Poppy Denby is a character to keep reading again and again! She is curious, resourceful and charming.

This book is the first of the series starring Poppy Denby and her cast of family and friends and I intend to keep up to date with the series.
The series is set in 1920 among the post-war London, soldiers who have returned home looking for work, women who suddenly find themselves out of the work they have been doing and, pioneering suffragettes still fighting for some form of recognition or equality.

Poppy throws herself into the deep end and battles with corrupt police officers, war criminals, murder and the perils of too much champagne! I really liked Poppy, who has a heart of gold but a courageous one at that. She is compassionate and hard working and brings out the best in some people and the worst in others.

I enjoyed learning about what the Suffragettes had to go through and that slice of history was refreshing. There were loads of twists and turns and I enjoyed the chase very much.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and Fiona Veitch Smith, for, between them I got to read a stellar book and get invested in a great new series. All opinions given are my own.

Fiona you are my new favorite cozy mystery writer!!! Poppy is a true 1920s woman! A mixture of an adventurous heart and a sweetness that keeps the reader interested! I am a cozy mystery fanatic and for me finding a book especially in the 1920s has my attention immediately! 🧁

We follow Poppy who is sent to be a companion to her Aunt Dot! First off I really love Dot!! Her feistiness and fierce love will definitely be me when I'm older LOL she convinces Poppy to go get a job as times are changing for women and they deserve to be their own person! 📰

Poppy get yourself a job in a newspaper and meets incredibly interesting characters! She's tasked with an investigative adventure along the way and wants to find out who killed a senior editor? Was he on to the truth about a death about a suffragette a while back? Are there sinister forces that will stop anyone trying to scoop the truth? 🍩

She has a love interest who I want for myself LOL this mystery book has everything! Romance, historical intrigue, and most of all finding your own voice! Poppy is brave and the biggest sweetheart from the word go!! 🌹 I hope this series keeps continuing I will collect it in paperback and hardback!

Bravo!! 🎆

This is a little different to her past books. It was an interesting read but with lots of information which I find too much in a read. I enjoyed the christian content expect for the possible guy couple which spoils the whole story. I’m not sure if I will read anymore of this series. I preferred the earlier series. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

A Front-Page Murder by Fiona Veitch Smith is a Poppy Denby story, in fact, it looks like it has been republished under a new name and is, indeed, the first of the series. Poppy is an intrepid newspaper reporter who was born with a gift. This story gets very personal as it involves her aunt and her aunt’s companion, both famous suffragettes, until Poppy’s aunt, the famous actress, Dorothy Denby, was wounded in a protest and lost the use of her legs. That has stopped some aspects of her life but not all and she doesn’t hesitate to spirit Poppy away from her conservative parents and encourage her to get a job and make a life for herself. But, that also didn’t keep her from believing that her old friend’s daughter had deserved to be locked in a mental institution for seven years without looking any further.

Poppy got a job as an editorial assistant, which really meant glorified clerk, but she fell into it at a time when things were popping and she got sent out to cover a story. She also met a man, a news photographer, who she was wildly attracted to until she discovered he was married. She’s a fabulous character; the whole thing takes place in the early 1920s so there is plenty going one and Poppy wants to see it all. It turns out she was meant to be a reporter and despite knowing nothing, becomes a terrific one in a very short period of time. Also an intrepid question-asker, she manages to solve a couple of crimes along the way. It is a terrific book, with things happening that, thankfully, no longer happen. I can’t think of a better read than Poppy Denby.

I was invited by Bonnier Books UK. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BonnierBooksUK #FionaVeitchSmith #PoppyDenby #AFrontPageMurder

4.5 stars rounded down. This was an enjoyable read with characters I liked. I am a sucker for a good historical cosy mystery, so this was always going to be up my alley. If you can suspend a little belief that Poppy almost immediately falls into working as a journalist when she was hired as an editorial assistant to tidy the owner’s office, and that she ends up being sent to Paris on a story, and gets up to a few antics that a sheltered Methodist girl from Morpeth would have no experience with… then you’ll enjoy this. The final showdown fight (for want of a better word) was slightly clumsily written, but overall this is a great book and I will absolutely check out the future books in the series.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

Fiona Veitch Smith is my favorite cozy mystery writer, and this premier to her latest series starring up-and-coming journalist Poppy Denby did not disappoint. In 1920, Poppy is fresh onto the London scene at a time when women are still struggling be accepted into the workforce. The suffragette movement of the early 1900s has paved the way for Poppy and she lands a dream job as an editor’s assistant. But on her first day, a senior reporter falls to his death moments after receiving a mysterious note. Poppy is tasked with finishing his article about the mysterious death of a suffragette years earlier. Her investigation will send her down a path into her past that she never expected.

