Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel

Mrs. Jeffries #38

by Emily Brightwell

When a wealthy widow is murdered, Mrs. Jeffries investigates what happens when money can't buy your life in this all-new installment in the beloved Victorian Mystery series.

Margaret Starling wasn't the sort of woman anyone expected to be murdered. She was on the advisory board of the London Angel Alms Society, she was an active member of St. Peter's Church, and, best of all, she was always willing to lend a hand to a friend or a neighbor in need of advice. She was also a wealthy upper-class widow. But money alone won't protect you when someone decides it's high time you met your maker.

Margaret's next-door neighbor considered her an odious busybody, the Reverend Reginald Pontefract wished she'd never set foot in St. Peter's, and half the advisory board of the London Angel Alms Society heartily hoped she'd come down with pneumonia before the next quarterly meeting.

All in all, Margaret wasn't as well regarded as she'd always thought she was. But Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon know that justice isn't a popularity contest, and they won't rest until they sift through the suspects to catch a sinister scrooge.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, Christmas

287 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Cheryl Lanham was born on 11 October 1948 in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, USA. Her family moved to Southern California in 1959 and she grew up in Pasadena. After graduating from California State University, she decided to work her way around the world and took off for England. She didn’t get much further because she met Richard James Arguile, the Englishman who became her husband, got married on May 1976, and had two children, Matthew and Amanda. While working in international shipping, she decided to pursue her dream and become a writer – which, of course, is the best job ever. She has written romance novels as Sarah Temple, and Young Adult novels as Cheryl Lanham. As Emily Brightwell, she is the author of the “Mrs. Jeffries” mysteries.

Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angels by Emily Brightwell is a 2019 Berkley publication.

This is my first book in this long running series. I have often wondered about it, but of course the sheer volume of installments gave me pause. However, it was my understanding that this is one of those series which does not require one to read them in exact order. So, I dived right in to this 38th installment, and found the author provided enough background information for me to get the gist of the premise and fill in any necessary blanks. The only drawback was my unfamiliarity with the large cast of recurring characters. Maybe someday, I’ll get to know them better, though.

As it so happens, a murder during the Christmas holiday season is something of a yearly tradition for Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Winslow. However, it seems as though this year could be an exception- until…

By all accounts Margaret Starling is a pillar of her community. She attends St. Peter’s church and generously serves on the board of the Angel Alms Society. But, as of late, she had not at all been herself. For a woman so charitable, she had recently made a few enemies- and now she’s been found bludgeoned to death outside her home.

When Inspector Winslow is called out of his jurisdiction to investigate, the decision steps on a few toes, a situation that could thwart the investigation. But, never fear- Mrs. Jeffries is on the case with her trusty team to make sure the murder is solved before the holidays are over.

I must say, the story is charming, and the mystery is a solid whodunit. Obviously, one should expect a light, simple, clean mystery going in, which I did. Although the setup is dubious to say the least, due to the time frame- which is Victorian London- some of the improbabilities are easier to overlook. In fact, the mystery was more challenging than I anticipated, and I found myself rather enjoying it. While I will probably never attempt to read these in order, or on a regular basis, I may add one in here and there, from time to time, just for fun.

Overall, I’m glad I finally managed to satisfy my curiosity about the series, and found Mrs. Jeffries, Inspector Winslow and the entire cast enchanting!

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to the Mrs. Jeffries series at number 38, and while I know I’ve missed out on the development of the characters over the years, there was enough backstory to fill things in for me well enough that I enjoyed this charming cozy. You can’t help but love Mrs. Jeffries and admire her devotion to her job. I also loved that the book was set during Christmas. It added a festive spirit and the cover fit with that well. Overall, I would definitely recommend this to fans of cozies who love a Victorian setting, especially, and I hope to read more from Mrs. Jeffries in the future.

I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't normally read cozy mysteries but I have a few on my TBR list thanks to Elisha from Berkley Pub, who sends me quite a few. I am now just catching up on a few of them and I am jumping in on book 38 of this series. The mystery here stands on its own and does work as a stand-alone. I think reading more in the series would enhance the connection to the characters.

The mystery starts off with a bang and we get right to the murder mystery and the dynamics between the characters. I enjoyed following the clues and twists to the story here and there are a few suspects here that kept me on my toes. I did struggle a bit keeping everyone straight along with the cast of characters.

Part of the charm here is the household staff who help solve the mystery and I loved the dynamics between them. I have to admit I was a bit annoyed that the members of household staff are called servants. Maybe it's a time and place thing but it made my warm and fuzzy feeling, feel a bit chilly.

Overall this one didn't quite work for me, but it's a good one to add to your list if you enjoy an easy lighter victorian mystery for the upcoming holiday as the mystery here takes place in December.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is the first one I've read in this long series and I wasn't lost at all. It stands alone fine. This book reminded me of a classic detective story. We had clues laid out for the reader and it was a lot of fun figuring out The whodunnit with the characters! I look forward to reading more.

[Melissa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I started reading this series, I have found that what keeps me coming back is the characters. They have all grown and developed over the course of this series and are more enjoyable than ever. There were also many twists in Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel with more suspects than you could shake a stick at. I liked that this story took characters that who, by all appearances, should have been wholesome and showed their dark and sinister underbellies. Also, invading Nigel Nivens’ territory was a lark! I was shocked but thrilled with what took place with his character. There was also the added caveat that this murder took place just before the Christmas festivities were about to begin. Mrs. Jeffries and her staff were on their toes in this installment and despite the challenges they faced they were able to solve this mystery with their typical flair!

This review is based on a complimentary book I received from Berkley Prime Crime. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.

[Josie J]

Dnf.

[Lou Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone needs a cozy with a lot of red herrings, a bit of doubt, multiple motives, and plenty of deserving suspects.
This is book #30 something of 41 mysteries, and it illustrates the skill of a great mystery writer who believes in the more red herrings, the better. It is wonderful to see how the relationships between the multiple sleuths have grown while London seems frozen in time.
Recommended.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspector Witherspoon has an unsurpassed record for solving murders, but neither he nor his superiors realize that that's because his household staff investigate parallel to the regular police investigations, and his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries weighs all the evidence to arrive at the killer. The hard part is often managing to convince the Inspector that he thought of the criminal all by himself. Margaret Starling, a charitable and wealthy woman, seems like an odd victim, but when the Inspector looks into her life, he finds that several people hate her. Which one of them murdered her?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another excellent installment of Mrs. Jeffries and the gang. They have another murder to solve before they can turn their attention to their Christmas celebrations. As always its exciting, with Phyllis almost getting caught "on the hunt" by the Inspector, its a really close call! Then there is the vile Inspector Nevins, sticking his nose in and causing trouble, as usual. This time, though, he has a helper and just may achieve his goals, and we find out that he is also becoming well known through out London society, just not in a good way.
So join the Inspector and his household for another wonderful yuletide murder mystery, and see if the man who has solved more homicides in the history of the Metropolitan Police department (and his household) can find the scrooge who-dunnit in time to save their Christmas.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Christmas and another murder for Inspector Witherspoon and his household. A few twists, a limited number of suspects and red herrings scattered throughout the story kept me turning the pages. Reading a book about Inspector Witherspoon and his loyal household is like visiting old friends each time I open the book. I did love that Inspector Nivens finally received a much deserved reprimand and reassignment due to his actions during this investigation.

[KayDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are delightful. They’re quick reads and the characters have been developed over the course of the series. In this 38th entry, Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff spring into action to help him find a murderer after a woman is brutally murdered in her own back garden. They soon become enmeshed in a local charity that may have been the cause of the woman’s death.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a good story.

