Being interested in women’s rights throughout history, this book which harks back to the 1920s and features Poppy Denby who works for The Daily Globe, initially as an office assistant, this book caught my eye. Unsurprisingly as it has a beautiful cover!
Poppy Denby moves from the north of England to stay with her aunt in London, a militant suffragette, and gets a job working at The Daily Globe. She has only just started when one of the other reporters dies in mysterious circumstances. With the other reporters following their own stories Poppy starts to investigate the story he was working on and to the archives to unearth the treasures in the jazz files
“It’s what we call any story that has a whiff of high society scandal but can’t yet be proven… you never know when a skeleton in the closet might prove useful.”
The leads see Poppy visiting an asylum, meeting a despicable Lord and his son and a information about her aunt and her fellow militant suffragettes back when the campaigning done was at its fiercest.
There is lots to love about this book, despite it being crime fiction and detailing what the suffragettes went through in order to get the vote, it also has quite a light feel to it – Poppy following the leads to write her first piece of journalism felt like a romp mirroring the mood of the day in 1920s London. There is also a small bit of a frothy romance to ensure that the storyline doesn’t get too morose.
It is great to read a book where the majority of the major characters are women who for the most part are supportive of each other, devoid of jealousy or malice. As well as her aunt, Poppy makes friends with an actress, Delilah who introduces Poppy to the jazz clubs and the latest fashions.
Click on the dress to see more about fashion in the 1920s on a website all about Poppy Denby
As well as a bunch of great characters this book is also solidly based on research although the author does point out at the end where she has taken a rare liberty with time-lines or real people and why she has done so. I certainly got the feeling that I had been transported back in time where horses still featured on the roads more often than cars and where men dismissed women’s abilities to work, make decisions or in fact much at all! At the same time we have Poppy who although not political, realises that there is more to life than working at the Methodist mission, as she did while living with her parents. Although of course that work didn’t put her life in danger the way her investigation does.
I’d like to thank the publishers Lion Hudson PLC for allowing me to read a copy of this book. When Poppy Denby takes on her next investigation, I will be there.
This sounds tremendous fun, Cleo — many thanks for letting the rest of us know about it!
And, in case I’m not here again before The Day, a Merry Crimble to you and yours from NJ to OJ. I know this has been a rotten year for you: There’s no way that 2016 or any future year could have enough good things to cancel the pain, but I hope that at least the year won’t be too ghastly. My best wishes to you.
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This was a good fun read and just what I needed! Thank you for your kind words and I do hope that you have a great time over the holiday period and into the new year in New Jersey – with very best wishes from the original 😉
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It sounds like a fun read! I really enjoy reading about this era, and the jazz element appeals too. Wishing you all the best for Christmas and the New Year, Cleo.
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All the very best to you too Jacqui – it is a fun read 🙂
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This sounds lovely, Cleo. Reading your review made me think it would make a perfect piece of Christmas TV, too. Much better than what appears to be on offer this year! All best wishes for Christmas and New Year to you.
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I’m a sucker for anything set in the twenties!
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Merry Christmas 🙂 good post!
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Oh, this sounds like a good read, Cleo. I’m not normally one for romance in my novels, but this one seems to have a very good sense of time and place, too. And the mystery sounds interesting as well. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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A lovely review for a wonderful book. Happy Christmas to you and best wishes for the New Year. x
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Warm wishes to you, Cleo
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I am a big fan of the 1920s and the suffragettes, so this is one I’ll add to my list. Thanks for sharing!
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Sounds likes the kind of read I’d enjoy. Great review 🙂
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That book cover is full of atmosphere isn’t it. ? Can you imagine though sitting there typing in a hat??
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Fab review Cleo, looks really interesting and right up my street. Here’s hoping 2016 will be a brilliant year for you, you deserve it xx
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