Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi

Mrs. Jeffries #8

by Emily Brightwell

Housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries must use all her extraordinary sleuthing skills when she is forced to take over an investigation when her employer, Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon, becomes a prime suspect in the murder of Peter Hornsley.

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

235 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

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

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was different from the others of this series. The victims were evil enough that you wanted to cheer on the murderer, rather than have him caught. By the middle of the book I had figured out who-dunnit, but that didn't make the story any less enjoyable. I also enjoyed the way Inspector Nivins stumbles and bumbles around. In the end all is wrapped up and justice is done. Even though this is a "simple" series, I enjoy them for the easy read, interesting characters, atmosphere and tied up lose ends at the conclusion. In other words, a most excellent cozy!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I've listened to too many in a row because I started to lose interest around 80%. I also guessed the murderer in this one (rare for me!). Still, I think it is a fun addition in the series--especially with how Inspector Witherspoon is implicated. I love the cast of characters. But poor Constable Barnes having to put up with Inspector Nivens! The part with Nivens getting so twitterpated by a female suspect that he couldn't ask questions was hilarious.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Witherspoon is Scotland Yard's top detective when it comes to solving messy or strange murders. No one really understands how the quiet, unassuming man of inherited wealth went from records file clerk to the leading murder detective with no unsolved crimes in his career. They don't realize that unbeknownst to him, that he has an entire crew working behind the scenes to help him find the answers! Meet Mrs. Jeffries, the inspector's housekeeper and the brains behind his astounding success; along with Mrs. Goodge, the cook; Wiggins, the footman; Betsy, the maid; Smythe, the coachman; and Luty Belle Crookshank, a wealthy American and her Butler, Hatchet, who have become close friends with the Inspector's household staff. Murderers in Victorian England don't stand a chance of getting away with their crimes with this crew hunting them down!

This installment in the series has someone impersonating Inspector Witherspoon as they murder partners in a business. The Inspector has to sit out the investigation but Mrs. Jeffries ,the staff and Inspector Barnes are working overtime to clear his good name. Who would want to implicate the Inspector in such heinous crimes? Is it an enemy or someone else? Was it greed, revenge or something else that prompted the murderer to kill behind a false identity?

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new discovery for me, a novel from Emily Brightwell's Victorian Murder Mystery. A very good read, most enjoyable, I loved the characters, from the kindly Inspector Witherspoon, his loyal housekeeper Mrs Jeffries and a variety of other characters on his team, who help him crack some difficult cases.

In this particular case, Inspector Witherspoon is in the frame for murder, and unable/unwilling to provide an alibi for the time of the murders, so his loyal and trusty team come to his rescue. A great piece of sleuthing ensues. We read about some brilliant detection and discover that Mrs Jeffries is not only a very good housekeeper, but also has amazing skills of detection.

It is difficult to see what the outcome will be and Emily Brightwell keeps her readers riveted from the outset until the last page. There are a variety of twists and turns and nothing is as it first appears. The characters are lovable, interesting and engaging.

I recommend this to readers of detective fiction, anyone who enjoys reading about detection in Victorian times and likes character led dramas. Its a great read and I'll be looking out for more books by Emily Brightwell.

[Melissa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

What keeps me coming back to this series is the characters! The mystery is fun and a nice little whodunit but I love the interaction and relationship developments between the characters in this series. With the end of each book I can't wait to dive into the next installment. This series is one I would absolutely recommend to lovers of cozy mysteries. 

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio book is as good as the paper book

[Eurocrime · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like m c beaton you'll probably like this series. The guilty party was fairly obvious in this entry.

[Vidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

It drives me nuts that Mrs. Jeffries is not correctly depicted on the book covers.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just happened across this for something to listen to in the car and I thought it might help with my missing Downton Abbey. Enjoyed the characters and the accents and the setting in England in the "Victorian" era. Now I see this is #8 so when I need a fun filler, I will look for another Mrs. Jeffries story.

