If you like a cosy mystery along the lines of the Richard Osman books then look no further. Well written and very enjoyable

When I started reading this book I wasn't quite sure when it was set. It had retro vibes and Alice seemed like the perfect 50's housewife type. Then I read on and found references to Pringles, mobile phones and all sorts of modern bits and found my footing.

I can honestly say that this book delighted me on so many levels. I found Alice charming, and her mates at the agency were fabulous femme fatales with a solid sisterhood charm. Agatha was the star of the show and the many references to Agatha Christie had me grinning like a loon. I can definitely relate to Alice Beeton on so many things.

I loved the writing and found myself unable to stop reading on way past my bedtime. I actually listened to the narrator and loved her audio. I was astonished at how male her male voices sounded. Her accents were spot on and I think she did the most perfect Alice that really brought out her character.

As the story went on, I found myself liking some characters more and more while actively despising others and what they had done to the people around them. It takes a good writer to truly make you loathe a character or to feel so many emotions throughout one book.

The storyline grew and grew on me and Alice found herself deeper than she could possibly be in so many things. I found the ending clever and not too predictable, especially in the grand unmasking and Poirot style spill all at the end. I like the way we weren't told everything until we got to that point for added drama.

All in all 4.5 stars for a thrilling and investing read and I am certain to search out more Josie Lloyd in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harpercollins UK Audio and Josie Lloyd for a fabulous ARC read. All opinions expressed are my own.

A good old fashioned who done it. Alice Breton runs an agency supplying high quality domestic staff to wealthy patrons but when a housekeeper is murdered she takes a more hands on approach. An entertaining read.

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. But in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Alice is rudely awakened with the news that Enya has been found dead.
A new author to me & a new series. I thoroughly enjoyed it & look forward to more in the series. I really liked Alice & the adorable Agatha. A well written cosy mystery, which I read in two sittings, the pace is good, the characters have depth & I was kept guessing as to who the villain was. There was the added bonus of recipes. There were of course twists, turns & red herrings as would be expected in a cosy mystery. I also listened to the audiobook & the narrator brought it to life
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

A fun cosy murder mystery with a witty smart woman. I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook while I was relaxing at home on a rainy day. It was intriguing and fun at the same time. A great story

A cosy murder mystery for fans of the Miss Marple series. There was an interesting set of side characters. Miss Beeton is very likeable. However, the narrator makes her sound a lot older than she actually is. I read she's just over 50 but the narrator makes her sound in her late 60s or older!

The narrator does a wonderful job of narrating all the different characters and there are a lot of them!

The first 20% was quite slow for me and not much happens until 1/4 of the book. However, I think it was to set the base for this book and possibly future books.

I love all the recipes in the book and can't wait to see if there is a book two!

This was a really cute, gentle, lovely story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect.
I loved all the references to cooking and it kept me engaged and feeling sweet!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.