Dead on Target by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green
M.C. Beaton, with R.W. Green, hits the bulls-eye with her latest, and 36th, Agatha Raisin mystery, Dead on Target (Minotaur).
Feisty, middle-aged Agatha is attending the Carsely Village fete when she’s enticed to participate in an archery exhibition presented by the Anscombe Archers. Before a large crowd, Agatha nails the golden circle with her bow and arrow, but this is just the beginning.
Afterward, on a walk in the adjoining woods, she stumbles upon the body of a wealthy landowner, Sir Godfrey Pride, who has been shot with an arrow. Miraculously, Sir Godfrey is still alive. He whispers a cryptic message to Agatha and dies in her arms. Sir Godfrey had wanted to professionally meet with Agatha before his death, and now the reason for the meeting will remain a mystery along with the identity of his killer.
A Murder with More Suspects Than Arrows in a Quiver
However, her nemesis, Detective Chief Inspector Wilkes, has other ideas. He believes that this death scene scenario provides proof that, along with the intended meeting, Agatha is the prime suspect in Pride’s murder. Desperate for a reason to pin the murder on her, Wilkes argues that one of her stray arrows from the exhibition accomplished the evil deed.
Determined to clear her name, Agatha and her quirky investigative team — Toni, Patrick and Simon — set out to uncover the real killer.
They quickly discover that Pride’s son and daughter are at war over Sir Godfrey’s vast land holdings, and the siblings are fraught with inheritance issues, infidelity and paternity scandals. A dangerous London gangster named Freddy Evans is mixed up in the plot when Agatha’s former protégé Roy Silver reveals that Sir Godfrey backed out of a real estate development deal with Evans, which Roy was brokering.
In Dead on Target, there are more suspects than arrows in a quiver, with motives as deadly as their tips.
Gold Standard of Cozy English Village Mysteries
While on the hunt and fending off Wilkes’ wild accusations, Agatha still has time for love. She strategically juggles the three men in her life — the reliable and lecherous Sir Charles Fraithe, her loyal ex-husband James Lacey, and her current beau and dance partner Detective John Glass. Each suitor holds a special place in her life, but with whom will she share a future?
As in all Agatha Raisin mysteries, mayhem trails Agatha throughout the murder investigation. Neither fashion disasters, nor pesky reporters, nor the sales of fake sporting team apparel will deter her hot pursuit of the killer. Once again, Agatha finds her life and freedom imperiled as she ducks Wilkes relentless accusations, and the flight of arrows at every turn.
Dead on Target proves, once more, that Beaton is the gold standard of cozy English village mysteries. She and her co-author, R.W. Green, provide a fun and fast read where vain and dependable Agatha continues to tickle your funny bone until the last page.
Chatting with R.W. Green About Marion and Agatha
Recently, I had the honor of chatting with Rod Green about M.C. Beaton and all things Agatha Raisin. Here’s an excerpt from our wide-ranging conversation.
When did you start working with Marion (M.C. Beaton)?
I’d know Marion for over twenty years as my wife was her publisher, and the first book I worked on with Marion was Beating About the Bush. Marion was amazing. She had lots of ideas and a wicked sense of humor, but she wasn’t well enough to sit at the computer and pound out the words. I became involved to help her complete that book and I first received credited on Hot to Trot.
What did you and Marion talk about?
We talked about lots of things that could happen to Agatha and Hamish, which she’d stored all away in her mind. I’m still working with some of the ideas that we discussed over three years ago. (Marion died in 2019). While Marion dredged all the ideas from the back of her mind, I took copious notes about the characters and places like Barfield House, Carsely, and the Church. I don’t want to spoil anything for the Agatha fans. I don’t want to feel like I’m letting them down.
Was Marion open about sharing her stories with you?
Because we knew each other, she was quite happy to talk about her Glasgow upbringing, and what she’d accomplished professionally in her life. We had a lot in common (and she’d done them better than I had). Marion was happy to share. She knew I would understand what she was talking about. I was there to help. It was a huge honor and privilege for Marion to trust me with her inventions. It was scary.
Agatha seems haunted by her past. Does Agatha want to be someone other than who she is?
Agatha is very competent and she likes to get her own way. She doesn’t like anyone bettering her under any circumstances. During her past in PR, she owned the world. Now, underneath it all, she’s retired to the Cotswold and is a reasonably wealthy woman. Agatha didn’t need to set up Raisin Investigations. She didn’t need the income. Agatha did it because she couldn’t stand doing nothing. Investigating provided her with a sense of satisfaction, and she’ll carry on doing it. And Agatha will never get any older. Neither will Hamish. They will defy the aging process.
Will Agatha ever find true love?
Agatha never recognizes it when it’s staring her in the face. However, she’s fond of Detective John Glass who appears in Dead on Target. She’ll be seeing him again although he’s off globetrotting the world. James Lacey is still next door but he’s finally accepted that he and Agatha can work better if they remain friends rather than getting married. James will still be a confidante and comfort because they care for each other. James has had his time as her romantic interest.
What’s next for Agatha Raisin?
The next book is called Killing Time due out in 2024.
About M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green:
M.C. Beaton (1936-2019) was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels — the basis for the hit show on Acorn TV and public television — as well as the Hamish Macbeth series and the Edwardian Murder Mysteries featuring Lady Rose Summer. Known as the “Queen of Crime” (The Globe and Mail), she was born in Scotland and started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms as well as her maiden name, Marion Chesney.
A long-time friend of M. C. Beaton, R.W. Green has written numerous works of fiction and non-fiction. He lives in Surrey with his family and a black Labrador called Flynn.
