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Mrs. Jeffries #23
Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephen
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's 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. A Yuletide dinner in West Brompton should have been a festive occasion, until the host, wealthy Stephen Whitfield, dropped dead before the second course. Now Mrs. Jeffries and the busy sleuths must rally in support of their Inspector, especially since the clues are harder to find than a silver sixpence in a plum pudding.
Audio CD
First published October 2, 2007
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570 people want to read
About the author
Emily Brightwell
72 books522 followersCheryl 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.
Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
February 13, 2019
A delightful cozy historical mystery with a wonderful murder plot & quirky characters that bring the book to life.
November 25, 2011
The first of the Mrs. Jeffries Victorian mysteries series was published in 1997 and Emily Brightwell has churned one out every few months since then. Twenty-two of the books had preceded Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephen, (published 2007) the one that I just read, and there have been at least a half-dozen written since then! Yes, Ms. Brightwell is quite prolific. Not particularly original or interesting, but certainly prolific.
This is the first of the series that I have read, and, obviously, a lot of exposition and water have flowed under the bridge since the beginning. This entry somewhat supposes that the reader has a familiarity with the characters and is invested in their stories. I wasn't, and that made the book less enthralling than it might have been. It is the selection of my local Mystery Book Club for the month of December and that was my excuse for reading it.
Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard. The unmarried inspector has a household staff of five people to take care of his needs! (Seems a bit excessive, doesn't it? Oh, well...) The thing is, this household staff - unbeknownst to the inspector - investigate all of his murder cases right along with him and they solve the cases and then manage to pass the solution along to him so that he can shine before Scotland Yard's brass. As a result, Witherspoon has a reputation as one of the most successful investigators in Scotland Yard.
As we meet the characters in this particular entry of the series, it is nearing Christmas and the household is getting ready for the season when their inspector is suddenly presented with a murder to solve. It turns out to be an upper class twit who has died. He died at a dinner party in his own home after drinking some wine that had been brought by a couple who were among his guests for the evening. The investigation quickly reveals that the twit, Stephen Whitfield, was not much loved by any of his guests, but did any of them actually have sufficient motive to do him in?
The household staff jump into action and parallel the investigation by the inspector and his constable. This inspector, it turns out, needs all the help he can get and he gets plenty, from his staff, his constable, the doctor who is called to the death scene. They all seem extremely devoted to the man and eager to make sure he succeeds. I have no idea what the impetus of all these warm feelings might be.
The situation reminded me of Upstairs, Downstairs or even of Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt or William and Hester Monk. Unfortunately for Brightwell, her writing suffers from such comparisons.
Brightwell strews clues and red herrings plentifully throughout the book and I found that I was able to sort through them and solve the mystery long before both the professional and amateur investigators in the book. There's a certain satisfaction in that, but actually, I like my mysteries to be a bit more challenging.
This is very light reading and will not tie the reader down for very long at all. It's the sort of thing that might be good for a plane trip, but not something that one really wants to burrow into and think about overly much.
This is the first of the series that I have read, and, obviously, a lot of exposition and water have flowed under the bridge since the beginning. This entry somewhat supposes that the reader has a familiarity with the characters and is invested in their stories. I wasn't, and that made the book less enthralling than it might have been. It is the selection of my local Mystery Book Club for the month of December and that was my excuse for reading it.
Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard. The unmarried inspector has a household staff of five people to take care of his needs! (Seems a bit excessive, doesn't it? Oh, well...) The thing is, this household staff - unbeknownst to the inspector - investigate all of his murder cases right along with him and they solve the cases and then manage to pass the solution along to him so that he can shine before Scotland Yard's brass. As a result, Witherspoon has a reputation as one of the most successful investigators in Scotland Yard.
As we meet the characters in this particular entry of the series, it is nearing Christmas and the household is getting ready for the season when their inspector is suddenly presented with a murder to solve. It turns out to be an upper class twit who has died. He died at a dinner party in his own home after drinking some wine that had been brought by a couple who were among his guests for the evening. The investigation quickly reveals that the twit, Stephen Whitfield, was not much loved by any of his guests, but did any of them actually have sufficient motive to do him in?
