Friday Finds

Friday Finds is hosted by Jenn at Books and a Beat (booksanabeat.com).  It is a way to showcase what you have "found" this week.  Here is my "find".  I seem to enjoy reading "series" books and am currently involved in -- well, more than one -- and I have them on rotation. 

My next title in the Elm Creek Series by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I completely enjoy this series and the next in my queue is "The Quilter's Homecoming".  I haven't started it yet but soon.

I also stumbled across "Agatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon".  It is several down in my list but I snatched it up when I saw it because I know I will get to it eventually.  The next one in my list is "Agatha Raisin and Love from Hell" and I think I am going to check it out from the library via Overdrive.  At any rate, I have quite a bit of reading lined up!

Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M C Beaton

Yesterday I finished reading "Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam" by M C Beaton.  I have to say that one of my favorite things is a series of books to read -- I like the continuity and the Agatha Raisin books don't disappoint -- may I say the omnipresent James Lacey?  I have to say, though, that I have been disappointed in a couple of the "episodes" if you will but not this one.  I thoroughly enjoyed the "fairies".

This episode takes Agatha to Norfolk to run away -- again -- from James.  It seems she is always running away from or toward James and I am not sure why except he seems to be a challenge for her in one way or another. Personally, I don't see it -- but to each his own.


In any event, she winds up in the village of Fryfam and smack in the middle of another mystery -- and she has fairies in the back garden of her rental.  Or does she?  She may never really know.

This book follows much the formula of all the others -- Conflict (usually James) causes Agatha to depart her cottage in Carsley.  She finds herself in the middle of some local drama -- murder seems to be a common thing in small English villages -- and she, of course, out does the local police in finding the killer and solving the mystery but not without coming quite close to finding herself pushing up daisies as well.  There is always a sub-drama as well -- in this case -- the fairies.

At the end of these books she is always suffering from some amount of regret, shame, or embarrassment and this book was no different.  She always has a moment that she chastises herself for her flight from home and swears to never leave again but, of course, she does.

These books are very formulaic but still quite enjoyable.  They are "cozy" and easy to read and nice to curl up with by the fire for a long evening of reading. However, this title ended a bit differently -- a cliff hanger in a way and....what about those fairies?

I would recommend this series to anybody who is just reading for pure pleasure.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


I am currently reading Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M. C.Beaton.

My teaser is the first two lines from the very first page.

"Agatha Raisin was selling up and leaving Carsely for good.  Or rather, that had been the plan."

I have been reading this series for some time and, for the most part, I have enjoyed them, some more than others.  This particular episode, if you will, has been very enjoyable.  

I recommend the entire series.  They are short and easy reads and the gold standard for cozy mysteries in my opinion.

Musing Mondays is hosted by Miz B at shouldbereading.wordpress.com.  This meme gives readers the opportunity to discuss all aspects of their reading experience.

Lately I have been reading the Agatha Raisin mystery series by M. C. Beaton.  The books are about a 50-something Agatha Raisin, retired PR firm owner, who has moved to the Cotswolds to enjoy quiet, village life.   Her life, however, has been anything but quiet.  When she first arrived she had quite an adjustment to village life as compared to her busy life in London.  She made an effort to involve herself in village events which proved to be a disaster.  She angered people and she was annoyed by almost everybody -- except her next door neighbor, James Lacey.  As time has gone on and the series has progressed she has made friends, she has settled into the rhythm of the village, she has acquired cats and she has managed to lose her cottage -- but in the latest "episode" that is being resolved.

I guess whenever we read we have a mental picture of the characters and when I think of Agatha Raisin I see a thinner -- but not too thin -- Dawn French.  I know there is a tv series currently being filmed based on this series and the actress is definitely not Dawn French but I will always think of her when I read these books. 

The books have gotten mixed reviews on Goodreads.  I think they are the sort of thing that you either like or you don't.  Well, I do.  They are short which is great because I can sandwich one or two between longer reads, they are engaging which is a necessary attribute and they are, in a word, entertaining and, in my opinion, that is why I read for the most part, to be entertained.

I would recommend these books to anybody who likes mysteries.  My only suggestion is that you start with the first book as they do build on each other.

Happy reading!

It's a Mystery

Somebody help me -- please!  My name is Melissa and I am an addict.  It seems I have become addicted to mystery stories and I just can't help myself.

When I was growing up I was a voracious reader.  It was the safest thing for me to do since I was hopelessly accident prone and not athletic at all.  I danced but, the truth of the matter is, walking was sort of a challenge for me some days so I tended to stay with quiet activities like school work, handwork, and reading.  However, I was never interested in mysteries. I was a member of the Nancy Drew Book Club and I have to say my mother and my aunt thoroughly enjoyed those books --- I, however, did not -- until now.

I don't know where my interest in mysteries has come at my advanced age unless I am channelling my mother and she is interested in what I am reading.  However, over the last couple of years, my interest in mystery books has exploded.

It all started with the Aunt Dimity series which I am well into although I am giving it a rest right now.  Then, I read a bit of Nancy Drew which was good fun although a little dated.  Now I have stumbled upon the Agatha Raisin series by M. C. Beaton.  All of these are wonderful little books -- none very long and all very quick reads.

I just finished my fourth Agatha Raisin mystery -- "The Dembly Walkers" and it was delightful.  In addition to the actual mystery, you have the ongoing quasi-romance of Agatha and her neighbor James Lacey.  In this installment the romance becomes -- well, you will just have to read it to find out.

I have already downloaded book #5 and look forward to the appearance of Agatha's husband -- thought long dead -- at a very inconvenient time.

The covers of the books are very nice and here is what I have read so far.  I have them on my Nook but being the collector I am, I see me buying the physical books for my ever growing collection.

Won't you join me in reading these great little books?

Ta!