Miss Beeton's Murder Agency Miss Beeton's Murder Agency #1

Josie Lloyd — 2024

Alice Beeton never meant to wind up single and childless on the wrong side of fifty. Like her distant relative Mrs Beeton – yes, that Mrs Beeton – she had hoped to have her own spic-and-span household by now. In reality, she lives in an immaculate but dingy basement flat in a rather shabby block in Kensington with Agatha, her fiercely intelligent, if rather over-territorial, corgi-Jack Russell cross. Now Alice runs the Good Household Management Agency, providing discreet domestic staff to extravagant townhouses and sprawling country piles. So when Camille Messant calls in urgent need of a new housekeeper, Miss Beeton sends out new hire Enya. She’s rather forward but she does come with impeccable references and is fluent en français. But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Alice is rudely awakened with the news that Enya has been found dead. As the intriguing, if somewhat scruffy, Detective Rigby struggles to drum up an adequate investigation and the wealthy family and their party guests close rank, Miss Beeton takes it upon herself to solve the crime…

Reviews

Nicola Sarah Brooks@nikkisbooknook

Oct 22, 2024

lice Beeton has an employment agency, placing prime candidates into plush jobs. But when a demanding client loses a housekeeper she has to send in a new recruit. Things seem to be going great..until the housekeeper ends up dead!

With her friends and colleagues Jinx and Helly, Alice makes a bold plan to help save the agency's reputation and discover who murdered the housekeeper.

The Messents are wealthy art connoisseurs and used to getting what they want, when they want. It's a pity they don't spend the same effort and attention on their daughter, Laura. With Alice working undercover she keeps an eye on Laura whilst ferreting out the truth.

There is a strong found family vibe between Alice, Jinx, Helly and their long term temps. Alice's own family are pretty horrific if I'm honest - I certainly couldn't put up with them. Detective Rigby is a good foil to Alice. He's hard done by cop, who isn't completely annoyed by Alice's interference.

There is a lot of gentle and very British humour throughout. The plot may be a tad predictable but it does hark back to vintage murder mysteries so that may add to the Deja vu. I love a great animal sidekick and Agatha was an adorable addition. The gentle, timid, hint of a romance was teased throughout the book and I'm hooked to see what will happen. The addition of the recipes links Alice to her ancestor and there are some that I'll definitely give a go, even though I am the world's worst baker!

Alice had a great debut and I'd happily read more.