Murder Most British

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!

What readers are saying about The Secret Detective Agency:

‘I ATE this up. What more could I ask for???… Loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Hooked from start to finish… This book is an absolute delight!’ reading_barefoot_on_the_beach

‘DANCE WITH BOOK GLEE AND READ HAPPILY!!… I love the characters! One moment I thought I knew who it was! The next minute a dead body shows up! I devoured it!… Must Read!… Bravo!!! 🍭’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely hooked from the start. Full of action but cosy!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The reveal. WHOOSH! THAT was unexpected. I was so sure of who it was…I was V E R Y wrong 🙂 . A really great read!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I just loved this book! I read this book within a couple of hours in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from the very beginning. I LOVED the cat. I need more Marmaduke!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my goodness what a journey. So ridiculously good.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Terrific! Wonderfully paced and beautifully written, kept me enthralled for the entire book.’ Novel Kicks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Reels you in, I didn’t want to put it down… Kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Keeps you racing and guessing through every moment! Absolutely loved it!’ writergirl5786

‘I devoured The Secret Detective Agency in a single sitting—it was that good! The twists really kept me guessing!’ NetGalley reviewer

‘Oooh! A Second World War spy thriller-cum-murder mystery! Who could resist?’ Reading, Writing, Wandering, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A joy to read! I was glued to the pages!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