Cambridge, England. 1903. When a popular boxer dies and her brother collapses after an exhibition match, Vita spots a connection the experts have missed. The very professor who rubbished her dreams of studying science is the one she needs to convince. Can Vita prove what really killed the boxer? And how will the glamorous American widow react?
Set in the early days of the twentieth century, when it was very difficult for women to get professional qualifications, especially in medicine,this book is is both an account of one girl’s efforts to get an education and is also a gripping account of a murder and its solution. The opening certainly gets your attention straight away and I could understand how the Crime Writer’s Association short listed this book for a Debut Dagger. I do hope there will be other books about Vita and Cambridge because I really enjoyed ‘A Thin Sharp Blade’
What I like about these stories is how the characters are portrayed. They are written much as people of their time. Vita isn't pushy, nosy, headstrong or adventurous (as some other authors write in their stories) but learning her way in a world where men lead in everything. She wants to get ahead but is still very naive and unworldly but taking small steps to achieve more for herself. I also really appreciate that the author didn't immediately put her into a romance and there is no flirtation and no male prospect. It is Vita's story. As to the mystery - what was going on was pretty obvious so that lost a star rating from me.
This is the second mystery featuring Vita Carew, a young lady determined to learn. The mystery is what caused the death of a boxer after a bout. He was found dead in bed the next morning by his wife. The question is what killed him. Finding out the cause of death and then the culprit is Vita's and her friends' and family's task. Descriptions of the location (Cambridge, England) and the time ( early 1900s) are well down. Ms Smith has a deft hand also at developing characters. A very good read.
I read this as the second in the series, some of the info was confusing as to the order of the books.
Main character a young woman with a sharp mind and keen interest in science but suffering the usual fate of education having been given to her brother only. Still she finds her own way of gaining knowledge and due to the events of the book a chance at education. Getting there are murdes to solve and some personal tragedies.
I am so sick of series where the MC is stunningly beautiful. This author shows that women have minds, and personalities, goals, and hopes and fears. Vita is not perfect, but she is smart and willing to try and work hard. That is my idea of a worthy heroine. The plot and supporting characters were also very engaging.
I had an enjoyable time reading ‘A Thin Sharp Blade’. The plot and characters were intriguing and different from the usual. Recommended. The next volume is in my Kindle already and I bought the paperback for someone who prefers that format. Thanks, Frans Smith
Really enjoyed this tale and following the tale of Vita Carew as she inadvertently solves crimes. It was nice to see some of the same characters and get to know them slightly better and also meeting some knew characters. This feels slightly higher than a 3 Star, but not quite a 4. It’s a great story and good writing but it is fairly predictable.
I'd like more romance. In the first book, there seemed to be a suggestion that Vita would have a romance with the German doctor. I expected him to be in this book, but he wasn't. I'm all for Vita studying science, but I want her to find a guy and have a happily ever after too.
Book #2 is greater than the first, which is always a good thing in book series. Fran Smith has scuffed Vita up, who has come out cycling, fitter, smarter and tougher for her series. Having two books to read before January release of book #5 is already making me impatient for book #6. Thank you Fran Smith, a fantastic read / listen, much appreciated. :-)
This was a masterpiece in crime detection ...an amazing story with fabulous characters!...it is a long book to Read but you must follow it to the end!!! enjoy!!
What an excellent story, and murder investigation. I’m glad to have discovered this author, and it’s good to read a story set in Cambridge, by someone who clearly knows it, and it’s history, well.
This is the second book in the series, but it stands on its own quite well. Fun books about bright, ambitious women during a time period that encouraged neither.
Cambridge 1903 When her brother is injured and his boxing opponent dies Vita Carew investigates. Unfortunately not much of a mystery or who the guilty party was.