recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate

"*Hell Sent, but Hell Bound...*"
―The Curious Curate's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and the Curious Curate*** is the thirteenth book in the Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. The book was published in 2003.

In 2018, the book was adapted as part of the second season of the Agatha Raisin TV series.

## Book description

Agatha Raisin is feeling miserable—and with good reason. Her ex-husband, James, has abandoned her, and she’s been humiliated by an unseemly proposition from John Armitage, her handsome neighbour. So complete is her devastation that Agatha has given up on makeup and taken to wearing the loose cotton dresses and flat, sensible shoes she has always abhorred.

But there is light at the end of this dark and lonely tunnel, and its source is Carsely’s beatific new curate, Tristan Delon. With his golden hair, large blue eyes, and perfect mouth, Tristan has attracted the interest of more than a few of his female congregants. And to her surprise, he seems to have taken a special interest in Agatha.

Despite his charms, however, there is something odd about the curate, and after he’s found dead in the vicar’s study, it’s up to Agatha and John to investigate.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **John Armitage**
* **Tristan Delon**

## Television adaptation

*Main article: Agatha Raisin & the Curious Curate*
The events of this story were adapted as the final episode of the second season of the Agatha Raisin television series.

## Trivia

* The book was originally published as *Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate*.
Rice & Bladen

## Rice & Bladen

### Owner

Peter Rice
Paul Bladen †

### First appearance

The Vicious Vet

**Rice & Bladen** was a veterinary practice in Carsely.

## Employees

* Peter Rice (part-owner and veterinarian)
* Paul Bladen † (part-owner and veterinarian)
* Chloe Mabb (receptionist, formerly)

### Customers

* Mrs. Josephs † (cat)
* Harriet Parr (goldfish)
* Lord Pendlebury (horse)
* Agatha Raisin (cat)
John Cartwright

* Television series
* Book series

**John Cartwright** is a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*.

He is the controlling husband of Ella Cartwright.

He was portrayed by John Lightbody.

## Biography

### Book series

At some point in his past, John served a prison sentence in Chelmsford, Essex for armed robbery.

John worked part-time as a cook for the Farmers Arms pub in Upper Cockburn. However he fell back into his old ways when he robbed a local Cotswolds pub wearing a mask and yielding a sawn-off shotgun. In addition to emptying all the money from the till he stole a charity collection off the bar. He was nervous that Agatha Raisin was aware of his lawbreaking due to her meddling around and constant questioning of his wife. Having previously sent her an anonymous death threat, he later stretched wire across the road on the steep hill that led into Carsely and successfully tripped Agatha up as she was cycling. As he went to further attack her with a large rock, Bill Wong arrived and John fled the scene. He rushed home and packed some clothes in a bag before driving off in his car, leaving his wife behind. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

## Physical Appearance

### Book series

John is described as a strongly built, apelike man. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

## Appearances

* Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death
* Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
The Green-Eyed Monster

**The Green-Eyed Monster** is the fourth episode of the third series of the *Agatha Raisin* radio drama. It was adapted by David Semple from M.C. Beaton's book *Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist* and directed by Carol Smith. It first aired November 15, 2006 on BBC Radio 4.

## Synopsis

A murder on the dance floor at the hotel disco has forced the warring Agatha and James to cohabit. But will they be able to solve this sudden death before they end up killing each other?

## Cast

* Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin
* Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey
* Caroline Harker as Olivia
* George Layton as Sam
* Spencer Banks as George
Andy Cummings-Browne

* Television series
* Book series

**Andy Cummings-Browne** was a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, based on the character **Reginald Cummings-Browne** from the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*.

He was the judge of the prestigious quiche competition at Carsely's annual village fete. Behind his air of respectability, however, the retired army veteran was in fact a womanising cheat who dropped his morals as quickly as his trousers.

He was portrayed by Robert Bathurst, and voiced by Chris Emmett in the radio adaptation.

## Biography

### Television series

Although married to Jo Cummings-Browne, Andy had his way with multiple women in the village. This included an ongoing affair with Ella Cartwright. Consequently, he had awarded Ella the prestigious award of best quiche at the village fete seven years in a row. One Christmas, after too many mulled wines, Andy kissed the vicar's wife Sarah Bloxby.

Andy had also had an affair with Jo's friend Sheila Barr, who was deeply in love with him. Sheila was aware of Andy's relationship with Ella and often threatened to tell Jo unless he stopped seeing Ella. On one occasion, Sheila left a message exposing Andy's infidelity written in lipstick on a mirror at the Cummings-Browne's house, however, Andy was able to clear up this message before Jo saw it.

When Agatha Raisin moved to the village, she invited Andy and Jo out for dinner to learn more about the upcoming quiche competition in the hopes of better integrating herself into village life. Whist Jo went to the toilet, Andy made subtle advances towards Agatha but she wasn't interested in him and simply ignored his remarks.

Andy once again judged the quiche competition, awarding the best quiche prize to Ella. After the competition was over, Andy was brought the leftover quiches to eat by Jo. Unknown to him, however, Jo had secretly baked a replica of Agatha's spinach quiche entry which she'd poisoned with cowbane. Andy ate the poisoned quiche for dinner and died, his body was found the next morning by his cleaner Gemma Simpson and her daughter. (TV: *Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death*)

### Book series

Mr. Cummings-Browne judged competitions in Carsely as well as several neighbouring villages. It was known that he had favourites in each village to whom he would award prizes. According to Mrs. Bloxby, Mr. Cummings-Browne was not a popular man in the village and that Vera Cummings-Browne was a most devoted wife. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

## Physical appearance

### Book series

According to Bill, Reg had a pointy head and jug ears. (The Quiche of Death)

## Appearances

Television appearances

* Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death

Book appearances

* Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death

Radio appearances

* The Quiche of Death

## Trivia

* Andy was particularly fond of The Feathers in Ancombe. (TV: *Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death*)
	+ This was likely due to his wife being part owner. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

## Gallery

* Episode stills
* Promotional shots
* Promotional artwork
Agatha Raisin and Love, Lies and Liquor

"*Playing merry hell on holiday...*"
―Love, Lies and Liquor's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and Love, Lies and Liquor*** is seventeenth book in the Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. The story was published in 2006.

## Synopsis

Agatha Raisin is lonely. Busy as she is with her detective agency and the meetings of the Carsely Ladies’ Society, she still misses her ex-husband, James Lacey, so she welcomes his return to the cottage next door with her usual triumph of optimism over experience---especially when he invites her on holiday at a surprise location that was once very dear to him. With visions of a romantic hideaway in Italy or the Pacific dancing in her head, Agatha goes off happily with James to...Snoth-on-Sea, in Sussex.

While James may have fond memories of boyhood holidays there, Snoth-on-Sea has seen better days, as has the once-grand Palace Hotel, now run-down and tacky and freezing cold. Nor do the other guests have much to recommend them, especially the brassy honeymoon couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jankers, who pick a fight with Agatha in the dining room. But trouble has a way of following Agatha even if romance does not: Just as she and James are preparing to flee to warmer climes, Geraldine Jankers is found dead on the beach---strangled with Agatha’s scarf. So much for Agatha’s holiday fantasies: Not only is it time to put her detective skills to work, but the police are not even sure that she’ll be allowed to leave town.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **James Lacey**
* **Mr. Jankers**
* **Geraldine Jankers**

## Adaptations

### Television

*Main article: Agatha Raisin: Love, Lies & Liquor*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the fourth season of the *Agatha Raisin* television series.
Olivia Witherspoon

* Television series
* Book series

**Olivia Witherspoon** was a character in the third season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House*.

She was the formidable and fearsome owner of Ivy Hall in Hebberdon and was particularly unpopular within the local community.

She was portrayed by Richenda Carey.

## Biography

### Television series

The Crossed Swords society were originally to host their battle re-enactment on Olivia's land but after Olivia fell out with the society she refused to let them use her property. Shortly after, Olivia was left terrified by hauntings at her home. When the police refused to look into it, she was forced to accept help from Agatha Raisin. Olivia took an instant dislike to Agatha, accusing her of having low morals. (The Haunted House)

## Personality

### Television series

Olivia is known as an insufferably rude, selfish liar and serial troublemaker. A reputation she relishes. She is a woman who takes great pleasure in inflicting misery on others, including her own children.

## Physical Appearance

### Television series

Olivia intimidates everyone she meets with her aristocratic booming voice and larger than life physical presence.

## Appearances

* 3.01 - Agatha Raisin & the Haunted House
* 14 - Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House
Mary Brown-Field

**Mary Brown-Field** is a character in the novel *Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot*.

She was the socialite fianceé of Charles Fraith who was involved in the world of competitive equestrianism.

## Appearances

Book appearances

* 31 - Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot

## Trivia

* Her middle name, *Darlinda*, is a combination of her parents' names (Darell and Linda).
* She insisted that Gustav call her 'Miss Mary' but planned to have him address her as 'Your Ladyship' after the wedding. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot*)
Karen Hardy

* Television series
* Book series

**Karen Hardy** was a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, based on the character **Mary Hardy** from the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage*.

She was portrayed by Clare Wille.

## Biography

Karen had bought Agatha's cottage in Carsely as Agatha was due to move in with her soon to be husband, James Lacey. However, when their wedding was interrupted and Agatha could subsequently no longer live with James, she asked Karen if she was maybe regretting the move to Carsely. Unfortunately for Agatha, Karen was happy in the village and had no intention of selling the cottage back to Agatha.

When taking her dog for a walk, Karen witnessed Agatha be approached by a drunken Jimmy Raisin. Being harassed by Jimmy, Agatha had to whack him out of her way so she could escape the situation. Jimmy fell down the hill and Agatha left him, unaware that Karen had been watching from afar. In fact, Karen recognised Jimmy and became worried that he would start demanding money from her again. With Agatha now gone, Karen went after Jimmy at the bottom of the hill and strangled him to death. She then contacted the police, reporting the violent exchange she had just seen between Agatha and Jimmy. (The Murderous Marriage)

## Appearances

* 1.08 - The Murderous Marriage
* Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage
Patrick Mulligan

**Patrick Mulligan** is a recurring character in the *Agatha Raisin* book series.

He is a detective at Agatha Raisin's agency with close ties to the police.

## Biography

As a retired policeman, Patrick had a wealth of experience as an investigator, making him an asset to the detective agency. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot*)

## Personality

He had a sombre demeanour and was known to rarely smile. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot*)

## Physical Appearance

Patrick is described as a tall and cadaverous man. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot*)

## Appearances

Book appearances

* 27 - Agatha Raisin: Pushing up Daisies
* 31 - Agatha Raisin: Hot to Trot

**Short stories**

* Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells
Fran Tamworthy

* Television series
* Book series

**Fran Tamworthy** is a character in the fourth season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye*.

She was Phyllis Tamworthy's eldest child.

She was portrayed by Emma Cunniffe.

## Biography

### Television series

Fran was Phyllis and Marley Tamworthy's eldest child. Growing up, she used to play with Elsie Shufflebottom. She longed for a mother as caring as Elsie's.

She, and her sibblings, were in favour of Phyllis selling the village as they each believed they would get a cut of the sale. However, Fran was far from impressed when Phyllis changed her mind and decided to donate the money to charity instead. Before Phyllis could sign any legal paperwork, Fran poisoned her with hemlock. (Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye)

## Physical appearance

### Book series

TBC(Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye)

## Appearances

* 4.01 - Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye
* 18 - Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye
Perry Peterson

* Television series
* Book series

**Perry Peterson** is a character in the third season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance*.

He is Cassandra Laggat-Brown's boyfriend and soon to be fiancé.

He was portrayed by Angus Castle-Doughty.

## Personality

### Television series

A decent enough bloke punching above his weight.

## Appearances

* 3.02 - Agatha Raisin & the Deadly Dance
* 15 - Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance
Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye

"*Someone's Christmas is cancelled...*"
―Kissing Christmas Goodbye's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye*** is eighteenth book in the Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. The story was published in 2007.

## Synopsis

Unlike quite a number of people, Agatha had not given up on Christmas. To have the perfect Christmas had been a childhood dream whilst surviving a rough upbringing in a Birmingham slum. Holly berries glistened, snow fell gently outside, and inside, all was Dickensian jollity. And in her dreams, James Lacey kissed her under the mistletoe, and, like a middle-aged sleeping beauty, she would awake to passion once more....

Agatha Raisin is bored. Her detective agency in the Cotswolds is thriving, but she’ll scream if she has to deal with another missing cat or dog. Only two things seem to offer potential excitement: the upcoming Christmas festivities and her ex, James Lacey. This year she is sure that if she invites James to a really splendid, old-fashioned Christmas dinner, their love will rekindle like a warm Yule log.

When a wealthy widow hires Agatha because she’s convinced a member of her family is trying to kill her, Agatha is intrigued---especially when the widow drops dead after high tea at the manor house. Who in this rather sterile house, complete with fake family portraits, could have hated the old lady enough to poison her?

Agatha sets out to find the murderer, all the while managing a pretty, teenage trainee who makes her feel old and planning for a picture-perfect Christmas, with James, all the trimmings, and perhaps even snow.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **James Lacey**
* **Toni Gilmour**

## Adaptations

### Television

*Main article: Agatha Raisin & Kissing Christmas Goodbye*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the fourth season of the *Agatha Raisin* television series.
Judith Josephs

* Television series
* Book series

**Mrs. Josephs** was a recurring character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*.

She was a longtime Carsely resident and the village librarian.

She was portrayed by June Watson, and voiced by Joanna McCullum in the radio adaptation.

## Biography

### Television series

Mrs. Josephs lead the Carsely Ladies Society meetings. (TV: *Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death*)

Mrs. Josephs was a member of the church bell-ringing group. Following the death of Amanda Ballard, Mrs. Josephs took over as the group's leader. (TV: *Hell's Bells*)

She acted as the quizmaster for the local pub quiz. (TV: *The Wellspring of Death*)

Mrs. Josephs's garden was among the numerous properties vandalised shortly before the village's open garden day. (TV: *The Potted Gardener*)

### Book series

As the local librarian, Mrs. Josephs assisted Agatha Raisin in finding a book on poisonous plants following the death of Reg Cummings-Browne by cowbane poisoning. She also revealed to Agatha that Vera Cummings-Browne was the last person to borrow that book from the library. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

Mrs. Josephs lived in a Victorian cottage at the top of the village. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener*)

## Appearances

* Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death

**Season 1 (5/8)**
* 1.01 - The Walkers of Dembley
* 1.02 - Hell's Bells
* 1.03 - The Wellspring of Death
* 1.04 - The Potted Gardener
* 1.05 - The Vicious Vet
* 1 - Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
* 2 - Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet

Radio appearances**Series 1 (1/6)**
* 1.01 - The Vicious Vet

## Trivia

* In the *Agatha Raisin* television series, Mrs. Josephs was notably introduced as a major recurring character before the show's adaptation of *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*. This allowed for the character to be developed further than in the books and made her murder towards the end of the first season all the more shocking.
* In the original book series, Mrs. Josephs was said not to have had much of a garden whereas in the television series, she was seen to be a somewhat skilled and enthusiastic gardener. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener*; TV: *The Potted Gardener*)
* She had three children. (TV: *Hell's Bells*)
Freda Huntingdon

**Freda Huntingdon** is a character in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*.

She is a widowed newcomer to the village.

## Biography

Freda called round to the veterinary surgery to have her pet Jack Russel looked at. Her appointment with Paul Bladen lasted three quarters of an hour. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*)

## Personality

(BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*)

## Physical Appearance

(BOOK: *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*)

## Appearances

* 2 - Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet
* 1.01 - The Vicious Vet
* 1.02 - The Body in the Bathroom
Samantha Carter

**Samantha Carter**, better known as her alias **Chelsea Davis**, is a character in the fourth season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation. Samantha is a reimagined version of Chelsea Weldon, from the novel of *Agatha Raisin and Love, Lies and Liquor*.

She posed as Wayne Weldon's girlfriend using her *Chelsea Davis* alias in an attempt to get close to his mother, Geraldine Jankers.

She was portrayed by Holli Dempsey.

## Biography

When Samantha was a child her mother died of a heart attack; six months later, the family's jewellery store, Carter's of Chiswick, was robbed by armed assailants. Her father sold the shop shortly after. Following this, her father drowned whilst walking home along the river after drinking heavily at a local pub.

At some point, Samantha had the words 'never forgive' tattooed on her arm in Chinese symbols.

She later met Wayne Weldon, having introduced herself as Chelsea Davis, and become his girlfriend in order to get close to Geraldine Jankers. She plotted to get her revenge on those who robbed her family's shop, including Geraldine. (TV: *Agatha Raisin: Love, Lies & Liquor*)

## Appearances

**Season 4 (1/4)**
* 4.02 - Agatha Raisin: Love, Lies & Liquor
The Walkers of Dembley

***The Walkers of Dembley*** is the first episode of the first season of *Agatha Raisin*. The episode was written by Chris Murray and directed by Geoffrey Sax. It aired June 7, 2016 on Sky One.

The episode is based on the *Agatha Raisin* book of the same name.

## Synopsis

When militant rambler Jessica Tartinck is found bashed to death in a field, former PR whiz Agatha Raisin is forced to go undercover to get to the bottom of the grisly crime.

## Plot

Agatha Raisin, retired PR whiz and recovering career woman, has settled into her comfortable Carsely cottage but is still restless to fit in and make her mark among the locals. Still pining after next-door neighbor James Lacey, she joins a local ramblers' group, of which James is a member, only to find him becoming entangled in a romantic web spun by rich recent arrival Mary Fortune.

Agatha's life is thrown into further disarray when Jessica Tartinck, a militant rambler from another rambling troupe that runs out of Dembley, is found bashed to death in a local baronet's field soon after he declares war on her rambling group for trespassing on his land. A boisterous character, Jessica was the group's chief agitator and had amassed her share of enemies, some within the group itself. A concerned member of the group, Deborah Camden, hires Agatha to investigate the death.

Eager to solve the crime, Agatha convinces James that they should pose as a married couple and go undercover in the victim's rambling group. Their pretence proves tricky to keep up in the tiny Cotswolds community, particularly for James, who has just started to date Mary.

However, when someone tries to violently warn Agatha off the case, the pair pull together to uncover the truth. Delving into the locals' lives, they find that not all is as it seems. But can they expose Dembley's killer?

## Cast

* Mathew Horne as Roy Silver
* Katy Wix as Gemma Simpson
* Jamie Glover as James Lacey
* Matt McCooey as DC Bill Wong
* Jason Barnett as DC Wilkes
* Lucy Liemann as Sarah Bloxby
* June Watson as Mrs Josephs
* Maddie Monti as Kyra Simpson
* Daisy Beaumont as Mary Fortune
* Jason Merrells as Sir Charles Fraith
* Debbie Chazen as Jessica Tartinck
* Robin McCallum as Gustav
* Rebecca Night as Deborah Camden
* Paul Venables as Jeff Benson
* Emma Stansfield as Alice Dewhurst
* Diljohn Singh as Khusan
* Andy Williams as Joe Noakes

## Gallery

* Episode stills
* Promotional shots
* Behind the scenes

## Trivia

* The episode is set 18 months after the events of *Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death*.
* When James spots Mary Fortune shopping at the Dembley garden centre she is inspecting a large terracotta plant pot by leaning into it head-first, subtly foreshadowing how her body is staged after she is murdered in *The Potted Gardener*.

## International premieres

* August 8, 2016 (USA)
* February 17, 2017 (Germany)
* June 25, 2017 (France)
* January 18, 2021 (Spain)

1. ↑ https://www.wliw.org/uncategorized/agatha-raisin-episode-2/
Kyra Simpson

**Kyra Simpson** was a recurring character in the first season of Agatha Raisin. She is Gemma Simpson's daughter.

She was portrayed by Maddie Monti.

