What do you think?
SeeMS Detective Agency
The Mystery of the Homeless Man
Why would an airline pilot exchange a world of comfort
for life on the streets?
In 2006, Miranda meets an itinerant in the wood, she takes him home. He refuses to stay, apparently desperate to return to the streets.
Miranda gives him some money and forgets the incident.
Fifteen years later, the SeeMs Detective Agency is investigating an abandoned house and discover a homeless man was found there many years before. He had been murdered. Was it the same man Miranda met in the woods?
No one knows who the dead man is or why he was in the modern house in a small village, and, with one hundred and fifty unidentified street deaths per year, no one has time to find out.
But, the SeeMs Detectives have both time and a client.
Their investigation takes them into a surprising world of aviation, night-clubs and the homeless.
What they discover threatens one of their team. Can they save their colleague before the homeless man’s killer strikes again?
for life on the streets?
In 2006, Miranda meets an itinerant in the wood, she takes him home. He refuses to stay, apparently desperate to return to the streets.
Miranda gives him some money and forgets the incident.
Fifteen years later, the SeeMs Detective Agency is investigating an abandoned house and discover a homeless man was found there many years before. He had been murdered. Was it the same man Miranda met in the woods?
No one knows who the dead man is or why he was in the modern house in a small village, and, with one hundred and fifty unidentified street deaths per year, no one has time to find out.
But, the SeeMs Detectives have both time and a client.
Their investigation takes them into a surprising world of aviation, night-clubs and the homeless.
What they discover threatens one of their team. Can they save their colleague before the homeless man’s killer strikes again?
316 pages, Paperback
Published March 24, 2023
About the author
Gina Cheyne
10 books19 followersGina has worked as a physiotherapist, a pilot, freelance writer and a dog breeder.
As a child, Gina's parents hated travelling and never went further than Jersey. As a result she became travel-addicted and spent the year after university bumming around SE Asia, China and Australia, where she worked in a racing stables in Pinjarra, South of Perth. After getting stuck in black sand in the Ute one time too many (and getting a tractor and trailer caught in a tree) she was relegated to horse-riding work only. After her horse bolted down the sand, straining a fetlock and falling in the sea, she was further relegated to swimming the horses only in the pool. It was with some relief the race horse stables posted her off on the train into eastern Australia to work in a vineyard... after all what could go wrong there?
In the north of Thailand, she took a boat into the Golden Triangle and got shot at by bandits. Her group escaped into the undergrowth and hid in a hill tribe whisky still where they shared the 'bathroom' with a group of pigs. Getting a lift on a motorbike they hurried back to Chiang Rai, where life seemed calmer.
After nearly being drowned in a fiesta in Ko Pha Ngan, and cursed by a witch in Malaysia, she decided to go to Singapore and then to China where she only had to battle with the language and regulations.
Since marrying she has lived and worked in many countries including Spain and the USA.
For a few years Gina was a Wingwalking pilot, flying, amongst others, her 64 year old mother standing on the wing to raise money for a cancer charity. She was also a helicopter instructor and examiner and took part in the World Helicopter Championships in Russia and the USA.
She became a writer because her first love was always telling a good yarn!
For twenty years she edited Helicopter Life a lifestyle magazine and in 2022 she won the HAI Award for Excellence in Communications.
She now lives in West Sussex with her husband and dogs.
As a child, Gina's parents hated travelling and never went further than Jersey. As a result she became travel-addicted and spent the year after university bumming around SE Asia, China and Australia, where she worked in a racing stables in Pinjarra, South of Perth. After getting stuck in black sand in the Ute one time too many (and getting a tractor and trailer caught in a tree) she was relegated to horse-riding work only. After her horse bolted down the sand, straining a fetlock and falling in the sea, she was further relegated to swimming the horses only in the pool. It was with some relief the race horse stables posted her off on the train into eastern Australia to work in a vineyard... after all what could go wrong there?
In the north of Thailand, she took a boat into the Golden Triangle and got shot at by bandits. Her group escaped into the undergrowth and hid in a hill tribe whisky still where they shared the 'bathroom' with a group of pigs. Getting a lift on a motorbike they hurried back to Chiang Rai, where life seemed calmer.
After nearly being drowned in a fiesta in Ko Pha Ngan, and cursed by a witch in Malaysia, she decided to go to Singapore and then to China where she only had to battle with the language and regulations.
Since marrying she has lived and worked in many countries including Spain and the USA.
For a few years Gina was a Wingwalking pilot, flying, amongst others, her 64 year old mother standing on the wing to raise money for a cancer charity. She was also a helicopter instructor and examiner and took part in the World Helicopter Championships in Russia and the USA.
She became a writer because her first love was always telling a good yarn!
For twenty years she edited Helicopter Life a lifestyle magazine and in 2022 she won the HAI Award for Excellence in Communications.
