Thursday, October 31, 2019

Book Review: The Witches' Tree by M.C. Beaton

Cotswolds inhabitants are used to inclement weather, but the night sky is especially foggy as Rory and Molly Devere, the new vicar and his wife, drive slowly home from a dinner party in their village of Sumpton Harcourt. They strain to see the road ahead—and then suddenly brake, screeching to a halt. Right in front of them, 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.
Agatha Raisin rises to the occasion (a little glad for the excitement, to tell the truth, after a long run of lost cats and divorces on the books). But Sumpton Harcourt is a small and private 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 even her life. That the village has its own coven of witches certainly doesn't make her feel any better...[summary via Amazon]

#QuickandCozy reviews are quick, bite-size reviews that feature all our favourite aspects of cozy mysteries. These reviews are provided on books that I have purchased only.

COZY TOWN: Welcome to the heart of the Cotswolds. Carsley is like every other village, quaint, cute, picturesque, and with a killer lurking around the bush!

THE CRIME: When a vicar and his wife are returning from a dinner party, they are surprised to see something hanging from the witches' tree. They discover it is the body of elderly spinster, Margaret Darby. Who would kill a spinster? Maybe her twin sister? Maybe someone from her past? It's up to Agatha Raisin to find out!

ROMANCE: Oh poor Aggie! Between her dud of an ex-husband, James Lacey, and we're-just-friends Sir Charles Fraith, she is need of some romance, and that's romance with a R! I've read 28 mysteries with Agatha Raisin and I've stuck with her from her first foot in Carsley. I've watched her heart be broken, and her heart soar again. What I really would love to see is a real romance, and maybe even a real boyfriend. Seriously with how many times she's almost been killed she needs some love in her life!

FURRY SIDEKICK: Agatha's housemates, Hodge and Boswell, play minor parts in The Witches' Tree but I always like seeing them cross the page. 

MY VERDICT: Another great mystery with Agatha. I got caught up in Agatha's relationship (or lack there of) with Sir Charles, and didn't manage to solve the mystery before Agatha. I loved the paranormal element with the local coven. This definitely added a change from her usual mysteries. I will be digging into the 29th mystery, The Dead Ringer, really soon and I can't wait to see what is next for Agatha.

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