Pushing Up Daisies

An Agatha Raisin Mystery, Book 27

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

New York Times best-selling author M. C. Beaton's beloved Agatha Raisin is back on a case and poking around where she doesn't belong.

When Agatha Raisin left behind her public-relations business in London, she fulfilled her dream of settling in the cozy British Cotswolds, where she began a successful private detective agency. Unfortunately the village she lives in is about to get a little less cozy. Lord Bellington, a wealthy land developer, wants to turn the community garden into a housing estate. When Agatha and her friend, Sir Charles Fraith, attempt to convince Lord Bellington to abandon his plans, he scoffs, "Do you think I give a damn about those pesky villagers?" So when Agatha finds his obituary in the newspaper two weeks later, it's no surprise that some people in town are feeling celebratory.

The villagers are relieved to learn that Bellington's son and heir, Damian, has no interest in continuing his father's development plans. But the police are definitely interested in him - as suspect number one. His father's death, it seems, was no accident. But when Damian hires Agatha to find the real killer, she finds no shortage of suspects.

The good news is that a handsome retired detective named Gerald has recently moved to town. Too bad he was seen kissing another newcomer. But when that woman is also found murdered, Gerald is eager to help Agatha with the case. Agatha, Gerald, and her team of detectives must untangle a web of contempt in order to uncover a killer's identity.

Pushing Up Daisies continues the tradition of this beloved mystery series.

©2016 M. C. Beaton (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Narrator is poor

Had a hard time following the story. The narrator was so poor the characters lost definition. I love this series but this is the first book I could not finish.

My favorite narrator for Agatha - by far.

Would you listen to Pushing Up Daisies again? Why?

Maybe. If I had forgotten what happened.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

In a way, but not completely I mean it's funny and interesting but not heart thumping.

Which scene was your favorite?

I didn't really have a favorite scene but I did enjoy the way Agatha is always on the look out for a man and I always like the scenes with Charles Wraith - love the way Larkin does his voice!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

In parts. Some of the scenes are very funny.

Any additional comments?

I think the narration is the best thing about this one. It's an okay book - good, sweet, fun, but Agatha isn't that appealing as a character. Then you get a great narrator like Alison Larkin and it springs to life.

Oh, our Agatha.

What did you like best about Pushing Up Daisies? What did you like least?

After this many installments I have to like Agatha and her friends, or I would have discontinued my loyalty, but I wish with every book that MC Beaton would give some more depths and a broader range of feelings to her 'people', more than 'furious' 'rage' etc. which, maybe intentionally, turns them into carricatures. The story seemed contrived to the extreme, but that is to be expected, I don't read or listen for the story but for the people in the story.

Would you ever listen to anything by M. C. Beaton again?

Yes, I am weirdly attached to Agatha and her world.

Which character – as performed by Alison Larkin – was your favorite?

Agatha herself. At first Alison Larkin felt very unfamiliar and I was not very fond of her Sir Charles Fraith, but otherwise I enjoyed her reading style and got used to it quickly.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes. I already enjoyed the bbc series very much and felt the people had more depth than in the books.

Good mystery but bad narrator

Miss Penelope, at times Alison has monotonous voice, can’t identify voices!
Makes and females sound the same
Good story, good characters!

This was hilarious!

One of the best stories. Personally I like the narrator’s voice. I think it suits Agatha. Ending was a surprise and it was very entertaining getting to the end.