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The Charity Shop Detective Agency #6
The Christmas Market Murder
’Tis the season for mince pies, mulled wine . . . and murder!
A dead body. A locked cabin with no way in or out. A cunning killer who melts away faster than a snowflake in the sea.
November in Southbourne should be all twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue — the retired trio who run Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop — have little to celebrate. What with the elusive ‘Southbourne Stalker’ prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they’re in need of a little seasonal magic.
The new Christmas market seems the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs of steaming mulled wine. Until . . .
A desperate scream shatters the calm.
Postmaster Scott Preston is trying to break into a locked cabin. His father’s inside — and in terrible trouble. By the time the door is forced, it’s too late. His father is dead.
The police say he took his own life. But Scott can’t believe that’s true. His dad was many things, but tidy wasn’t one of them — and the stall is suspiciously spotless. Someone had a good clear-up before making their getaway.
Now the ladies must unwrap a mystery knottier than a string of Christmas lights, before someone else ends up six feet under the mistletoe.
A dead body. A locked cabin with no way in or out. A cunning killer who melts away faster than a snowflake in the sea.
November in Southbourne should be all twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue — the retired trio who run Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop — have little to celebrate. What with the elusive ‘Southbourne Stalker’ prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they’re in need of a little seasonal magic.
The new Christmas market seems the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs of steaming mulled wine. Until . . .
A desperate scream shatters the calm.
Postmaster Scott Preston is trying to break into a locked cabin. His father’s inside — and in terrible trouble. By the time the door is forced, it’s too late. His father is dead.
The police say he took his own life. But Scott can’t believe that’s true. His dad was many things, but tidy wasn’t one of them — and the stall is suspiciously spotless. Someone had a good clear-up before making their getaway.
Now the ladies must unwrap a mystery knottier than a string of Christmas lights, before someone else ends up six feet under the mistletoe.
238 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2025
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396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
October 12, 2025
It's the silly season but the coastal town of Southbourne is somewhat lacking in Christmas cheer. People are wary because the Southbourne Stalker has been tormenting the town for a while, so people aren't going out, and consequently both retail and hospo are in decline. Even a new Christmas Market hasn't been able to attract much business to the area, as hoped. Then when one of the market stallholders is found dead inside his locked stall/cabin (*southern hemisphere readers may want to ask Google for images of what these stalls look like), it seems an economic recovery is just a pipedream.
Although the police are satisfied the stallholder took his own life, the man's adult son and his life assurance company have doubts. Both approach Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue from the charity shop to conduct a discreet, informal investigation, and with business being so slow, the ladies agree. But with no way in or out of the Christmas Market stall other than through the door that was locked from the inside, how could it be anything but suicide?
This is the sixth book in the series, and I have enjoyed them all. Boland is onto a winning formula with his clever, quirky amateur detectives who seem to be able to solve the impossible cases that come their way. It was probably only a matter of time, but still lovely nevertheless to get a seasonal story in this series. I particularly enjoyed the final scene, showing how Christmas can bring out the best in even the worst people.
Merry Christmas and thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an eARC to read and review. Ho ho ho.
Although the police are satisfied the stallholder took his own life, the man's adult son and his life assurance company have doubts. Both approach Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue from the charity shop to conduct a discreet, informal investigation, and with business being so slow, the ladies agree. But with no way in or out of the Christmas Market stall other than through the door that was locked from the inside, how could it be anything but suicide?
This is the sixth book in the series, and I have enjoyed them all. Boland is onto a winning formula with his clever, quirky amateur detectives who seem to be able to solve the impossible cases that come their way. It was probably only a matter of time, but still lovely nevertheless to get a seasonal story in this series. I particularly enjoyed the final scene, showing how Christmas can bring out the best in even the worst people.
Merry Christmas and thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for an eARC to read and review. Ho ho ho.
September 11, 2025
The Christmas spirit is a little lacking in Southbourne. A stalker has been spreading fear throughout the town, and, with an arrest looking unlikely, the footfall to local shops and businesses has . All hope is now resting on the inaugural Christmas market and the promise of tourists and residents alike realising the new event needs their support. Not all shopkeepers are enthusiastic, however, and when a body is found inside one of cabins, a cabin locked from the inside, it looks like anyone goodwill left will soon disappear. Enter the Charity Shop Detectives, Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue are approached by two people independently to investigate a death the police have deemed a suicide. The trio are soon sure some things don't add up. With Christmas getting closer, the proprietors of the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop know they will have to delve deep to discover the reason someone died and how.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Joffe Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book six in Peter Boland's series was my first visit to Southbourne, but it was never a problem. I could picture the main protagonists and their shop almost immediately, and I thoroughly my reading experience. The mystery was compelling, and there were parts I didn't see coming at all. Recommended.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Joffe Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book six in Peter Boland's series was my first visit to Southbourne, but it was never a problem. I could picture the main protagonists and their shop almost immediately, and I thoroughly my reading experience. The mystery was compelling, and there were parts I didn't see coming at all. Recommended.
October 18, 2025
It was lovely to see the ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency back with their festive offerings! The story was a joy to read, and I love the concept of it. The cover is nice. Just a market stall on the cover with the wee dog, whom I'm assuming is Simon Le Bon! The writing is excellent and flows perfectly. The mystery of this has been done so well. The locked door mystery was a conundrum for me for quite a while. Then I eventually managed to figure it out! The setting is good as always. The Southbourne setting was lovely. It sounds beautiful at Christmas. I love how decorative the Nice Homes for Dogs was. I loved the characters, and they fit in perfectly. Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are brilliant and they make a fantastic team! I love their dynamics and how they interact. This ticks all my festive mystery boxes, and I can't recommend the book and series enough!
September 29, 2025
This was my first book from this author and this series.
Sadly, I did not enjoy it.
I felt the characters were flat; there wasn't anything that hooked me in about them or the plot, for that matter.
I guessed the killer very early on, so I do not think it was much of a mystery.
Sadly, I would have to say the book did not grip me in the slightest and maybe I am not the target audience. I was left wanting so much more.
Thank you for the ARC!
Sadly, I did not enjoy it.
I felt the characters were flat; there wasn't anything that hooked me in about them or the plot, for that matter.
I guessed the killer very early on, so I do not think it was much of a mystery.
Sadly, I would have to say the book did not grip me in the slightest and maybe I am not the target audience. I was left wanting so much more.
Thank you for the ARC!