Smith’s excellent writing and storycraft, her genuine and realistic characters, and the attention to detail she infuses into her historical fiction is utterly delightful. This story is engaging and mysterious without being scary. I love Poppy and the unique cast of characters around her, and I can’t wait to read more of the exciting world she inhabits.

Thank you to Bonnier Books UK | Embla Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was very interested in the storyline here. I am not a big history buff, but I thoroughly enjoyed the historical elements of the Women’s Suffrage Movement being woven throughout this story. I learned quite a bit and found myself reading other articles and information about aspects mentioned in this book.

Poppy is a very likable character and the story had my attention right from the start. I loved that there were multiple mysteries to solve and that it was layered in a way that felt very realistic and plausible. That said, this isn’t a particularly “twisty” or suspense-filled novel (not that it really claimed to be), but it still gave something that made you keep coming back to it. Maybe you wanted to just get to the bottom of it all and hoped the good-gals prevailed. Whatever it is, this book gets a solid 4 stars. There were some things that didn’t quite add up and that annoyed me at certain parts of the plot, but I won’t detail them here so as not to give any spoilers. Nevertheless and overall, it’s a good story and I look forward to ready more Poppy adventures. Thanks to NetGalley for this title in exchange for my review.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Poppy Denby from Morpeth goes to stay with her aunt Dot (a former suffragette) expecting she has a job for her. Little does she know, it’s only the start of her journey, soon she gets herself a job at The Daily Globe. Not long after, she investigates the death of a senior news reporter that could having something to do with the death of a friend of her aunt, a fellow suffragette seven years ago.
A fantastic blend of historical information and a whirlwind of a plot. Poppy was at the centre of this drama and we as readers were given a taste of London’s starry world. I liked that the poverty of the time was also acknowledged.

When the novel started, I was intrigued by Poppy’s story and then it just got better with an added layer to the narrative provided by Elizabeth. All the past and present crimes were cleverly interwoven. I love how we were given different generational voices that provided past and present experiences of being a woman at the time period and before the First World War. Although I was enjoying the story, when Poppy went over to Paris, the pace of the novel really picked up a gear and I couldn’t stop reading until the end. I can’t wait for a sequel to see more of Poppy’s adventures in London. I would definitely consider the book front page worthy! 4.5 stars.

This book was previously published as The Jazz Files.

When Poppy Denby arrives in London to stay with and assist her wheelchair-bound Aunt Dot she meets a dashing young press photographer named Daniel Rokeby in the train station. The encounter makes Poppy wonder what it would be like to be a journalist. So when Aunt Dot and her companion Grace Wilson, who were pioneering suffragettes before the First World War, encourage Poppy to look for a ‘real’ job, Poppy applies to the Daily Globe newspaper. Rollo Robinson, the owner and editor of the paper where Daniel is also employed takes Poppy on as his assistant but what initially was meant to be a secretarial job to organise and clear the files in Rollo’s office soon turns into an investigation when the political editor falls to his death on Poppy’s first day.

Convinced that the fall was no accident and encouraged by Rollo, Poppy dives into an investigation that is connected to her aunt’s past as a suffragette and the events that put her in a wheelchair. It will also take Poppy into London’s theatrical scene, bring her face to face with a lord who detests the suffragette movement, and will see her travel to Paris. And that’s just for starters. Poppy’s opportunity to prove herself as a journalist is a danger-filled rollercoaster both for her and for the reader.

I struggled a bit with that synopsis. There is a lot happening in this story and I’m not sure I could summarize it all without either spoiling the story and/or confusing readers of this review. There are also many characters to keep track of, both fictional and taken from real life. For example, Charlie Chaplin and Marie Curie make a supporting appearance on these pages. So, it is very helpful that the book starts with a list of characters, indicating whether they’re real or fictional, and that at about 70% into the story Poppy and Rollo, her boss, create and discuss a timeline that summarizes all the events both past and present that have come to pass up until that point.

