M. C. Beaton

Reader Comments about A SPOONFUL OF POISON

St. Martin's Minotaur
ISBN: 9780312349127
(September 30, 2008)

• About the Book
• Critical Praise
• Read a Review
• Read an Excerpt

Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about M. C. Beaton's A SPOONFUL OF POISON.

Dale from Columbia, MO

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
I have read all previous Agatha Raisin books and all of the Hamish MacBeth series.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
I look forward to books by Donna Leon, Sujata Massey, Elizabeth George, Deborah Crombie, Peter Robinson, David Baldacci, Nevada Barr, P. D. James, Elizabeth Ironside, Charlaine Harris and, of course, M. C. Beaton. I've always read many English authors, but I'm now branching out to Swedish writers, especially.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
I was delighted to share this adventure with Agatha Raisin. Mrs. Beaton makes great use of humor and she writes such lively dialogue. I especially enjoyed watching Agatha (oops! Mrs. Raisin, I should say) use her skills as a former Public Relations professional to make a church fete such a success. And it wasn't actually her fault that two people died! Of course, Mrs. Raisin fell for handsome George Selby. It was fun to see how everyone who knew Agatha realized immediately that she had a new crush. I've read so many Agatha Raisin books that it's now like meeting old friends when Roy and Bill and Charles join in the action. And of course, James! I'm happy that Agatha is no longer pining for him, but... something is up.
 
I think I enjoy Agatha Raisin so much because she says all the things I'd be afraid to say. I'm much more like Mrs. Bloxby who always tries to keep the peace... but for a while, Agatha can be my alter ego. She is sometimes cranky, jealous, nosy, manipulative, and flirtatious, but --- as the book jackets all remind us --- loveable indeed.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
Certainly. I can't wait to find out what is worrying Agatha about Felicity and James. I'm absolutely sure it's *not* the shrimp canapés and champagne.

Joan from Palmyra, NJ

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
No, I'm sorry to say I had never heard of her.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
I like J. D. Robb, Laura Childs, Joan Hess, Tony Hillerman and also the British writers Agatha Christie and Margery Allingham.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
I enjoyed reading it. It was an old-fashioned mystery novel like those written by Agatha Christie. The main character, Agatha Raisin, was a real "character" --- outspoken, but insecure and longing for romance. The plot was not at all complicated, but the details of village life were interesting.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
Yes.

Marjorie from Manilla, IN

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
This is my first time to enjoy Agatha Raisin.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
Beverly Barton, Linda Barnes, Robert Crais, Patricia Cornwell, Lee Child, Margaret Coel, Janet Evanovich, Kay Hooper, Linda Howard, Lisa Jackson, Iris Johansen, Alex Kava, Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, and others.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
This book was a lot of fun, as well as a challenge to figure out the guilty party. Agatha found herself in a jam, literally, as food is laced with drugs at the church fair in Comfry Magna, an English hamlet. Agatha, once again, seems to have difficulty keeping her sexual attractions from interfering with her detecting skills. One of her detectives, Toni Gilmour, keeps her on the right trail, while another adds to the confusion. When five locals turn up dead, Agatha proves her abilities and the guilty one is revealed.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
I certainly plan to and probably will seek out the previous ones.

Sharon from Grinnell, IA

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
No, I have not read Ms. Beaton, but I had heard great things about her Agatha Raisin series from colleagues at work.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
I usually read psychological thrillers and romantic suspense and have shied away from "cozy mysteries", but I'm intrigued by Agatha Raisin and plan to read more in this series.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
As I mentioned above, I'm intrigued by cranky, crass, chain-smoking, but hilarious Agatha Raisin. She is opposite of the stereotypical "cozy mystery" detectives in that she is grumpy, has low self-esteem and is looking for love in all the wrong places --- traits that everyday people can relate to. The plot was unique in that the setting was old world charm (rural fete), with a new world twist (LSD-laced jam and murder). The mystery twisted and turned, and the characters were well formed. I enjoyed Agatha's colleagues and cohorts and her quirky mood swings.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
Definitely. I plan to start with number one of the Agatha Raisin series.

Sheila from Schoolcraft, MI

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
First, thank you Bookreporter.com for giving me the opportunity to review A SPOONFUL OF POISON! This is the first book I have read by M. C. Beaton.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
I like mysteries! Some of my favorite mystery authors are Elizabeth George, Martin Cruz Smith and Michael Connelly.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
I enjoyed it! Sometimes it is hard to pick up a book from an established series like this one, and read it without feeling like you are missing something. The book had interesting characters and plenty of plot twists.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
Yes. Agatha is a pill and I think I will definitely be picking up more of the series to read! I liked some of the subtle humor in the book also.

Torun from Tacoma, WA

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
Yes, I have read a few in each of the Agatha Raisin and Hamish MacBeth series.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
I enjoy Anne Perry, Tony Hillerman, Janet Evanovich and Ken Follett. I do enjoy quite a variety of authors, especially M. C. Beaton.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
M. C. Beaton never disappoints --- I love her characters and the wonderful English atmosphere of her stories.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M.C. Beaton?
Yes. I hope she continues to write because I love Agatha; she is feisty, very real and always fun. I will share this book with a lady friend who also is a good fan.

Leslie from Charlottesville, VA

Have you previously read a book by M. C. Beaton?
No, I have never read one of M.C. Beaton's books before.
 
What other mystery authors do you usually read?
John Lescroart, Kate Wilhelm, Vince Flynn and Lee Child.
 
What did you think of A SPOONFUL OF POISON?
I read it in one day. It was entertaining, but not a page turner.
 
Would you ever read a future book by M. C. Beaton?
Possibly, but probably not.

© Copyright 1996-2009, Bookreporter.com. All rights reserved.

Back to top.