Synopsis:
In Series 3 of this contemporary mystery, Agatha is now an official private investigator and operates her first detective agency, where pressures are high to keep new business flowing. In the Halloween special, Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House, Agatha’s new agency fails to attract clients, so James (Jamie Glover, Waterloo Road) suggests they investigate the haunting of Ivy Hall, a mystery that has baffled locals, historians and ambitious treasure hunters for centuries, as the perfect opportunity to drum up business. In the first episode, Agatha Raisin & the Deadly Dance, Agatha investigates a young woman about to get married—however, the case takes an unexpected turn when the would-be-assassin is found dead. In Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell, James (Jamie Glover, Waterloo Road) vanishes after a blazing row with Agatha; leaving behind only a trail of blood and a dead body, everyone is left fearing the worst. Lastly, in Agatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns, Agatha takes a relaxing trip to a traditional winter festival with her team to temporarily relieve her troubles behind, but her plans are quickly derailed when a gruesome discovery leaves all of Carsely fearing for their safety.
What We Thought:
Agatha Raisin is one of those nice little shows that’s super easy to binge especially nowadays. It’s overall pretty light despite it being a mystery style show. Sure episodes involve an assassin, a haunted house and gruesome other events, but it’s not a heavy show. Plus it’s only 4 episodes so you can get through it in a day or two. They are a bit longer than your typical TV episode though.
Agatha Raisin and The Haunted House is a Halloween themed episode which finds Agatha and James investigating a haunted house now that she’s officially a private investigator. Agatha Raisin & the Deadly Dance involves a future bride and assassin. Agatha Raisin & the Love from Hell involves infighting between Agatha and James and a woman is found dead. James goes missing with Agatha forced to clear his name. Agatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns involves a writing getaway and instead of a pig being served, there is murder on the menu!
Ashley Jensen is 100% watchable in the role. It’s like a mix of Amy Huberman in Finding Joy and the characters of Phryne Fisher or her niece Peregrine Fisher. The side characters and her team are great, but it’s Jensen that makes the show to me. She’s just delightful.
I also like the setting. Again it’s not a dark and gloomy/heavy handed backdrop despite the show being about murder and mystery. Even the costuming is light and playful.
If you are a fan of the show then pick up Agatha Raisin: Series 3. If you aren’t familiar with it but like shows like Queens of Mystery, Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, The Brokenwood Mysteries or even Murder She Wrote, check it out.
The Nerds Templar 