The Crystal Crypt Fiona Veitch Smith

The Crystal Crypt

The Pantomime Murders

'A twisty plot and plenty of red herrings. I was hooked from page one!... 5/5 Stars!' Reader review 5 stars Someone is killing fairy godmothers in Cinderella... Can Miss Clara Vale crack the case before the clock strikes twelve? 1929, December: Snow is falling, and Miss Clara Vale is wrapped up against the cold as she braves the icy streets of Newcastle in her latest investigation. When a young actress from the touring pantomime of Cinderella arrives at her door, Clara isn't sure what to make of her request. Sybil Langford, the legendary fairy godmother in their production, has mysteriously vanished. Could Clara help track her down? But a few days into Clara's search, Sybil's body is pulled from an icy river, and Clara finds herself in the middle of yet another murder mystery. With scheming stepsisters waiting in the wings, handsome princes who aren't all they seem, and clues as elusive as glass slippers, Clara will need every one of her scientific skills to catch the killer... And when Sybil's replacement meets her own tragic end, Clara is in a race against time before the murderer sends a third cast member to their unhappily ever after... The perfect Golden Age mystery to curl up with by the fire. Fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright will be gripped by this historical crime novel from the very first page. Readers love this festive cosy mystery: 'Delightful 1920s cosy mystery... to put you in the mood for the festive season... Sophisticated style and cosy, comforting feel that I hoped for... felt myself escaping into the story' Reader review 5 stars 'Recommended!... I most appreciate about this series is the accuracy of the 1929 world-building... If you like historical mysteries, give this one a try!' Reader review 5 stars

The Picture House Murders

'You know a book is good when you get up, realize you finished it last night and are really disappointed that you can't read it with your breakfast. This book reminds me of the best golden age of mystery writers, especially Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers... Can't wait for the next one!' Reader review 5 stars 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. Readers are GRIPPED by The Picture House Murders: 'A real page turner... What a great tale with many twists and turns. Couldn't help reading to the very end in one go' Reader review, 5 stars 'I loved it and was totally hooked from the very first word ... a fantastic cast of characters (I absolutely love Clara), an intriguing plot ... I can highly recommend this' Reader review, 5 stars 'I absolutely loved this book. It has so many twists and turns and I just didn't want to put it down!' Reader review, 5 stars 'I couldn't put this book down. Great read, great storyline and believable characters' Reader review, 5 stars 'Kept me up reading all night!' Reader review, 5 stars '...a fascinating read... great fun... I enjoyed this book immensely and have ordered the sequels. A great start to a new series' Reader review, 5 stars