She now lives in West Sussex with her husband and dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 16, 2024
This is my first read of The SeeMs Detective Agency series and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This story follows Miranda, Cat and Stevie on their quest to solve the mysterious murder of a homeless man, who Miranda had encountered 15 years earlier.
A clever twisty tale through the streets of London and the quiet village of Owly Vale with many a surprise along the way!
I love Gina Cheyne’s writing style, quick and punchy chapters with well developed characters which kept me totally engaged with this cosy murder mystery.
I look forward to reading the previous two books in this series and any future releases.
Thank you to Booksirens and the Publisher/Author for this ARC.
This story follows Miranda, Cat and Stevie on their quest to solve the mysterious murder of a homeless man, who Miranda had encountered 15 years earlier.
A clever twisty tale through the streets of London and the quiet village of Owly Vale with many a surprise along the way!
I love Gina Cheyne’s writing style, quick and punchy chapters with well developed characters which kept me totally engaged with this cosy murder mystery.
I look forward to reading the previous two books in this series and any future releases.
Thank you to Booksirens and the Publisher/Author for this ARC.
April 29, 2023
Miranda is walking in the woods when she finds a homeless just waking up from sleep. He has no idea what he's doing in the woods near the village of Owly Vale. He remembers falling asleep in Billington, and only wants to get back there. Miranda feeds him breakfast, but since he wants nothing else, gives him twenty pounds, and her husband gives him a ride to London, since he's going there anyway.
It's 15 years later when Miranda and her partners in the SeeMS Detective Agency are hired to find out why the cottage called Wild Garlic just won't sell. There are mostly shorter-term leases, a lot of initial offers, but those offers always fall through, for reasons that aren't apparent. So Miranda, Cat, and Stevie set out to investigate the cottage and its history.
Initially, the most interesting new information is a car crashing into the cottage's gate. The local police respond with unaccustomed speed, but the driver is already gone from the scene. There's a wheelchair in the trunk, and the car is adapted for a handicapped driver.
Then there's the homeless man found dead in the cottage. No ID, initially appears to be just a drunk who may have died from his alcohol abuse. When the detectives push for more answers, though, after Miranda realizes she recognizes the man as the confused drunk she met years ago. It turns out there's an injection site in his groin. Just the one, so he wasn't a regular drug user, but it's too late to identify whatever he was injected with.
Oh, and he has some brain damage typical of pilots who have done aerial acrobatics. Stevie, a pilot (her other job is flying 777s for BA), goes hunting down evidence that will identify their dead pilot, and his possible connection to the cottage.
Soon each of the women is finding puzzling information--about the dead man, about the car, about a therapist who might have known both the dead man and the enigmatic owner of a pilots' bar. Tracking down the man's identity and acquaintances is a challenge, and an interesting one to follow.
Along the way, the investigation causes some serious conflicts among the detectives, and Stevie has a romantic fling that turns out to be potentially deadly.
I enjoyed the story a lot. It has interesting characters, good character development, and a fascinatingly complex hunt for the truth. At the same time, there were points at which, with the some back and forth between the past and the present, and information (naturally) not being revealed in the order in which it happened, when I wasn't at all clear at the order in which some sets of events occurred.
It's also important to note that, while the book has what I found to be a satisfying conclusion to the immediate story, there's a definite cliffhanger luring you on to the next book.
Still a very good story, though.
I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources.
It's 15 years later when Miranda and her partners in the SeeMS Detective Agency are hired to find out why the cottage called Wild Garlic just won't sell. There are mostly shorter-term leases, a lot of initial offers, but those offers always fall through, for reasons that aren't apparent. So Miranda, Cat, and Stevie set out to investigate the cottage and its history.
Initially, the most interesting new information is a car crashing into the cottage's gate. The local police respond with unaccustomed speed, but the driver is already gone from the scene. There's a wheelchair in the trunk, and the car is adapted for a handicapped driver.
Then there's the homeless man found dead in the cottage. No ID, initially appears to be just a drunk who may have died from his alcohol abuse. When the detectives push for more answers, though, after Miranda realizes she recognizes the man as the confused drunk she met years ago. It turns out there's an injection site in his groin. Just the one, so he wasn't a regular drug user, but it's too late to identify whatever he was injected with.
Oh, and he has some brain damage typical of pilots who have done aerial acrobatics. Stevie, a pilot (her other job is flying 777s for BA), goes hunting down evidence that will identify their dead pilot, and his possible connection to the cottage.
Soon each of the women is finding puzzling information--about the dead man, about the car, about a therapist who might have known both the dead man and the enigmatic owner of a pilots' bar. Tracking down the man's identity and acquaintances is a challenge, and an interesting one to follow.
Along the way, the investigation causes some serious conflicts among the detectives, and Stevie has a romantic fling that turns out to be potentially deadly.
