This was a fun "lady detective from the 20's" story but not terribly original. The main character was reminiscent of some other lady detectives made popular over the years. But having said that, the mystery aspect was well plotted and the characters were clever and I would read a second in this series if written.

The Picture House Murders is the first book in an engaging historical cozy series by Fiona Veitch Smith. Released 29th Aug 2023 by Bonnier on their Embla Books imprint, it's 289 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The second book in the series is also currently on KU, and there's a third book due out in June 2024.

This is a light cozy set interwar London and featuring Clara Vale, a clever young woman well situated in life and with a formidable scientific mind. Temporarily thwarted by being a woman unable to obtain work because of her gender, she's working a desk job when circumstance lands her in a murder investigation.

The language is clean and the plot is woven around actual historical events whimsically and mostly successfully. It's a cozy, and without graphic, on page violence. It's not at all derivative, but it will definitely appeal to fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Catriona McPherson's Dandy Gilver books.

Four stars. Light entertainment. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a short binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

An Oxford degree in chemistry in 1929 did not open any doors to Miss Clara Vale, thanks to attitudes about women's capabilities. Wanting to work and not be reliant on her wealthy family, Clara took a job at a library, managed by a vinegary older man. Her family are unhappy she wants to support herself, and Clara has not the best relationship with her status-obsessed mother and conventional married sister. This is the situation when she receives word that her beloved uncle Bob, who is estranged from Clara’s mother for some unknown reason, has passed away, and his house and business are now hers.

Bemused and intrigued, Clara heads to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to meet her uncle’s solicitor and explore her new opportunities. She quickly finds out 1) Bob ran an enquiry agency, 2) he had contracted various people to investigate for him, including a rather oily and condescending man, Jack Danskin, who 3) wants to buy the business from her.

The house is a welcome change from her London flat, and Clara settles in, wondering if she can make a go running a detective agency. Her business neighbours the Levines (ebullient Judith "Juju" and quieter Jonny) warmly welcome her; they run a costume shop and design outfits for the actors in local productions.

Very soon after, Clara meets a client in a bad way; her husband is dead, their picture house business is imperilled due to their insurance not paying out after a fire while the police sit on case. Clara decides to investigate, running into resistance from the police, Jack, and various others who don’t want her to succeed. This does not include her new accountant, with whom Clara feels more than a little warmly towards.

Using her chemistry background, tips left by her uncle, and good sense, Clara applies herself, building a solid case that the police cannot dismiss. She runs into problems along the way, including an inheritance fight with her brother over her uncle's will, and a dodgy housekeeper.

This was thoroughly enjoyable even though the pacing was a little slow. I've never read anything by this author before but I'll have to check out more by Fiona Veitch Smith. I loved how seamlessly she integrated societal restrictions for women, family shenanigans, changing attitudes of the period, and a main character who relies on a scientific, methodical approach, while telling a compelling story.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Embla Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This is the first in the series and really builds the characters out.

I really enjoyed this fun cosy murder mystery.

And will look out for more in the series!

Thank you for the arc!

This was an interesting Lady detective story: but I wouldn’t call it very original. Three’s a lot of other stories featuring female detectives or lady detectives during the early 20th century or Edwardian and late Victorian Era.
I think I prefer the Poppy Denby books overall, as the protagonist in that series is more realistic and well-rounded.

For me… I don’t know – Clara Vale is too perfect and too inclined to pontificating about women’s rights and equality. I don’t like it when characters are used as a mouthpiece to insert 21st century ideals and values into another time. I get it that feminism was a thing in the 1920s, but it wasn’t necessarily the same as we would know it today. I feel a similar way about the gay Uncle: seems like a tokenistic woke insertion. Every other character is openly gay and of course, Clara and everyone else is totally fine with it.

Also, I don’t really need to know the sordid details of Clara’s sex life. Not needed, its kind of gross. I might read more in this series, because I’m interested in the aspect of Clara being a scientist, but… yeah this wasn’t as good as I hoped.

Thanks to the Publisher for approving my request for a PDF of this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Excellent start for a new cozy historical series: humour, a feisty and strong female character, a solid mystery that kept me guessing.ù
I loved it and can't wait to read the next one
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

London 1929 and Clara is a woman pushing the boundaries of behaviour considered appropriate for a young lady.

Clara is a feisty strong, determined, independent woman living in an era were being a woman you should be seen and not heard.

Book one in a cosy mystery series a delightful and entertaining read.

Clara Vale is the tenacious new female detective from the pen of Fiona Vietch Smith. I was thoroughly absorbed reading about Clara’s journey as she goes from her quiet life as a librarian in 1920’s London to discovering she has inherited a house, substantial amounts of money and a detective agency in Newcastle.

