Audio CD from BBC Audiobooks. Read by Penelope Keith. #3 in the Agatha Raisin series. Agatha returns from London to the village of Carsley to find a new woman has taken up residence in the village, and seemingly supplanted herself in the affections of her bachelor neighbour James Lacey. The village
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is preparing for a garden festival, and the newcomer, Mary Fortune, appears to be an expert gardener. The gardens of rivals begin to suffer little accidents like uprooted flowers and murdered goldfish. This cosy village series is not my favourite read but Penelope Keith's excellent reading kept me listening. Why don't I like the series? The plots are a bit too trivial for me - village politics - and I don't particularly like the character of Agatha Raisin. However the series is obviously popular and there are now 18 in the series written over a period of 15 years.. Show Less
LibraryThing member hagelrat
Another great fun detective story. Agatha returns from Holiday to find her village home to a glamarous new incomer and, being a competitive soul ens up getting involved in gardening. The dynamics of the main characters and the village are pretty settled by this point and it's a really entertaining
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yarn. Show Less
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
A lovely divorcee has moved to the quaint little village of Carsely,
nestled in the English Cotswolds. Mary Fortune is stunningly beautiful
and proves to be too much competition for our Agatha in her pursuit of
the eligible bachelor who lives next door. Mary shares an avid interest
in gardening with
to have woven a web around him that leaves Agatha firmly on the
outside. Ms. Fortune has a mean streak, though, and a bad habit of
making cutting remarks to the Villagers who are trying to like her
despite her moodiness, and when she is found buried head first in one of
her own pots in her conservatory, there seems to be a wealth of suspects
in the quiet village. Agatha, who retired from her high-powered career
in public relations in London and moved to Carsely in an attempt to live
the quiet life (completely alien to her nature, BTW) has made a
reputation for herself as something of a sleuth, and she's on the case
in a New York minute, unraveling hostilities among some of the most
innocent seeming residents.
Bizarre deaths seem to be the standard in this series of English
"cozies" and the story moves along at a brisk enough pace. It's a good
little read. I enjoyed it and give it a 4, if only because of it's
brevity. Very easy to read in one sitting.
nestled in the English Cotswolds. Mary Fortune is stunningly beautiful
and proves to be too much competition for our Agatha in her pursuit of
the eligible bachelor who lives next door. Mary shares an avid interest
in gardening with
Show More
James Lacey, the retired military officer, and seemsto have woven a web around him that leaves Agatha firmly on the
outside. Ms. Fortune has a mean streak, though, and a bad habit of
making cutting remarks to the Villagers who are trying to like her
despite her moodiness, and when she is found buried head first in one of
her own pots in her conservatory, there seems to be a wealth of suspects
in the quiet village. Agatha, who retired from her high-powered career
in public relations in London and moved to Carsely in an attempt to live
the quiet life (completely alien to her nature, BTW) has made a
reputation for herself as something of a sleuth, and she's on the case
in a New York minute, unraveling hostilities among some of the most
innocent seeming residents.
Bizarre deaths seem to be the standard in this series of English
"cozies" and the story moves along at a brisk enough pace. It's a good
little read. I enjoyed it and give it a 4, if only because of it's
brevity. Very easy to read in one sitting.
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LibraryThing member BrianEWilliams
A so-so entry in the series, more like a placeholder for the next one.
The murder mystery took a backseat to the on and off "romance" between Raisin and Lacey. She's more interested than him and her interest in him grows if there is another woman around who might snag him.
The obvious candidate
Raisin is "nicer" in this story than in the earlier ones. She seems to be settling into village life (and missing London less) and the natives are getting used to her. I liked her better when she was cranky.
Despite all of what I've said, the books in this series (thos one included) are entertaining and easy to read. Some are better than others
.
The murder mystery took a backseat to the on and off "romance" between Raisin and Lacey. She's more interested than him and her interest in him grows if there is another woman around who might snag him.
The obvious candidate
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for murder was killed off halfway through the book, the body being found by Raisin and Lacey. Their "investigation" was really non-existent so the police didn't get upset with their snooping as much as the victim's daughter and boyfriend.Raisin is "nicer" in this story than in the earlier ones. She seems to be settling into village life (and missing London less) and the natives are getting used to her. I liked her better when she was cranky.
Despite all of what I've said, the books in this series (thos one included) are entertaining and easy to read. Some are better than others
.
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LibraryThing member samantha.1020
Brief summary from Goodreads:
"Never say die. That's the philosophy Agatha Raisin clings to when she comes home to cozy Carsely and finds a new woman ensconced in the affections of her attractive bachelor neighbor, James Lacey.
