Devil's Delight

The Agatha Raisin Mysteries, Book 33

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Penelope Keith

Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton’s cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin―the star of her own hit TV series―is back on the case again in Devil’s Delight.

Toni and Agatha are in the car on the way to Officer Bill Wong’s long-awaited wedding when, much to their shock, a naked young man bursts through a hedge on the side of the road and comes running toward them.

Terrified, he explains that he has just seen a dead body in the woods. Toni lends him an old t-shirt to cover himself, Agatha calls the police, and the young man takes them to the spot where he saw the body, across from a meadow where the Mircester Naturist Club is due to have its annual summer barbecue.

The young man, Edward, explains that he is the club’s social convener and had arrived early to set things up. He says he found the body at the edge of the woods, near an ancient stone known as The Lone Warrior and said to have once been used as a sacrificial altar.

When they reach the spot, however, there is nothing on the large, flat rock except a small wet patch. Even that has dried up by the time the police arrive, and Chief Inspector Wilkes accuses Agatha of wasting police time on a prank.

But Agatha and Toni grow suspicious after meeting some of the club’s members, whose diverse interests range from artisanal ice cream to ancient curses. And when another disappearance occurs, it’s up to them to put together the pieces … or end up on the altar themselves.

©2022 M. C. Beaton (P)2022 Little Brown Book Group, Ltd.

I have really missed Agatha

Hearing Penelope’s voice was like visiting with an old friend I haven’t seen in a long time.
If you’ve read this book I assume you’re familiar with its predecessors so all I’ll say is this is a great addition. It made me laugh and shake my head at Agatha. Good read, fun and well read. Bless you MC Beaton thanks for introducing me to Agatha, rest well.

Really enjoyed

I was hesitant after reading some reviews that I would be disappointed having listened to all the Agatha Raisin books and thoroughly enjoying her exploits. Perhaps RW Green would not capture “our Agatha”. But I was not disappointed and hope he continues writing about Agatha Raisin, her friends and colleagues and adventures.

Such a refreshing break from books that try to produce engagement by relying on vicious violence/inhumanity or stirring up outrage and anger by having bigots, racists, or misogynists as protagonists. What used to be arousing and satisfying to see “good” kind people of honor and integrity fight to defeat “villains” who abuse power or others, I now find hard to listen to. Uncovering and exposing the dark side used to be illuminating and it seemed to happen in a sea of human but basically decent people. Now, to me, the emphasis seems to be more on the abuses, it’s sensationalism, and using that to stir up negative feelings. Who needs to buy a book to have that experience when you can listen to the news feeds for free. What used to be a hidden dark side is now a full out daily display. Exploiting fighting, violence, hating, fearing others, treachery, dishonor, duplicity, self absorption, manipulation for self gain isn’t so entertaining anymore. These mysteries have all those human frailties but rely more on the adventure and humanity of the main characters to carry the story.

Good job.

Agatha evolves

I put off listening to this book because so many reviews said it just wasn’t Agatha. Well I finally decided I was ready to face what might be a disappointment. I was not disappointed. The story was engaging. All the characters felt true. Yes, Agatha was more prone to speak her mind. That to me felt like a natural evolution. The closer I get to Agatha’s age the less I care about what others think and the more I speak up for myself. My one pause in this book was the number of love interests and the quick spoiler- jump back to James. Would she have done that when having such a good connection with John?

Another wonderfully written and performed Agatha Raisin mystery!

I was slow to warm up to the new writer as Agatha seemed harsher than normal although the story mechanics were the same. This story was well written and engaging and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to more books in this series!

Agatha visits a nudist colony!!!

As good or better than any of the other books! Also, Agatha gets into some much more serious and scary predicaments! Of course I recommend it!

Another fun read

Love Agatha’s growth and I am looking forward to seeing more of John. Loved the little side misteries.

I Love Agatha Raisin

I Love the Agatha Raisin series, Penelope Keith is the best narrator out there. She really knows how to bring Agatha alive. It’s perfect. I couldn’t put it down.

once again, a fantastic story!

loved this story too new characters and as always excellent suspense and action and the best characters ever!! andbthe narration was exquisite as always with Penelope Keith or as i like to refere to her as the Voice of Agatha Raisin :) this is a Merry Christmas for me listening to this book!

RIP Marion!

Well, it wasn't an original MC Beaton, which means the characters weren't always acting like themselves and occasionally saying things out of character. But, I'm a die-hard fan and have read all of the Agatha Raisin books at least 3x each, so I'm a tough critic. Still worth the read and purchase price.

Enjoyed. Looking forward to the next one.

Thank you for keeping Agatha Raisin ‘alive and kicking’. Please continue with more stories. I really enjoy them. And love narration by Penelope Keith. I have listened to all Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth to date. And have listened to most of M.C.Beaton books. Thank you.