Clara has a science degree in Oxford and has chosen to earn her own living and not receive income from her father. She is a woman that believes in justice, that women can have independent means, work, study, vote and do anything they want. She went against her family’s wishes studying at Oxford and only her Uncle seemed proud of her achievements and ambition. She was unaware though, that her Uncle was a Private Detective. When he died he left her his business. Initially Clara only stays in Newcastle to decide what to do with the house and business, whether to sell or stay. It doesn’t take long for her interest to be piqued by one of her Uncle’s clients looking for help.

Soon we see Clara was the perfect choice to inherit. I was delighted to see that the enlightened Clara could use her knowledge of chemistry to aid in her early investigations. The “Picture House Murders” shows that no case is simple and lots of plot threads intertwine. We meet colourful characters that both help and hinder the investigations, some I hope to meet again.

I enjoyed the engaging narrative, characterisation and both the scientific and historical content. Clara Vale has intrigued me and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to the publishers Embla books and Netgalley for ARC of this book.

The Picture House Murders is book 1 in The Miss Clara Vale Mystery Series. This one starts in 1929 when Miss Clara Vale longs to be a scientist but that's no job for a woman so she is stuck at a desk job in a library. That is until her uncle leaves her his detective agency and laboratory. Unfortunately I found it to be a little predictable in places and the era it is set in was not really my cup of tea so it didn't really work for me. I'm sure if you like this era and genre combined you will love The Picture House Murders.

Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for my ARC.

What an absolute joy to read and listen to - The Picture House Murders transports us to the roaring 1920s with all its glitz and glamour, particularly focilusing on the picture house theatres. Miss Clara Vale has a degree in chemistry from Oxford but is denied entry into the workplace due to her feminine sex in such a masculine industry. She continues to disappoint her mother by refusing to choose a husband, but she is provided independence upon the death of her uncle and the inheritance of his detective agency. Reluctant at first, Clara quickly discovers an interest in detecting and finds her chemist's skills useful for surveying scenes and evidence. Despite constant attempts to thwart her interest and progress, Clara proves herself to be a formidable force with a flair for detecting. A fun cosy mystery. #thepicturehousemurders #Fionaveitchsmith #netgalley #embla

1929: Miss Clara Vale is thirty, working in a library after studying at Oxford & gaining a degree. Then her estranged Uncle Bob dies suddenly. She travels to Newcastle & learns she’s his beneficiary. He's bequeathed her his private detective agency, and laboratory, in his will as well as his house, savings and investments. Clara couldn't become a detective, could she?
The decision is made for her when one of her uncle's clients Mrs Alice Whitaker comes to her for help
The first in a new series & I new author to me. I was drawn to this book as it is set primarily in Newcastle & as I live in the North East was eager to read it. It didn’t disappoint in any way & I could easily visualise the locations in & around the city & also up the Northumberland coast. I really liked Clara & loved how she got her teeth into the case, I also loved that at times her confidence slipped but she wanted not only to do her uncle Bob proud but find answers for Alice. I also liked that the author didn't introduce a plethor of characters but gradually introduced them & they were an eclectic mix. There are twists, turns & red herrings & the villain wasn’t obvious. A well written cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Overall a good a start to a new series; lots of nice historical bits and I enjoy reading about lady detectives that buck the norms. And, it’s a fun twist to have her trained as a chemist and using it in her investigation. I do wish that this moved a tad bit quicker however. But, looking forward to book 2. Just an fyi for those who read this, this isn’t very light hearted, so don’t come in expecting that!

Fiona Veitch Smith's latest novel like her Poppy Denny series is set in the 1920s but this time the setting has moved north to Newcastle.
Clara Vale inherits her late uncle's estate including his private detective agency. Using her science skills she reopens his last case to support a widow who has lost both cinemas she owned to fire.
As Clara uncovers a complex web of intrigue she has to decide if her life lies in the north or south and can she as a woman make her own way?

The story reflects the golden age of crime writing with a feisty lead, an atmosphere of the roaring 20s and a story that races along.

Will appeal to golden age of crime and cosy crime fans.

It was 1929 London, and Clara Vale, a scientist after her studies, was working in a library in London. No one would employ a woman scientist, no matter the qualifications she had, and while the library was a mundane, boring job, at least she had work. When Clara suddenly discovered her Uncle Bob had died some weeks prior, and her mother, Lady Vale, had made excuses not to go to the funeral, not even telling Clara, she was livid. Travelling by train to Newcastle, she saw her uncle's solicitors and learned he'd left her his house, which included a laboratory, plus his detective agency from which he'd enjoyed great success and respect.

Clara had only been in Newcastle a day when she was approached by one of Uncle Bob's clients, and so it saw Clara helping Alice, following the work her uncle had been doing to determine whether her picture house fire was deliberate. The police had closed the case, which meant there was no insurance pay out. But Alice knew it was arson; proving it was another matter. When Clara accompanied Alice to a picture, intending to discuss where to go with the investigation after the viewing, the sudden fire inside the theatre, which saw disastrous consequences, made Clara's mind up. She was sure there was evil afoot and would do everything in her power to prove it. But in doing so, was she putting herself in danger?