[T.L. Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of the Mrs. Jeffries books. It has gotten to the point where I can tell who done it by chapter 3 or 4.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Starling, a wealthy widow and advisory board member for the Angel Alms Society has been murdered and Inspector Witherspoon is on the case. Unfortunately for Inspector Witherspoon the murder occurred in the vicinity of the Richmond Road station and the territory of Inspector Nivens. Everyone knows Nivens is eager to solve a homicide but his arrogance and laziness has not made him very good at his job. Inspector Nivens KNOWS Inspector Witherspoon has help solving his cases, if only he can prove it! Inspector Witherspoon's servants must be on their toes if they want to avoid getting caught. They're eager to solve the murder by Christmas because this year Amanda is old enough to enjoy the festivities and they all want to spoil her. This case isn't easy. Margaret Starling wasn't the easiest person to get along with. She was feuding with her neighbor, agitating for women's rights, threatening the vicar of St. Andrews and demanding to know more about the inner workings of the Angel Alms Society than an advisory board member (woman) ought to know about!

As is normal with this series, the story opens with the murder. I really don't like that because it makes it easier to guess who the murderer is. It was also rather gruesome and I didn't care for that either. I kept waiting for the investigators to figure out something that would have told them who the killer was right away but they didn't figure it out until late in the story. By then I already knew whodunit. I knew pretty much right away but I wasn't 100% positive. I had a short list of three suspects but figured two were too obvious, then I had another suspect but was still reasonably certain my initial guess was correct. The other thing that I don't like about this series is how repetitive it is. One of the staff would learn something, repeat it to Mrs. Jeffries or it was something Inspector Witherspoon already knew and repeated again. That's a little too much and makes the book too long. I did a lot of skimming. On the plus side, if you're new to the series, the narrator also recaps the histories of the characters and how they got to be where they are.

The historical details in the story have gotten better. I think it's the late 1890s and the reference to the Conan Doyle story puts us in 1898. The series started about ten years earlier yet no one has aged more than a few years! Be prepared to suspend disbelief if you're going to read all 38 books.

The character development is good too. Inspector Witherspoon is no longer the naïve, innocent policeman he once was. I really enjoyed seeing him stand up for himself and loved how he dealt with Nivens. He's still Christian and quick to turn the other cheek but when Nivens the nasty deliberately thwarts a homicide investigation, then Witherspoon takes notice. Nivens is rather cardboard, a moustache twirling sort of villain. The way he deals with his subordinates is not polite and doesn't endear any of them to him. Phyllis has also come a long way since she first arrived on the scene. She's a regular female Wiggins now! I like how secure she's become and how she throws herself into the investigation but not how she lies and manipulates the clerk to find out information. Wiggins does that a lot too but I think the women he flirts with know they'll probably never see him again and know to be wary around strange men. Men don't think to be on their guard against women ever. Amanda is about 2ish now and spoiled by all her doting godparents and surrogate uncles and aunts! I found her a little bratty and annoying. How long before she starts investigating too? LOL!

There wasn't enough of the camaraderie of the servants. What happened to Wiggins and Phyllis's growing romance? Luty and Hatchett don't appear right away and Luty shows up without her butler at first. I miss the humor they bring to the series. There was too much repetitive dialogue and not enough of the cozy humor.

We are introduced to a ton of new characters in this novel, some may be recurring while others are new. Margaret Starling did not deserve to die. While she could be difficult to get along with, she was highly intelligent and giving. I think she may have been murdered because she was a woman poking her nose into business affairs that "don't concern women." Margaret really wanted women on the board of governors of the Angel Alms Society. Women are typically members of the advisory committee, overseeing the inventory and distribution of food, clothing and fuel for "deserving" members of the parish of St. Andrews. Margaret also championed women's rights. She sounds like someone to admire- if it weren't for the petty lawsuit with her neighbor but she did have every right to be angry with Mrs. Huxton for maligning her character. The beginning of their quarrel was silly and petty though. Mrs. Huxton is too much like Margaret for the two of them to truly be best friends. Sharp tongued, intelligent and petty, the lawsuit was inevitable but would she stoop to murder?

Margaret was very good to her servants and they adored her. Mrs. Wheaton, the housekeeper, wants to see justice done instead of blocking the police. She's fair and open-minded but she didn't even think to check on her employer or check outside the back door to make sure it was securely locked and everything was OK.

