A pretty seaside town, a body on the beach, and a boatload of clues. Can super-sleuth Miss Jane Treen solve the mystery?
England, 1941: When Jane Treen is summoned to her boss’s office at the end of a long day, she smooths down her tweed skirt and makes them both another strong pot of coffee.Brigadier Remmington-Blythe slides a folded copy of the evening newspaper towards her, with one small article circled in red ink. A body has been found on an English beach in the little seaside town where she grew up, and he wants her to investigate.
Jane is used to managing secret agents and spies, but she is now part of The Secret Detective Agency, England’s answer to solving the most mysterious murders. Making her way to the coast and brimming with curiosity, she’s heartened that shy and handsome codebreaking genius Arthur Cilento will be joining her to help her wade through the fishy goings-on. Although Jane doubts he will appreciate her bringing her beloved one-eyed cat, Marmaduke…
Together, Jane and Arthur drop anchor in her crumbling childhood home overlooking the sandy beach where the body was found. Surrounded by potential suspects, their eyes are on a devious doctor, an eccentric artist and a secret sweetheart. But as Jane and Arthur are searching for the truth, those giving evidence start to clam up. One thing seems sure: they need to reel in the killer before they’re out of their depth…
Can The Secret Detective Agency triumph again, or will they meet their watery end at high tide?
If you love twisty crime novels, top-secret intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Helena Dixon’s totally gripping cozy novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Verity Bright!
About the Author
Helena Dixon is the author of the best-selling Miss Underhay murder mystery series and lives in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010 as Nell Dixon.
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REVIEW
It’s lovely to return to the 1940s and catch up with Jane and Arthur after their adventures in the first novel in the series. Jane remains a character with poise and strength holding her cards close to her chest, making her perfect for her role in the War Office. Throughout the novel we see more glimpses of who she really is, and that there’s more to this prim and proper lady than meets the eye.
Sent to the coast to investigate a black market smuggling ring and to look into the mysterious body found on the beach, Jane and Arthur must work together to unpick the mystery. And then Jane’s mother turns up, to throw a spanner in the works and add lightness and humour to the tense atmosphere in war time Britain, in a seaside town beset by theft and murder.
Although she and Arthur Cilanto are both very British and reserved, we see the bond between them growing, and after being thrown together to solve a case in the first novel in the series, here we see them starting to work as a proper team, with Arthur’s aide Benson as very handy back up.
I’m thoroughly enjoying this series, Helena Dixon writes wonderful characters that have you caring about them, even though they don’t reveal too much of themselves. Jane is the epitome of Keep Calm and Carry On and is a fascinating character that I want to get to know even better, so I can’t wait for the next installment.
The audiobook is read this time by the wonderful Elizabeth Bower, who I’m more familiar with as the voice of Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective series, and while the reassuring Yorkshire accent isn’t present here, the novel is read beautifully.
Many thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for an advance copy of his novel for review.
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