The Picture House Murders

Miss Clara Vale, Book 1

De: Fiona Veitch Smith

Narrado por: Hannah Genesius

Murder is no occupation for a lady... or is it?

1929: Miss Clara Vale is a woman ahead of her time. Rather than attending Oxford to bag an eligible Duke (as her mother, Lady Vale, so desperately hoped), she threw herself into a degree in chemistry, with aspirations to become a scientist in her own right.

But the world isn't ready for Clara. Unable to land a job in science because she's a woman, she is stuck behind the desk at a dingy London library.

Until her estranged Uncle dies suddenly, leaving her his private detective agency, and laboratory, in his will.

Clara couldn't become a detective, could she?

The decision is made for her when one of her uncle's old clients comes to her for help with a case surrounding the local picture house and invites Clara to see the latest show, before they discuss the details.

But during the film, a fire suddenly engulfs the picture house, with tragic consequences.

It seems at first an accident, but Clara soon begins to question if it was in fact a carefully orchestrated murder.

She's suddenly in the middle of a deadly mystery and will discover her scientific skills make her a sleuth to be reckoned with... Can she catch the killer before they strike again?

The first in a brand-new, glittering Golden Age cozy mystery series. Fans of Verity Bright, Helena Dixon and TE Kinsey will be hooked from the very first page to the final breathtaking finale. ©2023 Fiona Veitch Smith (P)2023 Bonnier Books UK

Fantastic new 1920s detective!

I was sad to see this author’s Poppy Denby books weren’t continuing but absolutely loved this new detective and supporting characters and interesting mystery. Love Clara’s science background and learning about evidence collection techniques for this period. I had to immediately buy the second book in the series after finishing this one! If you’re a fan of well plotted 1920s mysteries, endearing characters, and sprinkles of 1920s fashion, cocktails, cars and architecture you’ll love these. The narrator does an incredible job with so many accents and characters to keep separate.

good story, excellent reading

this was a really good "cozy" detective story. the reading is excellent, I'm looking forward to book 2 in this series

Entertaining

The Picture House Murders is an entertaining cozy mystery with engaging characters. However, the story moves slowly and falls flat in the middle of the movie. Overall, the mystery and characters are interesting. I'll get the next book to see if it get better.

What an enjoyable and engaging story!

The main character Clara is intelligent and this book kept me engaged from start to finish.
I hope this will lead to a long series of- cannot wait for more!

Enjoyed it

I really enjoyed the book. It was refreshing with details of solving a murder. Hope to read more books written by her.