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Publication
Minotaur Books (2007), Edition: 1st, Kindle Edition, 240 pages
Description
Unlike quite a number of people, Agatha has not given up on Christmas. To have the perfect Christmas had been a childhood dream while surviving a rough upbringing in a Birmingham slum. Holly berries glistened, snow fell gently outside, and inside, all was Dickensian jollity. And in her dreams, James Lacey kissed her under the mistletoe, and like a middle-aged sleeping beauty, she would awake to passion once more...Agatha Raisin is bored. Her detective agency in the Cotswolds is thriving, but she'll scream if she has to deal with another missing cat or dog. Only two things seem to offer potential excitement: Christmas and her ex, James Lacey. This year Agatha is sure that if she invites James to a splendid Christmas dinner, their love will rekindle like a warm Yule log. But that fantasy will have to wait for now. A wealthy widow - who had sent Agatha a letter saying a member of her family intended to kill her - has been found dead. Now Agatha must set out to find the murderer, even though, in her heart, she's still dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones she and James used to know.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member madamejeanie
Agatha's detective agency is doing very well, though the vast majority of the cases she's been handling are boring and routine. Lost pets, divorces, and an occasional bit of industrial espionage has Agatha yawning and daydreaming of other things, including some rather grandiose plans for a huge
It's been a while since I visited with Agatha, and the same things that used to mildly bother me seemed almost glaringly obvious this time around. Agatha never "says" anything. She "howls," "snarls," "growls," or "slumps." Like all of Beaton's books, the writing is choppy and she tends to jump around from one scene to the next with very little to soften the transition most of the time. I didn't realize how much that bothered me until this time around. I have begun to feel that I have to follow Agatha through to the end of her adventures, and when I start feeling that way, it's just about time to stop. There is another Agatha Raisin mystery to be found, but I think I'll give it a miss.
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Christmas party. Then, one day the mail brings a rather interesting letter from a very rich old lady who thinks that someone in her family is going to try to kill her! Agatha takes her newly hired young detective, Toni Gilmour, and her old friend Sir Charles Fraith along to investigate. Sure enough, the old girl kicks it on the second night of Agatha's stay in the Manor House, along with all the sons and daughters of the old biddy. And the more Agatha investigates, the more she's convinced that old Phyllis Tamworthy was such a bitch that the biggest mystery is why in the world hadn't someone offed her long before this. The plot thickens and twists and Agatha blunders into the truth in her usual manner. And that Christmas party will be one to remember...It's been a while since I visited with Agatha, and the same things that used to mildly bother me seemed almost glaringly obvious this time around. Agatha never "says" anything. She "howls," "snarls," "growls," or "slumps." Like all of Beaton's books, the writing is choppy and she tends to jump around from one scene to the next with very little to soften the transition most of the time. I didn't realize how much that bothered me until this time around. I have begun to feel that I have to follow Agatha through to the end of her adventures, and when I start feeling that way, it's just about time to stop. There is another Agatha Raisin mystery to be found, but I think I'll give it a miss.
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LibraryThing member Mikalina
The homosexual friend. The mix of working class female middle-aged hero and manor born friend. The intelligent Asian born policeman. Summed up you have the politically correct frame for the modern crime fiction. So much used it has become a modern cliche. Beaton`s twist is the pastiche. But moving
The mystery is neither solved by modern scientific methods nor by intelligent deductions, but by sudden leaps of intuition - twice.
The book´s cosy English-village-vicar´s-wife-is-my-friend-setting, may make the book work on a rainy day when you are in need of regression - especially if combined with a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake....
Penelope Keith reads well, as expected, and brings the experience up to the 2 stars that I´ve given.
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a mixed gang into the-mystery-at-the-manor-genre which very frames are upstairs - downstairs makes the pastiche leak as water through a sieve. She "saves" the genre by contrasting her main characters (the new upstairs) with Poles/ Eastern Europe immigrants (the new downstairs). Which makes her main characters into social climbers rather than true democrats, and leaves the English class system not really challenged, despite her seemingly politically correct setting.The mystery is neither solved by modern scientific methods nor by intelligent deductions, but by sudden leaps of intuition - twice.