## Biography

### Season 1

Kyra discovered Andy Cummings-Browne's dead body whilst her mum was cleaning his house. (Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death)

Kyra went rambling with her mum, Agatha Raisin, Sarah Bloxby, James Lacey and Mary Fortune. (The Walkers of Dembley)

Kyra attended Agatha's wedding to James. (The Murderous Marriage)

### Season 2

Kyra was living with her dad during the events of the second season. (The Fairies of Fryfam)

### Season 3

Kyra was living with her nan during the events of the third season. (The Haunted House)

## Appearances

**Season 1 (4/8)**
* 1.01 - The Walkers of Dembley
* 1.02 - Hell's Bells
* 1.04 - The Potted Gardener
* 1.08 - The Murderous Marriage
Season 5

***Season 5*** of *Agatha Raisin* was teased on December 16, 2020; the books to be adapted include: *Hiss and Hers*, *The Busy Body* and *Something Borrowed, Someone Dead*.

## Production

Season 5 was first teased on December 16, 2020 by the show's producer Barry Ryan via Twitter. Mathew Horne also teased the possibility of a fifth season in an interview during the beginning of filming for Season 4.

Ahead of the American premiere of *Agatha Raisin: Love, Lies & Liquor* on February 7, 2022, a fifth season of the show was once again teased on the show's production company's website (Free@Last TV).

Upon the announcement of the fourth season's broadcast on ZDFneo in German speaking territories, multiple German press releases noted that a fifth season had indeed been ordered.

## Cast

*Main article: Category:Characters*
*Main article: Category:Cast & Crew*

## Episodes

 TBA

## References

1. ↑ Barry Boxer - Twitter
2. ↑ [1]
3. ↑ [2]
Betty Jackson

* Television series
* Book series

**Betty Jackson** is a character in the second season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam*.

She was a cleaner to the village of Fryfam.

She was portrayed by Annette Badland.

## Biography

‘Mrs J’, cleaner to the Trumpington-James’, cleaner to the village and everyone’s rock.

## Appearances

* 2.02 - Agatha Raisin & the Fairies of Fryfam

## Trivia

* Mrs. J mentions that she loves the Hamish Macbeth book series, Hamish Macbeth is also written by Agatha Raisin's author M.C. Beaton.

## Gallery

* Episode stills
* Promotional shots
Emma Comfrey

* Television series
* Book series

**Emma Comfrey** is a character in the third season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance*.

She is a retired civil servant who took up tango dancing after the death of her husband.

She was portrayed by Patsy Kensit.

## Biography

### Television series

After being widowed she turned to tango dance lessons, where she found a new passion for life and a Latin crush on instructor George. (The Deadly Dance)

### Book series

After moving in next door to Agatha Raisin, Emma applied for the job of secretary at the office of Agatha's new detective agency.

## Appearances

* 3.02 - Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance
* 15 - Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance

## Gallery

* Episode stills
* Promotional shots
Agatha Raisin and the Blood of an Englishman

***Agatha Raisin and the Blood of an Englishman*** is the twenty fifth book in the main Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. It was published in 2014.

## Synopsis

Even though Agatha Raisin loathes Christmas panto, her friend Mrs Bloxby, the vicar’s wife, has persuaded her to support the local am dram society in their festive offering. Stifling a yawn at the production of Babes in the Wood, Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on stage until a trapdoor opens… followed by a scream and silence!

Surely this wasn’t the way the scene was rehearsed? When it turns out the local baker had been murdered most horribly, Agatha puts her team of detectives on the case. And they soon discover more feuds and temperamental behaviour in amateur dramatics than in a professional stage show – and face more and more danger as Agatha and her team get too close to the killer…

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **Mrs. Bloxby**
* **Gwen Simple**
Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came

"*Hell comes with high water...*"
―The Day the Floods Came's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and the Day the Floods Came*** is the twelfth book in the Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. The book was published in 2002.

## Book description

Marital bliss was short-lived for Agatha Raisin. Her marriage to James Lacey was a disaster from the beginning, and in the end, he left her-not for another woman, but for God. After having been miraculously cured of a brain tumor, James has decided to join a monastery in France. Agatha can usually depend on her old friend, Sir Charles Fraith, to be there when times are tough, but even Charles has abandoned her, dashing off to Paris to marry a young French tart.

Miserable and alone, Agatha hops on a plane and heads for a remote island in the South Pacific. To Agatha's surprise, she makes friends with her fellow travelers easily, and keeps herself out of mischief, despite the odd feeling she gets from one particularly attractive honeymooning couple. But when she later finds that the pretty bride has drowned under suspicious circumstances, Agatha wishes she had found a way to intervene.

