Set in 1941 London, the story follows Miss Jane Treen, who works for a top-secret government agency overseeing field agents. Her loyalties lie with coffee, cigarettes, and her cat Marmaduke — though not necessarily in that order. Meanwhile, Arthur Cilento is a quiet, asthmatic codebreaker with a sharp mind and an attentive butler.

Jane's routine is disrupted when her agents begin to vanish — or turn up dead. When one is discovered murdered at Arthur’s home, Jane and Arthur are reluctantly teamed up to crack the case. This leads to Jane (and Marmaduke) moving in with Arthur — a less-than-ideal arrangement. A cat and a chain-smoker sharing space with someone battling asthma? What could possibly go wrong?

The mystery is compelling and laced with danger, and watching Jane and Arthur navigate both the case and each other is a real treat. Jane is prickly, not exactly the warmest soul, while Arthur is unexpectedly layered and genuinely intriguing. The butler steals every scene he's in. I'm already looking forward to book two and seeing how this mismatched trio learns to work together.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this novel!

Another really enjoyable read from Helena Dixon! Really glad I read the first one as it gave this book context. I enjoy the relationship between Jane & Arthur, it’s slowly turning to a “will they won’t they”! My only annoyance was the amount of times that Arthur’s walking pace was made reference to, it was a lot and I feel like once or twice would have been enough to get the point across!

This is the second book in this series and as with the first one I didn't find it to be particularly enjoyable. I did find that the mystery was a little more exiting, but the main characters were still very difficult to like, especially the main female character (still smoking in the same room as her asthmatic coworker, complaining when she has to put out the cigarette, or walk slower to accommodate him) and the pacing was slow and the story dragged. I don't intent to read any more books from this particular series.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

I enjoy a good murder mystery and The Seaside Murders by Helena Dixon delivered. It's available now.

I started the second book right on the heels of the first. I had the audio version of that one but since that is how it began, the voices of the main characters stayed that way in my head throughout this read as well.


Since the last case, there have been some that have been handled by the secret detective agency but they probably were not exiting enough to warrant a full book. This time Jane has to face her old home where her father once lived because the town has been the scene of an odd death. Once they get there they are also allowed to look into looters who target befuddled shopkeepers during air raids.

The case continues along the lines of the previous one, with war being the driving force behind the setup and reason behind the crimes. They investigate openly and although there’s a hint of possible future romance in glad it didn’t go further. Have and Arthur’s personalities have been defined quite starkly and I don’t think they suit even in a narrative such as this.

The plot moves along at a good pace making it easy reading. I would definitely pick the next whenever I get the chance.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Helena Dixon's The Seaside Murders (The Secret Detective Agency Book 2) dives into the charming, yet surprisingly perilous, world of 1941 England. Super-sleuth Miss Jane Treen finds herself back in her childhood seaside town, not for a nostalgic visit, but to investigate a puzzling death. Her boss, Brigadier Remmington-Blythe, dispatches her to look into a body discovered on an English beach, putting her skills as part of The Secret Detective Agency to the test.

Joining Jane on this intriguing assignment is the shy yet brilliant codebreaking genius, Arthur Cilento, who might just have to tolerate Jane's beloved one-eyed cat, Marmaduke. As they settle into Jane's old, crumbling childhood home overlooking the crime scene, they find themselves surrounded by a colorful cast of potential suspects—from a "devious doctor" to an "eccentric artist" and a "secret sweetheart."

However, the investigation quickly hits rough waters as witnesses clam up, making it clear someone is hiding something. Jane and Arthur must race against time to "reel in the killer" before they find themselves "out of their depth." The Seaside Murders promises a delightful blend of cozy mystery, wartime intrigue, and budding partnership, as The Secret Detective Agency strives to triumph once more against a killer lurking beneath the surface.

This is a fun series. Jane and Arthur are so cute together. Their not so subtle looks and their convos are so worth reading. And then there are the sidekicks. Benson the butler who I need in my life right now people. He's efficient, smart, caring and can solve anything and everything. Marmaduke the cat also makes his presence known.

The mystery was well written, pacing was good and the plot twists were surprising.

I liked reading this book and hope to see more in the series.

#TheSeasideMurders #NetGalley

I'm really enjoying reading this series of mysteries
Set in World War II and all its histories.
Jane Treen is called to her boss's office one day
And is sent to her childhood home to stay.

Jane hasn't been there since her father's funeral and so
Is somewhat reluctant there to go.
However, she's going as part of her usual team
There's been a strange death, or so it would seem.

Being a local, growing up in the seaside town
Her returning to her home won't raise any frown.
Maybe she'll be able the truth to uncover
Working with Arthur they'll do their best to discover.

There's plenty of red herrings and clues to find
And memories, too, of the best kind.
But what happened to the victim, how did he die?
Are people being truthful - or will they lie?

With plenty of suspects and other clues, too,
Let's hope the secret detective agency can triumph anew.
A great read from beginning to end
And a delightful read in which time to spend.

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The epitome of a cozy this story had it all. Village setting, eccentric and nosy characters, beautiful scenery and plenty of intrigue.

England 1941 a naked body on the beach. A harmless Italian prisoner of war, set to work on a nearby farm. Jane and Arthur have been sent down to enquire into this death and to check whether it is linked in some way to the black marketing racket rampant in the region. Add to this the sudden appearance of exotic animals, a black panther supposedly the cause of two deaths and a mauling, a talkative macaw and a smiling big rat, a quokka a native Australian.

Trying to put the various pieces together amidst maybe a budding attraction between Jane and Arthur added much interest to the story.

