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The Penford Manor Murders

Miss Clara Vale, Book 4

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The Penford Manor Murders

By: Fiona Veitch Smith
Narrated by: Hannah Genesius
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About this listen

 It's open season at Penford Manor! But someone has murder in their sights...

At Penford Manor, the guests are arriving to celebrate the start of the grouse-hunting season: lords and ladies, barons and baronesses, a Member of Parliament - and chemistry graduate turned detective, Miss Clara Vale, an old friend of the family. But Clara is no ordinary guest: she's secretly investigating a blackmail plot against Lady Penford herself.

Someone in the house is already up to no good, but when the body of a local trade unionist is found in the grounds, Clara's case gets even more complicated because a clue left by the body links it to the blackmail note.

Who has discovered Lady Penford's secret? Can Clara and her trusted assistant Bella work together to find the murderer? And what do the cornflowers which keep popping up everywhere mean?

Amidst the glittering dresses and sparkling conversation of society, Clara must find the truth - before the killer acts again!©2025 Fiona Veitch Smith (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK Cosy Crime Fiction Murder Mystery Women Sleuths Crime

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The Berlin Murders By: Fiona Veitch Smith
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A really well drawn mystery/cosy crime novel. I feel the Clara Vale series is developing and grow in depth. Great listen! Well read in Audible.

Cracker of a story!

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Great story, lots of stories playing out at the same time & keeps you guessing til the very end.

love this series

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A wonderfully layered country house mystery with a deliciously polite veneer hiding all sorts of shady dealings.

The Penford Manor Murders delivers exactly what I love in a Golden Age style cosy: a closed circle of suspects, a grand estate full of secrets, and a mystery that grows more tangled the deeper Clara digs. The contrast between the refined setting of a shooting party and the decidedly unrefined motives simmering beneath the surface made the whole story feel lively and engaging.

The mystery itself is satisfyingly complex. There are multiple suspects, overlapping agendas, and plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. I really enjoyed how the various shady dealings slowly intertwined, revealing a much bigger picture than I first expected.

My standout character this time was Bella. Her no nonsense attitude, sharp observations, and complete refusal to be intimidated by anyone, regardless of their title or self‑importance, added so much humour and energy. She’s the perfect foil to Clara, and I loved every scene she was in.

Overall, this is a clever, entertaining instalment in the series. It is atmospheric, twisty, and full of personality. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Clara and Bella head next.

Greatly enjoyable

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Clara Vale and her assistant Bella are two modern women fighting for rightful recognition in an era that is only just beginning to understand the roles that women (and men) are able to fulfill, breaking free from the bindings of class, etiquette and expectations. It has been a real joy to hear of Clara’s developing detective skills, backed up by capable working-class Bella. All the characters are very credible and interesting, and the plot turns and twists, exciting to the very end. The narration is excellent, and enriches the novel.

Very complex and satisfying plots!

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Another excellent Clara Vale murder mystery. The narrators use of regional accents add charm and flavour to an already captivating storyline. I loved the country house setting with the descriptions of upstairs downstairs life. The plot was involved enough to keep me guessing until the reveal at the end.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series, so I hope there will be one!

A great listen

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