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Veronica Vale Investigates #1
Death at the Fireside Inn: A 1920s Historical Mystery
A fading star, a puzzling death, and a mystery that must be solved!
Veronica Vale spent a turbulent few years serving her country during the Great War - doing more than her role in the exchange network suggested! Now back on British soil and adjusting to life as an obituary writer for her uncle's newspaper, while caring for her ailing mother, Veronica has gotten used to a slower (and safer) pace of life. Excitement comes from fun parties, walks with Benji, her beloved rescue dog, and volunteering at the dogs' home.
When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty.
Much to the dismay of her sometimes nemesis Inspector Templeton, Veronica is tasked with writing Florence's obituary. And what she learns will blow the roof off the theatre! That's if she survives to tell the tale.
***
If you love witty dialogue, historical glamour, intrigue, and a fast-paced cozy mystery set in 1920s England, then you'll adore Kitty Kildare's unputdownable whodunits.
Veronica Vale spent a turbulent few years serving her country during the Great War - doing more than her role in the exchange network suggested! Now back on British soil and adjusting to life as an obituary writer for her uncle's newspaper, while caring for her ailing mother, Veronica has gotten used to a slower (and safer) pace of life. Excitement comes from fun parties, walks with Benji, her beloved rescue dog, and volunteering at the dogs' home.
When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty.
Much to the dismay of her sometimes nemesis Inspector Templeton, Veronica is tasked with writing Florence's obituary. And what she learns will blow the roof off the theatre! That's if she survives to tell the tale.
***
If you love witty dialogue, historical glamour, intrigue, and a fast-paced cozy mystery set in 1920s England, then you'll adore Kitty Kildare's unputdownable whodunits.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 11, 2024
408 people are currently reading
355 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 22, 2025
I enjoy mysteries and I am well acquainted with the 1920s. If you are going to set a mystery in a particular time period at least do your research. Power walking is a modern term never used by a flapper. Geriatric pregnancy is a modern term also. Method acting was Russian Stanislavsis methods only publicized in the USA during the 1930s. I found this information easily so could the author
February 10, 2024
Death at the Fireside Inn features Veronica Vale, a young woman who has recently returned from serving her country during the Great War and now works as an obituary writer for her uncle’s newspaper in London, while also acting as the caregiver for her ailing mother. In addition to her writing, Veronica volunteers at a nearby dogs’ home with her dear friend Ruby and enjoys many outings with both Ruby and Benji, Veronica’s adorable rescue dog.
Then the unthinkable happens–old family friend, and former superstar of the theater, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London and it’s clear it was murder.
A mystery set in 1920s England is a favorite of mine and author Kitty Kildare does such an excellent job bringing the hustle of London to life on the page. And a mystery featuring dogs? Sign me up! This is a clever whodunit with such likable and admirable protagonists. The banter between Inspector Templeton and Veronica is amusing and brings a lightheartedness to a somewhat intense mystery. I enjoyed the way Veronica unveiled the true criminal and how I could go back and see the clues layered throughout the story. I’m looking forward to traveling back in time to read more about Veronica!
Then the unthinkable happens–old family friend, and former superstar of the theater, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London and it’s clear it was murder.
A mystery set in 1920s England is a favorite of mine and author Kitty Kildare does such an excellent job bringing the hustle of London to life on the page. And a mystery featuring dogs? Sign me up! This is a clever whodunit with such likable and admirable protagonists. The banter between Inspector Templeton and Veronica is amusing and brings a lightheartedness to a somewhat intense mystery. I enjoyed the way Veronica unveiled the true criminal and how I could go back and see the clues layered throughout the story. I’m looking forward to traveling back in time to read more about Veronica!
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February 12, 2024Death at the Fireside Inn is available now!
An early review: "Kitty Kildare does such an excellent job bringing the hustle of London to life on the page. And a mystery featuring dogs? Sign me up! This is a clever whodunit with such likable and admirable protagonists."
An early review: "Kitty Kildare does such an excellent job bringing the hustle of London to life on the page. And a mystery featuring dogs? Sign me up! This is a clever whodunit with such likable and admirable protagonists."
June 13, 2025
An excellent COSY Mystery. Very easy reading and recommended to those interested in the genre.
See how quickly I read this book. Speaks for itself.
See how quickly I read this book. Speaks for itself.
February 28, 2024
Multiple Suspects
"When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty."
There were multiple suspects in this case. The son who was guilty of nothing more than wanting to know his mother was suspected but not guilty.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
"When an old family friend, and former superstar of the theatre, Florence Sterling, is discovered dead in her dressing room at the Winter Garden Theatre in London, Veronica is curious to discover what happened to the sweet, funny, ruthlessly ambitious beauty."