I enjoyed the story a lot. It has interesting characters, good character development, and a fascinatingly complex hunt for the truth. At the same time, there were points at which, with the some back and forth between the past and the present, and information (naturally) not being revealed in the order in which it happened, when I wasn't at all clear at the order in which some sets of events occurred.
It's also important to note that, while the book has what I found to be a satisfying conclusion to the immediate story, there's a definite cliffhanger luring you on to the next book.
Still a very good story, though.
I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources.
May 12, 2023
The SeeMs Detective Agency is back on the case in Gina Cheyne’s latest cozy mystery, The Mystery of the Homeless Man.
In 2006, Miranda met an itinerant in the wood and decided to take him home. However, she was shocked and surprised that her temporary guest seemed keen to return back to the streets, so she gave him some cash and promptly forgot about the incident. However, little does she realize that fifteen years later, this event is going to prove to be a very important link to a case the SeeMs Detective Agency will be working on.
The agency is investigating an abandoned house when they stumble upon a homeless man who has been brutally murdered. Everybody else seems to have drawn a blank about the man’s identity and the reason why he was killed and with so many deaths on the streets, finding out who he is is going to prove to be a challenge of epic proportions – but not for the SeeMS Detectives who have both time and a client. As this investigation takes them down many a surprising avenue, will they get to the bottom of this mystery? With threats coming far too close to home, can they save a colleague in time before a dangerous killer strikes again? Or will they be too late?
Gina Cheyne will delight mystery readers with her latest novel, The Mystery of the Homeless Man. Fun, gripping and hugely enjoyable, this engaging cozy crime novel is full of twists and turns and shocks and surprises that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next captivating installment of this fantastic series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In 2006, Miranda met an itinerant in the wood and decided to take him home. However, she was shocked and surprised that her temporary guest seemed keen to return back to the streets, so she gave him some cash and promptly forgot about the incident. However, little does she realize that fifteen years later, this event is going to prove to be a very important link to a case the SeeMs Detective Agency will be working on.
The agency is investigating an abandoned house when they stumble upon a homeless man who has been brutally murdered. Everybody else seems to have drawn a blank about the man’s identity and the reason why he was killed and with so many deaths on the streets, finding out who he is is going to prove to be a challenge of epic proportions – but not for the SeeMS Detectives who have both time and a client. As this investigation takes them down many a surprising avenue, will they get to the bottom of this mystery? With threats coming far too close to home, can they save a colleague in time before a dangerous killer strikes again? Or will they be too late?
Gina Cheyne will delight mystery readers with her latest novel, The Mystery of the Homeless Man. Fun, gripping and hugely enjoyable, this engaging cozy crime novel is full of twists and turns and shocks and surprises that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next captivating installment of this fantastic series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 1, 2023
The Mystery Of The Homeless Man by Gina Cheyne is a contemporary crime novel and the third book in the SeeMS Detective Agency series but can be read as a stand-alone.
We witness the plight of a homeless man who, though invisible to some, had a name and a life. It matters to the ladies of the agency that they seek out the truth and know his story.
There are no lengths to which some will not go in order to seek revenge. In their bitterness, the truth is twisted and lies are spun.
The bond of sisterhood means the ladies of the agency work together – but sometimes it seems that a character prefers the words of a stranger to those whom she knows.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. At first, I did get some of the characters mixed up, but soon managed to remember who was who as the book progressed. I read a kindle copy so a paperback would not provide the same challenges.
The Mystery Of The Homeless Man would make a fabulous afternoon television drama. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the subsequent books.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
We witness the plight of a homeless man who, though invisible to some, had a name and a life. It matters to the ladies of the agency that they seek out the truth and know his story.
There are no lengths to which some will not go in order to seek revenge. In their bitterness, the truth is twisted and lies are spun.
The bond of sisterhood means the ladies of the agency work together – but sometimes it seems that a character prefers the words of a stranger to those whom she knows.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. At first, I did get some of the characters mixed up, but soon managed to remember who was who as the book progressed. I read a kindle copy so a paperback would not provide the same challenges.
The Mystery Of The Homeless Man would make a fabulous afternoon television drama. I enjoyed the book and look forward to the subsequent books.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
May 11, 2023
A soft crime tale, The Mystery of the Homeless Man is the third book of the SeeMS Detective Agency series by author Gina Cheyne. Once again, the female team for domestic crimes is hired to discover why a quaint cottage has no interested buyers. They discover an alcoholic homeless man was found dead there, who was a former physics teacher and BA pilot. As the investigation follows various leads that involve the world of aviation and a nightclub, one of the team’s personal relationships places them in grave danger. An enjoyable soft crime read that the connoisseurs of such, will no doubt, rate higher than this three stars rating review. The flowing narrative ended abruptly, advising that the follow-on is in the next novel. With thanks to Book Sirens and the author for an uncorrected proof copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
May 27, 2023
The Mystery of the Homeless Man is the third book in the SeeMS Detective Agency series, but can also be read on its own.
