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

A pawn-shop robbery

It's no rest for the wicked as Kate Shackleton picks up her second professional sleuthing case. But exposing the culprit of a pawn-shop robbery turns sinister when her investigation takes her to Harrogate - and murder is only one step behind.

A fatal stabbing

A night at the theatre should have been just what the doctor ordered, until Kate stumbles across a body in the doorway. The knife sticking out of its chest definitely suggests a killer in the theatre's midst.

A ransom demand

Kate likes nothing better than solving mysteries. So when a ransom note demands GBP1,000 for the safe return of the play's leading lady, the refined streets of Harrogate play host to Kate's skills in piecing together clues - and luring criminals out of their lairs . . .

***A Medal For Murder is the second Kate Shackleton novel, revamped with a brand-new look. More reissues in the series coming soon.***

What readers are saying:

'I enjoyed book two as much as book one and now reading book three. That says it all' *****

'Highly enjoyable and ideal for cosy mystery readers' *****

'Best book in the Kate Shackleton series so far' *****

'An excellent story well paced that keeps the reader turning pages. One of those unable-to-put down books. Highly recommended' *****

'I could lose myself in the whole set if time allowed' *****

Praise for the Kate Shackleton Series:

'The series is right up there with Miss Marple' Sunday Sport

'Delightful' People's Friend

'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

'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

'Delightful . . . the series is right up there with Miss Marple and the like. On top of that, the covers are fantastic, too' Weekend Sport

* www.piatkus.co.uk

About the Author

Frances Brody is the author of twelve Kate Shackleton mysteries and three historical novels. Frances began her writing career in radio and has also written for theatre and television. Her novel Sisters on Bread Street won the HarperCollins Elizabeth Elgin Award. A Woman Unknown was shortlisted for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Her stage plays have been toured by several theatre companies and produced at Manchester Library Theatre, the Gate and Nottingham Playhouse. Jehad was nominated for a Time Out Award.

Frances lived in New York for a time before studying at Ruskin College, Oxford, and reading English Literature and History at York University.

Visit Frances Brody online at www.francesbrody.com

Book Information
ISBN 9780749941925
Author Frances Brody
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Piatkus Books
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 340g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 126mm * 30mm