Returning home to the Cotswolds, Agatha is grimly determined to move on with her life and to forget about James and Charles. They have, after all, forgotten about her. And what better way than to throw herself into another murder investigation? A woman, dressed in a wedding gown and still clutching her bouquet, has just been found floating in a river. The police say it's suicide, but Agatha suspects the girl's flashy young fiancé. With the help of her handsome, and single, new neighbor, Agatha sets off to prove the police wrong.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **James Lacey**
* **Charles Fraith**

## Television adaptation

*Main article: The Day the Floods Came*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the first season of the Agatha Raisin television series.
Acorn TV

***Acorn TV*** is an American subscription streaming service specialising in British imports. It is currently the home network of Agatha Raisin, having picked up the show following its cancellation by Sky One.

## Trivia

* Acorn TV launched in the UK on April 29, 2020.
	+ With Sky One retaining first broadcasting rights for the show in the UK, the platform began streaming all of Season 2 (the first season produced by Acorn TV) on June 1, 2020 and will air Season 3 episodes weekly from June 12, 2020.
Evesham

**Evesham** is a market town located in the Cotswolds. Evesham is nearby the village of Carsely, where the majority of the series takes place.

Evesham is mentioned and visited numerous times over the course of the series; most notably, the events of *The Day the Floods Came* and *The Wizard of Evesham* are largely set here.

## Places in Evesham

* South Gloucestershire Police
* Rave nightclub
* Barringtons
* Fields Family Butcher (formerly)
* Studio JS
* Eve's Salon
* Vale View Pharmacy

## Residents of Evesham

* Gaz Towler
* Josie Darbourne

## Former residents of Evesham

* Joanna Field (arrested)
* Jonny Shawpart †
* Eve Pembery (arrested)

## Trivia

* The real life town of Marshfield was used as the filming location for Evesham.
* When introducing himself to Agatha in *The Quiche of Death*, Bill mentions that he works out of Evesham.
* Deirdra Darry commuted to work in Evesham from Carsely. (The Wizard of Evesham)
Tiggy Laggat-Brown

* Television series
* Book series

**Tiggy Laggat-Brown** is a character in the third season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance*.

She is a wealthy socialite living at the manor house at Herris Cum Magna.

She was portrayed by Anna Wilson-Jones.

## Biography

### Television series

Originally born Betty Ryan, Tiggy was able to successfully climb her way up the social ladder, monied on account of being a dog biscuit heiress. She became good friends with Charles Fraith in her 20s, a friendship which continues to the present day.

After her daughter received death threats, amidst the stress of planning the perfect party, Tiggy sought out Agatha Raisin's help at the recommendation of Charles. She opted to keep the police out of the matter to avoid the situation becoming public knowledge and her family the subject of gossip. (The Deadly Dance)

## Personality

### Television series

Tiggy is ‘posh’ in the way that only fake social climbers can be.

## Appearances

* 3.02 - Agatha Raisin & the Deadly Dance
* 15 - Agatha Raisin and the Deadly Dance
A Marriage of Convenience

**A Marriage of Convenience** is the sixth and final episode of the first series of the *Agatha Raisin* radio drama. It was adapted by David Semple from M.C. Beaton's book of the same name and directed by Carol Smith. It first aired June 28, 2004 on BBC Radio 4.

## Synopsis

Hired to investigate the murder of a militant rambler, Agatha and James must go undercover as a married couple. It soon turns out to be a marriage made in hell.

## Cast

* Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin
* Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey
* Ben Crowe as DC Wong
* Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby
* Rachel Atkins as Deborah Camden
* Philip Fox as Sir Charles Whitaker
* Bertie Carvell as Kelvin
Agatha Raisin: Dishing the Dirt (book)

***Agatha Raisin: Dishing the Dirt*** is the twenty sixth book in the main Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. It was published October 1, 2015.

## Synopsis

When therapist Jill Davent moved to the village of Carsely, Agatha Raisin was not a fan. Not only was this therapist romancing Agatha's ex-husband but she dug up details of Agatha's not-too-glamorous origins. Jill also counsels a woman, Gwen Simple, that Agatha firmly believes assisted her son in some grisly murders, although there is no proof. Not one to keep her feelings to herself, Agatha tells anyone that would listen that Jill is a charlatan and better off dead. Agatha could only sigh with relief when the therapist took an office in Mircester.

When Agatha learns that Jill had hired a private detective to investigate her background, she barges into Jill's office and gives her a piece of her mind, yelling "I could kill you!" So when Jill is found strangled to death in her office two days later, Agatha becomes the prime suspect. But Agatha, along with her team of private detectives, is determined to prove her innocence and find the real culprit. This time Agatha must use her skills to save her own skin.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **James Lacey**
* **Jill Davent**
* **Gwen Simple**
Lord Pendlebury

* Television series
* Book series

**Lord Pendlebury** is a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation. He also appears in some of the earlier *Agatha Raisin* novels.

He is a local landowner in Carsely with a well known dislike of ramblers and other trespassers.

He was portrayed by Douglas Reith.

## Appearances

* 1.05 - The Vicious Vet
* 1 - Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
* 2 - Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet
* 7 - Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death
Alice Dewhurst

* Television series
* Book series

**Alice Dewhurst** is a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley*.

She was a rambler from Dembley.

She was portrayed by Emma Stansfield.

