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Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree
Agatha Raisin and the Witches' Tree | M.C. Beaton
16 posts | 29 read | 8 to read
Toil and trouble in store for Agatha! Cotswolds inhabitants are used to bad weather, but the night sky is especially foggy as Rory and Molly Harris, the new vicar and his wife, drive slowly home from a dinner party in their village of Sumpton Harcourt. They struggle to see the road ahead - but then screech to a halt. Right in front of them, aglow in the headlights of their car, a body hangs from a lightning-blasted tree at the edge of town. But it's not suicide; Margaret Darby, an elderly spinster of the parish, has been murdered - and the villagers are bewildered as to who would commit such a crime, and why. Agatha Raisin rises to the occasion, delighted to have some excitement back in her life as if truth be told, she was getting bored of the long run of lost cats and divorces on the books. But Sumpton Harcourt is an isolated and unfriendly village, she finds a place that poses more questions than answers. And when two more murders follow the first, Agatha begins to fear for her reputation - and her life. That the village has its own coven of witches certainly doesn't make her feel any better...
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Librarybelle
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Mehso-so

This one was almost a pan…while there are some mysterious elements, the focus on Agatha‘s lack of a sex life, not to mention her practically bullying a victim of rape to tell her story, was not quite right. I know this is one of the last books written by Beaton, who passed away a few years ago.

So disappointing!

AnnR Gosh, that just sounds bad. I know Agatha sometimes sticks her foot in it, but revictimizing someone is another thing. 4mo
Librarybelle I was shocked, @AnnR , when I listened to the passage. She can be a bully, but that seemed so far out of her character. 4mo
49 likes2 comments
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Magdalenka
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Let‘s see …

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suvata
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Mehso-so

#StoryGraph: fiction mystery lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
288 pages | first published 2017

Starting off my Halloween week reading with a British cozy (Number 28 in the Agatha Raisin series).

… aglow in the headlights, a body hangs from a gnarled tree at the edge of town. Margaret Darby, an elderly spinster, has been murdered—and the villagers are bewildered as to who would commit such a crime.

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BookedBySunrise
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When you entered middle age, guilt set in: guilt about failed marriages, guilt about lost chances, guilt about doughnuts

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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

Another fun Agatha #audiobook ! I love her back and forth friendship/sometimes romantic relationship with Charles. That‘s probably my favorite thing at this point. Another fun mystery and I‘m almost to the end of the Agatha Raisin series, but thankfully there will be more! I just realized I somehow skipped book 26 so I will go back and listen to that next. I‘d highly recommend this series, especially on audiobook. 4⭐️

#cozymystery

BookedBySunrise Do you have to read them in order? 3y
JenlovesJT47 @MoBee you technically don‘t have to read them in order because most of the time, the murder cases are not related to ones in previous books. But Agatha‘s various relationships with people will make more sense if you read them in order. I don‘t know if you do audiobooks but they have them all for free on Audible Plus! 3y
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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

Agatha Raisin is always entertaining. Perfect, easy read for a nice evening sitting on the deck.

katy4peas I love Agatha! 😁 4y
26 likes2 comments
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

I've been wanting to read an Agatha Raisin mystery for a while no. Number 28 was the only one available to borrow now on Libby, but it was a lot of fun so I'm definitely going to make a point of going back to the beginning and searching for the early books. #cozyinthesun @Librarybelle @ferskner

Librarybelle Great choice! 5y
rretzler Go back and start at the beginning if you can. The mysteries and the plots are much, much better at the start of the series than they have been for the past several years. Beaton is over 80 and unfortunately it shows. If you enjoyed this one, I think you would really enjoy the rest. Her Hamish Macbeth series is good too but the recent books also suffer (and in some cases don‘t actually make sense sometimes.) 5y
ferskner I love this cover! 5y
37 likes3 comments
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Clutterbucks_Queen
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Pickpick

This tale had an old feeling to it that several of the last books failed to have for me.
Not old as on the era it was based in, but old as in the writing style and how the story was put together. It felt like i was reading one of M.C Beatons very first Agatha Raisin books again, it pulled me back into the excitement i felt very strongly when i started the collection!
This was one of the most loved titles for me!

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KathyWheeler
Witches' Tree | M C Beaton
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Mehso-so

This has not been my favorite of the Agatha Raisin books. The story is all over the place, and I couldn‘t even keep track of some of the characters — many of whom seemed irrelevant. I also don‘t get the point of the constant sneering at climate change. 3rd book for #24B42019

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KathyWheeler
Witches' Tree | M C Beaton
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First up for #24B42019 is M.C. Beaton‘s The Witches‘ Tree. I hope it‘s okay to include The Horse and His Boy even though I started that earlier.

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MrsBibliophile
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Pickpick

If you're looking for a mild mystery, this is the book for you! I haven't read any other Agatha Raisin books, but a lady in my book club recommended I try one. And I have to say I did enjoy it! Paired with a big copper soaking tub, I was one happy girl! I enjoyed the characters, and their little quirks. I found them relatable and entertaining.

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Mehso-so

While the mystery in this one was quite good, the cast of regulars are stuck on repeat... and there are more than a few instances where Agatha‘s sense of self is trampled *just* to move the plot forward. I know we are 28 books in and perhaps ideas are becoming scarce- but she deserves better.

Andrew65 Agree with much of what you have said. I like the series but this is far from my favourite. 6y
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Andrew65
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Time to get up to date and read the most recent book in the Agatha Raisin Series, always good for a smile, a laugh, a grimace and all emotions in between! I wonder what scrapes she‘ll get up to this time!

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Booksnchill
Witches' Tree | M C Beaton
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Pickpick

My latest audible book- Agatha Raisin is at it again- alway politically incorrect, you know where you are with an Agatha Raisin (absolutely nothing like the BBC TV adaptation). Good narrator- trigger warning for sexual assault. Witches, the devil, Agatha‘s problematic infatuations and the usual cast of characters- How does Mrs. Bloxby stand it?🤣

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kezzlou85
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Pickpick

The latest Agatha Raisin book and it was still quite good though getting a little repetitive at times. Agatha is still unlucky in love and in danger as she solves a murder.

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catherine2
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Mrs. Bloxby: "Some parts of the Cotswolds, they still practice witchcraft."
Agatha: "Pooh! I think witchcraft is just another name for bitchcraft."