by Nicola Upson
H. F. Maltby’s memoir Ring Up the Curtain brought colour to the character of Hester Larkspur, and London’s Grand Guignol and the Theatre of Horror by R. Hand and M. Wilson gave her an interesting later career. Jeffrey Richards’s The Unknown 1930s: An Alternative History of the British Cinema 1929–1939, Jacqueline Finesilver, and numerous film magazines of the 1930s provided valuable information on Tod Slaughter and Jenny Lynn; Slaughter’s films have been reissued in the Best of British Collection.
Suffolk is a magical place, and I’m for ever grateful to my parents for showing me its beauty as well as its darker history. Two authors in particular brought the county to life for me in the 1930s: Ronald Blythe, in Akenfield and in personal interviews; and Julian Tennyson in Suffolk Scene. Thanks to Jenny and Alan Bradley for information on old Bury, and to everyone else who has contributed to my research, directly or through their books: Anne Fraser of the Highland Council; Dr Peter Fordyce; Sue Lambert of Mrs Simpson’s Café; Susan Williams in The People’s King; and Liz Stanley in The Diaries of Hannah Cullwick. From Lucy’s surname to Hester’s cottage, the late Irene Cranwell has helped more than she will ever know, and I appreciate the continued support of everyone who looks after each book: Véronique Baxter and all at David Higham Associates; and Walter Donohue, Alex Holroyd and Katherine Armstrong at Faber.
And to Mandy, who has brought so much to every stage – the initial ideas and development of the story, the writing of Lucy’s diary and the creation of her voice, even an early Christmas. It’s been lovely to share a story that we came to individually, and you’ve made it a joy to write, as well as a much better book. Thank you.
About the Author
Nicola Upson was born in Suffolk and read English at Downing College, Cambridge. She has worked in theatre and as a freelance journalist, and is the author of two non-fiction works and the recipient of an Escalator Award from the Arts Council England.
Her debut novel, An Expert in Murder, was the first in a series of crime novels whose main character is Josephine Tey – one of the leading authors of Britain’s Golden Age of crime writing.
She lives with her partner in Cambridge and spends much of her time in Cornwall, which was the setting for her second novel, Angel with Two Faces. Two for Sorrow, the third book in the Josephine Tey series, was followed by Fear in the Sunlight.
Praise for Nicola Upson and the ‘Josephine Tey’ series:
‘An ingenious concept‚ beautifully realised.’ Reginald Hill
‘Upson writes well‚ giving new life to a classic murder setting. The portrayal of Tey herself is both sympathetic and perceptive . . . Upson is chillingly effective at showing how good intentions may lead to evil consequences . . . a fine addition to a promising series.’ Andrew Taylor‚ Spectator
‘Upson legitimately uses [Tey] as an avatar to meld a golden-age plot with modern frankness‚ and Tey’s creative process mirrors her own concerns about blurring fact and fiction.’ Financial Times
‘The ingredients in this latest “Josephine Tey” detective mystery are almost too delicious . . . Upson’s observations are always intelligent.’ Independent on Sunday
‘Delectable.’ Philip French‚ Observer
‘An absolute delight . . . Upson has created a fine series of cosy but intelligent mysteries.’ Catholic Herald
‘Any crime aficionado whose beach reading usually consists of a bagful of crinkly old paperbacks should make room for Nicola Upson’s novels in which real-life author Josephine Tey‚ one of the grandes dames of the Golden Age of detective fiction‚ investigates murders in the Thirties.’ Daily Telegraph
Also by Nicola Upson
AN EXPERT IN MURDER
ANGEL WITH TWO FACES
TWO FOR SORROW
FEAR IN THE SUNLIGHT
First published in 2013
by Faber and Faber Ltd
Bloomsbury House
74–77 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DA
This ebook edition first published in 2013
All rights reserved
© Nicola Upson, 2013
The right of Nicola Upson to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly
ISBN 978–0–571–28774–1
