Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye [Format Kindle]

I have been reading the Agatha Raisin books in order, over several years - one every 3 months or so, when I want a soothing read that is amusing and light. Bedtime cosy reading is something that anyone who has read my reviews before knows that I read concurrently with more exciting or demanding books that I tackle during the daytime hours. Thus, I sleep better.

When I read the Agatha Raisin books, I positively 'itch' to edit them, to smooth out the rough edges, to find a subtler phrase than the author can be bothered search for. I have become more and more convinced over the years that these books are 'first drafts' and that nobody is allowed to edit them to make them better. It is a shame, the plots are there, a bit shaky at times, but all the ingredients jostle for place, all they lack is the patience (or maybe the time, since M. C. Beaton is so prolific)to improve them.

Never mind, I have got used to series now, and I have to say that this book has quite a convoluted plot, maybe a few too many murders (is she vying with the TV series, Midsomer Murders?)but all the mad ingredients are still there. Agatha, her trusty sidekick, Sir Charles, a new young woman, Toni - I do hope Toni will stay, have a feeling she would be too much competition for our redoubtable detective.

I enjoyed Kissing Christmas Goodbye - Agatha Raisin is my guilty pleasure and one that I keep secret from my friends and family. She is a bit like me, outspoken, puts her foot in things, yet has a heart of gold. And speaking of gold, where does she get all her money! It has always been explained away that she was a high-flyer in the City, a lovely fairy story. A great cosy and recommended if you can bear the rather slapdash approach.

Agatha wants to have the best, most perfect Christmas ever with all her friends - and maybe ex-husband, James Lacey - around her. But before then she needs to solve the murder of Mrs Tamworthy who wrote to her saying she believed a member of her family was about to murder her because she was intending to cut all her family out of her will. Agatha's latest protégée, Toni Gilmour, is having problems with her delinquent brother and Agatha is determined to help her sort out her life because she is a good detective and an asset to her business.

As ever things don't work out quite how Agatha wants them to but somehow she manages to muddle through and solve the murder. All the favourite series characters are here - Sir Charles Fraith, Agatha's friend and on/off lover; Roy Silver, former work colleague; the long suffering Mrs Bloxby, the vicar's wife and Bill Wong, police detective.

I have several of the audio books of the Agatha Raisin series read by Penelope Keith and they make excellent and relaxing listening. The sound quality is very good and Penelope Keith's voice is perfect for these stories. The book is on six CDs and provides over six hours of listening. Agatha Raisin - not just for Christmas!