Alice Beeton is the successful owner of an agency that supplies domestic staff the rich and famous. She is a descendant of the great Mrs Beeton and loves baking and Agatha Christie. When a recently placed housekeeper is murdered Alice finds herself at the centre of an international crime hunt. However she finds that investigating crime is far harder than reading about it.
This is a delightful cosy crime novel which manages to be funny, unrealistic and enjoyable whilst discussing murder. The book is interspersed with recipes which sounded great but my e-book proof did not display these at all. It's not high literature but fdor a quick fun read, it's great.

Where to begin? There are some fantastic descriptions in this book. I absolutely loved it from the start, I loved how Alice found her ‘tash, the Christmas dinner description made me want to have some and I’m reading in July! There were a couple of moments when I didn't even realise I had moved into a new chapter - I was in chapter 13 all the way until I saw chapter 16. It was very nice to see GirlGuiding mentioned around half way through too. Towards the end of the book the tension was high, I felt as if I was in the story myself, not paying attention to the world around me.

I have to say I had some wild theories running through my mind as I read this book - a few of which came to fruition which is always exciting when reading a crime novel! I won’t spoil it here but yes, it is who you think it is, every time you change your theory.

The recipes were very exciting, half tempted to try some of them out, although with mixed measurements between them and with missing oven temperatures I may struggle - of course this isn’t a recipe book so who's to say they are complete recipes.

I enjoyed this cosy crime mystery with its fun and interesting cast of characters including Alice Beeton a distant relative of Mrs Beeton. And who doesn't love the addition of an adorable dog named after the great Agatha C! The dog already has crime solving DNA.

The addition of recipes along the way was a cute addition and there were several that looked tempting to try. Admittedly if they could have jumped off the page ready baked to accompany my reading, this would have been even better. LOL.

I did feel some of the plot lines were a little convoluted and it took a little while to get going. However, once you reach the end, it suggests there are more books to come and this is the start of a new series. If that's the case, it does take time to get the set up established along with your characters and how things are going to play out.

If Josie Lloyd did decide to write more, I'd happily read another.

Oh and let's not forget it has a gorgeous cover. A nice gift to send to someone to read in the run up to Christmas.

A good solid 3 star rating.

I’ve read a few of Josie Lloyd’s romcom books so was interested to give this cosy mystery a try, and pleased to find that it is a very reasonable foray into the genre, if far-fetched in terms of international crime rings and espionage alongside the recipes (which I couldn’t read due to my copy being an ARC) and housekeeping tips.

I liked main character Alice Beeton but struggled to fix her age in my mind, as it seemed to waver between late 20s and late 50s depending on who she was with and the situation. I also enjoyed the circle of side characters she surrounded herself with, from Helly and Jinx, to Detective Rigby and Agatha the dog.

The plot was a little slow to get going but was pleasantly readable once underway. Again, though, I just struggled to ‘place’ the main character and so felt like I couldn’t really get to know her properly. Is she a prim, rather stuffy older woman who prizes efficiency and reliability, or an adventurous, curious, spontaneous, young-at-heart older woman who scrambles around on rooftops precariously? Of course, it is possible to be both, but in this case the two didn’t quite meet in the middle and left me feeling confused and less likely to read more about her future adventures.

There's no way I could have NOT read a book with this title. I've been a fan of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management for 50 years. I own not one, but three copies: a very old one that belonged to my [great?] grandmother - it's kept wrapped in plastic and the pages crumble to dust if you so much as touch it; an abridged version from the 1970s; and a digital version from Gutenberg. I've read the sections on household management (as distinct from the recipes) so often I could quote parts of it. So you get it; I love it. I am also a huge Agatha Christie fan, so anything that blends elements from both these authors could not fail to entice me.

So maybe, having set the bar so high, it's not surprising that Miss Beeton's Murder Agency came as a bit of a let down. Yes, there are references to Mrs Beeton, and recipes, and the dog is called Agatha and Alice is a fan, but otherwise it's a fairly standard modern cosy crime mystery. All the Mrs Beeton/Agatha Christie elements just really serve as attractive packaging.

