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Mrs. Jeffries #7
Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook
Minerva Kenny is a dear woman, but her tendency to "borrow" things without asking has finally caught up with her. William Barrett has learned Minerva's shameful secret, and he's holding it over her head. Mrs. Jeffries and the staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens have hatched a scheme to save her-but when they try to recover the damning evidence from Barrett, they discover something more shocking: Barrett's corpse. Considering the victim's wicked ways, Minerva is far from the only suspect. And when Inspector Witherspoon's cook is called away suddenly, Mrs. Jeffries finds herself doing double duty: cooking for the household and trying to cook this killer's goose.
Audio CD
First published November 1, 1995
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About the author
Emily Brightwell
67books508followersCheryl 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 112 reviews
February 9, 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!
Mrs. Jeffries and the staff are helping their neighbor, Lady Ruth Cannonberry, widow of a Peer of the Realm. Ruth was a vicar's daughter before marriage and has no pretensions about class distinctions. Ruth has sussed out the staff's secret and needs them to help her friend, Minerva Kenny. Minerva is a kleptomaniac who borrows small, pretty objects from her friends and then returns them in a day or two. As she was returning a china bluebird to her friends parlour, the odious Mr. William Barrett, took it from her, just to torment and humiliate her. With the threat of exposure to the entire social world, Minerva has broken down and confessed everything. Ruth doesn't know what Mrs. Jeffries and the staff can do but she is desperate to save her naive friend from public disgrace.
Smythe offers to go to the Barrett home and steal the bluebird from the man's study. With Barrett remodeling his third floor, Smythe thinks he can do it without being caught because the painters and other workmen have been in and out of the front and back doors all day. He enters the study and not only finds the china bluebird in the desk drawer but also discovers the very dead body of William Barret. Sitting in his overstuffed armchair near the fireplace, Barret has been skewered thru the heart with a sword. Symthe gets away clean but now Mrs. Jeffries has to find a way to get the Inspector to the house and body without giving away their secret.
Another riveting tale that will take you on another thrilling adventure to a time and place when life was much different.
Mrs. Jeffries and the staff are helping their neighbor, Lady Ruth Cannonberry, widow of a Peer of the Realm. Ruth was a vicar's daughter before marriage and has no pretensions about class distinctions. Ruth has sussed out the staff's secret and needs them to help her friend, Minerva Kenny. Minerva is a kleptomaniac who borrows small, pretty objects from her friends and then returns them in a day or two. As she was returning a china bluebird to her friends parlour, the odious Mr. William Barrett, took it from her, just to torment and humiliate her. With the threat of exposure to the entire social world, Minerva has broken down and confessed everything. Ruth doesn't know what Mrs. Jeffries and the staff can do but she is desperate to save her naive friend from public disgrace.
Smythe offers to go to the Barrett home and steal the bluebird from the man's study. With Barrett remodeling his third floor, Smythe thinks he can do it without being caught because the painters and other workmen have been in and out of the front and back doors all day. He enters the study and not only finds the china bluebird in the desk drawer but also discovers the very dead body of William Barret. Sitting in his overstuffed armchair near the fireplace, Barret has been skewered thru the heart with a sword. Symthe gets away clean but now Mrs. Jeffries has to find a way to get the Inspector to the house and body without giving away their secret.
Another riveting tale that will take you on another thrilling adventure to a time and place when life was much different.
May 10, 2016
Another intriguing read from Emily Brightwell, featuring Inspector Gerald Witherspoon and his trusty team (his housekeeper, cook and friends) to assist him in detection, while ensuring he gets some good leads and confident that it was all (nearly all) his own work.
There is an interesting and well rounded cast of characters in the search for William Barrett's murderer, and with no shortage of suspects. Unfortunately Mrs Goodge, the cook has been called away to see her aunt, who is gravely ill. This leaves Gerald Witherspoon and his staff lacking sustenance to get them through their work. But they cope very well and keep their wits about them, as they plot and plan to discover who ran William Barrett through with a sword and in his own study.
Maybe is was the owner of the dog who Barrett apparently killed, or Minerva who had a secret habit which William Barrett discovered. There are so many twists and turns, it holds the readers'interest from start to finish. It is impossible to imagine who committed the murder and why, and all of this with poorly cooked food, produced by various members of Witherspoon's household.
A very good book, I got totally engrossed in it and enjoyed reading this Victorian murder mystery. I can recommend it to lovers of detective fiction and period dramas. I learned a lot about the background history of the Victorian working household, life in London and detection in Victorian times without the benefits of laboratories, blood tests etc. that today's detectives can employ.
There is an interesting and well rounded cast of characters in the search for William Barrett's murderer, and with no shortage of suspects. Unfortunately Mrs Goodge, the cook has been called away to see her aunt, who is gravely ill. This leaves Gerald Witherspoon and his staff lacking sustenance to get them through their work. But they cope very well and keep their wits about them, as they plot and plan to discover who ran William Barrett through with a sword and in his own study.
Maybe is was the owner of the dog who Barrett apparently killed, or Minerva who had a secret habit which William Barrett discovered. There are so many twists and turns, it holds the readers'interest from start to finish. It is impossible to imagine who committed the murder and why, and all of this with poorly cooked food, produced by various members of Witherspoon's household.
A very good book, I got totally engrossed in it and enjoyed reading this Victorian murder mystery. I can recommend it to lovers of detective fiction and period dramas. I learned a lot about the background history of the Victorian working household, life in London and detection in Victorian times without the benefits of laboratories, blood tests etc. that today's detectives can employ.
November 12, 2016
It's a sad day for Inspector Witherspoon's household when the cook, Mrs. Goudge (sp?), has to go care for an elderly aunt for a few days, because everyone else on staff (except coachman Smythe) is a terrible cook. They can't even hire a temporary cook because Smythe, while doing a little housebreaking to save a lady from blackmail, encountered the murdered householder and Inspector Witherspoon is on the case. Or so he thinks. He has no idea his household staff really solves his crimes, and they can't have a stranger in the house while they're having war councils and running around after suspects. This particular murder is a confusing one; the murdered man's house was wide open, as he was having work done and the doors were unlocked. He also made enemies right and left, literally--his neighbors hated him, as well as many other people. Mrs. Jeffries and her staff have their hands full--and their stomachs empty.
This is such a charming series, and this is another good entry. I laughed aloud at the hapless cooks of all stripes and their dreadful meals, and while I figured out one part of the murder pretty quickly, I didn't figure out the actual murderer. Possibly because there were too many suspects to keep track of, honestly. But as with a number of quirky cozies, the murder is almost a mcguffin, if an event can be a mcguffin--it's necessary to build the plot around, but the real story is the characters and their world. I'd like to move into Upper Edmonton Gardens with them--though I'd do my own cooking.
This is such a charming series, and this is another good entry. I laughed aloud at the hapless cooks of all stripes and their dreadful meals, and while I figured out one part of the murder pretty quickly, I didn't figure out the actual murderer. Possibly because there were too many suspects to keep track of, honestly. But as with a number of quirky cozies, the murder is almost a mcguffin, if an event can be a mcguffin--it's necessary to build the plot around, but the real story is the characters and their world. I'd like to move into Upper Edmonton Gardens with them--though I'd do my own cooking.
March 13, 2020
These are a lot of fun
September 14, 2021
This one was another delightful entry into the Mrs. Jeffries series. There were lighthearted moments in this one, too. Mrs. Goodge had to leave to visit a sick aunt and none of the others know how to cook. With a murder to help solve, the group couldn't bring in a temporary cook which led to some very humorous incidents for all. A tricky murder mystery with heart as these loyal servants won't let their Inspector down.
March 13, 2024
# 7 in the series.
The characters really appeal and offer a lot of humor.
The characters really appeal and offer a lot of humor.
