Another Joy…
Another joy as the reader joins Agatha in an escapade to rival all others. From a severed leg to industrial espionage, from bumbling policemen to country esquires - a map cap romp with Agatha Raisin and her pals simply cannot be beaten. Wholly immersive and thoroughly entertaining. Always a delight.

My first Agatha Raisin was "Down the Hatch" and, while this was a nice cosy-mystery, it didn't ball me over. I have heard that the characters were a little spiky. Especially the series lead, Agatha, who I knew was a chain-smoker, G&T drinking, hot tempered, spiteful at times and has no filter. But in Down the Hatch, the characters were... well... nice. They were nice and a little soft. I know, the original author had died and we have a new writer taken control, but you can't tell that the new author had a handle on the characters.

But here... here I felt was more what I was promised and I was much happier to read/audiobook this (the UK audiobook is narrated by Penelope Keith, which was a dream!). Agatha, while a little mellowed compared to her earlier adventures (yes, I'm going to back track the series as I enjoyed myself with these characters), still has no filtered, drinks and smokes too much and is on the lookout for romance. Plus, she surprised everyone with her unknown affections for donkeys - where did that come from!?

Ok, let's touch on the story. Agatha is driving from a possible private detective job, looking into shrubs by the side of the road and goes "Nice place to dump a body". Only to find a severed leg in said bush. Yes, it's fake, but there's something unnerving about it. And, not long after Agatha takes said job and wonders why someone who dump a fake leg, a murder takes place and elderly Mrs. Dunwiddy is murdered - by a donkey?

Agatha's doesn't believe that. There's something shady going on at the factory who's hired her. Something very shady. And she's not careful, she might not hear the news of her friend and sometimes lover...

This was fun. I enjoyed myself with this and the fact this was a cosy murder mystery with a lead that doesn't exactly fit the cosy murder mystery lead is quite refreshing.

I can't really write more than this was fun. It was outlandish, funny and I do think I'm going to visit one of Agatha's earlier adventures. Not sure which one yet...

I love these books I have read so many. Each book just gets better.
I love the humour and the relationship between the characters. I loved the storyline and was fun working out the mystery.

I love Agatha Raisin books, and this one does not disappoint. One to savour, as sadly Ms Beaton has died. She gave us many happy hours reading.

Agatha Raisin is back in this thirtieth instalment of the popular series by M.C. Beaton. In Beating About the Bush Agatha and her assistant, Toni Gilmour, are hired by Albert Morrison, the head of an engineering company that develops and manufactures batteries for the motor industry, to investigate possible industrial espionage. Returning home with Toni, they spot a brogue in the undergrowth thought to be the severed leg of Morrison’s secretary, Mrs Dinwiddy. When a donkey called Wizz-Wazz is accused of accidentally killing an employee, Agatha and her acolytes take up the cause to prove its innocence and bring the real murderer to justice.

Moving constantly between humour and hazard, Beating About the Bush kept me on my toes throughout as I devoured each chapter. Agatha might come across as a bumbling, hard to please fusspot at times, but she is a smart cookie and, with the resources she has at her disposal provided by her other staff, she makes short work of what needs to be done. With a smattering of romance for Agatha which added another ingredient to the mix, the mystery itself was sound and there was always something going on to keep my attention focused. The clues were cleverly placed and even though I was not perplexed by the killer's motives, the culprit was not whom I had suspected, the ending leaving me wanting to read another instalment in the Agatha Raisin series.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Little, Brown Book Group/ Constable via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

As a longtime fan I always look forward to a new Agatha Raisin instalment and if possible, it only gets better and better. Another cracking read, can't wait for the next one!

I love Agatha Raisin and have eagerly awaited the release of each new instalment. The 30th book does not disappoint! Agatha is as bossy and pushy as ever, with her usual ability to sniff out the truth and put herself in deadly danger. Her love life is as complicated as ever. A delicious murder mystery.

Spring is here, so maybe for Bank holiday weekend, M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin book, Beating About the Bush, might be a relaxing Easter choice
M.C. Beaton was a delight. In interview she came across as humerous, fiesty, intelligent and just a little bit risque. Her creation Agatha Raisin and the complete cast of Cotswolds characters have been a delight to read and Beating About the Bush is no exception. Would you believe that this is the 30th Agatha Raisin book and what a whopper it is.
As usual, Beating About the Bush, is filled with high jinx, humour, poignancy romance and some truly ridiculous but amazingly funny moments.
I don't read a lot of cosy crime - but I do read each new Agatha Raisin book and I'm never diappointed. Beating About The Bush is no exception to this.
Agatha's lovelife and mad as a hatter investigations just draw you in like bees to a honey pot. Her friendships, her quirky take on things and her vulnerability make this usuch an enjoyable read.
If you've never read an Agatha Raisin before then you're certainly missing a trick. This is delightfully written, superbly plotted and so enjoyable. Go on, give it a go. I can guarantee you won't regret it.

As a long time avid fan and reader of the Agatha Raisin series I was delighted to be able to read this courtesy of the author, publisher and Netgalley.
This book, the 30th of the series, sees Agatha back to her former glory, being bossy, rude and a diehard detective. She is employed to look at suspected industrial espionage which becomes much more complicated and ends in murder and sees Agatha once more danger.
The star of the show, apart from Agatha, is the donkey Wizz-Wazz, initially accused of murder. Befriended by Agatha a comedy friendship commences which in the end saves Agatha from peril.
Great storyline and fabulous comedy writing and characterisations.