December 10, 2025
Felt quite basic - very similar to the Marlow Murders Club and the Thursday Murders Club books. Was quite easy to work out who the murderer was
October 6, 2025
If you’ve ever fantasized about solving a murder between selling porcelain cat figurines and arguing over who used the last of the biscuit tin, welcome to The Christmas Market Murder. It’s the sixth installment of Peter Boland’s Charity Shop Detective Agency series, and the ladies are back. Yes, there’s murder. And yes, there’s enough petty local politics to power an entire EastEnders Christmas special.
Southbourne is supposed to be decked in fairy lights and festive vibes, but instead it’s serving rainy seaside dread and a side of stalking. No, literally. There's a “Southbourne Stalker” on the loose bonking people over the head, and tourism has tanked faster than a soggy mince pie. The town’s last hope? A twee little Christmas market thrown together like a bake sale in hell.
But before you can say “two-for-one on handmade beeswax candles,” there’s a scream, a locked cabin, and a dead body that the police immediately brush off as suicide. Because of course they do. The victim’s son, Scott, isn’t buying it, mainly because his dad was a walking chaos gremlin, and the cabin was suspiciously pristine. Like, murder-scene-sanitized pristine.
Enter our chaotic good queens: Fiona (the sensible one who still gets crushes like a teenager), Daisy (sunshine with access to crime scene photos), and Partial Sue (retired accountant turned menace to criminals and public decency alike). They’re back behind the counter at the “Dogs Need Nice Homes” charity shop, and also? Back on their cozy crime BS. Because if the police won’t solve a murder in the middle of a Christmas market, three women with knitting needles and no chill absolutely will.
Is the locked-room mystery satisfying? Oh, it's delicious. Not only do they poke at every possible "how’d-they-get-out" theory like it’s a plate of suspect sausage rolls, but Boland actually sticks the landing. The reveal is twisty enough to make Poirot lean in. Plus, there's that parallel thread about the stalker which, bless its little Grinchy heart, felt like a separate Lifetime movie snuck into the plot. But weirdly? It works. You’re getting two mysteries for the price of one, and neither overstays their welcome.
Now let’s talk vibes, because the balance of cozy and creepy here is chef’s kiss. It’s got just enough small-town menace to feel dangerous, but not so much that you can’t still picture yourself wrapped in a cardigan and sipping spiced cider while it all goes down. Bonus points for the community-center mean girl energy, the aggressively suspicious candle seller, and every interaction with the rival charity shop owner who is clearly the Regina George of Southbourne.
Is this the strongest book in the series? Eh, not quite. It leans a little too hard on exposition up front, and if you haven’t read the earlier books (cough, cough, me), it might take a hot minute to clock who’s who in this trio of amateur sleuths and which one is most likely to stab you with a knitting needle (Sue. Probably Sue). But by the halfway mark, the pace clicks into place and it’s pure, chaotic joy from there.
I gave it a cozy, candlelit 3.5 stars, mostly because I love a holiday murder that knows it’s a little silly but never forgets to land the emotional beats. Grief, aging, community, and the way friendship keeps you upright when everything else is sideways? It’s all here, snuggled under layers of festive mischief.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Solving a Murder Between Charity Shop Shifts and Still Making It to the Pub Before Last Call
Big thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the ARC! Picking up with A Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries on the sixth book in the series was a wild life choice, but here we are and honestly? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Chaos, crimes, and charity shop sleuths forever.
Southbourne is supposed to be decked in fairy lights and festive vibes, but instead it’s serving rainy seaside dread and a side of stalking. No, literally. There's a “Southbourne Stalker” on the loose bonking people over the head, and tourism has tanked faster than a soggy mince pie. The town’s last hope? A twee little Christmas market thrown together like a bake sale in hell.
But before you can say “two-for-one on handmade beeswax candles,” there’s a scream, a locked cabin, and a dead body that the police immediately brush off as suicide. Because of course they do. The victim’s son, Scott, isn’t buying it, mainly because his dad was a walking chaos gremlin, and the cabin was suspiciously pristine. Like, murder-scene-sanitized pristine.
Enter our chaotic good queens: Fiona (the sensible one who still gets crushes like a teenager), Daisy (sunshine with access to crime scene photos), and Partial Sue (retired accountant turned menace to criminals and public decency alike). They’re back behind the counter at the “Dogs Need Nice Homes” charity shop, and also? Back on their cozy crime BS. Because if the police won’t solve a murder in the middle of a Christmas market, three women with knitting needles and no chill absolutely will.
Is the locked-room mystery satisfying? Oh, it's delicious. Not only do they poke at every possible "how’d-they-get-out" theory like it’s a plate of suspect sausage rolls, but Boland actually sticks the landing. The reveal is twisty enough to make Poirot lean in. Plus, there's that parallel thread about the stalker which, bless its little Grinchy heart, felt like a separate Lifetime movie snuck into the plot. But weirdly? It works. You’re getting two mysteries for the price of one, and neither overstays their welcome.
Now let’s talk vibes, because the balance of cozy and creepy here is chef’s kiss. It’s got just enough small-town menace to feel dangerous, but not so much that you can’t still picture yourself wrapped in a cardigan and sipping spiced cider while it all goes down. Bonus points for the community-center mean girl energy, the aggressively suspicious candle seller, and every interaction with the rival charity shop owner who is clearly the Regina George of Southbourne.
Is this the strongest book in the series? Eh, not quite. It leans a little too hard on exposition up front, and if you haven’t read the earlier books (cough, cough, me), it might take a hot minute to clock who’s who in this trio of amateur sleuths and which one is most likely to stab you with a knitting needle (Sue. Probably Sue). But by the halfway mark, the pace clicks into place and it’s pure, chaotic joy from there.
I gave it a cozy, candlelit 3.5 stars, mostly because I love a holiday murder that knows it’s a little silly but never forgets to land the emotional beats. Grief, aging, community, and the way friendship keeps you upright when everything else is sideways? It’s all here, snuggled under layers of festive mischief.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Solving a Murder Between Charity Shop Shifts and Still Making It to the Pub Before Last Call
Big thanks to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the ARC! Picking up with A Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries on the sixth book in the series was a wild life choice, but here we are and honestly? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Chaos, crimes, and charity shop sleuths forever.
September 22, 2025
The holiday season in Southbourne is supposed to be filled with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and the aroma of mulled wine—but this year, the Christmas market has an unexpected guest: murder. When a vendor is found dead in a locked cabin, the police are quick to label it a suicide. Not convinced, the town turns to an unusual team of detectives: Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue, retirees who spend their days running a local dog charity shop. With sharp minds, witty banter, and a knack for sleuthing, this trio dives into the mystery, navigating jealous shopkeepers, eccentric locals, and the looming threat of the Southbourne Stalker.
This latest installment in Boland’s series is a cozy, festive whodunnit with all the charm and suspense fans could hope for. The characters are delightfully quirky and well-developed—Partial Sue’s deadpan humor had me chuckling, Fiona’s determination kept me hooked, and Daisy’s optimism balanced the tension perfectly. Boland’s depiction of the Christmas market is immersive, full of festive details that make you feel like you’re wandering the stalls alongside the characters.
The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, combining the locked-room challenge with holiday chaos and community intrigue. While some twists may be predictable for seasoned cozy mystery readers, the book maintains a satisfying balance of suspense, warmth, and humor. Even as the ladies untangle the clues, Boland keeps the stakes high and the atmosphere engaging, making it hard to put the book down.
Fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series will feel right at home here, though Boland’s tone is slightly less humorous and more focused on the charming small-town setting. It works beautifully, providing a cozy yet suspenseful reading experience. Whether you’re new to Southbourne or a long-time fan, The Christmas Market Murder delivers an entertaining, heartwarming, and twisty holiday read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Peter Boland for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This latest installment in Boland’s series is a cozy, festive whodunnit with all the charm and suspense fans could hope for. The characters are delightfully quirky and well-developed—Partial Sue’s deadpan humor had me chuckling, Fiona’s determination kept me hooked, and Daisy’s optimism balanced the tension perfectly. Boland’s depiction of the Christmas market is immersive, full of festive details that make you feel like you’re wandering the stalls alongside the characters.
The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, combining the locked-room challenge with holiday chaos and community intrigue. While some twists may be predictable for seasoned cozy mystery readers, the book maintains a satisfying balance of suspense, warmth, and humor. Even as the ladies untangle the clues, Boland keeps the stakes high and the atmosphere engaging, making it hard to put the book down.
Fans of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series will feel right at home here, though Boland’s tone is slightly less humorous and more focused on the charming small-town setting. It works beautifully, providing a cozy yet suspenseful reading experience. Whether you’re new to Southbourne or a long-time fan, The Christmas Market Murder delivers an entertaining, heartwarming, and twisty holiday read.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Peter Boland for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 15, 2025
I enjoyed this latest in the series. Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are front and center in this one and all three get a lot of face time whereas I felt that Fiona was the primary focus in the last book, to its detriment. The ladies are working together better than ever, as opposed to the bickering in the previous novel. Their teamwork was really necessary in catching a murderer. My only complaint is that there was a fair bit of down time as they stared at a miniature model of the crime scene that did little to move the plot along. But I did like this one better than the last.
Clive is found dead inside his locked Christmas market stall and the police rule it a suicide. His son, Scott, isn’t so sure and he hires the ladies to look into it. Additionally, they are hired by an insurance agent to confirm that the payout would be warranted. Their first suspects are the local shop owners who were upset that the Christmas market was taking their business. But in reality business is down because of the stalker that is terrorizing people who are out at night. And both shop owners have an alibi. The women question if Scott could have done it but decide that it wasn’t him. They stare at a miniature model of the stall to try to figure out how a person could have gotten out and learn that someone with a drill made for removing lug nuts could have done it by removing a wall and then replacing it. Tony and his son, Joe, run a car garage just across the street. Their big break comes when a young man admits to seeing the killer, who turns out to be the stalker. Joe was the stalker and Clive recognized him so Clive had to be kept quiet. Tony and Joe used their mechanical jacks to move the stall into the garage where they removed a wall, strung Clive up to make it look like a suicide, replaced the wall and moved the stall back to the market. A clever solution. The insurance agent who hired the ladies was a ruse too. She was really Joe’s mom who wanted to know if anyone could ID her son.
Clive is found dead inside his locked Christmas market stall and the police rule it a suicide. His son, Scott, isn’t so sure and he hires the ladies to look into it. Additionally, they are hired by an insurance agent to confirm that the payout would be warranted. Their first suspects are the local shop owners who were upset that the Christmas market was taking their business. But in reality business is down because of the stalker that is terrorizing people who are out at night. And both shop owners have an alibi. The women question if Scott could have done it but decide that it wasn’t him. They stare at a miniature model of the stall to try to figure out how a person could have gotten out and learn that someone with a drill made for removing lug nuts could have done it by removing a wall and then replacing it. Tony and his son, Joe, run a car garage just across the street. Their big break comes when a young man admits to seeing the killer, who turns out to be the stalker. Joe was the stalker and Clive recognized him so Clive had to be kept quiet. Tony and Joe used their mechanical jacks to move the stall into the garage where they removed a wall, strung Clive up to make it look like a suicide, replaced the wall and moved the stall back to the market. A clever solution. The insurance agent who hired the ladies was a ruse too. She was really Joe’s mom who wanted to know if anyone could ID her son.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2025
It’s bad enough that Southbourne has its very own stalker, hitting people over the head and stealing their valuables, but it’s also driving potential customers away from the town. With just over a month till Christmas, a festive market has been placed in the Fisherman’s Walk Park, basically a collection of garden sheds run by Malorie aka The Bulldozer in Barbour and badly aided by Sophie from The Cats Alliance charity shop. As Fiona walks through it to work early one morning, she sees that a crowd has gathered around the final shed, and Scott from the post office is panicking that his unresponsive dad Clive is inside. Sure enough, when the inner bolt is cut open, Clive is found dead and hanging from the rafters. With no suspicious signs or injuries, DI Fincher with her rather scruffy sidekick DS Thomas and the coroner decide that he took his own life. But then Daph, a freelance claims investigator, asks the charity shop detectives, Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue with all their local contacts and knowledge, to make absolutely sure that Scott was not involved and is entitled to the very hefty life insurance payout coming his way. Strangely, when they speak to Scott, he is convinced his dad was murdered and also begs them to investigate! So, a staged crime scene and a baffling locked room mystery beckons the three ladies (and one small dog). Will they solve it before the Big Day arrives?
This is another smashing story with a festive theme in the charming cosy crime series. These three amateur sleuths make a formidable team and there are also return appearances from regulars The Wicker Man, Sophie and Gail. There’s plenty of humour and some great new characters amongst the feuding shopkeepers and stallholders (the vivid Trisha from the Clay Slayers in particular was hilarious) in a clever and twisty plot that kept me guessing. A very enjoyable addition to the series!
This is another smashing story with a festive theme in the charming cosy crime series. These three amateur sleuths make a formidable team and there are also return appearances from regulars The Wicker Man, Sophie and Gail. There’s plenty of humour and some great new characters amongst the feuding shopkeepers and stallholders (the vivid Trisha from the Clay Slayers in particular was hilarious) in a clever and twisty plot that kept me guessing. A very enjoyable addition to the series!
October 15, 2025
Christmas is approaching but all is not well in the seaside town of Southbourne. For the past few months, a stalker has been following and attacking people, leaving the townsfolk afraid and to frequenting first the local pubs and other businesses and now the newly installed Christmas Market is not fairing well either. Much promised footfall and consumer spending is light on the ground just adding fuel to the fire of resentment between shops and stall holders although, to be fair, the resentment seems to be mostly two shops who had a suplus-to-requirements Christmas market cabin plonked down right in front of their businesses. And despite the best efforts of the organisers to ensure no businesses and market stall-holders were in competition with each other, this one has opened as a hot chocolate stand.
It's not long before the stall holder, is found in his stall, seemingly having taken his own life as the locals have to physically cut through the door catches, bolted from within to find him. But despite police insistence the man took his own life, Scott (his son) and the Life Insurance company are not convinced for very different reasons and before long, Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue from their Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop are on the case and what a conundrum it turns out to be.
I love a good locked room mystery and this has all the right ingredients to keep you captivated from start to end. Having read all the previous books in the series, I did have a clue as to who was responsible early on but I had no idea as to the how/why/where until all the clues started to add up. It made no difference to the enjoyment and I think I will read again as Christmas approaches.
Thanks to Joffe for the ARC in return for an honest review.
It's not long before the stall holder, is found in his stall, seemingly having taken his own life as the locals have to physically cut through the door catches, bolted from within to find him. But despite police insistence the man took his own life, Scott (his son) and the Life Insurance company are not convinced for very different reasons and before long, Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue from their Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop are on the case and what a conundrum it turns out to be.
I love a good locked room mystery and this has all the right ingredients to keep you captivated from start to end. Having read all the previous books in the series, I did have a clue as to who was responsible early on but I had no idea as to the how/why/where until all the clues started to add up. It made no difference to the enjoyment and I think I will read again as Christmas approaches.
Thanks to Joffe for the ARC in return for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
All three ladies in the detective agency are gearing up for Christmas although due to a stalker, festive spirit is down this year as people are afraid to go outside. When a local stall holder is found dead, they are enlisted to look into it.
The usual characters are all back and it was nice to see the setting in a more festive scene with the Christmas market. I wasn’t sure how successful the ladies would be with their latest case as it looks pretty much like an open and shut case with no fowl play suspected. These ladies have a knack however of getting people to open up to them and they soon start making discoveries that raises questions.
Even though this is a cosy, gentle murder mystery, the author writes in a way that never fails to hook me in and not wanting to put the book down. I was soon playing detective along with the ladies, but sadly my skills are very much lacking in this area, so I had to wait to for them to discover the truth.
The Christmas Market Murder is the perfect read to curl up with at this time of year if you particularly love a well written whodunnit with fabulously well rounded characters! Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are a great trio that bounce ideas off each other making it very much a team effort in solving cases. They certainly couldn’t do it without each other. Simon Le Bon the little dog almost feels like the mascot and I always look forward to mentions of him. I was well and truly outwitted which meant there were plenty of surprises in store. An entertaining cozy crime series with a seaside setting and a must read for fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman!
The usual characters are all back and it was nice to see the setting in a more festive scene with the Christmas market. I wasn’t sure how successful the ladies would be with their latest case as it looks pretty much like an open and shut case with no fowl play suspected. These ladies have a knack however of getting people to open up to them and they soon start making discoveries that raises questions.
Even though this is a cosy, gentle murder mystery, the author writes in a way that never fails to hook me in and not wanting to put the book down. I was soon playing detective along with the ladies, but sadly my skills are very much lacking in this area, so I had to wait to for them to discover the truth.
The Christmas Market Murder is the perfect read to curl up with at this time of year if you particularly love a well written whodunnit with fabulously well rounded characters! Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are a great trio that bounce ideas off each other making it very much a team effort in solving cases. They certainly couldn’t do it without each other. Simon Le Bon the little dog almost feels like the mascot and I always look forward to mentions of him. I was well and truly outwitted which meant there were plenty of surprises in store. An entertaining cozy crime series with a seaside setting and a must read for fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman!
October 23, 2025
Well, I'm back with another review, this time for the sixth book in The Charity Shop Detective Agency Mysteries series - and yes, I'm still needing to catch up with the first few books!!
But, it was great to be back with our ladies and having read the last 2 books, I was ready to dive straight back in.
As I've said before (and proven) these books work so well as a standalone read, so don't worry if this is your first read - it flows perfectly.
But I do now find that coming back to the ladies adds another little layer of personality to each of our main characters .....and of course good old Simon Le-Bon!
I think I have to say that this was my favourite read of the series (so far) and that's purely because I adore Christmas and anything with festive vibes.
If there's a murder and a cosy mystery to solve too - even better.
The setting for this mystery begins in the Christmas market (as the title suggests) and honestly, I'm in the mood for for all those thinking lights and sights and smells already.
I loved the descriptions of the market which took me right there in the thick of it with everyone.
But I think I'll keep out of the way of any bickering stall holders thank you!
This was another great mystery which our ladies were determined to solve again.
And another one that kept me guessing.
These are brilliant quick reads that make the perfect pick for a cosy weekend in.
I love that I can just devour the whole book over the weekend.
I can't wait for our next trip Southbourne.
But, it was great to be back with our ladies and having read the last 2 books, I was ready to dive straight back in.
As I've said before (and proven) these books work so well as a standalone read, so don't worry if this is your first read - it flows perfectly.
But I do now find that coming back to the ladies adds another little layer of personality to each of our main characters .....and of course good old Simon Le-Bon!
I think I have to say that this was my favourite read of the series (so far) and that's purely because I adore Christmas and anything with festive vibes.
If there's a murder and a cosy mystery to solve too - even better.
The setting for this mystery begins in the Christmas market (as the title suggests) and honestly, I'm in the mood for for all those thinking lights and sights and smells already.
I loved the descriptions of the market which took me right there in the thick of it with everyone.
But I think I'll keep out of the way of any bickering stall holders thank you!
This was another great mystery which our ladies were determined to solve again.
And another one that kept me guessing.
These are brilliant quick reads that make the perfect pick for a cosy weekend in.
I love that I can just devour the whole book over the weekend.
I can't wait for our next trip Southbourne.
October 13, 2025
** “I am partial to a locked-room mystery. I’ve always loved them in crime fiction, and now we’ve got one of our own, right on our doorstep. Anyone got any ideas how it was done?” **
Peter Boland once again delivers a witty and fun mystery with “The Christmas Market Murder,” a locked-room mystery.
After a series of muggings in their quaint little town, Clive Preston is found dead in his locked Christmas market stall, and some believe there is more than meets the eye. So when charity shop workers Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are asked to look into the death, they quickly become stumped. How can a man be murdered in a locked stall where no one can exit? So was he really not murdered?
Will the dynamic trio be able to figure out how Clive truly died? And will the Southbourne Stalker case be solved?
Once again, Boland does a great job of creating a fun cast of characters — both quirky and enigmatic. He also builds a fun plot filled with many roadblocks and misdirections, with the added intrigue of a locked-room mystery, the “challenge of solving the unsolvable.”
Fans of series like Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Robert Thorogood’s “The Marlow Murder Club,” as well as authors like Agatha Christie, will enjoy “The Christmas Market Murder,” which is due out Oct. 14.
Five stars out of five.
Joffe Books Ltd. provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
Peter Boland once again delivers a witty and fun mystery with “The Christmas Market Murder,” a locked-room mystery.
After a series of muggings in their quaint little town, Clive Preston is found dead in his locked Christmas market stall, and some believe there is more than meets the eye. So when charity shop workers Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are asked to look into the death, they quickly become stumped. How can a man be murdered in a locked stall where no one can exit? So was he really not murdered?
Will the dynamic trio be able to figure out how Clive truly died? And will the Southbourne Stalker case be solved?
Once again, Boland does a great job of creating a fun cast of characters — both quirky and enigmatic. He also builds a fun plot filled with many roadblocks and misdirections, with the added intrigue of a locked-room mystery, the “challenge of solving the unsolvable.”
Fans of series like Richard Osman’s “The Thursday Murder Club,” Robert Thorogood’s “The Marlow Murder Club,” as well as authors like Agatha Christie, will enjoy “The Christmas Market Murder,” which is due out Oct. 14.
Five stars out of five.
Joffe Books Ltd. provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
October 4, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
The Charity Shop Detective Agency Book 6
November in Southbourne should be twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue - the retired trio who run the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop - have little to celebrate. What with the exclusive "Southbourne Stalker" prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they're in need of a little seasonal magic. The new Christmas market seems to be the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs filled with mulled wine. Until.... Postmaster Scott Preston is trying to break into a locked cabin. His father's inside - and in terrible trouble. By the time the door is forced, it's too late. His father is dead.
A stalker is walking the streets of Southbourne. A body is found in one of the cabins. Charity shop amateur detectives, Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are approved to investigate the death of Scot Preston's father. The trio have a knack for investigating crime.
This is quite a good cosy whodunit. I like the three main characters. This is a locked-room murder - a mighty challenge for Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue. This is a heartwarming Christmas read.
Published 14th October 2025
I would like to thank #NetGaalley #JoffeBooks and the author #PeterBoland for my ARC of #TheChristmasMarketMurder in exchange for an honest review.
The Charity Shop Detective Agency Book 6
November in Southbourne should be twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue - the retired trio who run the Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop - have little to celebrate. What with the exclusive "Southbourne Stalker" prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they're in need of a little seasonal magic. The new Christmas market seems to be the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs filled with mulled wine. Until.... Postmaster Scott Preston is trying to break into a locked cabin. His father's inside - and in terrible trouble. By the time the door is forced, it's too late. His father is dead.
A stalker is walking the streets of Southbourne. A body is found in one of the cabins. Charity shop amateur detectives, Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are approved to investigate the death of Scot Preston's father. The trio have a knack for investigating crime.
This is quite a good cosy whodunit. I like the three main characters. This is a locked-room murder - a mighty challenge for Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue. This is a heartwarming Christmas read.
Published 14th October 2025
I would like to thank #NetGaalley #JoffeBooks and the author #PeterBoland for my ARC of #TheChristmasMarketMurder in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2025
Festive cheer meets fiendish mystery in this delightfully twisty tale set in the heart of Southbourne’s seaside charm. The Christmas Market Murder is everything you’d hope for in a cozy crime: twinkling lights, steaming mulled wine, and a murder that’s anything but merry.
Peter Boland introduces us to Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue—three retired women with sharp minds and soft hearts, running a charity shop with more bite than baubles. Their chemistry is warm and witty, and their sleuthing skills are as finely tuned as any seasoned detective’s. When a body turns up in a locked cabin at the town’s new Christmas market, the trio must untangle a mystery knottier than a box of last year’s fairy lights.
The setting sparkles with seasonal atmosphere, from cinnamon-scented stalls to the lurking menace of the so-called Southbourne Stalker. Boland balances humor and suspense with ease, crafting a story that’s as cozy as a woolen scarf but never short on intrigue.
Fans of Richard Osman and Janice Hallett will feel right at home here. It’s a perfect fireside read—clever, charming, and just dark enough to keep the pages turning.
With thanks to Peter Boland, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Peter Boland introduces us to Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue—three retired women with sharp minds and soft hearts, running a charity shop with more bite than baubles. Their chemistry is warm and witty, and their sleuthing skills are as finely tuned as any seasoned detective’s. When a body turns up in a locked cabin at the town’s new Christmas market, the trio must untangle a mystery knottier than a box of last year’s fairy lights.
The setting sparkles with seasonal atmosphere, from cinnamon-scented stalls to the lurking menace of the so-called Southbourne Stalker. Boland balances humor and suspense with ease, crafting a story that’s as cozy as a woolen scarf but never short on intrigue.
Fans of Richard Osman and Janice Hallett will feel right at home here. It’s a perfect fireside read—clever, charming, and just dark enough to keep the pages turning.
With thanks to Peter Boland, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
September 29, 2025
We are back with the ladies from the charity shop detective agency, the ones who work at “ Dogs Need Nice Homes” shop in Southbourne. In the run up to Christmas a small market has been installed to attract more business as in the year there has been “ The Southbourne stalker” someone who has been following people, hitting them over the head and then robbing them, so people have been more wary of going out. When one of the market traders is found dead, it looks like suicide. However two parties want more information and the ladies are in a perfect position to do this. Was it murder and if so how was it done in a locked shed?
