Darlene's Book Nook: Audiobook Review: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Audiobook Review: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton

TITLE: Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage

SERIES: Agatha Raisin, Book #5
AUTHOR: M.C. Beaton

NARRATOR: Penelope Keith
PUBLISHER: AudioGO Ltd.
PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2012

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook, 5 hrs and 57 mins
GENRE: Mystery

Almost bigamy and absolute murder--Agatha's life is never dull...The morning of Agatha's longed-for marriage to James Lacey dawns bright and clear. But her luck runs out in the church when Jimmy, the husband she had believed long dead, turns up large as life and twice as ugly. Agatha has a go at strangling him. It's all too much for James, who breaks off the engagement. So when Jimmy is found murdered the next day. Agatha and James are both suspects. And they'll have to work together in order to clear their names…

MY REVIEW:

I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

Reading an Agatha Raisin novel is like eating “comfort” food. When I am looking for a fun, light read, I can count on this series to fit the bill.

At the conclusion of the last book in the series, Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley, we found out that conniving Roy Silver had hired a private investigator to find Agatha’s louse of a husband, Jimmy Raisin, upon hearing of Agatha’s upcoming nuptial to James Lacey. I was so eager to get my hands on the next book in the series, and it did not disappoint!

The story opens a week before the wedding, and Agatha and James are planning to get married at the civil registry office in Mircester with a celebratory dinner afterwards in Carsely. Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar’s wife, is a bit hurt and disappointed that the couple will not be wed by her husband in the church, but how can Agatha do so when she knows that she is not legally divorced from Jimmy? She assumes that her alcoholic husband has drunk himself to death, but she has no proof, and she hopes that the fellow who runs the registry office in Mircester will not ask too many questions.

Roy’s PI is successful in finding Jimmy Raisin, who lives in a cardboard box on skid row. He does mention that Agatha is getting married, but feels badly now that he sees for himself how truly awful Jimmy Raisin is and hightails it back to London and hopes that Jimmy will forget his visit in his drunken stupor. However, Jimmy does not forget, and he cleans himself up and shows up at Agatha’s wedding. Both James and Agatha are mortified, and James feels that he can never forgive Agatha for causing him such embarrassment. When Jimmy turns up dead, the prime suspects are Agatha and James. Although James wants nothing more to do with Agatha, he feels that they must work together to clear their names. As they follow their leads, more bodies follow.

This is my favourite book in the series so far! Beaton has really outdone herself this time. Get a load of these hilarious quips:

“Maddie says, Maddie says," jeered Agatha tearfully. "You think the sun shines out of her arse!” – Agatha to Bill Wong

“He comes,” said James acidly, “to get a tan from the light that shines from the hole in your arse.” – James to Agatha

James and Agatha are such a comical duo, and Inspector Bill Wong couldn’t be more right when he says that he thinks they are perfect for each other.

Am I the only one who thinks that Mrs. Bloxby is too good to be true? In every book, I keep waiting for her to be revealed as the villain who has pulled the wool over everyone’s eyes in Carsely. I wonder if that will ever happen?!

This is an outstanding addition to the Agatha Raisin series, and I can’t wait for more Aggie!

What can I say about Narrator Penelope Keith that I haven’t said before? She has me absolutely gushing over this series, and she brings life to Agatha Raisin. My kids know when I’m listening to an Agatha Raisin book because I’m always smiling! Keith is always a delight to listen to, and I could never settle for simply “reading” a book in this series. For me, it just wouldn’t be the same.

MY RATING:

5 stars!! I loved it, and you should definitely read it! A big thanks to AudioGO and Audiobook Jukebox for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!