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Mrs. Jeffries #11
Mrs. Jeffries Questions the Answer
Meet the inspector and Mrs. Jeffries--in a delightful mystery series set in Victorian England--and featuring the most charming characters ever to crack a case.
Hannah Cameron was not well-liked but who stabbed her in the back? To almost everyone, the answer was clear: she was killed by a burglar. This case is given to Inspector Nivens so Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household must tiptoe around this case to find the real killer!
Hannah Cameron was not well-liked but who stabbed her in the back? To almost everyone, the answer was clear: she was killed by a burglar. This case is given to Inspector Nivens so Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household must tiptoe around this case to find the real killer!
259 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
107 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Emily Brightwell
70Ìýbooks514ÌýfollowersCheryl 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 â€� 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. Jeffriesâ€� 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 90 reviews
September 26, 2021
I really having fun reading this series. Even when I have to skip around a bit because of my library not having the whole series, Ms. Brightwell always provides enough information so that you understand the backgrounds of the characters. Another lovely cozy mystery with a few twists and red herrings to keep me guessing until the end.
September 3, 2020
Fun series to listen to while doing chores.
February 12, 2018
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!
Was the murder of Hannah Cameron a burglary gone wrong or an actual murder for some other reason. Was it her husband, her half-brother, the female guest staying overnight, the governess, an actual burglar or someone else? As Mrs. Jeffries and the Inspector's household members work behind the scenes to help the Inspector find out the truth, they are also working to stay out sight of Inspector Nivens who is assisting on the case. Nivens is an expert on burglaries but too sure of himself when it comes to actual murders! Will Niven's theory about a burglar being interrupted and killing Mrs. Cameron accidentally be correct or will Inspector Witherspoon prove it was a murder for someone's personal gain?
Was the murder of Hannah Cameron a burglary gone wrong or an actual murder for some other reason. Was it her husband, her half-brother, the female guest staying overnight, the governess, an actual burglar or someone else? As Mrs. Jeffries and the Inspector's household members work behind the scenes to help the Inspector find out the truth, they are also working to stay out sight of Inspector Nivens who is assisting on the case. Nivens is an expert on burglaries but too sure of himself when it comes to actual murders! Will Niven's theory about a burglar being interrupted and killing Mrs. Cameron accidentally be correct or will Inspector Witherspoon prove it was a murder for someone's personal gain?
October 30, 2018
Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon investigate the murder of a woman who had no shortage of enemies in this novel in the New York Times bestselling Victorian Mystery series.Hannah Cameron was not well-liked, but who stabbed her in the back? While almost everyone believes she was killed by a burglar—Mrs. Jeffries needs more evidence to be convinced. But when the case is given to Inspector Nivens, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household will have to tiptoe around the case to find the real killer..
This series centers around the household of Gerald Witherspoon, an extremely kind, but not terribly bright individual who has a great reputation for his amazing (if not downright unlikely) success at solving murders. Inspector Witherspoon doesn't realize it, but his good deeds and kindly nature have created great loyalty on the part of his household staff. Led by the housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, a policeman's widow, they successfully (and competitively) investigate every case, and tactfully pass the information along to Witherspoon. A few friends and neighbors eventually join in to help.I like having a largish band of appealing, repeating characters who are distinct from one another and continue to develop throughout the series. The stories are somewhat formulaic, which the reader may like or dislike. Personally, I wish that the continuing subplots would develop and change a little faster. The books are best read in order if you can, although it isn't crucial. Highly Recommend.
This series centers around the household of Gerald Witherspoon, an extremely kind, but not terribly bright individual who has a great reputation for his amazing (if not downright unlikely) success at solving murders. Inspector Witherspoon doesn't realize it, but his good deeds and kindly nature have created great loyalty on the part of his household staff. Led by the housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, a policeman's widow, they successfully (and competitively) investigate every case, and tactfully pass the information along to Witherspoon. A few friends and neighbors eventually join in to help.I like having a largish band of appealing, repeating characters who are distinct from one another and continue to develop throughout the series. The stories are somewhat formulaic, which the reader may like or dislike. Personally, I wish that the continuing subplots would develop and change a little faster. The books are best read in order if you can, although it isn't crucial. Highly Recommend.