## Appearances

* 1.01 - The Walkers of Dembley
* 4 - Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley
Cezary Marciniak

* Television series
* Book series

**Cezary Marciniak** is a character in the third season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns*.

He works at Hollies @ Winter Parva with his brother.

He was portrayed by Dritan Kastrati.

## Biography

An all round Polish hunk who works alongside his brother at ‘Hollies’. Despite Fiona’s suspicions he has a heart of gold.

## Appearances

* 3.04 - Agatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns
* 22 - Agatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns
The Murderous Marriage

***The Murderous Marriage*** is the eighth and final episode of the first season of *Agatha Raisin*. The episode was written by Stewart Harcourt and directed by Geoffrey Sax. It aired July 26, 2016 on Sky One.

The episode is based on the *Agatha Raisin* book of the same name.

## Synopsis

When Agatha's ex-husband Jimmy Raisin returns to Carsely unannounced, it tests her relationship with James Lacey to breaking point. But Agatha faces the crisis of a lifetime when she is framed for murder.

## Plot

Agatha is about to marry the handsome James. But the wedding ceremony is halted mid-vow by the arrival of Jimmy Raisin, the husband Agatha ardently hoped was dead and has neglected to mention to her fiancé.

Even less convenient than a living husband who interrupts your wedding is one who turns up dead in a ditch the very next day. Naturally, Agatha tops the suspect list and must race to prove her innocence.

Roy's sleuthing reveals that Jimmy was a blackmailer and an alcoholic who stayed at Hunter's House, a rehabilitation clinic not far from the village. Agatha and James unite to track down other residents who were there at the same time as Jimmy, as well as his elusive sponsor, to discover who had cause to silence him.

## Cast

* Mathew Horne as Roy Silver
* Katy Wix as Gemma Simpson
* Jamie Glover as James Lacey
* Matt McCooey as DC Bill Wong
* Jason Barnett as DC Wilkes
* Lucy Liemann as Sarah Bloxby
* Rhashan Stone as Rev Jez Bloxby
* Tim Stern as Gene Harvey
* Maddie Monti as Kyra Simpson
* Jason Merrells as Sir Charles Fraith
* Marcia Warren as Mrs. Boggle
* Jason Thorpe as Jimmy Raisin
* Faith Alabi as Lizzie
* Emily Joyce as Juliet Comfort
* Clare Wille as Karen Hardy
* Sagar Arya as Dr Adder
* Michael Cochrane as Sir Desmond
* Joanna David as Lady Derrington

## Trivia

* The events of this episode take place during October 2016, according to an issue of The Cotswold Gazette in the previous episode.

## International premieres

* March 10, 2017 (Germany)
* July 9, 2017 (France)
* March 8, 2021 (Spain)
Amy Redfern

* Television series
* Book series

**Amy Redfern** was a character in the second season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam*.

She is a resident of Fryfam.

She was portrayed by Phoebe Thomas.

## Biography

### Television series

One of the village ‘ladies’, locked in a dull and childless marriage to Paul. (Agatha Raisin & the Fairies of Fryfam)

## Appearances

* 3.01 - Agatha Raisin & the Fairies of Fryfam
* 10 - Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam
Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener

"*There's a snake in the grass...*"
―The Potted Gardener's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener*** is third book in the *Agatha Raisin* series of mystery novels by M. C. Beaton. The story was published in 1994.

## Synopsis

When Agatha Raisin comes home to cozy Carsely and finds that a new woman has piqued the interest of her handsome bachelor neighbor, James Lacey, she’s less than thrilled. The beautiful newcomer to the Cotswolds, Mary Fortune, is superior in every way—especially when it comes to gardening—and Agatha is suddenly seeing nothing but green. If only a nice juicy murder would come along to remind James of Agatha’s genius for investigation. When a series of mysterious assaults on the town’s finest gardens is followed by a shocking murder, Agatha gets her wish. Seizing the moment, she immediately starts yanking up village secrets by their roots and digging up details about the victim—who, as it turns out, may just have some hidden dirt of her own…

## Characters

In order of appearance:

* **James Lacey**
* **Mary Fortune**
* **Mrs. Bloxby**
* **Reverend Alfred Bloxby**
* **Doris Simpson**
* **John Fletcher**
* **Jimmy Page**
* **Mr. Boggle**
* **Mrs. Boggle**
* **Mrs. Mason**
* **Miss Simms**
* **PC Fred Griggs**
* **Roy Silver**

## Trivia

### Continuity

* Mary Fortune moved into Mrs. Josephs's house following her death in the previous novel, *Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet*.
	+ Upon meeting Mary for the first time at her house, Agatha recalls her previous visit to the house where she discovered Mrs. Josephs had been murdered.

## Adaptations

### Radio adaptation

*Main article: The Potted Gardener*
*Main article: The Gardener's Legacy*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* radio drama. As with the other novels adapted for radio, the story was split across two episodes.

### Television adaptation

*Main article: The Potted Gardener*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television series.

