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?