Author: J.D. BrinkworthCrime & mysteryPublished on 27 August 2026 by Cornerstone (Penguin (Cornerstone)) in the United Kingdom as part of 'The Pie & Mash Mysteries' series.Paperback | 368 pages196 x 131 x 26 | 254g Who is Nellie Thorne and why does she keep disappearing? Jane Pye and Simon Mash are on the case in this cosy crime mystery novel, perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Robert Thorogood!'Fans of Richard Osman will love it!' Jonathan Ross‘A fun romp that sets off at a cracking pace, and never lets up’ Ian Moore'Compelling and intriguing' J. M. Hall'Absolutely delightful!' Janice HallettLocal schoolteacher Dev Hooper arrives home from work to find his girlfriend, Nellie Thorne, has vanished.But she's not the first Nellie Thorne to disappear. In fact, she's the fifth in fifty years.Enter Jane Pye and Simon Mash: a millennial couple who signed up for a private detective night class on a whim. When they're assigned Dev's case for their coursework, they quickly realise they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.Armed with just six weeks of notes, matching trench coats, and questionable detective skills, they set out to solve a case that has baffled Kent's police for decades.What links the missing Nellies? And why does everyone keep talking about ghosts!?Is it an open and shut case? Not on your Nellie…Readers are loving The Pie & Mash Detective Agency!‘Sharp, witty and wonderfully original’ L T Shearer, bestselling author of The Cat Who Caught a Killer'A charming idea, packed with relatable characters, plenty of fun and enough twists to keep me guessing' F.L. Everett, author of Murder at Mistletoe Manor‘A blissfully cozy mystery packed with funny moments and delightful little pleasures on each page’ Kelly Mullen, author of This is Not a Game‘A really funny read, with two very endearing detectives' Faith Martin, bestselling author of the DI Hillary Greene series and the Ryder and Loveday mystery novels'Like the dish in the title, I devoured it in one sitting' Sue Perkins'Simon and Jane are the most lovable characters and the mystery they solve feels very fresh' 5-star reader review'A fun cosy crime read' 5-star reader review'A delightful read' 5-star reader review'I just couldn’t put it down!' 5-star reader review
