Although it took me several days to finish reading this book Poison in Piccadilly, I found it to be a light-hearted, quick read. As always, Fionna Figg is quite an amusing character along side Kitty Lane, the erstwhile Fredrick Fredricks and the elusive Lieutenant Archie. Mix ups, poisons (obviously), hatpins and surprizes await the reader of this fun mystery-murder tale. What's more, I'm wondering if readers of other Fionna Figg and Kitty Lane books can imagine a married Fionna Figg! Ha, ha, potential readers will just have to indulge themselves to find out...

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

September 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by Net Galley and the publisher.

This is a tough review for me. I first got into this series through an ARC for Murder in Moscow & then went back to start the series from the beginning because I enjoyed it so much. I've read all but two of the series now. I am glad I wasn't introduced to the series through this book as it is not, in my opinion, the strongest of the series. While there are things I enjoyed, and interesting developments with the characters, Fiona nearly drove me nuts. I found her so irritating in this book. She does some pretty silly things, even more than usual. Without giving spoilers away, I found her particularly grating anytime she was thinking or dealing with Archie. It was all a bit melodramatic for me. I love a good romance novel, but I prefer my cozy mystery romances to be much less melodramatic! I also wanted more chapters from Kitty's perspective. I found it very frustrating that Fiona & Clifford didn't believe Kitty for most of the book. I felt that Fiona's spying capabilities & intelligence in this book didn't match with the last one, although admittedly it is not fresh in my mind since I have read 5 other books in the series between reading it and this one. I will continue to read this series, but this was not one I particularly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1918 Fiona Figg is on leave for a month from the British War Office to arrange her wedding when her "niece" Kitty Lane is attacked during a Jiujitsu competition and has amnesia. We are treated to a roller coaster of a ride as Fiona and Kitty (along with Clifford and of course Kitty's furry friend Poppy) try to figure out who attached Kitty and why. This story is everything you could want in a mystery. It has spies, secrets, suffragettes, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. I don't want to give too much away. You need to read it for yourself and enjoy every minute. I literally could not put it down.! This has to be the best cozy mystery I have read this year so far. I can't recommend it high enough!

Fiona's spunk, determination and definitely her love of disguises and spy gadgets make her one of my favorite sleuths. Kitty comes a close second with her spy training, foot fighting and love for her little Pekinese, Poppy. Clifford rounds this mystery solving trio and he's a gem too. There is also a love triangle. I have to admit I am Team Frederick Fredericks!

There were some unresolved events, so I hope that means that we are going to get another installment--pretty please!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this and give my honest review.

Fiona Figg finds Kitty's dog on the street by herself so she goes looking for her at the dojo where she is practicing. She finds her knocked out and she has amnesia. Then at a dinner a woman sitting next to Fiona is found dead in the bathroom with Fiona's hat pin stuck in her neck. Fiona is getting married to Archie and Fredrick is still showing up unexpectedly. She is suspected of the murder. This was a fun book and I recommend it.

Special Agent Fiona Figg is preparing to marry the dashing but mysterious Archie Somersby—but an assault that leaves her partner Kitty Weeks with a case of amnesia might just derail Fiona’s big day. Helping Kitty regain her memory and track down the person who attacked her becomes Fiona’s top priority. Fiona’s nemesis, Fredrick Fredricks, is also in London. Not only is he a suspect in the attack on Kitty, but he’s also proving to be another distraction that might prevent Fiona from making it down the aisle on her wedding day.

Fiona Figg is always good for a quick, fun read. POISON IN PICCADILLY is an entertaining addition to the series. Fiona and her various costumes are always good for a laugh. Kitty’s amnesia was intriguing. It also gave the reader more background information on Kitty as she tried to remember who she is. Kitty has been a bit of an enigma since her first appearance, and it’s nice to finally get to know her a little better. The mystery surrounding Archie and his real feelings/intentions towards Fiona continues to be called into play, and the readers are once again left questioning his motives. With the unexpected twist at the end, I’m really looking forward to what happens next for Fiona, Kitty, Archie, and Fredricks.

1918, London. Is Fiona Figg ready to exchange her sleuthing cap for a bridal veil?

