The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives: A brand-new and utterly addictive cozy crime British mystery

by Jenny Kane

Don't miss this brand-new cozy crime mystery series, perfect for fans of Clare Chase and Peter Boland - available to pre-order now!

There's some fishy business happening in the idyllic Cornish village of Mousehole. As a killer begins to make waves, can these new amateur detectives solve the mystery?

Maggie Tyson loves living in the utterly charming village, Mousehole. She spends her days walking the local coastal paths, solving the latest crossword puzzle, and working in the small town's only fish and chip shop.

Looking for a fresh start, Ryan Stepney is in desperate need of a job, and stumbles across a vacancy at the chip shop.

When a body is found by the harbour, shock ripples through the village. And as Ryan was the last person seen talking to the victim, he becomes the number one suspect in the investigation.

Maggie is certain that her new colleague had nothing to do with the murder, so swaps her apron for a magnifying glass, and starts to investigate herself.

Can Maggie prove Ryan's innocence and reel in the killer, before they strike again?

The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives
Forty-eight-year-old Maggie is a lover of puzzles. When she's not working at Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, she can be found on her sofa, nursing a cup of tea and solving the latest mystery thrown at the detectives in Death in Paradise, Midsommer Murders and more. Maggie finds an unlikely friend in Ryan, a recent graduate who has just moved to Mousehole and is trying to figure out what to do with his life. Together, they serve up the best fish and chips Cornwall has to offer, with an occasional helping of mystery solving on the side.

The Setting
Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, known for its scenic harbour, winding streets, and tiny sandy beach. It's also home to Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, the only chippy in town. Tourists and locals alike enjoy a battered cod whilst admiring the calm waterfront. Mr Robbins, the owner, is notoriously private - no one knows much about him. Perhaps that's another mystery for our Fish and Chip Shop Detectives to solve...

Genres: Cozy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 2, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been far too long since I last read a Jenny Kane book, but when I discovered she was writing a brand new series and it's called The Fish and Chip shop detectives I knew I wasn't going to be able to resist.

And I'm so glad I have found the start of this new cosy mystery series set in Mousehole, Cornwall.

Maggie and Ryan have barely met and started to get to know each other in any context, when Ryan shares a table in a pub with Tanya, and she winds up dead.

Maggie is determined to trust her gut and help try to clear Ryan's name, after the initial suspicion seems to be landing in his direction.

And this leads them into learning all about the deceased's friendship group, an unexpected connection back to Ryan himself, and a whole lot of lies and secrets.

I kind of guessed one part of it, but not even that was completely accurate. I enjoyed seeing how Maggie operated, she has a heart of gold, an desire to help people and a puzzler's brain.

From sticky situations, to some great theories, this was an enjoyable story. And I'm already looking forward to seeing that these characters will be up to net.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives is a charming, seaside‑soaked cozy mystery that feels like slipping into a warm cardigan on a blustery Cornish day. Jenny Kane introduces a duo I didn’t know I needed: Maggie, a puzzle‑loving forty‑something with a sharp mind and a soft heart, and Ryan, a recent graduate trying to find his footing in the world. Their unlikely friendship becomes the gentle heartbeat of the story.

Set in the picturesque village of Mousehole, the book leans fully into its coastal atmosphere—harbour views, winding streets, and the comforting hum of the local chippy. When a body is discovered and suspicion lands on Ryan, Maggie steps out from behind the counter and into amateur‑sleuth territory, determined to uncover the truth.

The mystery itself is light, engaging, and pleasantly twisty without ever losing its cozy charm. What really shines is the sense of community and the easy warmth between the characters. It’s the kind of story that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea and a quiet afternoon.

With thanks to Jenny Kane, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives” the first instalment in The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives Mystery series by Jenny Kane set in Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, England. What a great start to a new series.

Can Maggie prove Ryan's innocence and reel in the killer, before they strike again?

This is a new to me author and I will definitely be reading more from her. I love the story and the I enjoyed the bond between Maggie and Ryan,
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming fiction. Jenny’s writing is engaging, and her characters are lovable and well-crafted. I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment.

I requested and received an advance readers copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie has always dreamed of being a detective -- she loves watching her crime shows and can usually figure out the culprit long before the end of the hour. But being a single mom kept her from pursuing higher education and she is very happy with her life working at the local chippie. But when she gets a seasonal job for Ryan, who has just come to town and has been left high and dry by his girlfriend, and Ryan is the last person known to have seen or talked to a young bride who died under suspicious circumstances, it is the perfect opportunity for her to get her real investigating chops and help save her new friend from suspicion.

A great cozy and hopefully the start of a new series! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie and Ryan make an unlikely sleuthing team in this fun, new British cozy mystery. Empty nester Maggie meets Ryan at the fish and chip shop where she works and offers him a job working with her. When he's accused of murdering a woman he had just met, Maggie makes it her mission to clear his name, with his reluctant help.
I enjoyed the friendship between Maggie and Ryan and even the mysterious Mr. Robbins. This wasn't a rushed mystery, the story was well thought out and the characters given enough development for you to feel like you know them and aren't just a bystander watching.
Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The title of the book appealed so I thought I'd take a chance, and I'm so glad I did. Loved this, look forward to more adventures!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was a lot of fun to read. The characters are well-written and the dialogue makes you feel like you really know them. This was a great book with a great story, setting and characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series. New to me author. Loved the Cornwall setting. Massive fish and chips fan. Enjoyed the mystery. Great characters. Looking forward to more in this series.

[Beachcomber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. A lovely, charming cosy mystery, we see Maggie who works in the local chippy and befriends Ryan Ed who’s moved down to Cornwall, only to be left in the lurch when his girlfriend has swanned off to Portugal without telling him. When he is the last person to see a lady who later shows up dead in the harbour, he and Maggie team up to try and solve the crime.

It’s a genuinely fun and enjoyable read (even if Maggie keeps investigating after being told to stop - wouldn’t have been much of a book if she had!), so if you like your mysteries of the cosy variety, I’d recommend this.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.