Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate

Title: Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate
Author: MC Beaton
Publisher: St. Martin's
Publication Date: August 5, 2004
Format: Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Library
Series:Agatha Raisin #13

For me, the actual murder in the Agatha Raisin books is secondary to the ongoing of the characters involved. With each book you pick up, Agatha finds herself embroiled in another domestic situation, with it being either her missing almost ex-husband James, the new neighbor – which is always an attractive man, Bill Wong – her favorite policeman, or my favorite Mrs. Bloxby. A perfect counterbalance to Agatha, who always keeps things in perspective and possesses the perfect words of wisdom that Agatha needs to hear even if she does not want to.

Since all the Agatha books involve a murder, The Case of the Curious Curate begins with the arrival of a very attractive man - the golden haired Curate Tristan Delon. Though initially beguiled, Agatha starts to wonder if the young man is too good to be true, that is until he is found dead in the Vicar’s study and Agatha must unsnarl the goings on to help her friends the Bloxby’s.

At first blush you would not think that the village of Carsely would be capable to such evildoings, but as the bodies start to pile up. Not only does Agatha needs to dig deeper into this murder to find the killer, but also to prevent further wrong doings and to make sure that the right person is behind bars.

I truly enjoy this series, Agatha to grow on you. She can be the pushiest most annoying character that you run across, but deep down the woman cares for those around her, she just has a harsh and pushy way of showing it.

Start at the beginning and watch Agatha grow as a woman but also as a friend. Under all the gruffness, she is very charming.

A Novel Challenge 2012

Last year I had decided that I was going to take a break from challenges. The stress of reading a book only because it fit into a certain category was just plain silly so I backed away and read more for pleasure.

It has been a nice year. I have added more movie watching and finally have a grasp on blogging.

For 2012, I have decided to get back into reading challenges – which I know I am going to go overboard on, that is just my nature when it comes to book challenges. The one change I will personally make is to allow overlapping of categories / challenges. In the past, I was a stickler for only one category per book. Once again, that was silly and took a great deal of fun out of the whole experience.
I have added tabs in my heading line for the challenges that I will be participating in.

Please stop by A Novel Challenge and check out the ever-growing list of challenges and MeMe’s that you too can participate in.

First Chapter First Paragraph - Invisible

Title: Invisible
Author: Lorena McCourtney
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell
Publication Date: August 1, 2004
Format: eBook
Genre: Christian Mystery
Source: Amazon Digital Services
Series: Ivy Malone Mystery #1

Hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea

First Paragraph:

The sign arched over the gravel driveway proclaimed “Country Peace” in rusty wrought iron. Beyond the sign, the havoc in the cemetery challenged that claim of serenity.

The weathered gravestone of one Emil Riptone lay at the edge of the road, lump of concrete clinging to its base. Beyond it, another fallen headstone had split in two, creating an irreparable rift between William and Bertha Bartholomew. Across the weedy hillside, I could see at least three other uprooted grave markers.

Book Description:

She's not your average crime fighter! Ivy Malone has a curiosity that sometimes gets her into trouble, and it's only aggravated by her discovery that she can easily escape the public eye. So when vandals romp through the local cemetery, she takes advantage of her newfound anonymity and its unforeseen advantages as she launches her own unofficial investigation. Despite her oddball humor and unconventional snooping, Ivy soon becomes discouraged by her failure to turn up any solid clues. And after Ivy witnesses something ominous and unexplained, she can't resist putting her investigative powers to work again. Even the authorities' attempts to keep Ivy out of danger and her nosy neighbor's match-making schemes can't slow her down. But will the determination that fuels this persistent, quirky sleuth threaten her very safety?

Mailbox Monday - Angelina's Bachelors

Currently on a Blog Tour with a New Host Each Month

Title: Angelina's Bachelors
Author: Brian O'Reilly
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: August 9, 2011
Format: Trade Paperback; Pgs 384
Genre: Fiction
Source: Simon and Schuster

Summary

When Angelina’s husband suddenly dies of a heart attack, she is devastated. When she loses her job a few days later, she’s in real trouble. To escape her worries, she dives into the thing that has always brought her comfort—cooking. As a young woman, she had planned on culinary school, but her mother’s, and then father’s, terminal illnesses rerouted her dreams. Still, she’s a world-class amateur and treats her close-knit South Philly neighborhood to the results of her recent grief. One fan is Basil Cupertino, neighbor Dottie’s retired brother, who’s recently moved in. Basil—escaping his sister’s almost deadly cooking—makes Angelina a proposition: He will pay her handsomely for breakfast and dinner six days a week. Trying to hold poverty and depression at bay, Angelina agrees. Word spreads through the neighborhood, and soon Basil and Dottie’s handsome nephew Guy (escaping the seminary) joins in, as does young Johnny from across the street, the discerning Mr. Pettibone, the elderly Don Eddie and his driver Big Phil, and Jerry, who’s known Angelina forever. Her bachelors are treated to exquisite fare, and also company—the motley crew make a companionable dinner club in Angelina’s home. One night, feeling tired and faint, Angelina gets bittersweet news: After years of trying, she is four months pregnant. The thought of raising a child alone is terrifying, but the bachelors help out, and soon Angelina’s grief is replaced with the somber joy that her husband will live on. There are some mishaps along the way, including the city trying to shut her down, but Angelina triumphs when her long-lost dream of owning a restaurant becomes a reality.