BLOG TOUR - The Secret Detective Agency

DESCRIPTION:  

Meet Miss Jane Treen – the coffee-drinking cat lover dressed head to toe in tweed, who just happens to be a secret super sleuth!

London, 1941: Miss Jane Treen is at her desk, strong black coffee in hand and fluffy ginger cat by her side, when her top-secret government work is interrupted by an urgent call to Devon. A woman has been found dead in a lake in a place where she shouldn’t have been. Jane needs to gather the clues and find the killer before someone else from the agency gets hurt…

Shy and handsome code-breaker Arthur Cilento is bewildered by the arrival of the efficient Miss Treen and her cat Marmaduke. She bursts into his life unexpectedly, forcing him out of his comfort zone. The reluctant colleagues huddle near the warmth of a crackling fire in Arthur's country home, working to piece together the murderous puzzle at hand.

In the sleepy Devon village, someone is hiding something: but is it the busybody vicar and his sister, the dutiful housekeeper and her secretive son, the stern librarian, or someone else altogether? And who were the people with the woman in the lake on the day she died?

No sooner have Arthur and Jane have drawn up a list of suspects, than a parcel reveals a clue that sends them in hot pursuit of a coded diary stashed in a village church. But as the heavy wooden door slams behind them and a key turns in the lock, one thing is sure: they need to unravel the truth and crack this code before the killer decides their number is up…

But if they can catch the culprit in time, might this unusual pair become the finest crime-solving partnership since Holmes and Watson hung up their hats…?

If you love twisty crime novels, top-secret intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Helena Dixon’s totally gripping cozy novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and Verity Bright!

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0DQLTGRGFsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Title:   The Secret Detective Agency

Author:  Helena Dixon

Series:  The Secret Detective Agency #1
Publisher:  Bookouture Audio

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC 

Narrator:  Kristin Atherton

Length:   7 hrs 25 mins

No. of Pages:  324

Date of Publication:   March 27, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Helena Dixon regales readers with the pairing of an unlikely duo, Miss Jane Treen and Arthur Cilento. The pair have at least one thing in common. Both work in similar fields: Jane has a top-secret government job, while Arthur is a code breaker. Their paths cross when Jane arrives at his residence, accompanied by her cat Marmaduke. Arthur finds their presence, especially Jane’s, quite annoying, especially when she announces they’ll be staying for the foreseeable future.

The timing, as well as their lines of work, are delicate. It is right in the middle of WWII and their work is of great significance. When one of the agents that works with Jane is found dead, her boss sends her to work with Arthur. 

I enjoy new series like this. Admittedly, the book started a bit slow, but that was no doubt due to the introduction of Jane, Arthur, and Chief Inspector Thorne, whom they consult with. The setting and the mystery were intriguing, and I found myself enjoying both Jane and Arthur. When you factor in the excellent narration by Kristin Atherton, especially when it came to the voicing of the different protagonist, it turned out to be a very engaging read. I can only imagine the adventures they’ll face together in the future. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Helena Dixon is the author of the best-selling Miss Underhay murder mystery series and lives in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a
cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010
as Nell Dixon.

Social Media 

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NellDixon

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/helenadixonuk

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/helena-dixon

BLOG TOUR - The Last One to See Him

DESCRIPTION:

I look at the wedding photo on the wall and my heart freezes as I recognise the groom. I spent the night with him, just a few days ago. I had no idea he was married. And now he is dead…

I feel my new friend Harper’s eyes on me as I try and make myself comfortable in her living room while our little boys play together. But when she leaves the room to get cupcakes out of the oven, I let out the breath I’ve been holding. Does Harper know who I am? That I’m the woman who spent the night with her husband? The last person to see him alive?

She was so excited to invite me and my son Dex over. I thought it was because of our boys. But now I wonder…

How much does she know about me and my past? How long have I been in her sights? And did she plan for me to meet her husband, the night he was murdered?