The household staff jump into action and parallel the investigation by the inspector and his constable. This inspector, it turns out, needs all the help he can get and he gets plenty, from his staff, his constable, the doctor who is called to the death scene. They all seem extremely devoted to the man and eager to make sure he succeeds. I have no idea what the impetus of all these warm feelings might be.
The situation reminded me of Upstairs, Downstairs or even of Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries featuring Thomas and Charlotte Pitt or William and Hester Monk. Unfortunately for Brightwell, her writing suffers from such comparisons.
Brightwell strews clues and red herrings plentifully throughout the book and I found that I was able to sort through them and solve the mystery long before both the professional and amateur investigators in the book. There's a certain satisfaction in that, but actually, I like my mysteries to be a bit more challenging.
This is very light reading and will not tie the reader down for very long at all. It's the sort of thing that might be good for a plane trip, but not something that one really wants to burrow into and think about overly much.
November 23, 2017
Stephen Whitfeld is dead and no one seems upset, but who killed him. By this time, the point isn't the plot, it's the characters. I will admit thought, the motive for the murder, while to a true shock, was, rather, an rather interesting historical fact that I hadn't know about until I read this book.
October 14, 2024
Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephens (Mrs. Jeffries, #23) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon (11 chapters) October 7-9, 2023
Stephen Whitfield is hosting a holiday party when he suddenly slumps over dead. The party members think it was a stroke or a heart attack, but Dr. Boswell is the first on the scene and he believes it was poison. New Scotland Yard wants the case solved ASAP as it is high society person and they don’t want bad publicity around the holidays. But finding the killer might be harder than it looks!
Also, Smythe is back from Australia and though Betsy finds she still loves him a lot, she fines she is feeling hurt and betrayed over his leaving right before their wedding.
Somehow, the gang needs to come all together to solve this complicated mystery, but finding the killer may make Mrs. Jeffries consider stopping the investigations the group does.
Five stars.
Stephen Whitfield is hosting a holiday party when he suddenly slumps over dead. The party members think it was a stroke or a heart attack, but Dr. Boswell is the first on the scene and he believes it was poison. New Scotland Yard wants the case solved ASAP as it is high society person and they don’t want bad publicity around the holidays. But finding the killer might be harder than it looks!
Also, Smythe is back from Australia and though Betsy finds she still loves him a lot, she fines she is feeling hurt and betrayed over his leaving right before their wedding.
Somehow, the gang needs to come all together to solve this complicated mystery, but finding the killer may make Mrs. Jeffries consider stopping the investigations the group does.
Five stars.
February 14, 2021
Comfort food
December 3, 2008
MRS. JEFFRIES & THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN (Hist/Myst/Pol Proc/Amat Sleuth/Cozy-Inspector Witherspoon/Mrs. Jeffries-England-Victorian) – G+
Brightwell, Emily – 23rd in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2007, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780425224274
First Sentence: ‘I do hope you like this, Stephen.”
Stephen Westfield is hosting a small Yuletide dinner, but dies in the middle of the feast. The doctor identifies the cause of death as foxglove poisoning. Detective Inspector Witherspoon is wealthy in his own right, a very generous employer and has a perfect record solving murders.
What DI Witherspoon doesn’t know is that his extremely loyal staff, and others around him, investigates the murders behind the scenes, ensuring he is given all the credit.
Lighter than books I usually read, it was quite delightful. Even though it was the 23rd book in the series, I was given enough background on each character to understand them and how they fit into the story. The story is remarkably visual considering its relatively short length (263 pages). Both those elements commend themselves to the quality of Ms. Brightwell’s writing.
The plot could have been stronger. I did identify the killer and motive fairly early in the story. I did appreciate that the author didn’t make the Witherspoon seem stupid. There was a feeling that he could have reached the same results had his background investigators been the modern-day equivalent of a police, rather than be required to work behind the scenes. It may have been only my perception, but it certainly improved my view toward the book.
If you are looking for an enjoyable Victorian traditional mystery, you might try this.
Brightwell, Emily – 23rd in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2007, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780425224274
First Sentence: ‘I do hope you like this, Stephen.”
