Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryham

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[4 stars]

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryham Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
M. C. Beaton
Class/Genre: Mystery Cozy Amateur Sleuth Woman Main Character Senior Sleuths
Series: Agatha Raisin # 10
St. Martin’s, Jun 2000, $19.95, 208 pp.

Retired public relations expert Agatha Raisin needs to permanently leave her Cotswolds village of Carsely to erase the memory of her neighbor James Lacey from her heart. She sticks a pin in a map and it lands in the village of Fryfam in Norfolk County. Agatha goes there and rents a cottage. On her first night in Fryfam, Agatha sees colorful twinkling lights that mysteriously disappear. She tries to find out the truth about the lights, but only learns that the village is a closed, in-bred place. A lonely Agatha invites her friend Sir Charles Frith to stay in her guestroom.

The upset local squire Trumpington-James asks Agatha and Charles to tea and tells them about his stolen Stubb’s painting insured at $1 million. The next morning the police visit Agatha and Charles to question them on what they know about the death of Trumpington-James as they were the last known people to see him alive. Realizing they are prime suspects, the two outsiders begin their own inquiries unaware that the perpetrators have nothing to lose by killing the duo.

Agatha Raisin remains a raunchy feminist who knows what she wants and goes out to achieve it. In AGATHA RAISIN AND THE FAIRIES OF FRYFAM, the heroine wants to permanently forget about James, but her hilarious antics to do so leave the audience laughing. Readers also gain an insightful look at a small English village, especially the inhabitants. Though a major subplot goes unsolved, the audience will fully enjoy the shocking ending that is impossible to guess at. M.C. Beaton has written another wonderful amateur sleuth tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner