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WISE Enquiries Agency #13
The Case of the Petrified Potter
‘We were all very ordinary girls, until that day. Then nothing was ever ordinary again.’
The women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are asked to look into a tragic death that happened back in 1984: four girls visited a small Welsh mining village awash with outsiders, due to the memorial service being held in honor of its most famous son, but only three came back. With Carol leading the investigation, ably supported by Annie, they admit they’re a bit stumped, until the possibility of a promising lead arises from an unexpected quarter. But discovering if a murder was committed decades ago – and, if so, by whom – might be the least of their worries, on this occasion.
Meanwhile, Christine is finding herself challenged by her role as a new mother – yet still manages to get stuck into unravelling an even more historic puzzle dating back to Elizabethan times, and Mavis is somewhat incapacitated – meaning she falls prey to dowager duchess Althea’s machinations involving a member of her staff.
With the reopening of the Old School as an artisans’ hub in the village of Anwen-by-Wye on the horizon, as well as the prospect of a Mothering Sunday celebration that Althea’s determined no one will ever forget, it’s all go for everyone – which means that a favor Annie has promised she’ll do for Marjorie Pritchard runs the risk of being put on the back burner...not something Marjorie is pleased about.
This is the thirteenth book in this beloved series set in Wales, and – once again – our softly-poached private eyes find themselves facing a variety of cases, involving varying degrees of jeopardy...though all with the potential to prove life-changing.
The women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are asked to look into a tragic death that happened back in 1984: four girls visited a small Welsh mining village awash with outsiders, due to the memorial service being held in honor of its most famous son, but only three came back. With Carol leading the investigation, ably supported by Annie, they admit they’re a bit stumped, until the possibility of a promising lead arises from an unexpected quarter. But discovering if a murder was committed decades ago – and, if so, by whom – might be the least of their worries, on this occasion.
Meanwhile, Christine is finding herself challenged by her role as a new mother – yet still manages to get stuck into unravelling an even more historic puzzle dating back to Elizabethan times, and Mavis is somewhat incapacitated – meaning she falls prey to dowager duchess Althea’s machinations involving a member of her staff.
With the reopening of the Old School as an artisans’ hub in the village of Anwen-by-Wye on the horizon, as well as the prospect of a Mothering Sunday celebration that Althea’s determined no one will ever forget, it’s all go for everyone – which means that a favor Annie has promised she’ll do for Marjorie Pritchard runs the risk of being put on the back burner...not something Marjorie is pleased about.
This is the thirteenth book in this beloved series set in Wales, and – once again – our softly-poached private eyes find themselves facing a variety of cases, involving varying degrees of jeopardy...though all with the potential to prove life-changing.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2026
About the author
Cathy Ace
42 books389 followersCathy Ace migrated from her native Wales to Canada at the age of 40. She is the award-winning author of the traditional Cait Morgan Mysteries featuring her Welsh Canadian criminology professor sleuth who travels the world tripping over corpses, which have now been optioned for TV. She also writes the cozier WISE Enquiries Agency Mysteries featuring a quartet of female PIs who run their business out of a Welsh stately home. Both series have been well-reviewed. Her award-winning standalone, THE WRONG BOY, is a gripping novel of psychological suspense, set in Wales, and has also been optioned for TV.
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
"Ace is, well, an ace when it comes to plot and description.” The Globe and Mail
Cathy's work has won the prestigious Bony Blithe Award for best Canadian light mystery, an IPPY and an IBA Award, and has been shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Short Story.
Her short story "Dear George" appeared on the UK's O Level English Language syllabus and, together with another story, "Domestic Violence", has been produced for BBC Radio 4. You can find out more about Cathy, her books, and events she'll be attending, at www.cathyace.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 25, 2026
"The Case of the Petrified Potter" is book #13 in the "WISE Enquiries Agency" series by Cathy Ace.
Carol and Annie work tirelessly to find answers for a dying women whose younger sister died back in 1984. The pair work well together and slowly manage to pull the pieces together. Meanwhile, Christine is adjusting to motherhood and also wondering exactly what Alexander has been up to. Mavis is still recovering from the hand injury she got while she and Althea were in Scotland but she is trying to help the dowager sort out a few things in the household staffing.
The main storyline that Carol and Annie were following was an interesting journey down the rabbit hole of the past to find the truth. Finding info and some people after 40 years is a challenge. Christine and Alexander often seem to be at odds about something but their love for their newborn daughter is obvious. Althea is always up to something and using her dowager status to get something done. She can be a royal handful at times but Mavis doesn't put up with a lot of it. She does do her best to keep the dowager in some form of check but with the supposed teasing that Althea tosses her way about male suitors it can get a bit much.
I love the relationship between Carol and David as well as Annie and Tudor. The support the couples give their partners is great. My heart really went out to Annie as she reacted to some hurtful words from various people during the investigation.
The reopening of the Old School as an artisans hub was well done. The events and conversations around Mothering Sunday were a great reflection on mothers and their families.
The result of the side story with Marjorie was pretty much what I expected it to be! So good! Henry and Stephanie still seem like such an odd match but it works.
It's always an interesting and entertaining read with the ladies of the WISE Enquiries Agency!
Carol and Annie work tirelessly to find answers for a dying women whose younger sister died back in 1984. The pair work well together and slowly manage to pull the pieces together. Meanwhile, Christine is adjusting to motherhood and also wondering exactly what Alexander has been up to. Mavis is still recovering from the hand injury she got while she and Althea were in Scotland but she is trying to help the dowager sort out a few things in the household staffing.
The main storyline that Carol and Annie were following was an interesting journey down the rabbit hole of the past to find the truth. Finding info and some people after 40 years is a challenge. Christine and Alexander often seem to be at odds about something but their love for their newborn daughter is obvious. Althea is always up to something and using her dowager status to get something done. She can be a royal handful at times but Mavis doesn't put up with a lot of it. She does do her best to keep the dowager in some form of check but with the supposed teasing that Althea tosses her way about male suitors it can get a bit much.
I love the relationship between Carol and David as well as Annie and Tudor. The support the couples give their partners is great. My heart really went out to Annie as she reacted to some hurtful words from various people during the investigation.
The reopening of the Old School as an artisans hub was well done. The events and conversations around Mothering Sunday were a great reflection on mothers and their families.
The result of the side story with Marjorie was pretty much what I expected it to be! So good! Henry and Stephanie still seem like such an odd match but it works.
It's always an interesting and entertaining read with the ladies of the WISE Enquiries Agency!
June 12, 2026
Fascinating
The WISE Agency has taken on a variety of different request for assistance in the past but this time around a lot more challenging. Trying to solve a forty year old death or how to hire extra help for a love sick man or even find off the identity of a on line gamer it can all be solved in this wonderful book.
The WISE Agency has taken on a variety of different request for assistance in the past but this time around a lot more challenging. Trying to solve a forty year old death or how to hire extra help for a love sick man or even find off the identity of a on line gamer it can all be solved in this wonderful book.
April 26, 2026
Another entry into the series that features four different cases, some more serious than others. I still enjoy this series overall though Althea was seriously getting on my nerves as was Christina and Stephanie. I’m assuming this will change in the upcoming books.
March 25, 2026
Another really good read, this case was a mystery to everyone, for very important reasons. The characters are diverse and very interesting and at times amusing. I have read all the books in this series, but I really enjoyed this instalment. Can’t wait for the next book.
June 8, 2026
This was another well-written book in the series. Wonderful characters and story.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews