The Art Fiasco

Fiona V. Smith has written a wonderful historical mystery that features a cast of very liberated 1920's women. I loved the crusading spirit of the female artist, attorney, reporter and actress. They formed an entertaining team of investigators on this art-centric mystery set in an English mining town.

Ms. Smith's characters have both brains and heart and their adventures were the perfect tonic for a very hot summer day. I loved every minute i spent with this light mystery and look forward to encountering these characters in another book in the series.

Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Lion Hudson Ltd, in return for an honest review. This is the latest in an on-going series and easily read as a stand-alone book. The book opens in 1897 with local coal miners’ children being offered art classes by a visiting art teacher. We learn that he has an intimate relationship with a 14-year-old girl, and he is found dead in a mine shaft. Forward to 1924, Ms. Poppy Denby is in northern England for her rector father’s 60th birthday party, taking time off from her job as a newspaper reporter in London. Stopping off to visit her Aunt Dot in Newcastle on Tyne, Poppy discovers Aunt Dot is hosting a famous artist, Agnes Robson, who’s staging an exhibition in town. Agnes’ assistant has taken ill and Poppy steps in as her press liaison for the opening. When a murder occurs, Poppy uses all her skills to learn who committed murder in 1924 and if that has anything to do with the death in 1897.
This was a well-told story and an excellent historical mystery in the 1920s period. The cast of new and returning characters is robust and each is clearly written. The mystery is solid and the options for the murderer are well-crafted so you’re not quite sure who did the crime.

This is a nice simple cozy historical mystery perfect for summer beach reading. It was very well written and kept me interested and entertained. Highly recommend!

This is the 4th in the Poppy Denby murder mystery series, but you can easily read it as a stand alone. Poppy is an investigative reporter in London and finds herself caught up in mysteries (in other words an amateur sleuth). In The Art Fiasco she is visiting her family in Newcastle when she offers to help out a famous local artist Agnes Robson who has an exhibition at The Laing Art Gallery. When a murder occurs Poppy begins to investigate and finds that there maybe a link to the death of Agnes Robson's art teacher 27 years previously.

Light and entertaining mystery with a big dose of interest for anyone from in and around Newcastle. If I had one grumble it would be the dialect which wasn't right, it's a difficult thing to write into a book and sometimes it's best to leave it out.

I found The Art Fiasco and Poppy Denby to be very interesting. I have not read the previous books in the series but was still able to enjoy the mystery! The death of a renown artist during a gallery showing provides the reader with a number of intriguing suspects and motives. Poppy and the other characters are well done. I highly recommend it and will be checking out the other Poppy Denby books.

I adore the Poppy Denby series, and this new entry is all that readers have come to expect: a complicated mystery, stylish period settings, richly researched stories, and the charming character of Poppy herself. Poppy is back in her home region - Northumberland - to celebrate her father's birthday and to visit her eccentric aunt. Aunt Dot's additional guest is a famous artist who is being honored with an art exhibition. The artist has a shady past as a young girl growing up in the city, and this past comes back to endanger her. Popppy finds herself pulled into the mystery. The author does an excellent job with period and setting, as well as characters. I especially liked the authentic fine art and museum details. The author also provides some serious and layered social issues woven into a puzzling and fascinating plot . Readers will thoroughly enjoy this entry in the consistently entertaining series.

A solid historical mystery filled with intrepid women making their own way in life in 1920s Britain. The characters are well developed and reflect the dynamic social forces at work during this time. A well plotted mystery rich in details will keep the reader engaged. I immediately went out and bought the first in the series.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to Netgalley.com and the publisher in return for a fair and impartial review.

The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith is a cozy mystery set in 1920’s England starring Poppy, a journalist and part time sleuth. I didn’t realize this was a series and not the first book, however it was still entertaining and had an art theme. This one did take a while for me to get into, but there were some interesting twists. Large ensemble cast and pretty Brittish settings.

Hello Poppy Denby, journalist, amateur sleuth and old friend! I was delighted to read a new installment in Poppy’s adventures, this time in Northumberland circa 1924. (Are you too noticing the increase in historical fiction mysteries just after World War I?) Poppy leaves London for a vacation with her Aunt Dot, and finds herself reluctantly filling in for the press liaison of world renowned artist Agnes Robson. Agnes is staging an exhibition of her paintings at the Laing, and needs Poppy to run interference with the press. The local reporters dug up some of Agnes’ past and she does not want her secrets to come out. Poppy soon finds herself helping a DI from the local police department with a murder investigation.
The Poppy Denby mystery series is one I enjoy more with each book. Poppy is an endearing leading lady, and the gentle bit of romance and unrequited love in the background of the mystery, plus her vivacious Aunt Dot only add to the reading experience. These books are best read in order, but feel like you could jump in at any point and catch up as necessary without feeling like you are rereading an earlier book. Perfect for fans of Maisie Dobbs, Maggie Hope, Tessa Arlen’s Poppy Redfern and Cheryl Honigford’s Viv and Charles mysteries.

Before receiving this book I didn't know that I was a part of a series, but the plot seem interesting so I requested it.
But anyway I figured that this could be read as a standalone, I will probably check the rest of the serie in the future.
The setting and characters were well written and the plot was very entertaining.
A nice and quick read for lovers of mysteries!
3 stars

Poppy Gets Suspicious...
The fifth in the Poppy Denby Investigates series of mysteries set in the 1920’s. Poppy heads to Northumberland to celebrate the sixtieth birthday of her father, calling in at Newcastle to visit her aunt. Poppy is called upon to assist in an art exhibition when an historic death comes to light which raises Poppy’s suspicions. Nicely written mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters, some serious themes dealt with well and an all round enjoyable read.

Set in 1924, we meet Poppy – a journalist – as she travels to Northumberland for her father’s birthday. Although Poppy is on holiday, she soon gets roped in to helping an old family friend – the internationally acclaimed artist, Agnes Robson, who has just returned to the area for an exhibition. Poppy soon learns that Agnes left the area decades ago under something of a cloud, and that the rumours surrounding her involvement in a man’s death are still very much alive. However, the rumours come to a head when Agnes is found murdered on the night of the exhibition, and Poppy may be the only one who can uncover the truth.

This is a fun, gentle take on a murder mystery. The pace is relaxed and, in a similar way to Alexander McCall Smith’s “Sunday Philosophy Club” series, the story unwinds in as genteel a fashion as a murder mystery can. The supporting cast of characters are intriguing, especially with the number of women defying convention in the 1920s society, but I don’t feel as though I got to know them well enough – although perhaps this wouldn’t have been the case had I read the previous titles in the series. With such a small cast, the ‘twists’ in the tale are easily spotted, but this was nevertheless an enjoyable read.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

The author notes that parts of the book stem from her family history which is fascinating, including some plots and locations. Details such as these are noticeable throughout by her intimate knowledge of streets and buildings in the Northumberland setting.

Poppy Denby, a news reporter, goes on holiday and decides to spend some time with her Aunt Dot before proceeding to her father's 60th birthday celebration. Aunt Dot hosts an art event and has invited the illustrious artist Agnes Robson. Events there lead to investigations into an 1897 murder, nearly three decades earlier. Is there a link? If so, how and why? Poppy, also an amateur sleuth, along with a DI dig around for answers, uncovering dastardly secrets and intrigue which take them down twisty rabbit holes.

Historical bits in such stories always pull me in and the author did a good job of this fifth book in the series, though my first. Northumberland holds a special place in my heart so the setting was meaningful.

None of the characters particularly enamoured me, though I still enjoyed them. The art scene was interesting. The subplots fit well.

Cozy mystery and historical fiction readers are sure to enjoy this light and fun read!

My sincere thank you to Lion Hudson Ltd. and NetGalley for an ARC of this delightful book in return for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Really enjoyed this mystery.Drew me in from the first pages.1920s Britain strong independent women,characters that come alive.Really enjoy this series highly recommend,#netgalley#lionshead

I've read all of the Poppy Denby stories by Fiona Veitch Smith and enjoyed them very much. I think The Art Fiasco is my favourite, though. The Northumberland setting is clearly dear to the author's heart and is evocatively realised, as is the historical period. I thought the gulf between rich and poor (even relatively speaking) was shown very clearly as was the political background. As someone who grew up in Lossiemouth, any mention of Ramsay Macdonald is a plus for me. I like the way Fiona showed the excitement of a Labour government without bringing hindsight to bear on it. And the changing reality of women's lives, and the differing attitudes to the changes, was handled well.

And it was a real pleasure to read about people striving to live the Christian life without them being either slated as hypocrites or dismissed as Bible bashers. They were shown to be fairly normal human beings with virtues and vices and included naturally in the mix of characters.

The plot was slighter than in some of the other books in the series but more believable in terms of Poppy's involvement. I liked the fact that it was a normal crime - if such a thing exists - whose unfolding was easy to relate to and understand. I suppose I mean by that that it's an old-fashioned murder mystery and, to my mind, all the better for it.

I have only one small gripe and that's the ending. The very end. I don't want to give anything away but I was disappointed by the meeting at King's Cross...

In this fifth installment of Poppy Denby Investigates, Poppy is heading north to visit her old stomping grounds for her father's birthday. Aunt Dot has recently inherited a home nearby so all our favorite characters are on hand for the latest murder. The murder of Aunt Dot's longtime friend and a semi-famous painter, Agnes.

This book was much slower than the last couple Poppy Denby's and took me a lot longer to read through. The plot was interesting; murdered artist, lots of ghosts in everyone's past, but it just was missing something. Maybe it had too much? Too many characters and pasts and backstories to keep track of? With that said it was still entertaining.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Art Fiasco is part of a series featuring Poppy Denby and her associates, but can easily be read as a stand-alone title. This entry finds Poppy visiting Newcastle, which is in the area where she grew up, to attend her father's 60 birthday party, see her aunt's new project, and attend a performance of her friend's latest play. Aunt Dot and her friend Grace are putting the finishing touches on an old house Dot inherited so they can rent it to lodgers. Poppy is delighted to learn that the well-known artists Agnes Robinson who grew up in the area is hosting an exhibition of her work in a few days.

While attending the art exhibitions, Poppy is shocked to see Agnes stabbed and pushed to her death; she's even more shocked with Grace is arrested for the murder. Poppy quickly calls in re-enforcements: her editor Rollo and his wife, the famous lawyer Yasmin Rolandson, While Yasmin handles the legal side of things, Poppy begins investigating Agnes's childhood in the area as well as the mysterious death of her art teacher decades before. The mystery aspect is well done with enough twists to keep my interest, but the draw in this series for me remains Poppy and her friends. Aunt Dot is as irrepressible as always, Delilah is a delight, and Poppy seems finally ready to move on from Daniel with a police detective. I continue to enjoy seeing Poppy grow as a modern young career woman of the 1920s and solve the mysteries she somehow manages to stumble over.

Excellent mysery set in Newcastle in 1924. Alocal miner's daughter turned famous artist returns to the North for an exhibit of her work, but there are mysteries, both new and old afoot. While i found the mystery itself predictale, I loved the way the book captured the life of the people and depicted the area.

While in Newcastle visiting her family, investigative reporter Poppy Denby agrees to work as the press liaison for famous local artist Agnes Robson. She is soon fending off questions about Agnes’ past involvement with her art teacher, Michael Brownly, who died under suspicious circumstances 27 years previously. But when Agnes is murdered, Poppy must delve into that past, and a possibility link between the two.

This is my second book in the series that I’ve read (The Jazz Files being my first), and Vetch Smith has created another great read for me. She does well in presenting the era (between the wars) and the setting (Newcastle and its surrounding mining towns) while weaving in some very serious themes which become fundamental elements of the mystery. The experienced mystery reader will have little trouble sorting out the mystery, but it has enough complexity to keep you guessing for much of the book.

And the character of Poppy has evolved so much since the initial book! While she may still be young, she has learned better how to navigate her way around in the world. She is definitely more confident in her work, and willing to comfortably add her voice and her opinions. I must read the three books in the series that I missed.

All in all a fun, entertaining read.

Another in the series that is a well written murder mystery’. I have read others in the Poppy series Denby and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one just didn't gel as well, even in terms of the protagonist.

The start to this book was extremely distressing for me and may be a trigger for anyone who has suffered from abuse. The theme also reappears in various places throughout the story so that needs to be something the reader considers and I did not see coming.

With thanks to the publisher Lion Hudson Ltd, #Netgalley and the author for my free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Poppy Denby is back in the latest addition to the “Poppy Denby Investigates” series by Fiona Veitch Smith. Each one of these novels stands alone and is a treat in and of itself. However, I highly recommend reading them all!

Never one to shy away from the harsh edges of the glamorous 1920s life, Fiona incorporates challenges facing women in each novel. A trigger warning for this one though, it tackles child molestation and the opening chapter is distressing for the sensitive reader. Once the story hits its stride, it is full of the delights of a Poppy novel: mystery, interesting characters, history and humour.

