Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House by M. C. Beaton (2003)

Synopsis: After experiencing back-to-back heartbreaks, Agatha Raisin is determined to avoid any sort of relationship with her new neighbor, Paul Chatterton. However, when Paul convinces her to investigate a reported haunted house, she readily accepts and soon finds herself falling for him - only to learn he is married. Any hopes of cutting Paul off completely is then dashed when Mrs. Witherspoon, the owner of the haunted home, dies under mysterious circumstances and Agatha finds herself involved in yet another murder investigation.

Review: After taking a short break from Agatha Raisin mysteries, I checked Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House out from my local library and gave it a shot. While my opinion of the oft-heartbroken detective has remained mixed, I have enjoyed some of the more recent books more than the earlier ones. Unfortunately, this one proved to be more of a step backwards.

There were things about the book I did like. For one, I was much more intrigued by Agatha's possible romance with Paul that I have been with some of her previous relationships because, while she has never struck me as the type who would mess around with a married man, it certainly seemed like that would end up being a good possibility. In fact, I'm still not sure how far that relationship would have gotten had her friend/sometimes lover, Sir Charles Fraith, hadn't invited himself to be her surprise houseguest.

There was also, as always, Agatha's ability to cross a few lines that could potentially get her in serious trouble with the police, including taking evidence from the crime scene. While I was certain she wasn't going to wind up in prison by the end of the book (though that would admittedly be a fun twist), I did wonder how she'd be able to share what she found with the police without them figuring out how she got the information.

My biggest problem with this book was the mystery itself. Frankly, it was a bit dull. There were really only two good suspects and once it became clear one of them was likely just a red herring, there wasn't much else left than the usual parts about Agatha being held at gunpoint only to be rescued at the last moment and way too many pages dedicated to her trying to figure out what the killer did with Paul.

What the mystery needed was a surprise twist involving someone they interviewed but wasn't considered a suspect. At least then, it might have had a bit of a wow factor at the end.

Final Opinion: It's not my favorite from the series but, to be fair, it also isn't my least favorite either. So, I'll just say it was average.

My Grade: C

_____________________________________________________________________

Here are some reviews of other Agatha Raisin mysteries featuring Sir Charles:

Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembly by M. C. Beaton (1995)

Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M. C. Beaton (1999)

Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Love from Hell by M. C. Beaton (2001)

Book Review: Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist by M. C. Beaton (1997)