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marioneleni's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stelaw's review against another edition
3.0
For a lady with bearish eyes and a tight waistband, Agatha seems to get a decent share of nooky. Lovely to have her back in Carsley though the ongoing issues with James Lacey can begin to bore. Then again her adolescent ways with men provide quite a bit of mirth. I couldn't keep up with all the potential suspects but like Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher, Agatha is all about the location and ongoing characters, murder & mystery are secondary.
kchisholm's review against another edition
4.0
The reader of this site may recall that I had a flurry of listening to Agatha Raisin audio books a while ago, when seemingly trapped in never-ending long driving days. They were fun, repetitive sure, a bit on the bitchy side ocassionally, and it turns out nothing like the TV series made of the same books. Which made for some amusement and confusion as THE WELLSPRING OF DEATH and THE WIZARD OF EVESHAM were aired on TV whilst I was listening to them in the car. Needless to say TV Agatha is nothing like book Agatha, and I kind of got to the stage where I preferred the TV version. Even with the wonderful Penelope Keith narrating the books.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/agatha-raisin-and-wellspring-death-mc-beaton
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/agatha-raisin-and-wellspring-death-mc-beaton
sarah631's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dwibble92's review against another edition
4.0
Agatha was t as interested in James in this book which made it better. The plot was a bit wushu washy for the murder but the characters were fantastic and a totally realistic portrayal of how people hate and like each other in a village. The amount of murder that goes on I don’t think I would live anywhere near the place. I really hope Agatha ends up with Charles as he is much funnier and nicer than James.
silenttwg's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Agatha Raisin is stinging from a broken heart and is focused on trying to fix that when she finds herself looped into a publicity round for a new water company and trying to solve the suspicious murder of a local man. With everything she gets roped into, it's a wonder she gets anything laid, done, at all.
This was a book club pick and the cover had my attention. Especially when you read that it's a spring that's supposed to be rejuvenating and healthy that is routed through a wellhead that is designed as a skull. That tickles my morbid sense of humor.
But, I couldn't get into the book. I gave it a 4/5 because it is solid writing, the characters seem to stay true to their previous nature based on other discussions I've had, and you can solve the crime if you're keeping an eye on the clues.
I personally didn't like the characters (especially Agatha), didn't appreciate the switch of characters in the middle of chapters, and am not intending on reading the rest of the series.
It meets the cozy mystery checklist and is well written, just not my cup of spring water. Would recommend to cozy mystery readers.
This was a book club pick and the cover had my attention. Especially when you read that it's a spring that's supposed to be rejuvenating and healthy that is routed through a wellhead that is designed as a skull. That tickles my morbid sense of humor.
But, I couldn't get into the book. I gave it a 4/5 because it is solid writing, the characters seem to stay true to their previous nature based on other discussions I've had, and you can solve the crime if you're keeping an eye on the clues.
I personally didn't like the characters (especially Agatha), didn't appreciate the switch of characters in the middle of chapters, and am not intending on reading the rest of the series.
It meets the cozy mystery checklist and is well written, just not my cup of spring water. Would recommend to cozy mystery readers.
pontiki's review against another edition
4.0
Agatha is recovering from the fiasco with James, and takes on a PR job for a water company. There’s a spring in dispute in Ancom, and a council member is murdered before an important vote.
So, with Roy in tow, she tries to resolve the mystery, talking to all the peevish and rude council members, and competing with James to learn the truth.
She takes up with Guy, a younger brother in the water company, but there’s nothing there emotionally. Eventually, the murderer is found out, but not before they’ve killed again.
Best parts include James’ disguise to go undercover to Save the Foxes, Agatha and Roy getting spilled into the river while punting, and all of Agatha’s fussing with her appearance as an older woman when she’s with Guy.
I love Mrs. Blocksby more and more, and Roy is both untrustworthy and fun.
GPL audiobook
So, with Roy in tow, she tries to resolve the mystery, talking to all the peevish and rude council members, and competing with James to learn the truth.
She takes up with Guy, a younger brother in the water company, but there’s nothing there emotionally. Eventually, the murderer is found out, but not before they’ve killed again.
Best parts include James’ disguise to go undercover to Save the Foxes, Agatha and Roy getting spilled into the river while punting, and all of Agatha’s fussing with her appearance as an older woman when she’s with Guy.
I love Mrs. Blocksby more and more, and Roy is both untrustworthy and fun.
GPL audiobook
naru11's review against another edition
3.0
This plot was kinda weird and all over the place. Apart from that, the characters are much of the same old, same old: Agatha is embarrassing, James is arrogant, Roy is selfish. A fun little read, but out of all the other ones in the series, this took me the longest to get through.