Bonjour, Miss Seeton

Miss Seeton #21

by Hamilton Crane (Pseudonym)

Retired art teacher Miss Emily D. Seeton steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles. Armed with only her sketch pad and umbrella, she is every inch an eccentric English spinster—and at every turn an unlikely master of detection.

A trip abroad—and a murder at home…

While exploring a re-creation of Monet’s celebrated garden in the French countryside, Miss Seeton is befriended by the Comte de Balivernes, a stately French aristocrat. He is quite taken with the retired art teacher and soon makes his own visit to Plummergen. But after he arrives, a woman is found murdered. Then a Nazi bomb from World War II is uncovered in a local dig—dangerously close to the site of an upcoming charity bulldozer race. Miss Seeton’s trusty sketch pad yields the final clues to a shocking revelation—and an explosive conclusion…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Detective, Humor

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Hamilton Crane is the pseudonym adopted by Sarah J. Mason when she was invited to continue the Miss Seeton series originally created by Heron Carvic, who died in 1980. “Hamilton” after her hall of residence at St Andrews University (the big red building behind the 18th green on the Old Course) and “Crane” to continue the bird theme – a crane has a similar form to a heron.

Series:
* Miss Seeton

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of mystery and detective type of novels should definitely read this book as well as the other books in the Miss Seeton series. This book was first published on 1997 and the current book cover was published as a kindle version just recently. If you are a fan of Sarah J. Mason's works, then I recommend that you should purchase the latest edition of this to add to your collection.

[Andrea]

This is the conclusion of the Seeton series (although there is a flashback to WW2 novel to go).

Since the series maintains internal continuity (referencing previous events in current books), the events re Nigel feel out of place and a little crass given who was murdered in the last book. Plotwise, the victim of this book was also murdered for much the same reason as the victim in the last.

I was mildly amused by developments in Miss Seeton's life, though not surprised by a maintenance of overall status quo. By contrast, given the insistence of including them in almost every book, the Nuttell/Blaine contribution fizzles out without any sign of resolution. The series really would have benefited by their absence.

Not a series I'm likely to re-read, but it worked for me as mild entertainment that didn't keep my attention from other projects.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for an advance copy of Bonjour Miss Seeton, the 21st novel in Heron Carvic's eponymous series and the 13th written by Sarah J. Mason using the pseudonym Hamilton Crane.

Plummergen is in the grip of charity fever with everyone doing their bit, except in Lillikot where the Nuts are at odds, exacerbated by a visit from Nora Blaine's cousin. This may change when Eric finds a body on the kitchen floor.

Bonjour Miss Seeton takes the series in a new direction with the author using a flashback technique. The body is discovered and then it flashes back over the events of the past month and finishes with a flourish in current time.

There isn't much in the way of a crime plot in the novel it is all about the characters and their interactions with a heavy emphasis on romance. Obviously Miss Seeton's drawings solve the crime but otherwise don't play a large part.

I liked the change of emphasis as there is none of the too stupid to be funny speculation that the Nuts usually indulge in and instead the novel concentrates on giving the reader a birds eye view of the goings on behind the closed doors of Lillikot (The Nuts' home).

Bonjour Miss Seeton is funnier and brighter than many of the recent offerings but as both are caused by the characters I would suggest that to get the best from the novel the reader should read some of the previous novels first.

I enjoyed Bonjour Miss Seeton and have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Seeton has another adventure. Plummergon is busy working on contests and saving coupons in a contest with Murreystone as which town can earn enough money for wheelchairs for cripple children. The "Nuts" have a guess and are having spats. Miss Seeton accompanied the Mix infants class to France, Neil falls in love again. Of course, there is a murder. Could be Bunny be the victim? I recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Farrago through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Seeton has some wild adventures. While this one wasn't as funny as the others, I did enjoy reading it.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Bonjour, Miss Seeton - Miss Seeton Book 21
Author: Hamilton Crane & Heron Carvic
Published: 2-11-2017
Publisher Farrago
Pages: 272
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; Women Sleuths; Crafts & Hobbies; Psychics
ISBN: 9781911440109
ASIN: B01MYGUNHZ
Reviewed For NetGalley and Farrago
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars


Inspired by a wildly successful screening of Henry V, Plummergen village school decides on a trip to ‘the vasty fields of France’. The children are to visit the historic chateau of the Comte de Balivernes, and former art teacher Miss Emily Seeton is delighted to be asked to accompany them.


All goes so well that the charming Comte (definitely smitten by Miss S) and his daughter Louise are invited back to Plummergen – where Lord and Lady Colveden’s son Nigel is even more smitten with the lovely Louise.


But while l’amour blossoms, there’s also murder and mayhem to be reckoned with, and the Grand Bulldozer Race between six Kentish teams proves a more explosive finale than anyone anticipates . . .


Serene amidst every kind of skullduggery, this eccentric English spinster steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles, armed with nothing more than her sketchpad and umbrella!


After nineteen books I feel as if Emily Seeton is an old friend. Slightly eccentric and oh so properly English. I enjoy my times with her and her psychic insightfulness. As a chaperone to an excursion to France. Always calm in any situation she begins investigating when murder interrupts the exploring the chateau of the Comte de Balivernes.


