📖 Poppy Denby's Literary Footsteps Blog Tour ~ The Crystal Crypt by Fiona Veitch Smith

 

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to take part in this literary footsteps blog tour of Oxford. 

We can be found at the Cherwell Hotel.

Lion Hudson
19 November 2021

PoppyDenby #6

My thanks to the publishers and Fern Lindsey-Tolley for my copy of the book
and the invitation to the blog tour

The 1920s most stylish sleuth returns this autumn in THE CRYSTAL CRYPT for another thrilling murder mystery!

In the city of dreaming spires, Poppy Denby is asked to investigate the mysterious death of an up-and-coming female scientist. But was it an accident or is something more sinister lurking in the shadows? And is Poppy the next target?

📖 My Thoughts..

London journalist, and amateur sleuth, Poppy Denby is intrigued when she hears of the demise of an exceptionally talented female scientist. That the death occurred in Oxford and not in London presents something of a problem for Poppy but when her editor, Rollo Rolandson, agrees to fund an overnight stay at the Cherwell Hotel in Oxford, Poppy is determined to discover the secrets which surround Dr June Leighton's mysterious death.

Poppy's investigation leads her into the chauvinistic world of male scientists who seem to tolerate women on a superficial level but who really consider their female colleagues less than equal to the task of scientific advancement. I thought this part of the novel was exceptionally well done, the burgeoning world of crystallography and the tentative steps which were being made in scientific discovery is explained in an easy to understand way and doesn't detract from Poppy's convoluted investigation into Dr Leighton's death.

I've become rather fond of Poppy Denby and with each successive novel this cosy crime series just seems to get better and better. Poppy is, as ever, caught up right in the centre of the excitement, and as she goes about her investigation, she discovers something rather unsavoury about the work of the scientists who work in the Crystal Crypt. There were the usual fascinating tumble of twists and turns with Poppy forever having to keep one step ahead of the action, which is rather daring for this amateur sleuth who has the knack of getting right to the heart of the problem, but not without ruffling several inflated male egos along the way.

This talented writer brings the world of the 1920's to life in a very believable way and whilst there is a distinct feeling that things are beginning to change for women, alas it's not quickly enough, for although women are able to get their degrees, they are still very much under the supervision of men and not considered equal either by gender or ability.

Beautifully written, with both a sense of fun, and pathos, the glorious city of Oxford comes to life and thanks to the cleverly designed map, I was able to, quite literally, follow in Poppy's footsteps as she moves through the city on her hired bicycle. I enjoyed spending time with her at the Cherwell Hotel along with all the other destinations which help bring the city into clear focus.

The Crystal Crypt is a fast moving cosy crime mystery which has all the trademarks we have come to expect from this wonderful series. Poppy Denby is, by far, my favourite amateur sleuth, and I look forward to meeting her again soon.

About the Author

Fiona Veitch Smith is the author of the Poppy Denby Investigates novels, Golden Age-style murder mysteries set in the 1920s, about a reporter sleuth who works for a London tabloid. The first book in the series, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. She is formerly a journalist, having worked on the arts and crime beats of a Cape Town newspaper, and lectured in journalism in the UK for ten years. She lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Newcastle upon Tyne. On her non-writing days, she works part-time as a freelance editor and writing tutor, as well as being the Assistant Secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Website

Poppy Denby

Twitter @FionaVeitchSmit #TheCrystalCrypt #PoppyDenby #Oxford

Instagram @FionaveitchSmit

@LionHudson

📖 Summer's Out at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes

 

📖 Thrilled to host a stop on this blog tour today 📖

Lion Hudson
23 April 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book 
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

HOPE HALL thrums with activity under the summer sun. Sea Cadets march in the yard and happy chatter issues from English as a Foreign Language classes while the weekly Food Bank reaches out to those in need. Kath is determined to honour the origins of Hope Hall, which was founded in memory of those lost during the two world wars. It’s all hands on deck as the centenary celebrations continue, but Kath’s efforts set her on a collision course with Celia Ainsworth, a descendant of the family that donated the land. Added to this, a mysterious homeless man proves tricky for Sheelagh to identify, and a handsome stranger looks set to lead Kath a merry dance... SUMMER’S OUT AT HOPE HALL is a fun and deeply moving story that celebrates the power of hope.

