Clara Benson

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About Clara Benson

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures - traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn't do any of those things.

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BOOKS BY CLARA BENSON

ANGELA MARCHMONT MYSTERIES

1. The Murder at Sissingham Hall

2. The Mystery at Underwood House

3. The Treasure at Poldarrow Point

4. The Riddle at Gipsy's Mile

5. The Incident at Fives Castle

6. The Imbroglio at the Villa Pozzi

7. The Problem at Two Tithes

8. The Trouble at Wakeley Court

9. The Scandal at 23 Mount Street

10. The Shadow at Greystone Chase

ANGELA MARCHMONT SHORT STORIES

- The Man on the Train

- A Question of Hats

FREDDY PILKINGTON-SOAMES ADVENTURES

1. A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia

2. A Case of Murder in Mayfair

3. A Case of Conspiracy in Clerkenwell

4. A Case of Duplicity in Dorset

5. A Case of Suicide in St. James's

6. A Case of Robbery on the Riviera

7. A Case of Perplexity in Piccadilly

HISTORICAL FICTION

- In Darkness, Look For Stars

- The Stolen Letter

OTHER

- The Lucases of Lucas Lodge

Verity Bright

Benedict Brown

Helena Dixon

Karen Baugh Menuhin

L.B. Hathaway

Lee Strauss

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Author Updates

Titles By Clara Benson

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A Case of Perplexity in Piccadilly (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 7) May 19, 2022

by Clara Benson

( 3 )

$3.99

West End theatre impresario Septimus Gooch is a man with many enemies, but when he's found dead in his leading lady's dressing-room the police put it down to an accident.

The cast of Septimus's latest musical production at the Jollity Theatre are having none of it, however—this is the second mysterious death in two months, and they're convinced Septimus died after being frightened out of his wits by the ghost that's haunted the theatre ever since it burned to the ground many years ago. A malevolent spirit is on the loose, striking them down one by one. Which of them will be next?

Press-man Freddy Pilkington-Soames was backstage at the Jollity on the night Septimus died. He doesn't believe in ghosts, but he knows a suspicious death when he sees one—and when a third person dies there's no doubt this time that a human hand was behind it.

Freddy's fending off the attentions of several chorus-girls at once, so has his own distractions to contend with. But murder's no joke, and he'll do anything he can to catch the killer before the whole production falls apart.

After all, the show must go on.

Other Formats: Paperback

The Stolen Letter: A completely gripping and emotional World War 2 historical novel Sep 24, 2020

by Clara Benson

( 2,995 )

$3.99

‘I knew in the first couple of pages that this story was going to make me cry and I was right... So emotional... I was left speechless. I absolutely loved every minute... One of the best historical fiction books I’ve read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Italy, 1944: Stella stared at the envelope addressed to her, dated from the day of his death. With a trembling hand she opened it, tears rolling down her cheeks. She read the letter that should have made it to her years ago – the letter that had been ruthlessly stolen from her. It held his last words, and it changed everything.

1938: When Stella arrives in Italy, it’s love at first sight. She is wowed by the rolling hills dotted with olive trees, the buttermilk villas with shuttered windows and terracotta roofs that glow gloriously in the sunlight. Even the breeze holds the scent of freedom – freedom from England, where the shadow of her past haunted her.

Then there is Ted, an American journalist who is wild and mischievous, with an arrogance bordering on rude. Stella is infuriated by him – yet she cannot deny the lure of the danger and excitement he promises.

But there is something dark under the bright surface of this beautiful country, with unspeakable tragedies just around the corner. When the Nazis take control of Italy, Stella and Ted – and whatever dreams the future held for them – are ripped apart. Ted is torn away, to report from the perilous frontline. Meanwhile, Stella is paralysed with fear as screeching bombs descend, destroying everything in their wake. There is nothing left to do but sit in darkness, praying to see tomorrow.

And it seems that even in Italy, Stella’s past has found her. Somewhere in the winding streets of Florence there is a letter that will change the course of her fate. Unknown to her, it holds a secret with the power to rewrite her past, and everything she has been running away from. But will it come too late? And with the odds stacked against her, will she ever see Ted again?

This totally gripping and heartbreaking tale is about the impossible tragedies of war and the miraculous possibilities of love. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, Rhys Bowen’s The Tuscan Child, and The Letter by Kathryn Hughes will be utterly captivated by this spectacular historical page-turner.

**Readers absolutely love The Stolen Letter:**

‘Oh my word I honestly cannot express how much I loved this book. A historical-fiction book that was just simply brilliant. The story and the characters were fantastic and I read this book in one day it was that good. I will be recommending this book to everyone who loves reading, it is a must-read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Breathtaking and heartbreakingly beautiful… Be prepared to go on a very emotional journey where your heart will be ripped out and patched up over and over again. The characters are captivating and relatable. The twists and turns throughout the story are truly unforgettable. Clara Benson is an author that I would love to read over and over again.

