The Seaside Murders

The Secret Detective Agency, Book 2

By: Helena Dixon

Narrated by: Elizabeth Bower

A completely unputdownable British cozy murder mystery

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 sure: 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?

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!

©2025 Helena Dixon (P)2025 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Different narrator

This narrator gave the relationship between two main characters a bit different. in the first story the main female was more crotchety. The smoking asthma scenarios got boring. Inspite of that there was enough variety to enjoy. I would listen to the next.

Another win from Helena Dixon!

I have read all of the books Helena has released so far, and I’ve enjoyed them immensely! I docked one star off the performance for this audio book because I felt like the narrator made Arthur sound too frail and feminine. He has asthma, but he’s still a courageous man from what we’ve seen in the first two books in this series. The voice for him just didn’t fit for me. The story was great, and I look forward to seeing where Jane, Arthur, and Benson go next!

Action packed!

Arthur voice was different. He sounded sheepish. The first narrator was great. Great story. I’m hoping the next story narrator is better in Authur’s voice.

English spies, oh my!

Just as good as the first book. Unlikely but very likable characters in WWiI England are spies who work to keep the homeland safe. The narrator is wonderful with voices and dialects. Good book. M

Kind of ho hum . . . But still ok!

Why was the narrator changed?? The previous one captured Miss Treen (and the male voices) so much better. More smoking from Jane (and blowing the smoke near Arthur), more of Arthur’s wheezing—and Jane walking too fast.

Despite this, the story kept my attention for the most part. I like Benson so much, and greatly appreciate how he figures into the story.