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Abbot Agency #11
False Fire
A dinner party descends into chaos – and death – in the latest gripping Abbot Agency mystery.
Attending a birthday celebration for two young girls, Bea Abbot tries not to let superstition get the better of her when she realizes they are thirteen at dinner. What she doesn’t anticipate is that the evening will end in sudden, violent death.
Suddenly a dining room curtain goes up in flames. While two members of the host family are rushed to hospital, Bea and a fellow guest search for the birthday girls in a house which has been plunged into darkness. And then the chaos begins …
Could the fire have been started deliberately – and were young Bernice and Alicia the intended targets? As Bea investigates, she finds herself drawn into the girls’ troubling a world rich in money but lacking in love.
Attending a birthday celebration for two young girls, Bea Abbot tries not to let superstition get the better of her when she realizes they are thirteen at dinner. What she doesn’t anticipate is that the evening will end in sudden, violent death.
Suddenly a dining room curtain goes up in flames. While two members of the host family are rushed to hospital, Bea and a fellow guest search for the birthday girls in a house which has been plunged into darkness. And then the chaos begins …
Could the fire have been started deliberately – and were young Bernice and Alicia the intended targets? As Bea investigates, she finds herself drawn into the girls’ troubling a world rich in money but lacking in love.
- GenresMysteryCozyCozy Mystery
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
290 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
100 books131 followersVeronica Heley has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.
AKA Veronica Thorne
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 7, 2017
Widowed businesswoman Bea Abbott is enjoying a birthday party for two 10-year-old girls at a splendid house on Guy Fawkes Night when some wayward fireworks set off several blazes. But were the fires an accident? Clever Bea doesn’t much think so.
Her friend, Sir Leon Hollingsworth, wants to be more than a friend, but, as Bea learned in False Wall, the book immediately preceding this one, Leon’s not someone you can trust in a pinch. In False Fire, Bea meets a family that’s equal parts privilege and dysfunction — and a new love interest. The events in False Fire will change the lives of two families — as well as Bea’s — forever.
In all honesty, I was disappointed in False Wall, the book immediately preceding this one, where the normally resolute Bea was all a-dither, whiney and self-pitying. I’m happy to say that Bea’s back to her own perspicacious, take-charge self. As one character points out, Bea’s got a huge heart, and each book makes me thrill at being able to re-connect with her as with a long-lost friend.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Her friend, Sir Leon Hollingsworth, wants to be more than a friend, but, as Bea learned in False Wall, the book immediately preceding this one, Leon’s not someone you can trust in a pinch. In False Fire, Bea meets a family that’s equal parts privilege and dysfunction — and a new love interest. The events in False Fire will change the lives of two families — as well as Bea’s — forever.
In all honesty, I was disappointed in False Wall, the book immediately preceding this one, where the normally resolute Bea was all a-dither, whiney and self-pitying. I’m happy to say that Bea’s back to her own perspicacious, take-charge self. As one character points out, Bea’s got a huge heart, and each book makes me thrill at being able to re-connect with her as with a long-lost friend.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Severn House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2019
Hard to believe but I’m giving 4 stars to Book #11. It doesn’t really deserve it but it had a much better plot and a great ending this time. Very Agatha Christie, all the suspects together in a room waiting to see who the culprit is.
Still a bunch of despicable characters, 2 spoiled 10 year old girls who have to be carried everywhere (?), jealous family members, slutty women and a man gaga over old Bea Abbot!!
The whole scenario was implausible, not much made sense at all, but I keep on reading this series to see whodunnit!! One more to go.
I keep reminding myself this series is being written by a woman in her mid eighties, so I read it with a big grain of salt.
Still a bunch of despicable characters, 2 spoiled 10 year old girls who have to be carried everywhere (?), jealous family members, slutty women and a man gaga over old Bea Abbot!!
The whole scenario was implausible, not much made sense at all, but I keep on reading this series to see whodunnit!! One more to go.
I keep reminding myself this series is being written by a woman in her mid eighties, so I read it with a big grain of salt.
March 23, 2017
The story caught my attention at once and held it until I finished the book in one setting. It is a long standing series and a new author for me. I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. Bea Abbott is attending a family party to celebrate the tenth birthdays of two girls. The party ends when the dining area goes up in flames. Two family members are stricken and taken to the hospital. Bea is concerned about the girls' safety as she heard another faint explosion in the house. She heads upstairs and encounters a stranger on the same quest. After much difficulty, they rescued the girls and the housekeeper. Be a takes the girls home for the night and finds herself entangled in the family affairs. In order to save the girls from further harm, she must find answers. I especially, like the way the teddy bear was used. Was the fire was arson and who was the target? The suspense will keep you turning the pages until the thrilling end. I will look for more of this authors to read. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Severn House for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Severn House for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 8, 2023
Hmmm.
I have really enjoyed this series . But this is not the best story. I failed to believe the beginning with the fire . The fact when discussing Berniece's past the fact she had two brothers who died but were not mentioned just seemed odd . The fact that in every book the front door has an alarm and mentioned but not in this . Bea opened the door to any one but has been careful in previous books . And her amazing bodyguard let some random woman enter as he was leaving . To many inconsistencies if you've read the series . To many prayers. Did I believe it no . But I still enjoyed it to a point and hope the next is better
I have really enjoyed this series . But this is not the best story. I failed to believe the beginning with the fire . The fact when discussing Berniece's past the fact she had two brothers who died but were not mentioned just seemed odd . The fact that in every book the front door has an alarm and mentioned but not in this . Bea opened the door to any one but has been careful in previous books . And her amazing bodyguard let some random woman enter as he was leaving . To many inconsistencies if you've read the series . To many prayers. Did I believe it no . But I still enjoyed it to a point and hope the next is better
January 2, 2017
Bea Abbot attends the birthday party of a young friend and is disturbed to see there are thirteen people round the table. But that's superstition and there is no need for anyone to be worried. However the party ends in a fire and Bea and a fellow guest are alone in a dark, smoke filled house trying to rescue two young girls.
At first everyone seems disposed to blame the two girls for setting off fireworks indoors but Bea suspects something more sinister which could only have been perpetrated by an adult. Bea finds herself trying to hold everything together in the face of sudden death and not knowing exactly who she can trust.
I had intended to only read a few chapters of this book yesterday but got totally involved in the story and kept reading until I finished it. I like Bea Abbot as a character and as ever this author brings all the other characters vividly to life so that the reader can see into their lives and understand their motivations.
I thought the opening scenes in the fire were excellent as was the nail biting finale when Bea fights against time to rescue a group of people from the machinations of a cold blooded murderer. Altogether this is a well written mystery with plenty of excitement which is firmly rooted in the everyday problems of feeding people in the middle of a crisis and ensuring they have somewhere to sleep as well as clean clothes to wear.
If you've ever wondered how amateur detectives manage to deal with the every day when they are detecting this series and the author's Ellie Quicke series will demonstrate how it is possible to investigate crime and still feed family and guests.
At first everyone seems disposed to blame the two girls for setting off fireworks indoors but Bea suspects something more sinister which could only have been perpetrated by an adult. Bea finds herself trying to hold everything together in the face of sudden death and not knowing exactly who she can trust.
I had intended to only read a few chapters of this book yesterday but got totally involved in the story and kept reading until I finished it. I like Bea Abbot as a character and as ever this author brings all the other characters vividly to life so that the reader can see into their lives and understand their motivations.
I thought the opening scenes in the fire were excellent as was the nail biting finale when Bea fights against time to rescue a group of people from the machinations of a cold blooded murderer. Altogether this is a well written mystery with plenty of excitement which is firmly rooted in the everyday problems of feeding people in the middle of a crisis and ensuring they have somewhere to sleep as well as clean clothes to wear.
If you've ever wondered how amateur detectives manage to deal with the every day when they are detecting this series and the author's Ellie Quicke series will demonstrate how it is possible to investigate crime and still feed family and guests.
March 14, 2017
Best one I've read of hers so far!!
June 14, 2017
Events start happening right from the beginning! Enjoyable reading. But what are "indoor fireworks"? - never heard of them!
July 13, 2023
Although I continue to enjoy the Abbot Agency mysteries, as with the last one, my issue is characters that have played major supporting roles seem to sometimes go through major personality changes I can't quite swallow - one in particular this time, who I won't name in order not to spoil anything.
It is also hard to fathom the callousness and total self absorption of so many of the family members in the tragedies that result from the events that unfold.
The reader must decide for themselves.
In this story, two subsequent fires in two separate places send off warning signals in the heads of a guest at the birthday party at the time, Bea Abbott.
It is only to due to the her due diligence and that of another guest, the two young girls upstairs don't perish as a consequence.
Electrical failure, coincidence, a prank gone wrong instigated by the girls themselves?
Trust Bea's sharp powers of observation, persistence, and guts to sort it all out. Well into her 60's now, she seems to be at the top of her game, and still quite attractive to the opposite sex.