[The Hobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the series! More background information on Inspector Witherspoon's servants, especially Betsy and Wiggins. More humor between the characters. Witherspoon's servants have become a real family in working together to secretly help him solve his cases.
This case is particularly troubling to all concerned. Someone disguised as the Inspector convinces a nightwatchman to open an office building door and show him the office of an insurance firm's partner, Peter Hornsley. Returning from his hourly rounds, the watchman saw the back the Inspector leaving the building. The time came for the him to go home, but Mr Hornsley was still in his office. When the guard checked on the insurance agent, he found Mr Hornsley dead, coshed on the head with a heavy object and strangled with a school tie. Inspector Witherspoon could not be given the case since he might be involved, so the incompetent Inspector Nivens was assigned. As Captain Barnes commented, "Nivens couldn't find a bun in a bake shop." Someone dressed like Witherspoon had committed the crime. Worst of all, the real Inspector had no alibi - he claimed he was out walking, in the dark, in the fog. His housekeeper Mrs Jeffries didn't believe him. She knew he wouldn't kill anyone, but why walk around at night. Three days later, a man dressed as Inspector Witherspoon gained entry to the home another of the insurance company partners and murdered him. Again, the real Inspector had no alibi; he claimed he was just taking a walk. Inspector Nivens was ready to arrest Witherspoon. Captain Barnes was distressed that Nivens never asked the right questions - there was no way he would catch the real murderer. Afraid that their dear employer would be accused of a crime they did not commit, Mrs Jeffries persuaded the Inspector and Capt. Barnes to let them help in finding the real murderer. Mrs Jeffries and the servants usually met on their own in the kitchen to share the information they collected on each the Inspector's cases; Mrs Jeffries passed along the information to the inspector, making sure he thought he figured out the murderer. Now the servants had to meet around the dining room table with the Inspector and Barnes. Witherspoon was so impressed with the information his household discovered. He commented it was almost as if they had done this kind of snooping before! They had, and with the clues they uncovered, they saved their Inspector, while letting him arrest the murderer even though this wasn't his case! A satisfying page-turner.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Victorian era, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is kindly but a bit hopeless, and has no idea that his household staff actually solves all his murders for him. They relish the work, and so are thrilled when a new murder comes up--until they learn that the killer announced himself as "Inspector Gerald Witherspoon" and the Inspector has no alibi. Of course no one believes he did it, but the Yard assigns the case to the useless and mean-minded Inspector Nivens, so Witherspoon's staff have to be even more circumspect in solving the murder. The first victim is an insurance broker, found strangled by a school tie. The second victim is killed the same way. The staff think the link must be the business, and set out to find out all they can about the victims and their connection. Meanwhile, Betsy must face down a demon from her past, and Smythe is determined to save her from ever having to worry about it again.

I really enjoy this series, which is full of an enjoyable if rather improbable made-family of the servants and neighbors who work together to help their inspector. For this one, I thought the motive became very obvious at one point, and I also found it improbable that no one from that era could identify the word "veni." Latin was much more commonly taught at that time, and it should have been simple. I only took one Latin class, and I knew it instantly. So I didn't believe they were that obtuse, but otherwise I enjoyed it. I especially appreciated that the endgame didn't play out in an obvious manner.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

February 2024 was a terrible month for me: I managed just two books. I've been having a hard time, lately, and that's definitely been reflected in my reading. What I really needed was something good and gripping and genial to help me out of a slump, while not being too taxing for a brain made of mashed potatoes.

This past Sunday I spent a happy half hour in the big charity bookshop by the sea near my house. Restorative, truly. And there were a whole stack of these Mrs Jeffries books, a series I had never heard of, even though it's been going for thirty years. I picked this one more or less at random as I reckoned you could read them all in any order and figure it all out. This one happens to be book 8 of 41 (!) and so I was happy to be nearer the beginning, but I still don't think it really matters.

It was a lucky find. I read it all in that same Sunday afternoon (with a quick break for dinner) and it was just what I needed. I guessed who the killer was and my guess was solidified at about page 150 of 235, which was fun. And it was charming and readable and light, without being throwaway.

I think I'll go back to the bookshop and buy some more of that stack.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

A businessman has been killed, apparently by someone who introduced himself as….Inspector Gerald Witherspoon of Scotland Yard! Of course it wasn’t really him, but Inspector Nevin is given the task of finding out who the murderer actually was, which is a problem because Nevin is such a nincompoop that not even Constable Barnes can help him. Naturally Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff are very keen to solve the crime as quickly as possible, but they are having difficulty finding clues - and the Inspector keeps going for long walks at the most guilt-suggesting times…. The eighth book in the “Mrs. Jeffries” cozy series is a bit more fraught than the earlier stories, because there’s a real danger that the household might be unable to solve the crime in time to prevent the arrest (or worse!) of the gentle Inspector. The reader also learns more about the background of some of the staff, and there’s romance in the air for more than one couple. This series is a lot of fun and the period setting (mid-Victorian London) is well-rendered, even in its less salubrious sectors; recommended.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting departure from the team's normal investigative technique. There is a murder and Inspector Witherspoon is implicated, so he cannot be assigned to the case. Inspector Nevins finally gets his chance. Constable Barnes is assigned to Nevins and has trouble not showing his disgust at the way the investigation is being handled. The Witherspoon servants and the rest of their team are now put in the position of having to snoop around with Witherspoon knowing what they are doing without letting him find out that they have done it before. In some ways, the plot was both funny and wrenching as the characters grow and mature. I was happy that Witherspoon, for the first time, came to understand that he enjoys investigating murders and was unhappy at being excluded from this one.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi (Mrs. Jeffries, #8) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) October 13, 2023

A violent crime is commited and a witness indicates that the perpentrator is none other than Inspector Witherspoon. Of course Scotland Yard won’t let him investigate so they put a hapless (and one that only solves thievery and not murders) rival of Witherspoon on the case. It is up to Mrs. Jeffries and her crew to figure it out, but it must be done on the down-low or else the rival will figure out the Witherspoon has had help all this time with his cases. Too, the crew puzzles over how to tell the Inspector about clues without him discovering they are investigating the crime?


