Dead Before Tea Time Coming Soon

Next month marks the publication of the 37th Agatha Raisin novel Dead Before Tea Time, written by M.C. Beaton and R.W. Green, which is currently available to preorder.

Agatha Raisin’s Cotswolds village is in an uproar when word spreads that their beloved Red Lion pub is set to close. The brewery that owns the building has raised the rent, ousting the pub’s owner so they can redevelop the space into apartments. As the villagers scramble to change the brewery’s mind, Agatha and her team at Raisin Investigations begin looking into more direct ways to save the pub.

Meanwhile, Sir Charles Fraith attempts to wheedle his way back into Agatha’s affection, crossing swords with James—Agatha’s other paramour—who is determined to thwart his efforts. As the two attempt to woo Agatha at a local reenactment of a 17th-century battle, Agatha has her sights set on something else. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a body is discovered in a copse of trees just off the battleground. While many brush off the death as an accident, Agatha digs deeper after discovering the dead man had connections to the same brewery putting the Red Lion out of business.

After an attempt is made on Agatha's life during a visit to the brewery, her investigation becomes all the more urgent. Can she find the murderer before becoming their next victim? And perhaps even more importantly for the village, can she find a way to save the Red Lion at the same time?

Dead Before Tea Time will be released in hardback, ebook and audio book formats this November 10th in the US, with a mass-market paperback edition to follow.

Dead Before Tea Time in the press

"Unique and striking… Fans of Simon Brett's Mrs Pargeter are sure to enjoy Agatha Raisin's latest adventure." Booklist, starred review

Praise for the Agatha Raisin Mysteries

"Lots of mystery in a package that makes you laugh and cry." Kirkus Reviews on Sugar and Spite

"A brief, quirky tale in a distinctively vintage tone... [for] readers with a fondness for nostalgic, traditionally styled mysteries." Library Journal on Sugar and Spite

"Provides all the fun... A pleasure, but brace yourself for a very surprising ending." First Clue on Sugar and Spite

"In addition to building suspense, Green provides lots of comedy and fascinating information about event-planning, antiques, and sleuthing throughout. Agatha Raisin lives on." Booklist on Killing Time

"Delightful." Woman's World, Best New Books on Devil's Delight

“This mystery's got everything." USA Today on Devil's Delight

"Once you meet Agatha Raisin, you'll keep coming back." New York Journal of Books

"M.C. Beaton has a foolproof plot for the village mystery." The New York Times Book Review

"Beaton has a winner in the irrepressible, romance-hungry Agatha." Chicago Sun-Times