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A Case of Robbery on the Riviera (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 6) Dec 7, 2020

by Clara Benson

( 468 )

$3.99

‘Oh, something is bound to go wrong, but one might as well start out from a position of optimism, don’t you think?’ said Angela.

It's fair to say that Freddy Pilkington-Soames is not having a good day. His grandmother is threatening to marry a lounge lizard, his old friend has lost her lover, a racehorse has been kidnapped, a priceless diamond has gone missing, and everybody seems to think he should sort it all out.

(Oh, and there's a dead body on the terrace.)

Now Freddy's on the sunny French Riviera, caught in the crossfire of a feud between an audacious thief he's locked horns with before and a murderous gang who will stop at nothing to get what they want. He'd keep his head down if he could, but there are questions that need answering. Who took the diamond? Who is double-crossing whom? And is his grandmother's intended quite all he seems?

(And where did that dead body go?)

A political scandal at the highest level is looming and the future of an international conference hangs in the balance, and once again it's up to Freddy to save the day—in more ways than one.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

A Case of Blackmail in Belgravia (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 1) Sep 4, 2016

by Clara Benson

( 1,184 )

$0.00

It's 1929, and Ticky Maltravers is the toast of London high society, adored by everyone—or so it seems, until somebody poisons him over dinner. Now it turns out that numerous people with secrets to hide had every reason to wish him dead. But which of them murdered him? For Freddy Pilkington-Soames, newspaper reporter and man-about-town, the question hits a little too close to home, thanks to an unfortunate drunken encounter with Ticky's corpse which he'd much rather the police didn't find out about—and thanks also to his exasperating mother Cynthia's seeming determination to get herself arrested by tampering with the evidence. But a pretty girl with big blue eyes is demanding his help in solving the mystery, so what can he do but agree? Now all he has to do is hide the wrong clues, find the right ones, and unmask the murderer before the police discover what's really been going on. That ought to be easy enough. If only people didn't keep getting killed...

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A Case of Murder in Mayfair (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 2) Dec 8, 2016

by Clara Benson

( 227 )

$3.99

When Hollywood star Dorothy Dacres plummets six floors from her hotel terrace on the night of her greatest triumph, it initially looks like a tragic accident. But her death is so very convenient to her many enemies that press-man Freddy Pilkington-Soames, who was there on the night she died, begins to suspect foul play. And when cocaine is found in her room, it only complicates matters further. Soon Freddy is chasing across London on the trail of drug dealers, in reluctant company with his deadly rival Corky Beckwith, the most unscrupulous reporter in Fleet Street, who will do anything for a story. With the future of a film studio at stake, can Freddy find the culprit—and get one up on Corky—before he becomes the killer's next victim?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

In Darkness, Look for Stars: An absolutely gripping, heartbreaking and epic World War 2 historical novel Apr 17, 2020

by Clara Benson

( 1,624 )

$3.99

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Utterly captivating.’ Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I was completely hooked.’ Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘One of the best books I have read.’ Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Fantastic… My heart was in my mouth.’ Shaz’s Book Blog

Paris, 1941: Going against her mother’s orders, spirited Maggie devotes herself to the Resistance. Her life is a whirlwind of forged passports and secret midnight runs, helping Jews escape Paris, which grows more dangerous by the day. Under the cloak of darkness, she bids farewell to fellow fighter Emil, who flees the city with the Nazis hot on his heels.

Emil is bound for Maggie’s sister, Cecilia, hundreds of miles away in the south of France. Innocent and shy Cecilia is shocked to the core when Emil turns up, seeking refuge. Up until now, she has lived a sheltered existence: wild and dangerous Emil turns her world upside down. She risks everything to protect him and soon puts her life on the line to aid the secret work of the Resistance.

As each day passes and the war rages on, Cecilia cannot help being drawn to Emil. But as the Nazis close in on them, she faces a terrible choice. Exactly how far is she willing to go for love? And will she be able to live with herself, whatever choice she makes?

An evocative, riveting and stirring tale about the tragic realities of war, the fine line between loyalty and lies, and the power of love, even in the darkest of times. Fans of The Nightingale, The Letter and All The Light We Cannot See will be spellbound by this magnificent historical novel.

**Readers absolutely love In Darkness, Look for Stars:**

‘Amazing… One of my favourite stories... A brilliant story that is full of twists and turns… I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time… A must-read.’ Chells and Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my word, this was definitely an emotive and additive read, and then some… I felt myself well up… I fully immersed myself in the story and I knew that nothing much would be done for the rest of the day as I would be too busy reading!... I was too hooked… Superbly written… I became so emotionally involved with certain characters that every time they felt pain, I felt pain… The author uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I actually felt as though I was part of the story myself.’ Ginger Book Geek, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… I truly loved this book… Clara Benson does a masterful job of bringing her characters to life… Fans of All the Light We Cannot See will thoroughly enjoy this book.’ Historically Yours, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Stirring, captivating and electrifying… So poignant it could sever readers’ he

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A Case of Conspiracy in Clerkenwell (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 3) May 3, 2017

by Clara Benson

( 156 )

$3.99

The ladies of Clerkenwell Central Hall are none too pleased at having their Temperance meetings disrupted by the rowdy Communists next door, but for Miss Olive Stapleton in particular, the uneasy coexistence proves fatal when she is found stabbed through the heart with a paper-knife. Enter Freddy Pilkington-Soames, who’s been recruited by British Intelligence to investigate a suspected Communist plot to stir up a general strike. Freddy thinks there’s more to Miss Stapleton’s death than meets the eye, but as he delves more deeply into the mystery it only becomes more puzzling. What is the connection between the murder and the coded newspaper advertisements? Is a Welsh firebrand politician really as harmless as he seems? And what does the beautiful wife of an Austrian revolutionary philosopher want from him? It all points to one thing: danger ahead. But time is running out, and Freddy must act fast to stop the conspirators, or risk becoming the unwitting pawn in a deadly game that threatens to bring the country to its knees.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

A Case of Suicide in St. James's (A Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventure Book 5) Jul 9, 2019

by Clara Benson

( 220 )

$3.99

When Douglas Westray, the son of an eminent aircraft manufacturer, is found shot dead in a locked room at a society ball, it seems obvious that it’s suicide—after all, he had two failed engagements behind him, and had lost the family firm a prestigious prize through his own neglect. But not everybody is convinced—including Freddy Pilkington-Soames, who soon discovers that there are still questions to be answered. Why was Douglas wearing the wrong shoes when he was found? What is the connection with a near-disaster at an air show? And was Freddy’s narrow escape from death under the wheels of a car an accident or something more sinister? Assisted by his old friend, the wayward and irrepressible Lady Gertie McAloon, and pestered at every turn by rival reporter Corky Beckwith, Freddy finds himself drawn into a world of sabotage, blackmail and shady deals which threaten to scupper the success of a new fighter plane before it even gets off the ground. But there’s more at stake than just money, and now it’s up to Freddy to untangle the clues and unravel the dark secret of a murderer who has already killed at least once and will think nothing of killing again.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

The Murder at Sissingham Hall (An Angela Marchmont Mystery Book 1) Mar 16, 2013

by Clara Benson

( 3,646 )

$0.00

On his return from South Africa, Charles Knox is invited to spend the weekend at the country home of Sir Neville Strickland, whose beautiful wife Rosamund was once Knox's fiancée. But in the dead of night Sir Neville is murdered. Who did it? As suspicion falls on each of the house guests in turn, Knox finds himself faced with deception and betrayal on all sides, and only the enigmatic Angela Marchmont seems to offer a solution to the mystery. This 1920s whodunit will delight all fans of traditional country house murder stories.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

The Problem at Two Tithes (An Angela Marchmont Mystery Book 7) Dec 9, 2014

by Clara Benson

( 348 )

$4.99

On a reluctant visit to her painfully respectable brother and his wife, Angela Marchmont finds herself once again caught up in murder when a local farmer is shot dead, apparently at the hands of his sworn enemy. But the case is not as simple as it seems, for other motives and suspects soon come to light. With reporters hot on the scent and her friend Inspector Jameson battling a conflict of interest, Angela must use all her ingenuity to unravel the case and bring the murderer to justice—or more than one person will suffer the consequences.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

The Trouble at Wakeley Court (An Angela Marchmont Mystery Book 8) Mar 30, 2015

by Clara Benson

( 282 )

$4.99

When the Grand Duke of Morania learns of a plot to assassinate him, he sends his daughter Princess Irina to school in England, out of harm’s way. British Intelligence scent trouble and ask Angela Marchmont to investigate. But dark forces are at work, and when the Princess disappears in mysterious circumstances Angela must race against time to find her, before the throne falls and Morania is plunged into revolution—or war.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

The Mystery at Underwood House (An Angela Marchmont Mystery Book 2) Sep 2, 2013

by Clara Benson

( 630 )

$3.99

Old Philip Haynes was never happier than when his family were at each other's throats. Even after his death the terms of his will ensured they would keep on feuding. But now three people are dead and the accusations are flying. Can there really be a murderer in the family? Torn between friendship and duty, Angela Marchmont must find out the truth before the killer can strike again.The Mystery at Underwood House is the latest exciting 1920s whodunit featuring reluctant ‘lady detective’ Angela Marchmont.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Paperback

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**Readers absolutely love The Stolen Letter:**

**Readers absolutely love In Darkness, Look for Stars:**

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