Crafty, Cranky Amateur PI Agatha Raisin Back on the Case in “Beating About the Bush”

Beating about the Bush by M.C. Beaton

Amateur private detective Agatha Raisin is a middle-aged, slutty boozehound. Or at least that’s how she views herself. She isn’t far from wrong, but throughout the thirty Agatha Raisin mysteries penned by M.C. Beaton, Agatha (“Don’t call me Aggie!”) has been just plain fun. The most recent, and the final series installment, “Beating about the Bush,” could be Beaton’s best effort. 

Agatha has survived two short-lived marriages, engagements and flings, but her biggest challenge is keeping out of trouble. After selling her London public relations firm and relocating to the idyllic Cotswold village of Carsley, its as though murder and intrigue were packed into her luggage. Death seems to shadow her everywhere she goes and her new neighbors wish that she would return to London and leave them in peace. This is especially true of the local police, who resent her meddling and beating them to the punch.

In Beating About the Bush (Minotaur Books), Agatha finds herself embroiled in a gruesome murder when she’s hired to investigate industrial espionage at the Morrison battery manufacturing plant. Agatha becomes a laughingstock when she and her spunky assistant Toni discover along the roadside what appears to be a severed leg, but is in fact, a fake. Agatha and Toni are somewhat redeemed when they discover the actual dead body of the plant manager’s secretary, Mrs. Dinwiddy. Suspiciously, she’s wearing the identical shoe and stocking as the fake leg. 

The police quickly accuse Mrs. Morrison’s pet donkey Wizz-Wazz of the murder. Their circumstantial evidence is a hoof print imbedded in the victim’s skull, and the victim’s blood covering the donkey’s legs. 

Agatha develops a soft spot for the bad-tempered animal so she’s unconvinced by the coroner’s inquest. She senses a cover up and that Mrs. Dinwiddy may have been killed to prevent her disclosure of someone’s secrets. So, Agatha sets out to prove Wizz-Wazz’s innocence and bring the real murderer to justice. Along the way, she irritates both friends and foes as she stumbles and bumbles through the investigation, but somehow seems to “get her man,” or in this case, “her donkey.” And without disclosing any spoilers, she uncovers an international scheme where nothing and no one appears as they truly are.

What makes this novel so engaging is that Agatha Raisin’s flaws are as diverse as the chocolates in a Whitman’s Sampler Box. She momentarily learns from her mistakes, makes lousy choices in men, and is responsible for keeping the British gin-and-tonic industry afloat. Agatha believes that she’s the center of the universe, but beneath the makeup and Botox beats a heart of gold. Despite her shortcomings, it’s entertaining to read about a mid-life female character who, while jealous of youth and insecure about her appearance, refuses to age gracefully. 

Her entourage of local copper Bill Wong, second ex-husband James Lacey, Agatha’s friend and occasional lover, Sir Charles Faith, and loyal former employee and foil, Roy Silver, round out the colorful cast of supporting characters. They enable our heroine’s whims and provide a good chuckle as though we’re reading an adult version of Scooby-Doo.

As readers we can relate to Agatha’s insecurities, her foibles and fears, and we hope that she will achieve happiness in “Beating about the Bush.” Sadly for her fans, Marion Chesney Gibbons, a/k/a M.C. Beaton, died on December 31, 2019 at the age of 83, so there will be no happily ever after for Agatha. The author of more than 160 novels, Beaton has also created crime-solver Hamish Macbeth and has written Regency romances and historical novels. Both Agatha and Hamish have thrilled audiences in popular BBC productions, with Season 3 of “Agatha Raisin” returning soon to Acorn TV.

We will miss Beaton’s and Agatha’s flamboyance and razor-sharp wit. However, if you’re looking for an entertaining cozy mystery during these gray winter days, Beating About the Bush is definitely your cup of tea.

Beating About the Bush is now available for purchase.