The Seaside Murders

The Secret Detective Agency, Book 2

A completely unputdownable British cozy murder mystery

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!

©2025 Helena Dixon (P)2025 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Kind of ho hum . . . But still ok!

Why was the narrator changed?? The previous one captured Miss Treen (and the male voices) so much better. More smoking from Jane (and blowing the smoke near Arthur), more of Arthur’s wheezing—and Jane walking too fast.

Despite this, the story kept my attention for the most part. I like Benson so much, and greatly appreciate how he figures into the story.

Did not like this narrator

I liked the first book in the series enough to buy this one, the second. As soon and I started to
listen to this one I realized the narrator was different. This was a great illustration of how much a narrator can affect the story. For me,
her style completely altered the personalities of the main characters, enough so that I didn’t like them and I found it annoying enough that I decided to quit listening about half way through. Fortunately the original narrator returned for the 3rd book.

Different narrator

This narrator gave the relationship between two main characters a bit different. in the first story the main female was more crotchety. The smoking asthma scenarios got boring. Inspite of that there was enough variety to enjoy. I would listen to the next.

Poorly written

Years ago I enjoyed the Kitty Underhay series, so I just read #1 &2 of this series. Terribly edited with repeated references made within the same conversation. But the worst part was the protagonist’s rude and selfish behavior toward her partner with asthma! She smoked cigarettes, carried her cat about in his home, walked too quickly and admonished him for slowing her down. You couldn’t help but care for him and detest her.
This book continued with her boorish and more selfish mother appearing and his valet catering to her whims. By the time there were hints of warmth between the partners, you couldn’t help but scream at the idiocy.
What is the author thinking? How is this female character attractive or worthy of writing a series of her stories? The untrained men are the only heroes despite one having severe asthma!

Narration problems

Narrator good at female voices but absolutely not at men’s. Shame… made the story hard to listen to.