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The Witches' Tree - M.C. Beaton

 


3.5/5 ⭐

As a perpetual fan of an English detective, it was high time that I read an Agatha Raisin mystery. I had seen some of the tv series and I had really enjoyed them.

This book, however, was a little painful for me. It started off okay. Maybe a little sudden when it got to the murder part but eh it's a murder mystery what do you expect?

We're quickly introduced to the cast of characters in this book. One right after another. Repeated what felt like 100 times. There were so many characters, I kept forgetting who was who. Plus some we only say once or twice the entire book. Of which they ended up playing a major role in the story but we only saw them maybe three times.

Obviously, there is no mistaking or forgetting Agatha Raisin. But this book left something to be desired in regards to her character. I wasn't looking for a goody two-shoes or anything like that. That's a different book. I can't say I was bored but I was over it after the fourth scene of her interacting with Charles. I want Agatha to find a happily ever after, but it is clearly not going to happen with him or James. It doesn't help that I cannot find anything to like about them and detested having to read yet another scene with either being so horrible to Agatha. Usually without her instigating it.

In addition to the bothersome characters, the plot that is riddled with side plots and inconsistencies drove me wild. Facts and details seemed to change within one page. Events that took place, in the beginning, were never mentioned again. Random events took place that made me feel like I was reading an entirely different book. It was a well and truly bumpy read.

I want to treat it as an I just picked the wrong one to start with, which I saw from other reviews that I am not too far off. But I was sad that this one didn't read as well as her books had been promised.

9/25/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

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