Death of a Wild Swimmer: an absolutely gripping British mystery full of twists

Still waters run deep in this baffling new case for the Charity Shop Detective Agency!

Wild swimming in February? No, thank you . . . To Fiona, Daisy and Partial Sue, the retired ladies behind the counter at Dogs Need Nice Homes charity shop, it sounds like torture.

Still, no one ever died of plunging themselves into the icy sea waters. Until now.

When the body of Colin Barclay - retired PE master and wild-swimming fanatic - washes up in a secluded cove, the ladies begin to realize just how dicey this wellbeing trend can be.

Especially when a shifty new customer comes calling at their charity shop.

Is this where you solve murders? She asks, her eyes darting wildly round the shelves of bric-a-brac. I think I have one . . .

This woman knows Colin better than most. And she's convinced his death was no accident. It was murder.

But she'll need the ladies to dive in and help her prove it . . .

Fans of Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood, Janice Hallett, Simon Brett, Ian Moore and Sarah Yarwood-Lovett will adore this exciting new talent in cozy crime.

Readers ADORE the Charity Shop Detective Mysteries:

'Witty and knowing.' Simon Brett, bestselling author

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A lovely British mystery, perfect for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.' Lisa S.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A fun storyline filled with red herrings and creativity . . . Five stars.' Sara

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Keeps the reader guessing right until the very end.' A reader in the UK

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Another fantastic visit to the Charity Shop Detectives . . . looking forward to the next adventure with the ladies.' Gill

'Another highly enjoyable read! The characters are strong and well developed. Great plot. And a dog show! Love it!' Renee

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Definitely a good read for anyone who loves these cozy mysteries with a little fun mixed in.' Denice

THE CHARITY SHOP DETECTIVES

Level-headed Fiona has found a quiet sanctuary volunteering at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes. A charity shop that raises money for dogs in need of nice homes. And she's found firm friendship with the strong-willed Partial Sue (she's ever so partial to a cup of tea) and the kindly and surprisingly tech-savvy Daisy. Together, these ladies, with Simon Le Bon, Fiona's scruffy-haired terrier cross, investigate murders as the Charity Shop Detective Agency.

THE SETTING

The lovely coastal town of Southbourne is, on paper, little more than a small suburb hemmed in by Bournemouth to the west and Christchurch to the north. But it's home to the prettiest avenues lined with gorgeous Georgian homes which lead to a grass-topped cliff standing guard over a sweeping bay of blond sand, soft as Demerara sugar. Some say it's also home to the best charity shops in the country. The ladies of the Charity Shop Detective Agency maintain that Dogs Need Nice Homes - though musty and more than a little cramped - is certainly number one. Well, they definitely solve the most crimes at least!

Author: Peter Boland
Publisher: Joffe Books Ltd
Published: 03/26/2025
Pages: 258
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.51lbs
Size: 7.81h x 5.06w x 0.64d
ISBN: 9781805730613

About the Author
Boland, Peter: - "After studying to be an architect, Pete realised he wasn't very good at it. He liked designing buildings, he just couldn't make them stand up - a big handicap in an industry that's partial to keeping things upright. So he became an advertising copywriter, the highlight of which was creating an ad featuring Raymond Briggs' The Snowman. He then tried his hand at writing his own stories and quickly realised there's no magic formula. You just have to put one word in front of the other (and keep doing that for about six months). It also helps if you can resist the lure of surfing and drinking beer in a garden chair."