What do you think?
Rate this book
Vita Carew Mysteries #1
Poison at Pemberton Hall: A Cozy Historical Mystery
A dazzling diva. A glittering society dinner. A servant with a terrible grudge.1903. Bookish, bespectacled Vita Carew longs to be left to her scientific studies. But she cannot avoid the event of the season, a gala at Pemberton Hall. This glamorous concert and sumptuous dinner will mark the Pemberton household’s return to society after a run of misfortune.But disaster strikes as soon as the seafood is served. Vita can only offer first aid as elegant guests fall suddenly ill on all sides. Worse still, she suspects a death has been covered up to avoid interrupting the carefully planned soirée.Vita must probe dark secrets behind the country house’s elegant veneer to work out who is to blame. But can she do so in time to prevent the poisoner from striking again?If you enjoy a stylish mystery with your Downton Abbey, dip into Poison at Pemberton Hall today.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2020
316 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 15, 2024
There’s nothing like the hustle & bustle of an olden day manor when there’s murder afoot. Solid protagonist who I would definitely seek out other stories for. Not exactly a riveting story, but written well enough that the characters all held their own.
December 20, 2020
Vita Carew is a charming heroine, interested in science and medicine. Denied the opportunity to study because she is a woman, she is a skilled autodidact. The series promises to be entertaining as we watch this young woman develop in the years prior to WWI. This book is well written with period details, and good dialogue. A lovely country house setting provides the stage for interaction of an interesting cast of characters, English and German. Vita is pulled into the centre of events as they unfold at Pemberton Hall due to her role as translator for German speaking guests. Conflict between an English family doctor and a German visiting doctor underscores themes of rank and privilege and prejudice. When the mystery resolves, it seems totally believable. I look forward to the next book in the series.
May 28, 2021
A good conflated mystery
Oh, the twists you will read. It's 1903 at a grand house in England. Fits
A is a bespectacled young woman very interested in science in an era when women could not be educated as men were. On a visit to a grand country home she finds mysteries. Twists include a laudanum using governess in unrequited love of the French chef, a German opera singer who ultimately cares more for her career than her new finance, and another servant who is giving his master way too much laudanum because he cannot read the label indicating a stronger dose. The author ties all this up nicely. If you like mysteries, this deserves reading
Oh, the twists you will read. It's 1903 at a grand house in England. Fits
A is a bespectacled young woman very interested in science in an era when women could not be educated as men were. On a visit to a grand country home she finds mysteries. Twists include a laudanum using governess in unrequited love of the French chef, a German opera singer who ultimately cares more for her career than her new finance, and another servant who is giving his master way too much laudanum because he cannot read the label indicating a stronger dose. The author ties all this up nicely. If you like mysteries, this deserves reading
May 12, 2023
A nice enough cosy mystery but indistinguishable from many others set in a country house where the protagonist is a young, upper class girl with secretarial skills hailing from a family that is no longer wealthy. I am not being disparaging - if I liked that type of book I really don't mind there being many similar books around. The thing is, this is not quite my type. I only read it as a part of a historical mystery challenge. And because I always want to try out new historical mystery authors. I doubt I will read the rest of the series but if you like this type of book it was charming enough.
May 30, 2022
Slow Going
This story could easily be 4* if it had been better edited. The first half was tedious. Too many words used to describe details stating the obvious. Descriptions of characters went on and on Ok we get the point. Yes Vita is a bespeckled, solitary, intelligent young woman. How many times and ways is the author going to pound it into my head? The story only picked up when the action began. From that point t was interesting, suspenseful and kept my interest.
This story could easily be 4* if it had been better edited. The first half was tedious. Too many words used to describe details stating the obvious. Descriptions of characters went on and on Ok we get the point. Yes Vita is a bespeckled, solitary, intelligent young woman. How many times and ways is the author going to pound it into my head? The story only picked up when the action began. From that point t was interesting, suspenseful and kept my interest.
Read
January 15, 2023I haven’t previously read anything by the author, but I’m always on the lookout for historical cosy mysteries.
This was an easy and quick read. The prose was clean, with only couple of typos that I noticed. Some of the capitalisation conventions made me twitch, eg “Vita’s Aunt did such n such.”
The characters were distinct, and rather boldly portrayed, presumably to provide a foundation for plot-necessary behaviour. I did raise my eyebrows at just how frequently everyone unknowingly paraded clues in front of Vita, when she just happened to be in the right place to overhear/witness.
Vita herself didn’t make much of an impression on me, personality-wise. Maybe I got the feeling she simply served as the main pair of eyes/ears through which the story would be delivered, and not so much an agent in her own right.
A pleasant historical mystery.
This was an easy and quick read. The prose was clean, with only couple of typos that I noticed. Some of the capitalisation conventions made me twitch, eg “Vita’s Aunt did such n such.”
The characters were distinct, and rather boldly portrayed, presumably to provide a foundation for plot-necessary behaviour. I did raise my eyebrows at just how frequently everyone unknowingly paraded clues in front of Vita, when she just happened to be in the right place to overhear/witness.
Vita herself didn’t make much of an impression on me, personality-wise. Maybe I got the feeling she simply served as the main pair of eyes/ears through which the story would be delivered, and not so much an agent in her own right.
A pleasant historical mystery.
December 30, 2020
The era and setting should appeal to fans of "Upstairs, Downstairs" and "Downton Abbey".
Rating: 3.2/5
"Poison at Pemberton Hall" introduces us to the character of Vita Carew, a young, would-be scientist, at a time when women were struggling to win the right to vote, let alone be taken seriously in such a male dominated field.
It is 1903, the early years of Edwardian England, and Vita finds herself invited to a society gathering at the stately Pemberton Hall. An up-and-coming female German opera singer is the guest of honour, with members of her adoring entourage in tow. Vita is called upon to use her knowledge of their language to act as interpreter and to help make the visitors from Germany feel welcome. However, the evening's events do not run as smoothly as planned and Vita finds herself at the heart of a mystery that impacts both upstairs and downstairs.
Fran Smith has produced an enjoyable and engaging read. It evokes the Edwardian era convincingly and combines both drama and melodrama, along with elements associated with a comedy of manners.
I suspect I will be returning to read the second book in this series in the coming weeks.
Rating: 3.2/5
"Poison at Pemberton Hall" introduces us to the character of Vita Carew, a young, would-be scientist, at a time when women were struggling to win the right to vote, let alone be taken seriously in such a male dominated field.
It is 1903, the early years of Edwardian England, and Vita finds herself invited to a society gathering at the stately Pemberton Hall. An up-and-coming female German opera singer is the guest of honour, with members of her adoring entourage in tow. Vita is called upon to use her knowledge of their language to act as interpreter and to help make the visitors from Germany feel welcome. However, the evening's events do not run as smoothly as planned and Vita finds herself at the heart of a mystery that impacts both upstairs and downstairs.
Fran Smith has produced an enjoyable and engaging read. It evokes the Edwardian era convincingly and combines both drama and melodrama, along with elements associated with a comedy of manners.
I suspect I will be returning to read the second book in this series in the coming weeks.
June 8, 2021
This is a story, set before the First World War, of wealthy privileged types and those working for them.
Vita Carew, in the company of her artist aunt, arrived at Pemberton Hall for a few days. Part of the entertainment is concert by an up and coming German soprano and her soon to be fiancé (Vita’s aunt’s godson). While the concert is going on one member of staff is dying in some agony. At the meal after the concert guests are suddenly struck by food poisoning especially the pretty soprano. And other things go on especially poor Vita fighting for her life.
Vita is not the narrator of the story but it is mostly about her feelings. Her main job is liaising between German speaking guests and the English hosts. She therefore finds herself in at the deaths, taking notes for the English and the German doctors.
To my mind, though Vita is bright, she doesn’t always connect the dots. She overhears important stuff but either feels she won’t be believed or she doesn’t take in its importance. I wouldn’t call her a sleuth but she is bright and gutsy. The German doctor is the one to keep an eye on.
An easy and (due to short chapters) quite compelling read. I’ll try book two.
Vita Carew, in the company of her artist aunt, arrived at Pemberton Hall for a few days. Part of the entertainment is concert by an up and coming German soprano and her soon to be fiancé (Vita’s aunt’s godson). While the concert is going on one member of staff is dying in some agony. At the meal after the concert guests are suddenly struck by food poisoning especially the pretty soprano. And other things go on especially poor Vita fighting for her life.
Vita is not the narrator of the story but it is mostly about her feelings. Her main job is liaising between German speaking guests and the English hosts. She therefore finds herself in at the deaths, taking notes for the English and the German doctors.
