Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of M. C. Beaton and R. W. Green's 'Sugar and Spite'.

I always get excited when a new Agatha Raisin story is released. There is something so endearing about this deeply flawed character that keeps bringing me back for more. In her latest exploit Agatha in drawn into the world of twitchers (bird watchers) when she attends a presentation at the Carsley's Ladies Society that turns sour when the three presenters are threatened by an angry landowner who is fed up with them trespassing on his land. Agatha is drawn in to investigate when one of the three presenters is found dead under a broken tree branch and her brother points the finger to her so-called friends. With the help of her investigative team, her friend Roy, her former lover Charles, and her current beau John, can Agatha solve the case?

I love M.C. Bearin's Afatha Raisin character and was thrilled to read this. When a crime hits a birdwatching community, Agatha is on the trail to solve it. With a wonderful sense of place you are drawn into this cozy British mystery. Well done.

I have to admit, when I chose “Sugar and Spite”, I didn’t know it was an Agatha Raisin mystery. I just loved the title. The fact that it is just made it all the more sweet.

I was introduced to Agatha and crew not through books (I know…scandalous) but through TV and I was lost in her world with her friends and neighbors.

This is a delicious tale with murder, of course! She is, in typical fashion accused and arrested with John by DCI Wilkes. How does that man still have his job?

There is a side investigation of shoplifting which goes from a mall matter to a police matter. It is of course, handled brilliantly with Bill Wong and orchestrated by Agatha.

If you enjoy Agatha and crew either from the small screen or this wonderful series of books, I wholeheartedly recommend “Sugar and Spite”. It has moments of humor along with the classic Raisin investigation flair. I would like to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily given. As always, I wish you happy reading!

Three bird watchers receive a notice from unknown sources about a Magnolia Warbler in the area. Two of them are dead, and Agatha must solve the murders as well as deal with the men in her personal life.

I enjoyed the first half of the story but got bogged down in the latter half. Agatha loses her wit and her engaging personality as the novel moves onward. A good attempt at the original Agatha, but this one was a bit disappointing.

Sugar and Spite: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M. C. Beaton; R.W. Green is a great murder/mystery that is the 36th book in this awesome long-standing series.

I have read every book in this series and have gone through all the ups and downs of rhe last few years of Agatha Raisin’s life. Her transition from the first few books to now, is quite surprising…in a good way. She still has that sass that only she can do, but there is heart, and I love it.

This was a quick murder/mystery that had a great pace, and I devoured the whole book in two days. The ending is bittersweet, but she will persevere and I look forward to her next adventure.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books 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 on 10/14/25.

I would recommend this book. Another good book in the series. It is humorous. It's up to Agatha Raisin and her detective agency to figure out the murder mystery.

One of my favorite series. I am so happy that it has continued even after the passing of the original author.
This was another fun adventure with Agatha as always. I always enjoy and look forward to the new books in this series.

I have been VERY critical of this new author's take on Agatha.

I think, to date, the best I've given him is: fine.

Well, I'm happy to say that the author is getting more and more into Agatha's mind and to good effect.

While I still find her men to be anemic versions of themselves (all sugar no spice), Agatha is getting more and more like herself and I really enjoyed reading her!

She's matured and is very much comfortable with herself, while still allowing for a bit of vanity and the discomfort that comes with aging. I loved her.

The plot is fun, our new characters were a blast, and this one ends on a very emotional note.

I think I previously said I was done with this series...I take it back. I'll read another, thank you!

* ARC via Publisher

The Agatha Raisin series is among my favorite cozy mysteries, and I am always thrilled to read a new installment. The books written by R.W. Green have been similar enough to those by the original master M.C. Beaton such that they pretty much seamlessly blend into the canon. The latest book is Sugar and Spite, and it's another great Agatha Raisin story full of the fun regulars, interesting new characters, and a great storyline I've come to expect from the series.

A trio of birdwatching friends (or maybe a better term might be "frenemies") comes to Agatha's hometown of Carsley to deliver a lecture, which is interrupted by an angry man who threatens harm to the group of bird enthusiasts if they continue to use his property to look at the wildlife. Soon thereafter, a dead body is found under a fallen tree. Agatha and her team of investigators begin to look into the situation, and the plot quickly becomes more complex as more information is discovered and several characters are deemed suspects.

As is expected, Agatha and her friends and colleagues divide and conquer, and they work through the evidence and their theories to figure out what has happened and who is responsible. The trail of clues and the ensuing twists make for a fun and quick read that is sure to entertain fans of the series and anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A good addition to the series but it has lost some of its spark since the loss of M.C. Beaton. Die hard fans will enjoy it!