Stephen Westfield is hosting a small Yuletide dinner, but dies in the middle of the feast. The doctor identifies the cause of death as foxglove poisoning. Detective Inspector Witherspoon is wealthy in his own right, a very generous employer and has a perfect record solving murders.
What DI Witherspoon doesn’t know is that his extremely loyal staff, and others around him, investigates the murders behind the scenes, ensuring he is given all the credit.
Lighter than books I usually read, it was quite delightful. Even though it was the 23rd book in the series, I was given enough background on each character to understand them and how they fit into the story. The story is remarkably visual considering its relatively short length (263 pages). Both those elements commend themselves to the quality of Ms. Brightwell’s writing.
The plot could have been stronger. I did identify the killer and motive fairly early in the story. I did appreciate that the author didn’t make the Witherspoon seem stupid. There was a feeling that he could have reached the same results had his background investigators been the modern-day equivalent of a police, rather than be required to work behind the scenes. It may have been only my perception, but it certainly improved my view toward the book.
If you are looking for an enjoyable Victorian traditional mystery, you might try this.
August 13, 2019
The best yet!!
I don't want to spoil it in any way shape or form!! It's almost impossible to work out exactly who did it until the end.. I had a couple of thoughts but they drifted in and out rather like Mrs Jeffries do!!
A new case right before Christmas, leaves everyone struggling to find out which of the guests at Stephen Whitfield's dinner party murdered him.
Everyone is bewildered not one of the guests had a motive or would make a gain that would warrant his death.
It has to be one of the guests but which? With no discernible motive it's looking like an unsolvable crime.
As time slips by Witherspoon is all but ready to hand over the case with Niven still determinedly trying to undermine him at every turn. Can they solve the case before it's handed to Niven?
I don't want to spoil it in any way shape or form!! It's almost impossible to work out exactly who did it until the end.. I had a couple of thoughts but they drifted in and out rather like Mrs Jeffries do!!
A new case right before Christmas, leaves everyone struggling to find out which of the guests at Stephen Whitfield's dinner party murdered him.
Everyone is bewildered not one of the guests had a motive or would make a gain that would warrant his death.
It has to be one of the guests but which? With no discernible motive it's looking like an unsolvable crime.
As time slips by Witherspoon is all but ready to hand over the case with Niven still determinedly trying to undermine him at every turn. Can they solve the case before it's handed to Niven?
May 26, 2021
A man dies during a dinner he is hosting at his home. It takes place at Christmas time, so they are racing to solve the mystery before Christmas. I figured out what happened a little over half way into the book, but I still enjoyed it.
December 5, 2020
In the weeks leading up to Christmas Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the servants at Inspector Witherspoon's residence are getting ready for the holidays when their master is handed a rather unpleasant Yuletide gift. The wealthy Stephen Whitfield had been hosting a seasonal dinner of his own his sister-in-law and a few friends when he fell dead into his plate of soup. Whitfield just finished telling those gathered that he had a very special announcement. He then turned red, began to shake, told the guests they had all turned blue and something was wrong with the lights before falling forward onto the table. They are all shocked, but believe he has suffered from a heart attack until the doctor who had been quickly summoned from across the street announced that he believed it was poison and that the police must be called in.
It is soon established that the cause of death was a liberal dose of dried fox gloves leaves in the bottle of Bordeaux brought as a gift by Maria and Basil Farringdon, two of the guests. Whitfield had been the only one to drink the wine--everyone else sticking to the usual sherry before dinner. But Whitfield had guzzled the stuff down like a man who'd just crossed the desert with no liquid refreshment at hand. At first glance you'd think the Farringdons the likely culprits, but it winds up that anyone in the house could have dumped an envelope full of dried bits into the wine at any time. The butler had opened the wine and left it on the stand in the drawing room. Then Whitfield led his guests off to admire his Christmas decorations and everybody milled about in such a way that nobody knew where anybody else was for sure at any given time. It's all a muddle for Inspector Witherspoon--everyone had an opportunity, but the motives keep fading away like snow flakes on a warm window. His superior officer is being pressured to have the case solved by Christmas and so Witherspoon is pressured as well. He just doesn't think his "inner voice" (as his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries has called it) is going to speak up this time.