Unlike it’s predecessors, Poppy isn’t based in London, she’s headed home to Northumberland via Newcastle. Aunt Dot and Delia are in fine form as they whisk Poppy to the theatre and get her involved in an exhibition at a local art gallery. Before she knows it, Poppy is at the centre of a murder and trying to work with the local detective who looks less than favourably on having a journalist involved in his investigation. Fear not, we may be out of London but newspaper edition Rollo and his team are still a part of the story and up to their usual tricks!

The mystery is multi-faceted with red herrings and interesting twists! I just love Fiona’s writing style and the way she brings it all together! If you are looking for a good historical mystery, this one is for you! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!

Fiona Veitch Smith’s 'Poppy Denby' series takes the talented young reporter and amateur detective back to her roots in Newcastle in this latest novel. Set in the mid 1920’s, Great Britain’s society is changing quickly, especially for the “bright young things” for whom the suffragettes have opened opportunities. Poppy and her colleagues join with her family and friends to investigate a contemporary murder as well as another with its roots in her childhood. Smith does a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the times!

3.5 stars rounded up!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This historical mystery is the 5th in the series. The main character is Poppy Denby. Poppy is a 26 year old journalist and amateur sleuth. One thing that caught my interest was the setting of this book. Poppy goes home to Newcastle (her parents actually live in a village outside Newcastle, but her Aunt is renovating a house in Newcastle). The industrial northeast is not that common of a setting for historical mysteries and I was intrigued.

The story opens in 1897. Fourteen year old Agnes' art teacher is found dead at the bottom of the pit shaft. The rest of the story takes place in 1924. Agnes is a world-famous artist and has an exhibition of her paintings at a gallery in Newcastle. She is murdered almost in front of Poppy on the opening night.

The story is told in the third person. While the story is mainly told from Poppy's perspective, important scenes and clues are discovered through the actions of the other characters (friends, family, and employers of Poppy). The author weaves a wonderful sense of time and place naturally into the story. For example, Poppy and Delilah go to see a film and discuss how the actress was able to convey so much emotion without speaking. It's a great way of reminding the reader that it was the era of the silent film.

I loved that there was a map of Poppy's Newcastle and a list of characters at the beginning. I appreciated that bit of a nod to Golden Age Mysteries. This is the first Poppy Denby mystery that I have read, but I will definitely be going back to the beginning to read the rest of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lion Hudson Ltd. for sending me a copy for review.

This is the first book I read in this series and I found it highly entertaining and well written.
I was hooked since the first pages and I read in two setting.
It’s an interesting historical mystery that reminded me of Golden Age one and it can be read as a stand-alone even if it’s part of a series.
Poppy is a well rounded and interesting character, a woman who faces the misoginy of the ’20 when women were starting to work but their main role was still wife/mother. She is strong willed and able to fend a world where she’s considered an anomaly as she’s a reporter and investigates.
The cast of characters is interesting. I loved Agnes, the artist who was able to become a well known name in the art world even if she’s the daughter of a miner and had to endure abuse and a life full of grief.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, I liked the description of Newcastle and how the author deals with issues like child abuse and pedophilia.
The solid mystery is full of red herrings, twists and turns. The solution came as a surprise even if there were plenty of clues.
The romance was the weakest part, there’s chemistry between Poppy and the detective but she’s never really involved.
I can’t wait to read the next instalment as I want to know what will be next.
It’s an enjoyable and entertaining read, recommended.
Many thanks to Lion Hudson and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Art Fiasco is the fifth book in Fiona Veitch Smith's Poppy Denby Investigates series. The mystery in the center of this historical cozy mystery series stands alone, which is a good thing since I haven't read the first four books! I still enjoyed the story, but I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more if I read the previous installments. I missed all the previous character development which would have greatly enhanced my reading pleasure.

Poppy Denby is on her way to her father's 60th birthday party in 1924. She stops in Newcastle to visit her Aunt Dot, who is renovating a house she has inherited. Agnes Robson, a famous artist, also comes to stay with Dot while she has an exhibition in a local art gallery. Her press liaison is unable to make it, so journalist Poppy is pressed to fill in by Agnes. When Agnes is murdered, it begins to appear that her death may be connected to another death which occurred 27 years earlier. When Aunt Dot's companion Grace is arrested for the murder, Poppy Denby, well, investigates!