The book´s cosy English-village-vicar´s-wife-is-my-friend-setting, may make the book work on a rainy day when you are in need of regression - especially if combined with a cup of tea and a slice of seed cake....
Penelope Keith reads well, as expected, and brings the experience up to the 2 stars that I´ve given.
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LibraryThing member smik
I should probably trust my gut feelings - I have "read" another 2 titles in this series in the last 3 years and resolved after the last never to touch them again. But people on book lists keep telling me they like them! and so I thought I'd try the latest.
Phyllis Tamworthy, about to celebrate her
The author just managed to retain my interest in the whodunnit side of this story, but I came close to not finishing the book when it side-tracked to Agatha Raisin's plans for the best Christmas celebrations ever. I can't get away from the feeling that these books are meant to be a spoof on the village cozy, but there is so little in them that I find amusing. The author does far too much "telling". The reader is never in a position to solve the mystery because not all the salient facts are at their disposal. There are occasional glimpses of good characterisation - perhaps the fact that I find Agatha Raisin so detestable is evidence of that - but there are others who are mere caricatures. The fact that KISSING CHRISTMAS GOODBYE is the 18th in the series is probably indicative that someone out there likes them, buys them, reads them, but this little duck won't be looking for the 19th.
Phyllis Tamworthy, about to celebrate her
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80th birthday, contacts Agatha Raisin because she thinks someone from her family will try to murder her at her birthday celebrations. And they do - Mrs Tamworthy dies of hemlock poisoning despite the fact that Agatha is on the case, and actually staying in the manor house! That's enough to raise any female PI's dander. Phyllis Tamworthy was universally hated by her family and all the villagers, so the list of suspects reads like the local telephone directory.The author just managed to retain my interest in the whodunnit side of this story, but I came close to not finishing the book when it side-tracked to Agatha Raisin's plans for the best Christmas celebrations ever. I can't get away from the feeling that these books are meant to be a spoof on the village cozy, but there is so little in them that I find amusing. The author does far too much "telling". The reader is never in a position to solve the mystery because not all the salient facts are at their disposal. There are occasional glimpses of good characterisation - perhaps the fact that I find Agatha Raisin so detestable is evidence of that - but there are others who are mere caricatures. The fact that KISSING CHRISTMAS GOODBYE is the 18th in the series is probably indicative that someone out there likes them, buys them, reads them, but this little duck won't be looking for the 19th.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
Agatha's detective agency is hired by a mean elderly woman who believes her family wants to kill her. The woman is poisoned in Agatha and Sir Charles presence. Agatha hires a new assistant, a young 18 yr old girl, who Agatha is envious of her youth and the attentions she gets from the men she comes
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in contact with. Throughout the book Agatha is planning her Christmas celebration to impress estranged husband, James, and then discovers her feelings have changed. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheoClarke
The eighteenth installment of this series looks like an obvious Christmas gift as an introduction to the sharply funny world of Agatha Raisin but I counsel against this. Not because this is other than an entertaining read but because it lacks the characteristics that differentiate Agatah Raisin
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from any other English cosy. In this book, Agatha makes no crashing solecisms and is almost unstintingly kind. The main plot is solid and the key new character is sufficiently richly drawn to enhance future episodes. Likewise, the mischievous humor of the author shines through. Had I read this as my first introduction to Agatha, however, I would not have made the effort to seek out further volumes; nor would I be awaiting the next addition with the eagerness that I feel. If you know and love Agatha Raisin then you need no encouragement to read this book; if you want to get to know her then start at the beginning with Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaHuntley
On a chilly day, with a bad cold and a cuppa tea, nothing could be cozier than settling down under a throw with the cranky English village detective Agatha Raisin. This seasonal mystery, crowded with her friends and colleagues, and a manor murder or two to solve, with high if unlikely hopes of a
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joyous Christmas dinner to pull off -- vintage Agatha Raisin. Show Less
LibraryThing member rosagallica
A fun, quick read. I enjoyed it but the title is misleading. It's not a "Christmas" book.
LibraryThing member DubaiReader
.A good listen in the car.
