The Seaside Murders 
(The Secret Detective Agency #2)
by Helena Dixon

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!

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Arthur thought Captain Prudhoe looked rather as if someone had just pulled the pin from a grenade right in front of him.

Personally, Arthur thought Jane was at her most terrifying when she was being nice to people.

Mr Briggs placed his hands behind his back, reminding Arthur of a rather plump, prosperous pigeon about to commence strutting.

I suppose it was too much to hope for that you had snagged a man at last. I swear, Janey pie, you couldn’t catch one even if I gave you a net.

This is none of your business, and if you breathe one word of anything that you might see or hear tonight, then I swear I shall never speak to you ever again. I’ll also tell the press your real age.

My Review:

 

This cozy historical series has been a fun diversion from the intense thrillers I’ve been reading of late. The murder mysteries are confounding, unpredictable, and exceptionally well-plotted between lashings of humorous observations and the sneakily wry descriptions this crafty scribbler provides for her quirky characters. I enjoyed getting to know them better and am looking forward to more of their adventures.