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

The Picture House Murders – Number #1 Best Seller!

I’m delighted to see that The Picture House Murders has reached the #1 Best Seller spot in historical mysteries on Amazon UK. How heartening that so many people are loving this book. Thank you to all my readers – old and new – who have made this happen. I’m tickled pink and Clara is quietly chuffed.