Nostalgia At Its Finest

The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith is a marvellous historical novel and the fifth book in the Poppy Denby Investigates series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading all the books in the series, they are fabulous.

This Poppy Denby series is nostalgic amateur sleuthing of the very best. I find it reminiscent of Agatha Christie and also the television series Death In Paradise as the ending wraps up all loose ends in a perfect summary.

The Art Fiasco is set in Northumberland in 1924 with links to a cold case in 1897. Fiona Veitch Smith has perfectly captured the atmosphere and the landscape as she paints the scene with her words.

The cast of characters are all unique and work well together. The camaraderie and the close bonds are tangible as the characters all play to their strengths.

Parents and children have strong bonds as some are fiercely protective of their young. There are some difficult to read opening scenes of child abuse by those who should be protecting them.

Poppy Denby is very much a forward thinking, modern young woman with a responsible job. She is working at a time when some frowned upon women working at all. The suffragette movement changed lives and affected others but women under thirty still did not have the vote.

I absolutely adore this Poppy Denby series. It is both entertaining and educating, nostalgia at its finest. I hope there will be many more books in the series.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON