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A professor's dismissal, a boxer's death, and a widow's secrets. Can Vita Carew solve the mystery?
In 1903 England, Vita Carew's dreams of studying at Cambridge are shattered by a dismissive professor. But Vita’s intellect proves invaluable after her brother and a visiting American boxer take part in an ultimately lethal boxing match. Vita’s brother is gravely injured and the boxer dies, leaving behind his glamorous wife.
Though the boxer's unexpected death is attributed to the boxing match, Vita has her own suspicions, especially after noticing the similarities between his and her brother’s injuries. But, to prove her theory and uncover the truth, she must first convince the very professor who doubted her abilities.
Can Vita discover what really killed the boxer? And will her sharp mind and determination be enough to solve the case and prevent more tragedy?
In this gripping historical mystery, author Fran Smith weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
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Praise for the Vita Carew Mysteries series:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An engaging read with fascinating characters.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An outstanding novel.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What an excellent story.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Well written, original and enjoyable.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Thoroughly recommend this book and the series.
Fran Smith lives in the quiet countryside near Cambridge. All her stories are based in and around the area.
She writes in three series:
The Vita Carew Mysteries. Vita is a would-be doctor facing all the challenges of studying science in the early 20th century, when women were struggling to do so. As she works to overcome prejudice and her own poor early education, she stumbles into a series of mysteries where her skills in analysis and observation come in very useful.
There are now five Vita Carew mysteries: Poison at Pemberton Hall, A Thin Sharp Blade (shortlisted for a Debut Dagger by the Crime Writer’s Association in 2019), Dr Potter’s Private Practice, The Painted Penny Stamp and The Killing at Crowswood Castle. Number six is due out in the autumn of 2023.
The Moth Agency Romances (under the pen name Lucy Greenhill): in which the enterprising Victorian sisters, Lucia and Christabel Venables, run their hat shop and introductions agency and so become involved in the love stories of 19th century Cambridge. Book 1, An Utterly Unsuitable Lady, was published in April 2023.
The Sister B letters: in which a sister from a remote fenland convent maintains a quirky correspondence with an adventurous Suffolk nun working in remotest Peru.
Fran originally wrote Best Wishes, Sister B, to entertain her husband as he recovered from a stroke. It started as a series of letters written on crowded commuter trains in the early morning and posted home to encourage him to walk as far as the front door mat. The Power of Cake, a sequel, came a little later. A third in the series is planned.