January 5, 2023
This was an amazing story with lots of clues and suspects for inspector witherspoon to investigate. I couldn't guess the murderer at all, which made the reading very much interesting. As usual Mrs J and her team were brilliant. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 5, 2023
Quite entertaining
November 9, 2024
Such an interesting twist
November 7, 2022
Another great mystery.
April 23, 2020
Hannah Cameron has been found stabbed to death. It looks like she may have been killed in the process of a burglary, which means Inspector Nivens is put on the case. Nivens is jealous of Witherspoons success and is loathe to work together to solve the crime. Mrs Jeffries and the gang need to be more discreet than ever in helping Witherspoon solve the murder with Nivens poking about.
This is another solid instalment in the cosy crime series. I’m so glad I got several of these books out before lockdown happened. They are just what I need to read right now.
This is another solid instalment in the cosy crime series. I’m so glad I got several of these books out before lockdown happened. They are just what I need to read right now.
August 1, 2016
Hannah Cameron was definitely unpopular with everyone n her household and all her relatives as well so there are plenty of suspects when she is stabbed in the back in what appears to be a burglary gone wrong. As it appears to be a burglary the unpleasant Inspector Nivens is asked to investigate. Smarting under their inability to find Jack the Ripper Scotland Yard can't afford any unsolved murders and classifying this as a burglary gone wrong just might take the heat off them.
Inspector Witherspoon is told to help Inspector Nivens just in case it turns out to be murder after all but his housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries, and the rest of his staff must be extra careful not to be seen to be asking questions. They are also hampered by the presence of an elderly relative of Mrs Goodge's who has come for a visit. Some inspired planning by Mrs Jeffries solves that problem but the friends must still try to solve the crime and feed all the relevant information to their beloved Inspector.
I enjoy reading this series. It is light hearted and entertaining even though it deals with murder. I like the main characters and especially the way Inspector Witherspoon's household are right behind him, trying to help him solve his cases and still keep his pride intact. If you want some light reading in the historical crime genre then try this series - they can be read in any order.
Inspector Witherspoon is told to help Inspector Nivens just in case it turns out to be murder after all but his housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries, and the rest of his staff must be extra careful not to be seen to be asking questions. They are also hampered by the presence of an elderly relative of Mrs Goodge's who has come for a visit. Some inspired planning by Mrs Jeffries solves that problem but the friends must still try to solve the crime and feed all the relevant information to their beloved Inspector.
I enjoy reading this series. It is light hearted and entertaining even though it deals with murder. I like the main characters and especially the way Inspector Witherspoon's household are right behind him, trying to help him solve his cases and still keep his pride intact. If you want some light reading in the historical crime genre then try this series - they can be read in any order.
September 7, 2024
Inspector Witherspoon finds himself paired with the scornful Inspector Nivens after a woman is murdered in s crime that's made to look like a burglary. As usual, Nivens is scornful of Witherspoon's methods and does his best to sow thorns in the path of justice. And Mrs Goodge's Aunt Alberta has come for a visit, frustrating Mrs Goodge's efforts to pump her sources.
August 13, 2023
Another great edition!Ìý
July 10, 2018
Everyone hated Hannah Cameron, but who actually stabbed her at her house? The room was staged to look like a burglary gone wrong, but because there is doubt, both Inspector Nevins, whose specialty is burglary, and Inspector Witherspoon, whose specialty is murder, are assigned to the case. Nevins is a lead weight on the investigation because he hates Witherspoon for his success, and is determined to prove that this is a burglary gone wrong, so gets in Witherspoon's way as much as possible. What neither he nor Witherspoon know is that it's Witherspoon's household staff who solves all his murders, running around like mad behind everyone's back to gather clues--sometimes a bit illegally, and sometimes with the help of a shilling or two--or many more. The household consists of Mrs. Jeffries the housekeeper and liaison to Witherspoon--he tells her everything and she passes it along. Mrs. Goudge is the cook, who detects by bribing sources to come to her--with her excellent baking. Betsy the housemaid and Smythe the coachman are sweet on each other but won't admit it. Wiggins the footman has his dog Fred for company. Lutie Bell Crookshanks, a wealthy American, and her butler Hatchet, have joined the company and gleefully try to outdo each other in detecting. This is a complicated case, though, with a household full of suspects, Nevins spiking Witherspoon's guns, and Mrs. Goudge's elderly Aunt Alberta always poking her nose in at the wrong time. Will the group solve the case in time to save another life?
This series continues to be fun, mostly because of the interaction of the household staff. If you're looking for a cozy historical with detectives who are not drowning in angst and/or suspected of this or any other crime, and who actually like each other and help each other, this is the series for you.
This series continues to be fun, mostly because of the interaction of the household staff. If you're looking for a cozy historical with detectives who are not drowning in angst and/or suspected of this or any other crime, and who actually like each other and help each other, this is the series for you.
July 19, 2024
When a woman is killed in her own home, it just so happens that Chief Inspector Barrows is leaving the house next door as the butler runs out to summon the police. Clearly he has the duty to check the scene, which appears to suggest a burglary gone wrong, a crime that would be handled by Scotland Yard’s best burglary expert, Inspector Nevins. But the Chief Inspector feels that something is slightly off about the scenario, so he asks Inspector Witherspoon to take a look, and it is that person’s opinion that the crime was a murder meant to be taken as a burglary-gone-wrong. In no time, his staff at home is on the look-out for clues, and they are beginning to get somewhere when Inspector Nevins pulls some political strings and gets the Chief Inspector to take Inspector Witherspoon off the case. But how can the staff stop investigating when doing so will mean a murderer goes free?.... The 11th book in this long-running series shows that Inspector Witherspoon is indeed becoming a better detective, particularly as he starts to understand why his instincts tell him that this is a murder case. We again learn a bit more about the former lives of the various staff members of the Inspector’s household, and are beginning to inch toward a possible revelation about the coachman, Smythe, which I for one can’t wait to learn. While it’s not necessary to read these books in order, the reader’s understanding of the characters and their developing relationships is richer for doing so; recommended.
November 1, 2019
Hannah Cameron, a wealthy but detested woman, is stabbed in the back while looking out at her garden in the dark. The room where she was standing is made to look like a burglary took place. Chief Inspector Barrows calsl in Inspector Nivens, an expert on solving robberies, and Inspector Witherspoon, noted for finding murderers. Unknown to Witherspoon, it is really his house staff - his housekeeper Mrs Jeffries, cook, maid, footman, and coach driver- who collect the evidence and solve the mysteries. It is Mrs Jeffries' job to innocently pass the evidence to Witherspoon and let him solve the mystery and take the credit. Now a new mystery! The house staff sets off looking for clues and they soon discover several suspects, including the dead woman's brother, cousin, good friend, and husband. Add to the suspects all the dead woman's servants who hate her for her strict rules and stingy food portions. This page-turner keeps moving as each of the amateur detectives ingeniously discover clues. The ending was unexpected by this reader and very satisfying.
August 22, 2018
#11 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).
Hannah Cameron was stabbed her in the back in what was meant to to be taken as a robbery attempt. She was not well-liked. Inspector Witherspoon was called in because it was a suspected murder, but his rival, Inspector Nivens, is also called in because it might be a robbery. Nivens wants to be in charge. Keeping things unclear is a series of complicated family relationships.
Hannah Cameron was stabbed her in the back in what was meant to to be taken as a robbery attempt. She was not well-liked. Inspector Witherspoon was called in because it was a suspected murder, but his rival, Inspector Nivens, is also called in because it might be a robbery. Nivens wants to be in charge. Keeping things unclear is a series of complicated family relationships.
October 27, 2023
Mrs. Jeffries Questions the Answer (Mrs. Jeffries, #11) � Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) October 15, 2023
Aunt Alberta is visiting the Witherspoon household, but the crew has a plan to drag her around to see the sights to keep her out of any investigaions going on.