But his secret weapon is at work--the secret weapon he doesn't know he has. Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge (the cook), Smythe (who handles the horses), Betsy (the maid), and Wiggins (the footman) are all on the case...along with his good friends and neighbors Mrs. Luty Bell Crookshank and her butler Hatchett. Each of these characters have their own sources and methods and can usually collect enough gossip and clues to help Mrs. Jeffries unobtrusively direct Witherspoon's inner voice to reveal the solution. The group have a tough case this time....and Witherspoon is on his way to meeting where the case will most likely be reassigned to another inspector when light finally breaks and the inner voice can speak.
These Victorian era mysteries are very light and fluffy and this one was just what I needed at the moment. A little bit of holiday festivity thrown in with the cozy little investigations of the servants. I did spot the murderer and how exactly it all happened before Mrs. Jeffries, but I didn't mind. It was nice to visit these old friends (I've read several of these over the years). A good solid read for when you don't want anything too taxing.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
It is soon established that the cause of death was a liberal dose of dried fox gloves leaves in the bottle of Bordeaux brought as a gift by Maria and Basil Farringdon, two of the guests. Whitfield had been the only one to drink the wine--everyone else sticking to the usual sherry before dinner. But Whitfield had guzzled the stuff down like a man who'd just crossed the desert with no liquid refreshment at hand. At first glance you'd think the Farringdons the likely culprits, but it winds up that anyone in the house could have dumped an envelope full of dried bits into the wine at any time. The butler had opened the wine and left it on the stand in the drawing room. Then Whitfield led his guests off to admire his Christmas decorations and everybody milled about in such a way that nobody knew where anybody else was for sure at any given time. It's all a muddle for Inspector Witherspoon--everyone had an opportunity, but the motives keep fading away like snow flakes on a warm window. His superior officer is being pressured to have the case solved by Christmas and so Witherspoon is pressured as well. He just doesn't think his "inner voice" (as his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries has called it) is going to speak up this time.
But his secret weapon is at work--the secret weapon he doesn't know he has. Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge (the cook), Smythe (who handles the horses), Betsy (the maid), and Wiggins (the footman) are all on the case...along with his good friends and neighbors Mrs. Luty Bell Crookshank and her butler Hatchett. Each of these characters have their own sources and methods and can usually collect enough gossip and clues to help Mrs. Jeffries unobtrusively direct Witherspoon's inner voice to reveal the solution. The group have a tough case this time....and Witherspoon is on his way to meeting where the case will most likely be reassigned to another inspector when light finally breaks and the inner voice can speak.
These Victorian era mysteries are very light and fluffy and this one was just what I needed at the moment. A little bit of holiday festivity thrown in with the cozy little investigations of the servants. I did spot the murderer and how exactly it all happened before Mrs. Jeffries, but I didn't mind. It was nice to visit these old friends (I've read several of these over the years). A good solid read for when you don't want anything too taxing.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
January 20, 2020
This mystery was different from all the other mysteries in the series. For that reason, it was a bit slow going in the beginning. Stephen Whitfield died at his own pre-Christmas dinner party, after drinking wine given him by one of the guests. None of the other guests drank the gift Bordeaux; they had sherry, the usual before-dinner drink. Whitfield considered himself a wine expert. He even bottled his own wine and gave bottles to his friends; two of the guests had received bottles from Whitfield the week before. So it was ironic that Stephen Whitfield died drinking wine. Before he keeled over, he commented that everyone was turning blue and that the light was changing. As soon as Dr. Bosworth heard that, he knew that Whitfield had been poisoned, with foxglove. But where would anyone get foxglove in December? That was one of the questions Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes had to find out, as well as who wanted Whitfield dead. After all the the dinner guests and their servants had been interviewed twice, Witherspoon was no closer to finding the killer. Even though several who were questioned did not like the man, no one appeared to hate him enough to commit murder. Back at the Inspector's house, Mrs Jeffries and his other crime-solving servants also found themselves at dead ends. They too could find no one who had a motive to kill Stephen Whitfield. Finding out who did this evil deed was proving an almost impossible task. But in the end, Mrs. Jeffries came through!