January 8, 2021
Scintillating Story
Mrs. Jeffries and her super savvy squad of secret sleuths seek to solve the skewering of a somewhat scandalous scoundrel.
Mrs. Jeffries and her super savvy squad of secret sleuths seek to solve the skewering of a somewhat scandalous scoundrel.
January 28, 2014
Doing a favor for Lady Cannonberry, Smythe encounters a murder victim. Now the staff must let Inspector Witherspoon know about the murder without involving them. The victim is dislike by every one he knows. Mrs Goodge is not there to cook the meals. Everyone. tries to cook; all manage to mess up the meal. While the inspector keeps looking for a good meal, he is understanding. Mrs Jeffries is always a light and relaxing read.
February 2, 2017
Such a fun read! On to the next one.
January 12, 2020
Rather formulaic.
April 27, 2020
Lady Cannonberry, who lived next door to Inspector Witherspoon, arrived in his kitchen to talk to his housekeeper Mrs Jeffries and the rest of his servants. She realized they helped the Inspector solve his murder cases, although she also realized they never let him know he had help. Now she asked the staff to help her. She had a friend, Minerva Kenny, who had a problem, or Lady Cannonberry preferred to think of it as an affliction or an illness. If Minerva was visiting a house and saw something she liked, she took it; but she always returned it. A horrible man named William Barrett caught Minerva returning a china bird to a shelf in the Astley's house. Barrett pocketed the bird and told Minerva he would ruin her her socially when he told all her friends she was a thief. Lady Cannonberry begged Mrs Jeffries and the staff to try to get the china bird back. Smythe,the coachman, volunteered to sneak into Barrett's house and try to find the china figurine. As luck would have it, Barrett had painters and carpenters working on the third floor of the house; all the doors were open. Smythe tiptoed past the kitchen with all the servants, up the next level, and into Barrett's study which appeared to be empty. Although it was dark except for a low fire, Smythe found the china bird in the back of the desk drawer and pocketed it. As he turned to leave, Smythe noticed something shiny sticking out of the back of a chair. On closer inspection, he realized it was a curved sword. When he looked around the front of the chair, there was William Barrett skewered through the heart, very dead. Smythe snuck out through a window and returned to the Inspector's kitchen. Their first job was letting Inspector Witherspoon know there was a dead body in Barrett's house. Having accomplished that, Mrs Jeffries and her staff of servant detectives began their snooping. They soon realized that no one like William Barrett, who delighted in having control over people. As the kitchen maid Betsy observed:"At least half of London wanted the man dead."Lots of suspects to choose from, each with a reason to murder the hateful man!
May 25, 2021
When Mr Adrian Spears can’t find his beloved spaniel, his servants search inside and out and discover the dead dog hidden under a bush in odious neighbor William Barrett’s plots of the communal gardens with a bloodied hammer nearby. Only Spears’s butler prevents him from physically attacking Barrett. They’d had a previous altercation when Barrett had thrown stones at the dog.
Inspector Witherspoon’s staff is upset when his neighbor, Lady Ruth Cannonberry, asks them to help a dear friend of hers, Minerva Kenny, who has a wee problem -habitual temporary cleptomania, though she always returns what she has “borrowed,� but this time she’s been caught and is being blackmailed by Barrett. In fact it seems everyone is angry with Mr Barrett. He’s been sued, angered most of his many unhappy business partners, including Mr. Thornton Astley and his wife Maud and Astley’s secretary Neville Sharpe, and literally left another business partner, Owen Washburn’s sister Eliza at the alter.
On the day of his murder, his house had carpenters and painters running up and down the stairs and in and out of wide open doors doing third floor renovations, there were multiple visitors crying and arguing with him, three hansom cabs dropping off passengers, or not, all while he was working in his study with instructions NOT to be disturbed. No one is unhappy to hear of his death, including his servants, but who among the multitude of suspects is the Murderer? Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff, plus butinsky Lady Cannonberry, but lacking Mrs Goodge, the cook, who is tending an ailing aunt while the whole household sorely misses her many talents as do their stomachs.