📖 My thoughts..

It's been an absolute joy to return to Hope Hall to meet again with all the quirky characters who first came to life in Springtime at Hope Hall which I was lucky enough to read in February last year.

Summer’s Out at Hope Hall begins pretty much where the last book ended and we meet again with all those characters who became so familiar to us last time. This generous continuity allows a seamless transition making the return seem like meeting up again with old friends, with the added enjoyment of meeting new characters who all bring something interesting to the story. 

Hope Hall continues to be right at the very heart of this small community, offering a place of safety to all those groups who are so vital in keeping village morale high, and in extending a warm welcome to all who enter through its doors the hall remains pretty much the vital hub around which everything circulates. During the summer there is much activity, especially as the hall’s centenary is fast approaching and with plans for a poignant commemoration in place, administrator, Kath is kept fully occupied.

There’s a gentle charm to these lovely stories, and the author describes this quintessential way of life so perfectly that I am always a little bit sad when the story comes to end. The story flows beautifully, there are no rough edges, just a heartwarming tale of village life which is written with a fine eye for cosy detail, and a quirky sense of humour.

Although Summer’s Out at Hope Hall can be read as a stand-alone story as with any series it’s best to start at the beginning and that way the characters can become firmly fixed in your imagination. 

About the Author

Pam Rhodes is known around the world as the presenter of BBC Television’s Songs of Praise and her popular Hearts and Hymns programme on Premier Christian Radio. A natural storyteller with 25 varied books under her belt, Pam is well known for her novels packed with down-to-earth characters and situations that inspire and entertain.

Twitter @PamRhodesTV #SummersOutAtHopeHall

@LionHudson

Blog Tour ~ The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith

 

Delighted to take part in this Blog Tour today

Lion Hudson Ltd
October 2020

#Poppy Denby

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour today

It’s 1924 and Poppy Denby is heading up to Northumberland to celebrate her father’s sixtieth birthday. She stops off in Newcastle en route to visit her Aunt Dot, who has temporarily relocated from London to renovate a house she’s inherited. One of Aunt Dot’s guests is the world-renowned artist, Agnes Robson, who is staging an exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery. Reluctantly, Poppy is roped in to help when the artist’s press liaison man falls ill. She soon discovers that the local press has dug up some dirt on Agnes relating to the tragic death of a young art teacher in Ashington Colliery, twenty-seven years earlier. As she tries to suppress the story, Poppy begins to suspect that the teacher might have been murdered and that the killer may still be on the loose…

What did I think about it..

Journalist, and amateur sleuth, Poppy Denby is staying with her Aunt Dot in Newcastle, and whilst there she meets with renowned artist, Agnes Robson, who is back in the North East, to celebrate her artistic success by showing some of her art collection in an exhibition at the prestigious Laing Art Gallery. When Agnes’s press assistant is taken ill, Poppy steps in to help out, with devastating consequences when secrets from Agnes’s past threaten to be exposed.

Poppy Denby is a likeable amateur crime investigator as she has the right amount of tenacity to get to grips with a situation and yet she is also a little bit ditzy which I rather liked as all sleuths should have some flaws. There’s no doubt, though, that Poppy also has sound common sense and even when the investigation goes off in an unexpected direction, Poppy is there to pull everything together. 

The story flows well and the setting in 1924 gives something of a ‘flapper’ feel about it with the idea of fashionable young women enjoying themselves and yet, they're also making their mark in a typically male society. However, it's not all about froth and trips to the theatre and games of tennis, there’s also quite a dark element at play concerning something tragic which happened long ago in Agnes Robson's past which is explained well and gives an interesting dimension to the story.

