When I’ve been reading a lot of “issue” books and am anxious over the state of the world, it’s nice to slip into an Agatha Raisin book and be distracted for awhile. Agatha has plenty of helpers and all our old favourites are back, such as James, Charles, Toni, Simon, Bill, Roy and Mrs Bloxby.

This was due to the reduced roles of the usual comic relief provided by Roy Silver and Sir Charles Fraith, both of whom make only small cameo appearances. Sadly, the characters retain their names but not their personalities in another instalment in the series created after the death of M C Beaton. In this latest case, Agatha works to solve an unusual poisoning case with help from James and her colleague Toni. Charles knows how to sweet-talk and how to get around Agatha, he would not ambush her, with Gustav and Charles' Aunt playing support staff in tandem.I so very much loved this series prior to Beaton’s passing and was Leary of someone else trying to fill her shoes, even with her blessing, However, this did not disappoint. Just think of dialogue from the cheesiest most sickeningly sweet romance novel ever and you might get close. Where's the agatha that needed to pile on the make up before seeing any attractive man, who desperately wanted James love and who felt guilty every time she smoked. So there is hope for a revitalized future of the series even if the mystery element of this last case was not that interesting. Events take an even darker turn when Agatha realises that, in pursuing the bowling green killer, she is putting her own life in danger.

She is kind, but has a sharp eye, and would instead notice the details of someone's situation and draw a reasonable conclusion about their means. Beaton (1936-2019) was the author of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, as well as numerous Regency romances.Born in Scotland, she started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms and her maiden name, Marion Chesney. That might have been due to lesser antics from regulars such as Roy Silver and Sir Charles Fraith, who usually provided most of the comic relief. In all, it is a promising continuation of the series and I look forward to reading the next installment. It does at least show promise that the series will continue in safe hands and move the characters forward.