Thursday, September 18, 2014

Tea Time with Truffles: Blood of an Englishman by M.C. Beaton Review & Giveaway

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! Mommy and I were invited to participate in the Tea, Scones, and Murder Blogger Party, hosted by Minotaur Books and Stash Tea, to celebrate the release of M.C. Beaton's 25th adventure in the Agatha Raisin series, Blood of an Englishman. We received an advance reading copy of the book, a couple boxes of delicious Stash Tea, and a recipe card for M.C.’s favorite teatime scones (purchased at the local bakery, of course!)

As part of this fun event we were asked to "host and post" a tea party, so after reading this delightful mystery I'm just taking a little nap before my guests arrive ;)


Would you care to join us?



"Fee, fie, fo, fum. I smell the blood of an Englishman..."

Even though Agatha Raisin loathes amateur dramatics, her friend Mrs. Bloxby, the vicar’s wife, has persuaded her to support the local pantomime. Stifling a yawn at the production of "Babes in the Woods," Agatha watches the baker playing an ogre strut and threaten on the stage, until a trapdoor opens and the Ogre disappears in an impressive puff of smoke. Only he doesn't re-appear at final curtain.

Surely this isn't the way the scene was rehearsed? When it turns out the popular baker has been murdered, Agatha puts her team of private detectives on the case. They soon discover more feuds and temperamental behavior in amateur theatrics than in a professional stage show—and face more and more danger as the team gets too close to the killer.The Blood of an Englishman is Agatha's 25th adventure, and you'd think she would have learned by now not to keep making the same mistakes. Alas, no—yet Agatha's flaws only make her more endearing.

Tortie Shorties
Book reviews that are short and sweet...just like Truffles!

After reading Blood of an Englishman, the 25th entry in M.C. Beaton's classic cozy series, I realized it had been way too long since since I enjoyed one of Agatha Raisin's madcap adventures. I have the entire series in my book collection, but with so many new mysteries being released each and every month I have fallen hopelessly behind in many of the longer running series. I really need to take the time to catch up, though. These aren't mysteries that you read for intricate plots and deep characters, they are simply pure, unadulterated fun.

In this book Agatha is drawn into the cutthroat world of amateur theater. She is as irreverent, cranky, and saucy as ever, and over the course of a fast-paced 300 pages she falls in love (or her version of love, anyways) and faces death more than once. She's also called upon to solve a number of murders, the last of which is gruesome yet deliciously wicked.

Visiting England, particularly the Cotswolds, is high up on my bucket list. Until the day comes that I can travel there in person, a visit to Agatha Raisin's Cotswolds is always a pure delight.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

21 comments:

Angel Prancer Pie said...

Another good read! We would have to bring yummy pumpkin bread to tea time. We kittehz love it just as much as MOM!

Malka E said...

i love shortbread with tea (and yes, i do dunk it) i also LOVE the tort tea pot in the picture!

Anonymous said...

Mmmmm, teatime! It's been a long time since I've read an Agatha Raisin book as well.....I'll have to brew a cuppa and settle in for a read.

Katiez Furry Mewz said...

The Mom has nevers herd of Agatha Raisin afoor... but her duz likes tea! and The the tortie tea pot am furry cutes!
Well nows we haz ta lurn bout dis intersting detective series... Purrz from Lil Bear who cant read yet.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I forgot to add. . . . I would bring cranberry oat scones to tea because they're my favorite!

Alice Marie & Mum Rita

Unknown said...

I do not have a tea time treat, any cookie would do for me. I would bring tea cakes :)
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

The Island Cats said...

That sounds like a good book that the mom would like. :) We hope that's catnip tea. We'll have a spot. *holding our pinkies (if we had pinkies) out*

Karen B said...

I'd bring either cucumber sandwiches and/or petit fours. I have a lovely tall cat mug that I would fill with flowers and use as a centerpiece.

Angel Gracie=^o.o^= said...

I so enjoyed tea time with you. Everything was purrrfect. I have a special cup for tea at home for me to use there. I am not familiar with Agatha Raisin and thought the booked sounded like an interesting read.

Hannah and Lucy said...

Mum has read this book and quite a lot of other Agatha Raisin books too. We don't mind as we settle on her knee and get scritches while she reads.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Alicia said...

I always love her books!!!!

Unknown said...

Tea time with home made scones. No bakery around here makes any worth eating.
Blast rafflecopter and tweeting!
libbydodd at comcast dot net

Sue said...

I found some lovely apricot scones at our local farmers market. I'd love to bring those to a tea party.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Rita Wray said...

Cookies at tea time is always good.

Anonymous said...

Cookies don't have to be fancy, with tea...you can always add Nutella! :)

Hope you enjoyed tea time, Truffles!

traveler said...

Tea time would be delightful. Tea with lemon. Digestive biscuits, lemon tarts and delectable marble squares. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

noodlecat said...

Never look a gift cookie in the mouth...until you eat it!

Noodle

holdenj said...

I would bring snickerdoodles, that perfect, cinnamony cookie!

servedogmom said...

Yummy scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, mini sandwiches with a variety of salad fillings, mini tea cakes with Earl Grey tea. We just started introducing our granddaughter to formal tea time (a delightful experience for a "girls afternoon out" ! Servedogmom@yahoo.com

Marty the Manx said...

Thanks for the review! Your tea time looks wonderful Truffles!

Anonymous said...

Wow dat's just pawsum Truffles. And da giv away is adowable. Mommy just luvs da kitty and cup.

Luv ya'

Dezi