Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

By: M. C. Beaton

Narrated by: Penelope Keith

Putting all her eggs in one basket, Agatha Raisin gives up her successful public-relations firm, sells her London flat, and samples a taste of early retirement in the quiet village of Carsely.

Bored, lonely, and used to getting her way, she enters a local baking contest—surely a blue ribbon for the best quiche will make her the toast of the town. But her recipe for social advancement sours when Judge Cummings-Browne not only snubs her entry but falls over dead! After her quiche’s secret ingredient turns out to be poison, she must reveal the unsavory truth.

Agatha has never baked a thing in her life! In fact, she bought her entry ready-made from an upper-crust London quicherie. Grating on the nerves of several Carsely residents, she is soon receiving sinister notes. Has her cheating and meddling landed her in hot water, or are the threats related to the suspicious death? It may mean the difference between egg on her face and a coroner’s tag on her toe.

©1992 M. C. Beaton. M. C. BEATON® is a registered trademark of M. C. Beaton Limited (P)2003 , 2007 by AudioGO

Critic reviews

“The strong narrative drive comes from Agatha’s changing personality as awkward and perilous situations shape her into a softer, more admirable person.”

“Beaton, always deft with imperfect human beings, guides Agatha through her travails until she becomes almost likable. You will want to see her again.”

“In Agatha, Beaton has blended perfectly the classic ingredients of a village with secrets and stock characters. The irascible but endearing personality of Agatha Raisin is like a heady dash of curry. May we have another serving, please?”

“Beaton has thus launched a new series featuring an eccentric sleuth with human foibles galore, combined with an indomitable spirit, who will long persevere and endear herself to the village (and the reader).”

“A hilarious, up-to-the-minute murder romp that’s as delicious as a Christmas pudding.”

“In this highly promising launch to a new mystery series, Beaton…introduce[s] the redoubtable Agatha Raisin…whose personality is a piquant combination of brusque competence and fallibility…Beaton’s playful depiction of village life makes it all a delicious romp.”

“The cozy British mystery gets a feisty new sleuth in the person of Agatha Raisin…Beaton spices up the story with so many delightful characters that whodunit hardly matters. Agatha herself is an irascible, testy tyrant who is as cranky as the rest of us would like to be. Still, she’s not completely stodgy; she does have an eye for the gentlemen. With a handsome neighbor moving next door in the book’s last few pages, it seems clear there’s more of Agatha to come.”

Real men eat quiche and die!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Humorous, well written.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Agatha, as always.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, more of a couple days entertainment while driving to and from work.

very enjoyable!

Agatha Raisin is a wonderful companion on a long car ride. The miles flew by as we were held in suspense over "Who dunnit?"

Pleasant Surprise

I truly enjoyed this book. Agatha is a delightful character. The mystery wasn't complex but it was funny and entertaining. I'm glad I finally gave this series a chance.

Very enjoyable

I was pleasantly surprised by the breadth of the story. Having read the Hammish novels I already liked MC Beatons style and the way she captures both the personalities and locations of her characters.

Loved it!

This book was so much fun. I couldn't put it down. Agatha is both likeable and prickly at the same time. The case was intriguing, and the writing had several laugh out loud moments! The narrator was perfect for the audiobook.