The Pie & Mash Detective Agency

by J.D. Brinkworth

Who is Nellie Thorne and why does she keep disappearing? Jane Pye and Simon Mash are on the case in this cosy crime mystery novel, perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Robert Thorogood!


'Fans of Richard Osman will love it!' Jonathan Ross
‘A fun romp that sets off at a cracking pace, and never lets up’ Ian Moore
'Compelling and intriguing' J. M. Hall
'Absolutely delightful!' Janice Hallett

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Local schoolteacher Dev Hooper arrives home from work to find his girlfriend, Nellie Thorne, has vanished.

But she's not the first Nellie Thorne to disappear. In fact, she's the fifth in fifty years.

Enter Jane Pye and Simon a millennial couple who signed up for a private detective night class on a whim. When they're assigned Dev's case for their coursework, they quickly realise they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.

Armed with just six weeks of notes, matching trench coats, and questionable detective skills, they set out to solve a case that has baffled Kent's police for decades.

What links the missing Nellies? And why does everyone keep talking about ghosts!?

Is it an open and shut case? Not on your Nellie…


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Readers are loving The Pie & Mash Detective Agency!

‘Sharp, witty and wonderfully original’ L T Shearer, bestselling author of The Cat Who Caught a Killer

'A charming idea, packed with relatable characters, plenty of fun and enough twists to keep me guessing' F.L. Everett, author of Murder at Mistletoe Manor

‘A blissfully cozy mystery packed with funny moments and delightful little pleasures on each page’ Kelly Mullen, author of This is Not a Game

‘A really funny read, with two very endearing detectives' Faith Martin, bestselling author of the DI Hillary Greene series and the Ryder and Loveday mystery novels

'If you're looking for a fun, feel-good read then this book passes with flying colours' Jamie West, author of Murder at the Matinee

'Like the dish in the title, I devoured it in one sitting' Sue Perkins

'Simon and Jane are the most lovable characters and the mystery they solve feels very fresh' 5-star reader review

'A fun cosy crime read' 5-star reader review

'A delightful read' 5-star reader review

'I just couldn’t put it down!' 5-star reader review

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Adult, Fiction, Humor, Mystery Thriller

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 26, 2026

Reviews

[EmmaReadsCrime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Pye and Simon Mash enrolled in a private detective night class. As part of an assignment, they’re given the Nellie Thorne case. Nellie Thorne is a woman who has been disappearing over the past 50 years — and now another Nellie Thorne has just been reported missing.

I was in the mood for something a bit lighter, and this was such a wholesome, cosy mystery — exactly what I was looking for.

Sometimes I find cosy mysteries a bit dull, but that wasn’t the case with this book. It was really well written and such a page-turner. The main characters were also an absolute delight!

This was a great debut, and the ending has definitely been set up for a series. I’m really looking forward to continuing with it when the next books are released!

[Khris Sellin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly delightful story about a couple, Jane and Simon, who are serially unemployed and always signing up for different training classes that will finally launch their amazingly successful careers. 😉 They fall under the tutelage of Gavin Smith, who assigned them a cold case to try and solve -- the mystery of the missing Nellie Thornes. Over three decades, women with the same name have gone missing, and the latest has just occurred as Simon and Jane have embarked on solving the mystery.
This book does not take itself too seriously, and while there is a really mystery to be solved, there is a lot of humor along the way. Loved it!

[Jackie Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I acquired a copy of this novel proof at the Capital Crime 2025 festival.

I found this an enjoyable read. Light-hearted. Occasional silliness but then so is real life! The dialogue / repartee was excellent. The authors must have had so much fun role playing the conversations between Jane and Simon. The story and the characters kept me going.

There is often a comment that a lot more of an author’s real life goes into a first novel so I wondered how much of the detective course aspects including the mentor / teacher was based on experience. Or perhaps the online course the authors followed was just the start for the idea behind the plot device of going through the course and a ‘real life’ case. In any event it worked well.

I’ve only had one other experience of reading a proof copy but I didn’t find any more typos (think there were only 2-3) than I would find in a final copy.