To my mind, though Vita is bright, she doesn’t always connect the dots. She overhears important stuff but either feels she won’t be believed or she doesn’t take in its importance. I wouldn’t call her a sleuth but she is bright and gutsy. The German doctor is the one to keep an eye on.
An easy and (due to short chapters) quite compelling read. I’ll try book two.
May 25, 2021
A pleasant story and intriguing main character.
I found this story charming and was pleasantly surprised that it did not follow the usual Mystery storylines. I look forward to the next book.
I found this story charming and was pleasantly surprised that it did not follow the usual Mystery storylines. I look forward to the next book.
January 30, 2023
I think I will rate this about 2.5 stars, but can not make myself round it up to a 3..
This could have been SO much more for me - but it was not.
The novel is short, with its 204 pages.
The narrator, which is 3rd person, jumps around different characters (which works well in movies), both giving the reader information about different characters, that others in the book know nothing about - which is indeed exciting, but we also spends less time with Vita, the main character, and I don't really think I ever really got to know her.
I do, however, have a very clear image of how she looks like, despite it never being described in the book, except that she wears round glasses. And I did like her.
I liked the fact that (because we new a bit more) it was shown some characters had some secrets of themselfs, that they did not want out.
However, with the book so short, and the fact that it uses about half of the book jumping around between characters (which could have worked much better, had the book been longer) I found the first half a bit boring and the last half rushed. I didn't find it that mysterious and there was really no invitation going on. But it was a cozy read.
I liked the German Doctor Zecker, with his neatness and principles. He was different (and gentle) and I am sad that Vita and Dr. Zecker will not be a duo in this series.
I liked aunt Louisa as well - filled with personality, sense and humor.
I could easily stop the series here, with its first volume. But I must admit, I am little curious about Vita and want to get to know her character better, that I might pick up the next as well (Despite her not being a duo with the doctor). At least for the cozy read.
This could have been SO much more for me - but it was not.
The novel is short, with its 204 pages.
The narrator, which is 3rd person, jumps around different characters (which works well in movies), both giving the reader information about different characters, that others in the book know nothing about - which is indeed exciting, but we also spends less time with Vita, the main character, and I don't really think I ever really got to know her.
I do, however, have a very clear image of how she looks like, despite it never being described in the book, except that she wears round glasses. And I did like her.
I liked the fact that (because we new a bit more) it was shown some characters had some secrets of themselfs, that they did not want out.
However, with the book so short, and the fact that it uses about half of the book jumping around between characters (which could have worked much better, had the book been longer) I found the first half a bit boring and the last half rushed. I didn't find it that mysterious and there was really no invitation going on. But it was a cozy read.
I liked the German Doctor Zecker, with his neatness and principles. He was different (and gentle) and I am sad that Vita and Dr. Zecker will not be a duo in this series.
I liked aunt Louisa as well - filled with personality, sense and humor.
I could easily stop the series here, with its first volume. But I must admit, I am little curious about Vita and want to get to know her character better, that I might pick up the next as well (Despite her not being a duo with the doctor). At least for the cozy read.
November 27, 2025
A short book, seems like the first in a series of cozy murder mysteries. I'll probably read more of them; I enjoy the time period (Edwardian England, 1903 specifically) and the heroine is neither irritatingly perfect nor TSTL, which I appreciate. Her involvement in the murder mystery investigation actually makes at least SOME sense, which is always nice with amateur sleuth stories, especially when the sleuth in question doesn't have a direct personal connection to the case (such as being a suspect).
I actually forgot I had listened to the audiobook already and started it again, only to immediately realize my error; I guess that should tell you how memorable it was? I suppose I've just gone through way too many books recently which are historical cozy murder mysteries featuring spunky young spinsters (or widows) whose intelligence/academic dreams have been discouraged by the patriarchy. But this one wears glasses! So that's new! It even kind of matters to the story at one point!
Vita is a likable enough heroine, who becomes involved as she has to take notes for the doctors who examine the sick or dead people at a manor house party she happens to be attending. (Her father is a doctor or something like that, so she is familiar with the task.) It wrapped up fairly well, and I enjoyed the little twists and the details of country manor life in the time period, as well as the motivations of the various characters of the differing social classes.
I actually forgot I had listened to the audiobook already and started it again, only to immediately realize my error; I guess that should tell you how memorable it was? I suppose I've just gone through way too many books recently which are historical cozy murder mysteries featuring spunky young spinsters (or widows) whose intelligence/academic dreams have been discouraged by the patriarchy. But this one wears glasses! So that's new! It even kind of matters to the story at one point!
Vita is a likable enough heroine, who becomes involved as she has to take notes for the doctors who examine the sick or dead people at a manor house party she happens to be attending. (Her father is a doctor or something like that, so she is familiar with the task.) It wrapped up fairly well, and I enjoyed the little twists and the details of country manor life in the time period, as well as the motivations of the various characters of the differing social classes.
May 17, 2022
This first book in the Vita Carew Mystery series has Vita facing mass poisoning at a posh Edwardian dinner and concert. Vita is an interesting character in that she is a self-taught science student. However, in an era when education wasn't "wasted" on women, Vita strikes an intriguing counterpoint.
Aunt Louisa, with whom Vita resides, is also written counter to the times. She is a widow and an established painter and portraitist who happens to be a long-time friend of the Pembertons. This story is chock-full of Edwardian attitudes and mores. For example, when a death occurs at dinner, the French chef loses his job. This happened despite Vita and the German doctor proving he was not at fault. The attitude of the Edwardians was to find someone to blame (and fire), so the family and estate could remain blameless. This story also shows the awful position governesses lived in; they were not part of the family or the servant pool. They lived in limbo, ignored by the family and distrusted by the servants.
I enjoyed the strong emphasis on Edwardian times. Readers relishing a bit of Downtown Abbey with their murders will enjoy this. Just to let you know: A THIN SHARP BLADE (see below) was published a year earlier and was shortlisted for a Debut Dagger by the Crime Writer's Association in 2019.
Vita Carew Series – Total of 4
** 1. Poison at Pemberton Hall (2020)
2. A Thin Sharp Blade (2019)
Aunt Louisa, with whom Vita resides, is also written counter to the times. She is a widow and an established painter and portraitist who happens to be a long-time friend of the Pembertons. This story is chock-full of Edwardian attitudes and mores. For example, when a death occurs at dinner, the French chef loses his job. This happened despite Vita and the German doctor proving he was not at fault. The attitude of the Edwardians was to find someone to blame (and fire), so the family and estate could remain blameless. This story also shows the awful position governesses lived in; they were not part of the family or the servant pool. They lived in limbo, ignored by the family and distrusted by the servants.
I enjoyed the strong emphasis on Edwardian times. Readers relishing a bit of Downtown Abbey with their murders will enjoy this. Just to let you know: A THIN SHARP BLADE (see below) was published a year earlier and was shortlisted for a Debut Dagger by the Crime Writer's Association in 2019.
Vita Carew Series – Total of 4
** 1. Poison at Pemberton Hall (2020)
2. A Thin Sharp Blade (2019)
September 26, 2023
A fun cosy mystery.
We meet Vita who lives with her aunt in Cambridge. She was living with her father, who is a parson but it was felt that she needed to add to her education more feminine things such as Art History - her Aunt is a portrait painter. Whilst she does study with her Aunt, she is also allowed to continue with her science studies.
They are invited to Pemberton Hall for a gala dinner and concert, her Aunt is friends with the lady of Pemberton Hall. They also wish Vita to trasnslate for some of the guests as they are German. Vita gets along very well with the ladies and one gentleman she is translating for, all is going well until guests fall ill just as the fish course is being served. How did this happen? Is the French chef to blame?
As Vita helps nurse some of the patients she hears things from various sources. Things are not as they seem at the Hall. Can Vita get to the bottom of things and save a family?
A well written cosy, with good characters and plotline. I really liked Vita and her aunt, they were both strong ladies who were not afraid to help others and encourage each other.
We meet Vita who lives with her aunt in Cambridge. She was living with her father, who is a parson but it was felt that she needed to add to her education more feminine things such as Art History - her Aunt is a portrait painter. Whilst she does study with her Aunt, she is also allowed to continue with her science studies.
They are invited to Pemberton Hall for a gala dinner and concert, her Aunt is friends with the lady of Pemberton Hall. They also wish Vita to trasnslate for some of the guests as they are German. Vita gets along very well with the ladies and one gentleman she is translating for, all is going well until guests fall ill just as the fish course is being served. How did this happen? Is the French chef to blame?