Three stars.

[Sandra Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witherspoon is the main suspect!

A murderer disguised as dear Witherspoon! Not once, but for 2 murders. Odious Nivens is assigned the case. Mrs. Jeffries and the household get busy to clear the good name of the inspector. Two romances grow. As an American, I enjoy reading how things are done in England...things they eat, some vocabulary, attitudes toward divorce (no respectable person will associate with someone divorced), attitudes toward women and servants, religion, customs. I love reading all of it. This series is an easy, entertaining read. This is my second time reading through it. Well-done.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

See Rebecca's review. Likewise, I couldn't understand why no one could understand "vent." I thought it might have been something more obtuse, but no. Easy-to-read English dialect.

Each character has their role to play, carefully, and tho I did get them confused, none of them were like dimwitted Mr. Witherspoon, who was a bit of a disappointment to me. The "secret" isn't revealed until approxikately page 200 of a 215 page book. I guess I could have figured it out, although it took all of Mr. Witherspoon's "people" to do so. Moderately entertaining.

[Amy Welham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining instalment in the Inspector Witherspoon series. A killer has struck, openly using the name Inspector Witherspoon and matching his description. To everyone's horror this means the inept inspector Nivens has his first murder case. Nivens strongly dislikes Witherspoon and with the Inspector not having a solid alibi he looks to be in trouble. This is when the staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens needs to branch out and find new sources if they have any hope of finding the real killer. I liked this instalment as it shook things up a bit, Mrs Jeffries couldn't drain the inspector of information and was forced to use new methods. This instalment also sees significant progression in the Betsy and Smythe relationship.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 is a bit different from the rest of the series as Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff, gun-toting American Luty Belle and her butler Hatchet, neighbor Lady Cannonberry all keeping the fact that they are helping him investigate his murder cases a secret, this time they are actively giving Constable Bunch and the Inspector information because the case has been given to arrogant, inexperienced and bumbling Inspector Nivens, because the murderer has dressed as and declared himself Inspector Witherspoon!

[Tammy Mullis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love murder mysteries and I am a fan of this series. I have read a couple of these already and I am in love with them. The characters are fun and though you can read each book as a standalone, you can see how the characters change and evolve through the series. Jump in and help Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of inspector Witherspoon's staff help him in secret to s9lve his murder cases. You won't be disappointed. This one they have to solve with him around as he is a suspect in the case. Will they get caught at it? Find out.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A London businessman is murdered by a man who identifies himself as Inspector Gerald Witherspoon. The night watchman’s description matches the inspector’s usual evening attire, so he’s a prime suspect and the real inspector’s household staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens are eager to clear his name. I enjoyed the clever way they recruited the inspector’s trusty assistant, Constable Barnes, as an ally, as well as the inspector’s neighbor, Lady Cannonberry. As for the romance between Betsy and Smythe, that’s still progressing quite slowly.

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice easy read of a Victorian murder mystery - very good.

These short detective stories are my go-to for a quick read between longer novels. This one is also very good as Inspector Witherspoon is under the spotlight as murders take place supposedly by him. As usual, his staff, under the auspices of Mrs Jeffries, take on the challenge. It's entertaining stuff and recommended for the reasons stated above.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a fun, lighthearted look at 19th century detective and his household of sleuths. His housekeeper, Mrs Jeffery’s and the rest of his staff, love nothing more than helping their employer, along with Constable Barnes, to uncover the truth about murder. In this episode, they are shocked to find Inspector Witherspoon himself is the prime suspect and his chief antagonist Inspector Nivens is in charge of the investigation.
Thoroughly engaging and delightful stories.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE these stories! No matter how many books this author has written in this series, ALL of them have been worth the time and effort! One would think having so many main characters would be cumbersome, but Ms. Brightwell has outdone herself with this series! I highly recommend this book and all of the series, so far, that I have read, something over half of them.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, enjoyable read. The tenacious servants of Inspector Witherspoon investigate a series of murders. On the surface these murders seem to be have been committed by Inspector Witherspoon himself. His loyal household and friends step into action to solve and save their beloved employer. Escapism at its finest.

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, cozy little mystery. It's not high literature, but it's not trying to be, either. In this one, Inspector Witherspoon is suspected of murder! I had an idea of how this novel was going to go from the very beginning, and I'm delighted to say that I was wrong. This book is exactly what it is, and it was delightful.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy

No serial killers. No terror threats against the country. Just a cozy, well written, page turning mystery. All Mrs Jeffries books are the same, yet NOT the same. Most enjoyable.

[Jill Pirhalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story! This had wonderful support characters with their own stories! All the characters blended well into the story together!

I will continue reading this series for when I need in-between reads.