Recommended for: Fans of strong women sleuths, found families, and crimes with a side of tea and biscuits.
If you love your cosy crime, there’s a new treat waiting for you to discover! Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency is a delightful new entry in the genre, blending golden-age charm with modern wit and a sprinkling of culinary nostalgia. If you’ve ever wondered what Mrs Beeton’s domestic wisdom might look like with a side of sleuthing, this is your answer.
Alice Beeton, a descendant of the famous Mrs Beeton of Household Management fame, and our fifty-something heroine, is a breath of fresh air. Her life may not have turned out as she planned, but her sharp mind and knack for organisation make her the perfect amateur detective. When one of her agency’s housekeepers turns up dead in suspicious circumstances, Alice steps into the breach, determined to uncover the truth amidst a cast of wealthy suspects.
The setting is another highlight. While contemporary, it has a distinctly Victorian atmosphere—from Alice’s meticulous domestic agency to the grandeur of the houses she visits. This blend of old and new gives the novel a unique and charming flavour. The inclusion of Mrs Beeton’s recipes, cleverly tied to the dishes Alice prepares, is also a particularly lovely touch. These snippets not only honour the legacy of the original Mrs Beeton but also add a delightful culinary thread to the story.
The narrative is a lovely hug of a cosy crime book, featuring just enough plot and intrigue to keep it interesting, but with a strong focus on character (including Alice’s adorable corgi/Jack Russell, Agatha). It’s cosy without being cloying, with a sharp eye for social commentary that elevates it above the purely whimsical. Alice’s relationship with her dog, Agatha (a scene-stealer in her own right), and her interactions with the rumpled yet intriguing Detective Rigby add warmth and humour. The Kensington setting is vividly drawn, and the story has a satisfying mix of red herrings and genuine surprises.
While the pacing occasionally lags—particularly in the midsection—the charm of the characters and the clever plotting keep the pages turning. Fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, and Nita Prose will feel right at home here, but there’s a unique flavour to this book that sets it apart.
If you’re looking for a cosy crime novel to curl up with this winter, Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency is a satisfying treat. Here’s hoping we see more of Alice, Agatha, and their unconventional crime-solving adventures in the future. I would especially welcome a sequel to this story, as I’d love to see the developing relationship between Alice and Rigby explored further.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was wonderfully narrated by Emily Pennant-Rea. This narrator was a perfect choice for ‘Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency’ as her ability to put on an accent helped to differentiate between the characters and bring them all to life.
This novel made an absolutely perfect Christmas read!
Thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio, NetGalley UK and Josie Lloyd for a copy of this audiobook in return for my honest review.
