M.C. Beaton´s Agatha Raisin is one of my favourite detectives. I bought first two books while visiting York (UK) in 2004 and have bought more every time I´m in England or order from Amazon. Now I´m reading the newest book Something borrowed, something dead.
Agatha Raisin is middle-aged, divorced and has her own detective agency. She is always dieting, smoking and drinking too much, looking for love and a husband, and lives with her cats in Cotswold. She´s a funny character and I really like her.