Sugar and Spite

Beloved New York Times bestselling author M. C. Beaton’s cranky and crafty Agatha Raisin returns with another puzzling mystery.

When a series of deaths rocks the close-knit birdwatching community of the Cotswolds, Agatha Raisin and her team at Raisin Investigations are convinced that the incidents are anything but natural. As suspicion spreads through the village, Agatha begins digging into decades of rivalries, broken relationships, and long-buried secrets among the local birding enthusiasts.

The deeper she investigates, the more she discovers that beneath the peaceful pastime of birdwatching lies a surprising amount of jealousy, resentment, and hidden conflict.

At the same time, Agatha’s personal life is in turmoil. Her relationship with John Glass is strained after he is called away for work as a cruise ship dance instructor. Meanwhile, her longtime friend Sir Charles Fraith appears eager to take John's place in her affections, leaving Agatha torn between romance and reason.

As the body count rises, Agatha must stay focused on the investigation. To catch the killer, she will need sharp observation skills, a thick skin, and perhaps a pair of binoculars.

If she fails to connect the clues in time, she may find herself becoming the next target.