September 5, 2021
When Stephen Whitfield dies of poisoning at his own dinner party, Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard looks first at the people at the party. Was it his widowed sister-in-law, who has lived with him for 10 years? Was it the woman he wanted to marry, who was not interested in him, and in fact brought a man with her to dinner who has a grudge against Whitfield? What is it one of his oldest friends, or the wife of one of his oldest friends, whom he had disparaged for her not-quite- genteel birth? But as Witherspoon investigates – along with his household, who always secretly helps him on investigations, though he doesn't know it – no one can find no one with a real motive to murder Whitfield. Will this be the one murder they cannot solve? On another side, Smythe, the coachman, left abruptly six months ago for Australia to fulfill a debt of honor to an old friend. But he left his fiancé almost at the altar, and she is not in a forgiving mood when he abruptly returns, which makes the household anxious. Plus, it's almost Christmas, plus, Witherspoon's nemesis Inspector Nivens is once again making himself disagreeable (his favorite hobby).
These books are reliably warm and full of found family. I thought the murder plot in this one was more interesting than in some of the others, and I did not 100% guess it before the end, which was nice. The historical details are always well done, and it is pretty impressive that I still enjoy spending time with these characters after having read so many of the books in this very long series.
These books are reliably warm and full of found family. I thought the murder plot in this one was more interesting than in some of the others, and I did not 100% guess it before the end, which was nice. The historical details are always well done, and it is pretty impressive that I still enjoy spending time with these characters after having read so many of the books in this very long series.
November 12, 2019
Oh, listening to a Mrs. Jeffries mystery is so fun and soothing. In this one, the victim murdered himself. He tried killing off the remaining members of a tontine created at the 10 members' birth by their parents. Though made illegal after it was created, the tontine still existed as an annuity. The victim poisoned 4 members by gifting (hehe German joke) them a special port he imported as a cask and re-bottled to give away. When the tontine members were down to 3, including himself, he tried to off the other 2 at once. Instead, the wife of one of them played a trick on him, intending to humiliate him. She re-labeled the bottle with an expensive Bordeaux's old label and gave it to the victim as Christmas gift in return for the unwanted port gift. The idiot didn't know the difference between the port and Bordeaux, so gulped it down--not even noticing the bunch of crumbled dried leaves of foxglove in it, the ones he himself added to it! Anyway, moral of the story: don't piss off your friend's wife. But seriously, it was another enjoyable story. I am trying not to let Mrs. Jeffries increasingly frequent self-doubt to bother me. I understand that it is an easy tension-builder for plot, but this time it was fairly drawn out. I stuck with it, though, and really it wasn't so bad. And it seems like Betsy and Smythe will FINALLY get married. I'm looking forward to the next audio installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2018
#23 in the end of the 19th century London based mystery series in which Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon's domestic staff headed by Mrs. Jefferies, without his knowledge, work to help him solve his murder cases. The recurring and well developed helpers” are Barnes (Witherspoon’s detective sergeant), Mrs. Goodge (cook), Smythe (coachman), Betsy (maid and later Smythe’s wife), Wiggins (servant), Phyllis (maid and newest addition), Luty (wealthy American widow), Hatchet (Luty’s butler), and Ruth (next door neighbor and romantic interest for Witherspoon).
It is close to Christmas and Witherspoon is assigned a new murder case and Scotland Yard wants this crime solved before Christmas. Stephen Whitfield is poisoned at a small dinner party he was hosting. There are many suspects among them are: Henry Becker a friend from his youth; Maria and Basil Farringdon who gave Stephen the bottle of wine that was poisoned; Eliza Graham, the widow Stephen wanted to marry, but didn’t want to and upset Stephen by bring another suitor, Hugh Langford, to the party; and Rosalind Murray, his widowed sister-in-law, who is living in his house. Each of these individuals also didn’t particularly care for him.
It is close to Christmas and Witherspoon is assigned a new murder case and Scotland Yard wants this crime solved before Christmas. Stephen Whitfield is poisoned at a small dinner party he was hosting. There are many suspects among them are: Henry Becker a friend from his youth; Maria and Basil Farringdon who gave Stephen the bottle of wine that was poisoned; Eliza Graham, the widow Stephen wanted to marry, but didn’t want to and upset Stephen by bring another suitor, Hugh Langford, to the party; and Rosalind Murray, his widowed sister-in-law, who is living in his house. Each of these individuals also didn’t particularly care for him.