The beautiful newcomer, Mary Fortune, is superior in every way,
And sure enough, a series of destructive assaults on the finest gardens is followed by an appalling murder. Agatha seizes the moment and immediately starts yanking up village secrets by their roots and digging up all the dirt on the victim. Problem is, Agatha has an awkward secret of her own . . ."
Likes?
Agatha is my favorite part of these books. Her character makes these books so enjoyable and keep me coming back for more. I liked that she started to look at James in a different light and wasn't constantly making a fool of herself over him. Just sometimes :) And I found it to be enjoyable to see how Agatha has adjusted and become a part of the small village. Her insecurities come across realistically and I'm constantly wondering what kind of trouble she is going to get herself into next. I was happy to see all of the old characters from previous books back in this one...it was like visiting old friends.
Dislikes?
This wasn't my favorite of the series but not for any particular reason. The mystery was interesting but I didn't find myself really trying to figure out whodunnit or anything. I was more interested in seeing what Agatha was going to do next and the crazy schemes that she was going to come up with. I just didn't quite connect with the storyline for this book but was glad to revisit this series and the characters.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I found this to be a good read but not great. I enjoyed dipping back into this series and will be continuing on with it. I'm hoping that the next book draws me down into the story more but no matter what I'll want to see what kind of adventures Agatha has next. I would definitely recommend this series but start from the beginning!
Disclosure: I checked this out from my lovely, local library :)
Here is a link to a very short review for Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton (turns out I never reviewed Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet)
"Never say die. That's the philosophy Agatha Raisin clings to when she comes home to cozy Carsely and finds a new woman ensconced in the affections of her attractive bachelor neighbor, James Lacey.
The beautiful newcomer, Mary Fortune, is superior in every way,
Show More
especially when it comes to gardening. And Agatha, that rose with many thorns, hasn't a green thumb to her name. With garden Open Day approaching, she longs for a nice juicy murder to remind James of her genius for investigation.And sure enough, a series of destructive assaults on the finest gardens is followed by an appalling murder. Agatha seizes the moment and immediately starts yanking up village secrets by their roots and digging up all the dirt on the victim. Problem is, Agatha has an awkward secret of her own . . ."
Likes?
Agatha is my favorite part of these books. Her character makes these books so enjoyable and keep me coming back for more. I liked that she started to look at James in a different light and wasn't constantly making a fool of herself over him. Just sometimes :) And I found it to be enjoyable to see how Agatha has adjusted and become a part of the small village. Her insecurities come across realistically and I'm constantly wondering what kind of trouble she is going to get herself into next. I was happy to see all of the old characters from previous books back in this one...it was like visiting old friends.
Dislikes?
This wasn't my favorite of the series but not for any particular reason. The mystery was interesting but I didn't find myself really trying to figure out whodunnit or anything. I was more interested in seeing what Agatha was going to do next and the crazy schemes that she was going to come up with. I just didn't quite connect with the storyline for this book but was glad to revisit this series and the characters.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I found this to be a good read but not great. I enjoyed dipping back into this series and will be continuing on with it. I'm hoping that the next book draws me down into the story more but no matter what I'll want to see what kind of adventures Agatha has next. I would definitely recommend this series but start from the beginning!
Disclosure: I checked this out from my lovely, local library :)
Here is a link to a very short review for Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton (turns out I never reviewed Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet)
Show Less
LibraryThing member Lynn_Barker
Agatha's ex, James Lacey has been captivated by a middle aged newcomer to the village who is just a bit too perfect. Agatha's competitive spirit is aroused, and she joins a local garden club, hoping to win James' attention by making her back garden a horticultural showcase. She devises expensive
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and cutthroat schemes to win an award for her garden despite her lack of knowledge or ability. Naturally, her rival with the botox smile is gruesomely murdered. James and Agatha collaborate once more to find the murderer. Sir Charles Fraith, Bt, and Roy Silver the young and dapper marketing twerp show up at Agatha's thatched cottage and put their two cents in as well. Another brilliant and funny Agatha Raisin novel. I can't get enough of these. Show Less
LibraryThing member JaneAustenNut
As usual Agatha has gotten herself in quite a pickle. She is always having man troubles, but, somehow comes out ok. I like M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin series and will order more of the same. Good Book.
LibraryThing member devenish
An early episode in the saga of our Agatha. Firmly ensconced in the idillic village of Carsely,Agatha soon finds that she has a rival for both the love of James Lacey and for the title of the leading light of the village. Her nemesis is Mary Fortune a beautiful and talented gardener who had
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recently moved to Carsely. Murder soon rears it's ugly head and Agatha begins to investigate. Show Less
LibraryThing member cherrybob_omb
Short, succinct, easy to read cosy mystery, perfect for being stuck in the doctor's waiting room!
LibraryThing member Jiraiya
What makes the Potted Gardener a teensy weensy memorable are the leanness of its storytelling and the timing of its progress. The discovery of the culprit was too cut and dried but that's not a real complaint, because in these days where everything looks to have been thought of, how can we
Being a very short book, The Potted Gardener is a sizable improvement over the book that preceded it, where everything that its successor achieves, it failed to accomplish. So, kudos to M.C. Beaton for being inspired and for giving us a murder mystery where there are not too many suspects, where the real culprit had been suspected by Agatha, where the police is not completely clueless, and where the unrelated ongoing minutiae of the life in the village is interesting. Add to that the reserved and slightly untapped revelations about the victim's past and the very speedy developments of the case, and we find ourselves pleased with a book that had little scope for ambition to begin with. After rejecting a couple of highfalutin books that were unreadable to me, The Potted Gardener looks like an antidote.
Sometimes choosing small books seem like cheating in the annual reading challenge, but it can work wonders with the total number of pages for the year. I have realized that, for me, big books can't be taken in oversize bites. IMHO, books over 800 pages can rarely sustain the interest of this reader over one day. OTOH, small books like The Potted Gardener, packed with action (of the kind totally alien to the term understood by some Hollywood movies) can be read without the time appearing to be dragging on. This put a new spin on things, and I duly will consider marathoning M.C. Beaton's books, as I'm currently not impressed with my pages total for the month. Writing this review has been as useful as reading the book has been as enjoyable. Now I'm off reading more of the same author.
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criticize a book for not indulging in cliches?Being a very short book, The Potted Gardener is a sizable improvement over the book that preceded it, where everything that its successor achieves, it failed to accomplish. So, kudos to M.C. Beaton for being inspired and for giving us a murder mystery where there are not too many suspects, where the real culprit had been suspected by Agatha, where the police is not completely clueless, and where the unrelated ongoing minutiae of the life in the village is interesting. Add to that the reserved and slightly untapped revelations about the victim's past and the very speedy developments of the case, and we find ourselves pleased with a book that had little scope for ambition to begin with. After rejecting a couple of highfalutin books that were unreadable to me, The Potted Gardener looks like an antidote.
Sometimes choosing small books seem like cheating in the annual reading challenge, but it can work wonders with the total number of pages for the year. I have realized that, for me, big books can't be taken in oversize bites. IMHO, books over 800 pages can rarely sustain the interest of this reader over one day. OTOH, small books like The Potted Gardener, packed with action (of the kind totally alien to the term understood by some Hollywood movies) can be read without the time appearing to be dragging on. This put a new spin on things, and I duly will consider marathoning M.C. Beaton's books, as I'm currently not impressed with my pages total for the month. Writing this review has been as useful as reading the book has been as enjoyable. Now I'm off reading more of the same author.
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LibraryThing member Gwendydd
More Agatha Raisin escapism
LibraryThing member Northern_Light
I picked up this book in my holiday flat and it looked like it would be a nice holiday read.
It features Agatha who lives in a small Cotswald village but can't help get herself involved in the goings on in the village. In this book she takes a dislike to a newcomer who has taken a fancy to the man
I found this book a quick read but the main character not likeable at all and so this made me not at all bothered by whether the crime was actually solved!
there are far better books out there.
It features Agatha who lives in a small Cotswald village but can't help get herself involved in the goings on in the village. In this book she takes a dislike to a newcomer who has taken a fancy to the man
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she likes. When a body is found Agatha is determined to find out whodunnit.I found this book a quick read but the main character not likeable at all and so this made me not at all bothered by whether the crime was actually solved!
there are far better books out there.
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LibraryThing member StephLaymon
It took entirely too long for the mystery to start, but was quite suspenseful once it started. The story itself was good enough to hold my interest even before the mystery. Agatha cracks me up.
LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
A very good, light entertaining read. I enjoyed this more than the previous ones I read in the series. 3.5 stars.
LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
There is a new woman in town; she is pretty, popular & has everyone, including James raving about her.. until Agatha returns home from a solo vacation & the woman begins bad-mouthing Agatha...
When Agatha joins the horticulture club hoping to win a prize, she sets things in motion; all of a sudden
Later the newcomer is found dead, with her head buried in a pot while suspended from the ceiling.
As insecure & bitchy as Agatha is, I actually enjoy reading about her... She's funny,, clever, straight-to-the-point & rude!
