Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book follows three women, Fiona, Sue and Daisy, who work at a charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes. They have a coffee morning every Tuesday where members of the community can come and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake. However, one of the attendees of this coffee morning is found murdered. The three women decide that they will investigate their friends' death and The Charity Shop Detective Agency is born.

This book is told from Fiona's POV, which I think definitely made it easy to follow as there were quite a lot of characters introduced within this book. I loved so many characters within this book especially the trio and despised others. I loved seeing the characters develop through this book, as well as seeing the developments that The Charity Shop Detective Agency would make in their investigation. There was LGBTQIA+ representation within this book as Sue had a female partner.

I was laughing and smiling whilst reading this book - it was like a hug in a book. I absolutely loved how Fiona, Sue and Daisy all played to their strengths when it came to investigating the murders and their suspects. It had classic British humour and sarcasm throughout, which I loved to see, as well as the references to astrology, films, characters from different series and author references - it was like a game to see how many authors or characters from series I knew. It does take a bit of perseverance to find out who the killer is at it is not revealed until the end and whilst I did guess who the killer was, I was still shocked nonetheless. There were so many twists and turns throughout.

This book pulled me out of my reading slump that I have been in for 2 months. I absolutely love cosy mysteries and when I seen that this one was set in a charity shop, I knew I had to read it. I truly struggled to put this book down. This book is set around the start of November and follows through to Christmas and the New Year so I think this book would be an excellent read for the run up to Christmas. I cannot recommend this book enough if you are looking for something cosy to read whilst sitting on the sofa with a blanket and a cuppa.

⚠️ Content warnings: murder, blood, stabbing, death, car accident, mentions alcohol, cancer, shooting, serial killers Peter Sutcliffe, Harold Shipman and Zodiac Killer (Arthur Leigh Allen and Gary Francis) and grief, depression and serial killer ⚠️

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher Joffe Books for the opportunity to read this book!

I have posted this review to my NetGalley and Goodreads accounts. I will also post a review on my Instagram and Tiktok a week before the publication date (13th December 2022). This book will be available to purchase as an e-book for 99p and is available on Kindle Unlimited.

The idea of these three older women investigating these murders caught my attention. I could not wait to read this book! Unfortunately the writing felt too long winded for a cozy mystery. If the story had been shorter and not have so much nothingness, then I would’ve rated this a 4-5 star read. I’m sad because this story was right up my alley. I will give this author another chance if there’s a second to this series. Thank you for this ARC.

Three friends who work in a charity shop band together to find a serial killer in this lighthearted cosy mystery.

I admit I'm quite picky about cosy mysteries, and this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. The characters were fun and endearing and the mystery was interesting but I found it a little overlong and I didn't feel it was realistic that the police shared as much info as they did. It did make me laugh a lot though and I had an enjoyable reading experience. I did guess the killer but only towards the end. Overall it wasn't my favourite but I'd probably try the second in the series. I'd recommend to cosy mystery fans.

I'd like to thank the publishers, Joffe Books, and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance release copy. All opinions are my own.

I’d like to thank Joffe Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Charity Shop Detective Agency’ by Peter Boland in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Elderly Sarah Brown is a frequent customer at the ‘Dogs Need Nice Homes’ charity shop and when she’s found dead with a domino grasped in her hand the three ladies from the shop, Fiona, Partial Sue and Daisy, vow to find her killer. They call themselves ‘The Charity Shop Detective Agency’ and are soon passing on their occasionally welcome ideas to DI Fincher and DS Thomas.

‘The Charity Shop Detective Agency’ is a well-written gentle murder mystery and the first in a series that I hope will continue. The plot is interesting, the descriptions of the shops true to life, with characters that are nicely rounded, amusing and fun. I’ve enjoyed reading where the story is set, Southbourne, and my home town of Christchurch where the ladies together with Fiona’s dog Simon Le Bon hope to reveal the killer’s identity. The areas are so accurately described that I’ve been able to follow them around the town and next time I visit M&S I’ll be thinking of them with a smile on my face.

I love cosy mysteries and this didn't disappoint. it is well written with a gripping and humourous storyline and characters that I loved. A great read.

A funny , entertaining read.
I enjoy a cosy mystery and this one ticks all the boxes.
It seems that there is a serial killer at large and the trio of volunteers from the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop begin their own investigation .
What follows is a fun , enjoyable and easy read.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing .
This is a strong start and hope to read more in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books.

I tried this book as something different from my usual reading matter, I did not consider myself the cozy mystery type but I loved it. A good mystery, some humour and pleanty going on to keep my attention. I will definately be looking out for more books by this author.

I loved this, I've read a bit of a mix recently and this was a really refreshing break from all of the romance and serious thrillers it was a really quick read over two sittings. I genuinely found myself laughing out loud at several points. One of the things I really enjoyed is the pensioner aged main characters and what was really refreshing was that they weren't bumbling old ladies, they knew enough about tech to do what they need to do, rather than the standard over 45 and can't work a laptop trope I've seen often.

I loved that it got straight into the drama and there wasn't really any let up all the way through. I didn't want to play detective too much and so although I had an inkling who it was there were enough red herrings and false starts to keep you guessing.

The charity shop setting will be familiar to everyone that you are easily able to picture our detectives Fiona, Sue and Daisy and their shop as well as their rival boutique style charity shop staffed by Sophie and the put upon Gail.

I'm really looking forward to reading more of the series and can't wait to find out the next case!

