Murder Most British: A totally addictive cozy historical English murder mystery

By: Dixon, Helena

Big Ben chiming in the distance, chilly walks along the river Thames, cocktails at the Ritz... and a government secretary dead? Only Jane Treen can solve the case

London, 1941. Miss Jane Treen is faced with another mysterious disappearance within her Secret Detective Agency's team. Tabitha Moore, a government typist, was on her way to meet Jane with vital information about some secret codes. But she didn't turn up for work and has seemingly vanished without trace. Then Jane and her colleague, handsome codebreaker Arthur Cilento, receive a call: a body has been found, and it matches Tabitha's description...

It quickly becomes clear that Tabitha's death was not due to ongoing air raids on the city: the silk scarf tied tightly around her neck suggests otherwise. The prime suspect is Tabitha's fianc Leo Cavendish, a dashing government official, but there are plenty of others with a motive too. Jane and Arthur scrutinise those around Tabitha at work and at home, including a charming newsreader reporting on government affairs, a jealous pianist in love with Leo, and a known womaniser and gambler fond of causing trouble.

Together, Jane, Arthur and her fluffy ginger cat Marmaduke hole up in her London townhouse, with black coffee in plentiful supply and a roaring fire in the grate. But just as they begin to piece together the puzzle, someone else is found dead. It's clear they need to step up and catch the killer on the loose in the big smoke, before it's their turn next...

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

What readers are saying about The Secret Detective Agency:

'I ATE this up. What more could I ask for ... Loved it.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Hooked from start to finish... This book is an absolute delight ' reading_barefoot_on_the_beach

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1836181396
• ISBN13: 9781836181392
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Bookouture
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Excellent read

London, England 1941. The codebreaker (reclusive/asthmatic Arthur) and the spymaster (chain-smoking abrasive Jane) need to work together again as War Office agents. That was the positive part. The negative was that Jane had to accompany her mother (from he**) on the piano as she sang for the BBC. Jane found the body of the first agent murdered right there in Bush House, but then there was another agent murdered. An excellent addition to the series. I requested and received a temporary uncorrected review galley from Bookouture via NetGalley. #MurderMostBritish by @helenadixonuk #SecretDetectiveAgency❤️3 @Bookouture #NetGalley #5starreview #bookbub #goodreads #librarything #thestorygraph #Britishcozycrimemystery #historicalmystery #familydrama #cozymystery #historicalfigures #historicalnovel #intrigue #waterstones #kobo @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk @bookshop_org_ca #ausindiebooks