This is the fifth book in this cosy crime series and even though I haven’t read any of the four books which had gone before, I was soon able to pick up some pointers about Poppy’s past and didn’t feel that I struggled too much in not knowing much about some of the characters. The Art Fiasco is a lively, cosy crime mystery which has interesting characters, and enough excitement, to keep you entertained from start to finish.

About the Author

Fiona Veitch Smith is the author of the Poppy Denby Investigates novels, Golden Age-style murder mysteries set in the 1920s, about a reporter sleuth who works for a London tabloid. The first book in the series, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. She is formerly a journalist, having worked on the arts and crime beats of a Cape Town newspaper, and lectured in journalism in the UK for over a decade. She is currently the Deputy Editor of the CWA’s Red Herrings Magazine. www.poppydenby.com.

Twitter @FionaVeitchSmit #TheArtFiasco

@LionHudson

Blog Tour ~ Author spotlight ~ The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson by Lauren H Brandenburg

 

Delighted to host today's first Blog Tour stop

Lion Fiction
23 October 2020

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and the invitation to the blog tour

It is said that something magical happens during the festival season in Coraloo, something unexplainable. People tend to be a little crazier, reckless. Maybe it's because it coincides the full moon, but Coraloo's constable, Roy Blackwell, is beginning to think it's something else. That said, Roy has other things on his mind, like marrying Margarette Toft. A controversial decision as the Toft and the Blackwell families have a hatred for one another that is older than the town itself. Tradition collides with superstition as the feuding families compete to organize the events surrounding the most talked about wedding in the history of Coraloo. Despite the array of minor catastrophes that ensue, and the timings clashing with a four-week long festival celebrating a legendary beaver, Roy and Margarette hold fast and declare they will do whatever it takes to wed. That is until Roy unearths a town secret - a murder involving a pair of scissors, an actor with a severe case of kleptomania, and the mysterious marriage of Innis Wilkinson. Can good come out of unearthing the past - or will only heartbreak follow?

**I'm delighted that Lauren has  joined us today on her blog tour**

Welcome to Jaffareadstoo, Lauren. Where did you get the first flash of inspiration for The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson? 

I would definitely say the first flash came from my mother. She made wedding dresses when I was a young girl. So, I have always had this vivid memory of my mother surrounded by laces and satins. I would just sit and watch as she made the most gorgeous gowns for friends and family. When I had to give Innis Wilkinson a reason to wear a pair of antique sewing shears, I knew that she too would have the same memory of her mother. 

How does The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson fit in with the previous book? 

The reader meets Innis Wilkinson for only a few short moments in The Death of Mungo Blackwell. Innis is the cleaning lady at the Coraloo Flea Market who wears these rather heavy sewing shears around her neck all of the time. We are also introduced to Roy Blackwell the town constable in Mungo, and for a brief, uncomfortable second meet who will become his fiancé, Margarette Toft. The rivalry between the two families is already well established by this point, however The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson can stand alone for the reader who has never read The Death of Mungo Blackwell. 

The sequel is sometimes considered more difficult to write – were there any challenges with this book, and if so can you tell us how you overcame them? 

Oh my goodness, yes! I had such a hard time with the second book as it took me nearly two years to truly find contentment with The Death of Mungo Blackwell and six months to turn out The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson. We had so much going on in our lives – a move, a change in schools – that at one point my editor said they felt I had lost my magic and I literally had to go back and rewrite entire scenes and fix my phrasing. For me, it was a bit personal. I not only had to take a deep breath and learn to rest, I had to figure out what that magic was. And for me, it had a lot to do with remembering my joy in writing – the art of storytelling. I also looked for a bit of inspiration in the things I found most lovely in the book, trying to dwell on those things so as to really bring about my voice… the magic. 

Your writing is very atmospheric – how do you ‘set the scene’ in your novels and how much research did you need to do in order to bring this book……. series to life? 

