What do you think?
Rate this book
Dickens & Christie #1-3
A Dickens & Christie Mystery Box Set
She’s looking forward to tea and scones. Hunting down murderers? Not so much…
Box set: Enjoy over 720 pages of proper English sleuthing fun in the splendid green hills of the Cotswolds.
Leta Parker moved across the pond to get over her grief. And so far, the serene pastoral countryside seems just the place to make a fresh start. But her visions of quaint villages and posh accents are shockingly disturbed when her tranquility is shattered by a rather dead body…
With her newfound book-loving friends and her charming talking dog and cat, Dickens and Christie, Leta rolls up her sleeves to uncover the culprit. But as the town suffers more mysterious demises, these literary ladies soon have their hands full serving up justice.
Will Leta’s reinvented life turn her quiet hamlet into an amateur detective’s dream escape?
A Dickens & Christie Mystery Box Set contains the first three books in the delightful Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like smart heroines, unconventional friendships, and clever whodunits, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s perfectly woven tales.
Buy A Dickens & Christie Mystery Box Set and sip suspenseful cream teas today!
Box set: Enjoy over 720 pages of proper English sleuthing fun in the splendid green hills of the Cotswolds.
Leta Parker moved across the pond to get over her grief. And so far, the serene pastoral countryside seems just the place to make a fresh start. But her visions of quaint villages and posh accents are shockingly disturbed when her tranquility is shattered by a rather dead body…
With her newfound book-loving friends and her charming talking dog and cat, Dickens and Christie, Leta rolls up her sleeves to uncover the culprit. But as the town suffers more mysterious demises, these literary ladies soon have their hands full serving up justice.
Will Leta’s reinvented life turn her quiet hamlet into an amateur detective’s dream escape?
A Dickens & Christie Mystery Box Set contains the first three books in the delightful Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like smart heroines, unconventional friendships, and clever whodunits, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s perfectly woven tales.
Buy A Dickens & Christie Mystery Box Set and sip suspenseful cream teas today!
749 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2020
550 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Manos Penn
25 books177 followersKathy Manos Penn lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia with her husband and her four-legged office assistants. When she dreamed of retiring from corporate America, she envisioned indulging in her favorite pastimes—reading, traveling, and writing columns for her local paper. Taking her bucket list trip to England was a top priority.
A second career as an author was never part of the plan—until someone uttered the fateful words, “You should write a cozy mystery.”
Ten books later, readers can’t get enough of the Dickens & Christie mystery series. Kathy adheres to the adage to write what you know and populates her mysteries with well-read, witty senior women, a loyal dog, and a sassy cat.
Her two four-legged office assistants inspire the personalities of Dickens & Christie. Why is Dickens a fiend for belly rubs? Because Kathy’s real-life dog is. The same goes for Christie’s finicky eating habits and penchant for lolling on top of the desk or in the file drawer. She gets it from the calico cat who rules the roost.
How does Kathy describe her life? “I’m living a dream I never knew I had.”
Book I in the series, Bells, Tails & Murder, won a 2020 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award, and Pets, Pens & Murder, Book VII, garnered a 2023 Georgia Author of the Year nomination.
A second career as an author was never part of the plan—until someone uttered the fateful words, “You should write a cozy mystery.”
Ten books later, readers can’t get enough of the Dickens & Christie mystery series. Kathy adheres to the adage to write what you know and populates her mysteries with well-read, witty senior women, a loyal dog, and a sassy cat.
Her two four-legged office assistants inspire the personalities of Dickens & Christie. Why is Dickens a fiend for belly rubs? Because Kathy’s real-life dog is. The same goes for Christie’s finicky eating habits and penchant for lolling on top of the desk or in the file drawer. She gets it from the calico cat who rules the roost.
How does Kathy describe her life? “I’m living a dream I never knew I had.”
Book I in the series, Bells, Tails & Murder, won a 2020 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award, and Pets, Pens & Murder, Book VII, garnered a 2023 Georgia Author of the Year nomination.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 16, 2022
Cozy English mysteries just keep getting better.
Starting with book one, there was a hesitation that the series would not hold interest. Persevere, the second one is really fun with a long list of characters that pull you in. By book three you will be searching Amazon for the next in the series.
Things I enjoyed the most included literary quotes, things about authors I had not heard, and the fact Ms. Penn always includes a full list of characters, at the beginning of her books. As I read through the list I couldn't wait to see how they were included. I also enjoyed the fact Penn sticks to the Agatha Christie Rule. ' the killer is never just someone coming on the scene.' Penn makes you guess along with the LOL (The Little Old Ladies detective agency.). The inclusion of so many things that are British and the name of there American counterpart continues to add to the fun. Enjoy!