There were multiple suspects in this case. The son who was guilty of nothing more than wanting to know his mother was suspected but not guilty.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.
January 26, 2024
Fun book to read
It's a fun Cozy mystery That has a few twist in turns in it interesting characters very interesting costumes character are well written that you can almost see in your mind...... And then See them all Running around 1 way or the other to try to figure out Who is Killer is before the police catch up with them For obstruction of justice A great cast of characters
It's a fun Cozy mystery That has a few twist in turns in it interesting characters very interesting costumes character are well written that you can almost see in your mind...... And then See them all Running around 1 way or the other to try to figure out Who is Killer is before the police catch up with them For obstruction of justice A great cast of characters
June 29, 2025
Great read
What fun! A witty cast of characters, A well-written, fast-paced mystery with a possible romance in the future! Next book, please!
What fun! A witty cast of characters, A well-written, fast-paced mystery with a possible romance in the future! Next book, please!
February 9, 2024
Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.
https://novelsalive.com/2024/02/09/4-...
Death at the Fireside Inn is a British cozy mystery by Kitty Kildare and the first book in the Victoria Vale Investigates series. Set in the 1920s, taking us back in time, where we learn more about the friendship between Veronica and her best friend Ruby and their single lives. The descriptions were appropriate to the era, and I liked the multiple stories woven together.
Veronica writes obituaries at her uncle’s newspaper, but some male reporters resent her for taking a job away from a male or veteran. They don’t like that she has her job due to her family connections and overlook that she’s good at what she does and served during the war. We learn about her family a little at a time, and their interactions are touching but filled with delight and sometimes sorrow. Animals were a large part of the story for varying reasons, and her dog Benji went everywhere with her.
The story has a nice flow, and Veronica and Ruby are amateur sleuths trying to help the police solve the murder of the stage actress and legend Florence Sterling. Even when the police think they already have their man! There are a lot of clues throughout, but Veronica seems to be the best at finding them, sifting through them, and piecing them together. The story has twists and turns, and a lot of background and details are woven throughout. There is closure with solving the crime and finding out whodunnit and it wasn’t who I expected.
Death at the Fireside Inn is a British cozy mystery set in 1920s London with fur babies, a murder, and several secrets and clues to figure out whodunnit. Pull up a chair in front of the fire and settle in for a rollercoaster of a ride.
https://novelsalive.com/2024/02/09/4-...
Death at the Fireside Inn is a British cozy mystery by Kitty Kildare and the first book in the Victoria Vale Investigates series. Set in the 1920s, taking us back in time, where we learn more about the friendship between Veronica and her best friend Ruby and their single lives. The descriptions were appropriate to the era, and I liked the multiple stories woven together.
Veronica writes obituaries at her uncle’s newspaper, but some male reporters resent her for taking a job away from a male or veteran. They don’t like that she has her job due to her family connections and overlook that she’s good at what she does and served during the war. We learn about her family a little at a time, and their interactions are touching but filled with delight and sometimes sorrow. Animals were a large part of the story for varying reasons, and her dog Benji went everywhere with her.
The story has a nice flow, and Veronica and Ruby are amateur sleuths trying to help the police solve the murder of the stage actress and legend Florence Sterling. Even when the police think they already have their man! There are a lot of clues throughout, but Veronica seems to be the best at finding them, sifting through them, and piecing them together. The story has twists and turns, and a lot of background and details are woven throughout. There is closure with solving the crime and finding out whodunnit and it wasn’t who I expected.
Death at the Fireside Inn is a British cozy mystery set in 1920s London with fur babies, a murder, and several secrets and clues to figure out whodunnit. Pull up a chair in front of the fire and settle in for a rollercoaster of a ride.
February 8, 2024
DEATH AT THE FIRESIDE INN by Kitty Kildare
The First Veronica Vale Investigates Mystery
If there's a dog living rough in London Veronica Vale will move heaven and earth to save the pup, working with the police as well as her friends and family. When an actress unexpectedly dies, Veronica is called to pick up her pampered pug. After learning that there's a second pug who was with the woman at the theatre when she died, Veronica heads to the crime scene to pick up that dog as well. When she discovers a family connection to the deceased she decides to do more than write the obituary her job at the London Times entails. Veronica intends to find out just who killed the star.
The thing I liked best about the first Veronica Vale Investigates Mystery is its devotion to dogs. I love the fact that the Dog Home is based on a real place and that there are people who truly care for animals in need. I also appreciate the fact that a main character has shell-shock, suffering from what today is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), after serving in the front lines in the Great War.