Fiona is set to tie the knot with her dashing flyboy, Archie Somersby. But, while Fiona is planning her happy ever after, side-kick Kitty Lane and a group of judo-chopping suffragettes are kicking up trouble at the Piccadilly Jujitsu Club. When Kitty is found unconscious in the locker room during a high-stakes competition, Fiona must forsake her bouquets and bridal gown to investigate. Her sleuthing ;leads to a posh lady's luncheon, where a mysterious death crashes Fiona’s wedding plans. To make matters worse, the arch-nemesis of all things matrimonial, Fredrick Freddo, is up to his old tricks, attempting to put the brakes on Fiona's journey down the aisle.

Kitty Lane is found unconscious at the local jujitsu club, where she was training for a competition. Now, as a result, she has amnesia. This is a fast-paced and action-packed read. The characters are based on real people. It's mostly set in London, but we get a trip to Ireland. Fiona is on the trail of a man suspected of being a spy. Fiona is also torn between the man she is about to marry and the man she is following. This is the first book in the series that I've read, but it doles read well as a

Published 14th September

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #KellyOliver for my ARC of #PoisonInPiccadilly in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced female whodunnit (and why). Main character Fiona Figgs, working for the British War Office during WW1, tries to figure out who is behind the murderous attacks on her protege Kitty Lane. Kitty Lane suffers amnesia after the first attack and remembers virtually nothing, although there's something with MI5...
There's a dashing baddy (but is he really a baddy?) giving Fiona all the feels, whilst she should really collect her dress for her upcoming marriage to someone else.
It's part of a series but really easy to read as a stand-alone, as I did. I am very curious what will happen next though.

It was a fun read, I've learned quite a bit too, but really Fiona isn't all too clever and that got on my nerves now and then. Still an enjoyable read and yes, I want to read the next one :)

I received an eARC from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion.

London, 1918: and Fiona Figg is preparing to wed the charming Captain Archie Somersby. But just as she’s dreaming of her perfect wedding, chaos strikes. Her trusty sidekick, Kitty Lane, and a group of suffragettes are causing quite a ruckus at the Piccadilly Jujitsu Club. Things take a serious turn when Kitty is found unconscious in the locker room, forcing Fiona to swap wedding plans for sleuthing once more.

As Fiona dives into the mystery, she finds herself at a posh luncheon where a sudden death throws yet another wrench into her big day. To make matters worse, her nemesis, Fredrick Fredricks, is back and more determined than ever to disrupt her walk down the aisle.

I absolutely loved this book. "Poison in Piccadilly" is a lively mix of humour, intrigue, and high-society shenanigans. Even though it’s part of Kelly Oliver’s “Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane” series, newcomers can easily enjoy this instalment without having read the previous books. With witty dialogue, clever twists, and a dash of romance, this book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a light-hearted historical mystery with plenty of surprises. Will Fiona make it to the altar, or will her detective skills once again take centre stage? You’ll have to read to find out! You won't be disappointed

Wow. Hang to your hat as your start in this fast paced historical spy romp. First of all, it’s part of a series- you don’t have to have read the other books but it certainly would help. Fiona Figg is a fun and accomplished character and I love her relationship with her love/nemesis Frederick. There was so much going on with murder, espionage, personal treachery and an amnesiac mystery but it was a great escape from the real world. I read this in one night. Light hearted but action packed. First class!

1918, suffragette, suffragism, pet-dog, situational-humor, verbal-humor, espionage, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-novel, historical-research, dual-narrators, murder, investigation, suspense, thriller, twisty, disguises, photographic-memory, intrigue, amnesia, relationship-issues, cozy-mystery, double-agent, double-cross, England*****

Welcome back to a version of The Great War agents of the War Office and MI5 Security Service that is a lot more fun than the real thing. Fiona is less in disguise this time and is seeing an aspect of her intended that is of the time but nothing she wants to live with. Kitty Lane gets afflicted with amnesia, learns an early form of kickboxing, and roots out villains. All this while I laughed my sox off!
The author's note at the end reveals much of the research done and the real people who inspired the characters in the story. Ellen Davis inspired by the real Eliza Davis Aria London fashion writer/gossip columnist. Sylvia Pankhurst is based on suffragette Estelle Sylvia Pankhurst who worked for more extensive women's rights than her mother and sister but also for workers' rights in England and Ireland. There's more and a bit of biographical material as well.
This can't be an unbiased review because this is one of my favorite series!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#FionaFiggAndKittyLaneMysteriesNo6
Pub Date Sep 14, 2024

Come for the atmosphere, stay to solve the mystery! Fiona and Fredericks chemistry was a highlight for me in this book. It is written so you truly feel like you are in the period, like I was watching a Turner Classic Film! I think I’d prefer to have started from the beginning of the series, not realizing this wasn’t. You still could catch up however and prior reading in the series isn’t required, I just think it would be helpful