It is inevitable that through the years that have gone by since the 1st Abbott agency mystery there would be some changes in the people who show up regularly to support Bea in her challenges. But I do miss the detective who showed up to eat and the two young people Bea took under her wing at the very beginning.
It is also hard to fathom the callousness and total self absorption of so many of the family members in the tragedies that result from the events that unfold.
The reader must decide for themselves.
In this story, two subsequent fires in two separate places send off warning signals in the heads of a guest at the birthday party at the time, Bea Abbott.
It is only to due to the her due diligence and that of another guest, the two young girls upstairs don't perish as a consequence.
Electrical failure, coincidence, a prank gone wrong instigated by the girls themselves?
Trust Bea's sharp powers of observation, persistence, and guts to sort it all out. Well into her 60's now, she seems to be at the top of her game, and still quite attractive to the opposite sex.
It is inevitable that through the years that have gone by since the 1st Abbott agency mystery there would be some changes in the people who show up regularly to support Bea in her challenges. But I do miss the detective who showed up to eat and the two young people Bea took under her wing at the very beginning.
June 3, 2017
This reads a little like one of those English cozies in the country - many people in the house, disaster, and whodunit. A birthday party for 2 young girls, a dinner for the grownups, and fire breaks out. Bea Abbot, our detective, helps get the girls out with help from a friend of hers, but pandemonium results. Over the course of the weekend, timelines are set, deductions are made, and the perpetrator is revealed.
Don't know if I like this or not. Bea Abbot runs some sort of employment agency, but it doesn't really play a part in this except on the periphery. This is book 11 in the series, so I'll have to go back and start at the beginning.
Don't know if I like this or not. Bea Abbot runs some sort of employment agency, but it doesn't really play a part in this except on the periphery. This is book 11 in the series, so I'll have to go back and start at the beginning.
May 7, 2017
Veronica Heley does a remarkable job writing about confusion and fear in the opening chapters of this mystery, when Bea Abbot finds herself trying to rescue two young girls from a fire at the top of a home she is visiting for a dinner party. During the course of the book, we are introduced to the two families responsible for the two girls. Were one of the girls the target of the fire? Which one? Why is Bea the only one the girls can trust to protect them? It's mystery drama at it's best, with a twist ending that you won't expect.
April 4, 2023
A False Fire. Extraordinary! A must read series. Abbott Agency!
A well written book is a jewel. A thing to be cherished and shared! There are many twists and turns in this superbly written story. A very satisfying read, that leaves you wanting to know more.
The series is a must read.
A well written book is a jewel. A thing to be cherished and shared! There are many twists and turns in this superbly written story. A very satisfying read, that leaves you wanting to know more.
The series is a must read.
July 19, 2023
too much drama too soon
Heley has lost the bead on her character developments and jumps in way too fast on incredibly complex and disbelieve able story lines. They are confusing and wind up relationships and scenarios such too early in the story. It’s exhausting.
Heley has lost the bead on her character developments and jumps in way too fast on incredibly complex and disbelieve able story lines. They are confusing and wind up relationships and scenarios such too early in the story. It’s exhausting.
July 20, 2023
A cozy for the AARP set
This is a 4 star because it is a quick cozy with interesting characters. Bea Abbott is an interesting sleuth and the story is well developed. Easy 3 hour read.
This is a 4 star because it is a quick cozy with interesting characters. Bea Abbott is an interesting sleuth and the story is well developed. Easy 3 hour read.
July 20, 2023
good read
Another unlikely but good read from Veronica Heley. What will Max have to say if Bea gets the Mews Cottage. He will be back I am sure. Where is Oliver going to roost if Bernice takes the top flat?
Another unlikely but good read from Veronica Heley. What will Max have to say if Bea gets the Mews Cottage. He will be back I am sure. Where is Oliver going to roost if Bernice takes the top flat?
July 29, 2023
A Bea Abbott mystery: Attending a birthday celebration for two young girls, Bea Abbot tries not to let superstition get the better of her when she realizes they are thirteen at dinner. What she doesn’t anticipate is that the evening will end in sudden, violent death.
September 9, 2023
Cracking Read
I love this series - escapism at its finest but sometimes the continuity is annoying- we seem to have lost some of the best original characters without getting to their depth and breadth. This was a much better read than A False Wall.
I love this series - escapism at its finest but sometimes the continuity is annoying- we seem to have lost some of the best original characters without getting to their depth and breadth. This was a much better read than A False Wall.
May 29, 2017
So happy Mrs. Abbott's annoying son didn't make an appearance.
March 19, 2018
I love finding a new author, new to me anyway. I liked the characters and the pace and complexity of the story.
Read
November 12, 2020Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
An Abbot Agency Mystery
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
An Abbot Agency Mystery
March 1, 2021
Another good solid mystery, which was enjoyable to read.
November 17, 2022
Fantastic Series
This is an absolutely fantastic series by Veronica Heley - one where you end up in love with & cry with the characters
This is an absolutely fantastic series by Veronica Heley - one where you end up in love with & cry with the characters
March 22, 2023
Not my favorite, but interesting how things were woven together and the final outcome. I like that real life continues to happen outside the mystery.
April 9, 2023
Too frantic
I’ve enjoyed all of the other Bea Abbot books but this one was too frantic. Really constant and sometimes confusing action with too many truly unlikeable people!
I’ve enjoyed all of the other Bea Abbot books but this one was too frantic. Really constant and sometimes confusing action with too many truly unlikeable people!
July 4, 2023
good comfy mystery
Good read. Nice to revisit Bea. Bernice is a smart girl and I liked how the story unfolded. Hard to figure out the end but I like everything gets resolved
Good read. Nice to revisit Bea. Bernice is a smart girl and I liked how the story unfolded. Hard to figure out the end but I like everything gets resolved
September 11, 2023
Wonderful
A wonderful heartwarming
story. Full of mainly bad characters. Fire is the main event to be sorted out by Bea.
A wonderful heartwarming
story. Full of mainly bad characters. Fire is the main event to be sorted out by Bea.
October 3, 2024
All go and excitement, with two little girls' lives at stake. The author does enjoy having a go at the wealthy and entitled (and even titled).
June 24, 2023
2 girls Alicia & Bernice at the center of a plot to burn down the house
September 3, 2024
An engaging story, not helped by my dislike of just about all the characters.
It was an easy read, with lots of re-going over the story so far, to assist those who may have forgotten what happened in the previous 20 pages.
Bea Abbot runs a domestic agency, lives in Kensington, and happens to know a lot of rich, spoilt brats of both genders and all ages.
The storyline is, who set the fires, and why? In between there is cooking, praying (!!!), a bit of a romance, spoilt men, stereotypical women "mutton dressed as lamb", spoilt children, and stupid knights of the realm.
As I said earlier, I disliked most of the characters, but an easy read.
It was an easy read, with lots of re-going over the story so far, to assist those who may have forgotten what happened in the previous 20 pages.
Bea Abbot runs a domestic agency, lives in Kensington, and happens to know a lot of rich, spoilt brats of both genders and all ages.
The storyline is, who set the fires, and why? In between there is cooking, praying (!!!), a bit of a romance, spoilt men, stereotypical women "mutton dressed as lamb", spoilt children, and stupid knights of the realm.
As I said earlier, I disliked most of the characters, but an easy read.
April 2, 2017
Tragedy and greed in the upper classes
Family and friends gather together to celebrate the tenth birthday of Alicia and of Bernice, Alicia's best friend. They all sit down to enjoy a 'black tie' event which goes smoothly enough apart from rather ignorant behaviour by some of the younger members who are surgically attached to their iPhones! Bea Abbott, who has come with her friend, Sir Leon Holland, is not impressed.
As the evening progresses the birthday girls become tired and are taken up to bed by Alicia's nanny, Mrs Frost, taking with them most of their presents. They have barely left when there is a noise like a firework going off, and the long drapes in the dining room go up in flames. Alicia's grandfather, Josh, who is not in the best of health, collapses with a heart attack and his daughter, Daphne (Alicia's mother), cuts herself badly on some broken glass; they are taken to hospital, and most of the guests leave with them.
The only people left are Bea, William Moreton and Faye who will not leave without finding all of her broken pearls. Bea and William are about to leave when they hear another noise and go upstairs to find a curtain on the landing has also been set alight. They also find Mrs Frost, who has broken her leg in a fall, and then the lights go out. On hearing a cry from the attic rooms where the children are, they go up to find it full of thick black smoke. They rescue the girls and with Mrs Frost in tow, and dragging a reluctant Faye with them, they leave the house and call the emergency services.
What follows is a fire investigation which initially focuses on the two girls, and then Bea begins to suspect shenanigans throughout the family.
What follows is reminiscent of a Miss Marple story, with Bea in the role of Miss Marple. She involves herself in caring for the children, whilst supporting other members of the family, most of whom behave abominably. She is supported by William Moreton and rather oddly fantasises about a future including marriage – she met him less than twelve hours before!
As the story comes close to the end she gathers all the family, friends and hangers-on in her drawing room; very much a la Marple, and manages to solve the crime.