In the new case, agency investigators are investigating the mysterious death of a homeless man who was once a pilot. Why did he die and why did he live on the streets for so many years? As they investigate this case, more mysterious and unexplained questions arise that need to be solved.
I had trouble following the different characters at first because the story jumps around at times, but overall it's a nice crime story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the new case, agency investigators are investigating the mysterious death of a homeless man who was once a pilot. Why did he die and why did he live on the streets for so many years? As they investigate this case, more mysterious and unexplained questions arise that need to be solved.
I had trouble following the different characters at first because the story jumps around at times, but overall it's a nice crime story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 8, 2023
This is an interesting read that is occasionally difficult to follow. At least, that is how I found it. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to continue reading but I did find myself a bit confused at times. Another point to note is that this book definitely needs a follow up, as it ends somewhat abruptly. One more point to note is that although listed as a cozy mystery, it does contain foul language which might be offensive to some. In my experience, most cozies are rather innocuous and vulgar language is not present. The story line is interesting in this book. I give it three and a half stars. Thanks to the author, I received a copy of this book. I leave my review voluntarily.
July 14, 2024
At the beginning of the story I was utterly confused about what was going on. I only got the picture towards the end if it. It was a disjointed story of jealousy and revenge. They think they have a right to ruin and take lives because they feel wronged, so they go about hurting others and those investigating the origin "real crime". I see it the other way. I believe the person that felt like a victim of people and life was the real villain amd perpetrator. They put themselves in untenable situations and blamed others throughout the story. Sadly they didn't pay for all their many crimes. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.
November 28, 2024
The first few chapters left me feeling a bit confused but as the story went along, things came together. A clever plot, with many different clues all tied together to form a storyline designed to confuse and intrigue.
I really like the aviation background, with the many details which gave the story authenticity and brought it to life, painting an interesting visual picture, as with the details of how it must be to be disabled - eye opening and educational. The ending is a bit of a cliff hanger and I am well looking forward to getting my teeth into Book 4
I really like the aviation background, with the many details which gave the story authenticity and brought it to life, painting an interesting visual picture, as with the details of how it must be to be disabled - eye opening and educational. The ending is a bit of a cliff hanger and I am well looking forward to getting my teeth into Book 4
May 1, 2023
A great cozy mystery, the characters are interesting and well developed. The complexities of the mystery had me thinking and second guessing myself . The plot is multilayered and jumps around a bit but I found it easy to follow. I liked getting to know the characters and trying to solve the mystery. It leaves on a bit of a cliffhanger so I want to read the next book.
May 22, 2023
Exciting and fun to read. the story ha s a mysterious homeless man who keeps popping up. is he the key figure. And can you really tell who's who? A small detective agency trying to find out why a house won't sell brings them in delving into the past and solving a murder and proofing another did not happen.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2023
This book keeps you intrigued. Stevie, Miranda and Cat are investigators for SeeMs agency. Their agency which solves mysteries. This mystery is about the death of a homeless man, but as you read more mysteries develop. The characters are wonderful very unique. I look forward to the next book. Totally hooked on series.
June 19, 2023
When this book came up as an Arc of Hidden Gems Books I decided to give this series another try. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this one much more than I did the first one I read. Though there were still some slow times in the story, I enjoyed this one so much more. The ending was great and sets us up for the next book in this series.
December 14, 2025
loved the book, hated the ending
This is a riveting thriller that starts like a cozy mystery with three woman who have a detective agency that finds lost pets and straying husbands. But when they’re hired to find why a house won’t sell, they find a corpse and a series of lives ruined.
This is a riveting thriller that starts like a cozy mystery with three woman who have a detective agency that finds lost pets and straying husbands. But when they’re hired to find why a house won’t sell, they find a corpse and a series of lives ruined.
August 31, 2026
Didn’t even finish it. It’s very badly written and not proofread because one page says she was dressed in “back” instead of “black”, and there are many more sentences which make no sense.
Not only that but there are so many irrelevant details given which just make it confusing.
Not only that but there are so many irrelevant details given which just make it confusing.
October 8, 2023
Who killed the Homeless Man Neil O'Banyon and why??? Jealousy??? I enjoyed this story, can hardly wait for Book #4, and recommended the book.
December 13, 2023
Interesting plot twists, and an ending which I did not expect! I love ths series of novels following three female detectives.
September 13, 2024
Who killed him and why??? I now know more about aviation than I ever wanted to. However, I did enjoy this story and recommended the book.
November 22, 2025
Disappointed
This plot was confusing to follow and often contradicted previous information. Too many British terms and slang. And the story continues without being solved.
This plot was confusing to follow and often contradicted previous information. Too many British terms and slang. And the story continues without being solved.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews