One of my favourite authors and a new series!

Jane Treen, a government agent is called to Devon after a young woman is found drowned under suspicious circumstances.

Arthur Cilento a code breaker also working for the government is the one who found the body.

Together they must try and discover who is hiding something and why?

A great read that will keep you guessing until the very end!

3.5 stars

A series debut by the author of the Miss Underhay series. Fans of the Kitty and Matt books shouldn't expect more of the same. Different settings, time periods, characters and atmosphere.

It's 1941, the Blitz is happening in London. Miss Jane Treen is doing secret government work, running agents, and is disturbed when several of her people disappear or are killed. Jane is a strong character, not always likeable. She's a chain smoker, impatient, assertive, and used to being in charge. She gets sent to a village to liaise with another government operative, Arthur Cilento. Cilento is a severe asthmatic, somewhat frail with breathing problems exacerbated by Jane's cat and her cigarettes. Arthur feels a bit like a slacker given his physical limitations but he is a very smart codebreaker and definitely a useful cog in the operations.

The two are somewhat reluctant partners in solving the case. Clearly there is a traitor somewhere and they struggle to figure things out while people keep turning up dead.

Nicely plotted with an interesting cast. I will look forward to their next case. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3 Stars
One Liner: Decent mystery; the characters need work

1941
Jane Treen is at work in the war office in London when the news of another missing agent reaches her. Soon, she finds out a dead woman was fished out from a lake in Devon, where she shouldn’t have been.
Arthur Cilento is the code-breaker working for war offices and is back at his uncle’s house (now his) in Devon. Soon after he discovers a body, Miss Jane arrives in the village with her one-eyed orange cat, Marmaduke.
Jane and Arthur don’t particularly like each other but they have to work together to find the killer. Agents being killed during war is hardly a small matter!
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Jane and Arthur.

My Thoughts:
Can you see that cutie cat on the cover? Yeah, that’s how this book ended up on my list. Of course, I love historical cozy mysteries, so that was another factor.
This book is set during WWII and uses the backdrop well since both main characters work for the government. However, the mystery is kept at the cozy level with the setting primarily being a village.
Arthur is the brainy guy who likes patterns and codes (ya, that’s why I like him more). He also has sensitive health, which is different from the usually robust male leads we see. This is a welcome development and was handled well, though I wish he would set better boundaries.
While I liked Jane’s introduction, it didn’t take long to be irritated by her. The constant smoking was annoying and so was her attitude. I know that the ‘tough feminist woman’ trope is trending but don’t overdo it. Having a possibly tragic backstory doesn’t mean the FMC has to be so callous and self-centered. Initially, I thought she wasn’t aware of the MMC’s health condition. Turns out she knew. She just didn’t care that puffing like a steam engine and blowing the smoke at him would affect his breathing. She didn’t care that he could end up bedridden if he didn’t take proper care of his health and was annoyed that he did. Also, allergies are not a laughing matter. Since this is the first book, I’m hoping these elements are a character flaw and the FMC will become a bit human.
While I try to bear with characters who smoke, I cannot help but roll my eyes at the repeated mention of it. This book has ‘cigarette(s) mentioned 73 times. Yes! That’s 50 times more than what I think is enough for the character development. The way Jane smoked, I’m doubtful she’ll live long enough for the series to continue. Naturally, the MMC condition was mentioned as many times. If she smoked less, both of them would breathe easily!
The pacing is moderate, neither slow nor fast (however, do note the book ends at 88%, at least the ARC does). The setting is well done. We get just enough descriptions to create the atmosphere and give us an idea of the place. This works to keep the mystery at the forefront.
Marmaduke is a fluffy cat who I thought would have an active role in the book. What use is a cat if all he does is lick his paws?
Despite my evident dislike for the FMC, I did see her merit. She has a good brain and is dedicated to her job. She has emotions, which means her arc can be adjusted quickly. The mystery is also good and establishes the foundation for the next books.

To summarize, The Secret Detective Agency is a decent start to a new series, though it would have been even better if there were fewer cigarettes. I have the second book, so let’s see how it goes. Hoping it’ll be better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Suspense…mysterious…likable characters…a quick read…this talented author has written a page turner. I am glad I discovered this new series. Curl up in a comfy chair and enjoy the story of this detective agency. Historical fiction comes to life. Thanks Netgalley.

Jane Treen, an agent for a British government office during World War II, journeys to Devon to discover why secret agents on her team have been mysteriously vanishing. Code-breaker Arthur Cilento and his manservant Mr. Benson are brought into the mystery when a young woman is discovered on the estate. Jane, Arthur, and Mr. Benson rush to find out who has been sabotaging the government while avoiding a similar fate.