January 3, 2021
The usual gang helps Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes determine who poisoned the Stephen Whitfield at his Christmas party. No motive could be found after interviewing the attendees several times. Mrs. Jeffries runs the comments through her mind many times and finally has the inspector and Barnes re-interview Marie Farrington. It was found out that she had her staff take bottles from the homes where they had dined. Mrs. Farrington finally admitted that she took the gift of the horrible port, relabeled it and gave it as a gift to Mr. Whitfield. That bottle had been laced with digitalis leaves. The inspector also questioned Mr. Becker, a neighbor and friend of Whitfield, about the death of his neighbor after Becker gave him a bottle of the awful port.
Seems all of these men were part of a tontine, now called an annuity, and Whitfield was tired of waiting to win the entire prize so he was systemically killing off the other participants.
Witherspoon couldn't take credit for solving the case because it would highlight the fact that Scotland Yard had allowed four other murders to go unsolved or even investigated.
The narrator is so-so and her voices for Wiggins and Betsy are like fingernails on a blackboard. Beware Jennifer Dixon.
Seems all of these men were part of a tontine, now called an annuity, and Whitfield was tired of waiting to win the entire prize so he was systemically killing off the other participants.
Witherspoon couldn't take credit for solving the case because it would highlight the fact that Scotland Yard had allowed four other murders to go unsolved or even investigated.
The narrator is so-so and her voices for Wiggins and Betsy are like fingernails on a blackboard. Beware Jennifer Dixon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2022
#23 in the Mrs. Jeffries series, Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of the St. Stephen was another great book! I have really come to enjoy these cozy Victorian mystery novels. Though I haven't read all 22 leading up to the present novel, it's easily not needed. The author does a good job of letting the reader know what they need to know.
When Stephen Whitfield dies at his own dinner party before second course, it's up to Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff to help their beloved Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon to help solve who killed him?
I learned a few things in this story, one being what the feast of St. Stephen is and, well, I can't say about the other two because it would pertains to the whodoneit.
I was pretty sure for part of the book who did it, but then changed my mind and was happy, Very happy, I figured out who the killer was.
I hope one day to find them all in the series. Once I'm completed a book, I pass it along to a friend of mine who is also hooked on them.
When Stephen Whitfield dies at his own dinner party before second course, it's up to Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff to help their beloved Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon to help solve who killed him?
I learned a few things in this story, one being what the feast of St. Stephen is and, well, I can't say about the other two because it would pertains to the whodoneit.
I was pretty sure for part of the book who did it, but then changed my mind and was happy, Very happy, I figured out who the killer was.
I hope one day to find them all in the series. Once I'm completed a book, I pass it along to a friend of mine who is also hooked on them.
October 12, 2024
When Stephen Whitfield is poisoned at his own dinner party, Inspector Witherspoon is quickly able to ascertain the method of delivery, but how the poison could have been introduced into the wine is a real stumper. Fortunately, his household staff is able (unbeknownst to him, of course) to pull together the various disparate pieces of the puzzle - or they could, if they were not distracted by the return of Smythe and certain difficulties amongst the staff members…. I was worried about how this, the 23rd book in the series, would resolve the issues that had arisen at the end of the previous volume, but all of that turned out better than I had hoped. However, I found the resolution of the murder to be a bit weak this time; not that it wasn’t logical enough, but it seemed fairly rushed and, I don’t know, insignificant somehow. Perhaps because the domestic drama was the more compelling storyline this time? In any event, I’m still enjoying the series and will carry on with it, so recommended once again.
December 1, 2020
This book was picked up in a used bookshop a few years ago and I was saving it to read during the "Holidays" . This is my first read of one of Brightwell's "cozy" Victorian mysteries. The setting is an upper crust English manor home - think a small Downton Abbey where Lord Grantham is a Scotland Yard Chief Inspector. I was initially perplexed as to why the downstairs staff seems to think that the inspector can't solve a murder case without their "secret" behind the scenes help. I was expecting the inspector to be a Inspector Cousteau type but he isn't! That being said, I very much enjoyed the cast of characters - the housekeeper (Mrs., Jefferies), cook, maid, chauffeur, footman and assorted other "friends of the house". I very much enjoyed the read and it did wet my appetite for additional books in the 30+ book series.