Starting with book one, there was a hesitation that the series would not hold interest. Persevere, the second one is really fun with a long list of characters that pull you in. By book three you will be searching Amazon for the next in the series.
Things I enjoyed the most included literary quotes, things about authors I had not heard, and the fact Ms. Penn always includes a full list of characters, at the beginning of her books. As I read through the list I couldn't wait to see how they were included. I also enjoyed the fact Penn sticks to the Agatha Christie Rule. ' the killer is never just someone coming on the scene.' Penn makes you guess along with the LOL (The Little Old Ladies detective agency.). The inclusion of so many things that are British and the name of there American counterpart continues to add to the fun. Enjoy!
September 6, 2021
What a mystery ! Awesome read
I enjoy everything about this series. Talking animals and Little Old Ladies detective. 3 wonderful books of friendships and pets... I can't wait for the next one
I enjoy everything about this series. Talking animals and Little Old Ladies detective. 3 wonderful books of friendships and pets... I can't wait for the next one
December 30, 2020
A really delightful series with a talking dog, a talking cat, and some other talking neighboring animals that give clues to help solve the crimes. Of course, only Leta can hear them but that's ok because she's got some wonderful human friends that crime solve with her as well.
Great complex mysteries, plenty of suspects, and lots of wonderful interesting characters in charming settings. Plenty of laughs, tension, and twists.
Leta and the Little Old Ladies’ Detective Agency will keep you hooked. Definitely a favorite series of mine and looking forward to their next adventure.
Great complex mysteries, plenty of suspects, and lots of wonderful interesting characters in charming settings. Plenty of laughs, tension, and twists.
Leta and the Little Old Ladies’ Detective Agency will keep you hooked. Definitely a favorite series of mine and looking forward to their next adventure.
Read
September 15, 2024A DNF for me on account that I don’t do dead husbands in entertainment. No hate to any authors who use it, it’s just not a story element that is personally fun for me.
No issue with the writing within the first few pages, and I’m sure the ending is inspirational and life-giving for the heroine. I’m just not able to make that journey with her.
No issue with the writing within the first few pages, and I’m sure the ending is inspirational and life-giving for the heroine. I’m just not able to make that journey with her.
December 5, 2021
Three Book Set of the Series
This is a cute cozy series set in England featuring a former American English teacher who moves overseas after being widowed and retiring. She brings her dog named "Dickens" who is a miniature Pyrenees, and her black cat named "Christie." Her pets talk, but only to her. They help her solve the three mysteries (along with some other human friends.) Has some recipes at the end. I think this series is one of the best cozy series I have read, and I look forward to reading the future books in the series. Highly recommended.
This is a cute cozy series set in England featuring a former American English teacher who moves overseas after being widowed and retiring. She brings her dog named "Dickens" who is a miniature Pyrenees, and her black cat named "Christie." Her pets talk, but only to her. They help her solve the three mysteries (along with some other human friends.) Has some recipes at the end. I think this series is one of the best cozy series I have read, and I look forward to reading the future books in the series. Highly recommended.
January 2, 2021
Purrfect
Love Christy and Dickens. How they communicate with their beloved owner and how she understands them and other cats and dogs. Then we have her friends who have no idea that the miows and barks are talks with Leda. The collaboration between animals and humans helps solve the murders and crimes. Hope the next books are on there way.
Love Christy and Dickens. How they communicate with their beloved owner and how she understands them and other cats and dogs. Then we have her friends who have no idea that the miows and barks are talks with Leda. The collaboration between animals and humans helps solve the murders and crimes. Hope the next books are on there way.
January 30, 2021
Lol gas a new meaning
When a reader meets Dickenson and Christie and their owner Letang a world opens up. In her retirement Letang has found friends who like her love a good mystery whether in books or in life. Murder. Mayhem and entertainment for the reader is found in these books featuring the little old ladies dectectives.
When a reader meets Dickenson and Christie and their owner Letang a world opens up. In her retirement Letang has found friends who like her love a good mystery whether in books or in life. Murder. Mayhem and entertainment for the reader is found in these books featuring the little old ladies dectectives.
June 26, 2021
I frequently wish I could understand what my cat is telling me even though it's probably pretty snarky. But being able to talk to your pets and understand them might get a bit tricky when you don't want anyone to know and they are helping you solve mysteries. The mysteries are well plotted and I love the characters, people and animals both.
