Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell

***Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell*** is the third episode of the third season of *Agatha Raisin*. The episode was written by Chris Niel and directed by Audrey Cooke. It aired February 17, 2020 on Acorn TV.

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

## Synopsis

When James vanishes after a blazing row with Agatha leaving behind only a trail of blood and a dead body, everyone is left fearing the worst. It’s up to Agatha to find out what really happened and bring James home safely.

## Plot

The past few months have been bliss. Business is once more booming and Agatha's standing in the community has never been higher. Eagerly awaiting James’ return, Agatha is livid when James’ sister Sheila gate-crashes their reunion. The two women have never seen eye to eye. When Sheila takes a pop at Agatha’s housekeeping skills it pushes Agatha to the end of her tether. Before matters can be discussed further James receives a mysterious phone call. When he’s unwilling to discuss what the call was about, Agatha’s insecurity leaves her worrying that James is hiding something from her.

Later that evening, Agatha is still fretting over James’ call. Attempting to put it to the back of her mind so she can focus on her hosting duties at the annual Carsely Charity Week fundraiser, she quickly finds she’s not the only one suffering from a crisis of confidence. Sir Charles confides that he’s been going through a bit of a dry patch and it’s left his mojo in tatters. When James witnesses the two friends comforting one another he’s left feeling jilted. Just as the concert is about to begin, in sweeps a glamorous young woman who affectionately greets James with a kiss, much to everyone’s horror. Stunned by the woman’s brazen nature Agatha marches over demanding to know just what she thinks she’s playing at. James’ attempt to defuse the situation by explaining that he met the woman on his book tour goes down like a lead balloon. Especially after his admirer interrupts by saying they spent a night together. Agatha is mortified by the claim. When James tries to explain what really happened it quickly descends into bickering as the two accuse the other of infidelity.

As the crowd gawps at their outburst, both storm out of the hall in different directions.
After taking a moment to try and calm herself down Agatha returns to the concert. As she struggles to keep it together, she receives a call from Bill. Sensing from the tone of his voice something isn’t right, he asks her to try and stay calm as he drops the bombshell that her neighbours rang the police after hearing an argument. When police arrived, they found a body in her cottage... On the verge of hysteria, Agatha begs Bill to promise her it isn’t James. Bill reassures her that it’s a woman’s body - Melissa Sheppard’s. However, there’s no sign of James, only a trail of blood left behind through the cottage. Fearing the worst, Agatha and Sheila agree to put their differences aside.

Whatever their personal animosity they both care dearly for James and want him back safely. As they set out in search of him, the gang rallies round and promises to get to the bottom of who this mysterious fan was and why someone would be driven to murder her...

## Cast

* Jason Merrells as Sir Charles Fraith
* Lucy Liemann as Sarah Bloxby
* Marcia Warren as Mrs. Boggle
* Jamie Glover as James Lacey
* Caroline Langrishe as Sheila Barr
* Jodie Tyack as Toni Gilmour
* Matt McCooey as Bill Wong
* Jason Barnett as DCI Wilkes
* Robert Daws as Ted Huxley
* Kelly Adams as Melissa Sheppard
* Rosie Day as Karen Sheppard
* James Anderson as Luke Sheppard
* Richard Glover as John Dewey
* Jonathan Dow as Dr. Henderson
* Sally Scott as Julia Fraser

## Gallery

* Episode stills
* Promotional shots

## Videos

Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell UK Trailer
## Trivia

* This episode features the return of Sheila Barr, who last appeared in *Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death*.
* The episode was filmed during June and July of 2019.
* The episode's opening shot of Barfield House is the same footage used in *The Day the Floods Came*.

### Continuity

* Wilkes was not elected onto the Parish council. (The Curious Curate)
* Agatha's entry of a store-bought quiche, which she pretended was homemade, at the village fete is mentioned. (Agatha Raisin & the Quiche of Death)

### Cultural references

* Mrs. Boggle mentions the real life town of Malmesbury.
* Lady Day sings a cover of 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor.
* One of Melissa Sheppard's books was titled 'Fifty Shades of James', a play on E. L. James's novel 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.

## International premieres

* Nordic region (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark)
	+ March 10, 2020 (Part 1)
	+ March 17, 2020 (Part 2)
* Australia
	+ March 7, 2020 (Part 1)
	+ March 14, 2020 (Part 2)
* UK
	+ June 24, 2020 (Parts 1 & 2)
* Netherlands
	+ July 27, 2020 (Part 1)
	+ August 3, 2020 (Part 2)
* Germany
	+ August 21, 2020 (Parts 1 & 2)
* South Africa
	+ September 4, 2020 (Part 1)
	+ September 11, 2020 (Part 2)
* France
	+ July 4, 2021 (Parts 1 & 2)