Plot Summary of Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
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St. Martin's, March 2003, 24.95, 224 pp.
ISBN 0313207689
Her husband divorced her because he decided to become a monk. When she writes to the monastery where he is supposed to be praying, the abbot replies that he left and never returned. Now Agatha Raisin realizes that was just his clever way of dumping her. Adding to her despondency is that her next door neighbor only wants to have a fling with her, making her feel even more unloved and lonely.
The Catswold villagers of Carsley adore their new curate Tristan Delon. However that reverence does not stop someone from killing the well-liked curate. With trouble already from missing money taken from the church box, the vicar Mr. Bloxby is very disturbed because he believes people think he killed Tristan out of jealously over the curate's popularity. Agatha's friend Mrs. Bloxby asks her to find out who killed the curate so her husband's name will be cleared. Unable to say no, Agatha agrees to snoop, an action that almost proves fatal.
Reading a new Agatha Raisin book is almost as good as receiving a box of Godiva chocolates (no guilt or sharing with the former). The latest installment in this long running series is enjoyably witty and raunchy as Agatha bulldozes her way into the lives of various suspects. The repartee between John and Agatha is sophisticated yet earthly, making the readers wonder what is going on in that platonic relationship. Nobody will guess who the perpetrator is until M.C. Beaton unveils the identity of the killer leading to a one sitting read requiring handy sweets.
Review Analysis of Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
How difficult to spot villain?
- Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- 80%
Kind of investigator
- british mystery (I say!)
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Any non-mystery subplot?
- feelings of fear/loss/inadequacy
Crime Thriller
Yes
Murder Mystery (killer unknown)
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- business executive
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- White/American
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 3-4
Amount of dialog
- mostly dialog
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