(Oh, thank you! What a lovely thing to say!) I actually study lots of images of British villages and landscaping. Even though I am not specific to Coraloo’s location, I really want my readers to wonder… I want them to imagine Coraloo forty-five minutes from whatever city they are closer to whether it be in the US or UK. There is something so absolutely charming about England, but I feel it important to pay homage to my Kentucky home. So, there is a lot of Kentucky traditions and flavour that pop into the book as well. I usually research as I go… the hard part is not getting so distracted! I look up lots of recipes and lovely places. That’s how I want Coraloo to feel to the reader – a lovely escape. 

Whilst you are writing you must live with your characters. How do you feel about them when the book is finished? Are they what you expected them to be? 

I miss them! And sometimes I feel a bit guilty about setting them aside to write someone else’s story. Usually my favourites will make a few fun appearances in the next book, just so my readers can see what they’ve been up to from one book to the next. And it’s funny, because my characters definity develop as I’m writing them – they become stronger, more comfortable in their own skin, finding virtue in their flaws. Often times the side characters surprise me the most, how they work themselves into the most important part of the tale. 

Tell us about your writing day - are you disciplined, strictly 9 til 5, or are you more of a have a cup of coffee and think about it sort of writer? 

I’m not exactly sure disciplined is the correct word… But I do thrive on routine. I quickly learned that a writer’s day is full of far more than actual writing – emails, marketing, blog posts, social media. And being a stay home mom adds another layer for my to-do list. I try to officially get started on my writing day after a bite of lunch. Then I usually start off with a bit of prayer and study. It calms me down and gets my mind in the right place. I can write a lot in a short amount of time – editing is my favourite layer of the process – so a messy first draft is totally acceptable. If I can write about 1,000 words, I feel I’ve done well for the day. And I think it was Stephen King who said something about stopping when you feel the plot really moving and not when you find it hard to type the next sentence. You want to “want” to come back to it the next day. That’s typically my goal. My other goal is to be present with my children when they come home from school. So, I try to be done a few minutes before they let out. 

Can you tell us if you have another novel planned? 

Yes… I actually have two more stirring in my brain that are set in Coraloo. One is about Pastor Donaldson who is referenced in The Death of Mungo Blackwell – his namesake informs one of the other characters that it was Pastor Donaldson who delivered him in the middle of the Coraloo Flea Market to an audience that tips rather well. We also get to see a bit more of Pastor Donaldson in The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson – after all, if there is going to be a wedding, we might need a pastor. And the second is about a lady known in town as Widow Melviney. I dropped a bit of a clue to her whereabouts in The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, but you won’t hear much about her until Pastor Donaldson has his story told. But I really think you’ll like her… she has a bit of a thing for pirates. 

What did I think about The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson

I fell in love with the quirky town of Coraloo in the first book of this series which began with The Death of Mungo Blackwell and have been delighted to return there in this intriguing story about The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson which reunites us with some of the characters from the previous book but also gives us more of insight into the feud between the Tofts and the Blackwells which comes gloriously to life when Margarette Toft  and Roy Blackwell announce their engagement at a gathering of stunned relatives.

There's an old fashioned charm about these stories which help to fix them firmly in your heart. There's nothing at all to dislike and I find that I am reading with a huge smile on my face and in these troubled times that feeling is worth its weight in gold. For the time it took me to read about The Marriage of Innis Wilkinson, and what an intriguing story that turned out to be, I was transported into a world of quirky characters who get themselves into some improbable situations, all of which are made probable thanks to the author's skill in bringing them gloriously alive in the imagination.

There's intrigue, drama, fun and laughter, all wrapped up in a delightful story about love, friendship ...and family feuds.

About the Author

Lauren H. Brandenburg is also the author of The Death of Mungo Blackwell as well as middle-grade series The Books of the Gardener. Lauren and her husband, Jamie, live in Nashville, Tennessee with their children.

Website

Twitter @LHBrandenburg #TheMarriageofInnisWilkinson

@midaspr

Amazon UK

Book Review ~ Springtime at Hope Hall by Pam Rhodes

Lion Hudson
21 February 2020

My thanks to the publishers and Midas PR for my copy of this book

Springtime at Hope Hall is the first book in a new heart-warming trilogy by the familiar face of BBC Songs of Praise and successful author, Pam Rhodes.