And the murder is a doozy, as Mrs. Jeffries is at wits in trying to solve it. She thinks she knows who killed the victim, but can’t quite put the pieces in place. Meanwhile, Inspector Witherspoon is investigating with Barnes and feels a little at wits end as well.
Things come to a head for Smithe as Inspector Witherspoon asks after the letter delivery person, and Mrs. Jeffries looks sharply at Smithe and indicates, with the others present, that the gentleman looked like a banker.
This story felt like an ending of an arc. I’ll take a break now; the rest of the books in the series are coming to Scribd Oct. 24 and I will pick the audiobook up at the point.
Four stars.
Aunt Alberta is visiting the Witherspoon household, but the crew has a plan to drag her around to see the sights to keep her out of any investigaions going on.
And the murder is a doozy, as Mrs. Jeffries is at wits in trying to solve it. She thinks she knows who killed the victim, but can’t quite put the pieces in place. Meanwhile, Inspector Witherspoon is investigating with Barnes and feels a little at wits end as well.
Things come to a head for Smithe as Inspector Witherspoon asks after the letter delivery person, and Mrs. Jeffries looks sharply at Smithe and indicates, with the others present, that the gentleman looked like a banker.
This story felt like an ending of an arc. I’ll take a break now; the rest of the books in the series are coming to Scribd Oct. 24 and I will pick the audiobook up at the point.
Four stars.
October 17, 2019
Audiobook-reader, Lindy Nettleton, is good but could be better.
These are enjoyable, cozy mysteries in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining, and you become attached to them. Their stories and relationships evolve over time. The mystery itself is good, too. The premise is a little silly--that the servants can solve the mystery without the inspector finding out. I believe that if I read these in print, it would be easier to swallow. Having the reader doing the characters full blown and sometimes a little over the top in their lines makes it closer to farce than I would like. If I was reading it myself, I could gloss over those parts in a more casual style, especially the character of Mrs. Crookshank. (All books in this series have basically the same review.)
These are enjoyable, cozy mysteries in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining, and you become attached to them. Their stories and relationships evolve over time. The mystery itself is good, too. The premise is a little silly--that the servants can solve the mystery without the inspector finding out. I believe that if I read these in print, it would be easier to swallow. Having the reader doing the characters full blown and sometimes a little over the top in their lines makes it closer to farce than I would like. If I was reading it myself, I could gloss over those parts in a more casual style, especially the character of Mrs. Crookshank. (All books in this series have basically the same review.)
June 17, 2022
Number 11 in the Mrs. Jeffries series, I am really enjoying these murder mystery series set in the Victorian age. Hannah Cameron has been found stabbed in her back. Everyone feels it's a burglary and she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but clues do not add up and it's up to Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon's staff to help him solve yet another murder.
I've read a number of the stories in the series, and recently came across #10, #11 & #12 in the series. Luckily, the books do not need to be read in order. I adore these stories so much, I've passed what I've read so far to one of my co-workers who is also really enjoying them.
Unfortunately, I did not solve this one.
I've read a number of the stories in the series, and recently came across #10, #11 & #12 in the series. Luckily, the books do not need to be read in order. I adore these stories so much, I've passed what I've read so far to one of my co-workers who is also really enjoying them.
Unfortunately, I did not solve this one.
March 11, 2018
Clever approach to a series
A rather naive Victorian London police inspector gains quite a successful reputation thanks to the clever investigating done by his household staff. His housekeeper, the widow of a village police detective, quickly spots what needs to be done and leads the household staff in getting all the information needed to solve the case. In the daily 'pep talks ' she gives their boss she cleverly communicates the information in a way designed to make it seem he thought of it himself. All in all a very clever approach to crime solving and an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this series.
A rather naive Victorian London police inspector gains quite a successful reputation thanks to the clever investigating done by his household staff. His housekeeper, the widow of a village police detective, quickly spots what needs to be done and leads the household staff in getting all the information needed to solve the case. In the daily 'pep talks ' she gives their boss she cleverly communicates the information in a way designed to make it seem he thought of it himself. All in all a very clever approach to crime solving and an enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this series.
