Even though Agatha Raisin loathes amateur dramatics, her friend Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife, has persuaded her to support the local pantomime. Stifling a yawn at the production of "Babes in the Woods," Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on the stage, until a trapdoor opens and the Ogre disappears in an impressive puff of smoke. Only he doesn't re-appear at final curtain.
Surely this isn't the way the scene was rehearsed? When it turns out the popular baker has been murdered, Agatha puts her team of private detectives on the case. They soon discover more feuds and temperamental behavior in amateur theatrics than in a professional stage show—and face more and more danger as the team gets too close to the killer.
The Blood of an Englishman is Agatha's 25th adventure, and you'd think she would have learned by now not to keep making the same mistakes. Alas, no—yet Agatha's flaws only make her more endearing.
M.C. Beaton is the internationally bestselling author of both the AGATHA RAISIN and HAMISH MACBETH series, as well as numerous Regency romances. Her books have been translated into 17 languages and her AGATHA RAISIN mysteries have been made into an Acorn/Sky TV series starring Ashley Jensen. M. C. Beaton is consistently the most borrowed UK adult author in British libraries.
The Mystery Book Club meets on the second Thursday of each month from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. It is a monthly book discussion group through the Burke Branch Library. Please note that this month's discussion occurs on the first Thursday of the month.
This program will take place by Zoom and registration is required. After registering, you will be e-mailed the link to join this Zoom meeting. A Zoom account is not required, but a microphone is required if you want to participate in the interactive portion of this program. If you have questions about the program or need help with set up, please contact Caroline at cpak@alexlibraryva.org.