Gretchen Terry the upstairs maid is nosy. She felt comfortable enough to talk to her employer and ask if something was wrong. Gretchen noticed things supposedly because she's the upstairs maid but mostly because she's a bit nosy. She knows Mrs. Starling wasn't her usual self in the last few weeks but didn't think to try to find someone Margaret trusted who could help. Martha Horsham, scullery maid, cries a lot. She's eager to share what she knows but upset over finding her employer dead. She feels guilty for not realizing her employer was outside freezing to death but Margaret was already dead to begin with. She's smart enough to know murder when she sees it. Fanny Herald, the tweeny, cries even more. She's not very bright and eager for attention. She knows more than she realizes and I worry she may be next on the killer's list. Mr. Gormley, gardener, doesn't live in but he was in a good position to be the murderer. I don't know what his motive would be though. Annabelle Waverly, a freelance maid, is a sad character. An alcoholic eking out an existence, she knows how to get what she wants but is she trustworthy? She's quick to gossip for a bit of gin and Betsy doesn't feel comfortable enabling an alcoholic but what is she to do? This scene made me uncomfortable as well. It showcases the darker side of Victorian life and I appreciated that.

Graham McConnell, director of the Angel Alms Society comes across as arrogant and set in his ways. He doesn't feel it's Margaret's place (i.e. a woman) to question his actions or statements. He can't possibly think of any reason she would have to doubt him. I think he's a pompous blowhard. Mr. Edgar Redstone was married to Margaret's niece and now she's dead, of course he thinks he's entitled to her money. :eyeroll: He's spoiled, selfish and lazy. Margaret gave him plenty of time to make alternate arrangements and he couldn't be bothered. He also couldn't be bothered to be civil and talk things out with her. Another suspect is Reverend Pontrefact of St. Andrew's church. Oh my! This guy sounds like a weasel and too wimpy to be a murderer but Margaret is threatening him. If she is successful in her threat to tell the Bishop what she thinks she knows, he's out of a job. Then what? I don't have any sympathy for him at all if what Ruth finds out is true. He isn't a very moral sort of reverend. Lancaster, the verger, doesn't like Reverend Pontrefact very much. Lancaster is sneaky, lazy and out for himself. I could see him killing Margaret if she was going to tattle on him too or to frame the Reverend. The Inspector doesn't think it was Lancaster but that man seems shifty to me.

Merton Nesbitt is another grouchy, lazy man. He was married to Margaret's goddaughter who divorced him. Good for her! He's impoverished for a gentleman and living in reduced circumstances since his wife took her money. Hooray for a married women's property act! He wants his wife back mainly for her money. What a prize! He doesn't have anything to gain by killing Margaret except revenge, however, he is a member of the Angel Alms Society so there could be a connection there.Sir Gareth Cleary is the president of the board of the Angel Alms Society. Margaret went to him with her concerns. Could he have killed her to cover up some irregularities? I don't want it to be him because he's a dog lover. His snoring bulldog is funny and charming. I can't see someone who cares so much for an elderly, snoring bulldog as a murderer.

Dr. Littleham, the police surgeon for the district, is very aware of the politics in the Richmond Road station. He's no fool and is smart enough to know how to do his job efficiently. I really like him. Constable Forman, in the other hand, is described as bootlicker and a toady. He's eager to please Nivens and advance his career but like Nivens, he does little actual work. He isn't someone I'd want to help me solve a murder. The rank and file at Richmond Road provide some humor and help move the subplot forward. I like them a lot and admire them for standing up for justice. Stuart Deeds, Mr. McConnell's clerk, is a minor toadying sort. He's egotistical and eager to advance in his career. He doesn't question what Mr. McConnell tells him. I don't like Stuart but I feel sorry for how Phyllis used him. She made him look foolish in front of the Inspector and Constable and that's not right.

While I had a few issues with this novel, I still enjoy the series and am already on hold for the latest volume.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe this is book thirty eight. This was one of the best in the series so far. A murder of a wealthy widow just before Christmas,means the household is busy gathering clues and preparing for the holidays. This mystery had me two people could have done it and l normally figure out the bad guy or girl pretty quick in this series. It's a quick read l had the book done in one afternoon.