Inspector Witherspoon’s staff is upset when his neighbor, Lady Ruth Cannonberry, asks them to help a dear friend of hers, Minerva Kenny, who has a wee problem -habitual temporary cleptomania, though she always returns what she has “borrowed,� but this time she’s been caught and is being blackmailed by Barrett. In fact it seems everyone is angry with Mr Barrett. He’s been sued, angered most of his many unhappy business partners, including Mr. Thornton Astley and his wife Maud and Astley’s secretary Neville Sharpe, and literally left another business partner, Owen Washburn’s sister Eliza at the alter.
On the day of his murder, his house had carpenters and painters running up and down the stairs and in and out of wide open doors doing third floor renovations, there were multiple visitors crying and arguing with him, three hansom cabs dropping off passengers, or not, all while he was working in his study with instructions NOT to be disturbed. No one is unhappy to hear of his death, including his servants, but who among the multitude of suspects is the Murderer? Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff, plus butinsky Lady Cannonberry, but lacking Mrs Goodge, the cook, who is tending an ailing aunt while the whole household sorely misses her many talents as do their stomachs.
June 22, 2024
Lady Cannonberry asks Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the staff at the home of Scotland Yard Inspector Gerald Witherspoon to retrieve an item from the home of Mr. Barrett. It seems that a friend of hers, Minerva, was in the habit of filching small items from the homes of other people; it’s not really stealing because she always returns the items a day or two later with no one the wiser. But this time, the wicked Mr. Barrett caught her stealing from the Astleys and is threatening to expose her secret, so Lady Cannonberry thinks the staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens can help. When one of the group sneaks into the house to retrieve the object, he also finds the householder, Mr. Barrett, quite dead. And that is only the beginning of the troubles the household staff will encounter during this adventure�. I quite like this minor cozy series, set in Victorian London and featuring a very endearing cast of characters, about whom the reader learns a bit more with each new entry (this is the seventh). I must say that I found the subplot here, having to do with the cook out of the house to look after a relative and the resulting disaster that the following meals become, a bit hard to swallow - surely *one* of the women in the house can at least cook something decent! And the idea of a member of the aristocracy (albeit by marriage) interacting with the servants on a first-name basis is a bit much, but then this type of book isn’t meant to be terribly realistic. Generally recommended.
March 7, 2019
I discovered something today.
Two of these delightful books in immediate succession does not mean double the pleasure.
I know I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just spent so much time with them all yesterday, reading the previous one in the series, . They're just a little too 'cozy' for me in such a large dose. No binge-listens for this series for me.
YMMV, and it probably will. Isn't it wonderful to find out?
Yes, I totally enjoy a taste of the terrible food that they endured. My grandmother was that kind of a cook. Cabbage boiled to death, too much salt, and other disasters. The worst of it was that my other grandmother could make gourmet silken pockets out of sow's ears, and leave you begging for more. This book reminded me of both of them. But it wore thin on me. The Mexican dinner the most. Too cute for me.
The actual solution of the murder, though, was wonderful. I flailed myself for not seeing it. That, to me, is a sign of a really good plot. Obvious in retrospect. I shoulda oughta.
I wonder how soon I can read the next without thinking it's just too 'cozy' for me? I think it might not be too long. Next month?
Two of these delightful books in immediate succession does not mean double the pleasure.
I know I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't just spent so much time with them all yesterday, reading the previous one in the series, . They're just a little too 'cozy' for me in such a large dose. No binge-listens for this series for me.
YMMV, and it probably will. Isn't it wonderful to find out?
Yes, I totally enjoy a taste of the terrible food that they endured. My grandmother was that kind of a cook. Cabbage boiled to death, too much salt, and other disasters. The worst of it was that my other grandmother could make gourmet silken pockets out of sow's ears, and leave you begging for more. This book reminded me of both of them. But it wore thin on me. The Mexican dinner the most. Too cute for me.
