I've lost track of how many Agatha Raisin mysteries M.C. Beaton has published (Oh, it's 24!), but over the years Beaton has added an increasing streak of niceness to Agatha. That's not to say that Agatha has lost her edge, of course, but she's a little less prone to self-sabotage and imprudent romantic liaisons. In this outing she is invited to investigate the sudden death of bleached blonde Gloria French, a recent transplant to the village of Piddlebury. Gloria has impressed everyone with her enthusiastic charitable efforts, but her welcome has worn thin. Apparently Gloria has been in the habit of borrowing items from the villagers and refusing to return them. She is found poisoned after drinking a bottle of Ada White's homemade wine and the village closes ranks against Agatha, trying to convince themselves that an outsider, now long gone, is responsible for the deaths of both Gloria and an itinerant man found poisoned in the woods. After several close calls for Agatha and her associates it becomes evident that someone local doesn't want the truth about the mysterious deaths to be discovered. This, of course, makes Agatha even more determined to solve the case.
Beaton has peopled the village of Piddlebury with a host of colorful characters, including a fading actress turned lady of the manor, a vicar's wife who smokes and drinks away from the public (and her husband's) eye, an elderly woman who constantly demands attention, and a handsome schoolteacher who catches Agatha's eye but seems to be hiding something. All of Agatha's usual associates appear: James, Charles, Roy, and Mrs. Bloxby. Agatha herself seems more mellow, but not enough to keep her out of trouble! Enjoy!
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