The Witches' Tree

May 15, 2017

One foggy night, an elderly spinster from the little town of Sumpton Harcourt is found hanging, and even as intrepid Agatha Raisin starts to investigate, more murders occur. What do you expect in a town that has its own witches' coven? A New York Times best-selling series celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 14, 2017
In bestseller Beaton’s disappointing 28th Agatha Raisin mystery (after 2016’s Pushing Up Daisies), Rory Harris, a vicar recently arrived from London, and his beautiful wife, Molly, are driving home from a dinner party to the Cotswolds village of Sumpton Harcourt when they spot a body hanging from what is known as the witches’ tree. The body turns out to be that of elderly Margaret Darby, a church helper. Did the poor woman commit suicide, Molly wonders, or was she murdered? Agatha, who heads her own detective agency, takes a break from obsessing about her dismal personal life and her endless quest for romance and sex to befriend Rory and Molly—and to look into what is ruled a case of homicide. More murders follow. Agatha’s friend Sir Charles Fraith, a selfish and manipulative man who drops in and out of her life, assists on occasion. For large chunks of the book, it’s possible to forget that there are unsolved murders and wallow instead in the frustrations of a smart but rather pathetic middle-aged woman. Agent: Barbara Lowenstein, Lowenstein Associates.

September 15, 2017
Agatha Raisin is drawn into investigating the death of church helper Margaret Darby, who is found hanging from a tree, when she is hired by Sir Edward Chumble to find the killer. Chumble envisions himself as lord of the manor and wants Agatha to unmask the culprit so he can reveal the murderer in the manner of an Agatha Christie mystery. In short order, a police officer is found dead, and Agatha finds herself trying to locate a local coven of witches. Agatha and her employee, Toni, are attacked and drugged, and, later, Agatha is attacked yet again. This final attack so demoralizes Agatha that she considers leaving her detective business entirely. Longtime friend and sometime romantic interest Sir Charles Fraith assists Agatha with her investigation, as the spirit moves him, but he proves as fickle as ever, disappointing Agatha, who is still obsessed with finding a husband. The usual cast of characters is present in this humorous cozy, which is sure to please Agatha's fans and those who love village mysteries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)