Fiona Veitch Smith writes Golden Age mysteries and historical fiction, and has also written for the children’s picture book market, theatre and short film. She made her mark in the historical crime world with the Poppy Denby Investigates books (Lion Fiction), set in the Roaring Twenties.
Book 1, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. You can read more about Poppy Denby and her world here.
Book 1, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. You can read more about Poppy Denby and her world here.
The Miss Clara Vale Mysteries, published by Embla Books (Bonnier UK) is Fiona’s new series, about a lady forensic scientist who inherits a detective agency, set in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1929.
Fiona says: “With my new series I wanted to do something different while keeping some of things readers love about the Poppy Denby books. Clara is a very different character to Poppy, with a bit more of an ‘edge’ – but hopefully still likeable! Poppy is relational with a lot of empathy and what these days we’d call ’emotional intelligence’. Clara is a bit more socially awkward, is more of a loner (but not without friends) and is cerebrally intelligent. She is also older when we first meet her – in her 30s – while Poppy is in her 20s. Poppy comes from a modest background and moves into the top social circles; Clara comes from wealth and tries to distance herself from high society.
Moving the books to the end of the 20s and into the early 30s allows me to explore a slightly darker period of history too. The books are still filled with fun and fashion but there is light and shade present. With Clara I would like to explore a little more of that shade.”
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Fiona has degrees in history, journalism and cultural studies, as well as a MA in Creative and Dramatic Writing. She has worked as a journalist in South Africa and the UK, managed a touring theatre group in South Africa, worked for a Christian charity in Cape Town, lectured in journalism at Newcastle University, been a creative writing tutor and lecturer at Northumbria University, and most recently was the Communications Manager for the Crime Writers’ Association, where she still remains a member of the CWA Board.
She is now a full-time writer and mentors other writers. She is a fan of vintage 1920s and 30s fashion and tries to makes clothes from original patterns. You can see some of her ‘creations’ in the video and fashion sections of this website. She plays jazz clarinet enthusiastically but poorly, loves gardening and walking her two collies.
She was born in Northumberland, lived in South Africa in her teens and 20s, moved back to England in her early 30s, and now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and teenage daughter – who is just about to head off to university! She is represented by Sara Keane of Keane Kataria Literary Agency
Social Media
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Fiona’s general writer website with news about all her work, not just Clara Vale: fiona.veitchsmith.com
Fiona’s dedicated website to Poppy Denby www.poppydenby.com
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