Too many fans seem to be blown away

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

As a massive fan of the books I was so excited that a full series had been commissioned after a very successful pilot episode, The Quiche of Death. I wasn't too sure about Ashley as Agatha initially, I couldn't quite see her in my mind's eye, but after the Series I am no totally bought into her, she's quirky, believable, flirtatious, edgy, she's like a younger Miss Marple loaded with sass. A wonderful set of characters accompany our lead, Mathew Horne, Jamie Glover and Lucy Liemann are all wonderful, I love the fact that they're all regular cast members. Katy Wix is as always outrageously good, Gemma is an awesome character, so much fun. Katy is just the most lovable actress.Very light, easy to watch entertainment, which is often funny, lighthearted, and lacking in any kind of gore or violence, a cliché I know, but it's a show that can be enjoyed by the whole family.In terms of episodes in the series I think it gets better as it goes along, the first two are fairly decent, but after that they improve so much, The Potted Gardener and Murderous Marriage are the best in my opinion.

I haven't read the books. That said, this TV series is of marginal interest to mystery fans. The UK excels in mystery scripts and this series is just not up to par. It is barely interesting with the underlying mysteries pretty easy to figure out on your own.I would give a shout out to Katy Wix who is a stand out as the "helper" in solving the mysteries. Often seeming to be the actual detective in this cast of hapless and helpless villagers.

Not having read any of the Agatha Raisin cozies by M.C. Beaton (and there are over 25), I came into the show without any preconceived notions. Perhaps if I had, I would be more persnickety about what the characters looked like, or if they were more humorous in the books. I did really enjoy the shows, which reminded me a bit of Rosemary and Thyme. Although I liked it, and will watch future seasons, it didn't grab me enough to start reading the books. Mainly because having seen these, I would think it would spoil the books because I already would know who was the killer.Agatha is a legend in the PR world, who knows how to work the system to get whatever her clients want. But when she moves to the quaint village, she is completely out of her realm. In the very first episode she enters a quiche making contest thinking she will wow the villagers and make lots of new friends. One huge problem though, she doesn't cook. So she buys a quiche, and things go downhill very quickly. Not only does someone get poisoned, but it is found out that she cheated.She takes it upon herself to find out what really happened, and to try and get some of the villagers to be more friendly towards her. But anyone who's ever lived in a small town knows that it can take years, even decades, before someone new is accepted into the community.The rest of the episodes continue with Agatha solving more mysteries with the help of her housekeeper (who I think is adorable, and I want a friend like her), DCI Wong (who has a crush on Agatha, who is older than him), and various others people from the village. Agatha's love life ebbs and flows through the episodes.And although I'm not into shoes, Agatha's were amazing, as well as her outfits. I found myself looking forward to seeing what she would be wearing. All in all, I enjoyed the first season very much, and will watch any more that are made.

I like a good thriller (Tom Clancy, David Baldacci, Michael Connelly) and a well written mystery (James Lee Burke, Steig Larsson, Henning Mankell ) and yes, a nice cozy (Rhys Bowen, Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke). And I was a fan of M.C. Beaton after reading my first Hamish Macbeth novel. So I was looking forward to seeing a series based on Agatha Raisin. I could never get my wife interested in Agatha Raisin but friends of hers have shared my enthusiasm, so when I heard there was a TV series I figured I might snag my wife. Well that thought evaporated with the first episode: Agatha Raisin and The Quiche of Death. Did anyone involved with the show read the book(s). The one good thing I can say is the Cotswolds look beautiful, unfortunately "actors" keep blocking off the view. My wife liked the way Agatha (Ashley Jensen) dresses, but when it comes to writing, acting, and plot, the episode runs more like a cartoon. Ashley Jensen doesn't look the part and does not sound like Agatha but I am willing to give her a chance. However, there is no chemistry or anything between her and James Lacey (Jamie Glover), and if I hadn't read the books, I would never expect any. Bill Wong (Matt McCooey) runs about like a keystone cop or refuses to move: pick one. (Rhashan Stone) Jez Bloxby is completely miscast as the minister. And Agatha does not do murder boards nor does she ride a racing bicycle all over the countryside; she eschews exercise. Although M.C. Beaton is given writing credits for nine episodes, it must reference the books and not the scripts. And where are Hodge and Boswell? And this pains me to write. Perhaps the series producers might just strike a deal with the Hallmark Channel. Yes they do sappy way too much but they seem to be the current repository for several cozy mystery writers (Peter King, Charlaine Harris, Joanne Fluke). I know they would do Agatha on the cheap and that would mean goodbye to the beautiful villages where the series is currently being filmed and hello to a crappy set in Canada; but I believe they might turn out episodes that are more in the spirit of the series. They couldn't do much worse.