Although I read crime fiction described as ‘cozy’ this as a first novel I thought was particularly well done. So generally I would recommend this book to others.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Pye and Simon Mash have signed up for a detective course and are assigned their first case for some coursework. Dev arrived home to find his girlfriend Nellie Thorne had vanished. However she isn’t the first Nellie Thorne to have disappeared, she is the fifth spanning over fifty years. As the couple start investigating they realise they may have bitten off more than they can chew. Will they solve the case of what links the missing Nellies?

Even though cozy crime isn’t usually my go to in crime fiction, I really liked the premise of this one and the mystery behind the missing Nellies sounded original and fun. I have to say that the detective agency also has a great name! This started off well and I was intrigued with the detective course and the characters, who were all very quirky. I found the main protagonists chatter amongst themselves fun, with lots of quips and humour, at times quite silly. Saying that, I found that the focus was too much on this and their own personalities and backgrounds were not explored at a deeper level, meaning my connection with them was lacking. Hopefully in future stories this can be developed a bit further to make them feel more three dimensional.

I enjoyed being an amateur sleuth along with the characters and trying to work out the mystery, although I feel that at times the pace of the story slowed down and became convoluted. I found that I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, which didn’t help with the pacing or engagement in the overall story. The conclusion made everything come together well and certainly hints there will be more to come from this duo.

Even though this wasn’t fully for me, this was a promising debut and start to a new series. This would be a good read for those who enjoy light hearted, cozy crime with plenty of humour and an entertaining concept. I would be interested to see where the authors take this next. Thanks to the authors and publisher for this copy.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dev gets home from work one day and his girlfriend Nellie has disappeared. No note. No explanation. Jane Pye and boyfriend Simon Mash, in the process of attending a detective course, are given this ‘case’ to investigate as “homework”. It transpires that several “Nellies” have disappeared over several years. So are they the same person? Are they different people? Or are they victims of a serial killer? To be honest I really couldn’t get into this story enough to care.

For starters the names of the protagonists were too silly, especially as they call their fledgling detective agency, the Pye and Mash detective agency. Then there is Simon’s irritating habit of calling Jane “babe”. The characters themselves were pretty boring although Jane had a bit of grit about her but Simon’s character was written rather as an afterthought I felt.

The novel was a bit of fun I suppose as there was no sense of peril or danger. The dialogue was trying very hard to be amusing but I felt the author didn’t quite pull that off. Fans of Richard Osman will probably enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my kindle. This is my honest review after a full read of the book.

[Polly Perks · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***

Jane Pye and Simon Mash sign up for a private detective night class on a whim, never expecting to find themselves pulled into a real case. Their assignment: investigate the disappearance of Nellie Thorne, a woman whose boyfriend insists something is wrong. But Nellie isn’t the first—four other women with the same name have vanished over the last fifty years. Following a trail that leads them through haunted woods, dusty archives, and some very odd encounters closer to home, Jane and Simon soon realise amateur sleuthing is a lot stranger (and funnier) than they imagined.

I really enjoyed this. It gave me Rivers of London vibes with its blend of wit, eccentric characters, and a streak of the surreal. The humour and turn of phrase are spot on, and Jane and Simon make for an entertaining detective duo.

If you enjoy cosy mysteries with a playful, slightly offbeat twist, this will suit you well. Fans of Jodi Taylor and Robert Rankin in particular will appreciate the sharp humour and energetic style. This is the first in a new series, and I’ll be keen to see where Jane and Simon go from here.

[Kena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J.D. Brinkworth is a fun cosy crime read. It follows a young couple, Jane Pye and Simon Mash, who live in South London. Jane is “between job” and on enrols Simon and herself onto a Private Detective night class. Part of the coursework is to investigate a case and present their findings back to the group.

They are assigned a real current case to investigate the disappearance of a young woman called Nellie Thorne. Her boyfriend, a Teacher called Dev Hooper, reported her missing when he got home and found that she’d vanished. What makes the case so unusual is that several women over the years, also called Nellie Thorne, had also disappeared from Kent. That fact really piqued my interest.