I have read many books by M. C. Beaton but was disappointed in the last Agatha Raisin books. Fortunately, the 30th one goes "back to the roots" with an Agatha at her best, fierce, funny and bossy. I really enjoyed the plot, especially the donkey and the light and humorous writing style. A perfect read for any rainy or sunny afternoon if you can't get out.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love M.C. Beaton books and this one didn’t disappoint. Following the character Agatha Raisin as a Private Investigator is both amusing and intriguing. As a follower it’s easy to reconnect to the characters that work for Agatha and her friends but if this is your first book it’s really easy to start engaging with them. Great writing by M.C. Beaton and I can’t wait for more. Thanks to the author and NetGalley.

I am a fan of Agatha Raisin, and this latest volume didn’t disappoint. If anything, the story was more lively than some other books in the series, though there was less about cosy village life. I would have liked to hear more about the Carsley Women’s group, and had Agatha visiting her local pub more often. As a woman of a similar age and build, I identify strongly with some of Agatha’s characteristics, and find her outrageous comments hilarious. I can’t wait fro the next book!

Agatha in fine form and in the beautiful Cotswolds. Another crazy adventure with a flawed, looking-for-love-with-all-the-wrong-men heroine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and, after all these years, find myself rooting for Agatha and Charles! Another great visit to the Cotswolds with a lively guest appearance from a wonderfully named donkey.

Another enjoyable read starring Agatha Raisin, prickly private detective from the Cotswolds and her usual gathering of supporting cast.
Satisfying twists and turns before a clear conclusion.
As always, looking forward to the next in the series!

Goodness me, I can’t believe this is the thirtieth Agatha Raisin mystery! I’ve read this series, on and off again for years and I was so excited to get approved for this one on NetGalley.

PI Agatha Raisin and her put upon assistant Toni have been asked to investigate some industrial espionage but finds something is definitely off at the factory…

Soon they find themselves investigating the murder of the factory employee Mrs Dinwiddy but the police are convinced it was the fault of a very bad tempered donkey Wizz Wazz. Can Agatha convince the police there’s more to the death than meets the eye and save poor Wizz Wazz?

As a person who’s dipped in and out for years with this series, I was able to jump straight in, without worrying about the fact that I haven’t read the previous one. I do also think you could dive into this one if you’ve never read any of the other books but I highly recommend you give them a go if you love cosy mysteries!
Beating About The Bush is quite a short novel, in fact I devoured it over a weekend which is usually quick for me!

I had forgotten just how bossy and argumentative Agatha was! I always feel sorry for anyone who gets in her way, especially her poor assistant Toni who usually bears the brunt of her bad moods. Saying that there’s something still inherently likeable about Agatha, I think it’s because a lot of her moodiness comes from her insecurities.

I will also give a shoutout to Wizz Wazz who provided a lot of comic relief throughout the novel.

Beating About The Bush is a fun filled, fast paced cosy and a nice addition to this fabulous series.

Another cosy Agatha Raisin mystery. The delightfully scatty heroine triumphs again with the help of her friends. An Agatha Raisin book never lets you down when you are looking for a quiet and relaxing evening reading a book.

Agatha is on an assignment at a local factory, the manager has hired her to find out if someone is leaking secrets about a project they are working on.
However, there is more than industrial espionage going on and Agatha and her assistant Toni soon uncover more than they bargained for.
When the body of secretary Clarissa Dinwiddy is found in the stable yard at the factory owners house, the police are sure it was an accident but Agatha is convinced she was murdered. Agatha will need all of her detective skills to find out exactly what is going on and to save another innocent life being lost.

Another brilliant read! I love love the Agatha Raisin series and can never wait to read the next installment... as ever the characters are as loveable as ever! I felt this was a really light and simple read this time round but it didn't come away from the characters or the plot. The story focused on less characters and I felt they developed their relationships further. I am now awaiting eagerly for the next installment

Agatha Raisin is back in fine style literally (or in a book would it be literarily?) Beating about the Bush and finding a severed leg. Or is it severed? Or is it even a leg?

Raisin Investigations is hired by an electric car battery company to determine who is perpetrating industrial espionage on their new, longer lasting battery. Before their investigation has even begun, Agatha and her trusted assistant Toni find a leg in a hedgerow that appears to be wearing the shoe of the company president’s secretary, Mrs. Dinwiddy.

Soon Agatha and Toni are investigating a death by donkey. Agatha, of course, is siding with the donkey. Perhaps they feel a sisterhood in attitude?

In the meantime, Agatha’s on again-off again with Sir Charles takes a wild turn. Toni’s romance with a young doctor has its problems. Good thing that they have the battery company’s cast of suspects to keep them busy.

Wow, this is the best Agatha Raisin in a while. At number thirty in a slowly declining series that is truly amazing!

Beating about the Bush is as good as the first few in the series. If you have given up on them awhile back, it is well worth your time to check out this excellent mystery. Fans of the show will also enjoy catching up with a slightly older, but probably not much wiser, Agatha and her friends. With such great and even iconic cozy mystery characters plus two puzzling mysteries, you can’t miss with this book. 5 stars!

Thank you to Constable; Little, Brown Book Group UK; and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.