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0DPNBRRW8social

Audible:

UK: https://ow.ly/Rf9p50V9cqV

US: https://ow.ly/WUhJ50V9cqT

Listen here: https://ow.ly/ESn450V9cq

Title:  The Last One to See Him

Author:  Kathryn Croft

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   364

Date of Publication:   March 26, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

MY THOUGHTS:

Kate and Harper share a common thread: they both have young sons who are roughly the same age. However, they also share another connection: they both knew Jamie, who was Harper’s husband. Interestingly, Jamie was the man Kate had a one-night stand with. Recently separated from her husband, Ellis, Kate may have been seeking solace in a fling. Tragically, the day after their encounter, Kate discovers Jamie’s lifeless body.

In a panic, Kate flees the scene, determined to avoid suspicion in Jamie’s murder. Years of a secret she’s kept has left her feeling vulnerable, and she fears that revealing her truth could make her the prime suspect. This internal conflict is a constant struggle for Kate.

Then there is Harper. She is not going to take Jamie’s murder lying down. She does the best thing she imagines possible. She devises a plan to befriend Kate, hoping to gain her trust and cooperation. However, this is no ordinary friendship between two mothers. Harper insists that their sons become fast friends, despite Kate’s hesitancy. 

If you’re a fan of intricate plots and suspenseful reads, then look no further than The Last to See Him. Just as you are working out one twist, another pops up…and then another. What a cunning story with protagonists that you might want to trust or that you absolute do not want to trust. Prepare to be captivated by this thrilling and impossible-to-put-down read. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathryn is a global bestselling author of sixteen gripping psychological thrillers, with over 1.5 million copies sold in the UK and US alone. Her breakout novel, The Girl With No Past, dominated the Amazon UK chart for over four weeks at number one and earned her a spot on the prestigious Wall Street Journal bestsellers list. 

Her fourth novel, The Girl You Lost, has been optioned for TV, bringing her chilling storytelling to the screen.

Her books have captivated readers across sixteen countries, and her next unmissable thriller is set to hit shelves in March 2025.

After many years living in London, Kathryn returned to her roots in Guildford, Surrey, where she lives with her husband and two young children.

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkathryncroft/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/katcroft

Website: https://www.kathryncroft.com/

Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/authorkatcroft/

Bookouture Email Sign Up: https://www.bookouture.com/kathryn-croft

Review - Bridal Shower Murder

Title:   Bridal Shower Murder

Author:  Leslie Meier 

Series:  Lucy Stone Mystery #31

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Publisher:  Kensington Books

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of pages:  320

Published:  March 25, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

When her daughter gets engaged in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, reporter Lucy Stone finds herself feeling like a steamed lobster while dealing with her future son-in-law’s family—and a summer bridal shower that leads to murder . . .

Lucy Stone is thrilled about her youngest daughter Zoe's engagement to Chad, a rising minor league baseball player with dreamy eyes and plenty of Southern charm. Yet there’s no denying the whirlwind romance has turned Lucy’s life upside down in more ways than one—especially when she learns about Chad’s complicated background and close ties to Tinker’s Cove. The secrets and rumors are enough to send her investigative reporting instincts into overdrive . . .

Trouble really crashes in the moment Lucy meets her in-laws-to-be, Penny and Nate Nettleton. Persuasive Penny proves to be intent on taking over wedding preparations, even arranging a Tuscan-themed bridal shower before Zoe publicly announces her engagement. It’s a shock when the event goes off without a hitch. But the real shock comes when prominent guest Hetty Furness, the head of the Tinker’s Cove Historical Society, goes missing—only to be found dead, the victim of a brutal murder . . .

Lucy is determined to reveal who committed the vicious crime as she navigates her new reality with the Nettletons. Racing to determine if Hetty’s extensive knowledge of local history—and hidden scandals—led to her demise, Lucy soon realizes she’ll need to put her sleuthing talents to work like never before to guarantee wedding bells to ring for Zoe and Chad . . . and that she survives to see her daughter walk down the aisle!