I loved reading how Jane and Simon managed the investigation around their lives. Simon works full-time, Jane is “between jobs” and looking for work and preparing for interviews whilst taking public transport down to Kent to investigate. Jane is completely committed to the course and wholeheartedly believes that she will be a great detective. In reality, they only have a few weeks lessons under their belts and have a strong gung-ho spirit. They throw themselves into the investigation feet first, carrying out surveillance, interviews and research. Their lack of planning and flying by the seat of their pants really does make for some humorous escapades. I was crying with laughter reading Simon’s first presentation on the case to the class. Whilst the investigation is ongoing, they attend night school classes and check in with their world-weary instructor Gavin, who steers them away from supernatural rabbit-holes and back to real detection practices.

Jane and Simon are very likeable characters, and the fact they are a couple and also investigators is rather fun and adds some frisson to the mix. The book feels like it’s the first in series, and I would really like to read more of Jane and Simon’s escapades, which will no doubt be peppered with sage advice from Gavin!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Random House UK, Cornerstone, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Denis Wheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Dev Hooper reports that his girlfriend, Nellie Thorne, has disappeared, he is astonished that the first police reaction is – “she’s not real”, because Nellie Thornes have been appearing and disappearing across Kent for decades. They appear out of nowhere, never have a background, hang around with a bloke for a few months, then disappear leaving no trace – not even an image on a photograph. They are an urban myth, The last one appeared twenty-five years ago and private detective Gavin Smith had investigated at the time, searched tenaciously for clues since then, and, in fact. has never really given up. However, he is now retired and running an evening course training aspiring private detectives. When he hears about Dev’s missing girlfriend, he starts investigating again, but this time he has assistance in the shape of a young couple, Jane and Simon, students on the course to whom he assigns the case as a final project. In truth, he doesn’t think these two Millennials have a cat in hell’s chance of solving the mystery which has baffled him, and the Kent Constabulary, for so many years. They are too young, too inexperienced, too flighty, too flamboyant. But they take on the task and set off, haphazardly, in pursuit of the Nellies.
This could easily be the start of a fantasy story, a ghost story, a horror story, but it is actually a cosy crime story, told with a light, frequently funny, style. Much of the humour stems from is a true reflection of the way that generation speaks, but it’s definitely entertaining, and adds a lot to the writing and the characterisation of the two principals. The supporting characters are also interesting, and quirky. The plot is good, not original as such but approached at an angle that makes it more of a puzzle. I’m on 4.5 rounding to 5.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Rob McMinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I’d give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone.
J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume, although (confusingly) my Kindle showed the author as one “Steve Jones”.
Jane Pie and Simon Mash are a quirky young couple who are taking a night class at a local college: Level 1 Detecting. As part of their coursework, they’re given the case of a missing person, Nellie Thorne. But it turns out that “Nellie Thorne” is a name that keeps appearing in police missing persons files. So who is this mysterious woman who vanishes in the night? A romance scammer? A ghost?
There’s chaos all over the place in this. The two amateur detectives are convincingly chaotic, and the narrative reflects their scattershot, distracted way of going about things.
One of the reasons I’m never sure about cozy crime is that the lighthearted tone doesn’t really fit with murder. This book sidesteps that by having the case focused on a missing person, though there are of course hints that there might be foul play. Still, it just about gets away with the light tone, the snarky asides and the absurd details.
At first, I thought I was going to be irritated by the casual style and the snark/absurdity, but this book won me over, and I had to grumpily acknowledge that the authors were in control behind all the chaos. I was hooked on the mystery and wanted to see all the very obvious loose ends tied up. There is some judicious withholding of information at crucial points, but although you notice that you’re not being told what a particular person said when interviewed, you’re still being carried along.
I wasn’t laughing out loud, but I was wryly amused throughout.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book written from the perspective of a couple who go to private investigator classes and some how get allocated an exciting mystery that spans decades to use as their case study. The case is of a missing woman and as they investigate they find decades of women who go missing with the same name(s). Jane and Simon are likeable, I probably wouldn’t want to go to the pub for a drink with them though, and the writing is humorous. For me it had the atmosphere of the Simon Peg films, think Hot Fuzz. For some reason I did struggle to finish the book, taking more than a month over Christmas. I tend to read quickly and I couldn’t with this. I am not sure why, I wonder if there is quite a lot of humour and sometimes I just miss humour. I think it’s very personal and maybe missing the joke made the book take longer. Maybe although likeable Jane and Simon and much younger than me so I wonder if a younger reader maybe 20-30s would appreciate it more. For some reason I thought it would be a couple setting up a detective agency post retirement, I blame my expectations on Richard Osmond. I enjoyed the ending and although foreshadowed was still fun. Would I read again, no but I can’t really aim any criticism at the book and would recommend to younger people and maybe people who find the Simon Peg films funny. I actually imagined him as Simon in the book so could well imagine this book as a film and I would probably enjoy it just didn’t quite work for me as a book, it was something to read in between other books rather than something I had to finish. I think I’ve been reading lots of exciting fast paced books and wonder if I’d been unwell whether I would have enjoyed its more meandering style.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.

