User Reviews

I think this would make a nice series. The drama follows Agatha, a PR guru who sells her company in London to move to the seemingly tranquil village of Carsley, where she always dreamed of having a normal life. She of course does not fit in and soon finds herself involved in a murder mystery. It was fairly predictable plot wise. It was nice to see the unlikable lead character find her way and the village ends up liking her. That was sweet. All the actors did a great job. Some of the characters turned out to not be what they originally seemed, in a very mild way. There is always a place for this kind of low key, village murderer type of series, I think. It does say it is a one of, but somehow I think they will do more. I enjoyed it. Update- Well they did make a series out of it. I still am enjoying the small amount of episodes they are putting out.

I realize that sounds like a poor review, but let's be honest, these days we just want to be entertained. And it's a fun little british mystery. A small town whodunnit with the twist being the main character. Agatha is great. I love her. She's a fun mix of Ms Marple, Jessica Fletcher, and a wine mom with two gay best friends. I haven't watched the rest of the mysteries but this one was okay as it bounced around between your various different villains. I will admit I was fooled by one or two of the red herrings. So far it's been worth the subscription alone to acorn TV. I hope it holds.

I haven't read any of M. C. Beaton's books, but I found this a fun start to a fine series that I've recently discovered thanks to the pandemic. After watching the season 2 finale, I decided to go straight to this pilot. The scenery is gorgeous, and the writing is deft and sublime at times.

Matt McCooey shines as DC Wong, and he should have a spin-off series.

I had waited with much anticipation to see this TV adaptation of a much loved story. I was happy that Agatha was blond and Scottish as it was Ashley Jensen. However the scriptwriter must have read the wrong book because James Lacey doesn't appear til book 2 and was not the brother of Mrs Parr, the vicar was at least thirty years younger and with a different skin colour. Mrs Bloxby with a different first name did not have an affair with Mr Cummings-Browne. And what was the write thinking when he tried to create a love interest with Bill. Bill is her friend and it is quite heart warming to see a male and female as friends. If the scriptwriter had read the book they would know that Agatha relies on this friendship. Mrs Simpson also seemed thirty years younger with a child and no Mr Simpson! And just the one murder when in the book there was two. I realise that books are adapted but this version bore very little resemblance to the book and was sadder for it. Should Sky commission the Vicious Vet I sincerely hope they get a writer who has read the book and understands that readers will want to be able to actually recognise the story.

This is an adaptation of a series of murder-mystery books that have been turned into comedy crime caper. However I am not sure given the tone of this film whether its also a pastiche as well to a series like Midsomer Murders.

Ashley Jensen plays Agatha Raisin, a go-getting 30 something Public Relations whizz in the city of London who packs it all in to retire in a cottage in the Cotswolds.

She has trouble fitting into village life as the locals seem to distrust outsiders and in order to get in with them she enters a quiche competition when her troubles really begin as her neighbour and judge of the competition is poisoned by a deadly quiche.

The film was mildly diverting, plenty of red herrings, a lot of nasty locals although you could sort of guess who the murderer is.

However I found the tone of the film rather odd. Given the title of the film and the prevailing comic tone it really did come across as a pastiche.

This is meant to be a light hearted comedy crime caper set in the Cotswolds with the city girl - Agatha Raisin - trying to give up the rat-race and retire gracefully to the country cottage of her childhood dreams.

I agree with the reviewer who likened it to Midsomer Murders - it's Midsomer Lite and would make a fantastic series to replace the new dull Midsomer series, since John Nettles left.

Murders happen - but like Midsomer they usually happen to nasty types in eccentric ways.

If you've read the books I believe you will find that Ashley Jensen is a fantastic Agatha - despite being blonde.

Some slight changes to the book characters jarred at first - but were ultimately much more interesting.

I look forward to more in the form of a series. It's a crime series that can be enjoyed without any grimness or pain.

Gently dark and gently humorous.

Having read and loved all the Agatha Raisin books to date, I had several misgivings about the cast; especially Ashley Jensen in the lead role. The casting was superb!

Yes, the TV adaptation changed several of the character traits and yes, the plot line didn't follow the book to the letter; but it was both entertaining for those new to Agatha and a perfect accompaniment to the book. It will hopefully introduce a whole new audience to M. C. Beaton and the rest of the series will be given the same treatment in the near future.

Although there were parts of the written story missed out or altered, the changes made the interaction of the characters and interwoven stories interesting and amusing; as did changing the circumstances of some of the main players (Gemma Simpson springs to mind)

I'll always be an advocate of "book is better than screen" – but Agatha Raisin and The Quiche of Death as shown on TV was an absolute treasure; one I have watched five times in two weeks.

A successful publicist decides to chuck her career for the simple joys of the idyllic countryside life she has always coveted, but as with so many dreams hers doesn't seem to be playing out as she'd expected. A neighbour is murdered and she becomes the number one suspect, so she sets out to find out who the real killer is. A charming clever piece which is very well written and acted, I'd love to see a series based on the format, the characters are very well drawn and it very cleverly knocks social stereo types without being heavy handed, a very under estimated drama, I recommend. It's not a hard hitting crime drama is a gentle mix along the lines of Rosemary and Thyme.

Absolutely love this show.

So lighthearted and comedic.

If the producers of this show are reading this we want more!

The cast is incredible.

Have to say I love a Blonde Agatha what a fun change!

Thank you MC Beaton for the stories and thank you to the producers for finally putting this on screen.

The story lines keep in line with books with slight alterations that make the screen adaption refreshing.

Ashley Jensen as Agatha is an absolute delight.

Truly can't wait for the next season!

I waited with baited breath for this screen adaptation. What a disappointment, Agatha Raisin basics weren't even adhered too,(slight Brummie accent, dark brown hair, Carsley ladies referring to each other by their married names and what about the vicar and his wife?) I found the books laugh out loud funny but this didn't come across on screen and relied heavily on 'hammish' acting. It was all a bit too slapstick for my taste, it could have been so good with ongoing regular episodes but not sure the casting is good enough. Won't be setting the record button on any future adaptations. I can't see it ever being anywhere as good as Hamish Macbeth (MC Beaton's other book to series)

I was so into this pilot of Agatha Raisin...when my DVR cut off the last half hour - I actually BOUGHT the movie on Amazon Prime so I could watch the end.... I loved it! I have also watched the entire season 1 and season 2...can't wait for season 3 to be available in the US. I hope there will be a season 4 and beyond.

I want to see the new episodes stop teasing me I am a mystery gal.

Obviously the formulaic MC Beaton AG lovers will be disappointed but I don't really care because I never liked the book version of AG...just too unlovely and simply unlikable a character never mind the repetitive plots. Well this version looks the formula right in the eye and switches it into a different combo and up-dates it all into this century. Along with a lot of character chess pieces being rearranged, it also drops the late Mr Raisin's-questionable past which might have been fun but maybe not suited for today's audience. Could always be drawn in later I suppose to spice flagging plot lines I suppose. As to why MC Beaton let this go? Come on people! Don't be so naive!! Her empire never stops churning out pages of semi-dreck for the undying fans, ( I suspect her publishers now use simple algorithms to keep up with the demand) so why would she mind just another exploitation of her 'art'?

Blonde, Slim, 40ish, Scottish, WRONG, WRONG WRONG. What were the producers thinking and M.C. Beaton how could you agree to an actor who is nothing like Agatha Raisin's description I have no idea why you let this go to air. I have been reading your books for 20 years, we, your readers love your books and I understand that some books don't transfer well to TV and movies but this was an absolute travesty. There was only one character who was true to the books....Bill Wong... no one else was remotely similar. Had anyone who had anything to do with the making of this TV show even read the book? It seems not! If a TV series comes of this with the current cast I won't be watching!

I was so excited when I heard they had made a film of one of my favourite book series. I adore M C Beaton but I wonder why she allowed this garbage to go ahead. The casting is very very bad. Agatha Raisin is not a forty-something blonde. This actress has dead fish eyes and has zero charisma and warmth. Agatha should be flawed but attractive as a person not this glossy empty version which has nothing even remotely similar. Agatha Raisin books are well loved for good reason, they are charming witty and warm, the film makers chose to reduce everyones age by ten years and turn it into something its not. it fails miserably on all levels. I cant get over the wooden false expression on that blonde actress. I am very sorry but its rubbish.

The Director,producer, writers.. should be forced to read the books.I can't understand the need to drastically change characters from the books. First Hamish, now Agatha - very disappointing.

The casting for the main character was an absolute abomination, an arrogant Scottish women who is up herself was possibly the worst combination of that would have suited this series that had so much potential. She comes across as a very unlikable, arrogant and quite frankly bitchy women who is the person everyone in the village hates which is how the other characters immediately reacted as they took a disliking to her. However when she is with the cleaner and her daughter, the character becomes a lot more likable and relate-able, so if she was constantly like this it would have been a lot more of an enjoyable watch. The performances of the rest of the cast are brilliant and present themselves excellently as members of a country village. However when we get to the plot it is also a let down as it is led by the two least likely looking and characteristic people, a young man who looks around 22 (Far to young to be an investigating officer) and an odd, awkwardly sociable man in his 40s as an assistant. There are a few funny parts mainly from the two police officers from the young officer who's humour comes from his inexperience and from the awkwardly sociable officer who at points makes you cringe with laughter. The old folk of the village - The Boggles also add a few funny parts but only appear for around 3 minutes.

Abysmal casting! A totally inappropriate leading lady.