As Vita helps nurse some of the patients she hears things from various sources. Things are not as they seem at the Hall. Can Vita get to the bottom of things and save a family?
A well written cosy, with good characters and plotline. I really liked Vita and her aunt, they were both strong ladies who were not afraid to help others and encourage each other.
July 18, 2022
Operatic intrigue in an Edwardian stately home
Vita Carew, the daughter of a country vicar, uses her language skills and deductive reasoning to investigate the suspicious death of the governess the night of a grand musicale,, the food poisoning of the dinner guests and the suspicious actions of some of the staff. Vita longs to study science, but must rely on reading her brother's texts and borrowed library books to further her knowledge. She impresses a visiting German doctor with her insights and quest for the truth.
Smith's characters are multidimensional and the heroine is bright, courageous and moral. I look forward to her future adventures.
Vita Carew, the daughter of a country vicar, uses her language skills and deductive reasoning to investigate the suspicious death of the governess the night of a grand musicale,, the food poisoning of the dinner guests and the suspicious actions of some of the staff. Vita longs to study science, but must rely on reading her brother's texts and borrowed library books to further her knowledge. She impresses a visiting German doctor with her insights and quest for the truth.
Smith's characters are multidimensional and the heroine is bright, courageous and moral. I look forward to her future adventures.
May 9, 2022
Reading this story was a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The mystery part is a bit weak, I'll give you that, but the writing made up for it. The story flows nicely and the way the main character Vita happens upon the pieces of information felt quite natural. She seems mature and considerate. Thank goodness she's not one of those annoying snotty heroines who think they know everything and constantly land themselves in trouble. There is some room for character development and a bit more tension so I look forward to the next book.
November 16, 2022
Book #1 of a circa 1900 mystery series starring Vita Carew, an intelligent, interested, intrepid daughter of a Vicar, staying with her artist Aunt Felicity while studying at Cambridge, before young women could graduate with degrees on paper.
This book’s setting is with friends in their stately home where we discover Vita’s abilities, a loss, unscrupulousness, a tasty gain, and a wordy thank you.
Definitely interesting, looking forward to book #2, marvellous starter thank you Fran Smith, much appreciated :-)
This book’s setting is with friends in their stately home where we discover Vita’s abilities, a loss, unscrupulousness, a tasty gain, and a wordy thank you.
Definitely interesting, looking forward to book #2, marvellous starter thank you Fran Smith, much appreciated :-)
January 7, 2024
Quiet, bookish young ladies approaching spinsterhood, like governesses, tend to be overlooked. The fate of the governess is tragic. The amateur sleuthing of the other overlooked lady puts her in grave danger. Many of the clues are in plain sight, at least for an observant woman with a scientific bent, who overhears all sorts of interesting conversations. But will the authorities listen to her? I liked Vita's courage and persistence, and expect that the rest of her stories will be just as interesting.
January 23, 2021
Interesting characterization
The depiction of narcissism was both fascinating and appalling to read. The realistic portrayal of the despised neither fish nor fowl governess rang true, and the unheeding behavior of both masters and servants in their interactions with her provided a chilling glance into the position of a gentile woman whose circumstances required that she earn her living.
The depiction of narcissism was both fascinating and appalling to read. The realistic portrayal of the despised neither fish nor fowl governess rang true, and the unheeding behavior of both masters and servants in their interactions with her provided a chilling glance into the position of a gentile woman whose circumstances required that she earn her living.
October 22, 2022
3.5/5
Some great potential here. A smart female lead, a country house mystery and no romance. Thank goodness she isn't one of those heroines usually described in cozies as perky or feisty and isn't obnoxiously nosy (all of which annoy me to no end!)
There were some things that didn't quite sit right and had me wondering if the author messed up but maybe I misunderstood?
Anyway, hopefully the 2nd book will get stronger with better continuity.
Some great potential here. A smart female lead, a country house mystery and no romance. Thank goodness she isn't one of those heroines usually described in cozies as perky or feisty and isn't obnoxiously nosy (all of which annoy me to no end!)
There were some things that didn't quite sit right and had me wondering if the author messed up but maybe I misunderstood?
Anyway, hopefully the 2nd book will get stronger with better continuity.
