The Pyramid Murders

by Fiona Veitch Smith

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Pyramid Murders is the third book featuring Clara Vale by Fiona Veitch Smith. Released 13th June 2024 by Bonnier on their Embla Books imprint, it's 300 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The other books in the series are also currently on KU. 

This is a light cozy set interwar London with Clara Vale, a clever young woman well situated in life and with a formidable scientific mind. This installment sees Clara and her assistant Bella (who is wonderful) on the trail of artifact and jewel thieves from Newcastle to London and even down the Egyptian Nile.

The language is clean and the plot is woven around actual historical events whimsically and successfully. It's a cozy, and without graphic, on page violence. It's not at all derivative, but it will definitely appeal to fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Catriona McPherson's Dandy Gilver books. 

Four stars. Light entertainment. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or a short binge/buddy read. The story is self contained in this volume, but there's some continuity between the volumes which will be spoiled if read out of order.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.