July 9, 2018
As always, Mrs. Jeffries & her band of crime solving follow servants take us on an enjoyable ride through Victorian London. By this now, 11th novel, the cast of regular characters are well fleshed out and the introduction of other secondary characters adds just enough variety to the story.
A pleasant story & easy read-- Mrs. Jeffries novels will never vie for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which is part of their charm~ A delightful read to cleanse the palate after more dubious reading choices
A pleasant story & easy read-- Mrs. Jeffries novels will never vie for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which is part of their charm~ A delightful read to cleanse the palate after more dubious reading choices
July 16, 2021
A woman is in a dark sitting room waiting for someone to come through the French doors; waiting to catch this person in the act of being outside of the house at night. Next thing you know she's dead! Someone had stabbed her in the back but who? This is the beginning of a good mystery. Inspector Witherspoon is called to the scene but Inspector Niven gets the case because they think it is a robbery gone wrong. Mrs. Jeffries and her staff have to work secretly so as not to bring suspicion upon them while they try to solve the murder. Can they do it? Read and see.
February 21, 2023
As the team investigates the case, there is a lot of information being gathered that doesn't seem to clarify what is going on as far as the murder is concerned. Yet, there is a feeling of progress. The denouement happens so quickly that it makes the reader's head spin. I loved how Wiggins and Smythe and Fred and Witherspoon are all in for the kill, without Witherspoon being any the wiser. Very well done on the part of the author. I would have liked to see Nivens get his comeuppance, however. He drives me crazy.
March 8, 2019
Inspector Witherspoon is saddled with his nemesis, the jealous Inspector Nivens, and the household staff have to skirt visiting Aunt Elberta in order to discover who killed the harsh Mrs. Cameron as she tried to trap a lovestruck governess, who also is her husband's niece. Betsy and Smythe continue their nascent romance; Wiggins falls for yet another maid; we discover that Hatchett, the butler next door, has some criminal connections.
August 29, 2020
Writing: 5 Stars;
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 4 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars; I like the painted covers, though the pallet could have been better. Also, subject makes no sense with the story.
Total: 4 Stars;
Another entertaining, cosy, Victorian mystery. The plot of this one was a bit too convoluted and I did not find the ending as satisfying.
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 4 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars; I like the painted covers, though the pallet could have been better. Also, subject makes no sense with the story.
Total: 4 Stars;
Another entertaining, cosy, Victorian mystery. The plot of this one was a bit too convoluted and I did not find the ending as satisfying.
March 18, 2024
Mrs. Jeffries does it again! I love how these characters feel like real people, even when they are maybe a bit of a caricature of themselves at times. They are consistent, though, even as they are growing and developing. I am really enjoying seeing that development, even though I've read a couple of the later novels and know where a few things are heading. It all feels very natural, and the mysteries are clever and fun.
Emily Brightwell has done it again!
Emily Brightwell has done it again!
April 27, 2025
Another fun cozy mystery with Mrs. Jeffries and the staff and friends of Inspector Witherspoon, as they help him earn a reputation as an expert detective at Scotland Yard... without him realizing it. This mystery was a bit short on thrills until the very end, but it's always good to be among these characters. I still look forward to listening to more of the series, expertly narrated. Exactly the kind of escapism I am in need of now.
June 7, 2019
A murder dressed as a burglery. Nasty lady of the house is stabbed while she is waiting to trap someone.
Turns out her husband knew his wife suspected his neice of going out at night to meet her lover.
He killed his wife thinking he was killing his neice so she could not inherit her uncle's fortune.
Turns out her husband knew his wife suspected his neice of going out at night to meet her lover.
He killed his wife thinking he was killing his neice so she could not inherit her uncle's fortune.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
I have liked every story I have read in this series and really like the premise of a household helping their employer. It's like reading about a very close knit family helping each other, with as much dedication to the truth, as to each other. I very much recommend this book and look forward to reading all of the books in this series.
July 9, 2024
I have to admit to having a weakness for the books in this series and it is in large part due to the characters. This is one of the best I have read so far; a really good mystery and the cozy environment of the inspector's home combined with endearing characters make a winning combination in my book!
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