The Charity Shop Detective Agency

The Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries, Book 1

By: Peter Boland

Narrated by: Zara Ramm

Put the kettle on and discover an utterly charming new cozy murder mystery set in a sleepy English seaside town.

Fiona, Sue, and Daisy, three retired ladies who volunteer at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes, can’t believe their favorite customer is dead.

Eighty-six-year-old Sarah Brown was found murdered in her hallway by her delivery man, a domino clutched in her hand—with a name scratched on it.

When another person is found dead with a domino in their hand, and with the police making no progress, the ladies will need to help unmask a serial killer. At least they have Fiona’s scruffy-haired terrier cross to assist them.

With plenty of tea and cake along the way, and despite squabbles with their rivals, the Cats Alliance across the street, the Charity Shop Detective Agency is born.

Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Janice Hallett, Simon Brett, Ian Moore, and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett will adore this exciting new talent in cozy crime.

©2023 Peter Boland (P)2023 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

‘Witty and knowing.’—Diamond Dagger Award-winner Simon Brett, OBE

Derivative

The story and the characters are too much like “The Thursday Murder Club, but overall a weaker effort. However, if you like Oscan’s series and you want more like it, this novel will be what you are looking for. Personally, I’ll wait for his next novel.

Patronizes older people. Story has good twists. Narrator is great.

The worst part is how they used no common sense but repeatedly waded into possibly dangerous situations simply because they "needed proof". No. they didn't need proof. The detective actually repeatedly asked them to contact her with ideas and not to try to investigate on their own. Yet they kept doing it, regardless. So frustrating. Thursday murder club books don't do this and I love them. The old people in TMC books are mostly intelligent and respected and the books reflect this.

Awesome

I've really liked this narrator for some time, and now a new author that brings women together to investigate! Also, a plot twist.

Hallmark mysteries material

Why do the English do so much better with elderly characters? Similar to the Richard Osman stories.

Delightful

It wasn’t hard to solve the mystery yet enjoyed the characters and will listen to the next one.