Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
By M C Beaton 

     In Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate, Agatha is still recovering from her disastrous marriage to James Lacey. Having sworn off men for life, Agatha greets the news that Carsley is to get a new curate with little interest-until she meets the beautiful, blue-eyed, and golden haired curate. She's delighted when the handsome young man invites her to his room for an intimate dinner that culminates with a warm kiss and a promise of another meeting. Unfortunately, the curate is found murdered the next morning and the vicar, Mr. Bloxby, is the prime suspect. Distressed on her friend's behalf, Agatha, along with her new neighbor, John Armitage, sets out to clear the vicar's name.

     It doesn't take Agatha long to realize that the curate was far from godly and had questionable dealings with several women in Carsley and surrounding villages. Before long, one of those women is murdered. And then another. For one of the few times in the series, Agatha considers backing off and allowing the police to find the murderer. But when she herself in attacked, she realizes she's left it too long. Is she about to become the murder's fourth victim?

     The Case of the Curious Curate was an absolute delight. It started with a bang and moved swiftly along. It seemed Agatha and John were tripping over bodies every other chapter. Agatha was as thin-skinned and as eager for approval as ever. I was so totally engrossed in the story that I found it impossible to put down for long. I read it in one evening, staying up late to finish. The mystery was multi-layered and kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had a handle on who had turned the normally quiet village of Carsely into the murder capital of the Cotswold, M C Beaton threw a surprising and pleasing curve ball that I thoroughly enjoyed.

     My only complaint is that I was hoping to find some hint of what became of James. It would also have been nice to see something of Agatha's friend Sir Charles. But those were very minor complaints and I found the latest book in the series to be a totally satisfying read. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley got me hooked on this series, and The Case of the Curious Curate kept me hooked and longing for more. I wait in eager anticipation for the release of the next Agatha Raisin mystery.