Well written with delightful characters. This gently cozy is fun to read and feels like you are going to visit old friends. With Miss Seeton think eccentric, loving aunt and you will know how I feel. Story is not choppy and moves at a steady pace. A great read for lovers of English cozy.


My rating of "Bonjour, Miss Seeton" is 4.5 out of 5 stars.


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[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the 1970s the United States was well caught up in the Cold War. World War II was still around in the movies, Korea already largely forgotten and Vietnam was the hot war of the moment. England (James Bond notwithstanding), France, and most of western Europe were somewhat less of an ICBM target but still vividly bore the scars of the global upheaval of 30 years prior and thus its memories remained much fresher. One is reminded of this in almost every Miss Seeton novel and especially so in this one where the traditional rivalry with France over the centuries is contrasted with the more recent alliance against Germany.

Inspired by watching the Olivier film of Shakespeare's "Henry V" the school and many of the villagers of Plummergen take a field trip over the Channel to visit (briefly) the now-empty fields of Agincourt and a chateau whose gardens are being created after the image of a Monet painting. A number of other threads are entangled in the narrative (yes, of course neighboring Murreystone is part of the puzzle) but although the book STARTS with a murder one must remain patient as the context in which it occurred is carefully drawn.

While, inevitably in a long series (#21!), some of the nuances of character by-play may be missed by a newcomer, the author provides a fully rounded picture of village life with appropriate sketches of the main characters so one can enjoy this novel as a standalone--although I'll bet you end up doing what I did and reading them all in order not only for their delightful whimsy but for their portrait of a time gone by.

Of course, I've had the advantage of snagging the titles from Netgalley as they were reissued, but the whole set is now available (I'm reading the final volume almost as I speak). Love, love, LOVE Miss Seeton!

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been meaning to read this series for many a year & have, thanks to a reading challenge, finally made a start here at #21 (1997). Of course, I now have to go back to the beginning, perhaps to the prequel (1998) by this author & thence to the very first book from 1968.

I did enjoy this tale, although occasionally felt there was rather too much scene-setting, however, once I got into the rhythm of it I appreciated the style more. I now know enough about Miss Emily Seeton, her manner & artistic abilities, & her relationship with law enforcement, to believe that I will appreciate a more thorough grounding in her life & achievements.

This is a cozy mystery set in a small English village with all its related gossip & nosiness, & the lingering effects of two major wars. Enter the cuckoo, the atmosphere changes & things become nasty - fraud, theft, murder -, but there's also the hint of romance in the air. A fun read, all in all.

[Stephanie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun little mystery, #21 in the Miss Seaton series.

If you love cozy mysteries, this book is for you. The endearing, plucky Miss Seeton, a retired art teacher, meets up with royalty in France and a mystery ensues.

What I loved about this book were the likable characters and that it was an easy, fun read from beginning to end. I'd definitely recommend this to cozy mystery readers everywhere.

[Gail Gassen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance for MissEss!

A trip to France, a long lost friendship four d again! Plus a Romance for Miss Sexton that's so sweet. Even perhaps a wedding? With wonderful news of a baby on the way! Sadly the Murder of a villager? Or is it? A wonderful fun & sweet read. Its well worth the read.

[Louise Gerl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun English Mystery Read

Fun characters! Great history lesson on WWII. A few twists and
Enjoyable reading. Some great cultural British games and traditions.

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish. Writing style no good.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Miss Seeton

Though this book wasn’t as good as some others I think he series i enjoyed it. Liked the romance started for Miss Seeton.

[Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Plummergen! Charity bulldozer races, unexploded ordnance, wit as dry as pink gin, and murder. What could be cozier? Miss Seeton, armed only with her sketchpad and brolly, manages to inadvertently - and very politely - solve the mystery.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series, which is a little off-beat to begin with. Miss Seeton is not so much the detective as the catalyst or focal point around which the mysteries occur and are resolved while she remains oblivious. I realized shortly after picking it up that I had read this installment before, but all I could remember was the part about the Monet-inspired garden and nothing about the mystery. There is less focus on the mystery in this book than in most of them -- actually, it is not clear what the crime involved is until the end of the book. I was startled to realize in reading this book that the whole series takes place in Kent -- I can't believe I missed it before, considering that my grandmother was born in Kent. But it immediately helped the landscape make more sense to me, especially The Street in Plummergen, because of the trip I made to Kent in 2015.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plummergen, that "peaceful" village in Kent where Miss Seeton resides, is currently the center of three exciting activities. One, a local charity group is sponsoring a drive to buy wheelchairs for children, Two, The construction of the channel tunnel is inspiring a visit to France, and Three, Mrs. Blaine and Miss Nuttel (the Nuts) have a visitor. Guess which topic is generating the most discussion?

All seems quiet on the Miss Seeton front, at least, and the book is deceptively crime-free for the first half or more. But murder eventually strikes, and all that peace and quiet is bound to come to a spectacular end. It's enough to put Anglo-French relations back 20 years!

I really enjoy this series. I love Miss Seeton and her crazy neighbors crack me up. Really funny.

[Diana Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up by mistake as I was looking for the first book in the series and did not realize that this was first written by the second author of the series. It would have been better to start with the original author because I found some of the references confusing to Miss Seeton's skills and her relationship with the detectives. I also was not enchanted by the three village ladies who were the focus of the story but some of the other characters were very entertaining

[Sharon Stine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy series...probably not worth 3 stars but it's fun to read