About the book

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 cosy novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Verity Bright!

My thoughts

This was a thoroughly enjoyable second instalment of the Secret Detective Agency series. The characters are definitely growing on me. We return to find our detective trio about to embark on the investigation of a suspicious death of a war prisoner whose naked body was discovered on a deserted beach in the town where Miss Treen grew up. For Jane Treen it is the first time she has returned to the family home since her father’s death, making the investigation even more difficult for her. It is soon clear that the Italian officer who was killed did not drown as initially thought and both Jane and Arthur are drawn further into the mystery.

As a piece of historical fiction, it is off interesting storylines of life on the home front during the Second World War. As in any difficult situation, there are always those who will turn another person’s misfortune into a money making scheme for themselves. Profit from another’s misery. Soon Jane, Arthur and the ever faithful Benson are investigating black market goods as well as the murder and are wondering if the two are linked or if the Italian’s death is actually a little more personal.

This story reminded me a little of the old Foyle’s War episodes off the TV and I really enjoyed the place and time that the novel is set in. It gave an extra layer to the story that added interest and intrigue. There are many more adventures in store I am sure for the agency and I very much looking forward to reading them. I can’t wait to see how the relationship and the mysteries they face progress.

Thank you to the lovely team at Bookouture for inviting me to take part in this blog tour and providing me with a review copy. It has been a pleasure as always. 🙂

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.

https://www.nelldixon.com/

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