The characters are likeable, aside from those who deliberately aren’t, and the mystery solid. I like how Veronica is able to mix with all manner of people, I got a kick out of Mickey Flynn and hope we see more of him. I enjoyed Veronica's mother's complaining about the pugs, all while cuddling them. Indeed her grousing about everything while actually enjoying it all. Benji is a wonder dog, too good to be real. His actions are amazing, yet I feel he wasn’t flushed out enough as a character. Although we know a lot of important facts about the characters, they still come off as a bit stiff and two dimensional. I want to feel more, as well as learn more about them.
DEATH AT THE FIRESIDE INN is a genial mystery filled with interesting characters and wonderful dogs.
The First Veronica Vale Investigates Mystery
If there's a dog living rough in London Veronica Vale will move heaven and earth to save the pup, working with the police as well as her friends and family. When an actress unexpectedly dies, Veronica is called to pick up her pampered pug. After learning that there's a second pug who was with the woman at the theatre when she died, Veronica heads to the crime scene to pick up that dog as well. When she discovers a family connection to the deceased she decides to do more than write the obituary her job at the London Times entails. Veronica intends to find out just who killed the star.
The thing I liked best about the first Veronica Vale Investigates Mystery is its devotion to dogs. I love the fact that the Dog Home is based on a real place and that there are people who truly care for animals in need. I also appreciate the fact that a main character has shell-shock, suffering from what today is known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), after serving in the front lines in the Great War.
The characters are likeable, aside from those who deliberately aren’t, and the mystery solid. I like how Veronica is able to mix with all manner of people, I got a kick out of Mickey Flynn and hope we see more of him. I enjoyed Veronica's mother's complaining about the pugs, all while cuddling them. Indeed her grousing about everything while actually enjoying it all. Benji is a wonder dog, too good to be real. His actions are amazing, yet I feel he wasn’t flushed out enough as a character. Although we know a lot of important facts about the characters, they still come off as a bit stiff and two dimensional. I want to feel more, as well as learn more about them.
DEATH AT THE FIRESIDE INN is a genial mystery filled with interesting characters and wonderful dogs.
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May 11, 2025This is well written and well edited. I enjoyed the complexities of the big reveal at the end but didn't feel like I had clues that lead me to the right perpetrators. This is the first in the series so I'm hoping her writing style continues to develop. She over-drew the main character's mother. I hope that was intentional (though too over the top) so that she can grow that character in future books.
This is the first in the series so I'm hoping her writing style continues to develop because as I already stated, she is a good writer.
This is the first in the series so I'm hoping her writing style continues to develop because as I already stated, she is a good writer.
October 14, 2024
There's a new Sleuth in Town
This introduction to Veronica Vale and her friends was a very enjoyable and entertaining read. The characters are likeable,c!early defined and believable. The story is well written and holds your interest from beginning to end.
I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
am looking forward to reading the second book in this new series.
This introduction to Veronica Vale and her friends was a very enjoyable and entertaining read. The characters are likeable,c!early defined and believable. The story is well written and holds your interest from beginning to end.
I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.
am looking forward to reading the second book in this new series.
January 7, 2025
Loved it! The story is well written and you can almost see the 1920s. I love the character of Veronica Vale, she's not your normal young lady about town. She's embroiled in a murder mystery when an old friend is murdered and there's several suspects. She also bangs heads with the local police officer in charge of the case which leads to some very humourous moments. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more of the same.
April 17, 2025
a Fascinating Series
A variety of characters, a fascinating plot that involves the murder of an aging theatre star, and a setting that reflects a bygone era, Kitty Kildare has recreated 1920s England in a sympathetic way. The heroine, Veronica Vale, pushes the limits of what was expected of women in that era but does it in a way that does not detract. The sense of romance is subtle. Well worth a read.
A variety of characters, a fascinating plot that involves the murder of an aging theatre star, and a setting that reflects a bygone era, Kitty Kildare has recreated 1920s England in a sympathetic way. The heroine, Veronica Vale, pushes the limits of what was expected of women in that era but does it in a way that does not detract. The sense of romance is subtle. Well worth a read.
April 28, 2025
I got the who-dun-it right!!! For the first time ever and I am over the moon. It took me a little while to get into this (a few days) but once I was in, whew, I was so sad to ever put it down. Going outside who? I've got a mystery to solve with Veronica, Ruby and Benji. And I swear Jacob better do more of his 'protect but don't act like it' thing in the next books. Consider me suitably books for the following weeks
May 17, 2025
The story is good but the author is in dire need of a good copy editor. P G Wodehouse is in spelled Woodhouse several times. Anachronisms abound, such as pinup and trophy spouse, both terms not in existence in the 1920s. She needs to check out the history of smog in London--it was in the 1952 that a terrible smog caused numerous deaths. It was not cleaned up in the 1920s as the author implies. I finished the book but I will not be reading anything else in the series.
