Frances Brody comes from a great family of story tellers, though she's the first in the family to write professionally. "On the screen of my imagination," she says, "I can conjure aunts and uncles from years gone by, and the word pictures they painted of people from earlier generations."
She has been elected a member of the Detection Club.
Frances is honoured to have her name included on artist Pippa Hale's Ribbons sculpture (details and location), created to celebrate women's achievements in the City of Leeds. The sculpture is situated close by the entrance to Leeds Playhouse.
Frances's latest book, published on 9th May 2024, is Six Motives for Murder, the second in her Brackerley Prison series, the story of a prison, the prisoners, and their jailers. It is 1969, and Nell Lewis is four months into her new role as governor of HMP Brackerley, in Yorkshire...
... when the prison takes on a catering contract for Brackerley village's wedding of the year. Almost all the female inmates are delighted to be involved in the celebrations, though Linda is desperate to avoid the event in case she is spotted, photographed, and once more appears on the front pages of the gutter press.
During the wedding reception, one of the inmates discovers the father of the bride, Mr Chapin, stabbed to death behind the marquee.
The murder shocks the close-knit village and police enlist Nell's help to solve the mystery.
Read more about Six Motives for Murder.
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She is also the author of thirteen Kate Shackleton mysteries. Kate's thirteenth adventure, A Mansion for Murder, is now also available in the US (cover pictured right). Intrigued by a mysterious letter from a stranger offering important information, Private Investigator Kate Shackleton arrives in the mill village of Saltaire. At nearby Milner Field mansion, overshadowed by its reputation for misfortune and untimely deaths, she expects to meet the letter writer, Ronnie Creswell.
Kate soon hears the shocking news that Ronnie has been killed. At first his death appears to be a tragic accident at the mill, but soon it becomes clear that Ronnie's demise was no mishap. Kate is enlisted to help investigate the murder ...
Read more about A Mansion for Murder or read all about Kate Shackleton.
"A heroine who would make the ladies of the Golden Age proud."
Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness mysteries.
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"Brody's writing is like her central character Kate Shackleton: witty, acerbic and very, very perceptive."
Ann Cleeves, award-winning author of the Shetland and Vera Stanhope mysteries.
"Absolutely captivating! With charm, skill, and spot-on insight, the talented Frances Brody expertly transports us to Yorkshire, 1928 - and we are thrilled to be there. You'll adore the wonderfully atmospheric dialogue and put Brody on your bookshelves with Bowen and Winspear.."
Hank Phillippi Ryan, national bestselling author of Trust Me.
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Before creating the Kate Shackleton mystery series, Frances wrote many stories and plays for BBC radio, scripts for television and four novels (as Frances McNeil). Now Sisters on Bread Street, Sixpence in Her Shoe and Halfpenny Dreams, originally published as Frances McNeil novels, are beginning a new life as Frances Brody books. Sisters on Bread Street was published in January 2016, followed in April by Sixpence in Her Shoe, with Halfpenny Dreams completing the set in July.
Visit the 'Sagas' page to learn more.
Frances's stage plays have been toured by several theatre companies and produced at Manchester Library Theatre, the Gate and Nottingham Playhouse, and Jehad was nominated for a Time Out Award. She lives in Leeds where she was born and grew up, and then travelled, including a spell in the USA. Time spent in Bradford, heart of the woollen industry, gave her a valuable insight into the background for Dying in the Wool, the first Kate Shackleton mystery.
Read an interview with Frances on the 'Writers Who Kill' website.
And make sure you visit Frances's blog for the latest from her in her own words!
Hear Frances talking about her life in libraries to the Leeds Library's Molly Magrath for their podcast, Tales from the Leeds Library (click the link for the podcast home page, or click the image to go direct to Frances's talk).
Header photograph, Ingenues arrive, Central Station, Sydney, 1928-1929, by Sam Hood from the collection of the State Library of New South Wales.
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Last update: 2nd November 2024.