This mystery did stand alone, and I thought it was very well done. It actually begins 27 years before the current murder. Reading about Agnes's tragic childhood was heartbreaking, and she still suffered from the past even though she became a celebrated artist. I really didn't figure out whodunit until the murderer was revealed. Plenty of red herrings kept me guessing! I do wish I knew more about the main characters and their backgrounds before I read this book. Poppy was apparently a good investigative journalist who has helped solve murders in the past. Her friend Delilah is an actress who seems to get around and is lots of fun. The other supporting characters are also an interesting bunch, especially Poppy's dwarf boss and his Anglo-Egyptian lawyer wife. This is an entertaining mystery to dive into, but read the previous books first for greater enjoyment.

I received n ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith is Book 5 in the Poppy Denby series of 1920's mysteries, all set in England. Poppy is the Arts and Culture editor for the Daily Globe. To be honest, she was the reporter as well. There was only she in the department. She is on her way north to the Newcastle area to celebrate her father's 60th birthday. He is a Methodist minister in a town not for from Newcastle, Morpeth. She was taking a couple of days to stop with her aunt Dot, who, with her companion, Grace, was renovating a home she had inherited but had no use for, into supervised apartments for young women. She was also to see her friend, Delilah, in the opening night of The Importance of Being Ernest at the local theatre. When Grace picks her up at the train, she discovers that another guest who will be present is Agnes Robson, a noted artist that Poppy is familiar with from London. It will be a full house, with Agnes' show opening the night before Delilah's, followed the next day with the birthday part. Then, Agnes falls of the roof of the gallery during the opening night of the exhibit and Poppy falls into full investigative mode.

Love Poppy Denby. She is a great character, on the cusp of a new and exciting world, after World War I has devastated Europe. It is a changing time for woman and in this book; Poppy's very conservative mother comes to terms with poppy's life and her career. Very exciting step forward! Agnes had a past and it looks like that past kills her but in order to solve the crime by assisting the handsome detective Sandy Hawkes, Poppy must discover all the bits and bobs of that past. It is a convoluted story, revealed in increments, masterfully. The read didn't really see the details until they were unfurled, and learning the murderer after all the red herrings and missteps was an exciting end to the story. Poppy has lots of really interesting friends, including her editor who is from America, and a dwarf; as well as his lovely wife, one of only two female barristers in England as well as the mother of two lively twins, to whom she gave birth at the age of 47. Her aunt spent much of her life on the stage and was a suffragette as was Grace. It's all very complicated but Smith tucks all the details into the telling of the story. Excellent read. Golden Age mystery at it's best. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Art Fiasco by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #theartfiasco

The Art Fiasco is a well written murder mystery. Very good historical and great addition to the series. I received an arc from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I am a fan of Golden Age mysteries and also stories set in British locales. This book is fun in that it opens with a map of locations mentioned in the book. The main character is Poppy Denby, a sleuth in the 1920's who is working as a reporter, an unusual profession for a woman at that time. Poppy returns home to Newcastle to her father's birthday and stops by her aunt's manse. She is on hand for an art showing, when the artist is murdered. The story goes back in time to the artist's early life. There is a lot of fun immersion in the world of 1920, and a lively cast of characters.

I enjoyed the setting and the story line of this book. I have to admit that as this was the fifth in the Poppy Denby series, but my first read, I had some trouble catching up in the beginning. I would advise to start at the beginning of the series, as this is what I will do. It took me a little while to get into the story, and I put some of this down to being unfamiliar with the series, but I enjoyed the story once I did.

I think lovers of Golden mysteries, British who dunnits, or even art aficionados will find much to enjoy in this book. A big thank you to author Fiona Veitch Smith, Lion Hudson Ltd., and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. I would rate this book 3.5.

Can Poppy trust those closest to her?

After finishing The Cairo Brief I just couldn't get enough of Poppy Denby Investigates, author Fiona Veitch Smith's fun Jazz Age crime solving reporters, so I just when right ahead and started The Art Fiasco right away. And trust me, this story turned out to be a dilly as Poppy once again takes on some tough issues while bringing the truth to light.

As an American reader I'm a bit of a stranger to settings like the one in The Art Fiasco but I find them to be completely fascinating. The author brought everything vividly to life in my imagination but having previously watched the Coal House series from the BBC also greatly helped me visualize a number of scenes in the story.

One of the things that I found most intriguing about this particular book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series was that Fiona Veitch Smith was able to take some events from her own family history as inspiration for the story. It made both the fiction and the facts seem more real.

If you love British mysteries from an author who truly knows the area and the people, if you enjoy soaking up the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties, and if you think historical mysteries are fun to try and solve you'll be just as convinced as I am that The Art Fiasco is a real swell book and the entire Poppy Denby Investigates series from Fiona Veitch Smith is the real cat's meow!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

England, cosy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, journalist, 1920s, artist, historical-novel, historical-research, family, friendship, small-town

This is the first Poppy Denby investigation I have read and I really enjoyed it.
London journalist Poppy is convinced by her family to help a well known artist who once hailed from the coal town in Northumberland that is honoring her. The artist's early life was marred not only by poverty but by an illegitimate pregnancy at age 14 caused by her artist mentor who died under possibly questionable circumstances all those years ago. Like small towns everywhere, the local women remain as judgemental now as 27 years ago (including her own mam). Then the artist is killed and Poppy delves into her convoluted life and follows the clues through all the twists and red herrings. A fascinating read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Lion Hudson Ltd/Lion Fiction via NetGalley. Thank you!

A classic murder mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering who done it. I highly recommend this book I was very into it I think it took me a couple of hours to read.

I requested a copy of The Art Fiasco for review because the cover struck me. Also, I’m a longtime fan of 1920s and 1930s murder mysteries from the likes of Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer, as well as their more modern counterparts like The Drew Farthering Mysteries by Julianna Deering.

When I opened the book, I found it is actually the fifth book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series.

Poppy Denby InvestigatesA little investigation of my own showed that the first two books in the series series were on sale on Kindle. So I bought the first book in the series, The Jazz Files, devoured it, and bought and read the second, The Kill Fee (I’ve now bought the two remaining books, The Death Beat and The Cairo Brief as well).

The Jazz Files opens in 1920, and we are introduced to Poppy Denby, the daughter of a northern clergyman. She moves to London to live and work with her paraplegic aunt, or so she thinks. Instead, she gets a job at the Daily Globe newspaper, where she gets involved in a murder investigation …

The Jazz Files and the subsequent novels all follow Poppy as she gets involved in yet another murder investigation. What makes Poppy different from sleuths such as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple or Dorothy Sayers’s Lord Peter Wimsey is that Fiona Veitch Smith is writing with the benefit of hindsight, so is able to tie Poppy’s murder investigations tied into some of the major events of the era—women’s suffrage, the Russian Revolution, and the fascination with Egypt.

The Art Fiasco is set slightly different.
It is set in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1924. Poppy travels north to visit her parents and to attend the opening of an art exhibition. But her plans for a nice family holiday go astray when she is the sole witness of a woman’s death … or murder.

While there was a death in the Prologue, this wasn’t the main murder, which I didn’t work out until the main murder occurred at around the one-quarter mark. The Art Fiasco seemed to have a lot more telling and backstory than the first two novels in the series. The backstory wasn’t Poppy’s story, and it wasn’t always clear how it related to the main story. I thought that slowed the story down relative to the earlier stories.

In terms of the backdrop, The Art Fiasco provided interesting insights into working-class Britain and how the class divide operated a century ago. It also touched on a few trigger issues like #MeToo and unmarried pregnancy, but I didn’t think it had the same impact as, say, Aunt Dot’s experiences as a suffragette or the political differences between Red and White Russiasn.

The story worked well as a standalone.
There are some ongoing plot threads, such as Poppy’s relationship with her aunt, friendship with Delilah, and her on-off romance with the newspaper’s photographer. Yes, those who have read one or all of the previous books in the series will probably enjoy the threads more, but the novel still works as a standalone murder mystery.

The Poppy Denby Investigates series is published by Lion Fiction, a UK-based publisher of Christian fiction and nonfiction. The series has a different approach to faith than fiction from the major US Christian publishers. Poppy is the daughter of a clergyman, so was raised as a Christian. She still retains her faith, but her circumstances are causing her to question it in a healthy way. Like us, Poppy has to work out for herself what she believes and realise that she can’t simply inherit her faith from her father.

While Poppy retains her Christian values (although she does drink alcohol, which would shock her mother), the other characters are not people of faith, and nor do they act like it. Delilah has many boyfriends, and reminds us that the sexual revolution started long before the 1960s. Poppy’s boss is having a longstanding affair. And Poppy realises her aunt’s live-in companion might be something more.

As such, the Poppy Debby novels don’t fit some of the conceptions of “Christian fiction”. Personally, I think they’re stronger for it.

Recommended for fans of Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Julianna Deering.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lion Fiction for providing a free ebook for review.