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The Picture House Murders

Miss Clara Vale, Book 1

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The Picture House Murders

By: Fiona Veitch Smith
Narrated by: Hannah Genesius
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About this listen

 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?©2023 Fiona Veitch Smith (P)2023 Bonnier Books UK Cosy Detective Historical Mystery Private Investigators Women Sleuths Fiction Crime Murder

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All stars
Most relevant
Although part of the retro golden age detection genre, the books are so well written and narrated, that I don't mind. They're good fun.

Great narration

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This book got me interested from the beginning. Well drawn characters and a great portrayal of the time between the wars when women were just starting to be recognised as individuals in their own right. Very little ‘presentism’ inflicted on the reader for which I am grateful. There was one glaring error when Clara said she hoped her brother would reply by first class post - the two tier system wasn’t introduced until 1968. The narration was excellent apart from one niggle - the pronunciation of leverage. It was pronounced the American way with a short ‘e’. This would definitely not have been how it was pronounced in 1929. It should be with a long ‘ee’. In fact, if you’re English it should always be pronounced in this way. Still deserves its five stars, though. I’m. Looking forward to the other books in this series. The author’s Poppy Denby series is also worth a listen.




An enthralling listen

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Having just finished the Poppy Denby series, I had a slight trepidation as to whether Clara could fill Poppy’s sizeable shoes .. she is very different as a character but the book was just as enjoyable. They really are very well written with interesting characters & a good pacing. Also thanks to Hannah for her excellent narration- am looking forwards to book 2!

Clara Vale is a strong follow on from Poppy Denby.

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A fun cosy mystery perfect to curl up with and with great characters and a decent story.

Great cosy mystery.

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The character of Clara Vale is well-written, and the listener is drawn into her life and soon completely hooked on where her decisions and actions will take her, with most of us willing her on to go for it! Intriguing, exciting, and beautifully narrated.

Such great characters! Lovely narration!

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