Agatha Raisin Series – Books in Order by M.C. Beaton

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries laced with humor, quirky characters, and charming English village settings, the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton should be at the top of your reading list. Spanning a delightful collection of novels, these stories follow the feisty and ever-curious Agatha Raisin as she swaps her high-powered London PR career for a quieter life in the picturesque Cotswolds—only to find herself embroiled in one murder mystery after another.

Reading the series in order is the best way to enjoy Agatha’s personal growth, her evolving relationships, and the intricately woven plots that keep fans hooked. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time fan revisiting the series, this guide will take you through the Agatha Raisin books in order, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of her thrilling and hilarious adventures.

The Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton comprises numerous novels and short stories. Here’s a list of the primary works in order:

1. Agatha’s First Case (Prequel)
2. The Quiche of Death
3. The Vicious Vet
4. The Potted Gardener
5. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley
6. Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage
7. Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist
8. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death
9. Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham
10. Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden
11. Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam
12. Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell
13. Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came
14. Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
15. Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House
16. The Deadly Dance
17. The Perfect Paragon
18. Love, Lies and Liquor
19. Kissing Christmas Goodbye
20. A Spoonful of Poison
21. There Goes the Bride
22. Busy Body
23. As the Pig Turns
24. Hiss and Hers
25. Christmas Crumble (Short Story)
26. Something Borrowed, Someone Dead
27. The Blood of an Englishman
28. Dishing the Dirt
29. Pushing up Daisies
30. The Witches’ Tree
31. The Dead Ringer
32. Beating About the Bush
33. Hot to Trot
34. Down the Hatch
35. Devil’s Delight
36. Dead on Target
37. Killing Time

Quick View of Agatha Raisin Series

The Quiche of Death (1992)

Agatha Raisin retires to the Cotswolds and enters a quiche-baking contest to fit in, but when her store-bought entry causes a death, she becomes the prime suspect and must clear her name.

The Vicious Vet (1993)

A handsome new vet arrives in town and catches Agatha’s eye, but when he’s found dead, Agatha teams up with her neighbor James Lacey to uncover the truth behind his demise.

The Potted Gardener (1994)

Agatha returns from vacation to find a beautiful newcomer winning over the villagers and James; jealousy turns to suspicion when the woman is found murdered in her garden.

The Walkers of Dembley (1995)

A rambler’s association brings turmoil to the village, and when a member is killed, Agatha and James go undercover to investigate the group’s contentious dynamics.

The Murderous Marriage (1996)

On her wedding day, Agatha’s presumed-dead husband reappears, leading to a public confrontation; when he’s found murdered, Agatha becomes a suspect once again.

The Terrible Tourist (1997)

Following James to Cyprus, Agatha becomes entangled in a murder investigation among a group of British tourists, testing her sleuthing skills abroad.

The Wellspring of Death (1998)

A local spring is set to be commercialized, causing village disputes; when a councilor is found dead, Agatha dives into the murky waters of village politics.

The Wizard of Evesham (1999)

Agatha’s new hairdresser works wonders on her appearance, but when he dies under suspicious circumstances, she uncovers secrets beneath his charming facade.

The Witch of Wyckhadden (1999)

Seeking a change, Agatha visits a seaside town, consults a local witch for a love potion, and soon finds herself investigating the witch’s mysterious death.

The Fairies of Fryfam (2000)

Following a fortune-teller’s advice, Agatha rents a cottage in Norfolk, where she encounters strange lights, superstitious villagers, and a murder to solve.

The Love from Hell (2001)

Agatha and James finally marry, but domestic bliss is short-lived; when James disappears and a woman is murdered, Agatha faces her most personal case yet.

The Day the Floods Came (2002)

After a friend’s wedding, a young bride is found dead in a river; Agatha suspects foul play and uncovers a web of secrets in the victim’s life.

The Case of the Curious Curate (2003)

A charming new curate wins over the parishioners, but when he’s found murdered in the vicar’s study, Agatha uncovers his less-than-holy past.

