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!