Agatha is in rare form as she sleuths to find a murderer of a birdwatcher. Who wanted this particular watcher out of the way? As she investigates she finds herself and her beau accused of murder. But never fear, our dear Agatha doesn't leave a stone unturned and with the aid of her staff finds a slew of lawbreakers, including the murderer. The story is told with humor, a flare with characterization of those who inhabit the small villages and a surprise that turns Agatha's world upside-down. Looking forward to the next cozy in this series. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

As a longtime fan of the Agatha Raisin series, I eagerly dove into this latest installment, where a string of deaths among the local birdwatching community sends Agatha and her Raisin Investigators team into action. The premise is classic Agatha: suspicious deaths, village secrets, and tempestuous relationships to unravel. However, this book fell short of the charm and wit that made the early books so delightful, leaving me with mixed feelings.

The story follows Agatha as she investigates foul play in her village, digging into decades of simmering tensions among birdwatching enthusiasts to prevent further deaths. The plot promises Agatha’s signature tenacity, with a nod to her “bitter side” and clever sleuthing, but it doesn’t quite deliver the spark I’ve come to expect.

The early Agatha Raisin books, before she founded her detective agency, were comedic gems, with Agatha stumbling into hilarious situations on her own. While I’ve enjoyed her evolution over the series—character growth is essential in a long-running series—this book felt off, as if it wasn’t truly an Agatha Raisin story. The pacing and tone lacked the vibrancy of earlier entries. Notably, the description of Sir Charles Fraith as “small and slight” clashed jarringly with the robust, charming image built over the first 20+ books. As a fan with a soft spot for Sir Charles, I was disappointed by his diminished role; he deserved more page time to shine. Similarly, Roy, typically a wild and entertaining character, felt subdued and lackluster, which dulled the story’s energy.

The mystery itself was decent, with enough twists to keep me engaged, but it didn’t capture the quirky, cozy charm that defines the series. Without spoiling, I will say the departure of a certain character at the end was a highlight, offering hope that future books might return to the Agatha Raisin magic I adore. I may be alone here, but to me that character felt out of place. The writing quality though different from the original author and creator of the series, M. C. Beaton, R. L. Green’s work remains solid, and I am grateful that he has taken over this series. As expected the Cotswolds setting is as atmospheric as ever, but this installment felt like a misstep.

“Sugar and Spite” isn’t a bad story, but it doesn’t feel like a true Agatha Raisin adventure. Longtime fans may find it a letdown, though the ending offers hope for a return to form. Here’s hoping the next book recaptures Agatha’s delightful chaos! In my opinion, this book is for dedicated fans only; newcomers should start with earlier books like “The Quiche of Death” for the full Agatha experience.


Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Mr. Green for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A different take on Agatha, and one that was needed!

Agatha takes on an investigation at a time when she is re evaluating where she is in her career and her relationships. When women from a group are murdered Agatha and her team need to unravel who wanted them dead.

Bill is settled into his life, Charles is living with regret and Agatha is happy in a new romance. While her agency is also investigating another ring of thieves, Agatha continues to butt heads with the authorities, while also finding out shocking secrets about people involved in the case. When her life is threatened she is determined to find out who is behind it all.

Reading Agatha is like snuggling under a warm blanket. I was worried when our beloved M.C. Beaton left us and they announced the series would continue, but I finally think she left it in good hands.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a few hours of escapism in return for my opinions.

Book 36 of the Agatha Raisin series. Another cozy mystery full of mystery, humor and village drama. This book follows a birdwatching club. As their members are murdered Agatha jumps into action to uncover the killer. There’s no shortage of suspects. Will Agatha and her team solve the mystery? Is Agatha’s life in danger? A fast read that won’t disappoint you. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Sugar and Spite is the latest installment in the Agatha Raisin Mystery series. Agatha is a somewhat cranky lady of a certain age; a detective in a small Cotswold village who surrounds herself with interesting characters. Birdwatchers are being killed; Agatha wants to know why … and the typical mayhem ensues.

This is a quick and fun read, though perhaps not the best in the series. Recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was an engaging and fun read! I have loved this series and this latest edition did not disappoint! The plot moves along at a good pace. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good cozy mystery. I was hooked until the very end.

This is my first time reading an Agatha Raisin book but it did NOT disappoint!! I have watched the Agatha Raisin TV series and I absolutely loved it so when I read this book, I put those characters to this story lol!! It really helped make this book that much more enjoyable!!

If you like mysteries with the FMC is feisty but smart, she's your girl!!

You'll love the banter, the plot, the characters, all of it!

DNF
This was almost unrecognizable as an Agatha Raisin mystery. The writing was dull and the depiction of Raisin was stodgy. The first ten percent of the book was a bland conversation between Raisin and the vicar’s wife. This book lavked zest!

One of my favorites in the series. Complex, entertaining and tears at the end - but no spoilers here!

I’ve read every Agatha Raisin mystery novel and thoroughly enjoyed them all. It warms my heart to know that Marion Chesney, the author of the Agatha Raisin series, passed her knowledge of the character to R. W. Green before her passing. May this feisty detective and her remarkable ability to solve every case continue to captivate readers for generations to come.