This is my first Fiona Figg book and I thoroughly enjoyed her character! The humor and wit in this book is on par with my own. I loved the charming setting, historical elements, and the many twists and turns of the mystery,

Hang on to your hat. You're about to go on another wild, unpredictable adventure with Fiona Figg. One never quite knows what to expect when Fiona is involved and this time is no exception. As the book opens, she's preparing to her wedding to the dashing Captain Archie Somersby. That comes to a sudden halt, however, when her "niece" Kitty Lane is found unconscious at the jujitsu club where she's training for a competition. She has amnesia as a result and much of the book deals with how this very capable woman deals with being a marked woman but doesn't even know who she is let alone why someone would try to kill her. Her points of view were both intriguing and scary as one imagines oneself in the same situation. Fiona, needless to say, is determined to figure it all out, never mind the wedding. And, that's when things get really complicated and the twists and turns come rapidly and unexpectedly. Even women's struggle to earn the right to vote, not to mention equal rights, comes into play.

Needless to say, I'm not even going to attempt to share the plot further than that. Well, other than to say the charming enigma that is Fredricks is involved, very involved, and Archie goes missing. Well, so does Kitty, Rather hard to have a wedding with neither the bride's maid or groom. In the meantime, the war rages on, with no one quite sure what side anyone is really on. Fiona's hormones seem to be raging on, too, but, oops, no more about that.

Seriously, this is always a fun, quick read with some characters loosely based on real people. After allowing myself to get distracted in previous books by the sudden need to know if so-and-so was real or not, I've learned to check the author's historical notes at the end early on. Always fascinating to see how she weaves fiction into the reality of WWI. I've met some fascinating people that way, btw, so prepare to both enjoy the roller coaster ride that comes along with Fiona and experience bits of life long past. My thanks to #BoldwoodBooks for sharing this early peek into Fiona's always bemusing, fascinating world. This history and cozy mystery loving buff thoroughly enjoys the ride.

Poison in Piccadilly is the latest Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane mystery. I've read them all.

Told with its tongue-in-cheek humour and with Fiona's penchant for fake moustaches never far away, this story is set mostly in London, with a quick trip to Ireland, and in a role-reversal, sees Kitty requiring Fiona's help. All the while, Fiona is supposed to be preparing for her wedding. As ever, torn between the man she's supposed to trail as he's suspected of being a spy and her soon-to-be husband, Fiona is never entirely sure who to trust as she investigates the latest mystery to fall in her lap.

With all of the series favourites and many unexpected twists and turns, Poison in Piccadilly is a fun read. For all its humour, I do adore the way this series effortlessly weaves a fictional narrative featuring historical people and events.

You're missing a treat if you've not tried a Fiona Figg ad Kitty Lane story yet.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.

#BoldwoodBlogger

ARC Review

Poison in Piccadilly by Kelly Oliver is a historical mystery. It's the sixth book from the "Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane mystery series.

Miss Fiona Figg was just days away from becoming Mrs. Archie Somersby, with countless details to finalize before her wedding.
However, an unexpected turn of events halted her preparations. Her trusted ally, Kitty Lane, was attacked and left with no memory,
thrusting Fiona into a race to uncover the truth. As she delved deeper into the investigation, startling revelations about her fiancé
surfaced, causing her to question whether she should proceed with the marriage. Enter the charming and cunning Fredrick Fredricks,
whose clever maneuvers helped her make a decision that would alter her life forever.

This series continues to captivate with each new installment. It’s a fast-paced mystery brimming with action, wit, and a touch of
forbidden romance. The camaraderie among the main characters adds a warm, familial element, making the story even more engaging.
Once you start reading, it’s impossible to put the book down. I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Fredrick, which added depth
and intrigue to the plot.

If you're a fan of historical mysteries, this book is a must-read.

A perfect binge read! Fast-paced and ideal for a beach day, with the charming backdrop of the English countryside with a delightful touch of humour.

Another fun ride with Fiona and her partners. When Kitty is attacked and now has amnesia, Fiona must find out who attacked her and why. Set in 1918 in England, there is also the issue of women's right to vote, so there are some politics, but nothing is didactic. Good series and book, would recommend.

Lots of fun with lots of twists. The characters in this series are very quirky and require a little break from realism but it’s an entertaining ride.