January 7, 2025
The cosiest of cosy mysteries this story ambled along during the first years of the Edwardian period. With tea party's and family discussions along with banquets, the clothes being worn and the food served are described in great detail. This didn't leave much time for any real detective work. Clues on how some of the guests were poisoned and a suspicious death mainly came from overheard conversations and assumptions. A slow but pleasant story.
February 3, 2025
Delightful
I was a bit surprised how much I ended up enjoying this. I'm not a big historical fiction reader, but I immediately felt caught up in the world of the 1900s. I enjoyed the manor and felt that there was enough detail to imagine various parts of it. I liked Vita, a young and ambitious translator who wants to study science. While I highly suspected the murderer (and was right), I wasn't entirely sure until the reveal.
I was a bit surprised how much I ended up enjoying this. I'm not a big historical fiction reader, but I immediately felt caught up in the world of the 1900s. I enjoyed the manor and felt that there was enough detail to imagine various parts of it. I liked Vita, a young and ambitious translator who wants to study science. While I highly suspected the murderer (and was right), I wasn't entirely sure until the reveal.
May 26, 2022
1903. Vita Carew with her aunt Louise Brocklehurst are invited to Pemberton Hall of her Aunt's friends the Pembertons. Eventually there will be a death though very little investigation is done by Vita, and the guilty party of another incident seems obvious.
Overall an enjoyable historical mystery, a fairly decent start to this new series.
Overall an enjoyable historical mystery, a fairly decent start to this new series.
September 22, 2022
Delightful little crime
A historical crime novel that kept a nice pace and was not overly dramatic with the climax. The climax came and went like a large swell in in rolling waters. After the swell there was a satisfying wrap up to other threads in the story that make this a nice series to continue.
A historical crime novel that kept a nice pace and was not overly dramatic with the climax. The climax came and went like a large swell in in rolling waters. After the swell there was a satisfying wrap up to other threads in the story that make this a nice series to continue.
March 27, 2024
well worth reading!
A delightful read. It introduces Vita Carew, a young lady who is living with her aunt, an artist, in Victorian London. On a visit to the aunt’s old friend, Lady Pemberton, Vita notices various odd things about the household staff, and unpleasant things happen. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series…
A delightful read. It introduces Vita Carew, a young lady who is living with her aunt, an artist, in Victorian London. On a visit to the aunt’s old friend, Lady Pemberton, Vita notices various odd things about the household staff, and unpleasant things happen. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the series…
June 10, 2021
Poison at Pemberton Hall....Book 1
This story was beautifully written and the tale moved very smoothly...the foundation of the story was perfect..
And I loved the characters...no complains here...looking forward to book 2..
This story was beautifully written and the tale moved very smoothly...the foundation of the story was perfect..
And I loved the characters...no complains here...looking forward to book 2..
August 29, 2021
Bordering on dull
Well actually was rather. All characters rather wooden and don't seem to come alive except for the German doctor. Story very weak and predictable couldn't wait to finish this one.
Well actually was rather. All characters rather wooden and don't seem to come alive except for the German doctor. Story very weak and predictable couldn't wait to finish this one.
December 15, 2021
3.5 - 4 stars
I had no expectations (good or bad) on this book and it was a lovely surprise. It’s a very short read, and the mystery is not really one tbh, but the main character and surrounding minor characters were engaging. Looking forward to the other books
I had no expectations (good or bad) on this book and it was a lovely surprise. It’s a very short read, and the mystery is not really one tbh, but the main character and surrounding minor characters were engaging. Looking forward to the other books
December 15, 2021
Enjoyable read!
A wonderful book filled with characters that are well developed. The unlikely heroine is appealing and leads the reader to a climactic finish that not only ties up loose ends but bodes well for future books with the same leading women.
A wonderful book filled with characters that are well developed. The unlikely heroine is appealing and leads the reader to a climactic finish that not only ties up loose ends but bodes well for future books with the same leading women.
January 15, 2022
Not bad for escapist reading. Vita is a likeable character, although she'd need to be awfully fluent in German to do all that translating! Her artist aunt made a great secondary character - hope she's a regular in the series.
May 16, 2022
introduction of an interesting heroine
The whole thing started with an infected tooth. The first death was somewhat expected. From the clues given. Characters well described and interesting. Hopefully the next addition will be more complex.
The whole thing started with an infected tooth. The first death was somewhat expected. From the clues given. Characters well described and interesting. Hopefully the next addition will be more complex.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews