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Death in the Stars

Book 9 in the Kate Shackleton mysteries

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About this listen

 'Frances Brody has made it to the top rank of crime writers' Daily Mail

Yorkshire, 1927. Eclipse fever grips the nation, and when beloved theatre star Selina Fellini approaches trusted sleuth Kate Shackleton to accompany her to a viewing party at Giggleswick School Chapel, Kate suspects an ulterior motive.

During the eclipse, Selina's friend and co-star Billy Moffatt disappears and is later found dead in the chapel grounds. Kate can't help but dig deeper and soon learns that two other members of the theatre troupe died in similarly mysterious circumstances in the past year. With the help of Jim Sykes and Mrs Sugden, Kate sets about investigating the deaths - and whether there is a murderer in the company.

When Selina's elusive husband Jarrod, injured in the war and subject to violent mood swings, comes back on the scene, Kate begins to imagine something far deadlier at play, and wonders just who will be next to pay the ultimate price for fame . . .

Praise for Frances Brody's Kate Shackleton series:

'Frances Brody matches a heroine of free and independent spirit with a vivid evocation of time and place . . . a novel to cherish' Barry Turner, Daily Mail

'Brody's excellent mystery splendidly captures the conflicts and attitudes of the time with well-developed characters' RT Book Reviews

'Kate Shackleton is a splendid heroine' Ann Granger

'Kate Shackleton joins Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs in a subgroup of young, female amateur detectives who survived and were matured by their wartime experiences. As self-reliant women in a society that still regards them a second-class citizens, they make excellent heroines' Literary Review

'Frances Brody skilfully holds our attention, making us want to read on and then look forward to the next Kate Shackleton mystery' Gazette & Herald

'Kate Shackleton is a delightful leading character. The flavour of post First World War England is beautifully portrayed. An enjoyable and gripping mystery story' CrimeSquad.com

'The author keeps us highly entertained with an interesting and exciting plot, impeccably researched, and a style of writing that has the reader turning the pages eagerly to discover the truth of the mystery. Francis Brody is fast becoming "the queen of light crime fiction"' Gazette & Herald

'This is whimsical, colourful stuff and readers will warm to the entrepreneurial yet fragile Kate' Take a Break

'Refreshing and highly entertaining, especially for the winter nights' Gazette & Herald©2017 Frances McNeil Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime

Critic reviews

an old-fashioned, good-fun murder mystery, making excellent use of its setting in variety theatre's fading years
The author keeps us highly-entertained with an interesting and exciting plot, impeccably researched and a style of writing that has the reader turning the pages eagerly to discover the truth of the mystery. Francis Brody is fast becoming "the queen of light crime fiction"
All stars
Most relevant
I loved this story. The author drops in these little snippets of period detail that are delightful.
A jolly good mystery and well read.

Great little period details

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This has been my favourite of this series so far. The story seemed to have an originality not always present in some others. But one of the main reasons why I enjoy these books is the fantastic narration by Anne Dover. She really is perfect for these books. Her accent is spot on and the whole thing sounds genuine. Frances Brady’s dialogue is so spontaneous and natural and Anne Dover brings it to life. An easy, relaxing and enjoyable listen.

An easy and relaxing favourite

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I wish I had discovered these years ago. I would now be re-reading them. Fab!!!

Love this series

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