Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body

Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body by M.C. Beaton follows Agatha, who has never been one for enforced holiday cheer, yet her friendly little village of Carsely has always prided itself on its traditional Christmas festivities. Unfortunately, this year the bells will not be ringing out Silent Night, as Mr John Sunday, an officer with the Cotswold Health and Safety Board, has chosen Christmas to crack down on what he perceives as gross misconduct by every man, woman and child in the vicinity.

The village shop is told it can no longer have wooden shelves, present since the time of Queen Victoria, 'in case someone is inflicted with a splinter.' The village school is ordered to leave lights on at night 'to prevent unauthorised intruders from tripping in the dark.' Children are warned not to play with 'counterfeit banknotes' after passing around toy money in the playground.

Finally, Mr Sunday oversteps when he rules that there cannot be a Christmas tree atop the church tower this year. Shortly after the decree, and just before Christmas, Agatha is sipping a cup of tea, trying to stay awake as the Carsely Ladies Society meeting at the vicarage drones on. A sudden scream rouses her from her stupor. The ladies rush into the garden to find Sunday lying face down in the petunias, very much dead. Agatha is instantly on the case, but with so many people having threatened the life of the victim, it's almost impossible to know where to start!

Praise for the Agatha Raisin series:

'M C Beaton has created a national treasure... Agatha Raisin is the strongest link' — Anne Robinson

'M C Beaton's imperfect heroine is an absolute gem' — Publishers Weekly

'Clever red herrings and some wicked unfinished business guarantees that the listener will pant for a sequel' — The Times audiobook review

'The Miss Marple-like Agatha is a refreshingly sensible, wonderfully eccentric, thoroughly likeable heroine' — Booklist