Take a photo of a barcode or cover
chlorinne's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sarahbook1's review against another edition
4.0
A strong 3rd book in the Poppy Denby series. I had trouble with the tons of characters in book 2, but this roster was much more manageable. Book 3 is set in NYC, which is a nice change of scenery.
meganfluevog's review against another edition
2.0
I listen to audiobooks when I go to bed because they help me to turn off my brain and focus on something else, so I do listen to a lot of fluff - or things you don't need to concentrate on too hard. This book was heavy on the "cosy" but very light on the "mystery". It took well over half the book to get to the murder and I found I could skip entire chapters and not really miss anything.
english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
The third installment of the Poppy Denby Investigates series delivers all the mystery, style and verve of the others, set in the Roaring Twenties, and featuring the sharp and smart young reporter, who uses her wits and skills as a reporter to solve find a story and usually a mystery or two- with some help from her friends.
Rollo, the editor, the erstwhile Aunt Dorothy, and Poppy's best friend the aspiring young actress Delilah Marconi come into their own in this one. Or at least the former two do, I've never really found Delilah to be a very deep or developed character- she comes over as quite shallow. Some readers remarked on how the story sometimes got bogged down with details about food and the characters' social life, although that did not really bother me.
There were however, two things which bothered me with this story. One thing, as another person pointed out, is that there is nothing wrong with diversity, but here, there's so much of it that it appears a little- tokenistic, for lack of a better word.
The second is the political correctness, which might really prove annoying to some readers who want pure escapism. I must confess even I found it a bit in your face and irritating at times, I understand the 20s were not so long ago, and many modern ideologies and ideas were developing then, but some things just came over as a little preachy and dogmatic.
As an example, Poppy basically breaks up with her boyfriend because he doesn't support her career aspirations. OK, fair enough. Even I might do that- BUT, Poppy very much represents the modern ideal of a woman who wants it all. Love, family AND full time high flying career. No compromise. For a long time society has told women that this is what we should aspire to, and that we can have our cake and eat it, but at what cost? Stress related diseases in women are at an all time high, and now its swung in the opposite direction, so that women who choose to pause their career to stay home and look after their children are looked down upon.
So I do sort of think there should perhaps be more consideration or exploration of the consequences of of such choices. Maybe there was not room for that in the narrative, but I thought it bore a mention.
Thanks to Lion Fiction for the PDF of this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Rollo, the editor, the erstwhile Aunt Dorothy, and Poppy's best friend the aspiring young actress Delilah Marconi come into their own in this one. Or at least the former two do, I've never really found Delilah to be a very deep or developed character- she comes over as quite shallow. Some readers remarked on how the story sometimes got bogged down with details about food and the characters' social life, although that did not really bother me.
There were however, two things which bothered me with this story. One thing, as another person pointed out, is that there is nothing wrong with diversity, but here, there's so much of it that it appears a little- tokenistic, for lack of a better word.
The second is the political correctness, which might really prove annoying to some readers who want pure escapism. I must confess even I found it a bit in your face and irritating at times, I understand the 20s were not so long ago, and many modern ideologies and ideas were developing then, but some things just came over as a little preachy and dogmatic.
As an example, Poppy basically breaks up with her boyfriend because he doesn't support her career aspirations. OK, fair enough. Even I might do that- BUT, Poppy very much represents the modern ideal of a woman who wants it all. Love, family AND full time high flying career. No compromise. For a long time society has told women that this is what we should aspire to, and that we can have our cake and eat it, but at what cost? Stress related diseases in women are at an all time high, and now its swung in the opposite direction, so that women who choose to pause their career to stay home and look after their children are looked down upon.
So I do sort of think there should perhaps be more consideration or exploration of the consequences of of such choices. Maybe there was not room for that in the narrative, but I thought it bore a mention.
Thanks to Lion Fiction for the PDF of this title via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
bookfilledcottage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Poppy Denby never disappoints! She’s just a five-star character and series for me at this point.
In this new story we travel to New York with Poppy and company and are able to enjoy a thrilling, dark mystery which our favourite reporter is keen on soving.
Poppy pairs up with Rollo for this new adventure in the Big Apple, and through it, we get to enjoy Fiona Veitch Smith’s masterful command of language as she creates a vivid and thrilling plot, filled with secrets, feelings and twists.
An auto-buy author and series!
In this new story we travel to New York with Poppy and company and are able to enjoy a thrilling, dark mystery which our favourite reporter is keen on soving.
Poppy pairs up with Rollo for this new adventure in the Big Apple, and through it, we get to enjoy Fiona Veitch Smith’s masterful command of language as she creates a vivid and thrilling plot, filled with secrets, feelings and twists.
An auto-buy author and series!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Death Beat by Fiona Veitch Smith
When London Daily Globe editor Rollo Rolandson has to return to New York for three months, he takes his star reporter, Poppy Denby, with him. Poppy is very excited to be working on the world-famous New York Times and looks forward to immersing herself in the arts and entertainment of Manhattan. Instead, she is allocated the death beat--journalese for obituaries--and tied to her desk.
But our intrepid young reporter has a nose for a story, and when a European prince dies in a luxury penthouse apartment, she starts to investigate. She follows a sordid trail involving illegal immigrants, forced labor, eugenics, sexual scandals . . . and an unexpected ghost from her past. From the speakeasies of Greenwich Village to the sweatshops of the Garment District, Poppy Denby seeks justice for the victims of a shameful crime.
I have now read the first three books in this series - I am not sure how I ever managed to stumble upon these books as they are really not the sort of books I would usually choose, however this series is strangely addictive. In this instalment Poppy is visiting New York and it is not long before Poppy is off investigating for her latest story.
I feel that this could be read as a stand-alone but feel that it would be much more enjoyable if you have read the previous two books first. A well-written mystery with great characters.
Rating 4/5
When London Daily Globe editor Rollo Rolandson has to return to New York for three months, he takes his star reporter, Poppy Denby, with him. Poppy is very excited to be working on the world-famous New York Times and looks forward to immersing herself in the arts and entertainment of Manhattan. Instead, she is allocated the death beat--journalese for obituaries--and tied to her desk.
But our intrepid young reporter has a nose for a story, and when a European prince dies in a luxury penthouse apartment, she starts to investigate. She follows a sordid trail involving illegal immigrants, forced labor, eugenics, sexual scandals . . . and an unexpected ghost from her past. From the speakeasies of Greenwich Village to the sweatshops of the Garment District, Poppy Denby seeks justice for the victims of a shameful crime.
I have now read the first three books in this series - I am not sure how I ever managed to stumble upon these books as they are really not the sort of books I would usually choose, however this series is strangely addictive. In this instalment Poppy is visiting New York and it is not long before Poppy is off investigating for her latest story.
I feel that this could be read as a stand-alone but feel that it would be much more enjoyable if you have read the previous two books first. A well-written mystery with great characters.
Rating 4/5
clairewong's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
This is a fun historical mystery set in 1920s New York and delivers all you'd hope for a novel in that era: raucous parties, speakeasies, glamorous flapper outfits and uncovering corruption. In my opinion, it's the best paced of the series so far, getting the balance right between plot, historical setting, and the inner lives of the characters. An enjoyable adventure!