Dead Before Tea Time - (Agatha Raisin) by M C Beaton & R W Green (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Beloved New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton's cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin--the star of her own hit T.V. series--is back on the case again.

Agatha Raisin's Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub's owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery's mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub.

Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha's affection, crossing swords with James--Agatha's other paramour--who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business.

After an attempt is made on Agatha's life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?

Review Quotes

Praise for the Agatha Raisin Mysteries:

"Lots of mystery in a package that makes you laugh and cry." --Kirkus Reviews on Sugar and Spite

"A brief, quirky tale in a distinctively vintage tone... [for] readers with a fondness for nostalgic, traditionally styled mysteries." --Library Journal on Sugar and Spite

"Provides all the fun... A pleasure, but brace yourself for a very surprising ending." --First Clue on Sugar and Spite

"In addition to building suspense, Green provides lots of comedy and fascinating information about event-planning, antiques, and sleuthing throughout. Agatha Raisin lives on." --Booklist on Killing Time

"Agatha is always a hoot, but behind the extravagant exterior lie a clever mind and an iron will." --Kirkus Reviews on Killing Time

"A whole load of fun... Agatha, it's great to have you back." --First Clue on Killing Time

"R.W. Green shares an exciting, pacy tale of Agatha... If you've never read this type of cosy crime with a sardonic grin (and a taste for gin), I advise you to do so." --The Belfast Telegraph on Dead on Target

"Delightful." --Woman's World, Best New Books on Devil's Delight

"This mystery's got everything." --USA Today on Devil's Delight

"Once you meet Agatha Raisin, you'll keep coming back." --New York Journal of Books

"M.C. Beaton has a foolproof plot for the village mystery." --The New York Times Book Review

"Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha." --Chicago Sun-Times

About the Author

M. C. BEATON (1936-2019), the "Queen of Crime" (The Globe and Mail), was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels--the basis for the hit show on Acorn TV and public television--as well as the Hamish Macbeth series and the Edwardian Murder Mysteries.

A long-time friend of M. C. Beaton, R.W. GREEN has written numerous works of fiction and non-fiction.