• Agatha's First Case

  • An Agatha Raisin Short Story
  • By: M. C. Beaton
  • Narrated by: Alison Larkin
  • Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (2,883 ratings)

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Agatha's First Case

By: M. C. Beaton
Narrated by: Alison Larkin
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Publisher's summary

At age 26 Agatha Raisin has already come a long way. She has clawed her way up since leaving the Birmingham slum where she was born. She's lost her Birmingham accent, run away from her drunken husband, and found a job at a public relations office as a secretary. Then her boss asks Agatha to go to the home of Sir Bryce Teller to tell him that he is soon to be arrested for the murder of his wife and that the agency no longer wants to represent him.

Teller, impressed with the pugnacious Agatha, asks her to handle PR for him and even offers her an office and tells her she can hire a staff. Certainly the best thing Agatha can do for her first client is to find out who really murdered his wife and clear his name. And with her wits and gumption, Agatha sets out to do just that.

New York Times best-selling author M. C. Beaton's character Agatha Raisin is beloved by millions, and this brand-new short story takes us back to where it all began with Agatha's first case.

©2015 M. C. Beaton (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Agatha's First Case

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Lightening Fast Short Origin Story

So this was interesting as I have never read any of the books in the Agatha Raisin series so what is being 'filled in' for long term readers of the series is really just a first interaction with the character and no sense of who will be returning in the books later and who was just a one off for this story. The pacing as expected from a short story that is barely over an hour is a very fast clip, a bit of a whirlwind, and a character that seems to go with the first unfiltered thought that arises. I actually appreciated this in the sense that you are willing to go along with her head long dash into solving a case not because it is believable that she has satisfactory motivation to enter into such dangerous circumstances but more because it seems authentic that she doesn't care enough about her own safety to pause to think if what she is doing is a good idea. The narrator is alright, again hard for me to comment as I have not listened to the rest of the books in this story and don't have an association with the main character, though the samples I listened to of the other volumes I did enjoy the other narrators over this one. For those that mind I will say there was a more significant amount of cussing for such a short story. Not a deal breaker for some but fair warning for those that mind it. Overall very fast introduction to a character that seems quirky and ready to dive into any situation. Would be interested in listening to the bundle of the first two books and seeing what the character is like in the established story line.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Where It All Began!

I've been reading the Agatha Raisin mysteries for the last few years and I've loved every one of them. Agatha is big on spirit and determination and regardless of your age she sure is a great model for the strong, confident woman with a "can-do" attitude! When I heard M.C. Beaton was writing a story about her first case, I was excited. I wanted to know what Agatha was like in her 20s!

In this story we get to meet Agatha when she is 26. She is just starting out at a ad agency as a general "dogsbody" and has quite made it yet. She gets thrust in the middle of a murder case, and alike to her cases later on, she bumbles around and gets everything right. She's hesitant to begin with, but her strong passion to make something of herself shines through and she starts to show the Agatha Raisin spirit that we all love!

Agatha Raisin is my all time favorite sleuth and I simply loved her first story. I'm hoping maybe one day M.C. Beaton will write more stories of her younger days, as this one was a delight.

If you're a new fan to the Agatha Raisin mysteries this would be the perfect place to start.

I enjoyed Alison Larkin's narration. Penelope Keith is my all-time favorite narrator of this series but Alison's narration was quite good too.

Definitely a A+ listen and I can't wait for the new book, Dishing the Dirt!

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Agatha's Origins

Charming short story explaining Agatha Raisin's first case and how she got her start. Hearing about her sad upbringing certainly gives one more sympathy for the character. It's easy to see why she had to develop the hard shell she has in the series. She's always seemed a tough nut with a heart of gold.

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A Nice Tease

This was a nice tease considering a new Agatha Raisin book will be released since. I enjoyed this book. Agatha was born with spunk!

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Setting up for the series

This book was a quick little romp into the life of Agatha Raisin. You are introduced to her, her method, some of her personal background, etc. It was short and sweet setting up the series to come. I'll be moving on to book one.

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5 people found this helpful

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Fun!

Really enjoyed this short that told us how Agatha got her start. Clever, fun, straight up Agatha. A quick and infinitely enjoyable read.

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4 people found this helpful

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entertaining, quick Agatha Raisin fix

this was a nice quick listen! perfect for those who've finished all the other Agatha books and need a fix or if you're looking for a short mystery story in this genre.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fun!!

It was fun hearing how Agatha might have started her career. Since this seems like an afterthought story and not really a prequel to the series...I say...might have started. Still is was a fun little short story....would love to listen to more!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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these boots are really good. light and funny

love these books. I need a good story to take me off every so often.

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  • KS
  • 08-17-17

Short and fun

Disappointed it was not longer but the story ran it's course so nothing left hanging. Liked "learning" about Agatha's early years. ☺️

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2 people found this helpful