[Brian Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable, amusing and light-hearted romp, which reminded me of the 1990's comedy detective shows such as Jonathan Creek, Pie in the Sky and The Detectives.

Jane Pye is out of work and has joined a Private investigation night class. Her other half, Simon Mash has also joined as moral support but doesn't really take things seriously. They are a bumbling duo in a similar vein to Shakespeare and Hathaway, but even more unprofessional.

They are investigating a missing persons case. Dev's girlfriend, Nellie Thorne has gone missing. He's tried reporting it to the police but they aren't taking him seriously, thinking it's just a hoax. Several 'Nellie Thornes', matching the given description of very pale with long dark hair, have been going missing since the 1970's, never to be seen again. Can Pie and Mash solve the mystery that their very own teacher could not?

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was refreshing to read something that doesn't take itself to seriously with becoming silly, have a strong plot and is also well written.

The comedy hit the mark more often than it missed and the story is an interesting one that keeps you invested.

The amateur sleuths are just that, amateurs and do make logical decisions (and many idiotic ones) as they investigate, avoiding miraculous leaps in logic which you so often see.

I particularly liked how the story would go from the present day investigation to the 1997 missing Nellie Thorne, investigated but Gavin Smith, Jane and Simon's P.I. teacher.

I do hope that this is the first in a series. It felt like it should be. And I think it deserves a sequel.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone Publishers for the chance to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

The Pie and Mash Detective Agency is due to be released on 26th February 2026.

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J.D. Brinkman (pseudonym for the writing team of Jo Dinkin and Catherine Brinkworth) is a cozy mystery with some humor. Dev Hooper arrives home one evening to an open front door and a missing girlfriend named Nellie Thorne. Soon afterwards Jane Pye and her boyfriend Simon Mash sign up for a private detective night class are assigned Dev’s case for their coursework. They find out that there has been several Nellie Coopers who have disappeared over the years. What connects them?

Jane has recently lost her job as a programmer. She has a logical mind and asking for help doesn’t come naturally. Simon is charming, has an odd sense of humor, and is a corporate collaboration consultant. Both are tenacious, but will that help them solve the case?

This cozy mystery relies on light humor and somewhat quirky main characters to infuse entertainment into the missing person case. It’s mainly set in Tonbridge, England and the surrounding area with some scenes in South London in and near Croydon. I loved the idea of Jane’s detective’s day bag with what she thought was essential for the investigation. The authors do a great job of atmosphere and setting, but I thought there were a few too many coincidences. These detracted from the story’s believability. It’s engaging, but lacked the suspense I expected except during the ending action scene. However, it was entertaining.

Overall, this was a light and humorous cozy mystery that had a fun premise.

Berkley Publishing Group – Berkley and J.D. Brinkworth provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 10, 2026.
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My 3.35 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book via NetGalley and thought it sounded like a fun read.  The basic premise is that a young woman called Jane Pye decides to do a night class about being a detective and gets her boyfriend, Simon Mash to join her.  As part of their coursework, they are assigned a live case about a missing person.  The person in question is called Nellie Thorne and she's actually the fifth person with that name to go missing in the past fifty years. 

The main characters have the most ridiculous names and are just so contrived.  The characters themselves are okay - Jane comes across as being the more determined of the two to be a detective while Simon is rather more meh about the whole thing.  He's more interested in his looks and is really quite self-centred.  I didn't think that they made the best couple, Jane would have been much better off with someone on her own wavelength and who supported her hopes and dreams.  There didn't seem to be any chemistry between them at all and they seemed more like friends/roommates than an actual couple.

The plot itself is very slow and seems to have been really dragged out.  It comes together in the last few chapters but I found the solution to the disappearance to be quite dissatisfying.  I'm not sure if I would read any more of the series.  Neither of the main characters particularly grabbed me and there was nothing in this book that intrigued me to want to read further books. It was a shame as it was an intriguing premise but the book as a whole just felt rather as though it was lacking something, there was no oomph or spark to it. It was okay, but nothing more than that.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy to read and review.

[Books Before Bs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Move over Thursday Murder Club, Pye and Mash of The Pie & Mash Detective Agency are on the case!

Jane Pye and Simon Mash, two twenty-something wannabe private detectives—well, one wannabe private detective, the other just tagging along for relationship points and the cool outfits—are assigned the cold case of a repeatedly missing woman for the coursework element of their private detective night class in this genuinely funny cosy mystery.

This book was honestly a joy to read. It’s not often that a novel claimed to be humorous actually lives up to the hype, but I was wearing a constant smirk while reading this book in an attempt to stop myself from laughing out loud in public. (I wasn’t always successful.) It’s just so good. The perfect pick-me-up for a dreary winter’s day!

I love Simon and Jane—though, in terms of vibes, they do give me more ‘Will and Grace’ than ‘couple in a romantic relationship’—and I hope we get to see more of them again soon. All the other characters were such fun to spend time with too. Plus, the plotting is fantastic, with never a dull moment and not a whiff of predictability.

In terms of who will like this book, it’s ideal for fans of humorous, cosy mysteries (natch…), but readers in their mid-30s will probably appreciate it the most, being young enough to relate to the protagonists but old enough to get the 90s references. It makes a great gift book too, as it comes with no spice nor contentious topics. I’ll definitely be buying the cosy-mystery-lovers in my life a copy!

Many thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Brinkworth and Random House UK for the ARC.

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Pye and Simon Mash are “ Detectives in training”, Simon is a Corporate Collaboration Consultant, Jane is unemployed and is wondering if she can make a career out of detecting.
The instructor gives the whole class some real life cases to investigate and hopefully solve, and Jane and Simon end up with being allocated a most unusual case concerning a woman named Nellie Thorne.
Nellie has apparently disappeared from the home she shares with her boyfriend, Dev Hooper. She left behind her handbag and phone, taken hardly any clothes with her and Dev realises he has never met her family, friends or has any photos of Nellie.
When Jane and Simon find out that she is not the first Nellie Thorne to go missing over the last few decades, and her name has become part of an urban myth, they know that if they manage to solve this mystery, their names will be made, but with literally nothing to go on concerning this elusive “ ghost” of a woman, this case will test them both to the very extent and possibly beyond their combined skills and knowledge.
A real laugh out loud novel, once you get past the slightly dodgy names. Jane and Simon are such very likeable and supportive characters, people you start to care for.
The mystery held my attention throughout and the conclusion was surprising, much like the unusual introduction to this novel.
A very promising debut novel and I am looking forward to the next escapade in this new series.
A five star read, most enjoyable.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, publishers, for my advance copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will review to Goodreads and Amazon UK later.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.D. Brinkworth’s The Pie & Mash Detective Agency is a wonderfully quirky and charming cozy mystery that blends humour, intrigue, and a dash of the supernatural.

At the heart of the story are Jane Pye and Simon Mash, a millennial couple who stumble into sleuthing after signing up for a private detective night class. Their assignment—investigating the disappearance of Nellie Thorne—quickly spirals into something far bigger than coursework. With five Nellies having vanished over the past fifty years, the mystery carries both a chilling weight and a playful absurdity, especially as whispers of ghosts add an extra layer of intrigue.

Brinkworth captures the fun of amateur detectives armed with little more than enthusiasm, matching trench coats, and a gung-ho spirit. Jane and Simon’s dynamic is endearing, their missteps as entertaining as their breakthroughs, and their determination makes you root for them even when the odds (and their lack of experience) are stacked against them.

The novel balances its lighthearted tone with genuine suspense, weaving together local lore, family secrets, and the eerie question of what connects the missing Nellies. It’s witty, warm, and delightfully offbeat—perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Robert Thorogood who enjoy mysteries with heart and humour.

This is a cozy crime that feels fresh and fun, proving that sometimes the most unlikely detectives are the ones you want to follow.

