New York Times bestseller M. C. Beaton's beloved Agatha Raisin―now the star of a hit show on Acorn TV and public television―is back on the case and poking around where she doesn't belong. Agatha Raisin, private detective, resident in the Cotswold village of Carsely, should have been a contented and happy woman… But in M.C. Beaton's Pushing Up Daisies , things are about to get a little less cozy. Lord Bellington, a wealthy land developer, wants to turn the community garden into a housing estate. And when Agatha and her friend Sir Charles Fraith attempt to convince Lord Bellington to abandon his plans, he scoffs, “Do you think I give a damn about what a lot of pesky villagers want?” So it’s no surprise that some in the town are feeling celebratory when Agatha finds his obituary in the newspaper two weeks later. The villagers are relieved to learn that Bellington’s son and heir, Damian, has no interest in continuing his father’s development plans. Except the death was apparently murder, and the police see Damian as suspect number one--though Agatha finds plenty of others when he hires her to find the real killer. The good news is that a handsome retired detective named Gerald has recently moved to town. Too bad he was seen kissing another newcomer… Soon, another murder further entangles Gerald and Agatha in a growing web of intrigue as they work with her team of detectives work to uncover the killer’s identity. “Agatha Raisin is in top form in bestseller Beaton’s 27th mystery…a twisty plot, a familiar cast of eccentric characters, and a charming English country setting mean that lovers of cozy mysteries will be satisfied indeed.” – Publishers Weekly “It’s fast paced, with lots of twists and turns, hilarity, and quiet moments when you think maybe, just maybe, Agatha will get a grip.” – Booklist More Praise for M.C. Beaton and Agatha Raisin: "Full of perfectly pitched interest, intrigue, and charm.” ―Lee Child “Once you meet Agatha Raisin, you’ll keep coming back.” ― New York Journal of Books “A Miss Marple who enjoys drink, cigarettes, and men, Agatha displays a wit and sharp tongue that will continue to please her fans.” ― Publishers Weekly "Few things in life are more satisfying than to discover a brand-new Agatha Raisin mystery." ― Tampa Tribune “M. C. Beaton has a foolproof plot for the village mystery.” ― The New York Times Book Review "Outwardly bossy and vain, inwardly insecure and vulnerable, Agatha grows more endearing with each installment." ― Cleveland Plain Dealer "Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha." ― Chicago Sun-Times M. C. Beaton (1936-2019), the “Queen of Crime” ( The Globe and Mail ), was the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Agatha Raisin novels -- the basis for the hit show 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, she started her career writing historical romances under several pseudonyms and her maiden name, Marion Chesney. In 2006, M.C. was the British guest of honor at Bouchercon. Pushing Up Daisies An Agatha Raisin Mystery By M. C. Beaton St. Martin's Press Copyright © 2016 M. C. Beaton All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-250-05744-0 CHAPTER 1 Agatha Raisin, private detective, resident in the Cotswold village of Carsely, should have been a contented and happy woman. Business at her agency was brisk. It was a rare fine English autumn. But the serpent of jealousy was hissing in her ear. Agatha had been jealous of women before, but never in one hundred years had she expected to be jealous of her best friend, Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar's wife. There was a newcomer in the village, Gerald Devere, a retired New Scotland Yard detective and, of all people, Mrs. Bloxby appeared smitten. She had dyed her hair a rich brown and had taken to wearing attractive clothes instead of her usual old droopy ones. Gerald was in his early fifties. He had a slim athletic body, a clever mobile face, fine grey eyes and odd slanting black eyebrows. Agatha was determined to ensnare him. After all, she was unmarried, and Mrs. Bloxby was married to the vicar. I will only be doing her a favour, thought Agatha. She surely does not want to break up her marriage. But Gerald had caught Agatha snooping around his house and had been furious with her. Hard work ahead, getting him to even like me, thought Agatha. Agatha phoned her friend, Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, and said, "There's a newcomer in Carsely. Says he's a retired New Scotland Yard detective. Know anything about him?" "Yes. He was a detective inspector with an impeccable record. He could have risen higher, but he decided to retire. Afraid of the competition?" "Don't need to be," said Agatha. "All my work is in Mircester now. Big town stuff. No village mayhem." It was a sunny Sunday morning. Agatha felt restless. She had thought about going to c