This book is more crime-caper than mystery since most of the villains in this story are obvious from the start. What’s more, Poppy was a bit too much ‘do first, think later’ kinda girl for my liking, but the story flew across the pages and there wasn’t a boring paragraph.

Long review short: while I did roll my eyes on quite a few occasions while reading A Front Page Murder, I had a hard time putting this book down. This story is pure entertainment for anybody who enjoys their mysteries with a generous helping of shenanigans. And while I think I prefer the Miss Clara Vale mysteries by this author, I’m pretty sure I’ll return to Poppy Denby’s adventures before too long.

4.5 stars
As a fan of the Miss Clara Vale series from Fiona Veitch Smith, I jumped at the chance to read the first in the Poppy Fenby Investigates series.
This is a really enjoyable, fast-paced mystery. The links to the suffragette movement within the investigation Poppy finds herself involved in are fascinating.
Fiona has written such an intriguing story - full of great characters, strong women, and a great mystery to investigate- all set to the background of the rise in the fight for women’s rights.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Fiona Veitch Smith for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Front-Page Murder coming out September 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a couple books by this author and I really love historical mysteries. I thought the references to Agatha Christie were fun. I love Christie’s novels. I love the time period and setting. Poppy was an interesting character who sometimes did some questionable things. She wasn’t completely likable to me. It seemed to jump back in time and it got slightly confusing. The ending felt like a lot of information at once. But overall, I really enjoyed it and I’d definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical cozy mysteries!

This is the first book in the series so that a lot of details and scene setting in the beginning. The roaring twenties comes to life in the descriptions and details. There is plenty of intrigue with lots going on to keep you interested and the story goes along at a good pace for the most part although the end did seem a tad rushed. However its and entertaining read and I am looking forward to more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

London, 1920 & Poppy Denby travels from Morpeth to go to live with her disabled Aunt Dot a former actress & suffragette. Poppy’s parents think their daughter is going to be a companion but Dot & Poppy have other thoughts. Poppy may only be twenty-two, but she’d love to be a reporter is thrilled when she lands the job of the editor’s assistant at the Daily Globe. She expects she's going to have to work twice as hard as her male colleagues. On Poppy's first day one of the Globe's senior reporters falls to his death from the highest staircase - just moments after receiving a mysterious note. Poppy is tasked with finishing his article involving the mysterious death of a suffragette seven years earlier, about which some powerful people would prefer nothing to be said. As Poppy investigates, she is thrown into a world of hard-drinking newspapermen, flappers and jazz clubs, and learns she must tread very carefully indeed.
This book was first published in 2015 as The Jazz Files. The first in the series & I quickly grew to love Poppy who’s an endearing mix of innocence & intelligence. She’s certainly thrown into the deep end & is aided by photographer Daniel Rokeby, her Aunt & Delilah. There are a few mysteries was Bert pushed off the staircase? why is Elizabeth kept incarcerated? how did Easling rise through the ranks so quickly? I thoroughly enjoyed how Poppy gradually unravelled the mysteries, there are plenty of secrets & corruption as well as an insight into the beginning of the Roaring Twenties. I look forward to the rest of the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
I'm always happy to find a first book in a historical series, although I think I may be done with the 20s soon.
A Front Page Murder is the somewhat unlikely story of Poppy, a young woman who moves to London to stay with her aunt in 1920 just at the end of WW1/Spanish Flu. Her aunt was a famous actress AND an infamous suffragette. Poppy very quickly stumbles onto a job with a newspaper with a colourful and liberal editor, and gets embroiled in investigating the death of a reporter, which is tied into an accident in her aunt's past and nefarious doings by a shady, rich peer. Lot of clichés here, but surprisingly entertaining, as the characters are quite charming and the action moves along well.
I wonder why everyone is drinking coffee in London in the 20s though? There were a couple of other anachronistic moments but it was, overall, a fun read.
It's interesting (and lends realism for me) that Poppy, whose father is a Methodist minister, has some inner diaglogues about conscience and religion - I found it fitted with time period, and it's not something you often see in cozies like this.
Trigger warnings: some gore, mentions of suicide, violence against women.
This seems to be a re-branding of the series - author changing publishers? This book was originally published as 'The Jazz Files' 2015

3-3.5 out of 5. Would recommend for fans of loosely historical adventure mysteries with spunky female leads.

