Murder Between the Lines by Radha Vatsal
ISBN: 9781492638926 | May 2017
Paperback | $15.99 U.S.
As the specter of the Great War hangs over the country, a promising young student turns up dead.
When Kitty Weeks’s latest assignment writing for the New York Sentinel Ladies’ Page takes her to Westfield Hall, a well-regarded girls’ school in New York City, she expects to find an orderly establishment teaching French and dancing--standard fare for schoolgirls in 1915. But there’s much more going on at the school than initially meets the eye. Kitty especially takes note of the studies of Elspeth Bright, the daughter of a scientist heavily involved in naval technology, who has inherited her father’s interest and talent for scientific inquiry.
Elspeth’s seemingly accidental death is a shock to the school community and to Kitty--and the more she finds out about Elspeth and her family, the more the intrepid reporter begins to believe that it may not have been an accident after all.
Praise for A Front Page Affair
(Kitty Weeks’ first adventure)
"An impressively well written and consistently compelling read from beginning to end, Radha Vatsal's "A Front Page Affair" is the first book in what is justifiably expected to be an outstanding series featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks.
" - Midwest Book Review
"A delightfully spunky heroine defies convention as an investigative reporter in this engaging historical mystery. The small factual details of New York life are gems" - Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries
"This first in a planned series is a nice combination of mystery and thriller seasoned by historical facts and a look at women's lives before woman's liberation. " - Kirkus
"This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen's mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks.
" - Library Journal-STARRED
"[A] spirited debut...Vatsal deftly intertwines the tumult of the era, from emerging women's rights to spreading international conflict, into this rich historical." - Publishers Weekly
"The fascinating historical details add flair to this thoroughly engaging mystery starring an intelligent amateur sleuth reminiscent of Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy. Vatsal's debut will leave readers eager for Kitty's next adventure." - Booklist
"This is a well-thought-out mystery novel, combining historical fiction and feminism with a determined and brave protagonist ready to chart new mysteries and new paths for herself." - Mystery Scene
"Radha Vatsal's debut, A FRONT PAGE AFFAIR, doesn't read like a first novel. First novels aren't supposed to be this self-assured, or detailed, or full of three-dimensional characters (both real and fictional) who vividly bring the 1910s to life." - The Thrill Begins
"Radha Vatsal ramps up the action in Kitty's simple, rule-driven world to show how American women are beginning to shape their country in previously unheard-of ways. Delightful, intriguing, and relevant historical fiction!" - Historical Novel Society
"Reading a well-crafted historical mystery is always a pleasure and with A FRONT PAGE AFFAIR, Radha Vatsal delivers precisely that. "- The Big Thrill
"I do like the characterization of Kitty, as it is a very realistic view of a young woman trying to find herself and her way. I see great potential for this character growing, and can see this series getting tighter. "- My Novelesque Life
"The story line is fantastic and had me intrigued right to the end. It makes an easy read and flows beautifully. " - Corinne Rodrigues
"Rich with period detail and cameos from a few historical figures, A Front Page Affair is an appealing beginning to Kitty Weeks and her world...the novel's strength lies in its exploration of complicated wartime politics, and the difference between neutrality and innocence. " - Shelf Awareness for Readers
"A good read and a satisfying conclusion.
" - Washington Independent Review of Books
"The author obviously enjoys this historical period, and historical trivia was sprinkled throughout the story and created a vivid setting...overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel. " - Genre Reviews
"The author's skill at weaving an entertaining mystery and intertwining it among the strings of an historical setting is quite good. The story wends its way as quickly as Kitty does through the streets of Old New York in her bright yellow Bearcat. Scattered in with the unraveling of the murder are interesting details about the city, world events, and life during that period. Their inclusion is deftly handled, and seems to fit in rather well with the narrative." - Better After 50
" - Midwest Book Review
"A delightfully spunky heroine defies convention as an investigative reporter in this engaging historical mystery. The small factual details of New York life are gems" - Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries
"This first in a planned series is a nice combination of mystery and thriller seasoned by historical facts and a look at women's lives before woman's liberation. " - Kirkus
"This lively and well-researched debut introduces a charming historical series and an appealing fish-out-of-water sleuth who seeks independence and a career in an age when most women are bent on getting married, particularly to titled Englishmen. Devotees of Rhys Bowen's mysteries will enjoy making the acquaintance of Miss Weeks.
" - Library Journal-STARRED
"[A] spirited debut...Vatsal deftly intertwines the tumult of the era, from emerging women's rights to spreading international conflict, into this rich historical." - Publishers Weekly
"The fascinating historical details add flair to this thoroughly engaging mystery starring an intelligent amateur sleuth reminiscent of Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy. Vatsal's debut will leave readers eager for Kitty's next adventure." - Booklist
"This is a well-thought-out mystery novel, combining historical fiction and feminism with a determined and brave protagonist ready to chart new mysteries and new paths for herself." - Mystery Scene
"Radha Vatsal's debut, A FRONT PAGE AFFAIR, doesn't read like a first novel. First novels aren't supposed to be this self-assured, or detailed, or full of three-dimensional characters (both real and fictional) who vividly bring the 1910s to life." - The Thrill Begins
"Radha Vatsal ramps up the action in Kitty's simple, rule-driven world to show how American women are beginning to shape their country in previously unheard-of ways. Delightful, intriguing, and relevant historical fiction!" - Historical Novel Society
"Reading a well-crafted historical mystery is always a pleasure and with A FRONT PAGE AFFAIR, Radha Vatsal delivers precisely that. "- The Big Thrill
"I do like the characterization of Kitty, as it is a very realistic view of a young woman trying to find herself and her way. I see great potential for this character growing, and can see this series getting tighter. "- My Novelesque Life
"The story line is fantastic and had me intrigued right to the end. It makes an easy read and flows beautifully. " - Corinne Rodrigues
"Rich with period detail and cameos from a few historical figures, A Front Page Affair is an appealing beginning to Kitty Weeks and her world...the novel's strength lies in its exploration of complicated wartime politics, and the difference between neutrality and innocence. " - Shelf Awareness for Readers
"A good read and a satisfying conclusion.
" - Washington Independent Review of Books
"The author obviously enjoys this historical period, and historical trivia was sprinkled throughout the story and created a vivid setting...overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel. " - Genre Reviews
"The author's skill at weaving an entertaining mystery and intertwining it among the strings of an historical setting is quite good. The story wends its way as quickly as Kitty does through the streets of Old New York in her bright yellow Bearcat. Scattered in with the unraveling of the murder are interesting details about the city, world events, and life during that period. Their inclusion is deftly handled, and seems to fit in rather well with the narrative." - Better After 50
Radha Vatsal grew up in Mumbai, India, and came to the United States to attend boarding school when she was sixteen. Her fascination with the 1910s began when she studied women filmmakers and action-film heroines of silent cinema at Duke University, where she earned her Ph.D. from the English Department. A Front Page Affair is her first novel. Radha lives with her husband and two daughters in New York City.