The Picture House Murders is the 1st in the Miss Clara Vale Mysteries by Fiona Veitch Smith and it was fun and entertaining. Clara is a great character, far ahead of her time, and her obvious enjoyment in the science of her endeavours makes her a good detective. I had worked out the perpetrator well before the reveal, but getting to the conclusion was well done. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The Picture House Murders by Fiona Leitch Smith is the first book in a new series and the author did a fabulous job of setting it all up and introducing this new sleuth without dragging it out. Clara is a librarian. She doesn’t want to be a librarian; she wants to be a scientist. That is what she got her degree in. But, no one wants a female scientist in 1929, or even a female science teacher. She is at loose ends. Her father has offered her an allowance but only if she lives as he wishes. She does not. The last thing she needs is a husband, which is what he thinks she needs. That is when she receives a letter for a solicitor telling her that her uncle Bob has died and left her something. He died six weeks ago! Her mother didn’t tell her and didn’t go to the funeral. Her mother was not amongst her favorite people. Enough said. Imagine her surprise when she arrived at the solicitor’s office to discover he had left her a house, ten thousand pounds, five thousand more in stock, and his business: he had been a private enquiry agent. How she wished she had known. How she wished she had kept in better touch.

As she was looking at his office, a young woman called Alice arrived and explained she had been a client of Bob’s and was simply checking to see if Clara was going to carry on. She quietly explained that Bob had been her last hope, every other agency in town had turned her down. She went on to explain that her husband and his brother had owned small movie theaters in adjoining towns; the brother’s had burned down and her husband had died in an accident. Clara hadn’t even decided what she was going to do about the agency, but this woman spoke to her heart. She promised to look into it and took the file back to the hotel with her. Then things started happening: the agency was broken in to; her hotel room had been ransacked; she met her uncle’s housekeeper who totally misrepresented her relationship with Bob. Things got odder and odder. And it didn’t stop. It was a compelling mystery, well-plotted and interesting, with lots of historical color woven through it. I loved it and look forward to more.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Picture House Murders by Embla Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #EmblaBooks #FionaLeitchSmith #ThePictureHouseMurders

new-series, first-in-series, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, suffragism, suspense, suspicion, amateur-sleuth, private-investigators, local-law-enforcement, arson, murder, investigations, investigators, romantic, false-information, false-conclusions, falsely-accused, misogynistic-era, wealthy, entitled-attitude, entrepreneur, lawyers, siblings, family-dynamics, family-drama, relationships, relatives, 1929, inheritance, witty, unputdownable*****

It's set in 1929 England and begins with a dysfunctional wealthy family and the very independent daughter who is self-sufficiently working in a library despite having earned a science degree at Oxford. She only discovers that her uncle died when the lawyer contacts her about the inheritance that was left to her. She leaves London and falls into a large townhouse complete with laboratory, a lot of money that is temporarily untouchable because she is female, a detective agency, and her first case. And that's just the beginning! Engaging characters, clear background and historical information, inventive plot twists, and diabolical red herrings. Can hardly wait until the next book!
I requested and received an EARC from Embla Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

A clever Murder mystery with many strands and characters to follow. I really enjoyed seeing Clara get to grips with the detective agency and loved how she quickly made friends with those who were close to her uncle. With twists and turns from page one to keep you guessing this is a fun read and although I guessed the culprit it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story. I’m looking forward to seeing how Clara gets on in book 2.

Miss Clara Vale is one of the first of the graduating group that includes women getting a degree in chemistry. Unfortunately, she is not able to find a job that will let her work in that field. Even more unfortunately, the one person who seemed to ever support her, her Uncle Bob, has passed away. She hasn't seen him for years but he's left Clara his worldly fortune, including his detective agency.
Unsure of what to do, she decides to give herself a little bit of time to figure it all out. While she is searching through her thoughts and talking to the people who were closest to her uncle, one of his clients stops by. The woman's case was still open and she is hoping that Clara will take it on. Alice is asking Clara to go up against an insurance company that isn't paying out for their movie theater. And her husband died in between. When a second fire occurs, Clara gets suspicious.
This was an interesting story and a nice start to a new series. With that, there was a lot going on and one or two threads probably could have been shaved to allow more room for character development.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out August 29, 2023
ARC kindly provided by Embla Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I enjoy reading the inaugural book in a new series. The Picture House Murders introduces Clara Vale, who inherits her uncles estate and his private detective agency. 1929 is tough for a woman who doesn't want to follow the status quo. Clara graduated from Oxford with a degree in chemistry but can't find a job in her field. Her inheritance seems like a chance to become independent. She decides to continue a case involving a local movie house that her uncle was working on at the time of his death. This is the era of silent movies with talkies just starting to appear, and I found some of that information fascinating. The supporting characters in the book also were fun. I did think the plot did not move along as fast as I like. Still, this was a good first book, and I look forward to the second one in the series.

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.