WISE Enquiries Agency Books
“A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner with hilarious repercussions. Cozy fans will anticipate learning more about these WISE ladies” - Library Journal Starred Review Meet the Women of the WISE Enquiries Agency. The first in a new series. Henry Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is convinced his mother is losing her marbles. She claims to have seen a corpse on the dining-room floor, but all she has to prove it is a bloodied bobble hat. Worried enough to retain the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency – one is Welsh, one Irish, one Scottish and one English – Henry wants the strange matter explained away. But the truth of what happened at the Chellingworth Estate, set in the rolling Welsh countryside near the quaint village of Anwen by Wye, is more complex, dangerous, and deadly, than anyone could have foreseen . . .
The Women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are back in a witty and intriguing new mystery. The Anwen Morris Dancers are to play a pivotal role in the imminent nuptials of Henry, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth. But it looks as though the wedding plans might go awry unless Mavis, Annie, Carol and Christine can help Althea, the Dowager Duchess, by finding a missing Morris man and a set of ancient and valuable artefacts in time for her son’s wedding. Anwen-by-Wye might look like an idyllic Welsh village where family values reign and traditions still mean something in a modern world, but what will the WISE women find when they peer behind the respectable net curtains?
A new case for the ladies of the WISE enquiries agency . . . Henry Devereaux Twyst, eighteenth Duke of Chellingworth, is terribly worried about some water damage to the priceless books in his lower library, so retains the services of a local book restorer to tackle much-needed repairs. The antiquarian also runs the Crooks and Cooks bookshop with his daughter – local TV celebrity chef, The Curious Cook. When the book restorer mentions some strange shenanigans going on at the book shop, Dowager Duchess Althea brings the case to her colleagues at the WISE Enquiries Agency. As the WISE women try to unravel one puzzle from their base at stately Chellingworth Hall, they then get embroiled in another when they come across a valuable book of miniatures which seems to be the work of a local famous artist, murdered by her own brother. Are the cases linked and why do both mysteries lead to a nearby old folks’ home? The WISE women are on the case – and nothing will get in their way . . . Or will it?
The Women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are back. When the village's prodigal son, Huw Hughes, returns and sets his cap at Annie Parker, village publican Tudor begs Annie's colleagues at the WISE Enquiries Agency to unearth the truth behind Huw having been widowed three times. With Christine enjoying a break at her family's Irish estate - where she and the brooding Alexander face a surprisingly dangerous case of theft ? Mavis and Carol have to work with dowager duchess Althea Twyst to ensure their unsuspecting friend Annie's safety, and possibly the lives of more villagers.
THE DUKE’S REPUTATION IS IN PERIL – can the women of the WISE ENQUIRIES AGENCY save the day? Henry Devereaux Twyst, eighteenth duke of Chellingworth, is desperate to disprove murderous rumors about his ancestor before his first child is born, so he enlists the help of the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency. However, Annie is working undercover – on a case that turns out to be more deadly than anyone had imagined , and Carol is finding it difficult to juggle her responsibilities – especially when faced with a puzzling theft in the village . Meanwhile, Christine is consumed with fears about Alexander's shady colleagues , and Mavis is trying to manage the dowager's dispute with the local vicar . In the fifth WISE Enquiries Agency Mystery stately Chellingworth Hall, and the charming Welsh village of Anwen-by-Wye, both of which have more than their fair share of quirky inhabitants , are once again subjected to a host of problems that need to be solved…and the WISE women are ready to use their considerable skills to do so. “...perfect reading for Anglophiles...should appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith and MC Beaton.” crimefictionlover.com “A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner” Library Journal starred review of The Case of the Dotty Dowager “…cozy fans will find plenty to like…” Publishers’ Weekly “ Ace spiffs up the standard village cozy with a set of sleuths worth a second look .” Kirkus Reviews “…the people here felt like old friends I was catching up with after having been apart for a while” Amanda Bishop, Reviewer (Net Galley)
