"the jazz files" by fiona veitch smith

Going through Downton Abbey withdrawals? Did you love the strong, independent woman that Lady Edith became in the final seasons? If you answered "yes," then you should check out The Jazz Files, the first novel in the new Poppy Denby Investigates series. Lady Edith would definitely approve of Poppy Denby.

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Introducing Poppy Denby, a young journalist in London during the Roaring Twenties, investigating crime in the highest social circles

It is 1920. Twenty-two year old Poppy Denby moves from Northumberland to live with her paraplegic aunt in London. Aunt Dot, a suffragette who was injured in battles with the police in 1910, is a feisty and well-connected lady.

Poppy has always dreamed of being a journalist, and quickly lands a position as an editorial assistant at the Daily Globe. Then one of the paper's hacks, Bert Isaacs, dies suddenly and messily. Poppy and photographer Daniel Rokeby (with whom Poppy has an immediate and mutual attraction) begin to wonder if Bert was pushed. His story was going to be the morning lead, but he hasn't finished writing it. Poppy finds his notes and completes the story, which is a sensation.

The Globe's editor, realizing her valuable suffragette contacts, invites her to dig deeper. Poppy starts sifting through the dead man's files and unearths a major mystery which takes her to France--and abruptly into danger.

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Set in 1920, The Jazz Files introduces readers to Poppy Denby, a plucky young woman who longs for more than becoming the wife and mother she is expected to be. When a position as the assistant to the editor of The Daily Globe rather improbably turns into a chance to showcase her journalistic skills, Poppy becomes the target of a powerful man whose schemes she seeks to expose.

While at first I struggled to get into the rhythm of The Jazz Files, once I settled into Smith's writing style, I couldn't fly through the pages quickly enough! I found myself completely pulled into Poppy's world, and as the mystery became more and more complicated, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. Poppy is a delightful main character, and I look forward to reading more about her adventures in reporting ... and about her potential romance with photographer Daniel. The Jazz Files is a solid introduction to what looks to be an engrossing series. 4 stars.

Buy the book.

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Fiona Veitch Smith has worked as a journalist in South Africa and the UK and is now an Associate Lecturer in Journalism at Newcastle University. She also teaches Creative Writing at Northumbria University.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”