Very enjoyable read.

The engaging storyline and the layered mystery kept me captivated. The dynamic between Jane and Arthur is enjoyable; their contrasting skills and personalities create a compelling partnership.

I would recommend The Secret Detective Agency to fans of cozy mysteries who enjoy strong, independent female protagonists. I am eager to see what new mysteries Jane and Arthur will unravel in future installments.

I had a great time reading about these characters, and this new adventure was really good: I wish I had the audiobook to enjoy this story more.
I hope that the relationship between Jane and Arthur will develop: let's have a little romance between them
I really liked the group of detectives: Jane, Arthur, and Benson.I can't wait for their next adventure
Thank you, NetGally and Bookture, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I loved the first book in this series and this one was a great read as well. The story line was plot driven with great character development, especially of Jane and Arthur. I pray this series will contine!

Having read a number of Helena Dixon’s Miss Underhay Murder series I was interested to discover book two in the new series The Secret Detective Agency, The Seaside Murders.
Slow to begin with the time line set in 1941, once the characters are introduced and the plot begins to be constructed, it is very easy to become immersed into the clandestine world of one of the many secretive divisions of the British Government during World War II.
Jane Treen is a young woman of character who works undercover to solve anomalies that do occur during times of war. When she is summoned to Brigadier Remmington-Blythe’s office she is given the task of discovering why a man’s naked body appears to have been washed up on the beach, not far from her family home of Ashbourne Village.
She reluctantly accepts the assignment. When she discovers she will be working with Arthur Cilento and his manservant Benson, she is puzzled but relieved. She has undertaken clandestine work with them before, successfully.
But there is more involved in the situation just a than a dead man, an Italian prisoner of war, there is also the appalling issue of black market racketeering in the area that is progressively getting worse.
Neither Jane or Arthur are particularly happy about the ‘special mission’ but it is only a matter of a few days after their arrival at Ashbourne House, when they realise that they are up against a well organised group of ‘smugglers’ and that indeed, murder has been done.
Are the two events connected and if so how, create an interesting storyline in the Helena Dixon style of Mystery Murders.
It will be interesting to see how this new series evolves in book three as Jane and Arthur develop their reputations for solving what seems to be dangerously challenging issues within the constraints of secrecy and war.

I enjoyed this historical cosy mystery. It has believable characters and an evocative WW2 setting. The three secret agency detectives are an unlikely community, but their respective skills make them effective. It's Jane's family home and hometown that hosts the latest story, which involves the unexplained death of a prisoner of war and a web of individuals exploiting others for financial gain. It's an immersive read with subtle details that draw readers into 1940s wartime Britain. Its complex and relatable characters and cleverly written mystery make this an entertaining escapist read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Love this series! I always love a good historical cozy mystery and this series (which can be read as stand alones) has the most fun and mismatched pair of detectives. The writing is solid and the plots are complex enough to keep me guessing!
Full review on my blog at drbethnolan.com

This is a very entertaining next instalment of the series featuring Jane, Arthur, and Benson. It could be read as a standalone, but the first book is also a great read and shouldn’t be missed. The characters are great, and the plot is twisty and turny with a resolution I didn’t expect! It’s a great book to sit down with and lose yourself in.

Thank you, Netgalley.

"A pretty seaside town, a body on the beach, and a boatload of clues. Can super-sleuth Miss Jane Treen solve the mystery?"

This is the second book in what appears to be turning into a must read series.
Jane Treen and Arthur Cilento have worked together before with his code breaking skills and her organisation helping them to track down spies.
This time she is forced to return to her childhood home to investigate. When Arthur arrives with his manservant Benson she is forced to open up about her own life especially when an unexpected relative arrives.
Gradually we are seeing that our two detectives are growing together and I am looking forward to seeing how it all progresses.

This is the second story featuring the sleuthing duo Jane and Arthur and I think that I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Although it could easily be a standalone story, I love how the characters are developing, and getting to know each other, just as the reader is . It would be interesting to know some of Benson's back story too. The story also felt more rounded, but that may have been because I really liked the setting on the coast and in Jane's childhood home. I am really looking forward to reading book number three, and finding out where it takes Arthur, Jane, and Benson.

It's Jane and Arthur's second adventure and I'm so happy to fin that the pair are growing into a wonderful pair of sleuths.
With this story, we find them at Jane's old home town where she grew up. Along with Arthur's faithful manservant, Benson, and Jane's cat, they arrive to investigate the mysterious death of an Italian POW. Are there are connections with a spate of robberies during air raids?
When Jane's wayward mother turns up unannounced, will she be more of a help, or a hinderance?
Chock full of excitement, mystery, daring-do's (is that right?) than you could wave a stick at, this is a great addition to the author's body of work, I enjoyed very much. Here's to the next in this series.
My thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the reading copy.

Having been introduced to Jane and Arthur in the first novel, this the second in the series sees us move from Arthur's home village to Jane's.

When Jane's boss asks her to investigate a body on the beach in her home town, she finds herself back in her childhood home. Along with her faithful cat Marmaduke, Arthur and his ever present manservant Mr Benson also find themselves there.

The dead body is a POW and it seems all rather odd. When they are also approached about the spate of thefts which occur whenever an air raid takes place, it seems there is two things that need solving before they can go back to their day job helping the war effort. Of course they are helping the war effort in the crims solving but not everyone takes kindly to a woman coming in and taking over as the local police inspector makes clear.

An enjoyable cosy historical mystery to escape into and enjoy solving the mystery as well as the wonderful acerbic characters who are obviously are going to encounter more mysteries as the war continues. For that I am glad.