Down the Hatch: An Agatha Raisin Mystery

M. C. Beaton

Oct 2021 · Blackstone Publishing · Narrated by Penelope Keith

About this audiobook

Beloved New York Times bestselling author M. C. Beaton’s cranky, crafty Agatha Raisin—the star of her own hit TV series—is back on the case again in Down the Hatch.

Private detective Agatha Raisin, having recently taken up power-walking, is striding along a path in Mircester Park during her lunch break when she hears a cry for help. Rushing over, she finds an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Swinburn, in the middle of the green—with the body of an old man lying at their feet.

The man, who the coroner determines died by poisoning, was known as “the Admiral,” a gardener notorious for his heavy drinking, and Chief Inspector Wilkes writes the death off as an accident caused by the consumption of weedkiller stored in a rum bottle. Agatha is not convinced that anyone would mistake weedkiller for rum but carries on with her work at Raisin Investigations, until she receives an anonymous tip that the Admiral’s death was no accident.

Local gossip points to the Swinburns themselves as the killers, spurred by a feud at the club where they, as well as the Admiral, were members. Distraught at this accusation, they turn to Agatha to clear their name, and she takes the case—despite the warnings of Chief Inspector Wilkes.

Agatha encounters one suspicious character after another, becoming further enmeshed in the Admiral’s own dark and shady past. And when she’s run off the road, narrowly escaping with her life, and then another attack occurs, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want the case closed—and will stop at nothing to prevent Agatha from solving it.

Ratings and reviews

Just couldn’t seem to get into this. I tried so hard. Listened to about 3/4 of it but it drug on and on. This is the first book I’ve read/ listened to in the series. I’ve watched a lot of the show with my hubby because he loves it so much. The books don’t seem anything like it. I figured it wouldn’t be but I thought it would be more interesting. So sorry to say. The characters fell flat for me but mostly the story. I may try some of the earlier books. As for the narrator, she was perfect! I loved her. And being in the south in USA, the accent was a breath of fresh air for me. I could listen to her all day. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher/author for this opportunity.

About the author

M. C. Beaton (1936–2019), hailed as the “Queen of Crime” by the Globe and Mail, was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels—the basis for the hit series on Acorn TV and public television—as well as the Hamish Macbeth series and the Edwardian Murder Mysteries featuring Lady Rose Summer. Born in Scotland, Beaton started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms.

R. W. Green, a long-time friend of M. C. Beaton, has written numerous works of fiction and nonfiction. He lives in Surrey with his family and a black Labrador called Flynn.

Penelope Keith is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and award-winning actress who is best known for her roles in To the Manor Born and The Good Life, but she has appeared in many other television programs, including No Job for a Lady and Law and Disorder. Her theater performances include The Norman Conquests, Hay Fever, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession. She has received several BAFTA Awards and in 2014 was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.