ISBN? - 9781849019767Publishing? - 2014 by Constable and Robinson (first published 2014)Genre? - Crime / MysteryCharacters? - Agatha Raisin / Charles Fraith / Gwen Simple / John Hale / Walt Simple / James Lacey / Mrs Bloxby / Bill Wong / Inspector WilkesSetting? - Carsely & Winter Parva (England)Series? - Agatha Raisin #25Title? - The first murder is the man playing the giant in the pantomime.Character Analysis? - I was surprisingly disappointed in the characters in this novel. I liked the previous ones mainly on the strength of Agatha's character but she came across as generally weak in this one and far too obsessed with men. It made it seem completely unrealistic.General Analysis? - I think that the general storylines of these books are getting better, but the characters let it down for me. Generally I love these books, and Beaton's description is as good as ever. Setting could do with more description (Winter Parva) and some of the more minor characters.Recommended? - Yes Agatha: shiny brown hair, concerned about her looks, and worried that she'll live alone forever--and she owns two cats. Sound familiar? Also terribly blunt. Usually makes a total mess of every case she takes on, is overcome by jealousy and envy, but comes out ahead (although often in the hospital) when it is all said and done.Blood of an Englishman: an Agatha Raisin winner for her fans. MC Beaton is an interesting writer. Nothing poetic about MC, but her characters are so alive and so funny. The 25th in the series, which is my favorite of the author's (my other favorite is Hamish Mac Beth, red-haired constable in the Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh).
Not one of the better books. Last few chapters are really choppy, jumping all over.
—dogviolet1
Meh. I used to love this series, but kept drifting out of the book, bored.
—botejuk
Three and a half stars. It was the usual, but i keep reading them!
—ash
3.5 Easy read...reminded me of an Agatha Christie mystery.
—Hisangel15
More Agatha Raisin fun!
—Gary