Lovely cosy mystery set at the beginning of the 1920s with plenty of interesting characters. I enjoyed the period details and the introduction of real life characters from the time. I hope to read more in this series.

I am a longtime fan of Poppy Denby and was delighted to be asked to review “A Front Page Murder” a new edition of her first adventure, which was previously published under the title “The Jazz Files”. I hope that the new look and title, inspires more people to pick up and read “A Front Page Murder”. Many thanks to the publisher Embla Books for the opportunity.

“A Front Page Murder” is an interesting and at some points thrilling mystery. I found it hard to put down. I thoroughly recommend this cosy crime novel. I challenge anyone not to warm to Poppy, a kind, generous and intelligent young woman, who lights up the pages with her youth and enthusiasm.

The action occurs in 1920 at a time when times were changing, women dared to become more useful in society working and wearing shorter fitted, clothing. The era is one of high hopes and change which is illustrated well in Poppy’s journey through the chapters.

Poppy Denby has led a sheltered life and is tasked with going to London to be a Companion to her Aunt Dot. Dot herself although an invalid is very capable, an infamous Suffragette but realised Poppy needed to get an opportunity to move away from home and used the excuse that she required a companion to get by, in order to allow Poppy a chance to stay with her in London, for an indefinite period. During her stay, Aunt Dot encourages Poppy to aspire to more and she ends up applying to work in a Newspaper Office. Soon Poppy is completely embroiled in the life of the paper, including filling the shoes of the journalist who falls to his death in front of her, and leaves a mystery to solve that involves several big names in society, including her own Aunt. The main characters are likable with that hint of intrigue in their background that adds to the mystery.

This novel is well researched. In the front of the book a cast of characters includes the list of those that are fictional and historical. A historical note makes it clear what is artistic licence and what is based on fact. Colourful descriptions of fashion, cars, music and clubs set the scene brilliantly.

"London, 1920. Starry-eyed aspiring reporter Poppy Denby emerges from the steam of the Edinburgh-London train onto the platform at King's Cross with nothing but a trunk of old notebooks and a heart full of dreams. She swaps her quiet northern hometown for the Big Smoke to act as companion for her ailing (but ever-sharp) Aunt Dot, a pioneering Suffragette and former West End leading lady.

She may only be twenty-two, but Miss Denby knows what she wants and quickly lands a job at the Daily Globe. She expects she's going to have to pull up her stockings and work twice as hard as her male colleagues, but what she is not ready to deal with is murder.

It's only Poppy's first day on Fleet Street when one of the Globe's senior reporters falls to his death from the highest staircase - just moments after receiving a mysterious note. Poppy is tasked with finishing his article involving the mysterious death of a suffragette seven years earlier, about which some powerful people would prefer nothing to be said. Did old Bert Isaacs get too close to a scoop?

As Poppy investigates, she is thrown into a world of hard-drinking newspapermen, flappers and jazz clubs, and learns she must tread very carefully indeed. Luckily, she has her new-found friendship with the terribly dashing Globe photographer Daniel Rokeby who seems terribly eager to lend a helping hand..."

The real mystery here is isn't her job supposed to be companion not working at the Daily Globe?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Fiona Veitch and Embla Books for this ARC.

A Front-Page Murder, previously called The Jazz Files, is book 1 in the Poppy Denby Investigates series.

Poppy has come to London to visit her aunt, Dot. But her aunt wants Poppy to have a career and apply to any job she wishes. So when Poppy lands herself a job at The Globe newspaper, she is delighted and excited to learn and explore. But on her very first day, a journals at the newspaper falls to his death and the circumstances of his death seem a little fishy.

This book based on the 20's was quite refreshing and different to my usual reads, but still a good, cozy mystery. I really felt for the women in those days, and the way they were treated was horrible. I liked Daniel and would have liked to see him more in the last half of the book.

I’m sure others will like this book, but it’s not for me. I found that all the talk about the suffragette movement distracted me from the mystery, and I couldn’t settle into the story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.