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Overwhelmed with surprise, Lucy Stone receives a phone call from her daughter Zoe, informing her that Zoe will be bringing a friend named Chad home. However, Zoe fails to provide Lucy with any details about this young man. As a reporter, Lucy finds it relatively straightforward to conduct some research on Chad. The revelation that Chad is a minor league baseball player does not provide Lucy with sufficient information to form an opinion about him. Additionally, as Zoe is Lucy’s youngest daughter, her husband Bill also harbors significant reservations. 

What else is Lucy to do? Think about planning the wedding and bridal shower of course. However, her pushy friend Janice, best friend Sue and the to-be groom’s mother are all vying to throw the bridal shower. This definitely creates tension. This situation is further complicated by Zoe and Chad’s desire to maintain the secrecy of their engagement.

As Lucy Stone’s mind drifted from wedding shower thoughts, a chilling murder shook the town. Overwhelmed by grief and empathy for the victim, Lucy’s unwavering determination to uncover Hettie’s killer remains unshaken. Amidst the pursuit of justice, Lucy is acutely aware that the wedding day promises to be fraught with challenges, particularly due to the impending arrival of in-laws.

I have loved this series from the very start, having read all the previous books as well as the novellas. It has been enjoyable watching Lucy go from being a young mother who now has four adult children, as well as a grandson. Having been a reporter for years, looking for that next byline sometimes came with its own problems. And, don’t think that Tinker’s Cove is a sleepy little town. Murder after murder has taken place over the years, as this is usually the case with cozy mysteries. Factor in the deeper issues touched on in this latest entry, Bridal Shower Murder was an excellent read.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I started writing in the late ‘80s when I was attending graduate classes at Bridgewater State College. I wanted to become certified to teach high school English and one of the required courses was Writing and the Teaching of Writing. My professor suggested that one of the papers I wrote for that course was good enough to be published and I sent it off to Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine’s Department of First Stories. I got $100 for the story and I’ve been writing ever since. The teaching, however, didn’t work out.

My books draw heavily on my experience as a mother of three and my work as a reporter for various weekly newspapers on Cape  . My heroine, Lucy Stone, is a reporter in the fictional town of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, where she lives in an old farmhouse (quite similar to mine on Cape Cod!) with her restoration carpenter husband Bill and four children. As the series has progressed the kids have grown older, roughly paralleling my own family. We seem to have reached a point beyond which Lucy cannot age–my editor seems to want her to remain forty-something forever, though I have to admit I personally am dying to write “Menopause is Murder!”

I usually write one Lucy Stone mystery every year and as you can tell, my editor likes me to feature the holidays in my books. Of course Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year and my newest mystery “Eggnog Murder,” is included in an anthology with two other Christmas novellas by Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis. I’ve long been a fan of the classic English country house mystery, and was a faithful watcher of “Downton Abbey,” so I couldn’t resist trying to write one. I think I succeeded rather well, if I do say so myself, with “British Manor Murder,” which came out in October, 2016.

My books are classified as “cozies” but a good friend insists they are really “comedies of manners” and I do enjoy expressing my view of contemporary American life.

Now that the kids are grown — we have five fabulous grandchildren — my husband and I are enjoying dividing our time between Braintree and Cape Cod, along with our cat, Sylvester.

Find Her:  Goodreads / Twitter / Web 

Review - The Two of Us

Title:  The Two of Us

Author:  Lori Foster; Maisey Yates

Publisher:  Kensington

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   256

Date of Publication:   March 25, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

There’s nothing like the unconditional love of a rescue dog and their ability to bring people together as these meant-to-be-couples are about to find out in these brand-new sweet and romantic tales from bestselling authors Lori Foster and Maisey Yates.

The Odd Couple * LORI FOSTER

Ford Caruso agrees to an unusual favor—playing the part of new boyfriend for his adamantly single, irresistibly sexy neighbor Skye Fairchild, whose clueless ex refuses to accept his fate. But as Skye starts dropping by to use Ford’s pool, and even plan dates, the charade begins to feel satisfyingly real, complete with choosing rescue dogs together—a giant mutt and a fierce little chihuahua who adore each other. From one odd couple to another, some things are destine . . .