This unabridged book was pleasant enough listening for some long journeys, but not earth-shattering. Penelope Keith was wonderful as Agatha but rather grating when she impersonated some of her more squarky characters.
Agatha becomes embroiled in a murder mystery surrounding
Strangely enough she suspects that someone may be trying to murder her and there are plenty of suspects for the murderer.
I listened to this around Christmas time for a bit of Christmas spirit, but only the final CD was at all festive - possibly a good thing if you're thinking of listening to it in June!
I liked the character of Toni, Agatha's new assistant, and I had a few chuckles during the telling, but overall it was fairly mediocre.
This unabridged book was pleasant enough listening for some long journeys, but not earth-shattering. Penelope Keith was wonderful as Agatha but rather grating when she impersonated some of her more squarky characters.
Agatha becomes embroiled in a murder mystery surrounding
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Mrs Tamworthy and her offspring and their spouses. Mrs Tamworthy has managed to upset, not only her whole family but also the whole village, with her plans to sell off the manor house and build a technical college.Strangely enough she suspects that someone may be trying to murder her and there are plenty of suspects for the murderer.
I listened to this around Christmas time for a bit of Christmas spirit, but only the final CD was at all festive - possibly a good thing if you're thinking of listening to it in June!
I liked the character of Toni, Agatha's new assistant, and I had a few chuckles during the telling, but overall it was fairly mediocre.
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LibraryThing member LemurKat
If you need something lightly, something fun and a little bit quirky, than you should look no further than the irrepressible Agatha Raisin. There's not much more I can really say about this particular instalment except that it's good fun to read and a good distraction when such a thing is needed.
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Quick, easy, sometimes a little unexpected and most of all - entertaining. Show Less
LibraryThing member FHC
Quite a different book than my first positive experience with Ms Beaton's "A Highland Christmas". Actually disappointed with the book's multiple murders and light handed treatment, probably in keeping with it's intended 'cosy' genre. A protagonist I could not appreciate resulting in a series I will
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not be pursuing further. Show Less
LibraryThing member devenish
Agatha becomes involved in a case of poisoning in which the suspects are members of the victim's dysfunctional family. At the same time she employs a new young female detective who turns out to be surprisingly efficient. Christmas approaches and Agatha becomes more and more determined to make it
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one to remember. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
M.C. Beaton is the queen of British cozy mysteries. She has a number of long running series. My favourites are the Hamish MacBeth books.
But when Kissing Christmas Goodbye was recently returned at the library, I thought it would make a great seasonal listen for the drive back and forth to work.
Agatha is a sharp tongued, opinionated private eye with her own detective agency in the Cotswolds. Christmas is coming and Agatha is focused on holding the perfect Christmas dinner, inviting her ex and winning him back. But when Agatha receives a letter from a wealthy widow Phyllis Tamworthy asking Agatha to suss out which one of her family members wants her dead, it piques her interest. She heads to a holiday dinner with the woman and her family. And yes, one of them is guilty.....
Cozies are all about the characters and setting. Beaton has created a wonderful character in Agatha. I liked the addition of a new young female detective to the firm - she gives Agatha a run for her money. I appreciated revisiting with characters from past novels - it's like settling in with old friends. The mystery isn't overly complicated, but it's the journey to the whodunit that is the most fun.
I quite enjoyed listening to this book rather than reading it. Penelope Keith was the reader and she was absolutely perfect. She perfectly captured the character of Agatha with her British accent and very expressive reading.
This was a perfect light-hearted cozy for the Christmas season.
But when Kissing Christmas Goodbye was recently returned at the library, I thought it would make a great seasonal listen for the drive back and forth to work.
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This book is the 18th entry in Beaton's Agatha Raisin series.Agatha is a sharp tongued, opinionated private eye with her own detective agency in the Cotswolds. Christmas is coming and Agatha is focused on holding the perfect Christmas dinner, inviting her ex and winning him back. But when Agatha receives a letter from a wealthy widow Phyllis Tamworthy asking Agatha to suss out which one of her family members wants her dead, it piques her interest. She heads to a holiday dinner with the woman and her family. And yes, one of them is guilty.....