January 14, 2021
I won't go over Mrs Jeffries and her team, as by book #23 I am sure we are all very well aware of who they are. (and if you're starting with this one first, you will find out who everyone is very quickly as Brightwell introduces them anew in each book).
In this cosy mystery instalment, a not very likable rich guy invites other rich people he doesn't very much like to a Christmas feast. Unfortunately during dinner, he gasps about everyone turning blue before dropping dead. The doctor thinks he has been poisoned, so it's down to Detective Witherspoon and Constable Barnes (and Mrs Jeffries' team behind the scenes) to work out who dunnit.
I guessed who and how very quickly, but that doesn't usually spoil the book for me. I didn't think there were many clues or motives and when what little was known was presented, if I could work it out, then surely could the team? I guess this instalment wasn't as memorable as pretty much nothing happens. Usually there are lots of conflicting clues and motives and a little bit of action and Brightwell can keep me guessing until the end (or close to it), but not this time.
Still a pleasurable read in the Mrs Jeffries instalment (I wouldn't get to #23 if I didn't enjoy them!) but nothing memorable
In this cosy mystery instalment, a not very likable rich guy invites other rich people he doesn't very much like to a Christmas feast. Unfortunately during dinner, he gasps about everyone turning blue before dropping dead. The doctor thinks he has been poisoned, so it's down to Detective Witherspoon and Constable Barnes (and Mrs Jeffries' team behind the scenes) to work out who dunnit.
I guessed who and how very quickly, but that doesn't usually spoil the book for me. I didn't think there were many clues or motives and when what little was known was presented, if I could work it out, then surely could the team? I guess this instalment wasn't as memorable as pretty much nothing happens. Usually there are lots of conflicting clues and motives and a little bit of action and Brightwell can keep me guessing until the end (or close to it), but not this time.
Still a pleasurable read in the Mrs Jeffries instalment (I wouldn't get to #23 if I didn't enjoy them!) but nothing memorable
April 18, 2019
Great story! I always love these books, they are easy to read cozies, fun and full of top notch snooping. The characters are well rounded, have back stories and interactions are interesting.
Again, like the past few "holiday" stories, there wasn't much Christmas involved as far as decorations, carols, or other things we associate with the holiday. It was mentioned quite a bit but that was all.
I did like the story itself on this one, it was different all the way through. I can't say more without spoilers so I will just say that Ms. Brightwell went off script with this one and it worked. Excellent plot, characters and ending. I highly recommend this book.
Again, like the past few "holiday" stories, there wasn't much Christmas involved as far as decorations, carols, or other things we associate with the holiday. It was mentioned quite a bit but that was all.
I did like the story itself on this one, it was different all the way through. I can't say more without spoilers so I will just say that Ms. Brightwell went off script with this one and it worked. Excellent plot, characters and ending. I highly recommend this book.
April 30, 2024
Murder Can Make For.a Fun Read
The indomitable Mrs. Jeffries, housekeeper for a respected London Police Inspector, and her fellow co-conspirators in murder solving, the household staff of the Inspector, slowly but surely piece together the clues to find how murdered a man at his own dinner party - all the while slowly, quietly, and subtly feeding facts to the Inspector’s “Inner Eye” to aide in helping him solve a most perplexing case. One of the “polite” murder mysteries I enjoy - without a lot of blood and gore, profanity or sex, making it a read even your rather reserved grandmother might enjoy.
The indomitable Mrs. Jeffries, housekeeper for a respected London Police Inspector, and her fellow co-conspirators in murder solving, the household staff of the Inspector, slowly but surely piece together the clues to find how murdered a man at his own dinner party - all the while slowly, quietly, and subtly feeding facts to the Inspector’s “Inner Eye” to aide in helping him solve a most perplexing case. One of the “polite” murder mysteries I enjoy - without a lot of blood and gore, profanity or sex, making it a read even your rather reserved grandmother might enjoy.