With thanks to JD Brinkworth, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Jamad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency leans heavily on whimsy and coincidence, and for me that quickly wore thin. The premise — two would-be detectives enrolled in a night course who drift into investigating a string of long-ago disappearances — sounds promising, but the execution feels slight. The mystery never develops real weight, and the plot relies too often on contrivance rather than deduction. As a result, there is little sense of momentum or urgency.

The characters are sketched broadly and rarely deepen beyond their initial quirks. Much of the humour depends on repetitive banter, which substitutes for genuine character development. The writing aims for light and frothy but frequently slips into flimsy, making it hard to care about either the investigation or its outcome. Any darker implications of the case are smoothed over too quickly, leaving the story curiously flat.

One moment did make me smile: a throwaway reference to the interview question “How many parking spots are there at Heathrow Airport?” — one of those deliberately absurd brain-teasers that were briefly in vogue. I confess to having used that sort of question myself. Sadly, that spark of recognition was rare.

This may suit readers looking for an undemanding, gently comic mystery, but for me it lacked substance, tension and convincing sleuthing. Two stars for an idea that never quite becomes a satisfying novel.

thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book as part of the First Impressions program by BookBrowse.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy comfort read, particularly around the holidays when I want a book that’s interesting enough to keep me turning the pages, but relaxed enough to allow me to unwind.

The plot is well conceived and develops organically. I was dying to know how the story was going to end and once I got there, everything made sense and left me satisfied despite the big “answer” not being what I thought it would be. That being said, it wasn't anxiety-inducing as some thrillers or mysteries can be.

The characters are very personable and I felt the authors excellently wove in aspects of modern culture. The writing style provides a sense that you could be hearing a wild tale from a friend you haven't seen in a while. There is quite a bit of British slang that I had to look up while reading but I take that as a bonus since I learned a few new things as well.

I did not know until I finished the book that the author is actually an author duo. This doesn't change my opinion of the story at all but I enjoy the blend of creative energy that it brings to the table (or, the shelf?)

Can't think of anything negative to say about the book, it was an easy and solid 5 stars for me. If there is a sequel, I will definitely be reading.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delighful and charming slice of cosy crime and a more than welcome addition to the genre. There is a depth to quality of the storytelling combined with characters which sing out on the page.

The book is plotted with a level of inventiveness and ingenuity, at first I wasn’t sure where this was going to go, however, the way the authors develop and slowly reveal the plot is to be applauded. Throughout it has a wonderfully written narrative.

I loved the way that the characters have been written not you typical amateur sleuths, Jane and Simon are pretty making it up and learning as they go, ably assisted by Gavin who is teaching a course in how to become a detective, it is one of Gavins previous old cases which is pivotal to the present case. Then the way the authors combined the chapters from the past and present worked to give a balance and understanding to the plot. In addition there is something about the dialogue between the characters which adds to the overall feel of the book, that feeling of Jane and Simon been complete novices and finding their feet, it’s quirky and fresh.

The book is sprinkled with humor which all add to the charm of what is a delightful read.

As a read it has a natural flow and real-time feel, slowly building up the pace and suspense, throughout their is undercurrent of tension.

Must admit when the truth finally dawned and the reveal came it threw me, it wasn’t what I expected this is where the ingenious part plays out, as a read it is packed with twists and turns.

I was drawn into this new exciting world from the opening pages, a read which had me totally engaged.

Whether you love your crime on the cosy side or not this will appeal. Look forward to reading more from the Pie & Mash Detective Agency

[Louise A-S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone the publishers and NetGalley also for the opportunity to read this ARC | Century,The Pie & Mash Detective Agency is due for release on 26th February.

Imagine signing up for a private detective night class just to cure millennial boredom, only to be handed a case that has baffled the police for fifty years. That is the premise of The Pie & Mash Detective Agency, a delightfully chaotic debut that proves you don’t need a badge to solve a crime

Jane Pye is between jobs and her partner Simon Mash is a corporate collaboration consultant. On a whim, Jane enrolls them in a suspiciously cheap PI course taught by Gavin, a grizzled, semi-retired detective.
Their final assignment? Find Nellie Thorne, the missing girlfriend of a local schoolteacher. The catch: she isn't the first Nellie Thorne to vanish.

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency is a cosy mystery rather then a gripping thriller. The book is heavy on the dialogue but is written in a way that. While the mystery itself has a slow-burn, nice chapter lengths along with the British-isms and slang keeps things moving quickly enough that the more contemplative moments never feel sluggish

Remember the opinion of this book are my own 📖 📚. Let me know what you think if you’ve read the book 💬

[Lisa (Two Bookish Brits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t mind me I’m just sat here giggling away at these characters and their antics.

This may be a mystery but it was so fun, Jane and Simon were a hoot to read. There was never a dull moment with these two.

Massive thank you to Century for gifting me this stunning proof. I devoured it the moment I picked it up.

Jane and Simon are amateur detectives taking a training corse to become more knowledgeable. When the teacher hands them their first case for their corsework they’re determined to solve it even whilst knowing the police have been trying to crack it for a while.

Nellie Thorne the case of a missing woman but not the only Nellie Thorne to go missing.

Jane and Simon go on a mission to get to the bottom of this and we’re taken along with them. It’s been so much fun trying to unravel what exactly was going on and thinking of what the possible outcomes could be. I will say I didn’t expect what was actually going on though, it was a surprise to me. What a journey it’s been.

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency was a well written cozy mystery. An addicting page turner that was easy to devour. What a brilliant debut for these authors, I can’t wait for more to come from these two and their detectives.

[Anke · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PIE & MASH DETECTIVE AGENCY is a cozy crime mystery about Jane Pye and Simon Mash, an eccentric millennial couple who impulsively enroll in a private-detective night class. As they tackle a real cold case involving the decades-old disappearance of women named Nellie Thorne (five vanishings over fifty years), they dive into the heart of the cozy mystery genre: amateur sleuthing, quirky characters, and fast-paced discovery. Armed with enthusiasm, trench coats, and minimal training, Jane and Simon navigate eerie legends and secrets, making this an inviting and accessible read for fans of lighthearted mysteries.

THE PIE & MASH DETECTIVE AGENCY is an engaging cozy mystery that stands out for its clever blend of humor, suspense, and amateur sleuthing. The layered mystery, paired with the dynamic of Jane and Simon’s contrasting personalities, makes the novel both entertaining and smart. The intertwined timelines and unexpected twists kept the story fresh and compelling.

Thank you to BookBrowse, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy. Thanks also to JD Brinkworth for such an entertaining book—I look forward to the next!

[Agatha Marplewood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into The Pie & Mash Detective Agency expecting a light, cozy mystery with a strong comic edge, and in some ways it delivers exactly that.

The central idea is clever, a missing woman who shares a name with several others who vanished over decades, and the mystery itself is well thought out.

There are genuinely funny moments, and the book clearly aims to entertain rather than impress with complex detective work.

That said, I struggled to connect with the characters. Jane Pye is focused and clearly takes the investigation seriously, which I liked, but Simon Mash never worked for me.

I found him more irritating than charming, and his general chaotic way of thinking made it hard to take parts of the story seriously. The lack of a real backstory for either lead also left me feeling a bit detached.

Overall, this is an okay cozy mystery with a clear sense of humor. It just was not quite my taste, even though I can see why others have enjoyed it.

With thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in return for an honest review.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of what I hope will be the start of a new cozy crime series, this book features budding detectives Jane Pye and Simon Mash who are starting their journey with a level 1 course on becoming a detective. Their assignment is to find the missing Nellie Thorne, the latest woman of this name to go missing in suspicious circumstances and never return.

The characters of Simon and Jane are interesting and different from those you would usually find in this genre and I found that refreshing. They are an odd couple but somehow that works. They have a natural aptitude for putting clues together and stumble their way to a conclusion. Simon’s mother is an amusing addition to the cast of characters, adding a most amusing interlude when the detectives join her and her friends on a wild night out in rural Kent.

I would definitely recommend this book for those that enjoy a cozy crime novel and hope to see the duo in more adventures in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Soozee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Pye is out of work and getting desperate. Her ambition is to set up a detective agency, so she goes to classes with her partner Simon Mash. Simon is beyond irritating, always self-centred, never serious, easily distracted and not likely to succeed in the hard-bitten world of detecting. Their tutor, Gavin, gives them a case he has failed to solve - the repeated disappearances of women called 'Nellie Thorne' in the Kent area over several decades.