The actual solution of the murder, though, was wonderful. I flailed myself for not seeing it. That, to me, is a sign of a really good plot. Obvious in retrospect. I shoulda oughta.
I wonder how soon I can read the next without thinking it's just too 'cozy' for me? I think it might not be too long. Next month?
January 21, 2022
This book is about what I would expect from a Mrs. Jeffries book, especially this far along in the series. The factor is the reason that I signed this book out from the library at this time; it is the type of read that I was looking for and it delivered as expected.
I might have given four stars but for the fact that I got tired of Betsy snipping, sniping, and snapping. I found it wearisome in the last book when they were all going at each other and was happy that it had stopped in this book. But, for some reason Brightwell had Betsy continue in that line, and then made it worse by having it be this female character being unreasonably snide while also having a male character doing the 'there, there dear, don't worry your pretty head about it schtick' (no in so many words, but seriously?!?). They're not in elementary school so surely they can find a better way to express their feelings for one another.
I will read the next book to see how it goes, and really expect it to be predictably enjoyable with enough story to keep my brains occupied without too much more than entertainment to it.
I might have given four stars but for the fact that I got tired of Betsy snipping, sniping, and snapping. I found it wearisome in the last book when they were all going at each other and was happy that it had stopped in this book. But, for some reason Brightwell had Betsy continue in that line, and then made it worse by having it be this female character being unreasonably snide while also having a male character doing the 'there, there dear, don't worry your pretty head about it schtick' (no in so many words, but seriously?!?). They're not in elementary school so surely they can find a better way to express their feelings for one another.
I will read the next book to see how it goes, and really expect it to be predictably enjoyable with enough story to keep my brains occupied without too much more than entertainment to it.
October 16, 2022
When Mrs. Goodge goes to help her aunt through a sickness, the food situation at the Inspector's house becomes a bit off-putting. None of the rest of them can cook at all except Smythe, who is getting more interesting as a character with each book in this series. You come away with the feeling that if you don't know how to cook, don't try, which goes against my feelings about most tasks. One can learn. Trying is what is required. On the other hand, if I had read about one more horrible meal, I think I wouldn't have been able to eat again.
The crew go about their business of collecting data and finding ways to get that data to the Inspector without him realizing what they are doing. The new characters did not gain my sympathy, except perhaps for the painters who weren't going to get paid due to the murder of the man who had hired them. I found the murder of the dog more horrifying that the murder of the man. I'm not sure what that says about me.
The crew go about their business of collecting data and finding ways to get that data to the Inspector without him realizing what they are doing. The new characters did not gain my sympathy, except perhaps for the painters who weren't going to get paid due to the murder of the man who had hired them. I found the murder of the dog more horrifying that the murder of the man. I'm not sure what that says about me.
October 27, 2023
Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook (Mrs. Jeffries, #7) � Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) October 12, 2023
It’s been boring in the Witherspoon household mosty due to no violent crimes, and then The Cook takes leave of absence to attend to an aling family member. At the same time, a sticky-finger woman steals something and is found out by the head of household, who dangles this secret over her head. The woman is a friend of one of the crew and they decide to come to her rescue only to discover that the instigator is dead.
The question becomes how to tell the Insector about this death without arousing suspicions as to why they were there in that household at that particular time.
Of course, they aim to solve the mystery to nab the correct killer before another person goes scot-free.
Three stars.
It’s been boring in the Witherspoon household mosty due to no violent crimes, and then The Cook takes leave of absence to attend to an aling family member. At the same time, a sticky-finger woman steals something and is found out by the head of household, who dangles this secret over her head. The woman is a friend of one of the crew and they decide to come to her rescue only to discover that the instigator is dead.
The question becomes how to tell the Insector about this death without arousing suspicions as to why they were there in that household at that particular time.
Of course, they aim to solve the mystery to nab the correct killer before another person goes scot-free.
Three stars.
February 17, 2025
Lady Cannonberry, Inspector Witherspoon’s neighbor, comes to the the Inspector’s household staff with an odd request. She’s figured out that they’ve been helping him solve his murders, and she promises not to tell him - but she wants them to help her friend avoid a scandal. They agree to help, but in the process they discover a dead body. The staff jumps in to help the inspector solve the case, but when Mrs. Goodge, the cook, leaves to care for an elderly aunt, the staff, and even the neighbors take turns preparing the meals - with varying results. It’s interesting that now two neighbors know that the inspector’s staff helps him solve his cases, and I wonder how they’re going to keep him in the dark.
March 23, 2017
Eh.
It took me a little while to read this one. Even though the story was well put together, it lacked a bit of 'oomph' I would have liked to keep me intrigued.
I can see how the author tried to create different personalities for the many characters but sometimes I just couldn't keep up with who's who.
I can also see how in a world of racy and scandalous modern thrillers and mysteries these kind of older mysteries can take a knock on the shocking side. I suppose you just have to enjoy it for what it is and try to stay tuned in to the timeline.
Nevertheless, I'll give one of the other books in this series a try. Not sure I'm ready to make a proper judgement quite yet.
It took me a little while to read this one. Even though the story was well put together, it lacked a bit of 'oomph' I would have liked to keep me intrigued.
I can see how the author tried to create different personalities for the many characters but sometimes I just couldn't keep up with who's who.
I can also see how in a world of racy and scandalous modern thrillers and mysteries these kind of older mysteries can take a knock on the shocking side. I suppose you just have to enjoy it for what it is and try to stay tuned in to the timeline.
Nevertheless, I'll give one of the other books in this series a try. Not sure I'm ready to make a proper judgement quite yet.
April 9, 2020
Mrs. Goodge has had to leave on a family emergency so the staff has decided to take on her cooking duties with mixed results. Meanwhile a murder needs to be solved though the dead man is a hateful troublemaker that no one liked or cared about. However, he is set to accuse a woman of theft which would make her life miserable. It seems the woman is a bit of a kleptomaniac but she always puts things back after enjoying for a little while. Could she be capable of killing this horrid man? Mrs. Jeffries and crew will waste no time finding out so that Inspector Witherspoon can make an arrest.
If you Love Victorian Mysteries this is a series you must read!
If you Love Victorian Mysteries this is a series you must read!
June 17, 2021
Spoiler alert: Mrs. Jeffries can't cook. ;0 That part is easy to surmise. Trying to find out who killed William Barrett is another story. It seems half of London hated the man, and the suspects are lined up. How in the world will Inspector Witherspoon's staff find out who the murderer is when the list is so long? How will they eat with Mrs. Gooch gone? How will everyone handle their indigestion and find clues at the same time? Will they be able to find out before information comes out and perhaps ruin someone's life? You'll have to read the book to find out.
August 14, 2022
Mrs Jeffries and her below stairs cronies are asked by non other than Lady Cannonberry to help out her good friend Minerva, whose embarrassing habit has caught her out. Before they know it Mrs Jeffries etc al are embroiled in the murder of the unliked Mr Barrett. To add to their woes Mrs Goodge the cook has to leave them coping to both solve the murder and fend for food themselves. The below stairs staff of Inspector Witherspoon trawl the streets of London to help solve the murder getting into a myriad of scrapes. An enjoyable light read.
June 23, 2023
More cosy crime with the Victorian household - enjoyable enough.
Every now and again, I read one of these mystery novels to give me a break from more serious stuff. They don't disappoint and this book is no exception. Mrs Jefferies and her fellow workers help to solve another murder case with a whole bunch of suspects, the victim being a thoroughly unpleasant man. The usual gleaning of information takes place leading to Mrs Jeffries working out the solution. It's enjoyable enough, not too cerebral and a easy quick read.
Every now and again, I read one of these mystery novels to give me a break from more serious stuff. They don't disappoint and this book is no exception. Mrs Jefferies and her fellow workers help to solve another murder case with a whole bunch of suspects, the victim being a thoroughly unpleasant man. The usual gleaning of information takes place leading to Mrs Jeffries working out the solution. It's enjoyable enough, not too cerebral and a easy quick read.
