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331st out of 490 books
—
183 voters
Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own (Mrs Jeffries #30)
She keeps house for Inspector Witherspoon...and keeps him on his toes. Everyone’s awed by his Scotland Yard successes—but they don’t know about his secret weapon. No matter how messy the murder or how dirty the deed, Mrs. Jeffries’ polished detection skills are up to the task...proving that behind every great man there’s a woman—and that a crimesolver’s work is never done....more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by Berkley
(first published January 1st 2012)
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While Inspector Gerald Witherspoon usually handles murder cases, when Ronald Dearman is murdered the case goes to Inspector Nigel Evans instead. Witherspoon's household staff (who help him on murder cases even if he doesn't know it) think this will be one case they won't be investigating. However, it turns out that Mrs. Jeffries is related through marriage to one of the suspects who begs her for help. This will be one of their toughest cases yet - not only will they not have much information fro...more
This is another excellent book in Emily Brightwell's Victorian Mystery series. An unlikeable manager of a manufacturing company is murdered in his own office. This time, one of the prime suspects is someone from housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries' past and the investigator assigned to the murder is the infamous Inspector Nivens instead of Mrs. Jeffries' employer Inspector Witherspoon. However, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household still become involve in finding out who the real murderer is, while...more
"Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own" is a historical mystery set in England in the late 1800's, though we don't know the exact year. The period details tended to be a bit vague, though there was enough setting and period detail to give the story a historical feel. The characters were engaging and realistic, though not highly complex.
This book was the thirtieth book (I think!) in the series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. And this book didn't spoil the mysteries...more
This book was the thirtieth book (I think!) in the series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. And this book didn't spoil the mysteries...more
I love the Mrs. Jeffries series. I realize that some of the dialogue may not be as true to the era as it could be, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this wonderful cozy series. This is one of the best books in this series because we have Mrs. Jeffries actually trying to protect a family member. Her sister-in-law, who she has lost contact with for many years, comes to her to ask for her help because the sister-in-law thinks she will be charged with the murder of her brother-in-law....more
This novel has an unique twist in that Mrs. Jeffries and crew set upon solving a murder involving a family member, Fiona Jeffries Sutcliff. The case isn't even Inspector Witherspoon's but arch rival, Inspector Nivens.
Fiona Sutcliff is the sister of Mrs. Jeffries beloved deceased husband, David. They were not close as Fiona had married 'up' as they say and chose not to remain close to her brother. This caused David great pain and Mrs. Jeffries isn't all that eager to offer aid now.
However, justic...more
Fiona Sutcliff is the sister of Mrs. Jeffries beloved deceased husband, David. They were not close as Fiona had married 'up' as they say and chose not to remain close to her brother. This caused David great pain and Mrs. Jeffries isn't all that eager to offer aid now.
However, justic...more
I always enjoy reading Emily Brightwell for the light way in which she writes - however, her formula is getting a little stale. I was able to solve this mystery before Mrs. Jeffries - again - and that is not good for my continued reading. I actually thought for a while that she was going to break from formula during this book, which I think would have been a better call. Had she done that, this book would have rated either a 4 or maybe even a 5 star rating. But as it was, she stuck to formula an...more
Although this is #30 in the series, this is the first Mrs. Jeffries mystery that I have read. It was a fun read. Mrs. Jeffries, housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon, heads a group of amateur investigators, that includes other servants as well as a few wealthy women. They do their investigating behind-the-scenes, and the Inspector is unaware of their activities. He and Mrs. Jeffries have a habit of sharing a nightly sherry, while he tells her about his cases, and she subtly steers him towards th...more
Inspector Witherspoon is busy with another case, so the obnoxious Inspector Nivens is in charge of the murder of Ronald Dearman. But Mrs. Jeffries and her friends are asked to take the case by an unexpected visitor from Mrs. Jeffries' past, one she had hoped would stay in her past. Still, a crime is a crime, so everyone starts to look into Dearman's life and background. The surprise ending wasn't too startling, but the people in the series are generally pleasant.
An unpleasant general manager is murdered and an Inspector is called in to investigate. A house keeper (who has very good detective skills) helps with the investigation.
The story is reasonable with an unusual set-up, the real detective is the house keeper helped by all the other home help. The constant switches between the detective and the servants are slightly annoying.
If you like cosy murder mysteries then this is one to read.
The story is reasonable with an unusual set-up, the real detective is the house keeper helped by all the other home help. The constant switches between the detective and the servants are slightly annoying.
If you like cosy murder mysteries then this is one to read.
My first read in this series. Probably won't be reading any more. I'm not fond of Victoriana in any case, and I thought the premise of the series only mildly interesting. The dialogue anachronisms annoyed me. And very early on, Mrs. Jeffries said "'Fifty-two isn't old,' she said archly." I ask you, would a woman in her position say anything "archly," especially when talking to another woman? I think not.
4.5 Stars.
I've been a bit torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars. I absolutely loved the first half of this book. I still enjoyed the rest too, but the author chose to make a shift part way through the book that lessened my enjoyment somewhat. I think I would have enjoyed the book more had she continued as she started.
Still this is another excellent book by one of my favorite authors. It's also a bit different from the rest of the series, which made it more enjoyable!
I've been a bit torn between giving this 4 or 5 stars. I absolutely loved the first half of this book. I still enjoyed the rest too, but the author chose to make a shift part way through the book that lessened my enjoyment somewhat. I think I would have enjoyed the book more had she continued as she started.
Still this is another excellent book by one of my favorite authors. It's also a bit different from the rest of the series, which made it more enjoyable!
The Mrs. Jeffries series is one that I can rely on to take me away for a few hours. Fortunately, the latest, Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own came out right before my trip. It was perfect for reading on the plane. Once again, Mrs. Jeffries and crew find themselves trying to help the Inspector. The ending was a bit obvious to me, but I still enjoyed getting there.
I think I've read all 30 of these Mrs. Jeffries books and I suppose they have some similarity as time goes on, but they are fun reads and I like the characters, so I'll probably keep reading as long as she keeps writing.
Another winner for Emily Brightwell. I love her books and never tire of them. This one I could almost work out before the end, which is the first time this has happened.
As I said... I've never been disappointed in Brightwell's creation of the Mrs. Jeffries series and this one was just a good. Unfortunately I have to wait a year for her next one. These books are great for exercising the 'little gray cells'. This is an all too quick read but very enjoyable.
The Mrs Jeffries series, is fun to read. Easy, but at the same time very good mysteries. Will Mrs. Jeffries now for certain who the murderer is, or will she have to act on a hunch ande hope everything will work out alright?
Another good book in the series. This was a little different than usual, because Inspector Nivens was given the case and not Ins. Witherspoon.
Just a quick, fun read of a Victorian Mystery recently given to me by a friend. Nice to mix in with the other things I've been reading.
We learn a little about Mrs. Jeffries' past in this book. This mystery seemed a little more difficult since it was originally Inspector Nivens' case.
A fun, quick read. I read it on a rainy vacation day. It was delightful story; a murder solved by listening to gossip.
A bit predictable but enjoyable. My first Mrs. Jeffries, I will probably try a few earlier ones.
Jun 24, 2012
Donna Durham
added it
Good, I've read almost all the books, but they get a little boring because they are so predictable.
A guilty pleasure...
Cozy mystery series that teaches me very little but allows me to relax... and that is important, too.
Cozy mystery series that teaches me very little but allows me to relax... and that is important, too.
In this 30th (!) Mrs. Jeffries mystery, Mrs. Jeffries is asked to help clear the name of her sister-in-law who is suspected of a murder - a sister-in-law to whom we have not been introduced before. But, Inspector Witherspoon, whom Mrs. Jeffries works for, is not assigned to the case, instead, their household's nemesis, Inspector Niven, is given the case. But, of course, everything turns out alright. Even though these mysteries are not written in a style that would win them the Pulitzer Prize, I...more
I've enjoyed all of the Mrs. Jeffries series.
Quick and fun mystery.
A nice light read.
A
Another fun read. I actually think this was one of the best of the series since it created a new dynamic by bringing in Mrs. Jefferies' past as well as by removing Betsy and Smithe.
Naff stuff, good for the beach.
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Aka Cheryl Lanham, Sarah Temple
Emily Brightwell is the pen name of Cheryl Arguile. She is the author of all twenty-three published titles in her Victorian murder mystery series, The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries.
Emily Brightwell lives in Southern California. She has also written romance novels as Sarah Temple and Young Adult novels as Cheryl Lanham.
More about Emily Brightwell...
Emily Brightwell is the pen name of Cheryl Arguile. She is the author of all twenty-three published titles in her Victorian murder mystery series, The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries.
Emily Brightwell lives in Southern California. She has also written romance novels as Sarah Temple and Young Adult novels as Cheryl Lanham.
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