Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing M. C. Beaton’s short story Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble.
Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble was initially published in 2012 by C & R Crime and is 35 pages long.
The Plot
Set in the charming Cotswold village of Carsely, the story revolves around Agatha’s decision to host a Christmas lunch for a handful of Carsely’s oldest residents. All goes as well as you’d expect for an Agatha Raisin story until it’s time to bring out the Christmas pudding—homemade by Agatha and her best friend, Roy. Upon serving the pudding, one of the guests gets a little handsy, causing Agatha to smoosh the thing in his face. Surprisingly, he instantly falls forward—dead.
Characters
Agatha Raisin
Agatha is the main character. She is a retired PR executive from London who now resides in the village of Carsely. Agatha is known for her sharp wit, outspokenness, and determination. She’s a middle-aged woman, described as attractive and stylish, but is somewhat insecure about her age and appearance. Despite this, Agatha is confident and is not afraid to take on challenges, even when they seem formidable.
Roy Silver
Roy is Agatha’s best friend and former colleague from her days before she was a private investigator when she worked in PR. He’s a bit of a fickle character, jumping on the bandwagon of whichever client he happens to be representing at the time. In this story, he decides to help Agatha plan a Christmas dinner party, even helping her to make a homemade Christmas pudding—which turns out to be a disaster.
Sarah Bloxby
Sarah is the vicar’s wife and one of Agatha’s closest friends in the village. She is a kind, caring woman who often acts as Agatha’s confidant.
Mr Leech
Mr Leech is one of Agatha’s dinner guests. He’s a man in his 80s who likes a good drink and indulges with abandon at the dinner party. Having become a little bit tipsy, he gets a little handsy with Agatha, resulting in her pushing a Christmas Pudding in his face—and his death.
Freda Pinch
Freda is not Agatha’s biggest fan. When someone dies at Agatha’s Christmas dinner party, which is clearly an accident, Freda points the finger right at Agatha, even sneaking off to the bathroom to call the police. Later, Agatha finds Freda beaten, but she won’t tell her who did it, leaving it to Agatha to find out for herself.
Writing Style
M.C. Beaton masterfully weaves a tale of mystery and humour, infusing the characters with a depth and nuance that invites the reader to get invested in them. The writing style is sharp, witty, and engaging, with descriptive language that allows you to create the story world vividly in your mind with ease.
This is a funny, engaging story, marked by witty dialogue and concise, brisk pacing that effortlessly holds the reader’s attention to the end.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the story is a fun blend of festive atmosphere, compelling characters, and a lighthearted yet intriguing mystery. Fans of cosy mysteries and Christmas-themed stories will undoubtedly find this a quick, enjoyable read.
I am giving Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble a 9/10.
Have you read this short story from the Agatha Raisin series? What did you think?
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.
Until next time,
© 2025 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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