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Abbot Agency #1-5
The Bea Abbot Agency Mysteries Books 1-5
In this five-book box set:
BOOK 1: A FALSE CHARITY
Bea Abbot thinks it might be about time to retire. But she’s persuaded by an old friend to take on one last job. Coral is owed a lot of money. She never saw a penny from those two swanky charity parties she catered. Bea investigates, but bouncing cheques turn out to be the least of her worries. It looks like someone is killing to keep their secrets from coming to light.
BOOK 2: A FALSE PICTURE
Wealthy widow Lady Farne is discovered stabbed to death in her lavish London apartment. One of her masterpieces is missing. And so is her caddish godson, Philip. Philip’s stepmother is convinced he’s innocent. So she pleads with Bea to help clear his name. But if he didn’t murder Lady Farne — who did?
BOOK 3: A FALSE STEP
It’s the strangest sight Bea has ever come across. A man lying dead in bed, clad in a lavish scarlet and gold dress. Beside him is a note saying ‘Sorry’ and a pair of the brightest sparkly red shoes Bea has ever seen. It seems like he took his own life. But when Bea discovers that the shoes don’t fit the victim, she begins to suspect foul play . . .
BOOK 4: A FALSE PRETENCE
When Bea’s assistant’s ex-boyfriend turns up out of the blue, Bea knows it spells trouble. Sure enough, Zander believes he’s to blame for his boss’s death. The man dropped dead shortly after Zander exposed some sleazy goings-on at his company. A few days later, Zander’s landlady dies in a mysterious fire — and, just like that, Zander finds himself in the frame for not one killing, but two!
BOOK 5: FALSE MONEY
A missing starlet. A deadly lottery — and this killer’s in it to win! Tomi, a beautiful young actress, vanishes from her life . . . only to be found dead beside a country lane, a cocktail of drugs in her blood. Everyone says her death was a tragic accident. But when Tomi’s beau turns up dead, in equally fishy circumstances, Bea decides it’s a coincidence too far. Can she solve the case before her own number’s up?
BOOK 1: A FALSE CHARITY
Bea Abbot thinks it might be about time to retire. But she’s persuaded by an old friend to take on one last job. Coral is owed a lot of money. She never saw a penny from those two swanky charity parties she catered. Bea investigates, but bouncing cheques turn out to be the least of her worries. It looks like someone is killing to keep their secrets from coming to light.
BOOK 2: A FALSE PICTURE
Wealthy widow Lady Farne is discovered stabbed to death in her lavish London apartment. One of her masterpieces is missing. And so is her caddish godson, Philip. Philip’s stepmother is convinced he’s innocent. So she pleads with Bea to help clear his name. But if he didn’t murder Lady Farne — who did?
BOOK 3: A FALSE STEP
It’s the strangest sight Bea has ever come across. A man lying dead in bed, clad in a lavish scarlet and gold dress. Beside him is a note saying ‘Sorry’ and a pair of the brightest sparkly red shoes Bea has ever seen. It seems like he took his own life. But when Bea discovers that the shoes don’t fit the victim, she begins to suspect foul play . . .
BOOK 4: A FALSE PRETENCE
When Bea’s assistant’s ex-boyfriend turns up out of the blue, Bea knows it spells trouble. Sure enough, Zander believes he’s to blame for his boss’s death. The man dropped dead shortly after Zander exposed some sleazy goings-on at his company. A few days later, Zander’s landlady dies in a mysterious fire — and, just like that, Zander finds himself in the frame for not one killing, but two!
BOOK 5: FALSE MONEY
A missing starlet. A deadly lottery — and this killer’s in it to win! Tomi, a beautiful young actress, vanishes from her life . . . only to be found dead beside a country lane, a cocktail of drugs in her blood. Everyone says her death was a tragic accident. But when Tomi’s beau turns up dead, in equally fishy circumstances, Bea decides it’s a coincidence too far. Can she solve the case before her own number’s up?
1423 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
662 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
96 books130 followersVeronica Heley has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.
AKA Veronica Thorne
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 11, 2024
I have just met Bea Abbot and her friends at the agency and completed the first five books in this series' box set. I enjoyed them sufficiently to go to bed earlier and stay there later in the morning with a cup of tea to finish reading each in turn. I wish I knew her and had her problem-solving skills- efficient and extremely hardworking she changes her mind about retirement after her husband's death, and keeps the Home Agency going, rebuilding clientele and finances successfully, as well as the lives of the characters she encounters along the way. They 'don't do murder', yet each story involves several pretty nasty ones, usually by deranged killers who get a second narrative strand within each book, so that the reader has the sense of growing collision and opportunity to solve the connections. All the characters grow through the series, in confidence and skills., and readers can skim over those repeated bits of back stories often thought necessary for those won do not pick up the books to read in chronological order. Veronica Heley's books always seem to explore elements of faith and the church; these are no exception. I have some doubts about the time time scale of ravel across London for some of these - but that's a quibble. If you like the idea of a sixty year old heroine getting over the death of her husband, and refusing to drift gently into any good night, adept at dealing with her cringe-making family and others, and a cast of other characters who solve crimes by pooling thoughts, checking links, looking for discrepancies in stories, and using a computer whizz-kid to dig into laptops and phones, you will enjoy these.