When Agatha joins the horticulture club hoping to win a prize, she sets things in motion; all of a sudden
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all of the members' prize plants turn up dead or destroyed, leaving only the newcomer's plants in exhibiting condition. Unfortunately for the newcomer, the Vicar's wife is fully aware of the treachery and is the one awarding prizes, all of which go to the regular members, none to the new woman...Later the newcomer is found dead, with her head buried in a pot while suspended from the ceiling.
As insecure & bitchy as Agatha is, I actually enjoy reading about her... She's funny,, clever, straight-to-the-point & rude!
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LibraryThing member belgrade18
I listened to the audio book read by Penelope Keith. Absolutely hilarious third installment to the Agatha Raisin mystery series. A good get-away from serious reading, yet well-written and charming. Penelope Keith almost steals the show, she is terrific. Looking forward to the next one.
LibraryThing member KarenDuff
The third book in the series and my third Agatha Raisin book, I'm anal I must read a series in order. Like the previous two books a quick undemanding read and I'm really starting to develop a soft spot for Agatha and her friends.
LibraryThing member ThoughtsofJoyLibrary
Agatha Raisin's third mystery involves a newcomer to the village and of course, Mr. James Lacey, her neighbor and love interest. The hobby of gardening plays an important role for many of the villagers, so Agatha decides to join in. Agatha gets herself into a bind, but not as bad as another - they
This book did not live up to the second in the series. Agatha seemed to turn a little more negative and spiteful which did not translate to fun for me. Also, I didn't care for some of details regarding the murder. However, all in all, it wasn't a bad read - it was just okay. (3/5)
Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..."
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get themselves dead.This book did not live up to the second in the series. Agatha seemed to turn a little more negative and spiteful which did not translate to fun for me. Also, I didn't care for some of details regarding the murder. However, all in all, it wasn't a bad read - it was just okay. (3/5)
Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..."
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LibraryThing member Ameise1
This was a cozy mystery. Agatha comes back to her village after a long journey and realizes that a newcomer has the popularity of everyone, especially her neighbour James. Over time, she realizes that this woman knows everyone's weaknesses and insults them so much that everyone is ashamed to admit
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the others. Furthermore, she is jealous because this woman is so interested in James. One day the woman is found dead. It quickly becomes clear that many would have had a reason to kill her. Agatha doesn't want to play the detective again at first, but James urges her to. Show Less
LibraryThing member yukon92
The third book in the Agatha Raisin mystery series... nothing too deep, just enjoyable and relaxing!
LibraryThing member LARA335
A charming newcomer arrives in the village. But Agatha is jealous of the attentions James, her neighbour, is paying. And then the villagers’ gardens become vandalised.
Another outing for the cantankerous amateur sleuth, who is once again cheating, this time by producing an instant garden to
Cosy mystery enhanced by Penelope Keith narrating the audio version.
Another outing for the cantankerous amateur sleuth, who is once again cheating, this time by producing an instant garden to
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compete in the .Best Garden competition.Cosy mystery enhanced by Penelope Keith narrating the audio version.
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LibraryThing member kevn57
4 stars
I just love Agatha Raisin, the books are so funny and the characters so likable or hateable depending on the character. It's so much fun watching Agatha shoot herself in the foot, not just because it's funny but because you know that Agatha will come roaring back stronger then ever before.
A
A restaurant owner confronts Agatha
The owner let out a growl of rage like a Klingon at a death ritual and seized the four corners of the tablecloth.
Agatha feeling old and depressed
Her life stretched before her one long and dusty road to the grave. Nothing would ever happen again to make her happy or excited or interested.
After Agatha is caught out in a lie.
You are regarded as something of a character."
"That's me," said Agatha. "The village idiot complete with cats. So where do we go from here?
I just love Agatha Raisin, the books are so funny and the characters so likable or hateable depending on the character. It's so much fun watching Agatha shoot herself in the foot, not just because it's funny but because you know that Agatha will come roaring back stronger then ever before.
A
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few lines from some great scenes; A restaurant owner confronts Agatha
The owner let out a growl of rage like a Klingon at a death ritual and seized the four corners of the tablecloth.
Agatha feeling old and depressed
Her life stretched before her one long and dusty road to the grave. Nothing would ever happen again to make her happy or excited or interested.
After Agatha is caught out in a lie.
You are regarded as something of a character."
"That's me," said Agatha. "The village idiot complete with cats. So where do we go from here?
Show Less
LibraryThing member alanna1122
Penelope Keith is so wonderful as the reader. I really enjoy these - they are all very short and fun.
LibraryThing member DrApple
In this installment, Agatha has returned from a long vacation to find an attractive new woman in the village who seems to be attracting the attentions of James. When the newcomer is murdered, Agatha amd James set out to solve the mystery.