Kirjahaku

A dazzling diva, a glittering society dinner, and a killer with a terrible grudge… In Edwardian England, bookish and bespectacled Vita Carew longs to be left to her scientific studies. But she can't avoid the event of the season, a gala at Pemberton Hall. This glamorous concert and sumptuous dinner will mark the Pemberton household’s triumphant return to society after a run of misfortune. But disaster strikes as soon as the seafood is served. Elegant guests fall ill on all sides and, whilst administering first aid as best she can, amateur sleuth Vita suspects foul play. When the Pemberton’s governess is found dead the next day, Vita’s suspicions double—could Miss Hartley’s death have been covered up to avoid interrupting the carefully planned soirée? Vita must probe dark secrets behind Pemberton Hall’s elegant veneer to discover who is to blame. But can she do so before the killer strikes again? Poison at Pemberton Hall is the intriguing first novel in Fran Smith’s Vita Carew Mysteries, perfect for readers who love stylish mysteries and feisty female sleuths. ________________________________________________________________________ Praise for the Vita Carew Mysteries series: ? ? ? ? ? A delightful read. ? ? ? ? ? Well worth reading! ? ? ? ? ? Rich with details and personalities. ? ? ? ? ? Wonderfully witty and cleverly written. ? ? ? ? ? I liked Vita immensely. ? ? ? ? ? Plot twists a plenty and interesting characters.

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. ________________________________________________________________________ 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.

A mysterious victim, a heartless doctor, and an assistant whose loyalty extends to murder. After falling behind during her first year studying science, Vita Carew plans a studious Christmas vacation in Cambridge. However, when an injured man with no memory is discovered and brought to her local hospital, she can’t help but be lured away from her books by an enticing mystery. Curious to learn more, she begins to unravel the events leading up to the man’s attack, retracing his steps to a disused well. As the truth begins to emerge, Vita uncovers a twisted arrangement between a ruthless doctor, his assistant, and his wealthy clients. With the help of the vulnerable man, Vita must expose the doctor and his lethal assistant before more lives are lost. But will Vita be able to protect the injured man? And can she convince the police to investigate these suspicious deaths and escape unscathed herself? Immerse yourself in Fran Smith’s captivating blend of historical intrigue and murder mystery in the engaging third book in the Vita Carew Mysteries series. ________________________________________________________________________ Praise for the Vita Carew Mysteries series: ? ? ? ? ? Another lively episode in the Vita Carew series. ? ? ? ? ? A wonderful Victorian tale of murder and lies. ? ? ? ? ? Vita’s latest adventure is a joy. ? ? ? ? ? Wonderfully addictive. ? ? ? ? ? Charming yet fraught with so many dangers! ? ? ? ? ? A wonderful bit of escapism.

A quiet lodger, a secret vice, and a fortune-seeker who will stop at nothing. When a neighbour’s lodger is found dead, Vita Carew, a sharp-witted science student, is the first on the scene. The police pronounce it an accident, a fatal fall, but Vita remains unconvinced. Her access to the post-mortem reveals the truth: Albert Flett was murdered. As Vita investigates, she uncovers a trail of evidence that suggests Albert’s quiet, unassuming ways were hiding a complex and dangerous secret life. When a prominent, eccentric old lady is also found dead under suspicious circumstances, Vita finds herself entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a ruthless killer. Can she convince the police to see the connection before the killer strikes again? The Painted Penny Stamp is the fourth book in Fran Smith's captivating series of historical mysteries featuring clever female sleuth, Vita Carew. ________________________________________________________________________ Praise for the Vita Carew Mysteries series: ? ? ? ? ? A delightful addition to the series. ? ? ? ? ? Unmissable! ? ? ? ? ? What a talented author and a captivating female heroine. ? ? ? ? ? Fran Smith has created another great mystery. ? ? ? ? ? Vita Carew is wonderful. ? ? ? ? ? Fascinating!

A vicious master, a cruel injustice, and a long-held secret… After travelling to the notoriously haunted Crowswood Castle to recover from illness, Cambridge student Vita Carew finds herself at the centre of a ghostly unsolved mystery. As renovations on the ancient castle near completion, old secrets emerge, and Vita must decipher the meaning of a hidden message in an old painting of the deceased previous mistress of the house. When workmen unearth human remains in the castle grounds, Vita finds herself piecing together the clues to a chilling decades-old mystery. Armed with her sharp intellect and keen eye for detail, can Vita unravel the truth behind the killing at Crowswood Castle and bring justice to the long-forgotten victim? Fran Smith’s gripping fifth installment of the Vita Carew Mysteries series will have readers enthralled until the very last page. ________________________________________________________________________ Praise for the Vita Carew Mysteries series: ? ? ? ? ? Superb! ? ? ? ? ? Fabulous series. ? ? ? ? ? I love these Vita Carew books. ? ? ? ? ? An enjoyable read full of twists and turns. ? ? ? ? ? I found the characters a delight. ? ? ? ? ? Marvellous series.

A vicious master. A cruel injustice. A secret long-held. December 1907. Depressed by a failed examination, Vita treats a passenger injured in a train accident, a chance meeting that leads to a portrait commission for Aunt Louisa and a stay for them both at the notoriously haunted Crowswood Castle.They find the vivacious new owner more interested in breeding fine horses than in Crowswood's gloomy traditions. The ancient castle's first renovations will be complete when a new portrait replaces that of the unhappy previous lady of the house who was banished to an asylum by her cruel husband, the Earl of Mountfitchet.Struck down by sudden illness, Vita is confined to her room, struggling to know which of the visitors who come and go are real, and which are figments of her feverish dreams. Then workmen unearth human remains in the castle grounds and the butler confides a lifelong secret, begging for her help. Can the old portrait help Vita untangle what happened to the mysterious lady in blue, and its connection to the Earl's disappearance? And will she escape the attentions of the strange night-visiting doctor?

When a popular boxer dies and her brother collapses after an exhibition match, Vita pots a connection the experts have missed. The very professor who rubbished her dreams of studying science is the one she needs to convince.Can Vita prove what really killed the boxer? And how will the glamorous American widow react?

Sudden, severe ill health comes as a shock and presents several challenges, most notably, loss of confidence. Suddenly people are afraid to take exercise, have sex or even go to the shops. Their entire self-image takes a battering, and this roller-coaster of uncertainty often leads to anxiety and depression. This book looks at the learning curve involved in sudden and chronic illness, and explores key ways to build psychological resilience during this time of challenge. Whether it concerns cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or a mental health condition, it explores the common psychological issues that arise when someones usual health and routine are disrupted, and discusses the impact of illness on relationships and family. Drawing on CBT techniques, it offers practical self-help strategies to help deal with peoples changed expectations of themselves, and with the related lifestyle changes.

Ingenuity, hard work and prayer have kept the little convent of St Winifreda-in-the-Fen going for centuries, but now the roof leaks, the bell tower is crumbling, and rats have moved in. The cost-conscious Bishop wants to rationalise, send the retired sisters to a home, shut the place down, and sell the land for a car park.Sister Boniface, convent correspondent, minibus driver and beginner shopkeeper, charts the rise and fall of their struggle, as, with the help of an unlikely team of ex-offenders, migrant workers and mullitracial nuns, the convent's sisterhood decides to tackle the realities of the 21st century and keep going.A warm, gentle adventure in which kindness and community spirit confront the harsh climate of modern corporate life - and refuse to be flattened.

A mysterious victim. A heartless doctor. An assistant whose loyalty extends to murder.Christmas, 1904. Falling behind in her first year of science, Vita plans a vacation devoted to study, but is lured from her books when a man with no memory is brought to the hospital, injured. Curious to learn more, she retraces his steps to a disused well, but how did he get there? Piece by piece events leading to the attack emerge, revealing a long-standing arrangement between a country doctor and his wealthy clients. Can Vita protect the amnesiac patient from the toxic partnership of the doctor and his dangerous assistant? Can she escape herself, and convince the police to investigate so many convenient deaths.If you enjoy an Edwardian English Christmas with an extra frisson of gothic intrigue, Dr Potter's Private Practice is definitely one for you.

A quiet lodger. A secret vice. A fortune-seeker who will stop at nothing.A neighbour's quiet lodger dies in an unlucky fall, but Vita finds clues that suggest a complex and dangerous secret life, and doubts his death was an accident.Forced to investigate when the police refuse to listen, she finds a connection with a second sudden death - that of a wealthy and eccentric local lady.As usual, Vita's discoveries infuriate the police and the murderer, but they also cast doubt on the findings of a police surgeon whose good opinion is vital if she is to continue her own scientific studies.With no one else willing to take on the killer, Vita must act alone.If you like a stylishly authentic Edwardian setting with the dark undertow of secrets, this is one for you.