Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley by M.C. Beaton

"She felt quite stiff and sore after her ramble but was convinced that her skirt was a tiny bit looser around the waist."

Agatha Raisin will find any excuse to hang out with her dishy neighbour and going undercover to discover the truth behind the death of one of a group of vocal ramblers might be just the ticket. 
The body count seems to rise whenever our favourite ex PR maven pokes her nose into things and this adventure is no exception. So what can I tell you that won't ruin this one for you? Well I had it sort of ruined by the tv show, this wasn't such a bad thing given there were  enough differences to retain my interest.
Also, in amongst the murder, romance might just be blooming.  Don't listen to me, check it out for yourself.

5 out of 5 - drop your knitting and get rambling.

Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry

"He is profoundly ambivalent, as his prayers show, for when he prays to be reconciled with Yvonne he also prays to be alone, and when he wants to rise he asks that he may sink still lower."

What to say about a novel that took me so long to read ( seriously, 66 days). It felt like forever in any case. The cause of my dilemma, the thick prose- so many words crammed into a page, the drama of work and life and everything in between. It probably was not the best time to embark on a novel about a tortured relationship and the way in which alcohol can take over your life. There were times this month, when I though the action of the book had somehow spilled into reality, but I mopped that up - or at least I think I did.

At first, I wanted to hate this novel. Finishing it was torturous for me. I just needed some light hearted escapism in my life ( hence why I've finished so many Agatha Raisin books in the interim) and yet I persevered. Upon reflection, while it is not an easy book to read, it is expertly realised and I'm still thinking about it days after I'd put it down. I would say that is the reason for its critical acclaim. That and the sense of achievement you get from finishing it & despair at the ending.

It is amazing that the action takes place over such a short period when so much internal and actual drama occurs and that on reflection, is some of its brilliance. "But who could agree with someone who was so certain you were going to be sober the day after to-morrow?". There is no hope for the Consul, his estranged wife can never contemplate the internal struggles, the bargaining that goes on inside his addicted brain and he is doomed. She is such a tragic figure, living and dying on the fumes of what might have been.

If we look around the crazy world of the novel, is it not the crazy world of today? Is the alcoholic, in some ways, a realist, recognising the torment the world is in and reaching for escape  in a bottle? 

I'm not sure; that being said, if this novel didn't lead me to drink, it certainly upped my quotient. Death and destruction under the gaze of the volcanoes Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl, and throw in a whole heap of Mescal for good measure.

4 out of 5 drinks could be your last and the dog's too.

Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener by M.C. Beaton

"No murders while you've been away."

There's a new arrival in the village and this one is very attractive, single and unfortunately for Aggie, female. Mary Fortune may just be the most intimidating woman in Aggie's life, particularly since she seems to have caught the eye of Mr Lacey, the village's resident hunk. 

Mary has also joined the gardening club and Agatha is forced into her usual hi jinks to compete. When Mary is discovered planted and very definitely dead, its time for our amateur sleuth to get cracking and solve the case.

The villages are softening up to our Agatha and the lure of a job back in London adds additional drama to her cosy cottage life.

As always, an easy read that I managed to devour on the flight from Brisbane to Sydney over a red wine ( the joys of flying Qantas). What's a few bumps when you can spend time with James Lacey, and it feels like he might be warming to Agatha also. I know I'll be returning to the quaint village soon - heck, I'm already reading the next instalment.

5 out of 5 flower shows have never been so florid.

Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton

"As they ate, Sir Charles wondered how he was going to get around to proposing that they go upstairs to bed".

Ticked off another Agatha Raisin mystery. A dishy new vet has arrived in town to distract Agatha from the neighbourhood hunk, James Lacey and all the local ladies heads have been turned. A fatal injection of horse medicine puts paid to all their romantic plans, as vet, Paul Bladen is now deceased.

That is not the end of the body count and the best news is that investigating murders means more time legitimately spent with James Lacey- even if he resists any romantic overtures with continued vigour.

Things get really hairy when Agatha's cat  gets kidnapped. There is never a dull moment in the village and it is a happy place to hang out in. I know I can't wait to hang out there again.

5 out of 5 even though I'm not a cat-person.

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

"There was another tone that was off-key"

Let me start off this review by stating that I was a little distracted while reading this Norwegian tale. I've had enough of miserable times and to be honest the idea of a gruff, ageing police officer, grim murders and nazis just wasn't quite the upbeat change of pace I was seeking.

The story drifts back and forth in time like a yo yo between the year 2000 and world war two and my scatterbrained mind was having trouble keeping apace. My delightful friend who so kindly loaned me her copy had a far more positive response to the novel and I trust her judgement. For me, the pacing was irritating in the extreme. Whenever I would settle in and get a handle on what was going on, the timeline would break with a jump forward or backward in time and I'd be lost again. This, for me, really interrupted the suspense and thriller status and left me disapointed. That being said, it was readable and there were moments that struck me as intriguing.

 3 out of 5 nazis, assassination attempts and multiple personalities.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

"My brain had conjured them up at the very moment I was looking at their pictures."

Those familiar with my reading habits, and lets face it, most people reading my blog probably know me and are quite familiar, will know that reading the book before seeing the movie is my modus operandi. For those who have stumbled into this corner of the web by accident, now you know too. 

In any case, I'd decided to take a peek at this best selling children's book before the release of the Tim Burton film and was impressed.

This is not written in a childlike or restrained fashion. It is eerie, dark and wonderful - a rare treat. As creepy as the strange photographic images that pepper its pages, Jacob Portman's adventures blend fantasy with the pain of reality in a way that really hooks the reader in. This first book is all about scene setting and whetting your appetite for future novels. In fact, no sooner had I finished it, I'd already ordered the next two, something I would not have anticipated from the title.

You will notice that I haven't given too much away here and I'd encourage you to seek out this story unencumbered by detailed reviews and my laboured exposition. As Molly Meldrum used to say "do yourself a favour".

5 out of 5 creepy kids can be intriguing.

The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton

"I'm tired of bicycling and exercise routines. I feel like giving up and becoming really fat."

I had to explore the source material after having relished the recent tv incarnation starring the always amazing Ashley Jensen and a fabulous, Vivienne Westwood looking, wardrobe of wow.Click on the video, oh, but no, should I read the story first? Truth be told they are both delightful and I have a sneaking suspicion you will like them both on their own merits.

Fish out of water, ex publicity guru, Agatha Raisin has retired to the country to escape the rat race of London. Her fond memories from childhood holidays have informed her choice of the Cotswolds. Agatha arrives with perfectly coiffed hair, professionally decorated cottage and genuine ability to get everyone offside except for the friendly policeman, Bill Wong.

Trying to fit in, Agatha enters the local quiche making competition ( with store bought quiche) and her efforts are rewarded by a body count. Who knew what a hotbed of sexual intrigue the town of Carsley could be? Will Agatha discover - who done it? Will she ever be forgiven for stealing away her neighbour's cleaner? 

You will find this story as tasty as fancy quiche and far easier to digest. Fortunately there are plenty of adventures of Mrs Raisin out there to read and I look forward to discovering them. They are even easy to read on my phone which tells me this is particularly easily digestible fare.

5 out of 5 slices of tasty delights.