Cozies are all about the characters and setting. Beaton has created a wonderful character in Agatha. I liked the addition of a new young female detective to the firm - she gives Agatha a run for her money. I appreciated revisiting with characters from past novels - it's like settling in with old friends. The mystery isn't overly complicated, but it's the journey to the whodunit that is the most fun.
I quite enjoyed listening to this book rather than reading it. Penelope Keith was the reader and she was absolutely perfect. She perfectly captured the character of Agatha with her British accent and very expressive reading.
This was a perfect light-hearted cozy for the Christmas season.
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LibraryThing member alanteder
Agatha as the Failed Protector + Toni Arrives
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (October 2015) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (January 2007)
Kissing Christmas Goodbye has Agatha's detective agency hired by a rich landowner to discover who in her family is
I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Toni Gilmour is at last introduced here in this book #18 (in the TV series she was brought in at the beginning of Season 3, but as the niece of the housekeeper Simpson). Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit.
The narration of this book #18 and the following #19 is not by series regular Penelope Keith but by Wanda MacCaddon. MacCaddon is fine in the role but gives a much more restrained performance than Keith does in the other voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green, whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
Kissing Christmas Goodbye has been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is currently scheduled to be broadcast as Episode 1 in the upcoming Series 4 later in 2021. This will likely be as a pre-Christmas Special in December 2021. There is no trailer yet available.
Review of the Blackstone Audio Inc. audiobook edition (October 2015) of the original St. Martin's Press Minotaur hardcover (January 2007)
Kissing Christmas Goodbye has Agatha's detective agency hired by a rich landowner to discover who in her family is
Show More
trying to kill her. The lady is murdered before Agatha can hardly even begin to investigate. The main drama in this story is actually the hiring of the teenage detective Toni Gilmour, whom Agatha takes a protective wing over, probably seeing her own difficult youth reflected in the youngster. Toni will become a mainstay of the book series until the present day, unlike many of the temporary hires whom Agatha goes through. Toni proves to have an instinctive knack for the work and is lucky as well. The case is solved of course and the epilogue finds Agatha hosting a big Christmas feast for everyone which is more of a success than the disastrous Christmas dinner that ended the previous book.I'm continuing to enjoy the fun of these cozies which are somewhat different from the TV-series which I saw first. Toni Gilmour is at last introduced here in this book #18 (in the TV series she was brought in at the beginning of Season 3, but as the niece of the housekeeper Simpson). Sir Charles is much more of a recurring character and occasional love interest than he is in the screen adaptation and his cheap and chintzy manners are played up quite a bit.
The narration of this book #18 and the following #19 is not by series regular Penelope Keith but by Wanda MacCaddon. MacCaddon is fine in the role but gives a much more restrained performance than Keith does in the other voices.
Most (28 of 32) of the Agatha Raisin audiobooks are free on Audible Plus. A continuation series Book 32 Down the Hatch is yet to be released, and is expected to be published in October 2021. Down the Hatch is apparently entirely written by continuation writer R.W. Green, whereas #31 Hot to Trot was a collaboration with M.C. Beaton.
Trivia and No Link
Kissing Christmas Goodbye has been adapted for the currently ongoing Agatha Raisin TV series (2016-). It is currently scheduled to be broadcast as Episode 1 in the upcoming Series 4 later in 2021. This will likely be as a pre-Christmas Special in December 2021. There is no trailer yet available.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
A politically correct cozy mystery. Read for Christmas challenge. I might see if I can find the TV series.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
224 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
1845295765 / 9781845295769
Local notes
During the dark, grey days of early December Agatha is obsessed by two things – the loming festivities, and her ex, James Lacey. In order to drive the latter from her thoughts, Agatha concentrates on planning the perfect Christmas for her friends. Even the murder of a Mrs Tamworthy, poisoned with hemlock, does little to distract her and yet it should, as Mrs Tamworthy had written to Agatha, telling her that one of her family wanted to see her dead before the year was out. So slightly guiltily (and belatedly), Agatha sets out to solve the case before the 25th rolls around.