Vita Carew Mysteries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.