July 6, 2024
Murder at the Inn
Veronica has a talent for sniffing out the clues in a murder mystery. This one comes with a theater star and a couple of adorable pugs. The police are looking for a quick end to the mystery and don't need the help of a mere woman and her friend. A murder in a theater has lots of characters to look into and always a poor scapegoat to save. Enjoy this one!
Veronica has a talent for sniffing out the clues in a murder mystery. This one comes with a theater star and a couple of adorable pugs. The police are looking for a quick end to the mystery and don't need the help of a mere woman and her friend. A murder in a theater has lots of characters to look into and always a poor scapegoat to save. Enjoy this one!
July 11, 2024
A Wonderful Historical Mystery
My first book by Kitty Kildare and I really enjoyed it. The characters are very likable and realistic, especially Veronica and Ruby. Solving the murder mystery was intriguing and fascinating, but with Veronica's courage to see justice for the victim all was revealed in the end. Great adventure, can't wait to read the next book in the series.
My first book by Kitty Kildare and I really enjoyed it. The characters are very likable and realistic, especially Veronica and Ruby. Solving the murder mystery was intriguing and fascinating, but with Veronica's courage to see justice for the victim all was revealed in the end. Great adventure, can't wait to read the next book in the series.
April 17, 2025
Veronica and Ruby made a great sleuthing pair as they searched for clues throughout London to help discover who killed a fading theater actress. More than a few twists and turns as they race to find the real culprit after the police arrest the "wrong" man. All together it was an engaging afternoon read.
January 16, 2024
It is a fun story about Veronica and Ruby with the dog Benji, trying to find out who murdered a movie star, Florence.
The twists and turns in this book were tricky, but finding the guilty persons was tough.
Enduring the cockiness of Veronica and Ruby made the book very good.
The twists and turns in this book were tricky, but finding the guilty persons was tough.
Enduring the cockiness of Veronica and Ruby made the book very good.
February 11, 2024
A Murder/Two Pugs/And Diamonds!
When a famous theatre star is found murdered the race is on to catch the culprit. However, there are far too many suspects. But Veronica Vale doesn’t give up & eventually she sets up a trap of sorts to catch the murderer.
When a famous theatre star is found murdered the race is on to catch the culprit. However, there are far too many suspects. But Veronica Vale doesn’t give up & eventually she sets up a trap of sorts to catch the murderer.
February 14, 2024
A Lost Pug/ A Newspaper Journalist/ A Murder
Veronica does her best to help solve a murder while getting involved with some unsavory characters of her father’s past. She’s determined to makes sure that the right man or woman goes to jail.
Veronica does her best to help solve a murder while getting involved with some unsavory characters of her father’s past. She’s determined to makes sure that the right man or woman goes to jail.
August 22, 2024
A very fun story
Enjoy a story of theatre, dog rescue, families and a mini romance. I usually worry when it says “1920s” or some such, but this story was fun and I kept turning the pages to see how it all came out!
Enjoy.
Enjoy a story of theatre, dog rescue, families and a mini romance. I usually worry when it says “1920s” or some such, but this story was fun and I kept turning the pages to see how it all came out!
Enjoy.
May 1, 2025
Death At The Fireside Inn
I enjoyed reading about British history at the beginning of the 20th century.
The characters are quirky and believable. These are characters that I want to learn more about.
I enjoyed reading about British history at the beginning of the 20th century.
The characters are quirky and believable. These are characters that I want to learn more about.
June 20, 2025
Wonderful!!
Such a interesting plot with lots of fun twists! I always enjoy stories like this! Intelligent, fun loving mysteries that keep the reader guessing, smiling and laughing!!
Such a interesting plot with lots of fun twists! I always enjoy stories like this! Intelligent, fun loving mysteries that keep the reader guessing, smiling and laughing!!
November 10, 2025
As with many others who have read and commented on this book I found that there was a lot of misrepresentaions of the era, such as no fog in london and the biggest one for me was expecting the detective to monitor his answer phone!!!! It all spoilt a good read.
November 16, 2025
This is my first time reading one of Ms Kildare's books but it won't be my last. Her characters are bright and lively and the story is as well. The addition of Benji is a real treat.
Highly Recommended
Highly Recommended
August 9, 2024
Wonderful
A really good cast of character and a cracking good story ,with plenty of twists an turns ,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
A really good cast of character and a cracking good story ,with plenty of twists an turns ,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
August 12, 2024
Back in time
An easy read with a good story line . The characters are very interesting, us the added interest of dogs and the dogs home .
An easy read with a good story line . The characters are very interesting, us the added interest of dogs and the dogs home .
January 27, 2025
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews