First I must say I love getting in on the first book of a new series and so was happy we I was granted to opportunity to read this one.

Clare Vale has unexpectedly inherited her uncles estate and investigation business but not all is at it seems. Set in 1929 England this is a great start to a new series and one I quite enjoyed. It is easy to read but at times was a bit slow. But having said that it is well written and kept my interest as I wanted to find out what happened.

I like Clare and loved the setting, the mystery kept me guessing and the story flowed well. I now look forward to seeing what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The first in a new cozy historical mystery series. Clara is shocked to learn her beloved uncle has died and she has inherited his estate, including his private investigator business. When she goes up to settle his affairs, she finds herself drawn into multiple mysteries.

I think this was a solid debut. However, I felt there was too much intrigue outside of the murders/mysteries with Clara inheriting her estate and the troubles there. I appreciate the historical context and nuance of that. However, it made it slow in parts and took away from the clues and solving the mysteries. I do think this series has potential, especially now that Clara’s foundation has been laid.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I absolutely loved this book and our new protagonist, Clara Vale. Set in Newcastle in 1929, Clara has recently inherited her Uncle Bob’s house, money and, his detective agency. When Clara goes to collect her inheritance she is undecided what to do with it - sell or try her hand at being a lady detective ( no mean feat in 1920’s England) , however when a mystery lands I her lap, she can’t help but try and solve it and ends up in the middle of a very tangled web of lies, deceit and murder.
A fabulous start to this new mystery series. Well written and with the story based, loosely, around historical events, this book has the makings of an addictive series. I could see this being turned into a TV production, and was casting it as I read! Highly recommended!

This is a wonderful start to what I hope is a new series. It was a well-thought-out plot with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the end. The characters were well-written and the setup for the new series was well done. Although a little slow in the beginning due to the set up of the series, it was a very enjoyable read. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

I really enjoyed this book with its authentic period feel and an endearing yet fierce protagonist. I am looking forward to reading more about Clara Vale. Thanks to the author for the information at the end of the book too.

Very enjoyable first book in a new 1929 English series about budding detective agency owner, Clara Vale. Astonished to discover her uncle died and left her all of his possessions, including house, funds and his detective agency, she's immediately drawn into one of his unsolved cases. This is while she's deciding whether to keep or sell the agency, not to mention arranging for 'a male relative' to sign the necessary bank documents to allow her access to the funds, and decide if she's willing to permanently relocate to Newcastle on Tyne. There's much potential for future stories in this series - Clara is a very likable protagonist and the changing English society of 1929 allows nuggets of reality to be interjected. She's matriculated from Oxford, with a degree in science but unable to find a job in the male-dominated world. This background allows her to analyze clues and perform scientific analysis in an interesting way to further the storyline. I liked this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Well done interwar mystery. Complex plot, vivid historical detail and a well drawn, strong female protagonist made for a compelling read.

A young woman chemist uses science to investigate and help figure out whodunit at the theater. Actually two theaters were burned and a man is found hanging in one of them.

Highly entertaining and beautifully written to capture the spirit of the age. Women are at last starting to see some opportunities for freedoms come their way, and our heroine is courageous and forthright in her determination to have independence - and willing to make sacrifices for it. Her sleuthing is still, however, hindered by her gender, but she overcomes the odds to find success - and love. A heroine for any age, indeed.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Embla Books for an advance copy of The Picture House Murders, the first novel to feature Clara Vale, set in Newcastle and its surroundings in 1929.

Clara is surprised to learn that her Uncle Bob has died and even more surprised to learn that he has left his home, business and savings to her. He thinks that her enquiring mind and scientific background will be ideal in taking over his detective agency in Newcastle, she’s not so sure, but decides to take on one of his open cases to see if she’s suited. She starts investigating a fire at a picture house and is soon caught up in a second fire, this one with deadly consequences.

I enjoyed The Picture House Murders to a point as it has a wide ranging plot with plenty of suspects and motives, but I thought that the execution made it a cluttered read.

The novel is told entirely from Clara Vale’s point of view, so the reader can get immersed in her world and thinking. She is a serious minded young woman of thirty and quite unlike her peers. She is unmarried and has no wish to go to the altar, she has a degree in science from Oxford and is determined to support herself, but with the prejudice against lady scientists she is currently working in a small library in London. Obviously her scientific skills and intelligence come in handy when detecting, but she may need to work on her social skills.

The plot is quite complicated as she’s coming to it late and there is little by way of hard, physical evidence. This is where the novel falls down a bit. There are too many variables to see events clearly and too much pondering of said variables to make the novel propulsive. It’s as if the author didn’t quite know what kind of novel she wanted to produce. There are some serious issues raised about women’s lack of rights at the time and some nice incidents of mansplaining, but there is no humour, something I’ve come to expect in period cosies. At the same time the novel has a genuinely well plotted mystery, something I’ve not come to expect in period cosies, but it gets cluttered by too much detail and going over the same points.

The Picture House Murders is a solid read. 3.5*

Thanks to Net Galley and Embla Books. This is a new author to me. The book has a strong heroine and a good plot line albeit a bit predictable. It was a good read although there is a bit too much repetitive inner monologue. Interested to read book 2 to see if there is improvement.

i love a strong heroine and a period mystery. While this book clicked those boxes, it just didnt deliver for me as a novel. . . Either as entertainment, or for enhancing my historical knowledge.