Jane and Simon set off to find out what has happened to these women over the years, meeting Dev who's girlfriend is the latest Nellie to vanish. The Pie and Mash Detective Agency is born and deep into its first case.

Its quite a fun, lighthearted read, but I just found the characters very one dimensional and, in Simon's case in particular, irritating.

Thank you to NetGalley, RandomHouse UK and Cornerstone for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvette Stait]

Jane Pye signs herself and her boyfriend, Simon Mash, up for a level one private investigator course run by Gavin Smith. Part of the coursework is to solve old cases and do a presentation, the problem is Gavin has more students than cases so he hands over to them a case that has baffled police for fifty years and one where he has been hired by the partner of the latest Nellie Thorne who has gne missing.
Cosy crime is not neccessary something I usually read but this one called to me. The beginning was certainly able to draw me in but I found as I continued that the characters became annoying at times, rather silly in fact and not fully developed. This, I feel, will be dealt with in future books.
Rather quirky and an easy read. The idea behind the disappearances was different which was a bonus.
Will I read more of these as they are published, yes.

Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for the ARC.

[Ridgerunner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a catchy title , I think the author has succeeded with the homophone of the the two trainee private detective's names. I didn't think that the rest of the book was so successful. I liked the basic premise of following two trainees as they are given some course work to investigate but Jane and Simon seemed to have so little in common that it was hard to see them as a romantically attached couple and that grated each time they are together. I felt the pace slowed up a lot in the middle and I found I was losing interest in all the missing Nelly Thorne cases. It is hard to achieve the right level of wackiness with a light hearted book and I felt the book didn't achieve this. There were quite a few funny asides and I liked Simon's instantly forgettable grandiose meaningless job title. Overall it was an encouraging debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Pye is unemployed and bored, so she keeps enrolling on courses to fill her time. The lates course is Level 1 Detecting, which she's doing with her partner Simon Mash. They are a colourful young couple who stand out among the bouncers and retired policemen. They have to complete an assignment for their course, but the tutor doesn't have enough old, solved cases to give out. So, he gives Jane and Simon a live case, a missing woman called Nellie Thorne. Her boyfriend is worried that the police aren't taking him seriously, as there have been apparently four women all called Nellie Thorne who have disappeared in Kent over the last thirty years.

This is the definition of a cosy mystery. I found it a bit of a slow start, but I warmed to the characters, particularly Jane, and found myself more and more invested in the story as it went along. I have to confess I did not guess the reason for Nellie's disappearance and I really enjoyed the conclusion of the story, including a satisfying resolution to Jane's employment issues. This novel wouldn't keep me up at night wanting to know how it ends. On the other hand, it hit the spot like a mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night.

[Louise Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Pye and Simon Mash make quite the unusual couple, one is unemplyed and the other is a team motivator. But they are learning how to be private detectives, though Jane is taking it a little more seriously than Simon. So when they are given a case to look into for a case study to pass the class, Jane can not wait to get her teeth into it. A local schoolteacher has reported his girlfriend missing; her name is Nellie Thorne. But that is not the first time Nellie Thorne has been reported missing. It is a mystery, alright, though one they can not even guess at where it will take them.

As Jane and Simon continue to look into who Nellie Thorne is, who she was in the past, and why she keeps vanishing, they begin to wonder about ghosts, aliens, and all manner of reasons, though the case is much stranger than they can imagine.

Smash!

This was so much fun to read, a fun ride that takes our unlikely heroes on a wild ride.

[Chris Chanona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two novice detectives are on a detective training course and as part of this have to take on a case. The case is to find out who Nelly Thorne is. Or as they find out who Nelly Thornes are. because there’s more than one.

The two detectives at the heart of this are Jane and Simon and Jane is pie and Simon is mash. This is an okay joke at the beginning but might get a bit repetitive. I found Simon really irritating and the whole thing is rather on the lighthearted side if you like a mildly amusing mystery you will quite like this I think for me it was just a bit too silly I prefer my detectives on the gritty side. I was not keen on the flashbacks.

I read an ALC provided by NetGalley and the publishers for which I give thanks. As I’m writing this, I wonder if I’m being a bit harsh I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could.