Sunday, October 23, 2016

DVD Review: Agatha Raisin



Based on MC Beaton’s best-selling mystery novels, Acorn TV Original Series Agatha Raisin makes its DVD debut on October 25, 2016 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. In this funny and intriguing new mystery series, a London PR whizz, Agatha Raisin (Emmy®-nominated actress Ashley Jensen, Catastrophe, Extras, Ugly Betty), turns amateur sleuth as she becomes entangled in mischief, mayhem, and murder when she opts for early retirement in a small village in the Cotswolds. This DVD 3-Disc features 8 episodes plus the pilot movie and bonus behind-the-scenes featurettes. ($59.99, AcornOnline.com). 

Agatha Raisin made its U.S. premiere in August 2016 on Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond and the U.S. coproduction partner for the pilot and series. In the feature-length pilot movie, the Quiche of Death, high-flying London PR executive Agatha Raisin fulfills a lifelong dream of retiring to a small village. Desperate to fit in, she enters the local quiche-baking competition, only to find herself a suspect when her entry kills the judge. To save her reputation, Agatha sets out to solve the murder, with the help of her former assistant, Roy (Mathew Horne, Gavin and Stacey); eager Detective Constable Bill Wong (Matt McCooey); and her cleaner, Gemma (Katy Wix, Torchwood). Along the way, Agatha discovers that she has a talent for crime solving, even if it means her new life in the country is not the quiet idyll she had imagined. The movie co-stars Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road), Hermione Norris (Cold Feet), and Robert Bathurst (Downton Abbey). In the eight-episode first season, Agatha finds her hopes of a quiet life are dashed when more murders start occurring in her village. Drawn into their mysteries, Agatha attempts to solve the crimes…often in rather unorthodox ways.


My Thoughts

While I love all the intense crime thrillers available today, it's also nice to find one with a little humor once in a while. Agatha Raisin offers just that. After almost being accused of murder herself, the former executive discovers she's pretty good a solving crimes. As more people turn up dead, she joins forced with the local detective to bring the murderers to justice. This first season includes the full length pilot and the first eight episodes.


 The Quiche of Death -  Agatha  retires to Carsel thinking she'll finally get to relax after leaving her executive job. Then she enters a cooking contest and the judge dies after trying her dish.

 Walkers of Dembley -  After a fight over a footpath leads to murder, Agatha is on the case to help figure out who killed the ringleader. 

 Hell's Bells - The vicar is found dead in the bell tower.


 The Wellspring of Death - Agatha is doing research on mineral water and stumbles upon the murder of a man who held the deciding vote on an important issue. 


 The Potted Gardener -   A gardener in a contest digs up some big trouble and gets himself killed.


 The Vicious Vet -  Agatha gets a hot date with a local vet, but he gets a lethal overdose of horse anesthetic before they get to hit the town. 


 The Day the Floods Came - Agatha goes undercover when a bride is found floating in the water.


 Witch of Wyckhadden - Agatha gets mixed up with a paranormal group and a witch winds up dead. 

 Murderous Marriage - A wedding doesn't go according to plan when someone  is murdered.

I really enjoyed this series Agatha is quirky and makes me laugh at times, yet I still get a good muster every time. I'd looking forward to seeing what comes about in the next season. If you'd like to grab a copy of his awesome new series, you can find it online at Acorn Media or on Amazon.





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