“No one who knew Agatha Raisin would ever accuse her of losing her patience. Everyone knew she had none to lose.”

“Rash moves are practically your modus operandi.”

I’ll be completely honest here. This is the first Agatha Raisin book I’ve read because it seemed to be a daunting task, taking on a series with so many books already in print! So I don’t know what the series was like before RW Green took over for the late MC Beaton but I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this iteration of it and it definitely won’t be my last!

The Agatha Raisin series has not been the same since the passing of M.C. Beaton but this addition to the series comes very close to the original books.

The 34th book in the Agatha Raisin Cozy Mystery Series. Agatha is how I want to be. She's bold, intelligent, and doesn't care about putting people in their place, even if it's Chief Constable Wilkins.

Agatha is at a fair, when she comes across Sir Godfrey in the woods. Soon she is involved in a murder, and is butting heads with Winslow. She's his number one suspect, and informs her to stay out of the police investigation. Well, if you have read any Agatha Raisin books, you know that's the wrong thing to say😂. On top of a murder investigation, Agatha is dealing with her ex-husband, her friend Roy, and John her beau. She has her hands full.

M C. Beaton has passed away and now R. W. Green is writing this series. He has come to finally know the old Agatha and I couldn't be happier. He had me laughing, and relaxing with this read.

Tentative Publishing Date:
September 19, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#minotaurbooks
#deadontarget
#rwgreen
#agatharaisinseries
#serieslove2023
#cozymystery

I love cozy mysteries and one that is set in the Cotswolds in England? Be still my heart. Unfortunately this instalment of Agatha Raisin missed the mark (see what I did there with "missed the mark" the book starts out at an archery demonstration, arrows flying everywhere)...anyway while Agatha was as entertaining as ever the book had far too many characters and way too much happening to each character. I have read all of the Agatha Raisin books by M.C. Beaton and now R.W. Green, but this one just didn't connect for me. If you haven't read any books in this series you could read this as a stand alone and understand the relationships between the characters but it's so worth it to read the series from the beginning to see the characters grow and develop.
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In this 34th outing (wow!), PI Agatha Raisin is led to a wounded man in the woods during a village fete by a dog she's been trying to catch. The man has been shot by an arrow and dies soon after. Of course, Inspector Wilkes treats her like the number one suspect so it behooves her and her agency to find the real culprit.

RL Green has been writing this series since the illness and passing of Ms Beaton and I think he's done a great job of picking up the mantle. His characters are spot on and he's been able to flesh out these stories a bit more and keep the humor. This mystery was interesting with enough suspects to keep the reader guessing. A quick and entertaining read.

I received an arc of this new novel from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is a series that is new to me. I am excited to read it. I quickly read the first in the series so I had an idea of what was going on. I liked it and then I read this one I realized there is a lot of things that happen from that first book to this one and now I want to read them all in between! I don't think you necessarily have to have read all the books in between, but it is helpful for background information. This book surprised me a bit and I didn't see the ending coming. I realize that the author passed away and the person who is now writing the books did a great job with it! Agatha's character is fun to read.

Thank you to the publisher, author and netgalley for the ARC.

This was my first Agatha Raisin mystery, and while it was a decent cozy mystery, the characters felt a little flat. The story felt a bit like an Agatha Christie novel, but overall lacked the Christie magic. Personally I could not feel connect to Agatha as she felt more focused on her clothes and looks than the mystery. It was an enjoyable cozy mystery, but not a memorable one for me.

This series gets better with age! The characters stay interesting, anf the plots have surprising but believable twists and surprises. I don’t always keep up with this series, but this installment encouraged me to go back and read the last few that I had missed.

This is my first book of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, so yes, I would say it is a standalone read.

I found this book so delightful and even though Agatha has some quirks I still loved her. Agatha Raisin is a PI, while at a local fair she runs into Sir. Godfrey who makes an appointment with her to discuss a matter she may be able to help him with. Agatha enjoys herself and takes part in the archery show provided as entertainment for a crowd, afterwards has a bite to eat when she sees a pup that had gone missing. She decides to chase the pup and runs into Sir Godfrey dead.

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Wilkes is no fan of Agatha's, and seems to blame her for this murder, Agatha is now hunting for the killer to clear herself from accusations.

This is such a good book for those that love a good mystery, very entertaining, and an enjoyable read. I will now make sure to read more of this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my review.

I always enjoy an MC Beaton story...Agatha Raisin is a great character. I must note, regrettfully, that having a different author write is somehow diminishing and noticeable. I'm not going to stop reading, but it's similar to having the ingredients changed in your favorite recipe.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. This is the second Agatha Raisin book I have read and 34th in the series.

Agatha finds herself embroiled in the investigation of the murder of a member of the local gentry when she finds his body with an arrow in his chest at the village fete. The local police first accuse Agatha, and she her team must clear her name and identify the real killer.

There are a variety of suspects. The mystery is well-plotted. I adore Agatha'a grit, determination, and spark but find her obsession with her appearance trying at times (I also don't like the message it sends. Yes, I know it is part of who Agatha is.) I like the relationship Agatha has with her team and her dear friend.

A fun mystery with a good puzzle. I will check out more of this series.

