The Crystal Crypt - Fiona Veitch Smith

The Crystal Crypt is the sixth book in the well-established Poppy Denby Investigates series from Lion Fiction.  Although a series, each book is a stand-alone story. 

In this volume, professional reporter and amateur sleuth Poppy Denby is asked to find out what really happened to Dr June Leighton, a female scientist who is far from welcomed by the men she works alongside in an Oxford laboratory.  Her death has been recorded as an accident, but her lab assistant is unconvinced.  As Poppy begins to investigate, under the guise of writing an article about June, it’s not long before an ‘accident’ on her bike shows that someone is not happy about her enquiries.  

 

Fiona Veitch Smith’s craft as a mystery novelist is well honed. This is an excellent novel with lots of action and twists and turns in the tale.  Poppy is, as always, an engaging heroine and the Oxford of the story will ring true to anyone who knows the city.  As it happens, I also know Somerville, as a family member used to work in the Porter’s Lodge there!  The story is set in the 1920s, and much of the book addresses the gender inequality of the time, as well as references to other prejudices of the time period.

 

An excellent historical mystery, with plenty of pace and interest, and wonderful characters (hello, Rollo!). Perfect for whiling away a few hours in a comfy chair. And then going to look for the others in the series…

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.