Customer Reviews

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In this tenth book of this amusing contemporary cozy mystery series, the indomitable Agatha Raisin is trying to recover from her heartache she feels over James Lacey, who happens to be not only her neighbor but the love of her life, as well. Since he is actively avoiding her, she takes to heart the words of a fortuneteller, who advises her that Norfolk is where she should be. So, Agatha impulsively leaves her home in the Cotswolds and rents a cottage in the village of Fryfam.

Unfortunately, Agatha's expectations are not met. There are problems with the cottage. The local yokels are less than friendly. There are mysterious lights in her garden for which there is no reasonable explanation. Still, Agatha is not easily deterred, and she tries desperately to fit in with the village locals. Then one of the villagers dies under mysterious circumstances. Agatha immediately gets into the fray, only to find herself a suspect.

When her friend, Sir Charles Fraith, pays her a visit, he joins her in her investigative efforts. Let the games begin! What follows is typical Agatha Raisin. There are many twists and turns, as Agatha, our ever engaging heroine, bumbles along as she tries to discover just who is up to no good. Fans of our heroine will not be disappointed.

As always, the dialogue is laced with humor and moves the plot along at a brisk pace, and the book is peppered with a host of quirky characters that entertain the reader. Agatha herself is entertaining as always, as she engages in her investigative efforts. This is a highly addictive series that makes its fans race off to get the next volume.

In this story, Agatha Raisin decides to take a short vacation in the Norfolk area of England, where she rents a small cottage in the village of Fryfam. She felt that she needed to get away from her home in the Cotswolds, and think of something else rather then James Lacey, a man who didn't return her love. Also, by chance, a fortuneteller told her that she might find true love in Norfolk.

The rented cottage in Fryfam has a large garden and often little lights appear among the bushes. Many of the villagers seem to believe that fairies are the cause of the mysterious twinkling lights. Agatha makes a few friends who invite her to quilt with them, and when she discovers that their husbands are ignoring them, she intrudes with some suggestions to make the errant husbands take notice. Agatha's friend, Sir Charles Fraith shows up for a surprise visit and to keep Agatha company. When the local squire is murdered, she and Charles do some sleuthing to try and discover the killer.

I've read several of the Agatha Raisin books and learned that the more you read them, the more interesting you find the stories and the characters. Initially, it did take more than a few chapters to get involved with, and understand Agatha, who is a little cranky. If you like mysteries that are set in the British Isles, try out a M. C. Beaton book, they are all fun to read.

In this 10th adventure of Agatha Raisin, we see our heroine gloomy over the loss of romance with love-interest, James Lacey. To cheer herself up, Agatha sticks a pin in a map, and sets out for holiday in the village of Fryfam. She rents a cottage, and soon meets a group of ladies from the local women's club that she immediately tries to impress by saying she is writing a novel. However, she soon becomes embroiled in another murder investigation, when the title character of her "novel" dies in real life and she is implicated in his death. Add to this the "lights" she sees at the edge of her garden, a stolen painting, another murder, and the theft of Agatha's two cats and the reader finds themselves in the middle of a perfect case for Agatha! Will Agatha triumph in a village so far away (in distance and in culture) from her own?

I have cherished every book in the Agatha Raisin series and this book was a delight. Although some of the other characters were noticeably absent (not much was heard from Mrs. Bloxsby or Roy Silver), I still enjoyed reading about the zany adventures of Agatha Raisin. Once again, this plucky sleuth sticks her nose in where most people would not, and in the process she finds courage to always catch the killer!

The first book in this series is "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death". Enjoy!

I love Agatha Raisin, and in this book she is especially funny. Agatha follows a fortune teller's advice that her future is in Norfolk, so she rents a cottage in Fryfam (a villiage she picked by sticking a pin in a map). As usual she gets caught up in village life and sooner or later we know that there will be a murder for her to solve. This book has the "manor-lord" murdered in his home (why is Agatha's book that she's writing called "Murder at the Manor"?) Her and Sir Charles set out to unlock the mystery, and discover more shenanigans in this pokey little town than they ever expected to. There's a stunner at the end of the book, that makes me excited to read the next one.

This is the first time I have read an MC Beaton book and I am
very disappointed. It looked like a good mystery, and as far as the mystery part it was good till you find out that the fairies
are just christmas lites some kids ages 4,5,7,8 setup and the kids were the ones who stole stuff from the house. Oh please,
kids at that age are going to be smart enough and able enough to setup christmas lites and pull this off. This right here totally turned me off. Don't think I will be reading anymore of the MC Beaton books.

Disappointing turnout. Disappointing mystery. Well-written but a bit dark and pessimistic outlook on life.

What is it about M.C. Beaton? She writes well. Enough. Her characters are usually annoying. But I grab each title as it becomes available. In Fairies (not) from Fryfam, I loved the ending because I knew Agatha Raisin was finally REALLY going to get hers. Go James. Be the jerk you are! (Probably we don't want to look too carefully under this rock.)

What is it about M.C. Beaton? She writes well. Enough. Her characters are usually annoying. But I grab each title as it becomes available. In Fairies (not) from Fryfam, I loved the ending because I knew Agatha Raisin was finally REALLY going to get hers. Go James. Be the jerk you are! (Probably we don't want to look too carefully under this rock.)

Its a good book..Id buy it..of course I did....

I bought the book thinking it would be more about fairies, but it is just about an old lady who moves into a new town. And chats with other old ladys. VERY BORING They do have a murder but even that is a sleeper.