I can't say how much I enjoy these books. My only gripe is that I finish them too quickly as they are so captivating. There’s a brilliant sense of humour running through them with some cracking one liners and names that make me laugh out loud. It's an uplifting read (despite being a murder investigation) that doesn't take itself too seriously but has been so carefully written by a brilliantly skilled author. Please write more! A read I can’t recommend highly enough if you want an escape from life, and an uplifting one with lots of smiles along the way. Brilliant and every other superlative
I can't say how much I enjoy these books. My only gripe is that I finish them too quickly as they are so captivating. There’s a brilliant sense of humour running through them with some cracking one liners and names that make me laugh out loud. It's an uplifting read (despite being a murder investigation) that doesn't take itself too seriously but has been so carefully written by a brilliantly skilled author. Please write more! A read I can’t recommend highly enough if you want an escape from life, and an uplifting one with lots of smiles along the way. Brilliant and every other superlative
October 10, 2025
November in Southbourne should be all twinkly lights and festive cheer, but Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue have little to celebrate. What with the elusive ‘Southbourne Stalker’ prowling the streets of their sleepy seaside town, they’re in need of a little seasonal magic. The new Christmas market seems the perfect tonic: fairy lights in the pines, the scent of cinnamon on the air, and mugs of steaming mulled wine. Until Postmaster Scott Preston tries to break into a locked cabin. His father’s inside. By the time the door is forced, it’s too late. His father is dead. The police say he took his own life. But Scott can’t believe that’s true.
The sixth outing for the Charity shop ladies, whilst it could be read on its own I think to fully appreciate it then the series needs to be read in order. I do like Fiona, Daisy & Partial Sue & really like the dynamics between them. The case was intriguing & there are the usual twists, turns & red herrings. Unfortunately this time I did guess who the villain was but not the reasons why but this didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book. A well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The sixth outing for the Charity shop ladies, whilst it could be read on its own I think to fully appreciate it then the series needs to be read in order. I do like Fiona, Daisy & Partial Sue & really like the dynamics between them. The case was intriguing & there are the usual twists, turns & red herrings. Unfortunately this time I did guess who the villain was but not the reasons why but this didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book. A well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
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November 24, 2025Check out my ratings of ALL the new Christmas mysteries here on Jen Ryland Reviews
If Christmas cozies are more your style, check out my ratings of New 2025 Cozy Christmas mysteries here on Jen Ryland Reviews
Yes, this is book 6 in a series, but I could follow along just fine.
Publication date: October 14, 2025 by Joffe Books. Thanks to them for my advance review copy.
"> Jen Ryland Reviews
While this seems like a cozy mystery. It's set in Dorset and features a trio of women who run a charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes, that benefits animal adoptions. But their charming town is also being terrorized by the Southborne stalker, and there's a death that's a bit gruesome. So I moved this out of the cozy category. Especially for Christmas! I'd call The Christmas Market Murder more of a classic mystery. I also thought the plot was a lot more intricate and interesting than that of the average cozy mystery.
Yes, this is book 6 in a series, but I could follow along just fine.
Publication date: October 14, 2025 by Joffe Books. Thanks to them for my advance review copy.
If Christmas cozies are more your style, check out my ratings of New 2025 Cozy Christmas mysteries here on Jen Ryland Reviews
Yes, this is book 6 in a series, but I could follow along just fine.
Publication date: October 14, 2025 by Joffe Books. Thanks to them for my advance review copy.
"> Jen Ryland Reviews
While this seems like a cozy mystery. It's set in Dorset and features a trio of women who run a charity shop called Dogs Need Nice Homes, that benefits animal adoptions. But their charming town is also being terrorized by the Southborne stalker, and there's a death that's a bit gruesome. So I moved this out of the cozy category. Especially for Christmas! I'd call The Christmas Market Murder more of a classic mystery. I also thought the plot was a lot more intricate and interesting than that of the average cozy mystery.
Yes, this is book 6 in a series, but I could follow along just fine.
Publication date: October 14, 2025 by Joffe Books. Thanks to them for my advance review copy.
October 2, 2025
The Christmas Market Murder is a festive cozy mystery that delivers everything I want in a holiday whodunnit: charm, humor, a clever puzzle, and just the right touch of seasonal sparkle.
Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue—the delightful trio of amateur sleuths—once again prove irresistible. Their banter, quirks, and fierce loyalty to each other make them the perfect team to take on a mystery that starts at the town’s Christmas market. What begins as twinkling lights and mulled wine quickly turns sinister with a locked-room death that doesn’t quite add up. From there, the investigation unfolds with red herrings, sharp wit, and plenty of festive atmosphere.
I especially loved how Boland balances the coziness of mince pies and cinnamon-scented markets with the intrigue of a cleverly constructed murder. The locked-cabin setup felt fresh, and the pacing kept me hooked right through to the satisfying reveal.
This series continues to shine, and this installment may be my favorite yet. Perfect for fans of witty, festive mysteries à la Murder, She Wrote with a holiday twist. Curl up with a blanket, some cocoa, and let this book transport you straight to Southbourne’s Christmas market.
Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue—the delightful trio of amateur sleuths—once again prove irresistible. Their banter, quirks, and fierce loyalty to each other make them the perfect team to take on a mystery that starts at the town’s Christmas market. What begins as twinkling lights and mulled wine quickly turns sinister with a locked-room death that doesn’t quite add up. From there, the investigation unfolds with red herrings, sharp wit, and plenty of festive atmosphere.
I especially loved how Boland balances the coziness of mince pies and cinnamon-scented markets with the intrigue of a cleverly constructed murder. The locked-cabin setup felt fresh, and the pacing kept me hooked right through to the satisfying reveal.
This series continues to shine, and this installment may be my favorite yet. Perfect for fans of witty, festive mysteries à la Murder, She Wrote with a holiday twist. Curl up with a blanket, some cocoa, and let this book transport you straight to Southbourne’s Christmas market.
October 12, 2025
For me it was the first book read of the series of Charity shop mysteries and it didn't disappoint.
A Christmas market: the lights, the food, the happiness, what could possibly go wrong?
A lot of things: a mysterious stalker is terrorizing the streets, hiding in the dark corners of the night like a shadow. And second, but not less important, Clive Preston is found dead in his cabin. Suicide, apparently. But it is?
I enjoyed the fast-paced rythm of the narration; chapters are not so long, so it's easy to follow all the events. The relations and interactions between the 3 elderly ladies are cute and funny to read. Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are not so complex characters, but good for the story; they help each other and their investigation's method is peculiar but functional. Also liked the dogs mention in the reading.
About the main plot : I found it interesting and well written: a mix of mystery, betrayal, with a lot of suspects and motives. I just watched The Thursday murder club movie and this book reminds its cozy vibes, so if you have read or watched the movie you may also enjoy this one.
In my opinion it's a little bit long, I prefer shorter mysteries, but it was evenly good.
Plus, it's a perfect reading both for fall or christmas days.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy and I think I may read other books of the series!
A Christmas market: the lights, the food, the happiness, what could possibly go wrong?
A lot of things: a mysterious stalker is terrorizing the streets, hiding in the dark corners of the night like a shadow. And second, but not less important, Clive Preston is found dead in his cabin. Suicide, apparently. But it is?
I enjoyed the fast-paced rythm of the narration; chapters are not so long, so it's easy to follow all the events. The relations and interactions between the 3 elderly ladies are cute and funny to read. Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue are not so complex characters, but good for the story; they help each other and their investigation's method is peculiar but functional. Also liked the dogs mention in the reading.
About the main plot : I found it interesting and well written: a mix of mystery, betrayal, with a lot of suspects and motives. I just watched The Thursday murder club movie and this book reminds its cozy vibes, so if you have read or watched the movie you may also enjoy this one.
In my opinion it's a little bit long, I prefer shorter mysteries, but it was evenly good.
Plus, it's a perfect reading both for fall or christmas days.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy and I think I may read other books of the series!
October 22, 2025
I never realised this was part of a series until I saw the competition over on @joffebooks page for it. It can be read as a standalone, which is what I did but I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series. I need to see what Fiona, Sue and Daisy have gotten up to before 😂😂
The Christmas market has opened in their town and although there’s some arguments with vendors and shopkeepers, it’s pretty cheery. Until one morning Scott can’t get ahold of his dad Clive. He seems to be locked inside his market stall. With the help of Tony the local mechanic, Scott is able to break open the door and inside is a tragedy.
When the insurance company start asking the three women to investigate, they start to discover some crazy things and theories of what happened become more outlandish. Or maybe they’re right 🤔🤔
I loved this one. It has the right amount of pace that you can work out what’s happening. You feel like you are solving the murder with Fiona, Sue & Daisy. You feel like you’re a member of their gang.
I worked out the murderer about 20 pages before it was revealed. I did however guess the method of murder pretty early. That was the only two notes I wrote down “this is what probably happened” “probably this person”. Obviously I was so invested in the book that I didn’t take notes 🥰😂
Excited to see what the gang has been up to in the past and I’ll be looking out for this series in the future 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
The Christmas market has opened in their town and although there’s some arguments with vendors and shopkeepers, it’s pretty cheery. Until one morning Scott can’t get ahold of his dad Clive. He seems to be locked inside his market stall. With the help of Tony the local mechanic, Scott is able to break open the door and inside is a tragedy.
When the insurance company start asking the three women to investigate, they start to discover some crazy things and theories of what happened become more outlandish. Or maybe they’re right 🤔🤔
I loved this one. It has the right amount of pace that you can work out what’s happening. You feel like you are solving the murder with Fiona, Sue & Daisy. You feel like you’re a member of their gang.
I worked out the murderer about 20 pages before it was revealed. I did however guess the method of murder pretty early. That was the only two notes I wrote down “this is what probably happened” “probably this person”. Obviously I was so invested in the book that I didn’t take notes 🥰😂
Excited to see what the gang has been up to in the past and I’ll be looking out for this series in the future 💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️💁🏻♀️
November 19, 2025
Fiona , Daisy and Partial Sue the Charity Shop Detectives are back with a very perplexing case .
It’s Christmas time and Southborne has its own Christmas market , this doesn’t please all of the local retailers but adds the festive cheer .
The ladies at the Dogs need nice homes charity shop are getting ready for Christmas but along with the local residents they have a worry about the Southbourne Stalker .
The stalker preys on his victims hits them on the head and robs them , the police are no nearer catching the perpetrator.
The local post master Scott has found his father dead , locked in one of the cabins on the market .
It appears that his father has killed himself , Scott can’t believe this .
The ladies begin their investigation in their own unique way .
The characters are likeable and there is plenty of humour.
The writing is excellent and all of this combined makes for an easy and enjoyable read.
I suggest you get yourself a hot drink sit back and lose yourself in the world of the charity shop detectives, you won’t be disappointed!
An enjoyable cosy mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books .
It’s Christmas time and Southborne has its own Christmas market , this doesn’t please all of the local retailers but adds the festive cheer .
The ladies at the Dogs need nice homes charity shop are getting ready for Christmas but along with the local residents they have a worry about the Southbourne Stalker .
The stalker preys on his victims hits them on the head and robs them , the police are no nearer catching the perpetrator.
The local post master Scott has found his father dead , locked in one of the cabins on the market .
It appears that his father has killed himself , Scott can’t believe this .
The ladies begin their investigation in their own unique way .
The characters are likeable and there is plenty of humour.
The writing is excellent and all of this combined makes for an easy and enjoyable read.
I suggest you get yourself a hot drink sit back and lose yourself in the world of the charity shop detectives, you won’t be disappointed!
An enjoyable cosy mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books .
September 4, 2025
A very British cozy murder
Thankyou to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC my review given voluntarily.
The Christmas Market Murder has everything you'd expect from a cozy English murder mystery—quirky characters, rainy weather, endless cups of tea, and even a dog charmingly named Simon Le Bon. The homegrown reader will delight in the cultural references and our unique sense of humour, while other readers will gain valuable insights into what our country holds dear. Unlike many similar books, this one avoids a bucolic setting and instead focuses on a gritty small-town high street struggling to survive, which makes it stand out in a very crowded market.
The main and supporting characters are well-developed and delightful. The story stacks up nicely. Locked room mysteries are challenging to execute, and the various possibilities that are explored and ruled out showcase this effectively.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC my review given voluntarily.
The Christmas Market Murder has everything you'd expect from a cozy English murder mystery—quirky characters, rainy weather, endless cups of tea, and even a dog charmingly named Simon Le Bon. The homegrown reader will delight in the cultural references and our unique sense of humour, while other readers will gain valuable insights into what our country holds dear. Unlike many similar books, this one avoids a bucolic setting and instead focuses on a gritty small-town high street struggling to survive, which makes it stand out in a very crowded market.
The main and supporting characters are well-developed and delightful. The story stacks up nicely. Locked room mysteries are challenging to execute, and the various possibilities that are explored and ruled out showcase this effectively.
October 8, 2025
The three charity shop ladies are at it again. Doing what they do best, nattering , drinking tea, eating cakes and sleuthing!
On the streets of Southbourne, fear reigns as a stalker is on the prowl! local traders are convinced that this is ruining their Christmas trade!
To make matters worse, in one of the Bavarian style Christmas market cabins, a man is found hanging. The cabin had been locked from the inside, and the death was ruled suicide by the police. His son is convinced otherwise. An insurance assessor also wants answers before a life policy payout is made.
Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue, with their reputation as super sleuths, are called on to investigate.
Can they solve the mystery and get closure for the victims son and restore the publics confidence.
Some great new characters and endless cups of tea and hilarious scenes follow to make this latest in the charity shop mysteries a great read.
On the streets of Southbourne, fear reigns as a stalker is on the prowl! local traders are convinced that this is ruining their Christmas trade!
To make matters worse, in one of the Bavarian style Christmas market cabins, a man is found hanging. The cabin had been locked from the inside, and the death was ruled suicide by the police. His son is convinced otherwise. An insurance assessor also wants answers before a life policy payout is made.
Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue, with their reputation as super sleuths, are called on to investigate.
Can they solve the mystery and get closure for the victims son and restore the publics confidence.
Some great new characters and endless cups of tea and hilarious scenes follow to make this latest in the charity shop mysteries a great read.
August 31, 2025
There is a stalker in Southbourne and now a murder? A hot chocolate vendor is found hanging in his stall. In all appearances it seems like nothing more than a suicide but the ladies are asked to investigate by two different people, including the man's son who doesn't believe his father killed himself. Can they solve the mystery so the good people of Southbourne can enjoy the rest of the Christmas season?
I love this series and the women from Dogs Need Nice Homes. Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue work so well together even when they don't necessarily agree with the other's takes on what might have happened. I had an idea early on about what was going on and while I was partly right, I didn't fully guess the ending. I always enjoy visiting Southbourne and very much enjoyed this locked room mystery!
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
I love this series and the women from Dogs Need Nice Homes. Fiona, Daisy, and Partial Sue work so well together even when they don't necessarily agree with the other's takes on what might have happened. I had an idea early on about what was going on and while I was partly right, I didn't fully guess the ending. I always enjoy visiting Southbourne and very much enjoyed this locked room mystery!
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.
September 30, 2025
Brilliant! Having grown up in Southbourne, with it's numerous charity shops, I always feel that I'm right there with Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue, when I read Peter Boland's books. In fact, I can smell the charity shop and I've chosen which one it is and picture it so clearly!
The Christmas market is in full swing, but the festive joy is short-lived when one of the market traders is found to have taken his own life inside his locked cabin. The ladies are alerted to the fact that it may not have been suicide and set out to investigate. There is also the matter of the Southbourne Stalker to deal with, and deal with it they do, in their inimitable style and with their usual hilarity. There are some clever and cunning twists and the plot is another corker. I loved it!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Peter Boland and Joffe for an ARC of this book.
The Christmas market is in full swing, but the festive joy is short-lived when one of the market traders is found to have taken his own life inside his locked cabin. The ladies are alerted to the fact that it may not have been suicide and set out to investigate. There is also the matter of the Southbourne Stalker to deal with, and deal with it they do, in their inimitable style and with their usual hilarity. There are some clever and cunning twists and the plot is another corker. I loved it!
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Peter Boland and Joffe for an ARC of this book.
October 8, 2025
This is book 5 in the series, and it's been interesting to see how the ladies are evolving in their relationships to each other, and to how they divvy up the actions needed when solving a case. This time the case doesn't involve one of them, but is brought to them, after a death at the local Christmas market. Ask to help an insurance company determine it was suicide, to keep from paying out the life insurance, and also asked by the deceased's son, to prove it wasn't, the trio has a job to prove it one way or the other. As more things keep happening to affect the market, they have to figure out if it's all connected, and the murderer is trying to cover their tracks. This one will keep you guessing a bit-how could the murder have committed the crime? Perfect as a stand alone book, this one will make you want to go back and read the rest in the series!
October 8, 2025
Another fantastic instalment in the series. Another case for Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue to solve. A case that looks seemingly straightforward but isn't. An apparent suicide. Who better to investigate when all is not as it seems. I love the style of these books in the series and this was a fantastic read. I love how this group of women get to the bottom of things. With tenacious minds and suspicions. Often with some comedy they ask the questions that may be a little unorthodox. As a reader you feel part of the team. Gathered around the table drinking tea speculating about apparent motives. Its so entertaining. The storyline moves along nicely with everything slotting into place. Then the conclusion...brilliant. I highly recommend this book. I also highly recommend you read the series. You will not be disappointed.
October 14, 2025
A Christmas book in October? Yes please!
When this tour came up, I had to jump on it. The Charity Shop Detective Agency is my wife’s favourite book series and I’ve heard a lot about it!
The series follows a group of women called Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue but we can’t forget Fiona’s pup Simon Le Bon. They work at the charity shop Dogs Need Nice Homes but they have a penchant for solving crimes in their town!
I really enjoyed this book, it was right up my street. I LOVED the characters, they were all so funny and written so well. It’s definitely made me want to read the rest of the series.
It’s definitely a cosy crime read perfect for this time of year.
Partial Sue is an icon, if you know, you know!
I recommend this to anyone who loves a murder mystery!
Thank you Zooloosbooktours and Peter for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 4 stars!
When this tour came up, I had to jump on it. The Charity Shop Detective Agency is my wife’s favourite book series and I’ve heard a lot about it!
The series follows a group of women called Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue but we can’t forget Fiona’s pup Simon Le Bon. They work at the charity shop Dogs Need Nice Homes but they have a penchant for solving crimes in their town!
I really enjoyed this book, it was right up my street. I LOVED the characters, they were all so funny and written so well. It’s definitely made me want to read the rest of the series.
It’s definitely a cosy crime read perfect for this time of year.
Partial Sue is an icon, if you know, you know!
I recommend this to anyone who loves a murder mystery!
Thank you Zooloosbooktours and Peter for letting me be a part of this tour!
I give this 4 stars!
October 9, 2025
4.5 Stars
There is a new Christmas market in Southbourne in Dorset, but not everyone is too pleased about it. When one of the stall holders is found dead, in his Christmas cabin which is locked from the inside, police believe it is suicide, but his son is not convinced and asks the charity shop ladies, (who have successfully solved several crimes, if they will help). First though, Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue, who run the Dogs need Nice Homes charity shop, need to work out that if it was murder, how did the killer leave the cabin with it locked from the inside. I always enjoy these books but this time it as lost just half a star as I didn't feel the relationship between the three was quite as good as usual. Still a good read though.
There is a new Christmas market in Southbourne in Dorset, but not everyone is too pleased about it. When one of the stall holders is found dead, in his Christmas cabin which is locked from the inside, police believe it is suicide, but his son is not convinced and asks the charity shop ladies, (who have successfully solved several crimes, if they will help). First though, Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue, who run the Dogs need Nice Homes charity shop, need to work out that if it was murder, how did the killer leave the cabin with it locked from the inside. I always enjoy these books but this time it as lost just half a star as I didn't feel the relationship between the three was quite as good as usual. Still a good read though.
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