Win: A copy of new ‘cosy crime’ novel Mrs Beeton’s Murder Agency

Fan of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club? You’ll love this. . .

Richard Osman has a lot to answer for – he started the Cosy Crime genre and now it’s a real thing, writes Velvet’s resident bookworm, Janet Gordon. One of the best examples I’ve read is Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency by Josie Lloyd (HQ £15.99) - not only is it a great Christmas murder mystery, but it has some fabulous recipes straight out of Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management. Oh, and there’s a wonderfully clever little dog named Agatha. Why Agatha? Well, that’s because our Miss Beeton (Alice to her friends) is crazy about Agatha Christie novels and has the whole set safely on her bookshelves. Plus there’s a rather gentle romance too. Lemon biscuits, anyone?

Granddaughter to the original Mrs Beeton, Alice is a little over 50, childless and single – a situation she never envisaged for herself. She’s been running her Good Household Management Agency for years, supplying the highest of high-class staff to the HNWIs (high-net-worth individuals) who live in both London and their country homes - Alice knows everybody who is worth knowing. Along with her best friend Jinx, they’re based in tiny offices in the best part of town.

It's approaching Christmas when a crisis occurs: one of her best families is in urgent need of a housekeeper and there is not a single soul on the Agency books who is free. And then – as if sent by magic – in walks Erica, a potential housekeeper with wonderful references who’s looking for a new position. Alice, despite a gut feeling that this housekeeper is too good to be true, places her in position and all is well until Erica is found dead – with foul play very much suspected.

I absolutely adored this novel – and now, courtesy of HQ, Velvet readers could win their own copy for Christmas. To be in with a chance, click HERE and complete the simple online form using the keyword ‘BEETON’. Entries must be submitted by midnight on December 31 2024 and the usual Ts and Cs apply. One entry per person and one winner to be chosen at random.