The Charity Shop Detective Agency

-

 


The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland- Cosy Crime

One of my books of the year 10* if I could. On arriving at the charity shop where she works Fiona sees her rival Sophie from the cat's protection shop across the road putting a box of donations on their ever-burgeoning pile outside her own shop. On a closer inspection she sees a knife covered in what looks like blood. She calls the police who take it and the box away for closer examination. When someone they know is later found dead by her delivery man, Fiona and her friends get into action to bring the perpetrator to justice and so the charity shop detective agency is born.

This is such a clever and well thought out concept. Three ladies seemingly inconspicuous because of their age get up to all sorts of antics to solve the increasing murder rate. I've read the Richard Osman ones and this one for me is better, I smiled more, and the characters come alive so well. There are twists and turns and red herrings and a wonderful dog by the name of Simon LeBon! I really didn't want this to end. I sincerely hope that this will be the first of a series- if so sign me up now! Love Fiona, Partial Sue and Daisy. A charming, wonderfully entertaining read I absolutely loved.

For more reviews, please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog

--------------------------------

THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY by Peter Boland PUT THE KETTLE ON AND DISCOVER AN UTTERLY CHARMING NEW COZY MURDER MYSTERY SET IN A SLEEPY SEASIDE TOWN. A serial killer is stalking the elderly of Southbourne. The only clue left behind is a domino in the hand of each victim — with a name scratched on the back. Eighty-six-year-old Sarah Brown is found dead in her hallway one morning by her delivery man. She was stabbed in the back. Fiona, Sue and Daisy, volunteers at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes, can’t believe their favourite customer is dead. The ladies vow to bring the killer to justice. With plenty of tea and cake along the way, and despite squabbles with their rivals, the Cats Alliance across the street, the Charity Shop Detective Agency is born. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Janice Hallett, Simon Brett, Ian Moore and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett will adore this exciting new voice in cozy crime. THE DETECTIVE Level-headed Fiona has found a quiet sanctuary volunteering at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes. And she’s found firm friendship with the strong-willed Partial Sue (she’s ever so partial to a cup of tea) and the kindly — and surprisingly tech-savvy — Daisy. Together, these ladies, with Simon Le Bon, Fiona’s scruffy haired terrier cross, investigate murders as the utterly charming Charity Shop Detective Agency.

PETER BOLAND After studying to be an architect, Pete realised he wasn’t very good at it. He liked designing buildings, he just couldn’t make them stand up — a big handicap in an industry that’s partial to keeping things upright. So he became an advertising copywriter, the highlight of which was creating an ad featuring Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. He then tried his hand at writing his own stories and quickly realised there’s no magic formula. You just have to put one word in front of the other (and keep doing that for about six months). It also helps if you can resist the lure of surfing and drinking beer in a garden chair. The first book in his Charity Shop Detective Agency series will publish in late 2022. BOOKS BY PETER BOLAND: THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVE AGENCY FOLLOW PETER ON: GOODREADS FACEBOOK TWITTER






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
Andorra Pett and the Oort Cloud- Cafe- Richard Dee-  4* Andi has landed on a mining station a week away from Mars. She takes on the “ucky strike cafe” (the “L” fell off) - its previous owner having disappeared leaving outstanding debts. Her business partner Cy is right behind her. Much to her surprise they find the previous guy in the freezer - in a body bag. Being on a different planet means there are rules about refuse and hence they decide to leave him there having little choice in the matter. Andi wants to find out more about a secret book that he had and who murdered him. This is a wonderful, lighthearted read to make you smile. Characters that are well portrayed and you take to easily. Descriptions are vivid and you can easily picture “the planet” in your minds eye. An excellent plot line with a little humour and even romance along the way. A highly enjoyable read. For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/ or fol
Read more

More Life as a Dog by L.A Davenport

-
Image
  More Life as a Dog by LA Davenport- memoirs/humour This is the second in the series (both happily stand alone) about Kevin the dachshund, the “meat seeking missile” and his adventures with his human. Human has a new girlfriend and it’s a nervous time when Kevin is taken to be introduced to her dog. Will he behave or let them both down? This is written in the first person from the humans point of view and tells of outings they have such as a trip back to London after a day out,  but turned into an adventure due to running out of petrol. From meeting Amy Winehouse to poor Kevin being kicked there are the highs and lows of their lives. This is a fun,  light hearted read especially for any dog lover.  Although told from the human perspective, it's told with Kevin at the heart of things. It's heart-warming, it's very touching and also that for some of us, we have overcome much due to having that canine companion at our side. A short, beautiful read. One for over a coffee or t
Read more

Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson

-
Image
  Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson-mystery thriller Oh wow! A book I wanted to devour in one helping but didn't want it to end. Holmes, Marple and Poe are PI’s and have just started their own agency together. Each one has particular talents although all are highly attuned to finding out the whys and wherefores to solve a crime. Holmes for example is hyperosmic and can detect scents amongst the normal ones the rest of us can. Are they their real names? Of that we are not sure but what we can be certain of is that they are good at their job, very good and the police department calls them in when things are starting to get beyond them or where they would rather not be involved. Each one has their own secrets from their lives before they got together. Can they solve the crimes and stay under the radar? This is my first James Patterson book. I know , I know, I must have been hiding under a rock. Brilliant and page turning doesn't do this justice. It looks like I have rather
Read more