January 1, 2025
It’s not a cosy mystery but crime fiction, I borrowed it on kindle unlimited as it said it was a cozy. Murders happen in realtime and “non cosy” themes are mentioned in more detail than needed for a cozy. So advertised incorrectly. I was left with a yucky feeling at some points in the books.
That said, the books are well written interesting and have diverse plot lines and realistic flawed characters. I didn’t take to the main character as I found her entitled very judgmental and seemed to think god was her personal confident, in a non humorous way. I read all five but will be avoiding this series in the future. Not for me.
That said, the books are well written interesting and have diverse plot lines and realistic flawed characters. I didn’t take to the main character as I found her entitled very judgmental and seemed to think god was her personal confident, in a non humorous way. I read all five but will be avoiding this series in the future. Not for me.
May 28, 2024
An enthralling quintet of novels.
Bea Abbot returns from her long foreign tour, which she had embarked on with her dying husband. I liked how she was catapulted into a new life, especially with the help of some young, and vibrant characters.
The five books were truly addictive as I was drawn into them by the feeling that I cared about the characters and what was happening to them. I hope that there will be more books in this series of books.
Bea Abbot returns from her long foreign tour, which she had embarked on with her dying husband. I liked how she was catapulted into a new life, especially with the help of some young, and vibrant characters.
The five books were truly addictive as I was drawn into them by the feeling that I cared about the characters and what was happening to them. I hope that there will be more books in this series of books.
June 12, 2024
Easy reading cozy mysteries
Enjoyed these books, the main characters developed over the series and the interplay between them worked well. Bea Abbot, the owner of the agency quickly endeared herself to me. So good to read about a woman who, at the age of sixty, was finding new ways to make life meaningful.
Enjoyed these books, the main characters developed over the series and the interplay between them worked well. Bea Abbot, the owner of the agency quickly endeared herself to me. So good to read about a woman who, at the age of sixty, was finding new ways to make life meaningful.
October 8, 2024
Each book held you captive
Twists and turns are ever evolving. Enjoyed her growth and talks with the Lord in her garden. Love Piers helpfulness. Really didn't care for Max the self-important, lacking sense and gumption boy! I lost patience the first book. Glad for all the changes in each character.
Twists and turns are ever evolving. Enjoyed her growth and talks with the Lord in her garden. Love Piers helpfulness. Really didn't care for Max the self-important, lacking sense and gumption boy! I lost patience the first book. Glad for all the changes in each character.
December 2, 2024
Addictive
Sometimes it’s hard to live alone.
It’s a good thing when you can start with book 1 and continue to book 5.
Without being interrupted to feed someone or do homework.
The characters are filled out so you recognise them.
The plot surprises and is carefully crafted .
When do we get to enjoy 5 to10.
Sometimes it’s hard to live alone.
It’s a good thing when you can start with book 1 and continue to book 5.
Without being interrupted to feed someone or do homework.
The characters are filled out so you recognise them.
The plot surprises and is carefully crafted .
When do we get to enjoy 5 to10.
June 24, 2024
Tge Bea Abbott Agency
I loved all the books in the set. Bri g stuck in bed with a reconstructed foot I was happy that u could read one book after the other and keep continuity going.
I loved all the books in the set. Bri g stuck in bed with a reconstructed foot I was happy that u could read one book after the other and keep continuity going.
August 18, 2024
Loved every book. Each one stand alone but you were able to follow the main characters journey throughout getting to know them. Every book had excellent plots. Am looking forward to reading many more books by this writer.
July 7, 2024
Hard to put down.
Loved these books. Couldn't put them down. Found Bea Abbot an unforgettable heroine and the lots were brilliant. Was sorry when I read the last book.
Loved these books. Couldn't put them down. Found Bea Abbot an unforgettable heroine and the lots were brilliant. Was sorry when I read the last book.
September 12, 2024
riveting!
Food for thought…. Lots of thoughts, actually! Quick, intense read. Well written, carefully constructed puzzling circumstances, with, gratefully, satisfying endings.
Food for thought…. Lots of thoughts, actually! Quick, intense read. Well written, carefully constructed puzzling circumstances, with, gratefully, satisfying endings.
March 15, 2025
Nice easy reading and great characters, perfect for a bed time read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews