I think I’m done now.

This is the 2nd book in the series since Ms. Beaton passed away. And it’s the 2nd book in the series that no longer reads like Agatha.

The book is marginally more like Agatha in that she pays a bit more attention to her appearance – and her ego – but she’s also meeker, milder, and simply has less spirit! I mean long term readers know it. Agatha has a grumbly exterior. Yes, she’s got a lot of heart, but she’s also got some spicy snark and spite to go with it. Here she’s…gentle.

And the romance! Her dalliances should be a mix of lustiness and humor and regret and romance. This is a freaking harlequin novel. One scene with a former suitor is so – argh, I don’t even have the words for it! Just think of dialogue from the cheesiest most sickeningly sweet romance novel ever and you might get close.

As with the last one, it’s a perfectly fine book with perfectly fine characters. If I wasn’t looking for Agatha Raisin (and seriously you can just pretend it’s not an Agatha book), I would have likely been satisfied with a perfectly kind and benign little cozy.

Ms. Beaton, I’ll miss you!

• ARC Provided via Net Galley

Initially, had some trepidation about reading Beaton’s last novel, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. All of Agatha’s friends, acquaintances, and even her two cats were included in the storyline. Loved the humor that was incorporated in many of the scenes.

R. W. Green and M. C. Beaton left us with a sensational book that had all its’ characters happy and looking toward their futures.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for eARC.

Another great book in the series! There is never a disappointing book. The characters and plots are interesting and will keep you guessing. If you like Agatha Raisin mysteries, you will enjoy this one!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Agatha Raisin is watching what she eats and taking walks in the park at lunch. It should lead to a healthier and longer life…and mean lots of great outfits! What Agatha didn’t expect was walking leading her to death. Well, she was in the park walking and heard a scream and followed it to find a man dead on the bowling green. Agatha suspects the man was murdered but the police say it was an accident. Since Agatha won’t admit defeat quite yet, she’s set out to find a killer and set a certain pompous DCI back in his place.With so many people not having liked the man, Agatha has plenty of suspects to cull through and her work set out for her.

Balancing the murder, the PI agency and her love life, Agatha has a lot on her plate. She’s threatened by thugs, run off the road, and has three men clamoring for her attention, but Agatha manages it all and still finds time to work on the murder and several other cases. When a woman with ties to the bowling club is killed, Agatha knows they’re connected, but how? When she’s run off the road, she knows she must be getting close and is making the killer nervous. Will Agatha be the victor, or will she be blocked or rubbed off?

This is the first book I have read in this series and while there were some references to the past, it reads fine as a stand alone. I know, I’m late to the party, what can I say? But I’m here and ready to binge read them all and look for the next book to drop!

Down the Hatch is the first Agatha Raison cozy mystery completely written by R W Green, the prior book in the series Hot to Trot was a collaboration between Mr Green and M C Beaton prior to her death in 2019. While many aspects of the books remain the same I find I enjoyed his writing style better. Perhaps the old Agatha Raison books had become so formulaic. In Down the Hatch . Agatha is more self confident, instead of laser focused on her shortcomings. She's still fierce, but seems more toned down with her abrasive ways. And she is funny. This book had several mysteries to be solved and some personal aspects of Agatha's life were enhanced. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one in the series.

This book is a pretty typical murder mystery. Agatha Raisin heard screams from the park and stumbled upon the murder of a man called the Admiral. The story twists and turns with an additional murder and attempts.

I found this book to meander a bit when mentioning and trying to figure out other cases in the middle of the mystery at hand. It provided more character development, but I wished it had more of an increase of suspense instead. I'm glad it added a bit of romance drama to keep it a little bit more interesting.

Overall I enjoyed the book! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital copy of this book for my honest review.

I have been an Agatha Raisin fan for many years, but have not read the most recent novels. I was surprised to learn ( through the introduction to this novel) that the original author died a few years ago and this book was a collaboration of “Beaton’s” ideas and Green’s.

The team is familiar and fun, but my joy in the earliest books in the series was Agatha’s snarkiness, and her behavior was often out of step with the more polite, conservative nature of her adopted village in the Cotswolds. This book presents a successful Agatha. Not disappointed in love, or her career. . . And, somehow that rings hollow for me.

These books are not intended as fine literature, but as light- hearted mysteries with a quirky protagonist. Without Agatha goofing up professionally, chasing men ( unsuccessfully) or making social faux pas, there was no sizzle to the story.

NetGalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't loved the last few entries of the Agatha adventures but when I read Green's forward I was so moved by his love of Ms. Beaton and Agatha, and his desire to do right by this wonderful series that I dug in. I'm very glad I did. It's a fun addition. RIP Ms. Beaton.

Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton and R. W. Green is a great cozy mystery that is the newest addition to one of my favorite series ever: Agatha Raisin.

I love, love, love this series. Yes, I have read them out of order. Yes, I am still making my way through the series, but of all the books I have read thus far, I am still enchanted and smitten with them and want to devour all 32 books. Don’t let the number intimidate you, as you will fly through them in no time.

Agatha is an amazing character and excellent sleuth. She is sassy, funny, witty, dry, smart, and makes bold decisions (some smarter then others) that help her solve cases within her business as a private detective, but also get to into spots of trouble and can get risky. Add her natural instincts to snoop, get to the bottom of things, sassy Chief Inspectors that protest said inclinations, and her overwhelming need to succeed and solve the crimes, and you have a fine novel. (Shout out to my fellow walkers and runners! The things we see while we are out!)

This one continues on that path and need not be read after the previous installments, however I recommend the series as a whole as well.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Minotaur Books/ St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

Just nit very good.
The writing isnt as good as in the original books, and the plot for this one meandered all over the place

Great read ! I really enjoyed several mystery threads throughout the book as opposed to the more traditional cozy plot with one murder to solve. It is more engaging and rewarding for the reader.