M.C. Beaton is Back!

Pushing Up Daisies

Author: M.C. Beaton

Publisher: Constable

Publication Date: 9/1/16

M.C. Beaton is one of my favorite authors and Agatha Raisin one of my favorite characters.  However, honestly, the book prior to this one was just okay.  I gave it three stars and found it really messy.  I was a little afraid that this favorite was on a down slope.

I needn’t have worried.

Pushing Up Daisies is an absolute delight.   When a wealthy man is found dead, his son hired Agatha to investigate the murder – and get the attention of the police off of him.  When Agatha takes the case, she’s thrust into a web of murder, gossip, and veggie growing.  Can she discover the identity of the murderer before it’s too late?

You will get some of the usual here.  Agatha still falls for unsuitable men, but she seems to be a bit more self aware in this one.  There’s an underlying sadness to her encounters.  Agatha (finally) may be growing up a little.  In addition, you get that seedy undercurrent to the bucolic village life that Beaton does so well.

This one is a fast, sharp, and smart read.  I’m very glad that Beaton is back!

·         ARC Provided by Net Galley