Review by Booklist Review
Detective Agatha Raisin is dreading the wedding of her ex-husband James Lacey. But she would never admit that to her friends or to herself, so she spends time traveling and getting into trouble before returning home shortly before the wedding. She and various colleagues and friends are waiting for the ceremony to begin when the bride-to-be is shot to death. Agatha is considered a prime suspect and has to rely on her fellow sleuths to help clear her name. In fact, the unhappy and sex-starved Agatha is also beginning to have doubts about her own abilities as a sleuth. After 20 adventures, could it be time for another career change? She really was (and is) a good public-relations person, but maybe it is her assistants and friends who are responsible for the success of her detective agency. The unlikable Agatha always a problem with this series becomes a bit more human this time, thanks mainly to her self-doubt.--Coon, Judy Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Near the start of bestseller Beaton's splendid 20th Agatha Raisin mystery (after 2008's A Spoonful of Poison), the lovelorn middle-aged detective reluctantly attends the wedding of her ex-husband, James Lacey, in the market town of Hewes. But before James can tie the knot with the lovely, much younger Felicity Bross-Tilkington, the bride is shot to death. Felicity's mother hires Agatha and her young detecting associate, Toni Gilmour, to find the monster responsible, despite the disapproval of Felicity's real estate whiz father, George. As other corpses connected to George begin turning up, his visiting friend, the debonair Sylvan Dubois, flirts shamelessly with Agatha. Sylvan's deadly charm puts Agatha in harm's way after she figures out the Frenchman and George are involved in illegal activities. Some Beaton fans may wish her heroine will find lasting romance and happiness, but a closing twist or two suggests Agatha is unlikely to settle down with one man anytime soon. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In Beaton's 20th Agatha Raisin mystery, trouble comes with an invitation to ex-husband James's engagement party. Agatha is reluctant to attend but can't stand appearing jealous of the young bride. The party is a disaster, with angry words for everyone from the bride, barely dressed waiters, and a beleaguered groom. But when the wedding is canceled, it's because the bride has been fatally shot at the altar. As soon as she's cleared of suspicion, Agatha begins her own investigation into the murder, providing the police with solid clues and a few suspects, including a debonair Frenchman she'd like to date. But she can't stop questioning herself and her choices. Agatha's insecurity over her looks, her sleuthing skills, and her appeal to men soften her gruff personality, allowing readers to root for a happy ending for her no matter what trouble she starts. Verdict Beaton and cozy fans will want this one. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 6/1/09.]-Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Detective agency owner Agatha Raisin's ongoing obsession with her ex-husband lands her in the soup. About to marry the young and beautiful Felicity Bross-Tilkington, James Lacey doesn't want to see his ex-wife again, especially outside the happy couple's Crimea hotel. He accuses her of stalking him, a charge Agatha hotly denies. After all, despite her tough exterior and bossy demeanor, she's once again busy falling for the wrong man. This time it's suave Frenchman Sylvan Dubois, a friend of the bride's parents. When Felicity is found shot dead, Agatha and James are high on the suspect list, Agatha for obvious reasons and James becausebelatedly realizing that dazzled by youth and beauty, he'd ignored his fiance's extreme lack of intelligencehe tried to cancel the wedding. First accused of murder, then hired by Felicity's mother to find the killer, Agatha has plenty of help from the detectives who work for her agency and a former employee, clever young Toni Gilmour. Always seeking the limelight, Agatha, jealous of Toni's talent and good looks, had encouraged her to start her own agency. Now in financial difficulties, Toni returns to work for Agatha. Suspecting that the bride's father and Dubois may be involved in some illegal enterprises, the sleuths delve deeper. As the bodies pile up, Agatha wonders whether she'll escape her latest misadventure with her life. Agatha (A Spoonful of Poison, 2008, etc.) is as overbearing and abrasive as ever. But she does have her good points, as does this meandering tale. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