October 26, 2021
Sickens & Christie Mysteries
These mysteries have everything I want in a mystery. Characters that are believable, intelligent, and people I'd enjoy having as friends. The plots are well developed. There are red herrings to keep me from solving the mystery too quickly.
What these don't have are crude language or behavior, explicit sex, drop off endings, or silly narrators.
These mysteries have everything I want in a mystery. Characters that are believable, intelligent, and people I'd enjoy having as friends. The plots are well developed. There are red herrings to keep me from solving the mystery too quickly.
What these don't have are crude language or behavior, explicit sex, drop off endings, or silly narrators.
February 26, 2024
Very interesting and well-written books! The characters are great and the mystery is well-done. Ready to read the next set of 3 books!
Amazon synopsis:
She’s looking forward to tea and scones. Hunting down murderers? Not so much…
Box set: Enjoy over 720 pages of proper English sleuthing fun in the splendid green hills of the Cotswolds.
Leta Parker moved across the pond to get over her grief. And so far, the serene pastoral countryside seems just the place to make a fresh start. But her visions of quaint villages and posh accents are shockingly disturbed when her tranquility is shattered by a rather dead body…
With her newfound book-loving friends and her charming talking dog and cat, Dickens and Christie, Leta rolls up her sleeves to uncover the culprit. But as the town suffers more mysterious demises, these literary ladies soon have their hands full serving up justice.
Will Leta’s reinvented life turn her quiet hamlet into an amateur detective’s dream escape?
Amazon synopsis:
She’s looking forward to tea and scones. Hunting down murderers? Not so much…
Box set: Enjoy over 720 pages of proper English sleuthing fun in the splendid green hills of the Cotswolds.
Leta Parker moved across the pond to get over her grief. And so far, the serene pastoral countryside seems just the place to make a fresh start. But her visions of quaint villages and posh accents are shockingly disturbed when her tranquility is shattered by a rather dead body…
With her newfound book-loving friends and her charming talking dog and cat, Dickens and Christie, Leta rolls up her sleeves to uncover the culprit. But as the town suffers more mysterious demises, these literary ladies soon have their hands full serving up justice.
Will Leta’s reinvented life turn her quiet hamlet into an amateur detective’s dream escape?
June 18, 2024
Third in the Dickens & Christie series
Leta, her four legged companions and "detective club" at at it again. Is the new Earl's death murder or an accident? Who was responsible? This time, police inspector Gemma wants help.
This time, the author changes her format a bit. She introduces the death then flashbacks to the events prior and then cones back to the present.
The story was interesting enough for me to look up sheep breeds, artisan wool sweaters and vintage knives. But, the same literary formula came up like the previous books.
Leta, her four legged companions and "detective club" at at it again. Is the new Earl's death murder or an accident? Who was responsible? This time, police inspector Gemma wants help.
This time, the author changes her format a bit. She introduces the death then flashbacks to the events prior and then cones back to the present.
The story was interesting enough for me to look up sheep breeds, artisan wool sweaters and vintage knives. But, the same literary formula came up like the previous books.
February 24, 2024
Simply brilliant series!
I'm so glad to have stumbled upon this series filled wt wonderful believable characters, and joy oh joy, Dickens and Christie, the lovable 4-footed sidekicks. I especially love the references to authors, books, movies, and quotes sprinkled throughout, which happen to be much loved and remembered. All in all, well written, and the mysteries - intriguing. I highly recommend these books to one and all. Lovely!!!!
I'm so glad to have stumbled upon this series filled wt wonderful believable characters, and joy oh joy, Dickens and Christie, the lovable 4-footed sidekicks. I especially love the references to authors, books, movies, and quotes sprinkled throughout, which happen to be much loved and remembered. All in all, well written, and the mysteries - intriguing. I highly recommend these books to one and all. Lovely!!!!
November 1, 2024
Finely crafted mysteries
I loved how the author crafted the stories providing clues along the way to the final reveal.
I also loved how the author included the interaction with her four footed companions. Clearly she loves and understands the interactions between humans and their furry companions.
I look forward to the further adventures of Dicken & Christe, as well as their human friends.
I loved how the author crafted the stories providing clues along the way to the final reveal.
I also loved how the author included the interaction with her four footed companions. Clearly she loves and understands the interactions between humans and their furry companions.
I look forward to the further adventures of Dicken & Christe, as well as their human friends.
February 11, 2025
Entertaining and fun cozy mysteries. Leta an American widow living in the Cotswolds with her boisterous dog Dickens and particular cat Christie investigate murders with her friends in The Old Ladies Detective Agency. Oh! and she can communicate with her pets. Great Fun intelligent cozy mysteries with a twist. Well written with wonderful characters especially the animals. Highly recommended and I loved them.
February 13, 2024
Fun cozy mystery series
Took a while to get used to the main character actually understanding what her dog and cat say, and her crime-solving skills always seem to stop one step short of identifying the killer before the killer attacks her, but I did enjoy this trio of mysteries set in the Cotswolds.
Took a while to get used to the main character actually understanding what her dog and cat say, and her crime-solving skills always seem to stop one step short of identifying the killer before the killer attacks her, but I did enjoy this trio of mysteries set in the Cotswolds.
May 1, 2024
I usually don’t enjoy books with animal companions for the main character, but I liked these. I would have given the collection 5 stars, but there was an awful lot of “filler” pages, especially in Book 3. I recommend these for those who enjoy English village cozy mysteries. I will definitely consider reading other writings by this author.
June 13, 2024
These were enjoyable reading, the first was very good, 2nd was okay, by the third though I was a little tired hearing about all the murders in such a little village. Okay, we got the message in the first couple of books but after that, give it a rest. It's like Murder She Wrote. Remember how many of her friends ended up murdered? Got to the point of being ridiculous. Same here, enjoyable characters made the books worthwhile but by the third, it became a little tedious.
February 22, 2024
The story was quite good and I wanted to find out what happened to Kets but unfortunately I couldn’t past the narrative with Dickens and Christie. I tried to get past the dogs constant talking (Dickens) so I have abandoned this book for now.
February 26, 2024
a great new series
I’m an Anglophile, and love the British mysteries. This is a delightful and fast moving series, and doesn’t rely on last minute additions to the story to come to a conclusion.
I’m an Anglophile, and love the British mysteries. This is a delightful and fast moving series, and doesn’t rely on last minute additions to the story to come to a conclusion.
March 2, 2024
Quite a cute read
These had the right mix of info about another country n dreams of traveling. These little old ladies have no fear n big hearts n they take u on an adventure. Easy read, keeps ur attention n is quite pleasant altho I do believe the dog should b aloud in the bed.
These had the right mix of info about another country n dreams of traveling. These little old ladies have no fear n big hearts n they take u on an adventure. Easy read, keeps ur attention n is quite pleasant altho I do believe the dog should b aloud in the bed.
March 22, 2024
great box set
I really enjoyed reading this box set of English Animal Mysteries. I liked that the cat & dog can communicate with their owner & help her & her friends of the Little Old Ladies detective company with solving the mysteries.
I really enjoyed reading this box set of English Animal Mysteries. I liked that the cat & dog can communicate with their owner & help her & her friends of the Little Old Ladies detective company with solving the mysteries.
December 17, 2024
I loved every book!
This was a new author for me and I so glad that I chose to read her books! I am in love with the characters and the style of writing she uses! I am looking forward to reading more of her books!
This was a new author for me and I so glad that I chose to read her books! I am in love with the characters and the style of writing she uses! I am looking forward to reading more of her books!
February 11, 2023
Great series wonderful characters, wild situations. Leta just can't help sticking her nose into the mystery, especially when the police won't listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
I read the first book awhile back, and was happy to get the next two. Intriguing plots, nice companionship with friends and pets. Lots of food (not my interest, but there it is). Enjoyable reads.
February 29, 2024
Clever and entertaining British mysteries from an American in the Cotwolds.
March 6, 2024
Great Series
I loved the series first three books. Mrs Penn is an excellent author. Looking forward to reading the next book.
I loved the series first three books. Mrs Penn is an excellent author. Looking forward to reading the next book.
March 11, 2024
mystery with talking animals
I always wanted to be able to understand what my animals were saying and in these books I could. Great Mystery and great animals. Enjoy
I always wanted to be able to understand what my animals were saying and in these books I could. Great Mystery and great animals. Enjoy
April 19, 2024
Love these books, they are delightful, I’m hooked!
April 21, 2024
well written and entertaining
I love cozy mysteries. Throw in animals, and I am ecstatic. Talking animals, even better. Really enjoyed these characters and writing style.
I love cozy mysteries. Throw in animals, and I am ecstatic. Talking animals, even better. Really enjoyed these characters and writing style.
May 28, 2024
fun intriguing
Very fun, especially her pets, and intriguing. Learned much about the Cotswold in England. Kept me hopping and guessing whodunnit
Very fun, especially her pets, and intriguing. Learned much about the Cotswold in England. Kept me hopping and guessing whodunnit
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews