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…
Helena Dixon
Helena Dixon’s writing is a delicate dance of suspense, wit, and historical intrigue. With an eye for detail and a love for the past, Dixon has crafted a unique space in the world of cozy mysteries, where readers are not only swept up in intriguing whodunits but also immersed in richly drawn worlds that feel as alive as the characters that populate them.
Born and raised in the heart of England, Dixon’s childhood was steeped in the kind of history that so often finds its way into her work. From the cobblestone streets of charming villages to the whispers of past secrets, it’s clear that the stories of the past have always been a part of her. Her love for writing began early, and it wasn’t long before she started spinning tales that captured the intrigue of the British countryside, mixing suspense with a sharp eye for detail.
The Secret Detective Agency
Step into a world where secrets lurk in every shadow, and every clue leads to deeper mysteries. The Secret Detective Agency series, set in the 1940s, introduces readers to an unlikely but dynamic duo—Jane Treen, a government operative with a sharp mind and a quiet strength, and Arthur Cilento, a reserved but brilliant code-breaker. Together, they form a pair whose contrasting skills make them an unstoppable force in the world of clandestine investigations.
The Secret Detective Agency consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
