1932 vintage dress for Miss Clara Vale

I’ve been making another vintage dress. This one is a 1932 inspired Chanel evening dress in teal Crepe Georgette. It was a challenging make, not least because the instructions on these vintage patterns are so sparse! That and they seemed to have very skinny arms back in those days (well that’s my excuse and I’m going to stick with it.) This is the dress that Miss Clara Vale will be wearing in book 4 in the series, Another Class of Murder. Meanwhile, I will give it a test run at Crime Fest in Bristol next week.

06/05/2024 0

The Pyramid Murders – pre-order now!

I’m delighted to announce the upcoming release of Miss Clara Vale’s next adventure, The Pyramid Murders. Due out on 13 June. Ebook, paperback and audio. Click here to pre-order the book now.

02/05/2024 0

The Pantomime Murders in the Newcastle Chronicle – festive fun!

The Pantomime Murders has featured in the Newcastle Chronicle as a book filled with festive fun! They focus on the various locations of the Theatre Royal and Fenwick’s. A lovely article.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/authors-new-festive-murder-mystery-28291646

18/12/2023 0

Sex, power & feminism – and mince pies – at Newcastle Noir

As Darkness Falls historical crime panel at Newcastle Noir 2023. With, from left to right, panel host Fiona Erskine (The Chemical Detective), Bridget Walsh (The Tumbling Girl), Kate Griffin (Fynshade) and Fiona Veitch Smith (The Picture House Murders). Blonde head at the front unknown!

It was an honour to be invited to the 2023 Newcastle Noir crime writing festival held at Newcastle Central Library and hosted by the tireless Jacky Collins (Dr Noir) and her team. I was on an historical crime panel called ‘As Darkness Falls’ which discussed sex, power and feminism in historical crime novels. Hosted by Fiona Erskine (The Chemical Detective), we were joined by the gothic historical crime novelists Bridget Walsh (The Tumbling Girl) and Kate Griffin (Fynshade).

And then after that we all had Greggs mince pies! (You have to when you’re in Newcastle, don’t you? Well, I have to, as my husband, Rodney Smith, works at Greggs!). Happy Christmas to you all!

11/12/2023 0

Miss Clara Vale on location!

Are you a fan of 1920s murder mysteries or historical cosy crime? Have you read or are about to read the Miss Clara Vale Mysteries? Join me as I take you to various locations for the ‘Picture House Murders’, published by Embla Books – while wearing vintage style clothing I made from original 1920s patterns. In this first video I visit Exhibition Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, the location of the Great North East Coast Exhibition in 1929, and one of the key scenes in ‘The Picture House Murders’. You can also read about how I made the outfit! Click link below:

http://www.claravalemysteries.com/videos-1/

04/09/2023 0

Publication day for ‘The Picture House Murders’!

Lights, camera, action! It’s publication day for The Picture House Murders, the first in the Miss Clara Vale Mysteries. Is it too early for champagne? While I ponder that, you can get your copy now! Ebook, print or audiobook via Amazon, or order a copy through your local bookshop. Embla Books, Bonnier Books UK

Order your copy here!

Clapperboards and the reel of film lie on a wooden board.

29/08/2023 0

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