August 9, 2021
2.5/5
I have enjoyed reading Mrs jeffries book but somehow this one was not up to the mark. Though the concept was good the mystery was not upto the mark, there was nothing captivating or edge of the seat kind of mystery in this book and frankly telling there was t much good the entire team of Mrs jeffries to do. Mrs J herself didn’t even w out of the house to do any detective work as she usually does and all in all it was a disappointing story line
I have enjoyed reading Mrs jeffries book but somehow this one was not up to the mark. Though the concept was good the mystery was not upto the mark, there was nothing captivating or edge of the seat kind of mystery in this book and frankly telling there was t much good the entire team of Mrs jeffries to do. Mrs J herself didn’t even w out of the house to do any detective work as she usually does and all in all it was a disappointing story line
August 6, 2023
Mrs. Goodge goes away.
And everyone else pitches in to do the cooking as they don’t want a temp cook while investigating a murder! Smith is an excellent ‘rough� cook and they get some help from Luty’s French chef Antoine. Tracking down clues while digesting poorly cooked moods leaves everyone in a foul mood. And the multiplicity of suspects is another cause for anguish. But out group does it again.
And everyone else pitches in to do the cooking as they don’t want a temp cook while investigating a murder! Smith is an excellent ‘rough� cook and they get some help from Luty’s French chef Antoine. Tracking down clues while digesting poorly cooked moods leaves everyone in a foul mood. And the multiplicity of suspects is another cause for anguish. But out group does it again.
November 6, 2018
Lady Ruth Cannonberry, neighbour and love interest of the inspector, asks the amateur sleuths of Upper Edmonton Gardens for help with her friend Minerva Kenny who is being blackmailed by the rather loathsome individual William Barrett. Kenny is a bit of a Klepto and 'borrows' things from the houses of friends only to go back and return them later. Barrett caught her and is using the threat of social disgrace against her.
The gang agree to help but soon find themselves caught up with a murder investigation when Barrett is found dead in his study with a sword running through him. Kenny is a suspect, but they are not in short supply. Few actually liked William Barrett but who hated him enough to kill him?
Mrs Goodge misses this murder investigation much to her disappointment as she was visiting a sick relative. The final page with Mrs Goodge's reaction to missing out really made me chuckle. The households attempts to cover her cooking duties where also humorous if a little silly. Overall, another solid addition to the series.
The gang agree to help but soon find themselves caught up with a murder investigation when Barrett is found dead in his study with a sword running through him. Kenny is a suspect, but they are not in short supply. Few actually liked William Barrett but who hated him enough to kill him?
Mrs Goodge misses this murder investigation much to her disappointment as she was visiting a sick relative. The final page with Mrs Goodge's reaction to missing out really made me chuckle. The households attempts to cover her cooking duties where also humorous if a little silly. Overall, another solid addition to the series.
January 21, 2019
I have to admit, this book had some pretty funny scenes in it when the staff tried to cook for themselves and the Inspector after the cook was called away on a family emergency. But they stuck with it and eventually solved the case, making sure their Inspector arrested the right person.
A fun, light read that I highly recommend.
A fun, light read that I highly recommend.
July 27, 2019
Cute and funny little book. Fast to read and if you really pay attention to all the little details , - and you could follow all the many many characters - you could figure out “whodunnit �
I received this book as a Christmas gift , and had no idea about the series so I started with this - but I didn’t feel I missed anything
I already ordered the first book though - can’t wait
I received this book as a Christmas gift , and had no idea about the series so I started with this - but I didn’t feel I missed anything
I already ordered the first book though - can’t wait
March 2, 2021
I LOVED this story! I have read these stories from the first one to the latest one out, and not once have I been disappointed. The main Characters are fun, lovable, and very realistic. The plot is easily followed, and I am always surprised at the ending. I highly recommend this book and all the rest of the series.
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