Title: The Quiche of Death
Author: M.C. Beaton
First published December 1, 1992
246 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780312939168 (ISBN10: 0312939167)
Rating: 3.74
Overview
Agatha Raisin, a successful PR firm owner, decides to retire early and settle down in the quiet village of Carsely. But, her boredom leads her to enter a baking contest with a quiche that she bought from a fancy bakery in London.
Things take a deadly turn when the judge of the contest falls over dead, poisoned by the secret ingredient in her quiche. With the unsavory truth out, Agatha is soon receiving sinister notes from the villagers.
Is her cheating and meddling to blame for the threats, or is there something more sinister at play? Join Agatha on this thrilling adventure as she tries to clear her name and uncover the truth before it’s too late.
It’s a matter of life and death, and Agatha Raisin is not one to back down.
About the Author
If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries and historical romances, you may have heard of Marion Chesney Gibbons. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1936, Marion began her career as a bookseller at John Smith & Sons Ltd.
Before long, she was offered a job as a variety show reviewer for the Scottish Daily Mail. She quickly climbed the ranks to become their theatre critic.
Marion then left bookselling to work as a secretary in the advertising department of Scottish Field magazine. Despite having no shorthand or typing experience, she was soon promoted to fashion editor.
Marion went on to work as a crime reporter for the Scottish Daily Express, before moving to Fleet Street to become the chief woman reporter for the Daily Express.
After getting married and having a son, Marion and her husband moved to the United States. When they struggled to find work, Marion decided to try her hand at writing historical romances.
She wrote over 100 novels under her maiden name, as well as several pseudonyms. However, she eventually grew tired of writing about the years 1714 to 1910, and switched to writing detective stories under the pseudonym M.
C. Beaton.
It was during a holiday in Sutherland that she was inspired to write the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story.
Marion and her husband eventually moved back to Britain, purchasing a croft house and croft in Sutherland. However, they later tired of the long commute and settled in the Cotswolds.
It was there that Marion created the character of Agatha Raisin. If you’re interested in learning more about Marion’s work, you can check out her website or follow her on Facebook.
Editoral Review
In “The Quiche of Death,” M.C. Beaton delivers a delightful cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. First published in 1992, Beaton is a prolific author known for her Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series.
The book falls under the genre of crime fiction, with a mix of humor, romance, and small-town charm woven in. The story is set in the Cotswolds, a picturesque English village where everyone knows everyone else’s business.
The novel revolves around Agatha Raisin, a middle-aged woman who moves to the village after retiring from her high-powered London job. She enters the annual quiche-making competition to get accepted into the local community, and things take a dark turn when one of the judges dies after eating her quiche.
Agatha becomes the prime suspect, and she must unravel the mystery and clear her name. Beaton’s writing style captures the essence of small-town life, with its quirks and idiosyncrasies.
The characters are well-drawn, and readers will get a sense of their individual personalities and motives. Agatha is a complex protagonist, with a sharp wit and a determined spirit, but she is also flawed and vulnerable.
The setting is also an essential part of the story, and Beaton gives readers a taste of English countryside life, with its picturesque landscapes and cozy pubs. One of the strengths of the book is its pacing.
The story moves along briskly, and the plot twists and turns keep readers engaged. Despite its relatively short length, the book manages to pack in plenty of action and suspense.
Beaton also manages to balance the humor and romance elements of the story without undercutting the mystery at the heart of the book. On the downside, some readers may find the characters and the setting to be stereotypical.
The book also plays into some of the tropes of the cozy mystery genre, with the amateur sleuth protagonist and the small village setting. However, these are minor quibbles and do not detract significantly from the pleasure of reading the book.
Overall, “The Quiche of Death” is a charming and entertaining read, perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and those who enjoy the English countryside setting. While it may not break new ground in terms of the genre, it is well-crafted and engaging.
The book is a testament to Beaton’s storytelling ability, and readers will be left wanting more. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 for its excellent writing, compelling plot, and engaging characters.