A fun, cozy-mystery! Helena Dixon sets the path for some exciting characters (seriously, I want a full deep dive on Mr. Benson pronto). Since this is the first book in a planned series, I will forgive some repetition and dullness in setting the characters and scenes.

I look forward to more adventures at Half Moon Manor! And more Marmaduke!

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance reading copy. All opinions are my own.

1941 England. The codebreaker (reclusive/asthmatic Arthur) and the spymaster (chain-smoking abrasive Jane) need to work together to solve the murder of a young agent outside of Arthur's country residence. This is the latest in a string of murders of War Office agents brings these two very dissimilar agents into working together. Excellent start to a brand-new series by an author I really like.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley.
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It's clear that Helena Dixon is a big fan of the classic mystery genre, and her work will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie looking for a new favorite author. This book was not for me due mostly to the slow pacing and the sporadic switching of POV characters, but this isn't something likely to bother most cozy mystery readers.

'Meet Miss Jane Treen – the coffee-drinking cat lover dressed head to toe in tweed, who just happens to be a secret super sleuth!' And in this new series that is exactly what we do. I loved meeting Jane and the setting starting in London and then Devon in 1941 worked perfectly. When Jane gets the call that a body has been found in a lake. So she gets to work to find the killer.

I love the mystery and the twists in this new series and found it slightly different from the others I have read, It is a book that reels you in and once I got started I didn't want to put it down. From the characters to the setting, and the storyline everything worked perfectly and read smoothly. I loved the inclusion of the war and the codebreaking/breaker as this just add more intrigue.

A well paced, interesting, intriguing and twisty read that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. Bring on book two!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I enjoy the author's other series, so was very hopeful for this one. I like the historical setting and liked Arthur. Unfortunately, Miss Treen's rudeness grated on me. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A new mystery series set during WWII, so there's spies too! I found the main character's interesting, but was a little bothered by one's inconsideration of the other's health issues. I'm hoping that book two shows some growth there, and do plan on reading the next in the series. The mystery itself was engaging, and I enjoyed the small town setting of most of the book.

A new series
Set during World War 2 and in the midst of the blitz.
Code breaker Arthur Cilento is content in his home in the country until the arrival of Miss Jane Treen and her cat.
The two agents of the government begin to investigate the traitor who has betrayed agents that Miss Treen has sent abroad.
I loved the story and the code breaking element and the quirky characters.
Good fun

Terrific start to what promises to be a wonderful series!
The author of the Miss Underhay series of cosy mysteries, premieres her latest series, with an intriguing murder/mystery set in WW2 Great Britain. Spymaster Jane and her colleague, adept at deciphering code and puzzles, though suffering from breathing problems which makes him unsuited for military service, Arthur, are thrown together. Sparks fly, though not of the romantic variety. Chalk and cheese they may be, but they soon learn, that they work better together. Under the guidance of Jane's boss, the Brigadier, they chase down clues to try and discover who is murdering Jane's people.
Wonderfully paced and beautifully written, the author has written a book that kept me interested and enthralled for the entire book, and I look forward to the next in the series with baited breath.
My thanks to the publishers, Bookouture, and Netgalley for the reading copy.

🍨Review: The Secret Detective Agency

🍰Rate: 5 Stars!!! (10 mystery book reading million!!)

🥞Praise: What do you do when you find out your favorite mystery author has started a new series?! YOU DANCE WITH BOOK GLEE AND GET READY TO READ HAPPILY! When I found out Helena Dixon was writing a new series set in World War II I felt my literary detective senses tingling! LOL

💌 Helena has once again used her signature writing style of vintage mystery solving mixed with whit and sweet charm! During World War II we see a brand new team! Jane and Arthur!I I love the new characters! They were absolutely endearing and had me focused on what their next move would always be!

💗 Characters: Jane and Arthur both work for the government during World War II to help fight back against the enemies! Arthur is a delightful and very determine man! He has the gift of decoding and had my interest the moment his dialogue was presented. (I have officially claimed him as my literary crush LOL) He has a slight Mr Darcy aspect about him and he is as endearing as a penguin!

🎆 Jane is a proper female version of Sherlock Holmes! She has everything where she needs it to be and is completely determined to be a dedicated citizen to her country and fight against the wicked! Marmaduke, her one-eyed orange fluffy cat, truly ruled the show! He has Jane's heart and like his mistress knows what he wants!

