Thanks to Bookouture Books for my gifted ebook to write my honest review.
Big Ben chiming in the distance, chilly walks along the river Thames, cocktails at the Ritz… and a government secretary dead? Only Jane Treen can solve the case!
London, 1941. Miss Jane Treen is faced with another mysterious disappearance within her Secret Detective Agency’s team. Tabitha Moore, a government typist, was on her way to meet Jane with vital information about some secret codes. But she didn’t turn up for work and has seemingly vanished without trace. Then Jane and her colleague, handsome codebreaker Arthur Cilento, receive a call: a body has been found, and it matches Tabitha’s description…
It quickly becomes clear that Tabitha’s death was not due to ongoing air raids on the city: the silk scarf tied tightly around her neck suggests otherwise. The prime suspect is Tabitha’s fiancé Leo Cavendish, a dashing government official, but there are plenty of others with a motive too. Jane and Arthur scrutinise those around Tabitha at work and at home, including a charming newsreader reporting on government affairs, a jealous pianist in love with Leo, and a known womaniser and gambler fond of causing trouble.
Together, Jane, Arthur and her fluffy ginger cat Marmaduke hole up in her London townhouse, with black coffee in plentiful supply and a roaring fire in the grate. But just as they begin to piece together the puzzle, someone else is found dead. It’s clear they need to step up and catch the killer on the loose in the big smoke, before it’s their turn next…
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!
Helena Dixon is back with the third book in The Secret Detective Agency. I am addicted to this author’s work! Her Miss Underhay Mysteries have entertained me for years!
This is a relatively new series, but I was really excited to get back to Jane Treen! Set in 1941, London and we see Jane, Arthur and Benson tasked with investigating an operatives death. Jane trained the dead operative and she was working undercover at BBC Bush house, so this is almost personal too! At the same time Jane finds herself volunteered as her mother’s replacement pianist for her season of BBC concerts! They soon realise that the nation’s safety is compromised from the inside. Can they manage to find the killer in the BBC, or will they become victims too?
Skilled storytelling as always from the mind of Helena Dixon. After being so invested in Miss Underhay and her series, I was wondering if I could be as positive about this series. I can!! Three books in and I am hooked again!!!
I am loving Jane Treen already. She is an exceptionally well created character, who I have already taken to my heart. I liked the fact that her mum was featured more in this book too. The mystery is well plotted and intriguing enough to keep me reading without putting the book down all afternoon.
Yet another brilliant story and series from an author who I class as one of my ‘go-to’ authors! I am hoping the next book is here soon! I miss Jane and her ‘crew’ already!
Author Bio
Helena Dixon is the author of the internationally bestselling Miss Underhay cozy mystery series. She is a Black Country girl living 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 was the winner of the RNA Romance Prize in 2007 and the RNA Love Story of the Year 2010.
- Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/helena-dixon
- Website: https://www.nelldixon.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nelldixonauthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nelldixon?lang=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenadixonuk
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 