Packaging aside, looking only at the 'standard modern cosy crime mystery', it's quite a good read. I like the main character, Alice. Overall it's a fun novel. The reading equivalent of a Victoria Sponge (which Mrs Beeton calls Victorian Sandwiches): sweet and light.

Disappointingly (and somewhat pointlessly?), at least one of the recipes (for example, tiffin or chocolate biscuit cake) are not actually in Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management; the recipe is one given to Alice by someone else, and she stores it in the Book.

This is a fun cosy mystery to read anytime but especially during the build up to Christmas. Miss Alice Beeton is a great character and so too is her adorable little dog Agatha. With twists and red herrings it kept you guessing and the recipes throughout the book were an extra added delight. I’m really hoping this is going to be the start of a series as I know Alice and her merry band have a lot more solving to do. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for letting me read and review this book.

What a delightful cosy crime book! I thoroughly enjoyed, what I hope to be a new series. Alice Beeton is a distant relative to the famous Isabelle Beeton who wrote the Victorian Book of household management. This book is the perfect recipe for this new cosy crime genre that I love. It isn’t the most fast paced book but I still couldn’t help wanting one more chapter and quickly got to the end. There was no big twist but there was still a good level of intrigue to see who did it and why! There’s even recipes!!

Alice beaten, runs the Good Household Management Agency, providing discreet domestic staff to extravagant townhouses. However, in the early hours of New Year's Day Alice. Is awakened with the news that one of her placements has been found dead. She now takes it upon yourself to solve the crime.
This was a wonderful easy read in the style of Agatha Christie that had a good murder mystery vibe. I hope this is the start of a new series because this book was truly enjoyable.

I loved this funny and refreshing read. The character of Miss Beeton was brilliant and I enjoyed following all the clues to find out who committed the murder. I do hope there is more books in this series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is the beginning of a new series of cosy crime, featuring Miss Alice Beeton, relation of the famous one but not a cook, but someone who runs the Good Household Management Agency. The agency provides the best staff for the best houses in the country. Exclusive and discreet is what Miss Beeton aims for.

When the perfect potential employee walks into the agency, Enya impresses Alice and she seems the perfect fit when a housekeep job comes up. But then Enya ends up dead and Alice finds herself trying to solve the replacement for Enya but who exactly did kill her and did it have anything to do with the place she was working?

Alice seems to be a character you could dislike, but her quirkiness and her adorable dog Agatha set the scene for future books in this series. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

A delightful, cosy crime read, I really hope we will see more of Miss Beeton in the future.

Miss Beeton is a distant relative of Mrs Beeton, yes the cooking, housekeeping genius of long ago, and Miss Alice Beeton has followed in her footsteps with her Good Household Agency.
Unexpectedly, her latest member of staff is murdered, and Alice finds herself embroiled in a dangerous position, not knowing who to trust.

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd is a simply marvellous contemporary cosy crime novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Miss Beeton is rather like a modern-day Miss Marple as when a crime occurs, she uses all her powers of amateur sleuthing to investigate. She believes that she will solve the crime quicker than the police.
Although there is a contemporary setting, the novel has a retro feel to it. It feels like a time when life was simpler. The reader feels as if they are in a bygone age of servants, masters and large houses.
Miss Beeton is a very likable heroine. She runs her agency with precision. She is also a (fictional) relative of Mrs Isabella Beeton, of the cook book fame. As an off-shoot, there are recipes included from the famous Mrs Beeton. They certainly tempt the reader’s tastebuds.
All the characters were wonderfully drawn, they were an eclectic mix. I loved the inclusion of Agatha, Miss Beeton’s little dog. She is named after Agatha Christie and really is a character in her own right.
We see the influence of kind hearts on young lives. Miss Beeton is indebted to her childhood housekeeper who offered her love, care and compassion. Her influence remained into adulthood. “The person who felt like home,” is what Miss Beeton declares about her childhood influence. We all need that person in our lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency. It was a delightful tale that would translate perfectly into an early evening television viewing. I can highly recommend it.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I have loved this authors books since I started reading them in my 20s. This one was a totally different genre to what they normally write but loved its quirky vibe. Was a cross between mrs marple and Agatha Christie with a lot of other twists and turns thrown into the mix.

I also loved the references to mrs beeton that were cleverly interwoven throughout and food and baking lovers will love the recipes that have also been included am sure.

Look forward to reading more in this series and seeing how it develops.

My Bookish Thoughts 💬
What a delightful read! The stunning cover drew me in—it’s easily one of my favourites. I’ve always been captivated by Georgian homes, imagining Christmas mornings in one, wearing a red velvet coat with a black collar. Josie Lloyd perfectly captures the charm of these settings, from London townhouses to sprawling country estates in a blanket of snow.

This Agatha Christie-inspired mystery is a joyous blend of intrigue, humour, and twists, with Alice Beeton leading the charge to solve the murder of Enya, the newest hire at The Good Housekeeping Agency. Alice is brave and determined, and her intuitive assistant, Agatha the dog, absolutely stole my heart—who doesn’t need a sleuthing sidekick like her?

The camaraderie between Alice, her best friend Jinx, and their household help team was heartwarming, with delightful "jolly hockey sticks" dialogue reminiscent of Enid Blyton and Christie classics. Detective Rigby’s exasperation with Alice was a particular highlight! Oh and the recipes I have to try some of them!

This is a must-read, especially for the festive season, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for more adventures with Alice, Agatha, and co.

Highly recommended!

Big thanks to Netgalley Gallery, HQ Stories and lovely Josie for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest review. 🙏🏼

Book Review: Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd, and I was pleasantly surprised! This cosy crime novel has a delightful retro vibe while still feeling fresh and contemporary. The story revolves around Alice Beeton, who, like her famous relative Mrs Beeton, always envisioned herself as the queen of a perfectly managed household. However, reality has taken Alice down a different path; at just over fifty, she finds herself single, childless, and living in a somewhat shabby basement flat in Kensington with her quirky little dog, Agatha—a corgi-Jack Russell mix who has a knack for stealing the spotlight.

Alice runs the Good Household Management Agency, where she connects high-end clients with domestic staff. When Camille Messant reaches out for an urgent housekeeper, Alice sends over Enya—an assertive new hire with glowing references and a knack for French. But when New Year’s Day rolls around, Alice is jolted from sleep by the shocking news that Enya has been found dead. With the police dragging their feet and the wealthy family tight-lipped, it’s up to Alice to uncover the truth.

First off, I LOVE the cover of this book. It’s just fabulous! As I dove into the story, I found myself enchanted by the varied settings and the festive atmosphere Lloyd creates. The characters are genuinely likeable and the friendships among them add warmth to the narrative. Of course, Agatha deserves a special mention—her antics are absolutely adorable and she definitely brings some extra charm to Alice's life.

What I appreciated most about this book was how well it balanced a lighthearted tone with genuine mystery. The pacing was spot on; I devoured it in just two days! The characters had real depth, and I was kept guessing about who the villain might be until the very end. Plus, there were delightful twists, turns, and red herrings sprinkled throughout—everything you’d hope for in a cosy mystery.

Oh, and did I mention there are recipes included? That’s just an extra cherry on top! Overall, Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency is a well-crafted cosy mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a fantastic start to what promises to be an exciting new series. I can't wait to see what adventures Alice and Agatha will embark on next! If you love a good mystery with charming characters, you won’t want to miss this one. Four stars from me!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is a fabulous cozy crime novel that I very much hope will be the start of a series featuring the inspirational Miss Alice Beeton, fictional relative of the well known cook Mrs Beeton. Indeed the book itself shares several of the tried and tested Mrs Beeton recipes.

Alice Beeton runs an excellent agency together with her long term friend Jinx. They supply all manner of household staff and more to distinguished clients. One such client proves to be the start of what may be a new direction for Alice, as one of the staff provided by Alice is found dead and she is forced to step in undercover to unmask the truth.

There are an array of very colourful characters which I am already invested in; Agatha the dog, Jinx the best friend and Brittany the beautician to the elite to name a few. I hope that they will all feature in future books. The team around Alive and her friends and contacts form a group that are working together to solve the clues.

A great read which I highly enjoyed. There was some far fetched detail, which I enjoyed in a James Bind type thriller scenario and this together with the homespun nature of Alice and her love of her relatives recipes made a book that I would happily recommend.

Fun, Frothy..
Fun, frothy and rather deliciously beyond the realms of possibility, this cosy crime caper is the perfect festive pick me up. With a murder mystery at its very heart, a cast of quirky, eccentric and eclectic characters populating a pacy plot and an enjoyable narrative. Compelling and entertaining.

I usually enjoy cozy mysteries, and while there were some good points to the book, this one wasn’t for me and I found it difficult to read due to the formatting (which probably didn’t help).

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd introduces Alice Beeton, who runs a unique household staffing agency that caters to the poshest of the posh. Inspired by her famed relative, Mrs Beeton, Alice has built a quiet but orderly life, living with her terrier–corgi mix, Agatha, in a modest Kensington flat and arranging staff for the affluent. However, her meticulously managed world is upended when her newest hire is found dead while working as a housekeeper for the wealthy Messent family, plunging classic crime fan Alice into a real-life mystery. When the lead detective’s efforts prove lacklustre, Alice has to rely on her genre knowledge, intelligence and insight, and a few eccentric friends, to uncover what really happened at the Messents’ New Year gala.

Alice’s age and perspective as a woman on the wrong side of fifty bring depth and relatability to the story, creating an unconventional but compelling sleuth who draws readers in with her wry humour and resilience. Her investigations reveal unexpected dimensions of her own life, pushing her beyond her carefully curated comfort zone and into the glamorous, guarded lives of her clients. Lloyd’s clever nods to Victorian domestic icon Mrs Beeton, complete with Alice’s own culinary asides, add charming touches that will appeal to cosy mystery fans. The blend of an engaging puzzle, a cosy domestic setting and Alice’s character growth make Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency both a delightful seasonal read.

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency was cosy crime at its finest - with a brilliant cast of complex characters and filled with love and joy within the darkness.

This walks a fine line between the intensity of the mystery (particuarly as the stakes ramp up) and that sense of heart and humour that utterly captivates a reader. It all centres around our protagonist, Alice, who is headstrong, stubborn and fiercely loyal. She cares deeply for the people around her, which is precisely what makes her a great detective. For her, this case is personal and she will stop at nothing to seek justice. Her voice is endearing and packed with the kind of gently ribbing humour that I enjoy. It is charming in its candour, with a bluntness that will stand for no rubbish.
Her life is neat, ordered and tidy, as benefits the owner of a household management agency and shouldering her family’s legacy. That order benefits her crime solving skills though with a precision and problem solving attitude. She is one capable woman. I also adored Agatha, her dog, named for Christie herself. It was a little nod to the history of the genre and there was a definite Golden Age mystery vibe to the story.

I also enjoyed the way Lloyd tied in the legacy of her ancestor - setting a standard for her to live up to. We get these excerpts from the recipes of her loved ones, which adds an extra dimension to this world. They just made it feel cozier and reminded you of the love often expressed through the ritual of making food. The actual mystery stands in stark contrast, with a rather ruthless and cutthroat world hidden behind these gilded walls. It is a life of luxury but one filled with secrets and deception. We get some interesting twists and turns along the way that throws several spanners into the works.

Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency shines brightest in its characterisation, particularly around the star of the novel.