🧁 The mystery in this book truly had me going up and down! One moment I thought I knew who it was! The next minute a dead body shows up! More evidence piled up and then more evidence was revealed to be true or false! In a quaint English country village everything is definitely not what it seems! And in the bustling city of London everything came together with a surprise!

☕ Helena's descriptions on food once again made this book delicious! I devoured it in a matter of days! Food in in this mystery novel sets a pattern for etiquette and mystery solving enthusiasm!

🌌 Extra/Tropes: Jane and Arthur and all the characters completely had me giddy with joy that Helena Dixon took the time to write another series and give this world a literary tapestry of entertainment!

🍪First in a new series!
🍪Cozy Mystery!
🍪Adventure!
🍪Must Read!
🍪Thought Provoking!


Bravo Helena!!! 🍭

This is a cozy mystery featuring a spy Jane, her cat and Mr. Arthur who is a code breaker and mathematician.
Jane gets an urgent call to solve a case and is assigned to work we with arthur on it. While this story is mildly interesting, the breakdown comes with the characters mostly with Jane. She is unlikeable. She smokes and is so ride to arthur who has asthma. If she continued this behavior throughout the series it b will be difficult to continue.

Thank you for the advance reader copy! I devoured The Secret Detective Agency in a single sitting—it was that good! Helena Dixon serves up the perfect blend of intrigue, charm, and wit in this historical English cozy murder mystery. The twists really kept me guessing. If you’re craving a cozy mystery with a dash of nostalgia, this is the book for you! I can’t wait for book 2!

I loved the premise of The Secret Detective Agency by Helena Dixon, but I just couldn't take the book seriously. Jane's incessant smoking in the full knowledge of Arthur's asthma was continually irksome but that was as nothing compared to the use of modern English in a novel set eighty years ago. The way Jane trusted everyone she came across with state secrets would have seen her imprisoned in real life too.. There were good things in the book; as I say the basic premise was good. But just as slipped into enjoyment, one of these issues would jar me out of it.

A good book overall, and kept my interest to see how it ends. Sadly I did tend to skim at times, but a lot of details and such, but might just be me. Would t¡recommend.

The Secret Detective Agency is a new series from the author of the Miss Underhay cosy historical mysteries. This time the action takes place during the Second World War.

In a move away from the genteel society of the 1930s, Britain is now at war and Miss Jane Treen is working at the War Office, co-ordinating agents out in the field. When a body is found out in the countryside, she heads out of own to the home of Arthur Cilento, academic and code breaker for the War Office. A number of field agents are missing, and two have been found dead. There is suspicion of a mole in the War Office that could put everyone in danger.

Together, Jane and Arthur must solve the mystery and work out if there are bigger implications of the death on national security.

This first novel is as much about meeting the main characters, but there's a deviously twisty plot to keep us and the protagonists on our toes. In a world of spies and subterfuge, is anyone who they claim to be?

What I enjoy most about Helena Dixon mysteries is the strong female protagonists, doing their best in worlds where their options are limited by society. They often go against the societal norms, but not in a way that feels jarring against what we know of the time. The research that goes into these novels brings the time periods to life for the reader, educating them about life in that period, without being overwhelming. The period detail is tightly woven into the plots, fully immersing the reader in the story.

This is a series I'll be sure to follow closely.

The Secret Detective Agency is a cozy mystery set in WWll Britain.
We follow an investigation full of corruption, stolen identities, and misdirection lead by Jane and Arthur.
Jane and Arthur are a mis-matched partnership from the start.
Jane, a super sleuth fuelled by black coffee and cigarettes, is head strong and passionate. In comparison, Arthur is a tea drinker, asthmatic, and code-breaker. The two couldn't be more different. Yet, they come together to solve the murder of Jane's agent and uncover a web of deceit and confusion related to a top secret operation.

This was a 4 ⭐️ read!
I liked the dynamic between Jane and Arthur and appreciated their character development. I was pleasantly surprised that their relationship remained platonic, as they learned to work together and appreciate each other's strengths and talents.
The beginning of this book was confusing for me. There are many characters introduced in the first few chapters and I had to retrace my steps multiple times to make sure I understood everything.
I did listen to the audiobook as I read the digital copy and it added a lot to the over all experience.
The story itself was interesting and kept me engaged. The historical aspect to this story was a great addition and added a layer of complexity to the story, especially the ending!

Thank you bookcouture and netgalley for the ARC of the audiobook and digital copy.
My review of this book is completely honest and objective.

Loved this book! Not my normal type of mystery, but the rich history of the time period just added so much to the story. It felt like I was living in that era with such a great amount of detail provided. Both main characters were unique and interesting and I would buy a book by this author again!