Inspired by community halls that are the glue for so many people in Britain, Springtime at Hope Hall brings together a series of endearing stories and colourful characters who all congregate under one roof.

Its rooms are filled with gossipy grandmas, body popping teenagers, dance groups, a choir without one decent singer to their name, knitters who natter, caterers who bake glorious cakes, slimmer’s nibbling chocolate, and a nursery group where it’s the grown-ups who are near to tears.

It's all in a day’s work for administrator Kath, whose job it is to make sure Hope Hall offers something for everyone in the community. Kath has a wonderful team but she knows they are struggling. Their caretaker, Trevor, has a terminally ill wife and Maggie, their unflappable cook, has been left by her husband.

Whilst the team work to pull off their ambitious Centenary Easter Monday Fayre, Kath realises that reinforcements are needed. Brash, loud and inexperienced though she may be, Shirley comes onto the scene to save the day. The Fayre is a triumph but when Kath’s old flame unexpectedly arrives, she suddenly has some tough decisions to make…

Coming from Hope Hall are stories of struggle, passion, and joy. It’s a place that’s full of friends and neighbours with stories that will have you giggling one minute and dabbing your eyes the next. Like so many community halls dotted around the country, Hope Hall is at the heart of life and the local community.

What did I think about it..

The delightfully named Hope Hall is right at the heart of the community and provides a welcome meeting place for all sorts of people. From the tiny tots at the playgroup, to the old and bold in their armchair exercise group, there is never a moment when the warmth and friendliness of Hope Hall doesn’t work its own special kind of magic.

Beautifully organised by a happy band of people, Kath, the Hall’s administrator, hides her own sadness beneath an air of efficiency and as the story progresses it soon becomes obvious that some of the helpers who make Hope Hall such a roaring success, are at times, struggling with their own individual problems.

The author writes with a lovely light touch and brings warmth, empathy and understanding to each of the character’s individual stories and allows each of them to have their own special time in the spotlight. There are some poignant moments which tug away at your heart strings but there’s also some laugh out loud funny bits which help to connect everything together in a really meaningful way. I think what’s so lovely about Hope Hall is the way that both the place and the people are immediately relatable and anyone who has ever been part of a local project will recognise the similarities and appreciate just how vital these places are to small communities.

Springtime at Hope Hall is the first in a trilogy of novels which is based around those who bring Hope Hall to life and as I finished this first book I was already looking forward to the next story, Summer’s Out at Hope Hall is planned for April 2021.

Recommended : Absolutely ✅ especially if you enjoy beautifully written stories with a warm heart of gold.

About the Author

For more than three decades, Pam Rhodes has been the familiar face of BBC’s SONGS OF PRAISE, where she is known for her sensitive interviews with hundreds of people who face huge life challenges. Pam never forgets a story, and that rich tapestry of life experience has been wonderful inspiration for her down-to-earth, heart-warming books which now number more than twenty. Pam’s wide experience of Christian church life both in Britain and around the world has provided a backdrop for most of her novels, although her books always have a wide mainstream appeal. 

Pam cut her teeth in broadcast journalism, working widely in TV, Documentary and Radio, especially Premier Christian Radio where she presents her much-loved Sunday morning programme ‘HEARTS AND HYMNS’. She is often on the road compering evenings at churches and other large musical events across Britain, and she has been very active for years in her official roles with several national and local charities. Most dear to her heart is The Leprosy Mission of which she is a Vice President. The appeal video she made at Anandaban Hospital in Nepal raised over £4m in 2019. In January of 2020, her visit to Bangladesh will continue her determination to do all she can to eradicate leprosy from the world at long last.

Pam is a mum and a grandmother, and she and her husband Richard run a boarding cattery at their Bedfordshire home where they care for RSPCA cats who are looking for new owners.

Website

Twitter @LionHudson #SpringtimeatHopeHall

@midaspr