The Haunted House (2003)

Agatha investigates a supposedly haunted house to impress her new neighbor, uncovering a very human evil lurking behind the ghostly occurrences.

The Deadly Dance (2004)

Agatha opens her own detective agency, and her first big case involves protecting a debutante from death threats, leading to a deadly confrontation.

The Perfect Paragon (2005)

Hired to find a missing teenager, Agatha’s investigation leads her into the dark side of village life, revealing that perfection often hides corruption.

Love, Lies and Liquor (2006)

A seaside vacation turns sinister when Agatha is accused of murder after a woman resembling her is found dead, forcing her to clear her name.

Kissing Christmas Goodbye (2007)

Agatha receives a letter from a woman fearing for her life; by the time Agatha investigates, it’s too late, and she must find the killer before Christmas.

A Spoonful of Poison (2008)

A village fête’s jam-tasting competition turns deadly, and Agatha’s investigation reveals that sweet preserves can hide bitter secrets.

There Goes the Bride (2009)

Agatha’s ex-husband is set to remarry, but when his bride is shot on their wedding day, Agatha can’t resist delving into the case.

Busy Body (2010)

The town’s health and safety officer, notorious for canceling festive events, is found murdered during the Christmas season, leading Agatha to sort through a long list of suspects with grudges.

As the Pig Turns (2011)

A pig roast takes a grisly turn when the “pig” is revealed to be the body of a hated policeman. Agatha must confront rural feuds and underhanded schemes to uncover the truth.

Hiss and Hers (2012)

Agatha’s unrequited affection for a local gardener leads her to investigate his murder, only to find herself unraveling a web of secrets in his life.

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead (2013)

When a disliked newcomer is poisoned, Agatha unravels the tangled relationships and hidden motives of her neighbors.

The Blood of an Englishman (2014)

A local baker is gruesomely murdered during a pantomime rehearsal, and Agatha’s determination uncovers layers of jealousy and betrayal.

Dishing the Dirt (2015)

Agatha’s suspicions about a therapist turn deadly when the therapist is murdered, dragging Agatha into another dangerous investigation.

Pushing Up Daisies (2016)

Agatha delves into the death of a wealthy landowner after his plans to turn community gardens into housing anger the villagers.

The Witches’ Tree (2017)

A horrific murder staged under an ancient tree takes Agatha deep into the world of witches and dark secrets in the Cotswolds.

The Dead Ringer (2018)

A glamorous bishop’s visit is overshadowed by murder, drawing Agatha into a case filled with deception, adultery, and greed.

Beating About the Bush (2019)

Agatha’s investigation of a factory fire and a dead donkey leads to shocking discoveries about illegal activity and corporate secrets.

Hot to Trot (2020)

When a glamorous equestrian event ends with a murder, Agatha must navigate rivalries and buried secrets to uncover the truth.

Down the Hatch (2021)

Agatha investigates the suspicious death of a belligerent retired officer, uncovering ties to smuggling and corruption.

Devil’s Delight (2022)

Agatha is drawn into a strange murder case involving a nudist society and tangled romantic relationships.

Dead on Target (2023)

In her latest case, Agatha unravels secrets of a murder victim whose seemingly idyllic life masks deadly intentions.

Each book showcases Agatha’s sharp wit and determination as she tackles quirky village mysteries and navigates her tumultuous personal life!

Conclusion

The Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton offers a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and charm, set against the picturesque backdrop of the English countryside. With each book, readers are treated to Agatha’s sharp wit, unrelenting determination, and sometimes hilariously flawed antics as she solves crimes and navigates the complexities of village life and personal relationships.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, following Agatha’s adventures in order provides a thoroughly entertaining journey filled with twists, turns, and a touch of romance. This timeless series is perfect for anyone who loves cozy mysteries with a strong, quirky protagonist. Happy reading!