- "Go on the way you’re going and I’ll throttle you and hang you from your damned bell rope."
- ―Jessica Brand in Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells
Jessica Brand is a character in the short story Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells.
She is a former Olympic swimmer now living in Weston Magna.
Biography[]
Jessica was an Olympic level swimmer before moving to the Cotswold village of Weston Magna.
When Mary Bolton set up a bell ringing group, insisting on numerous and regular rehearsals, Jessica quickly grew irritated by the constant noise plaguing the village. One morning at the village store she decided to confront Mary, demanding she limit rehearsals to just once a week, however, Mary told her that only when the group reached perfection could they afford to rehearse less often and this was likely to take a month or two. Frustrated, Jessica publicly threatened to hang Mary from the bell rope should she continue to practise repeatedly.
Jessica protested to both the vicar and the parish council to no avail, as everyone was more frightened of Mary and her subtly sly ways than they were of Jessica. Eventually, the group's bell ringing improved and rehearsals were confined to just Thursday evenings.
On the first Thursdays’ rehearsal, she took herself out to dinner with friends before returning home late when the bell ringing would long be over. As she settled down for the evening, she heard the deep-throated boom of one of the large bells. Furious, she marched over to the bell tower only to find Mary swinging from the bell rope. Screaming, she seized the body to stop its swing before calling for help.
Two days later she went to Mircester to speak with Agatha Raisin of Raisin Investigations. She explained the situation, including how she had publicly threatened to strangle Mary, and was assured that Agatha would do her best to clear Jessica's name. Indeed, Agatha was successful in finding the true murderer. Just a week later, as she sat with Agatha listening to the bells play for Mary's funeral, Jessica finally began to appreciate the bell ringing. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells)
Personality[]
Jessica is a powerful and bold woman, as seen when she was the only person who dared to accuse Mary Bolton of being involved in a local jam-making competition scandal. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells)
Physical appearance[]
Jessica is a tall and muscular woman as a result of her athleticism. She is described as having big hands and feet. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells)
Appearances[]
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Book appearances |
Quotes[]
The bells pounded out for the funeral of Mary. “Hellish noise,” shouted Agatha. Jessica grinned. “Music to my ears, Agatha.” (BOOK: Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells) |
Trivia[]
- Her cottage lays in the shadow of St. Edmund’s church's bell tower. (BOOK: Agatha Raisin: Hell's Bells)