September 10, 2025
When a gentleman collapses while hosting a dinner party, the guests assume he’s ill and call for a physician. But when the doctor arrives, the man is already dead. Fortunately, Dr. Bosworth, medical examiner, is suspicious when hearing about the man’s actions just before collapsing and demands that Inspector Witherspoon is called in, and the postmortem confirms that the man was poisoned. But despite the inspector’s household contributing to the investigation (without the inspector’s knowledge, of course), no one seems to have a strong motive to kill the man. The solution caught me by surprise, but all the clues were there, so I felt it was a very clever mystery.
April 27, 2023
Fascinating mystery, though I got some in inkling much before Mrs Jeffries. But I enjoyed the story, a lot. Hearing how the servants have their ways of getting information (this was the first book I’ve read of the series), and often better than the inspector was fascinating. Nivens is of course the required jealous, well connected spoilsport, but he is rather funny in his own way. And I was at least as interested in how the servants and their friends were going to get the inspector to “solve” the case. I do wonder how dumb he is, considering he does not realize they do it for him.
August 26, 2017
A man invites guests for dinner, but he's dead before they're served the second course. Murder or natural causes? Silly question. There would be no need for a story and for Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon's staff to investigate if it wasn't murder.
I've got my mojo back. I knew how the murder was committed early. I was just a little fuzzy about the "why."
The book captures the usual charm of our favorite Victorian-era crime fighters.
I've got my mojo back. I knew how the murder was committed early. I was just a little fuzzy about the "why."
The book captures the usual charm of our favorite Victorian-era crime fighters.
September 25, 2019
Rating between 3 & 3.5
A nice easy read in this series I found.
The mystery itself was quite interesting but seems very familiar for some reason, just cannot remember what other book features the same solution.
This story was well written though and it was enjoyable to rejoin these characters for a nearly Christmas story.
Overall i would recommend this some one who has enjoyed the earlier novels in the series but probably not to a newcomer.
A nice easy read in this series I found.
The mystery itself was quite interesting but seems very familiar for some reason, just cannot remember what other book features the same solution.
This story was well written though and it was enjoyable to rejoin these characters for a nearly Christmas story.
Overall i would recommend this some one who has enjoyed the earlier novels in the series but probably not to a newcomer.
October 16, 2019
Good fun, cosy crime. Ostensibly Victorian, but quite unrealistic on the social etiquette side which jarred a little. The writing isn't amazing, but it's not bad either. This isn't highbrow great literature, but it is a good romp around London in pursuit of a murderer and I whizzed through it quickly because it was light and fun. Ideal for lazy autumn evenings by the fire. I would definitely read more in this series.
February 26, 2020
This entry in the Mrs. Jeffries series has a really original mystery, as well as some interesting developments for the residents of Upper Edmonton Gardens. As usual, if this series isn't your thing, this isn't likely to change your mind, but if you enjoy this kind of thing, this series is well worth checking out. I often read them as "palate cleansers" between heavier reads, and they're perfect for that purpose. Engaging characters and a particularly entertaining mystery.
July 10, 2020
Can you believe dumping an existing case a few days before Xmas Vacation for our Inspector & constable Barnes. all due to a rival fellow officer who mistake this murder as a Robbery homicide instead of a cover up murder. Only on the force due to his powerful daddy & politics. 6 weeks and still not solved. Now the gang has three days to he!p their inspector solve this case. Or cancel all Christmas festivities. Even a date with his special lady Ms. Ruth. What will happen ?
February 3, 2021
Writing: 4 Stars;
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 4 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars; I like both covers, though for some reason I prefer the one with just the spilled wine glass.
This one was rather entertaining.
Was there a book in this series that I did not figure out what happened before the big reveal? I’m not sure. I figured out what happened in this one, too.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 4 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars; I like both covers, though for some reason I prefer the one with just the spilled wine glass.
This one was rather entertaining.
Was there a book in this series that I did not figure out what happened before the big reveal? I’m not sure. I figured out what happened in this one, too.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
November 27, 2016
This was the first Mrs. Jeffries book I read. It was a fun holiday romp in Victorian England. Very light and easy to read. The characters are broad and there are just the right number to keep up with.
December 27, 2017
It is probably best not to read too many of these Mrs. Jeffries mysteries in a row. They are light and frothy, which is not a problem. But they feel formulaic because they are formulaic, which is a problem.
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