  Who is the odd couple in this delightful novella by Lori Foster?

Force of Nature * MAISEY YATES

Rescuing animals is in Lydia Clay’s blood, so when a mournful old cattle dog named Hank shows up at the shelter, she knows exactly where to take to cattle rancher Remington Lane, her brother’s hot, and usually grumpy, best friend. Hank belonged to Remy’s estranged father, which is one strike against him, but when Lydia offers to help the man ease into dog ownership, he can’t say no. And as he and Lydia work together, it looks like an old dog can actually teach this brooding cattleman some heart-warming new tricks . . .

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

THE ODD COUPLE

Ford Caruso, a pharmaceutical representative, can’t help but be captivated by his neighbor Skye Fairchild’s stunning beauty. Despite having close friends, Ford yearns for a special someone in his life. When he agrees to a favor for the charming and gorgeous Skye, an undeniable spark ignites between them. As their relationship blossoms, I found myself deeply rooting for both Skye and Ford. Additionally, the two dogs they both chose added a touch of warmth and heart to the story. 

FORCE OF NATURE

Remington Lane, a broken man, struggles to trust love. He adores Lydia Clay’s family, who rescued him. But Lydia Clay herself? Can he envision a future with her? On the other hand, Lydia Clay is a compassionate soul, and her love for animals is truly commendable. Seeking love of her own, she can’t help but wonder if Remington Lane could be the one. This novella skillfully weaves a blend of seriousness and steaminess, making it an excellent read.

Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lori Foster is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author with over 10 million books sold. She received the Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and her books have been chosen as editors picks by Amazon multiple times. Foster is actively involved in charity work, and all of the author proceeds from her anthologies have gone to various organizations, such as the Animal Adoption Foundation, the Conductive Learning Center, and One Way Farm. She lives in Ohio with her high school sweetheart.

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BLOG TOUR - The Wartime Chocolate Maker

DESCRIPTION:

Poland, 1943. I inhale the rich caramel scent as I carefully tuck a folded slip of paper under the delicate chocolates. My heart races as the door opens, and I lock eyes with my childhood sweetheart. If he found one of the secret messages hidden in every box of my creations, my life and my family would be in terrible danger…

Working in her father’s chocolate factory, Kasia risks her life every day hiding notes vital to the Polish resistance in the carefully packaged boxes. The information tucked beneath the truffles is crucial to freeing her country and her family from the Nazis. But each of her recipes is sent out under the watchful eyes of her boss, Sebastian—the man who broke her heart.

She has never been able to reconcile the kind, sweet boy she once adored with the man now allied with the Germans. Yet the more time she spends around him, the more he seems to hint at sympathizing with the resistance. And the risk of revealing everything to him seems to shrink day by day.

Until one coded message hidden among the rich chocolate makes her fear for her mother and brother’s lives. And though she’s on the factory floor with a group of fellow resistance women, she can’t let on what she knows. Because her network has been betrayed.

As she searches the faces of those closest to her for any sign of guilt, her eyes meet Sebastian’s, full of care and concern. With time running out, Kasia wonders if she can trust him with this deadly secret? Or are the soldiers already on their way to arrest her?

This sweeping World War 2 historical novel will have you utterly gripped and on the edge of your seat. Fans of The Nightingale, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Kelly Rimmer will love this completely addictive and emotional read.

BUY LINK: 

https://geni.us/B0DQXLJ55Ksocial

MY THOUGHTS:

Title:   The Wartime Chocolate Maker

Author:  Gosia Nealon

Publisher:  Bookouture 

Genre:   Historical Fiction 

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:  312

Date of Publication:   March 21, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

It has been quite some time since I read a WWII historical fiction novel, due to the devastating feelings I experienced while watching the movie Schindler‘s List, but The Wartime Chocolate Maker was the perfect book to bring me back to the genre. This sensitive read highlights the well-known fact that during World War II, Jews were taken to camps either for imprisonment or extermination. So reading this latest book by Gosia Nealon had an impact on me from the very beginning.

Kasia was from two worlds, born to both Polish and Jewish parents. For her protection, she was sent to live with her aunt. But now, Kasia is forced to work at her own father‘s chocolate factory ostensibly to portray her support for the Third Reich. As difficult as this is for Kasia, being in her father‘s factory, with him now deceased, has her torn when it comes to how she felt about him.

Kasia is not just going along with her forced employment, she is also involved with the Polish Resistance and is helping as many Jews as possible. One strong feeling that came from reading this book was how many dealt with the difficulties of having the will to live due to the brutal treatment they endured. All the while, Kasia struggles to protect her younger brother and her mother, even though it seems that someone is using her brother to get information to her. Walking on a tight rope has become Kasia’s life. She continues to struggle for optimism and deals with confusing emotional feelings. This touching story was a very good read and will be with me for a long time. 

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here. 

Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, which won a gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY).

 

Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.

 

When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and two young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.

 

Author social media

Website: https://www.gosianealon.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GosiaNealon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GosiaNealonHistoricalFiction

Email sign up: http://www.thread-books.com/sign-up/?source=endmatter&author=gosia-nealon-384

 

SERIES REVIEW - The Widows’ Detective Club

Link to shop the series

Title:  The Widows’ Guide to Murder

Author:  Amanda Ashby

Series:   The Windows’ Detective Club #1

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   264

Date of Publication:   March 3, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…

So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.

It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…

If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of page-turning twists and endearing characters.

MY THOUGHTS:

Ginny Cole, initially seeking a part-time job at the small library in Little Shaw, found herself entangled in a web of intrigue upon her arrival. When she discovers the dead body of her unlikeable boss, she is determined to discover what happened to him. 

Ginny is not alone in this. In fact, she soon meets some other ladies her age, and she becomes fast friends with them. They are JM, Hen and Tuppence, all widows like Ginny, who possessed a quirky charm that Ginny couldn’t resist. The group is eager to form a club, one that would find the four of them solving crimes together. 

However, as with any case involving a civilian, the police were not amused. Detective Inspector Wallace, the assigned investigator, was determined to have Ginny leave the crime-solving to him. Despite the tension, Ginny remained steadfast in her commitment to solve the crime with her little group. .

This delightful first book in a cozy mystery series has left me eagerly anticipating the subsequent installments. In fact, I couldn’t resist reading The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing immediately, the second book in the series, which was an equally enjoyable adventure. 

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

- - - - -

Title:  The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing

Author:  Amanda Ashby

Series:   The Windows’ Detective Club #2

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   270

Date of Publication:   March 10, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars   

MY THOUGHTS:

Well, Ginny and her small group of friends, JM, Hen and Tuppence, have become a neat little group of amateur detectives. In one of the town’s shops, a gruesome discovery was made—a body. Remarkably, Ginny was the one who stumbled upon the scene. When the police arrested a young man named Milo, who seems their most likely prime suspect, Ginny decided to step in on his behalf.

Just like before, these older widows power on, much to the consternation of DI Wallace. He doesn’t want any of them involving themselves in this case, finding them to be an annoyance. The victim’s daughter appeals to the little group that the police have the wrong suspect, just as Ginny herself believes. Interestingly, not only had Ginny become the owner of a black cat she named Edgar (after much deliberation), but he keeps bringing home little gifts for her. One of these gifts is undoubtedly connected to the murder, much to Ginny’s surprise, so she stays firm in her resolve to solve the crime. 

The Widows’ Detective Club series made a strong debut with the first book, The Widows’ Guide to Murder, and this second book in the series was just as delightful as the first book. I very much look forward to continuing the series with The Widows’ Guide to Skullduggery, set to be released this June.  

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.

She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.

She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.

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