The Seaside Murder by Helena Dixon

 

I originally got this as an e-ARC, I am trying to get work on getting to older e-ARCs that I have on Netgalley.

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 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?

This is the second book in the Secret Detective Agency and I really enjoyed it. I liked book one and this one was just as good.

In this one they are dealing with the murder of an Italian man who is considered the enemy at this time, and he was part of a work camp. Him and another was allowed to work at a nearby farm. He was found on the beach by some children, and the Brigadier is worried that it could be something besides an accident and needs Jane, Author and Benson to look into things discreetly, as there is also some black-market crimes going on and they can look in on it as well. 

Jane has a home in the town where things are happening though she hasn't been there in a while as it was her fathers and he has recently passed and she just wasn't ready but had to get ready. All three will be staying at the house making it their home base, they soon start investigating and finding out that the Inspector wasn't even going to have an autopsy done on the dead guy, which they fix, and they do find out it was murder. They also find out that several shops have been robbed during the air raids that have been happening, taking a lot of hard-to-get items that can sell good since they have to ration things. 

I really enjoy the characters in this series. Though Jane at times aggravates me be she knows that Arthur has asthma, but she will light up a cigarette right in front of him and make him cough. Benson is a lot of fun as he is Arthur's manservant who has taken care of him since he was young and he made me chuckle a couple times and is very loyal to Arthur. 

I thought the mystery was really good too because I didn't figure things out!

4.5 stars 

Week in Review #136

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

How is it already the 18th of January! This year is already flying by! Last week was a pretty low key week and can't think of anything of interest to talk about. We had to go haul more wood to our house, two rick worth yesterday and I am very sore and tired. Loading and unloading and stacking can take a lot out of you, especially when it's cold. I am so ready for spring.

What I read:

                       

• Danger in the Wilderness - This was so good, fast paced and full of action! It's a Christian suspense novel which I enjoy, and I can't wait to try another from this author.
• Unsub - This was a reread and I really enjoyed reading it again.
• Web of Evil - This is the second Ali Reynolds book and I must say, I liked the mystery, but I am not a huge fan of Ali, hopefully her character will get smarter because she just does stupid things.
• The Devil in the Details - The latest book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series and I really enjoyed it! :)

What I am currently reading:

• Murder at the Breakers - I am really enjoying this historical mystery set during the gilded age and about the Vanderbilt family.

What is next:

• Peace Talks - Next up in the Dresden File reread. :)

Hope you all have a great week and happy reading!

Two Bloggers One Series ~ Willowleaf Lane by RaeAnne Thayne

 I am really enjoying reading RaeAnne Thayne books and the Hope's Crossing series has been very good. So I am glad that Barb and I are buddy reading this series. After you see what I have to say go on over to Booker T's Farm and see what Barb thought. 

Sometimes going back is the best way to start over 

Candy shop owner Charlotte Caine knows temptation. To reboot her life, shed weight and gain perspective, she's passing up sweet enticements left and right. But willpower doesn't come so easily when hell-raiser Spencer Gregory comes back to Hope's Crossing, bringing with him memories of broken promises and teen angst. A retired pro baseball player on the mend from injury—and a damaging scandal—he's interested in his own brand of reinvention.  

Now everything about Spencer's new-and-improved lifestyle, from his mission to build a rehab facility for injured veterans to his clear devotion to his preteen daughter, Peyton, touches Charlotte's heart. Holding on to past hurt is her only protection against falling for him—again. But if she takes the risk, will she find in Spencer a hometown heartbreaker, or the hero she's always wanted?

So in this story we have Charlotte who owns a sweets shop in Hope's Crossing. It's interesting because this owner when she was younger had a weight problem and it hindered her a lot with friends and boys. One of those boys was a friend Spencer who was an athlete that she helped with some classes. 

Now they are adults and Charlotte worked really hard to lose the weight and open the candy store which I Have to say she has more will power than I. Spencer had gone on to become a famous ball player but has had a bit of a scandal and so he has come back home for a while. He has brought with him his almost teen daughter, Payton. 

Needless to say, that Charlotte is not happy to hear that Spencer is back in town because of something that happened when they were teens. I short of figured out what it probably was as its the classic bigger girl/cute guy thing that is played out in movies. Anyway, he hated him for that and has never gotten over it even though it has been years. 

Spencer has changed, he isn't that same teen kid from before and he has a lot of issues he is dealing with, but he really likes hanging out with Charlotte. Charlotte doesn't want to hang out with him but always seems to be wherever he is and helping with issues, one of those being his daughter that seems to hate him. Charlotte got her heart broken once by Spencer, so she isn't sure she is willing to do it again.

It was a sweet story, and I really liked Spencer a bit more than Charlotte, but I warmed up to her. I think it's because the author chose to keep what it was that Spencer did till way later in the story, that Charlotte came off as a bit nasty. I also liked the young girl Payton and all the side characters from previous books.  

I feel like this is maybe a hate to love type trope. 

4 stars

Week in Review #135

 

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

This was an interesting week as I have been learning to use a chainsaw and cut up a pretty decent size tree. We just can't afford to spend on buying wood but that is how we heat and dad is getting up there in age, so it falls on me to try and cut the wood. Then I fell, but luckily the chainsaw was not on but I really jarred myself and have been very sore the latter half of the week. 

Then we were under a tornado watch on Thursday which was crazy as I don't think that has ever happened in January. It's been just a wild week. 

Hope you all have had great week!

What I read

• Dog Days of Summer - This was a sweet romance that tugs at your heartstrings a bit! 
• Lying in Wait - I just really love this series! JP Beaumont is a grumpy teddy bear!
• Northwoods - Decent start to a new series as long as the MC gets help because he is a mess, there is a book two that just came out and I am curious about it. 
• Willowleaf Lane - This is another sweet romance! Love this author.

What I am reading

• Danger in the Wilderness - This is my eyeball read so I am on page 116 of 205 so doing pretty good, it's packed full of action and I am really enjoying it.
• Unsub - This is a reread as I want to read through the series so I can get to the 4 book as I really don't think I remember enough of this series to just jump into book 4. 

What is coming up next

• Web of Evil - This second book in the Ali Reynolds series. I am excited to get to this one as I did enjoy book one. So far, I have enjoyed most Jance books (Walker Family so far is my list favorite series)

How was your week?

Week in Review #134

The Week in Review is where I combine Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post and It's Monday! What are you reading?  If you have never joined in on these meme's you can check them out by clicking on the meme and it will take you to the host blog.

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe we are in 2026! So, it's been a while since I did one of these, trying to get back into blogging better in 2026. So far, the year is going okay, so I hope it stays that way. 

The weather here has definitely been nice for this time of the year. All you having snow up north, keep it I don't want it, but I hope you all doing okay.

What I Read:

• Back in Black - One of my favorite series! Love the seventies vibes!
• Written in Stone - Caught up on another one of my favorite series. 
• The Picasso Curse - Was good till the end. Why do authors think it's okay to put the word Fing in a kid's book. There were several ways they could have dealt with a parent cussing without abbreviating the cuss word. 
• A Silence in Belgrave Square - Latest book in one of my favorite historical mystery series. 

What I Am Reading:

• Dog Days of Summer - My first Special Edition category and so far, it's going pretty well. 
• Danger in the Wilderness - These newer Love Inspire Suspense category books are packed full of action, so fun! 

What I Might Read Next

• Lying in Wait - Loving this series and can't wait to get back into it with my Buddy Reading group!

How did your week go?

Two Bloggers One Series ~ Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

 

RaeAnne Thayne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, even if I don't care for one of the characters the book is still good. I am enjoying Hopes Crossing. Once you have read what I thought go on over and see what Barb at Booker T's Farm thought this one.

If you build it, love will come…to Hope's Crossing.

Alexandra McKnight prefers a life of long workdays and short-term relationships, and she's found it in Hope's Crossing. A sous chef at the local ski resort, she's just been offered her dream job at an exclusive new restaurant being built in town. But when it comes to designing the kitchen, Alex finds herself getting up close and personal with construction foreman Sam Delgado….

At first glance, Sam seems perfect for Alex. He's big, tough, gorgeous—and in town for only a few weeks. But when Sam suddenly moves into a house down the road, Alex suspects that the devoted single father of a six-year-old boy wants more from her than she's willing to give. Now it's up to Sam to help Alex see that, no matter what happened in her past, together they can build something more meaningful in Hope's Crossing.

I will start out with saying that I liked this one, but at the same time it's my least favorite of the series so far. Alexandra (Alex) is a sous chef who is getting the chance to actually become a chef in the town she lives in as a new place is opening up. It starts out with Alex thinking someone is breaking into the restaurant but quickly finds out that it's actually the construction worker who is coming in to work. Alex doesn't want a long-term relationship so when she sees sexy Sam the construction worker, what she sees is a guy who won't be around for long and so a person good for a hook up. Boy did she get things wrong.

Sam is a father who is trying to figure things out for him and his son, he is looking for a nice place to settle down and things that Hope's Crossing might be just that. When he meets Alex he is intrigued by her, but she keeps pushing him away and giving him mixed signals. Alex, is not happy to find out that this sexy guy she thought would be short term, is moving in almost next door. 

Alex, just drove me crazy. I knew that she was going to have a sad backstory for the reason she acts the way she does but still I didn't like her. She grew on me as the story goes on but still I couldn't' get over how she acted at the beginning she just was so rude. The mix signals throughout were annoying. She has good moments though, like rescuing a stray dog, she names Leo and how she treats this elderly lady and many others. She has a good heart, but when it comes to the relationship with Sam, I didn't like her. I loved Sam and Ethan! They were such a great father and son duo. Sam has his own problems, but he was just so sweet and at times I thought he should try going out with someone else...lol.

Still, it was a good story, and I love a lot of the side characters.

4 stars, but verily. 

Two Bloggers One Series ~ A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm #6)

This is one of our favorite series, so it was a no brainer to read this one together! After seeing what I have to say go on over to Booker T's Farm and see what Barb has to say. 

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list. 

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?

One thing about this series, because it's set at Christmas a lot of things happen in between and so it always surprises me what is going on. Also, would it be Christmas in Mistletoe without a murder! 

One of the events this year in mistletoe was a night where everyone hops from one place to another and enjoys yummy foods. While at Alice's place an argument breaks out as someone tries to steal one of her antique Christmas antique goat ornaments. Then later that woman is found dead in Alice's yard 

This year Holly needs to take it easy not only because she is expecting but her blood pressure is a bit high, but she doesn't think that Alice did it and really likes her, so she ask a few questions. This gets her a few notes to stay out of things and gets Evan a bit mad, and she has everyone fussing over her, but she still ends up getting into some trouble at the end.

What I enjoyed about this one was learning that there is a Christmas goat in Sweden traditions that is mad of straw and very tall. After hearing about it and all the goat ornaments I was curious and looked it up. 

Also, there is a certain man who in town who may bare a resemblance to Santa! Is he or isn't he, you need to read the series and find out! This series is very comforting as I love all the characters and the town. If you like a whimsical Christmas setting and a murder mystery then give this series a try, it's best read in order! 

5 stars