I am happy with a light mystery, but this book’s detailed descriptions of the amateur detective’s investigation and deductions just couldn't hold my interest. There was a predictability about it that made all the narrative seem tedious.

I’m always on the lookout for new cosy crimes (especially historical) to read, so I was pleased to pick up The Picture House Murders by Fiona Veitch Smith.

I enjoyed reading this book, which had a well thought out plot. The mystery was intriguing, and there were plenty of suspects.

I liked Clara very much, she has plenty of courage. Although she’s sometimes (not surprisingly) daunted by the deep waters she finds herself in, she persists until she works out what’s really going on.

I found myself frustrated by the limitations on women, though I’m sure this is realistic for the time it’s set in. I also struggled with the fact that there was no one Clara could trust, this (along with the conspiracy going on) made the story feel a little darker than most cosy crimes I read.

I really liked the fact that this story is set in Newcastle, I don’t think I’ve ever read a historical cosy crime set there before.

Overall, this was an enjoyable cosy crime, with plenty of unexpected twists to keep you on your toes!

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

"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 T.E. Kinsey will be hooked from the very first page to the final breathtaking finale."

If Flavia De Luce was a flapper.

The Picture House Murders by Fiona Veitch Smith is the first book in historical cozy mystery set in 1929 in Great Britain and I found the protagonist to be an admirable character.

The book does start out slow as I expected it might since it's the first book and Ms. Smith is establishing the setting in Newcastle and fleshing out each of the characters. However, it didn't take long for the plot to pick up the pace and begin to twist with each new clue and red herring. I liked Clara Vale and found her to be smart and determined to be independent whether as a scientist or an inquiry agent. With a smoothly paced plot, a limited pool of suspects and support characters that kept Clara moving toward the solution, this mystery kept me engaged until the end. A good beginning to a new series.

This mystery, set in 1929, introduces us to a scientificcly-minde heroine who inherits her uncle's estate, including his detective agency. To see whether she has the talent to take on the agency, she begins to work on one of her uncle's open cases, possible arson in a movie theater. With plenty of twists and turns, the mystery kept me guessing.

I'm looking forward to the next book.

A Detective…?
The first in the Clara Vale series of mysteries, 1920’s set, finds the sparky Clara armed with a science degree from Oxford and unable to find work. As she battles against the prejudices of the day, Clara realises that there may well be more possibilities for her than she could have imagined. Could she become…a detective? It’s not long before Clara throws herself into her new profession with the gusto that she is known for. Enjoyable and entertaining mystery, a plot populated with an eclectic cast in a well imagined setting and with a feisty heroine at its’ heart.

London, 1929: Clara Vale is bored. She graduated from Oxford with a chemistry degree (rather than a Mrs. degree as her mother hoped), but unfortunately, people don’t want to hire a female chemist in the 1920s. After several short-lived jobs, she ends up getting a job as a library assistant where she's way overqualified. She could "retire" and live off the allowance her father would provide, but she wants to be independent and support herself. Then she hears her uncle has died and left her something in his will. Her uncle was one of the few people who supported Clara - the only one that attended her graduation. She's expecting a small bequest - maybe a few hundred pounds? - but is shocked to learn he's left her everything outside of a few small items to servants, etc. Not only does this include a house in Newcastle worth about £ 2,000 (about $250,000 in today’s dollars), but also a detective agency. Despite strong pressure to sell the agency, Clara is intrigued: could she run it? Within minutes, she gets her first opportunity. A picture house owner thinks the damage to her theatre was arson despite what the insurance agent says. And the client is happy to work with Clara, regardless of her gender. So while Clara looks into the case, she’s also pondering her long term goals – should she sell the agency and house and return to London or make a new life and career in Newcastle?

Parts of this book were delightful! I really liked Clara and her situation, the fact she inherits an agency and home (complete with laboratory), rather than stumbling over a body that she feels she has to investigate for sometimes flimsy reasons. The mystery was rather nice, too. However, some of her reactions felt too anachronistic, too modern; this is based on reading books written in the 1920s and 1930s, so it’s not exactly scientific. Concerns about getting a bank account and inheritances, for example, or reactions to premarital sex. I’m hoping some of these reactions were included just to set up the character and won’t be so pronounced in future books; I’ve just read too many historical books where the characters’ modern reactions end up taking over the plot, and I don’t want to see that here with Clara.

Overall, a nice start to a promising series. Recommended.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

The Picture House Murders is the first in a new series by Fiona Veitch Smith set in the north east of England in 1929. I was confident that I'd enjoy it having happily read her previous series - and I was not disappointed. Her writing style is pacy and engaging, drawing the reader in.

Clara Vale, daughter of wealthy upwardly socially mobile parents is unusual. She has a degree in Chemistry from Oxford and works for her living (although not, alas, in her chosen field due to prejudice against women), steadfastly refusing her father's allowance. Her life is unexciting and a little defeated and so when she hers that her Uncle Bob has left her his money, house and detective agency in Newcastle she is sorely tempted to keep it going, running it herself...

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. It's got the Agatha Christie mystery, LGBTQ inclusion and sense of scenery and the character development of Dorothy Sayers. I also appreciated the accurate historical notes, although the treatment of women in the 1920s occasionally made me put the book down and, enraged, go rant to my long-suffering husband. We are also introduced to a whole cast of characters besides Miss Clara who I'm pretty sure will feature in future books. Can't wait for the next one!