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The Seaside Detective Agency
A wickedly funny Cozy Mystery, set in the Isle of Man. You will not read a funnier mystery this year!
‘Eyes Peeled’ is the Isle of Man’s first and only Detective Agency.
Not much happens on the idyllic Island that needs detecting, so, on the whole, the team is not the most adept. In fact, generally speaking, they’re pretty useless.
One of the agency’s more eager employees is Sam Levy. Nearing forty, he’s finally found a job he actually loves – even if he isn’t particularly good at it.
Okay, let’s be honest. He’s rubbish.
Still, Sam’s services are secured by persons unknown to track down a glamorous, yet mysterious, art dealer recently arrived on the sleepy Island. Her arrival itself isn’t overly suspicious... but the international crime boss hot on her tail most certainly is!
Sam is desperate to prove himself and impress his pretty colleague, Abby, but this investigation could end up putting him in rather a spot of bother, with our hero risking life, limb, and hairpiece!
With this case, he could have bitten off more than he can chew.
‘Eyes Peeled’ is the Isle of Man’s first and only Detective Agency.
Not much happens on the idyllic Island that needs detecting, so, on the whole, the team is not the most adept. In fact, generally speaking, they’re pretty useless.
One of the agency’s more eager employees is Sam Levy. Nearing forty, he’s finally found a job he actually loves – even if he isn’t particularly good at it.
Okay, let’s be honest. He’s rubbish.
Still, Sam’s services are secured by persons unknown to track down a glamorous, yet mysterious, art dealer recently arrived on the sleepy Island. Her arrival itself isn’t overly suspicious... but the international crime boss hot on her tail most certainly is!
Sam is desperate to prove himself and impress his pretty colleague, Abby, but this investigation could end up putting him in rather a spot of bother, with our hero risking life, limb, and hairpiece!
With this case, he could have bitten off more than he can chew.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2018
292 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Williams
22 books65 followersJ C Williams is an author from the Isle of Man.
He's delighted to advise his hilarious new book, the Crafternoon Sewcial Club is now available on Amazon.
His books are for those who don’t take life too seriously and are funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting.
He writes books both for the little ankle-biters and also the older audience. They're written with delightful humour and will leave you with a huge smile on your face.
He presently has seventeen titles and all are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle with some now also available in Audio format.
He'd love to hear from you!
Email - authorjcwilliams@gmail.com
You can follow him on Facebook at @jcwilliamsauthor
You can also subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website www.authorjcwilliams.com
He's delighted to advise his hilarious new book, the Crafternoon Sewcial Club is now available on Amazon.
His books are for those who don’t take life too seriously and are funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting.
He writes books both for the little ankle-biters and also the older audience. They're written with delightful humour and will leave you with a huge smile on your face.
He presently has seventeen titles and all are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle with some now also available in Audio format.
He'd love to hear from you!
Email - authorjcwilliams@gmail.com
You can follow him on Facebook at @jcwilliamsauthor
You can also subscribe to his newsletter by visiting his website www.authorjcwilliams.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 9, 2019
Quick easy and entertaining read.
Nice to have the Isle of Man references to places I am familiar with.
The story line is fairly implausible but the main characters are likeable enough all the same and you are hoping everything will turn out well for them in the end!
Nice to have the Isle of Man references to places I am familiar with.
The story line is fairly implausible but the main characters are likeable enough all the same and you are hoping everything will turn out well for them in the end!
May 27, 2019
I got this book for the Isle of Man references but found these sketchy and the standard of writing generally poor although there were a few lines which made me chuckle.
February 8, 2026
Loved the Isle of Man setting
March 7, 2024
Imagine Mr. Bean as a private detective. Great fun, such silliness! Perfect for a fun escape.
March 11, 2022
Silly but fun
This very amusing but well-written novel appealed to me initially as my family live on the Isle of Man, where the story is set. I can't remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh till I cried, which this one did. I am now looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
This very amusing but well-written novel appealed to me initially as my family live on the Isle of Man, where the story is set. I can't remember the last time I read a book that made me laugh till I cried, which this one did. I am now looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
January 25, 2024
Isle of Man, a truly wonderful place, and Peel is one of the best.
May 17, 2022
bonkers and funny and the perfect holiday read
I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting here but couldn’t stop reading. A shy, not so good detective crazy about his colleague who’s much better at her job than he is. You can’t help liking them and batting for the rather inept Sam. Funny and bonkers it’s the perfect holiday read for by the pool. Loved it.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting here but couldn’t stop reading. A shy, not so good detective crazy about his colleague who’s much better at her job than he is. You can’t help liking them and batting for the rather inept Sam. Funny and bonkers it’s the perfect holiday read for by the pool. Loved it.
May 20, 2020
Not a book I could recommend.
The simplest of detective plots centered around a main character who couldn't find his way out of a paper bag, sprinkled with smutty schoolboy humour. I'm amazed the author has a number of published books, I certainly won't be reading them.
The simplest of detective plots centered around a main character who couldn't find his way out of a paper bag, sprinkled with smutty schoolboy humour. I'm amazed the author has a number of published books, I certainly won't be reading them.
June 27, 2018
Funny. Would make a great comedy movie. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
February 6, 2019
So funny
October 19, 2020
Not for me..... gave up after about 20mins. Irritating from the get-go, definitely not 'funny and light-hearted'.
October 29, 2020
Honestly couldn't get through this. Wasn't very entertained. Perhaps slapstick comedy isn't for me.