[C.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Witherspoon, yet another Christmas time murder, AND it's not in his district, but rather the one overseen by nemesis Nivens. Still, our favorite inspector knows his duty and goes to find the killer of Margaret Starling. A rich window who, as of late, had several conflicts with friends and colleagues, the inspector has quite a few suspects. Leave it to Mrs. Jeffries to get the whole thing settled before Christmas Eve. If only all murders were resolved with such haste.

[Duckpondwithoutducks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon mysteries, I have read every single one, and this one is number 38! I love the historical Victorian setting, the camaraderie between the main characters, and also their passion for justice and displaying of compassion for those less fortunate. But I do have some issues with the series. And here they are. Warning: slight series spoilers ahead.

- The “big lie” - The premise of the series is that Witherspoon works for the police in Victorian London, solving murders, but that he doesn’t actually solve them, his servants headed by the housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, actually do all the work of finding tidbits of information that help them to figure out whodunit. And they actively hide their involvement from Inspector Witherspoon. So they are constantly lying to him or keeping the truth from him. Their doing this for such a long time just doesn’t jive with how much they appreciate working for the Inspector. If you really care for someone, you don’t keep on lying to them like that. And the lies keep on growing as other people figure out what the servants are doing and tacitly agree to also hide this work from the Inspector. At this point in the series all his servants are lying to him, his Constable, his main medical examiner, his girlfriend, his friends and business associates of those friends. Where will the web end? But he can never find out now in the series because he would just be too hurt. The lying about the investigating aren’t the only secrets. The characters Betsy and Smythe are also lying about their wealth to their closest friends. All these secrets have just gone on too long for my comfort.

- Inspector Witherspoon is always sharing every single tiny detail of his cases with Mrs. Jeffries. It seems to me that a police inspector probably wouldn’t be sharing all that information while he is still involved in a murder case.

- Constable Barnes knows of the activities of Inspector Witherspoon’s servants, but he is in the police force and understands and accepts the risks therein. It seems to me he wouldn’t want to put civilians in that same danger and wouldn’t be so accepting of the servant’s help.

- Mrs Jeffries often loses sleep because she is having difficulty solving cases, but it isn’t actually her responsibility, she’s not the police inspector in charge of the case.

- Several characters keep on using the slang phrase “blast a Spaniard,” the author should have just one person use this as a catchphrase, to have other characters saying it is a bit too much.

- Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes are always shifting around because they find the chairs they sit on in suspect’s houses uncomfortable. Aren’t they just glad to get off their feet for a while? After all, they don’t have cars and have to walk a lot.

- All the murders seem to occur in the aristocracy. Are there no murders in the middle or lower classes?

- Many many interviewees seem surprised and shocked and insulted at being interviewed. Can’t some of them seem to understand the need to investigate to solve a murder?

- In this particular case, the main characters keep saying they are running out of time and have to solve the case by Christmas, but that’s just an artificial limit that they set themselves. It doesn’t really matter if the case is solved December 24 or December 26, as long as it gets solved.

Anyway, these are just nitpicky details. I always enjoy reading the latest Mrs. Jeffries, and will look out for the next one. Sorry for the rant.

[Smitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars - Top Pick

Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes are called to the murder scene of the wealthy Margaret Starling who is found murdered in her own garden. Mrs. Starling’s home is actually in the district of the inept Inspector Nigel Nivens, but with Witherspoon’s record for solving murders, the higher-ups at Scotland Yard want Witherspoon on the case. Part of Witherspoon’s success is because of the assistance he receives from members of his household and close friends help gather clues on his assigned cases. However, they are all able to do assist with the Inspector’s cases without his knowledge. This time, with Christmas coming up and Nivens seemingly working against them, Mrs. Jeffries is feeling the pressure to solve this case before the holidays and with Withersoon’s reputation in tact.

This is a long-running series and although the characters change and grow as the series progresses, each book can be read as a standalone. It’s easy to become acquainted with the main characters if you’re a new reader. Brightwell is able to come up with new twists to keep each book interesting for those who have followed the entire series. This time, Nivens is up to his old tricks, but with a new accomplice. This subplot adds a bit of drama to the book and things turn out in an unexpected and satisfying way by the end of the book.

The author gives plenty of clues regarding the murder mystery so most readers will have the identified even though there are a few different suspects. Even though the story takes place in Victorian England, the plot regarding a possible embezzler is still relevant today. However, the strong point of this series is the characters, their friendships, and their loyalty to each other and to Witherspoon. After reading one of the books, Brightwell has the reader on board with how Mrs. Jeffries can help the Inspector solve his cases without his knowledge. With the household’s list of witnesses and suspects overlapping with Witherspoon’s, there are a couple of times when a few characters are almost caught on the scene by Witherspoon and some these humorous moments are fun to read. No matter what the case is, I enjoy spending time with these characters.

In this book, all of the household and family members contribute equally to the case being solved. I have been disappointed with how small of a part the former housemaid Betsy has had in the past couple of investigations, but I am pleased that she is back on the case in this installment. I like the camaraderie of the characters and how they stick together when the case becomes difficult. I was excited to see that this book takes place right before Christmas but with the exception of a few comments, there wasn’t anything that gave the readers an in depth look at Victorian holiday traditions. The book is excellent as a whole, but I am disappointed in the lack of details about the household’s preparations for Christmas. However, this is a small complaint about an otherwise delightful installment in the Mrs. Jeffries series that fans of the series will enjoy, as well as fans of Victoria Thompson or Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books.

~ Christine

[Christy]

This series is one of my favorites. I feel like the staff in Inspector Witherspoon's household are family. I didn't start reading the series with book one, so I found out some things about the relationships in the series before they happened. That didn't bother me a bit because they're just so good. I did later go back and start with book one, but I still haven't read them all! So many books so little time. I say all of that to tell you this...even if you haven't read any of the books in the Mrs. Jeffries series, you can read this! Just jump right in and enjoy a great cozy mystery.

However, if you do plan on starting the series at the beginning, you may want to stop reading this review as there will be spoilers from prior books. "Spoilers, Sweetie." (Any Doctor Who fans in the house?)

Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel is another one of those murders that comes just days before Christmas. And, it's a good thing it does! We fans know how bored the staff get when they don't have a murder to help solve. Well, thankfully for them, but sadly for the victim, they get a murder when an advisory board member of the London Angel Alms Society gets her head bashed in. Who would want to hurt Mrs. Starling? She's an upstanding member of society and the church. Her servants love her. Though she's been acting oddly the past several weeks, no one knows why someone needed to silence her.

What I really enjoyed about this particular Mrs. Jeffries book was that Inspector Witherspoon was much more confident in his abilities to solve the crime. I think with each book, though the staff still help out (unbeknownst to him), he becomes more assertive and knowledgeable. Isn't that how we all are? The more we do a thing, the better we become at doing it.

Though the Inspector is kind and forgiving to a fault, he (no spoilers!) MAY have finally had enough with Nivens. We know from prior books that the Inspector always gives Nivens the benefit of the doubt. You need to read this one to see if he still does.

One thing I missed in Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel was the staff's involvement. Yes, they were still involved in the case, but there were fewer scenes for many of them when it came to "interviewing" staff, neighbors, witnesses, etc. I'm not sure if that's due to the length of the book (it's not really any shorter than the others) or the fact that the Inspector is getting better at his job.

I definitely recommend this series to all of you cozy mystery fans. And, like I said, just jump right in with this book if you don't have time to read the 37 (!!) prior books. That the books are set in Victorian London is a plus for me. It's one of my favorite time periods for mystery books! Add this one to your lists for a quick, fun, cozy read.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, the brutal murder of Margaret Starling is puzzling – she seemed well-liked and respected. But as Inspector Gerald Witherspoon and Constable Barnes begin to investigate the murder, they find out that not everyone liked her and she may have been asking questions that made somebody very uncomfortable. With plenty of suspects, Witherspoon has his work cut out for him if he wants to solve this case by Christmas. Lucky for him, he has the help of his faithful household staff and friends – even if he doesn’t know it. But they all need to be careful – Inspector Nigel Nivens is not happy that he was not assigned the case and he will do everything in his power to stop Witherspoon from solving this murder.

“Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel” is the delightfully done thirty-eighth book in Emily Brightwell’s Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries Victorian cozy mystery series. I have read and enjoyed all the books in the series and this is no exception. Brightwell has created a wonderful premise – Witherspoon is a good Inspector and has grown stronger throughout the course of the books but he still needs the help of his staff and friends – remarkably this premise has continued to work throughout the series without getting stale. In fact, Witherspoon has grown so much that he has a wonderful scene in this book with Nivens – I was cheering as I read it! The rest of the characters have also continued to grow – especially Phyllis, a fairly new addition but she has blended in so well it seems like she was always a part of the series. This book has a nice underlying sense of humor – I laughed out loud at a scene involving Phyllis and a window! The mystery itself is well plotted with plenty of suspects – the unique set up allows the reader to solve the mystery alongside Witherspoon and his staff and friends. Finally, Brightwell does an excellent job with the Victorian setting – making readers feel like they are right there alongside the characters (and wouldn’t I love some of Mrs. Goodge’s meals!).

“Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel” is a nicely done cozy mystery.

[The Hobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Starling heard her cat meowing outside. It was already dark, but Gladstone had been missing all day. WhenMargaret ventured outside to find her cat, that was the last thing she did! The next morning, one of her servants found her outside on the ground, bludgeoned in the head and frozen. Inspector Witherspoon was assigned to the case even though it was out of his district. The incompetent Inspector Nivens of that district was not pleased and vowed to do all he could to impede Witherspoon's investigation. Even though Witherspoon did not have the full cooperation of the local police force, he had his household staff, led by housekeeper Mrs Jeffries. As soon as they heard about Margaret Starling's death, they leapt into action, even though it was the week before Christmas. They interviewed servants, shopkeepers, the priest at St Andrews where Margaret was a parishioner, and the staff at the London Angel Alms Society where Starling had volunteered for years. Her staff and most of the shopkeepers adored Mrs Starling, although they were concerned about her recent behavior. She would become angry, or look off into space. Was she becoming senile? The priest of St Andrew's and the head of Angel Alms Society thought Margaret Starling was argumentative, rude, and a nuisance with all her questions. Men ran the Alms Society, served on its Board of Directors; women were volunteers only, sorting the donations that the Society received for the poor. Margaret Starling was out of line, and some in the church and Society hated her. They were not the only ones who swore Starling had ruined them. But had any of them hated Margaret Starling enough to kill her? That was Inspector Witherspoon's task, and his household staff was determined he would arrest the killer by Christmas.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a long time since I read any of the Mrs. Jeffries series...............I have missed it.

When Detective Witherspoon is called out on a murder outside of his own district It becomes harder to do his job because the local head of police resents being replaced. He is not willing to give Witherspoon a hand, in fact he does everything he can to thwart the solving of the murder by anyone but himself. When Witherspoon's staff and friends get involved though they certainly won't let the hateful Niven's create any problems for their beloved employer.

Margaret Starling has been found murdered in her own backyard while her staff was out enjoying a play that she had sent them to. She did this each year and her staff loved her for it and the fact that she seemed to care about them and treated them well at all times. Margaret was the last person one would think would be murdered as she was well liked by everyone or so it was thought. Recently, however, she had been acting very unlike herself and people were getting fed up with her. She must have really upset someone at church or on the Angel Alms Society Committee for her to be murdered. Witherspoon has to speak with a lot of uncooperative people while, unbeknownst to him his household staff and friends seek out all those who might have information which they relay to Mrs. Jeffries who then manaages to relay it to her boss in a roundabout way making him think it all came from him. The murder is solved just in time for Christmas to be celebrated with no blemishes. We would not expect any less of Witherspoon and his secret cohorts!

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple things that have annoyed me in every book in the series:

1. They are written to allow casual readers to read them out of order or as a stand alone book. That means every single book includes the same background information repeated ad nauseam, which is very annoying for those of us who read the entire series in order.

2. Gerald Witherspoon is supposed to be such a kind, caring, considerate man, yet every book repeats the story about his aunt lying on her death bed with her servants stealing from her and no one to help her but an adolescent footman. Where was her nephew and only heir? The background story is that he was living in London and working in the police records room, so he was close by the entire time. Why wasn't he looking after her or at least aware of her circumstances? It sounds like he didn't even bother showing up until she died and he inherited her house and money.

This book is #38 in the series, so I guess I must have enjoyed the books somewhat to get this far, but I have to admit that it's not one of the better series I've read. I only chose to "read" (listen to the audiobooks) because the series is currently available free for Audible Plus customers. I generally listen to audiobooks while I do gardening and household chores and this series is fine for that, but I wouldn't really recommend it.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Margaret Starling is brutally murdered in her own garden, Inspector Witherspoon is called in to investigate, even though the crime occurred on the patch of Inspector Nivens. This is unfortunate because Nivens greatly resents Witherspoon and is determined to do anything he can to thwart the inspector. At the same time, Inspector Witherspoon is anxious to solve the case as quickly as possible because it’s almost Christmas and he does not want another holiday ruined by murder….What is surprising about this, the 38th entry in the long-running Victorian cozy series, is just how far the villain Nivens is willing to go to somehow prove that Inspector Witherspoon is not the brilliant detective that he seems but instead has abundant, if clandestine, help in his investigations. This is, of course, completely true, so Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff must be even more circumspect than usual in their work, a situation that results in some very close calls indeed! Great fun as always; recommended.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a historical mystery set in England in the 1890's. It's the thirty-eighth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous books. The story wasn't heavily historical, though there were enough details to provide a historical feel. The characters were engaging and realistic, though not highly complex.

It's a clue-based puzzle mystery. The main characters asked good questions and followed up on leads. There were enough clues for a reader to figure out whodunit, especially since we know more about how the murder was done than the characters do. There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that as much as I love this cozy series, it may be time to say goodbye to Mrs. Jeffries and her gang. This little Christmas story should have been delightful like all the other books in this series have been, but I'm afraid that it didn't really get out of the gate for me. I realize that you are going to have some repetition in a series that has run this long. I think this is book #38. But I didn't need to hear all the explanations as to everyone's background by this time. Also, I had figured out who the killer was and the motive by about page 25. If you enjoy your mysteries cozy and if you like them to be set during the Victorian age in England, then you should try this series. It is very entertaining and enjoyable . I truly have enjoyed this series, but it is now time for me to move onto something else.

[Robin Kahler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series and always look forward to the next book, but this one was a major dissapointment. I think it was ghost written, too many undone alleys to have been a true Emily Brightwell. Won't give away the ending, but I knew who did it before the ending of the 1st chapter. Where is the follow through on Wiggin's new romance? I was looking forward to that. AND then Barnes checking into a detail that went totally out the window, I think a chapter is missing.
This one left me sad. BUT hey, one out of so many, I guess everyone has a bummer now and then. Go back to step one Emily. Your books are so much fun to read.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast read and cozy mystery set during the Christmas season in
England. It is about a wealthy widow who is murdered because people
Don’t care for her as she is a member of the Alms of the Angels board.
She has made enemies of the minister and other board members. She
Loves her cat and has a staff to care for her and her house. Mrs. Jeffries
And the inspector are on the case to solve the mystery which is filled with
Suspense,twists and turns. There are a lot of books in this series, but they
Can be read as stand alone books. I recommend the series.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery. It was interesting that the reader was clearly informed of the solution before the characters were allowed to add it up. We had the crooked reverent, the crooked charity administrator, the lackeys who were trying to do what their managers asked, the inspector who finally went too far, and of course the multitude of servants who all could have their own agendas. I’m just sorry the other crooks in the story were not arrested/caught. But it was another mystery worthy of Witherspooon and Brightwell I loved it.

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a challenge but I liked it! :)

I like the idea of a group of the inspector's nearest and dearest helping him solve the mysteries!

I also wasn't lost because everything was explained, this being #38 in the series. (I am glad I wasn't alone in this after reading some other reviews.)

But I liked it so much that I want to start from the beginning and try to read the rest of the series!

Also, new author so new backlist and I know working backward that I have 37 books to catch up on, lol.