Notably, the character of Mary Fortune had been introduced at the beginning of the season and was a major recurring character before the show adapted *Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener*. Consequently, Mary's character had been explored further than in the books, making her murder halfway through the first season all the more shocking.
The Body in the Bathroom

**The Body in the Bathroom** is the second episode of the first series of the *Agatha Raisin* radio drama. It was adapted by David Semple from M.C. Beaton's book of the same name and directed by Carol Smith. It first aired May 31, 2004 on BBC Radio 4.

## Synopsis

Determined to find out who killed the village vet and a local librarian, Agatha and James must resort to barefaced lies, burglary and badger-watching.

## Cast

* Penelope Keith as Agatha Raisin
* Malcolm Sinclair as James Lacey
* Liza Sadovy as Mrs. Bloxby
* Ben Crowe as DC Wong
* Ewan Bailey as Peter Bladen
* Jillie Meers as Freda Huntingdon
Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death

"*Blood is thicker than bottled water...*"
―The Wellspring of Death's tagline
***Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death*** is the seventh book in the Agatha Raisin Mysteries series by M. C. Beaton. The book was published in 1998.

In 2016, the book was adapted as part of the first season of the Agatha Raisin TV series.

## Book description

This time, the feisty sleuth stumbles upon the victim of an unnatural death in Cotswold village's famous natural spring. Who was the unlucky corpse? The Ancombe Parish Council chairman-and the only uncommitted member voting on whether to allow the Ancombe Water Company to tap into the town's spring. Add ex-fiance James, watery politicians, and slippery entrepreneurs to the mix, and you have Agatha up to her neck in a murky murder mystery.

## Characters

* **Agatha Raisin**
* **James Lacey**
* **Roy Silver**
* **Mrs. Bloxby**
* **Bill Wong**
* **Miss Simms**
* **Mrs. Darry**

## Television adaptation

*Main article: The Wellspring of Death*
The events of this story were adapted as part of the first season of the Agatha Raisin television series.
Mary Bolton

**Mary Bolton** is a character in the short story *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*. She is the basis for the character **Amanda Ballard** in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation.

She was a do-gooder in the Cotswold village of Weston Magna who was responsible for starting up the local bell ringing group.

## Biography

After divorcing from her husband, she moved to the village of Weston Magna. Here, she posed as a widow - albeit one who continually accepted alimony. She happily threw herself into community life, organising numerous charity and volunteering events.

Despite her do-gooding, she had sneaky ways of getting her own back if anyone crossed her. On one occasion, she deliberately sabotaged the jam-making competition so that Mrs. Bryce, who voted Mary off a local committee, lost the first place prize for the first time in ten years.

Mary was delighted when a wealthy farmer died and left money to re-hang the bells in the church; she excitedly threw herself into the study of campanology, dragging along with her five other locals to the nearby village of Ancombe for lessons in bell ringing. The group then began numerous rehearsals in their home village, much to the annoyance of Jessica Brand who lived behind the bell tower. Tired and frustrated from hearing the constant racket of the bells, Jessica publicly threatened to hang Mary from the bell rope should she continue to practise so often. As the group's bell ringing improved, rehearsals were eventually confined to just Thursday evenings.

Late in the night after one such rehearsal had finished, her ex-husband strangled her before stringing her up in the belfry. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*)

## Personality

Mary was a generous person, spending much time helping others. She was also rather vain, considering herself to be the beating heart of the village, and could be manipulative when it suited her. Consequently, many villagers were scared to cross her. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*)

## Physical appearance

Mary had curly brown hair and a wide mouth that always seemed to be smiling; the smile, however, did not reach her rather prominent pale grey eyes. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*)

## Trivia

* Her altruistic habits included, but were not limited to, running charity car boot sales, organising dances at the bowling club and reading to the elderly. (BOOK: *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*)
Spiros Economides

* Television series
* Book series

**Spiros Economides** is a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the novel *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*.

He is a purveyor of quiche at a specialist bakery in London.

He was portrayed by Joseph Long.

## Biography

### Book series

Spiros sold a spinach quiche to Agatha Raisin, which she then entered as her own in to Carsely's quiche competition. Agatha admitted to buying the quiche when her entry was found to have poisoned the judge, Andy Cummings-Browne, leading his wife Jo Cummings-Browne to travel to London and question Spiros. (TV: *Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death*)

## Appearances

* Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death
* Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
Karen Sheppard

**Karen Sheppard** is a character in the third season of Agatha Raisin. She is the second wife of Luke Sheppard.

She was portrayed by Rosie Day.

## Biography

Karen is Luke’s second wife. With a cool exterior and wry sense of humour it’s easy to assume she’s much younger than she appears. Something that Karen happily plays into. However, is there a hidden side beneath the layers of humour?

## Appearances

* 3.03 - Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell
John Marlowe

* Television series
* Book series

**John Marlowe** is a character in the first season of the *Agatha Raisin* television adaptation, originating in the short story *Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells*.

He is the ex-husband of Amanda Ballard (Mary Bolton in the book) who was believed to be dead.

He was portrayed by Richard Dixon.

## Appearances

* 1.02 - Hell's Bells
* Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells