‘Commemorative? you ask. Sadly yes.

M C Beaton (1936-2019) was the author of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series, as well as numerous Regency romances. Her books have been translated into seventeen languages and have sold more than twenty-one million copies worldwide. She is consistently the most borrowed UK adult author in British libraries, and her Agatha Raisin books have been turned into a TV series on Sky.

She is one of my favourite authors, I laugh, I try and work out ‘who dun it’, I love Aggie, with a passion. And what’s more, I fear Agatha Raisin is rather like me. She seems not to have a filter on her mouth.  She says things  I would indeed think, and probably even say, in a similar situation.

I absolutely adore her, though she can irritate, manipulate, behave rather badly but finally unearth the truth, though scattering her love life in bits around her.  In fact, even as I’m writing this, I am thinking of that other hilarious character DI Frost created by R D Wingfield. Both authors so clever, both who created characters we love, both whom we miss beyond measure.

Stuart MacBride has written a warm and evocative introduction, revealing that Marion was just as fascinating as I suspected, and had lived a full and fascinating life. He shares anecdotes, and laughter. A perfect shoehorn into Quiche of Death, which is presented in a commemorative cover, and which anyone would love for Christmas, something naughty but oh so  nice.

Quiche of Death takes us into the world of a successful PR doyen, Agatha Raisin who is gathering up her togs and retiring to a quiet (you’ll be lucky) Cotswold village – dear old Carsely  – which we have come to know so well over the years. To help herself settle in and become one of the community, this great non-cook decides to enter the village quiche competition, and win. This is Aggie we’re talking about, who can stuff a ready made meal in the microwave but little else, so she cheats. Of course she does. Off she goes to her old haunt, London, and sorts out a deal with a deli.

And it all goes dreadfully wrong, of course… To clear herself of the consequences  she has to find the real baddie. And hence, in this debut Agatha Raisin novel, our unique sleuth is born.

I miss M C Beaton, I longed to receive my review copy, and would even have bought one, in hardback. Unheard of for me. Treat yourself for Christmas. Join those like the St. Petersburg Times. ‘[Agatha] is a glorious cross between Miss Marple, Auntie Mame, and Lucille Ball . . . She’s wonderful’ 

Or the Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha’

And what about another favourite of mine, Lee Child, that well know thriller writer, and author of the Jack Reacher novels: ‘Full of perfectly pitched interest, intrigue, and charm’

One of my favourites and oh so true Daily Mail: ‘A Beaton novel is like The Archers on speed.’

Catch up on this commemorative copy of Quiche of Death by M C Beaton  28 years after it was first published and which started one of the most popular crime series of a generation. Give yourself a treat in your Christmas stocking, but buy one for everyone else in the family – a copy each, or they’ll pinch yours, and it’s so attractively jacketed, it’s one to keep pristine: howzat?

Quiche of Death by M C Beaton with an introduction by author and her friend, Stuart MacBride, publisher Constable. hardback @ £20