July 20, 2023
Sam Levy is not the sharpest tool in the private detective toolbox: he’s slow on the uptake, often caught peeking, and his disguises attract much more attention than his regular clothes. Luckily, his colleague at the Eyes Peeled Detective Agency, Abby, has enough brains for the both of them. When Sam is hired to follow a woman, then hired by the woman to find out who’s tailing her, Sam and Abby get embroiled in the dangerous world of gangsters and international art. This is my second JC Williams series, his books are almost slapstick in their humour and his heroes are ordinary people who make the best of things. This mystery and its characters are very silly and the humour won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s light, good-hearted, and not meant to be taken seriously. UK voice actor Frazer Blaxland does a good job on the audiobook (currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue).
June 28, 2020
A quick to read, simple story which would, I guess pass the time sat at an airport or by the pool. A serious novel it is not, but I would not describe it as hilarious (or even mildly amusing tbh) either! A little too predictable for me even down to the “spoiler alert” detectives going on a date at the end. A typical rounded detective story that would work as a half hour Sunday afternoon time filler on ITV. - Murder She Wrote style!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2020
Laughing out loud
I very much enjoyed this book. There was a part in particular that I snorted milk up my nose. It's a good detective book, but I have to admit that my focus was on what the characters would do next. Especially Sam and Joey.. I will be looking for more of this author's work!
I very much enjoyed this book. There was a part in particular that I snorted milk up my nose. It's a good detective book, but I have to admit that my focus was on what the characters would do next. Especially Sam and Joey.. I will be looking for more of this author's work!
June 5, 2020
This comedy book was different from others I have read, its quirky and lighthearted, silly in places but still makes you laugh.
I loved Sam and Abby, they went together really well, some of the things he did were so silly but so funny. The references to the Isle of Man makes me want to visit.
I loved Sam and Abby, they went together really well, some of the things he did were so silly but so funny. The references to the Isle of Man makes me want to visit.
March 30, 2023
I read a review which said ‘silly but fun’ and that’s the best way to describe this book.
My 2 stars are because this genre isn’t my favourite, but this book was ok, light and entertaining.
The story is completely implausible, but aren’t most?
It’s a good summer read, in the garden or on the beach, it doesn’t stretch the grey matter too much
My 2 stars are because this genre isn’t my favourite, but this book was ok, light and entertaining.
The story is completely implausible, but aren’t most?
It’s a good summer read, in the garden or on the beach, it doesn’t stretch the grey matter too much
May 31, 2020
I thought this was one of the funniest books I’ve read in awhile. I actually laughed out loud. It was a fun read, especially while staying at home during this pandemic. I will probably add more by this author to my Kindle.
June 23, 2020
The seaside detctiveagencey
I enjoyed this book a very easy read .but it was advertised as a laugh a money and I am still wating for the funny bits. But that doesn't take away from it being a good read
I enjoyed this book a very easy read .but it was advertised as a laugh a money and I am still wating for the funny bits. But that doesn't take away from it being a good read
June 30, 2020
I-O-M story
I enjoyed this book without loving it! The characters were enjoyable and believable. The storyline was good and again believable. The ending was good too. If you want a couple of days of reading with a bit of comedy written in this could be for you.
I enjoyed this book without loving it! The characters were enjoyable and believable. The storyline was good and again believable. The ending was good too. If you want a couple of days of reading with a bit of comedy written in this could be for you.
October 13, 2020
A proper old fashioned detective story with lots of modern day twists and turns and hilariously funny. I laughed out loud so many times reading this. A deliciously brilliant read. First time reading this author. Already looking forward to reading more.
November 15, 2020
Nice giggly bits!
Found quite amusing in parts, laugh out loud in others. Not exactly a gripping story line but easy reading and almost has you glued waiting for the next ‘Ealing comedy’ moment. Enjoyed this book.
Found quite amusing in parts, laugh out loud in others. Not exactly a gripping story line but easy reading and almost has you glued waiting for the next ‘Ealing comedy’ moment. Enjoyed this book.
November 9, 2021
Seaside Detective Agency
This was another funny exciting edge of the seat take by J C Williams. With laugh out loud parts and heart tugging parts too. A cheerful read on a winter's day ideal for a binge read on a day off.
This was another funny exciting edge of the seat take by J C Williams. With laugh out loud parts and heart tugging parts too. A cheerful read on a winter's day ideal for a binge read on a day off.
February 6, 2025
Although the premise is nice, the story lines just didn't mesh together somehow. The romance is at best a foot note in the epilogue. The action is hard to follow and not very entertaining. The comedy is so subtle that I did not get it.
April 10, 2025
Audiobook. Unfortunately not an enjoyable listen, the narrator had a very strange reading style - lots of unnecessary pauses and awful accents!
The story was bizarre, involving the "FBI", and some very odd characters. Not for me.
The story was bizarre, involving the "FBI", and some very odd characters. Not for me.
November 14, 2025
This was a quick quirky read. This got really chaotic in the middle and pretty much continued that way until the end. I don’t think I liked this enough to continue on with the series though. 2.75 stars ⭐️ ⭐️✨ rounded up to 3.
June 7, 2020
Just couldn't get interested in it
June 15, 2020
Very slap stick. Would make a good tv comedy drama. It was a very vivid read short and funny.
June 22, 2020
A very funny book well written fantastic read
July 25, 2020
A light hearted laugh out loud read. Thoroughly enjoyable !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews