My Review ~ The Jazz Files by Fiona Veitch Smith
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 papers 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.
See more at: http://www.kregel.com/fiction/the-jazz-files/#sthash.ITH2bFSs.dpuf
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| The Jazz Files by Fiona Veitch Smith Copyright 2015 Lion Fiction ISBN: 9781782641759 |
My Thoughts:
The Jazz Files is quite a bit different from any other books I've read in the Christian fiction genre. It's got murder, mystery, and women's rights issues all wrapped up with a touch of romance. It's Downton Abbey mixed with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and makes for the perfect read coming off a week since Downton's final episode.
Poppy Denby is a somewhat naive girl who moves to London to be with her aunt. While there she gets her first job as an assistant at a big name newspaper and witnesses a possible murder on her first day in the office. The Jazz Files follows Poppy as she moves her way up through the ranks due to the mystery surrounding the death.
It's a bit hard to believe that she went from no experience to being an investigative reporter, but the story is fun. That said, I'm not sure Christian fiction is the word for this book. Those who are more sensitive readers may object to the language and the habits of some of the characters. It was really surprising at first, but I read all sorts of books in every genre, so it wasn't bothersome. The story had an authentic flapper feel with the clothing, vernacular, and music of the time. I really enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more of Poppy's adventures!
Poppy Denby is a somewhat naive girl who moves to London to be with her aunt. While there she gets her first job as an assistant at a big name newspaper and witnesses a possible murder on her first day in the office. The Jazz Files follows Poppy as she moves her way up through the ranks due to the mystery surrounding the death.
It's a bit hard to believe that she went from no experience to being an investigative reporter, but the story is fun. That said, I'm not sure Christian fiction is the word for this book. Those who are more sensitive readers may object to the language and the habits of some of the characters. It was really surprising at first, but I read all sorts of books in every genre, so it wasn't bothersome. The story had an authentic flapper feel with the clothing, vernacular, and music of the time. I really enjoyed this mystery and hope to read more of Poppy's adventures!
~My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars~
*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Happy Reading!
Renee, I enjoyed reading your bright review. Poppy is a great name for the protagonist of this book. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it though? Poppy is such a fun name!
DeleteHello Renee, I know it's a bit late in the day, but I have just stumbled across your lovely review of The Jazz Files. I am so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for reviewing it. I see you noted that the book was unusual for Christian Fiction - and perhaps Christian Fiction is not the word for it. And I completely agree with you. That's because it is not Christian Fiction and I was very surprised that it has attracted that label. Back in March I wrote a blog post about it which perhaps you and your readers might be interested in reading. http://www.poppydenby.com/blog/2016/03/how-christian-is-the-poppy-denby-series/ I was then interviewed about it on an American Christian book reviewers blog https://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/author-author-fiona-veitch-smith/. This seems to be an issue mainly with American readers - probably because the US distributor, Kregel, is a Christian company and it is therefore assumed. But I think it is unfair on readers who are expecting 'genuine' Christian Fiction and ones who don't want to read Christian Fiction and might be put off by that label. You, of course, enjoyed it anyway - and I'm pleased to hear that. By the way, book 2 is now out in the UK and will be coming to the US in November :)
ReplyDelete