A VALUABLE INHERITANCE, NO SIGN OF THE HEIRS...and a looming deadline. Can the women of the WISE ENQUIRIES AGENCY track down the missing men in time? Or are there good reasons for them not wanting to be found? The sixth book in the series finds the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency looking forward to spending their first Christmas and New Year together as guests of the Duke and Duchess of Chellingworth. They’re expecting some memorable festivities – which might owe more to ancient Welsh traditions than mince pies and plum puddings if Dowager Althea has anything to do with it. What they aren’t expecting are the worrying twists and turns they encounter while tackling the troubling case of missing triplets and a deepening mystery, and tragedy, associated with a trove of antiques…not to mention the bizarre and disturbing “gifts” being left on the front doorsteps of some very puzzled and perturbed locals. A further complication arises when Duchess Stephanie’s parents arrive to support her through the imminent arrival of her first child; did the seemingly squeaky-clean businessman they got involved with on their recent holiday strike a deal with them that was too good to be true? Join our softly poached professional investigators for Christmas and New Year in Wales…and find out! “...perfect reading for Anglophiles...should appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith and MC Beaton.” crimefictionlover.com “A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner” Library Journal starred review of The Case of the Dotty Dowager “…cozy fans will find plenty to like…” Publishers’ Weekly “ Ace spiffs up the standard village cozy with a set of sleuths worth a second look .” Kirkus Reviews “…the people here felt like old friends I was catching up with after having been apart for a while” Amanda Bishop, Reviewer (Net Galley)
‘IT MURDERED ONE OF OUR GUESTS, AND NOW IT’S TRIED TO KILL MY HUSBAND.’ When the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency are approached by the frantic owner of a historic cottage in a picturesque Welsh seaside hamlet, they agree to help. After all – there can’t be any such thing as a killer cottage, can there? And isn’t a cursed cottage just as unlikely? They’re about to find out – when Christine and Annie take up residence. Meanwhile, Carol goes undercover to investigate a day spa with some dangerous treatments, leaving Mavis to stake out a man who might be incapacitated because of a work-related accident. Will this bricklayer become belligerent if he spots her on the job? Because our engaging private investigators are busy with paying clients, it falls to Henry, eighteenth duke of Chellingworth, to try to solve the riddle of the missing silver mugs, which is a pressing priority for his mother, the dowager, as she seeks to take over the organization of the christening of his son and heir. Early spring in Wales is a busy time for the WISE women, and the titled Twyst family – join them to find out how they cope, in this, the seventh book in the series. “...perfect reading for Anglophiles...should appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith and MC Beaton.” crimefictionlover.com “A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner” Library Journal starred review of The Case of the Dotty Dowager “…cozy fans will find plenty to like…” Publishers’ Weekly “ Ace spiffs up the standard village cozy with a set of sleuths worth a second look .” Kirkus Reviews “…the people here felt like old friends I was catching up with after having been apart for a while” Amanda Bishop, Reviewer (Net Galley)
‘HE LEFT A WREATH OF CONDOLENCE AT OUR FRONT DOOR, THEN VANISHED.’ The women of the WISE Enquiries Agency should be enjoying the early summer with their loved ones, but find themselves facing a truly baffling case: a mysterious figure has been spotted in Anwen-by-Wye, heralding tragedy. Nerves in the village are frayed, and the skills of all four of our private investigators are needed to work out what’s going on – aided by Althea, dowager duchess of Chellingworth, of course. When death strikes far too close to home for our beloved enquiry agents the stakes are raised in what has become a fatal game of cat and mouse…revealing dark secrets hidden by a person everybody thought they knew. Meanwhile, Mavis finds an investigation into a suspicious nurse to be something of a threat to her own health and wellbeing, and the duke and duchess are busy organizing projects designed to help revitalize the Chellingworth Estate, though their proposals aren’t viewed favorably by all. Also - snatching time as a couple when they can - Annie and Tudor are considering their future, as are Christine and Alexander…though in different ways, and with some surprising outcomes. The eighth book in this series presents the WISE women with challenges of both a professional and personal nature they’ve never faced before; join them to find out how they fare. "...a perfect cozy with a setting and wit reminiscent of Wodehouse’s Blandings Castle. But its strongest feature is the heart and sensitivity with which Ace imbues her characters." The Jury Box, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine of The Case of the Absent Heirs “...perfect reading for Anglophiles...should appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith and MC Beaton.” crimefictionlover.com “A gratifying contemporary series in the traditional British manner” Library Journal starred review of The Case of the Dotty Dowager “…cozy fans will find plenty to like…” Publishers’ Weekly “ Ace spiffs up the standard village cozy with a set of sleuths worth a second look .” Kirkus Reviews “…the people here felt like old friends I was catching up with after having been apart for a while” Amanda Bishop, Reviewer (Net Galley)
‘I KNOW IT WAS MURDER – PLEASE HELP ME PROVE IT!’ The Duke of Chellingworth’s beloved butler is grieving his brother’s death…but was it a really a tragic accident, or was it – as the man’s widow believes – murder? Mavis and the dowager Althea offer the services of the WISE Enquiries Agency to investigate, which puts one of their team in a dangerous situation. Meanwhile, Annie and Tudor are puzzled by a spate of petty thefts at their new pub, and Alexander must confront his largely secret past – possibly endangering his new persona and his relationship with Christine…who has a secret of her own. All this while Carol heads up a case involving an aged business tycoon who’s desperate to find the Welsh farming family who took him in when he was evacuated from London during World War Two. It’s July in Wales…however, there’s no break in sight for our four softly poached PIs, who are not only facing challenging cases, but also juggling complicated personal lives.
‘WE’RE CALLED IN TO WORK UNDERCOVER, AND THERE’S A SUDDEN DEATH? I DON’T THINK THAT’S A COINCIDENCE.’ When private investigator Mavis MacDonald grudgingly allows Dowager Duchess Althea Twyst to accompany her to investigate some puzzling problems at a picturesque hotel near the Welsh coastal town of Tenby, they find themselves facing an unexpected death, a group of quirky residents…and danger. Meanwhile, Annie Parker tries to find out where a garden gnome has got to in the bucolic Welsh village of Anwen-by-Wye, and Carol Hill and Christine Wilson-Smythe help the duke and duchess work out who’s behind some spiteful shenanigans…which are leading to chaos in the kitchens of Chellingworth Hall. There are problems enough to keep all the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency busy, and a surprising blast of late-summer heat isn’t helping anyone to keep their cool.
‘A FORTUNE TELLER SUFFERING A SERIES OF ACCIDENTS? THAT CAN’T BE GOOD FOR THEIR BUSINESS...’ A fortune teller claims she’s being targeted by someone who’s out to harm her and retains the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency to gather evidence she can take to the police. But, when a body is discovered, Carol, Christine, Mavis, and Annie must scramble to rescue their agency’s professional reputation...and it becomes clear that their client kept critical information from them. Meanwhile, Dowager Duchess Althea Twyst has invited an old friend from her youthful days on the stage to produce a pantomime at the village hall. With the lives of everyone in Anwen-by-Wye turned upside down by rehearsals, a series of thefts goes unnoticed for some time...until the WISE women put two and two together. Also, with Christmas on the horizon, the Duke and Duchess of Chellingworth are looking forward to welcoming their extended family to enjoy the local celebrations. However, they find themselves quite unprepared for the bewildering situation that arises when Lady Clementine and her husband arrive. Join the women of the WISE Enquiries Agency, and the residents of the bucolic Welsh village of Anwen-by-Wye, as they get embroiled in yet more puzzling cases...as well as a chaotic Festive Season.