Radha Vatsal

Murder between the Lines is the second intriguing installment in Radha Vatsal's fantastic Kitty Weeks Mystery series.

Nineteen year old Capability "Kitty" Weeks is still writing articles for the Ladies Page of the New York Sentinel. During her interview for her latest assignment, she is delighted to meet a Elspeth Bright, a highly intelligent young woman who has dreams of pursuing a degree as a scientist after she completes her studies at Westfield Hall. Kitty agrees to meet Elspeth away from show more the school but their discussion is interrupted by a nosy neighbor. Before they can talk again, Kitty is stunned to discover Elspeth died under tragic circumstances. Suspicious Elspeth's death was no accident, Kitty is quick to agree to the Brights' request she look into what was troubling their daughter before her death.

Kitty is trying to make her way in the world at a time when women have very few rights. She continues to live with her father but she is growing a little weary of how overprotective he is as she tries to look into Elspeth's death. She is also shaping her own opinions as she is exposed to the various issues of the time period, the most important of which is the Suffrage movement. Delighted that her editor Helena Busby is becoming a little more open to allowing her and her co-worker Jeannie Williams to cover more controversial (for the time period) topics for the Ladies Page, Kitty works on her assignments in between her investigation into Elspeth's death.

Kitty's investigation into Elspeth's death takes her down some very unexpected avenues of inquiry. She is surprised to learn Elspeth was working on a project involving batteries and their use in submarine warfare. She is also rather curious about Elspeth's relationship with her father's former assistant Phillip Emerson. Was Elspeth's death nothing more than a tragic accident related to her sleepwalking? Or is there a more sinister reason for her untimely death?

Set in late 1915 and early 1916, Murder between the Lines is an extremely clever mystery that is quite engrossing. Kitty is fantastic lead protagonist and Radha Vatsal's impeccable research brings the time period vibrantly to life. The investigation into Elspeth's puzzling death takes a very unexpected turn and Kitty discovers that life is not always black and white. A wonderful addition to the Kitty Weeks Mystery series that readers of amateur sleuths and history buffs are sure to enjoy. show less

A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal is a clever historical mystery starring an intrepid young reporter turned amateur sleuth. Set in 1915, this first installment in the Kitty Weeks Mystery series is an entertaining and educational debut that is quite riveting.

On her first independent assignment for the Ladies Page, Capability "Kitty" Weeks is sent to cover an Independence Day celebration hosted by Bessie Basshor. Excited to venture into the "real" world of reporting, Kitty is busy observing show more the partygoers and conducting informal interviews when news spreads that Hunter Cole, a fellow guest, has been murdered in the stables. Excited when she is asked to help cover the story for the newspaper, Kitty is soon embroiled in her own investigation into Hunter's death after the police quickly make an arrest in the case.

The daughter of a wealthy businessman, Kitty is an intelligent nineteen year old who wants a little more from life than managing her father's household. Her position at the newspaper allows her to balance her need for a career with her family obligations and although she only works part time, she takes her job seriously. She is a little immature and somewhat naive, but her natural curiosity leads her to continue digging into the circumstances surrounding Hunter's murder. Headstrong and independent, Kitty jeopardizes her position at the newspaper when she ignores her Ladies' Page assignments in order to pursue her investigation.

In addition to the mystery surrounding Hunter's death, Kitty finds herself looking into her father's business ventures after an unsettling visit from the Secret Service. Shaken by their accusations, she realizes she does not know him quite as well as she thought and after he refuses to answer her questions, she begins secretly digging into his recent activities. Although troubled by some of the information she uncovers, Kitty is determined to prove her father is innocent of any wrongdoing.

A Front Page Affair is an intriguing mystery with a cast of well-developed characters and a unique storyline. Radha Vatsal's meticulous research brings both the time period and the setting vividly to life and these historic details add depth and authenticity to the overall story. The mystery aspect of the storyline is well written and it is nearly impossible to guess the killer's identity or motive for the murder until the novel's somewhat dramatic conclusion. An excellent first installment in the Kitty Weeks Mystery series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting Kitty's next adventure. show less

A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal is a wonderful historical mystery novel, our introduction to Capability "Kitty" Weeks. It is also the debut novel from Vatsal and I will be eager to read her next book.

A historical novel which is also a mystery often leans very far in one direction or the other yet A Front Page Affair manages to be both a very good historical novel as well as a good mystery. I would likely say that it leans ever so slightly on the historical side but I think that is to be show more expected if one wants to be taken back to that time.

While I like historical novels I admit that I usually do not feel quite the same sense of investment in the characters because of the difference in eras. I tend toward pulling for a character, even liking her, but often become an observer of both the story and the historical period. Vatsal created a protagonist in Kitty who I was able to like as much as I am usually able which gave me a stronger interest in the outcome of the story.

I would recommend this to readers of historical fiction and of mysteries. It certainly speaks to the obstacles women encountered during this time in journalism, as well as most other professions.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

It is 1915 in New York. Capability “Kitty” Weeks is nineteen years old and a reporter for the Ladies Page of the New York Sentinel (she wants to report real stories but women are not allowed in the newsroom). Miss Helena Busby is her boss and showing her the ropes (she is also her assistant). Kitty was assigned to cover the Independence Day Gala organized by Mrs. Elizabeth Basshor. Kitty was enjoying the unique fireworks display and then there is screaming. Hunter Cole is dead in the show more stables. Why was Hunter killed and what was he doing in the stables? Hunter is not a well-liked gentleman. Hunter married a burlesque star, Aimee (scandalous to his family). Since Kitty was at the event, she is asked to help Mr. Flanagan, the reporter assigned the story. Kitty gets to help with background material. Kitty is determined to do a good job (with the hopes of getting her toes into the newsroom). Kitty sets out to interview people at the event and those close to Hunter Cole. Can Kitty’s inquiries help her find the killer?

A Front Page Affair by Radha Vatsal was okay, but not great. The writer tried to make the mystery complicated, but it was easy to solve (the killer was so very obvious). I had a hard time reading the novel (some books you read, others you live). The pace is slow (except for the last few pages) which makes the novel feel longer than it really is. The book contained a lot of information on getting a passport (when the law had just passed), fashion (we get plenty of dress descriptions), and parties. There are a great many details on the beginning of World War I. The basic idea for the book was good, but I did not really enjoy the finished product. Kitty Weeks came more across as a socialite who decided to become a journalist for something to do. She wears beautiful clothes and drives a bright yellow roadster (reminds me of another young sleuth with her car). I just felt the book needed more work to make it a good, finished novel. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. A Front Page Affair would have made a better young adult mystery (with just a little tweaking) because it reminded me of mystery series aimed at that age group.

I received a complimentary copy of A Front Page Affair from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. show less