Darlene's Book Nook: #Audiobook #Review: 4 out of 5 stars for Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton @mc

Thursday, December 15, 2016

#Audiobook #Review: 4 out of 5 stars for Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton @mc_beaton @BlackstoneAudio @PeneKeith1

TITLE: Something Borrowed, Someone Dead

SERIES: Agatha Raisin, Book #24

AUTHOR: M.C. Beaton

NARRATOR: Penelope Keith

PUBLISHER: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

PUBLICATION DATE: September 17, 2013

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook

LENGTH: 6 hrs and 19 mins

GENRE: Mystery/Cozy Mystery

Gloria French was a jolly widow with dyed blonde hair, a raucous laugh, and rosy cheeks. When she first moved from London to the charming Cotswold hills, she was heartily welcomed. She seemed a do-gooder par-excellence, raising funds for the church and caring for the elderly. But she had a nasty habit of borrowing things and not giving them back. They're just small things - a teapot here, a set of silverware there - so it's quite the shock when she is found dead, murdered with a poisoned bottle of elderberry wine.

Afraid the murder will be a blight on the small town, Parish councilor, Jerry Tarrant, hires private detective, Agatha Raisin, to track down the murderer, but the village is secretive, and the residents resent Agatha's investigation. Of course, that doesn't stop the ever-persistent Agatha from investigating and sticking her nose where no one wants it - especially as the suspect list grows. And, as if it isn't enough that Agatha's ex has reentered the picture and the murderer is now targeting Agatha!

With M. C. Beaton's Something Borrowed, Someone Dead, the bossy, vain, and absolutely irresistible Agatha Raisin continues to be a fan favorite.

MY REVIEW:

I quite enjoyed the 24th installment in the Agatha Raisin series!

Mrs. Gloria French lived in the nearby village of Piddlebury, and she was the sort of woman who loved to do things to get noticed. She organized fundraisers and did lots of good works for the village, so it was hard for people to say no to her when she asked them for something. She was pushy and had a bad reputation for “borrowing” things from her neighbours, and then had the gall to claim that the items were hers when they asked for them back! Jenny Soper was one such woman who had had enough of Gloria. When Jenny reminded Gloria that she still owed her a bag of flour, Gloria told her to stop making such a fuss about "just" a bag of flour! Jenny lashed out and retorted that she wished that someone would just kill her! And, wouldn’t you know it? That’s exactly what happened!

Agatha reads about the murder in the newspaper, and she receives information about the case from Detective Sergeant Bill Wong. Agatha is approached by Jerry Tarrant, the head of the Piddlebury Parish Council, who is concerned with the negative effect the murder has had on the village. People have become distrustful and wary of each other, and he wants the culprit caught and for his village to return to normal.

I really enjoyed this story, and I thought that it was better than the last few in the series. Oh, James! What were you thinking?!? His shenanigans with Toni, of all people, make me wonder if he’s any less crazed than Aggie! I found the whole fiasco between them to be very entertaining. I’m looking forward to continuing on in the series.

I simply love Penelope Keith, and her narration is utter perfection! I do think that Ms. Keith is the reason why I fell in love with the series to begin with, because of what she brings to dear old Aggie. Here's a sample of the narration:

MY RATING: