Love, Lies and Liquor

by: M.C. Beaton

Published by: St. Martin's Minotaur

Reviewed by Shirley Johnson

M.C. Beaton writes several mystery series under her own name and the pseudonym of Marion Chesney.

Private Detective, Agatha Raisen is divorced but still in love with her ex-husband James. When James moves to the cottage next to hers, she envisions renewed love. Her optimism is heightened when James invites her to travel with him, to what Agatha believes is a romantic getaway. What she gets is Snoth-on-Sea, a rundown town and the dilapidated Palace Hotel.

Nothing is going as Agatha thought it would. It's cold, the hotel is awful and one of the guests, Geraldine Jankers, picks a fight with Agatha. Before Agatha and James can leave Snoth-on-Sea, Geraldine is found dead on the beach with Agatha's scarf around her neck. It is obviously the murder weapon and Agatha is under suspicion for her murder. If she's to leave the horrid town, she'll have to solve the murder and along the way, make some decisions about James.

M.C. Beaton is a popular mystery writer. I don't understand (at least after reading this book) why that is. I found her writing to be abrupt, her characters (including Agatha) to be unlikable and the set up for the murder a bit contrived. Agatha whines so much, I'd leave her too if I was James. Her sulky, lovelorn behavior wore thin and was embarrassing.

Armchair Interviews says: M.C. Beaton's Love, Lies and Liquor is not recommended.