No one liked creepy old Sir Godfrey so when he's found in the woods with an arrow in his chest, who does DCI Wilkes suspect? Why Agatha of course! Fans of the series know that these two have a long and contentious relationship (not really, just he's always suspecting her) and that Agatha will, against his request, go investigating to both clear herself and satisfy her curiosity. These books rise on the Agatha character because the mysteries themselves, like so many cozys, might seem a tad familiar (but there are different red herrings each time). Green has done and continues to do an excellent job of keeping the same spirit and oomph of Beaton's work - and has deepened it in many ways. Don't worry if you haven't read the series as this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Another great Agatha Raisin book! Fast paced, kept me interested. Good dialogue. Good mystery. Good book. A must read!

Dead on Target by MC Beaton with R W Green is another in the continuing series. A shout out to R W Green. Seldom does an author who picks up for another do it seamlessly. Green has accomplished this and he is to be applauded. The world would not be as colorful without Agatha Raisin inhabiting it. This was a short and sweet mystery which, of course, Agatha solved. She was encouraged to do so by the fact that DCI Wilkes was determined to pin the murder on her. It was a convoluted story of an elderly man, Sir Godfrey Pride, who was land rich but had no money. He did have two children who were after what money he had and after him to sell the property. Sir Charles Fraith, a friend of Agatha’s, had introduced them at the village fete, he promising to call her Monday with a commission. Later that same day, a lost puppy she had been chasing, led her to his body. He had been killed by an arrow, and there was an archery club doing demonstrations and introductions to the sport. That was when Wilkes decided it was her who had done the deed.

Agatha is an endearing character, although she had many traits that make her less than likable. But, she is loyal, to a fault, and loving, to those she cares for. Her best friend is Margaret Bloxby, the wife of the local vicar, so she is not at bad as some people judge her to be. She is also creative and clever, if arrogant and somewhat narcissistic. She has a rocky, inconsistent relationship with her ex-husband, James, who lives next door and an antagonistic one with Gustave, Fraith’s man. She is a fabulous character and she draws good characters into her circle. Her mysteries are simple and good. This one, for example, where the family relationships were complicated and antagonistic. A terrific read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Dead on Target by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #MCBeaton #RWGreen #DeadOnTarget

Dead on Target by M. C. Beaton & R.W. Green is another mystery in the popular Agatha Raisen series. Set in the English countryside, Agatha Raisen must solve a murder when a local landowner is found skewered by an arrow after an archery demonstration.

This is the first book I've read in this series, I did have a bit of a hard time keeping up with all the characters and their relationships with each other so I think I would have benefitted from starting from the beginning.

I thought this mystery was pretty good, Agatha finds the body of someone she recently met and who maybe wanted to hire her. The local police chief who seems like a huge turd tries to pin the murder on Agatha (which I gather this isn't the first time he's tried this) so she decides she is going to do his job for him and figures out who the killer really is.

I liked all the characters and thought it was a fast-paced easy read. I liked the way Agatha investigated the case, and I didn't figure out who the killer was until it was revealed. I would definitely like to read more books from this series.. so I guess I'll start from the beginning!

If there is a dead body, count on Agatha being involved in some way. This time she is the accused, by who else, DCI Wilkes. Sir Godfrey has been found quite dead, with an arrow through his heart and his pants down around his ankles. Agatha has just been on the archery range, learning how to shoot a bow and arrow, so it's logical, isn't it, that she would have killed Sir Godfrey? Agatha launches her own investigation to clear her name and find the real killer. Lots of suspects to investigate. Agatha's newest interest, John, resolves to help her solve the case and Sir Charles also appears on the scene.

R.W. Green is doing a good job continuing the series. Agatha appears to be mellowing a bit and at times, feeling her age.

I love this series and Agatha is one of my favorite characters. She is a crusty soul and I enjoyed tagging along with her in this adventure.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Carsely is having their harvest fete and Agatha takes an interest in the archery demonstration. She even tries her hand at it, unfortunately, a lost puppy from the dog show distracts her and she totally flubs her first try. But we know everything Agatha is done perfectly and successfully so her second attempt is a bullseye shot. While she's trying to discreetly eat a sausage roll, the puppy makes another appearance. The puppy drags Agatha into the tree line where she discovers a dead body with an arrow shot through the heart.

I enjoy the occasional Agatha Raisin novel. I hadn't read any of them in a while when I picked up the last book Devil's Delight (read my review). It was the first one I read since Beaton died and I really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this new book Dead on Target.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this quite as much. It's mostly because Agatha is so obsessed with how she looks and the comments she makes about other people's appearance - it just got old real fast. She even makes the comment about how it makes her sound shallow and self-centered. The other character assured her it didn't but all I could think was it so does. But we also see that she isn't truly shallow - that she cares deeply about people.

I'm not sure how I feel about the mystery. It was interesting but involved a bunch of people I didn't know or care about. I'm also not a fan of bringing all the "suspects" together in one room and revealing the killer.

It is a quick, light read. And for the most part, I enjoyed it. Whether you are an Agatha Raisin fan or just want a fun read, then be sure to put this book on your reading list.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Sunday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/09/dead-on-target-by-mc-beaton-review.html

3.25 stars

This was a delightful book to read. Funny at times, entertaining, fast to read and full of action.

Agatha Raisin discovers the body of a man with an arrow in his chest and his trousers round his ankles. And of course, the not so bright Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes thinks that Agatha had something to do with it, or as he puts it, she's his prime suspect.

If everything else was not enough, Agatha is even more motivated to solve the crime and clear her name, as she is obviously wrongly accused.

There were a few times when the plot in the book seemed beyond naive. Plus Agatha outsmarting everyone and everything was also a very long stretch for me.

The ending is pretty good although it felt more like a Hercule Poirot setting.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this fun book!