The first in what is hopefully a new cozy mystery series! Fiona is a retiree who volunteers at a charity shop in Southbourne. One day, one of her regulars ends up murdered. Even weirder, there is a domino with a name on it found in her hand. When a person with that name ends up dead, Fiona and her friends, Partial Sue and Daisy, create their own investigating group to try to prevent anymore elderly from dying.

I really enjoyed this cozy! The characters were great. It definitely has shades of The Thursday Murder Club books, but I enjoyed this first one more than I enjoyed the first in that series. I look forward to more in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful book. The characters were very likeable and the storyline kept you guessing right till the end. If you like cozy mysteries then this book is for you and with a cup of tea you are in for a treat.

3/5 Good

A strong 3 stars for this charming entry into the cosy mystery world from an author I like in Peter Boland.

I’ve read his excellent Savage series and this is something of a change in direction albeit there is still the ageing protagonists.

Whilst comparisons with Richard Osman can’t be ignored, I think I enjoyed this more than the celebrity effort as it’s safe in the knowledge that no ghost writing/editing has gone on here.

The characters are likeable as you would expect, there’s a light humour throughout and I enjoyed the charity shop setting and the rivalry that comes along with it.

The story is good, the plot is good and it’s very well executed but the reason I held back with 4 stars is I decided quite early on who our bad guy was and as well concealed as Peter Boland makes it, it does scream at you

Regardless, it’s fun, accessible, easy reading, and I’ll definitely read more from these old super sleuths

What can I say about 'The Charity Shop Detective Agency' other than, fabulous?! Everything about this story from its narrative to character quirks was pure perfection. The book follows the escapades of three women living in the British town of Southbourne who help run their local charity shop "Nice Dogs Need New Homes". The main focus is Fiona Sharpe, a warm, caring woman who with her friends and colleagues Partial Sue and Daisy, set out to solve the murder of one of their loyal customers - oh and Simon Le Bon helps too!

I wasn't entirely sure how the plot would play out, or if our three plucky heroines could get The Charity Shop Detective Agency off the ground, but I sure wasn't disappointed. The twists and turns made this book a real page-turner, and like our main characters, I was eager to find out who the killer was.

Many factors came into play when I was browsing available titles to read, the main one being that I adore a cosy mystery story. There is something very comforting about a book like this. They make me think of warm winter evenings, curled up on the sofa with my cat, a blanket and a cup of coffee and no distractions in sight. Now, I think I'm going to have to add cake to that list too, after all the scrumptious bakes incorporated into the narrative.

This book made me laugh out loud and I can't wait to see what's next in store for our dynamic trio and their trusty packet of knock-off Custard Creams. I hope, Sophie Haverford finally gets served a massive slice of humble pie in the next instalment, whenever that will be.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rather Glorious…
Is a serial killer really stalking a sleepy town and bumping off what appear to be the elderly residents of Southbourne? Dubbed the Domino Killer for obvious reasons, this killer knows no bounds. Fiona, Sue and Daisy from the local Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop are on the case - with often unexpected results. A rather glorious cosy mystery with all of the right ingredients in all the right places. Deftly drawn, often eccentric and endearing characters populate a pacy and humorous plot peppered with some nicely placed red herrings and leading to a, perhaps, unexpected denouement. Wholly enjoyable and entertaining. Hopefully there will be more to come from this enigmatic trio.

I loved this! Cosy Crime at its best. Lots of twists and turns and dead ends, but thankfully there was a happy ending.

Such a remarkable cozy! It definitely is for fans of Richard Osman or Janice Hallett. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I had great pleasure in reading it. I can't wait for the next one as Fiona and Simon Le Bon are my new best friends!

A fun cozy mystery series of a group of retired women solving a series of murders in the neighborhood. The ending felt a bit weak with the motivation of the killer, but loved the banter and thoughts of the women. A good start to a series I want to read more. Highly recommend.

A trio of retired women - charity shop volunteers - decide to find the person who killed their friend. Absurd, funny and oversold - certainly - but that's what makes this book worth reading. A good fun cozy mystery.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and y own opinion.

Three women who run a charity shop are drawn into investigating the murder of one of their customers. they try to do so mostly by guesswork honing in on a particular character and then trying to make them fit! Far-fetched at times ( would the DI really share so much information?) it still flows along and I enjoyed it but if you like your murder mysteries gritty and gory then it probably isn't for you.

Retired Fiona Sharp is now living in Southbourne with her rescue terrier. She is a volunteer at a charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes, along with Sue and Daisy. One morning while going through the new donations she finds a bloody knife and calls the police. There was a murdered pensioner and DI Fincher comes to question the women. More murders occur with each having a domino with the next victim's name on it. Fiona and the others want justice and try to piece together why these people were targeted and is there a serial killer living in their town.
A well plotted cozy mystery with interesting characters and locale.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this e-galley ARC of"The Charity Shop Detective Agency".

The Charity Shop Detective Agency is cosy crime at its finest. We meet Fiona, Sue and Daisy, the volunteers at Dogs Need Nice Homes. They're having a lovely time when one of their coffee morning regulars is brutally murdered in her home. Who would do such a thing to sweet innocent Sarah Brown?

The trio set off on their own investigation, putting their TV crime drama knowledge to good use to try and catch The Domino Killer.

When another body turns up, things get serious, and despite warnings from the police to stay out of the way, they just can't help themselves.

The Charity Shop Detective Agency is a great read. It's lighthearted enough to not keep you awake at night, but there are also serious elements to the story, which give it enough bite and avoid it being too flimsy.