This is an enjoyable and non-taxing read which motors along at a fierce pace and provides plenty of choice in the unmasking of the culprit. I did feel that in places it stretched credulity a bit too far, but overall it was a light crime thriller with moments of suspense.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Family and friends gather together to celebrate the tenth birthday of Alicia and of Bernice, Alicia's best friend. They all sit down to enjoy a 'black tie' event which goes smoothly enough apart from rather ignorant behaviour by some of the younger members who are surgically attached to their iPhones! Bea Abbott, who has come with her friend, Sir Leon Holland, is not impressed.
As the evening progresses the birthday girls become tired and are taken up to bed by Alicia's nanny, Mrs Frost, taking with them most of their presents. They have barely left when there is a noise like a firework going off, and the long drapes in the dining room go up in flames. Alicia's grandfather, Josh, who is not in the best of health, collapses with a heart attack and his daughter, Daphne (Alicia's mother), cuts herself badly on some broken glass; they are taken to hospital, and most of the guests leave with them.
The only people left are Bea, William Moreton and Faye who will not leave without finding all of her broken pearls. Bea and William are about to leave when they hear another noise and go upstairs to find a curtain on the landing has also been set alight. They also find Mrs Frost, who has broken her leg in a fall, and then the lights go out. On hearing a cry from the attic rooms where the children are, they go up to find it full of thick black smoke. They rescue the girls and with Mrs Frost in tow, and dragging a reluctant Faye with them, they leave the house and call the emergency services.
What follows is a fire investigation which initially focuses on the two girls, and then Bea begins to suspect shenanigans throughout the family.
What follows is reminiscent of a Miss Marple story, with Bea in the role of Miss Marple. She involves herself in caring for the children, whilst supporting other members of the family, most of whom behave abominably. She is supported by William Moreton and rather oddly fantasises about a future including marriage – she met him less than twelve hours before!
As the story comes close to the end she gathers all the family, friends and hangers-on in her drawing room; very much a la Marple, and manages to solve the crime.
This is an enjoyable and non-taxing read which motors along at a fierce pace and provides plenty of choice in the unmasking of the culprit. I did feel that in places it stretched credulity a bit too far, but overall it was a light crime thriller with moments of suspense.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
April 27, 2017
The author of False Fire, Veronica Heley, 83 years old and creator of over 70 books, just made my “go to” mystery writer list. The list is short; it starts and ends with Agatha Christie. At no point in reading False Fire did I want to put it down. There were no artificial hooks to keep me reading—it was the action of the plot. It just kept moving at such a rapid pace, starting with the first chapter, that I was compelled to devour the book.
The writing was well-done, and the characters were interesting. Heley has created a main character in Bea Abbot who is resourceful, observant, and intelligent. She runs the Abbot Agency—for domestics, not detectives. In False Fire, Bea is attending a dinner when a fire breaks out in the home, followed by an explosion and power outages. There is general mayhem and children to be rescued. Later Bea has to sort through the relationships of a very dysfunctional family to try to discover the arsonist. Was the crime, in fact, arson? There are many Britishisms but most are understandable within the context, and all add to the fun of reading a book by a British author.
I am so grateful to have found this prolific author. Although I enjoy the diversity of themes and ideas in cozy mysteries, I appreciate even more a mystery like this one that is hardcore in the sense that the focus is the developing plot. At the same time, there is not a detailed description of violence or sex. The language is always appropriate. While this is in no way a Christian book, the author’s faith is evident as she has her main character pray for help on several occasions. Both the main character and the mystery should be described as “strong”: no evidence of milquetoast in sight!
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was well-done, and the characters were interesting. Heley has created a main character in Bea Abbot who is resourceful, observant, and intelligent. She runs the Abbot Agency—for domestics, not detectives. In False Fire, Bea is attending a dinner when a fire breaks out in the home, followed by an explosion and power outages. There is general mayhem and children to be rescued. Later Bea has to sort through the relationships of a very dysfunctional family to try to discover the arsonist. Was the crime, in fact, arson? There are many Britishisms but most are understandable within the context, and all add to the fun of reading a book by a British author.
I am so grateful to have found this prolific author. Although I enjoy the diversity of themes and ideas in cozy mysteries, I appreciate even more a mystery like this one that is hardcore in the sense that the focus is the developing plot. At the same time, there is not a detailed description of violence or sex. The language is always appropriate. While this is in no way a Christian book, the author’s faith is evident as she has her main character pray for help on several occasions. Both the main character and the mystery should be described as “strong”: no evidence of milquetoast in sight!
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews