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Lady Eleanor Swift #3
A Witness to Murder
A medieval house, a dead body and some rather suspicious chocolate fudge? Call for Lady Swift!
Autumn, 1920. Lady Eleanor Swift, accidental amateur detective and retired explorer, is determined to take a break from investigating murders. So when a local politician dies suddenly at an elegant dinner party at Farrington Manor, she tries her hardest not to listen to the raft of rumours around the village that he might have been poisoned by the fudge. It’s the anniversary of the disappearance of her beloved parents and she’s promised herself not to get mixed up with any more mysteries. She isn’t sure they’d have approved.
But when she arrives home to discover that Mrs Pitkin, the kindly cook from Farrington Manor, has been dismissed without wage or reference because the police consider her a suspect, Eleanor knows she needs to act. If there was a murder, then she needs to track down the culprit and clear Mrs Pitkin’s name.
Accompanied by her faithful partner in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, who has the best nose for sniffing out bones in the country, Eleanor sets out to find the killer. And when another body turns up and she finds poisoned fudge in the victim’s house, Eleanor knows she’s on the right track. But can she sort the truth from the lies before she becomes a witness to another murder � this time rather closer to home?
An utterly charming cozy mystery! Warm and witty, fans of Agatha Christie, TE Kinsey and LB Hathaway will be totally hooked.
Autumn, 1920. Lady Eleanor Swift, accidental amateur detective and retired explorer, is determined to take a break from investigating murders. So when a local politician dies suddenly at an elegant dinner party at Farrington Manor, she tries her hardest not to listen to the raft of rumours around the village that he might have been poisoned by the fudge. It’s the anniversary of the disappearance of her beloved parents and she’s promised herself not to get mixed up with any more mysteries. She isn’t sure they’d have approved.
But when she arrives home to discover that Mrs Pitkin, the kindly cook from Farrington Manor, has been dismissed without wage or reference because the police consider her a suspect, Eleanor knows she needs to act. If there was a murder, then she needs to track down the culprit and clear Mrs Pitkin’s name.
Accompanied by her faithful partner in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, who has the best nose for sniffing out bones in the country, Eleanor sets out to find the killer. And when another body turns up and she finds poisoned fudge in the victim’s house, Eleanor knows she’s on the right track. But can she sort the truth from the lies before she becomes a witness to another murder � this time rather closer to home?
An utterly charming cozy mystery! Warm and witty, fans of Agatha Christie, TE Kinsey and LB Hathaway will be totally hooked.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2020
2281 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Verity Bright
31books339followersVerity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 9, 2020
I am really enjoying this cosy series and look forward to each book as it comes out. Thank goodness the author is writing them quickly!
In Lady Eleanor finds herself sleuthing again with the aid of her wonderful butler, Clifford. First one and then a second murder require her attention whilst at the same time she is standing for election as the local M.P. Even the redoubtable Eleanor finds herself overstretched for a time.
I love the characters in these books and the happy family Eleanor is making for herself with her staff and her delightful dog. When it comes to romance I think Lancelot will need to grow up if he wishes to compete with DCI Seldon but I may be wrong. I look forward to finding out in future books.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In Lady Eleanor finds herself sleuthing again with the aid of her wonderful butler, Clifford. First one and then a second murder require her attention whilst at the same time she is standing for election as the local M.P. Even the redoubtable Eleanor finds herself overstretched for a time.
I love the characters in these books and the happy family Eleanor is making for herself with her staff and her delightful dog. When it comes to romance I think Lancelot will need to grow up if he wishes to compete with DCI Seldon but I may be wrong. I look forward to finding out in future books.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 10, 2020
With the dignified Farringtons hosting a dinner party at their Manor in the small village of Chiltern, no one expected one of the guests to pass away just as the speeches were about to start. But when the police determined the man had been murdered, and the Farrington’s cook, Mrs Pitkin, was suspected of his murder and subsequently fired from her position, Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler and fellow sleuth Clifford, knew they had to prove her innocence before she was sent to the workhouse � or worse.
As they plotted their course, and planned their method of attack, Eleanor and Clifford along with faithful bulldog Gladstone, peeled back the layers of deceit and skullduggery. And when a second person was murdered, and more evidence discovered, Eleanor knew they were on the right track. But would they discover the killer before it was too late?
A Witness to Murder is the 3rd in the A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and it was lots of fun. It was a quick read, with plenty of twists � I didn’t guess the murderer at all! An entertaining cosy mystery which I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
As they plotted their course, and planned their method of attack, Eleanor and Clifford along with faithful bulldog Gladstone, peeled back the layers of deceit and skullduggery. And when a second person was murdered, and more evidence discovered, Eleanor knew they were on the right track. But would they discover the killer before it was too late?
A Witness to Murder is the 3rd in the A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and it was lots of fun. It was a quick read, with plenty of twists � I didn’t guess the murderer at all! An entertaining cosy mystery which I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2020
I absolutely love Verity Bright’s cozy mystery series featuring Lady Swift and her sleuthing butler Clifford. This period piece touches on some important issues as well, like the women’s suffrage movement. The main characters are quirky and fun and always seem to find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This is a great read and one I highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.
Merged review:
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture publishing in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 14 Sept 2020
I absolutely love Verity Bright’s cozy mystery series featuring Lady Swift and her sleuthing butler Clifford. This period piece touches on some important issues as well, like the women’s suffrage movement. The main characters are quirky and fun and always seem to find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This is a great read and one I highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.
Merged review:
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture publishing in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 14 Sept 2020
I absolutely love Verity Bright’s cozy mystery series featuring Lady Swift and her sleuthing butler Clifford. This period piece touches on some important issues as well, like the women’s suffrage movement. The main characters are quirky and fun and always seem to find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This is a great read and one I highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.
September 18, 2020
Lady Swift is back and this time she's running for office! After the local MP dies suddenly at a dinner party of death by fudge, she's persuaded to run in the upcoming election standing for the women's right movement. While preparing her campaign she must also find a killer and deal with the close minds of some of her neighbors (much harder than finding a killer!)
Once again there's the perfect mix of mystery and humour, and the character of Lady Swift shows some growth from book to book. I love how she's an independent women, unafraid of what others might think about her or her actions, and ready to do everything in her power for the people she loves, regardless of social class. She, along all the servants of Henley Hall, make such a tight pack of characters and I adore all their interactions as you can clearly see the mutual love and respect they have for one another.
Although her relationship with Lancelot seems to be progressing there are some hints that a love triangle may be in her future, as she's starting to realize that maybe DCI Seldon wasn't so bad of a suitor after all.
The mystery itself was quite entertaining and the resolution satisfying enough.
Thank to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once again there's the perfect mix of mystery and humour, and the character of Lady Swift shows some growth from book to book. I love how she's an independent women, unafraid of what others might think about her or her actions, and ready to do everything in her power for the people she loves, regardless of social class. She, along all the servants of Henley Hall, make such a tight pack of characters and I adore all their interactions as you can clearly see the mutual love and respect they have for one another.
Although her relationship with Lancelot seems to be progressing there are some hints that a love triangle may be in her future, as she's starting to realize that maybe DCI Seldon wasn't so bad of a suitor after all.
The mystery itself was quite entertaining and the resolution satisfying enough.
Thank to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
As we say in the valleys, everything you have in this world is just borrowed for a short time.
…have you seen a fish hooked out of water and hurled three miles inland? Because that would be me trying to make it in the murky world of politics. Bad smell and all.
‘…my thoughts are now burning like acid. Clifford, what would you call indigestion of the mind?� ‘Cerebral dyspepsia, my lady?�
You, Lady Swift, are all class. Which class, I’m not honestly sure.
My Review:
I am totally enamored and fully ensconced in the vastly entertaining and intriguing cozy mystery setting of Verity Bright’s Lady Swift series. A Witness to Murder is number three in this refreshingly crisp series which I hope continues into perpetuity. Each book has been a relaxing and pleasurable perusal of wry humor, engaging storylines, and an endearing and oddly compelling cast of characters, and this one even more so. Lady Swift finds herself nose deep in an unofficial murder investigation while also attempting to campaign for local politics, both were unexpected activities which she finds to be surprisingly and dishearteningly perplexing and strewn with countless roadblocks.
Each delightful installment in this series seems to be even more elegantly written than the last and feel as well-crafted and aesthetically complete as a well-produced program of Masterpiece Theater with more than one curiosity teasing mystery to be solved, clever humor, and brain twitching thoughts and vernacular of the times. I adore Lady Swift and her ever observant and well-connected butler and am already fervently awaiting the arrival of her next adventure.
As we say in the valleys, everything you have in this world is just borrowed for a short time.
…have you seen a fish hooked out of water and hurled three miles inland? Because that would be me trying to make it in the murky world of politics. Bad smell and all.
‘…my thoughts are now burning like acid. Clifford, what would you call indigestion of the mind?� ‘Cerebral dyspepsia, my lady?�
You, Lady Swift, are all class. Which class, I’m not honestly sure.
My Review:
I am totally enamored and fully ensconced in the vastly entertaining and intriguing cozy mystery setting of Verity Bright’s Lady Swift series. A Witness to Murder is number three in this refreshingly crisp series which I hope continues into perpetuity. Each book has been a relaxing and pleasurable perusal of wry humor, engaging storylines, and an endearing and oddly compelling cast of characters, and this one even more so. Lady Swift finds herself nose deep in an unofficial murder investigation while also attempting to campaign for local politics, both were unexpected activities which she finds to be surprisingly and dishearteningly perplexing and strewn with countless roadblocks.
Each delightful installment in this series seems to be even more elegantly written than the last and feel as well-crafted and aesthetically complete as a well-produced program of Masterpiece Theater with more than one curiosity teasing mystery to be solved, clever humor, and brain twitching thoughts and vernacular of the times. I adore Lady Swift and her ever observant and well-connected butler and am already fervently awaiting the arrival of her next adventure.
September 16, 2020
So this was fun to read! Although this is the third book in the series but the first one I have read, I had no trouble getting comfy and cozy with the delightful bunch of quirky and witty characters and the setting the minute I began reading. The bulldog Gladstone is such a character! I chuckled away at his antics while his master, Lady Eleanor Swift is refreshing... smart, witty goofy and completely unpretentious. I liked her camaraderie with all her household staff, especially her butler and sleuthing partner Clifford, who is a force to reckon with in his own quiet and subtle manner. He did remind me of Jeeves a bit.
A great blend of cozy and charming ☀️❤�.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Verity Bright for the e-Arc of the book. I look forward to reading more of the series.
A great blend of cozy and charming ☀️❤�.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Verity Bright for the e-Arc of the book. I look forward to reading more of the series.
May 29, 2022
At a dinner party given by Lord and Lady Farrington, Mr. Arnold Aris, a popular independent member of parliament for Chipstone and District, drops dead after eating a piece of fudge laced with peanuts. The cook, Mrs. Martha Pitkin, is sacked and may be accused of murder. She swears she was EXTRA careful not to contaminate Mr. Aris's food and there was no way it was her fudge that killed him. Even so, it's Lady Farrington's word against the cook's. With Mr. Aris dead, Chipstone is to hold a special election. The Women's League backed Mr. Aris and without him they need a new candidate and decide to back Ellie! Ellie isn't sure she wants to get into politics or if she's able because of her title. What she decides to do next will change the course of village life. Can she stand for MP and still have time to investigate the murder? Mrs. Totters, Ellie's cook, swears Mrs. Pitkin is innocent and Ellie believes her but finding someone who wanted the lovable MP dead won't be easy. When someone else ends up dead, Ellie is sure the murderer is the same person but the two men were on opposite sides of the political spectrum so who would want them both dead?
The whole plot hinges on Aris having a peanut allergy. Peanut butter wasn't sold in the UK in the 1930s and even if it was, it would be more like the natural peanut butters sold today and not the yummy, thick, creamy JIF or Skippy or Peter Pan variety I can't get enough of. Peanut butter was crushed peanuts in peanut oil. Say one actually did have a peanut allergy in 1920, I'm not sure anyone did, it would be very rare, peanut allergies are peanut allergies, so yes, just depending on the severity of his allergy, even walking into a room where peanut butter fudge was served could kill him. That's why they don't let kids bring PBJ sandwiches to school anymore! Some schools do and have peanut free tables, some schools have nut free classrooms and other schools are nut free. I'd starve to death! Also, Aris drops dead without anyone noticing. While I've never seen anyone go into anaphylactic shock, thank goodness, I've read other mysteries where someone died of a food allergy and it doesn't work the way it's presented in this novel. So, while the story was fun and unputdownable, I have to drop my rating by a whole star for the lack of authenticity.
Another huge error is Ellie wearing her mother's clothes. Um no. Especially not a cardigan. Women's clothes underwent a GINORMOUS change in the 20th century! Ellie's mother died in 1900 in Peru. Any clothes she left behind in England would be Victorian in style and wouldn't be fashionable in 1920. Cardigans weren't even worn by women and especially not Ladies prior to the 1920s/30s.
Another possible error: Why is Lord Farrington the Earl of Winslow and not Lord Winslow? That doesn't make sense unless Farrington is a higher title? I'm confused.
I couldn't put the book down. The writing is as fun as ever and I enjoyed the peek into the issue of women's rights in a small English village in 1920. I did not guess whodunit but I had an inkling it MIGHT have been that person. I didn't want it to be and there didn't seem to be a good motive. The motive turned out to be an awful one and hammers home the point of the story.
Ellie has grown on me a lot. She's come into her own and settled in as lady of the manor. She still has moments of self-doubt and the servants are still her bffs. Ellie doesn't hold herself above anyone else and she's always kind to the villagers as well, even if they're not nice to her. She tries but maybe not hard enough until the very end. I think her relationship with Lancelot is at a crossroads. While they're just going on their first official date, he isn't the right man for her. Lancelot doesn't take anything seriously and he didn't learn a lesson when he was arrested a few months ago. He's still partying with the Bright Young People and acting like a man child. How old IS he? He acts 16. He's completely disrespectful of Ellie's sincere interest in her campaign and doesn't understand how important it is to her. Lancelot doesn't respect anyone and doesn't have the mental capacity to understand that the way he thinks isn't normal. I hope his father has another heir and they can get him disinherited somehow! I don't want him to die, just be disinherited because he will make a horrendous Earl. I don't think DCI Seldon is the right man for Ellie either. He's too serious and by the book. Ellie does need some fun in her life and someone who will be a partner and support her. She needs someone more like Clifford but younger and from her own social class. If she didn't have two titles, it wouldn't matter so much and I would support her being single forever.
As usual, Clifford, Ellie's sidekick, is so much fun. He provides the driving and the drinking. Clifford is a good sounding board and he anticipates Ellie's thoughts before she voices them. He's always there for her no matter what. My very favorite character is Gladstone the bulldog with his leather slippers and his gummy ball. I want to snuggle up by the fire with him! The "ladies" as Ellie refers to her housekeeper and cook are also an integral part of Ellie's family. They support her and take care of her. Young Polly, the maid, is trying to hard to please everyone. She's awkward and still learning the ropes. I like how patient and kind Ellie is with her and how she allows Polly just to be herself.
Mr. Aris supported the poor and women. These issues made him popular in Chipstone but it doesn't sound like he really understood what people needed or wanted. He was in it for the power and ego trip just like any other politician. He was working on a housing development project for the poor. He must be getting something out of it. I don't trust politicians.
I don't trust Lady Farrington either. Appearances mean a lot to her. She wants Ellie to investigate but ONLY so it doesn't cause a scandal. She can't POSSIBLY talk to the POLICE, oh, my heavens no! People like US don't talk to THEM! She deliberately hid evidence, sacked the cook and is willing to throw her longtime employee under the bus just to prevent a scandal? Also why is she unwilling to have her husband know Lady Eleanor is investigating? She's hiding something for sure. I don't like her attitude and I suspect she may be the murderer.
It turns out there are suspects aplenty. Chief among them is Mr. Carlton, an MP for the Labour party. Mr. Ernest Carlton is a despicable louse. He's a womanizer who thinks nothing of using women for his own purpose. He claims to stand for the Labour party but is just another rich businessman interested in becoming more rich. Another chief suspect is Oswald Greaves, a Communist Party candidate. I'm not surprised Aris argued with Oswald. Everyone hated Communists back then. Oswald doesn't strike me as the Bolshevik type nor the murdering type. Aris's business partner, Mr. Peel, may not have had a good reason to kill Aris but things do not look rosy for him at the moment and I can imagine a great deal of resentment is simmering under the surface. I don't believe he was at the dinner party though so I don't think he is the killer.
The village women surprisingly don't support Ellie. The men I understand even though their arguments annoy the heck out of me. Why can't the men stay home for a little bit and look after the children while women vote? Today women bring their kids to the polling place when they don't have child care. It doesn't take long. Poor Ellie is a Lady but she can't sit in the House of Lords and she isn't yet 30 so she can't vote! That's seriously messed up! Mrs. Luscombe, the new seamstress, is most definitely an "anti." I can tell by her prissy attitude about Ellie wanting a shawl to match the scarf she bought. Mrs. Luscombe shouldn't refuse the patronage of the great lady in the area, not before she gets to know Lady Swift and know that Ellie's word won't make or break her. I'd be too afraid Lady Swift would spread the word that I was rude to her. I really hope the murder is Mr. Blewitt. He's a misogynistic bully who threatens Ellie. His male ego can't stand the thought of women's rights. He doesn't even try to find out what women's rights MEANS and why they're necessary. He makes my blood boil so hot I could murder HIM! The way men treat women in this novel just breaks my heart and makes me mad and the fact that women support these men makes me even more sad!
The women's rights women all that lovable any more than the male candidates. Miss Mann of the Women's League is a mousy lady. She is the one to recruit Ellie to run for women's rights MP but she doesn't seem to believe in women's rights. Miss Man isn't very proactive in doing anything. When Ellie is falsely accused of murder, Miss Man and the Women's League drop Ellie like a hot potato. That is so totally wrong. Women should stand by each other. Yet I don't like Mrs. Brody either. She's the opposite of Miss Man, a militant suffragist, a follower of Mrs. Pankhurst. I don't approve of her tactics yet she isn't doing anything differently than the men. I think she could be the murderer if she found out Aris didn't actually support women's rights! I would prefer it if she is not the murderer as that would hurt the cause.
Mrs. Pitkin didn't murder anyone. I believe her when she says she was careful but realistically speaking, unless her kitchen was cleaned and totally nut free, she COULD have killed him. Mistakes on behalf of the authors don't make for a killer though. Mrs. Pitkin is too distraught to not be believable. She faces a bleak future. She doesn't seem to have a history of murder and if anyone else knew of Aris's allergy, they could have done him in too. The way Lady Farrington treats Mrs. Pitkin is so horrible.
Inspector Fawks is an idiot. At first I assumed he was one of those working men with Communist sympathies, the type who would gladly participate in a French or Russian Revolution in Britain. Then I realized he's just rude to everyone. He doesn't have the brains to solve a murder.
I'm glad I stuck with this series and maybe I'll read the next one if I can. The 1920s are such an interesting time. They're so different from our own time yet the same problems they faced then still exist today. I wish we had a Lady Eleanor Swift to run for President!
The whole plot hinges on Aris having a peanut allergy. Peanut butter wasn't sold in the UK in the 1930s and even if it was, it would be more like the natural peanut butters sold today and not the yummy, thick, creamy JIF or Skippy or Peter Pan variety I can't get enough of. Peanut butter was crushed peanuts in peanut oil. Say one actually did have a peanut allergy in 1920, I'm not sure anyone did, it would be very rare, peanut allergies are peanut allergies, so yes, just depending on the severity of his allergy, even walking into a room where peanut butter fudge was served could kill him. That's why they don't let kids bring PBJ sandwiches to school anymore! Some schools do and have peanut free tables, some schools have nut free classrooms and other schools are nut free. I'd starve to death! Also, Aris drops dead without anyone noticing. While I've never seen anyone go into anaphylactic shock, thank goodness, I've read other mysteries where someone died of a food allergy and it doesn't work the way it's presented in this novel. So, while the story was fun and unputdownable, I have to drop my rating by a whole star for the lack of authenticity.
Another huge error is Ellie wearing her mother's clothes. Um no. Especially not a cardigan. Women's clothes underwent a GINORMOUS change in the 20th century! Ellie's mother died in 1900 in Peru. Any clothes she left behind in England would be Victorian in style and wouldn't be fashionable in 1920. Cardigans weren't even worn by women and especially not Ladies prior to the 1920s/30s.
Another possible error: Why is Lord Farrington the Earl of Winslow and not Lord Winslow? That doesn't make sense unless Farrington is a higher title? I'm confused.
I couldn't put the book down. The writing is as fun as ever and I enjoyed the peek into the issue of women's rights in a small English village in 1920. I did not guess whodunit but I had an inkling it MIGHT have been that person. I didn't want it to be and there didn't seem to be a good motive. The motive turned out to be an awful one and hammers home the point of the story.
Ellie has grown on me a lot. She's come into her own and settled in as lady of the manor. She still has moments of self-doubt and the servants are still her bffs. Ellie doesn't hold herself above anyone else and she's always kind to the villagers as well, even if they're not nice to her. She tries but maybe not hard enough until the very end. I think her relationship with Lancelot is at a crossroads. While they're just going on their first official date, he isn't the right man for her. Lancelot doesn't take anything seriously and he didn't learn a lesson when he was arrested a few months ago. He's still partying with the Bright Young People and acting like a man child. How old IS he? He acts 16. He's completely disrespectful of Ellie's sincere interest in her campaign and doesn't understand how important it is to her. Lancelot doesn't respect anyone and doesn't have the mental capacity to understand that the way he thinks isn't normal. I hope his father has another heir and they can get him disinherited somehow! I don't want him to die, just be disinherited because he will make a horrendous Earl. I don't think DCI Seldon is the right man for Ellie either. He's too serious and by the book. Ellie does need some fun in her life and someone who will be a partner and support her. She needs someone more like Clifford but younger and from her own social class. If she didn't have two titles, it wouldn't matter so much and I would support her being single forever.
As usual, Clifford, Ellie's sidekick, is so much fun. He provides the driving and the drinking. Clifford is a good sounding board and he anticipates Ellie's thoughts before she voices them. He's always there for her no matter what. My very favorite character is Gladstone the bulldog with his leather slippers and his gummy ball. I want to snuggle up by the fire with him! The "ladies" as Ellie refers to her housekeeper and cook are also an integral part of Ellie's family. They support her and take care of her. Young Polly, the maid, is trying to hard to please everyone. She's awkward and still learning the ropes. I like how patient and kind Ellie is with her and how she allows Polly just to be herself.
Mr. Aris supported the poor and women. These issues made him popular in Chipstone but it doesn't sound like he really understood what people needed or wanted. He was in it for the power and ego trip just like any other politician. He was working on a housing development project for the poor. He must be getting something out of it. I don't trust politicians.
I don't trust Lady Farrington either. Appearances mean a lot to her. She wants Ellie to investigate but ONLY so it doesn't cause a scandal. She can't POSSIBLY talk to the POLICE, oh, my heavens no! People like US don't talk to THEM! She deliberately hid evidence, sacked the cook and is willing to throw her longtime employee under the bus just to prevent a scandal? Also why is she unwilling to have her husband know Lady Eleanor is investigating? She's hiding something for sure. I don't like her attitude and I suspect she may be the murderer.
It turns out there are suspects aplenty. Chief among them is Mr. Carlton, an MP for the Labour party. Mr. Ernest Carlton is a despicable louse. He's a womanizer who thinks nothing of using women for his own purpose. He claims to stand for the Labour party but is just another rich businessman interested in becoming more rich. Another chief suspect is Oswald Greaves, a Communist Party candidate. I'm not surprised Aris argued with Oswald. Everyone hated Communists back then. Oswald doesn't strike me as the Bolshevik type nor the murdering type. Aris's business partner, Mr. Peel, may not have had a good reason to kill Aris but things do not look rosy for him at the moment and I can imagine a great deal of resentment is simmering under the surface. I don't believe he was at the dinner party though so I don't think he is the killer.
The village women surprisingly don't support Ellie. The men I understand even though their arguments annoy the heck out of me. Why can't the men stay home for a little bit and look after the children while women vote? Today women bring their kids to the polling place when they don't have child care. It doesn't take long. Poor Ellie is a Lady but she can't sit in the House of Lords and she isn't yet 30 so she can't vote! That's seriously messed up! Mrs. Luscombe, the new seamstress, is most definitely an "anti." I can tell by her prissy attitude about Ellie wanting a shawl to match the scarf she bought. Mrs. Luscombe shouldn't refuse the patronage of the great lady in the area, not before she gets to know Lady Swift and know that Ellie's word won't make or break her. I'd be too afraid Lady Swift would spread the word that I was rude to her. I really hope the murder is Mr. Blewitt. He's a misogynistic bully who threatens Ellie. His male ego can't stand the thought of women's rights. He doesn't even try to find out what women's rights MEANS and why they're necessary. He makes my blood boil so hot I could murder HIM! The way men treat women in this novel just breaks my heart and makes me mad and the fact that women support these men makes me even more sad!
The women's rights women all that lovable any more than the male candidates. Miss Mann of the Women's League is a mousy lady. She is the one to recruit Ellie to run for women's rights MP but she doesn't seem to believe in women's rights. Miss Man isn't very proactive in doing anything. When Ellie is falsely accused of murder, Miss Man and the Women's League drop Ellie like a hot potato. That is so totally wrong. Women should stand by each other. Yet I don't like Mrs. Brody either. She's the opposite of Miss Man, a militant suffragist, a follower of Mrs. Pankhurst. I don't approve of her tactics yet she isn't doing anything differently than the men. I think she could be the murderer if she found out Aris didn't actually support women's rights! I would prefer it if she is not the murderer as that would hurt the cause.
Mrs. Pitkin didn't murder anyone. I believe her when she says she was careful but realistically speaking, unless her kitchen was cleaned and totally nut free, she COULD have killed him. Mistakes on behalf of the authors don't make for a killer though. Mrs. Pitkin is too distraught to not be believable. She faces a bleak future. She doesn't seem to have a history of murder and if anyone else knew of Aris's allergy, they could have done him in too. The way Lady Farrington treats Mrs. Pitkin is so horrible.
Inspector Fawks is an idiot. At first I assumed he was one of those working men with Communist sympathies, the type who would gladly participate in a French or Russian Revolution in Britain. Then I realized he's just rude to everyone. He doesn't have the brains to solve a murder.
I'm glad I stuck with this series and maybe I'll read the next one if I can. The 1920s are such an interesting time. They're so different from our own time yet the same problems they faced then still exist today. I wish we had a Lady Eleanor Swift to run for President!
September 29, 2020
A murder mystery is always a pleasure to read be it set in present times or 1920, a hundred years ago. Lady Eleanor Swift was back again doing what she does best, being an amateur detective. Author Verity Bright did a wonderful job to bring her to life, set in times when life for women was at the cusp of a change.
A dinner and an allergic reaction found Lord Aris drop right into the dessert plate. The cook was blamed, and it was Lady Eleanor to the rescue.
The beginning scene was quite humorous which went on to show me that, even with a title, Eleanor was the best person she could be, kind and gentle with a keen eye and not so keen posture.
Having decided to investigate the murder, it didn’t take long for this talented lady to start interviewing people. Being ably assisted by the butler Clifford, the two went about finding new ways to help the cook.
The writing was apt, the visual imagery from the words perfect. Humor was combined with intelligence. I, especially loved her banter with Clifford. Romance was hinted, though I was never keen on it in a murder mystery. The cop had a dashing flair, I must admit. I liked him in the earlier book too.
Several suspects and a few twists along with a polite kickass heroine made this an entertaining read.
A dinner and an allergic reaction found Lord Aris drop right into the dessert plate. The cook was blamed, and it was Lady Eleanor to the rescue.
The beginning scene was quite humorous which went on to show me that, even with a title, Eleanor was the best person she could be, kind and gentle with a keen eye and not so keen posture.
Having decided to investigate the murder, it didn’t take long for this talented lady to start interviewing people. Being ably assisted by the butler Clifford, the two went about finding new ways to help the cook.
The writing was apt, the visual imagery from the words perfect. Humor was combined with intelligence. I, especially loved her banter with Clifford. Romance was hinted, though I was never keen on it in a murder mystery. The cop had a dashing flair, I must admit. I liked him in the earlier book too.
Several suspects and a few twists along with a polite kickass heroine made this an entertaining read.
September 6, 2020
Lady Eleanor (Elle Swift has proved herself quite adept when playing the role of an amateur detective. She gets that opportunity yet again when a local politician dies. Elle is an interesting character, to say the least. She is a former explorer, and now the lady of a manor. She eschews that role whenever possible. For example, it was proper to have a card when paying a call. She found that rather pretentious. Or, when it came to certain household duties, or dealing with some of the staff, she went against convention. The fact that she is now prone to find herself solving murders just makes her all that more intriguing.
When she is at a dinner party and the man dies due to an apparent allergic reaction, Elle has a strong sense that his death was no accident. Meanwhile, she cannot stop thinking about her parents, who one day simply disappeared. No, Elle wants to settle into her new life with as little fanfare as possible, but that certainly will not happens. Things become very worrisome for her when a cook is dismissed after being considered a suspect. Elle wants to clear her name, and if it indeed was murder, catch the individual responsible.
At the same time, the issue of politics comes up, and before you know it, Elle is defying convention yet again. At that time, women barely had the vote, never mind running for office, which is exactly what she decides to do. As in the first two books of the series, A Very English Murder and Death at the Dance, she is often accompanied by her dog Gladstone and her butler, Clifford. I love both of them in this series.
Of course, trying to discover the killer places Elle in precarious situations more than once, and this makes this cozy mystery all that more enjoyable. One other thing I liked about this book is that Elle has a bit of a romantic interest, and I would like to see where that goes in this series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
When she is at a dinner party and the man dies due to an apparent allergic reaction, Elle has a strong sense that his death was no accident. Meanwhile, she cannot stop thinking about her parents, who one day simply disappeared. No, Elle wants to settle into her new life with as little fanfare as possible, but that certainly will not happens. Things become very worrisome for her when a cook is dismissed after being considered a suspect. Elle wants to clear her name, and if it indeed was murder, catch the individual responsible.
At the same time, the issue of politics comes up, and before you know it, Elle is defying convention yet again. At that time, women barely had the vote, never mind running for office, which is exactly what she decides to do. As in the first two books of the series, A Very English Murder and Death at the Dance, she is often accompanied by her dog Gladstone and her butler, Clifford. I love both of them in this series.
Of course, trying to discover the killer places Elle in precarious situations more than once, and this makes this cozy mystery all that more enjoyable. One other thing I liked about this book is that Elle has a bit of a romantic interest, and I would like to see where that goes in this series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 20, 2020
A Witness to Murder by Verity Bright is another engaging adventure in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series.
Lady Swift, Clifford and the Henley Hall staff all pitch in as as there is two murders to solve and Lady Swift is now campaigning to become an MP for her local community. Ms. Bright is developing the characters slowly so in each book we learn more about all of them as they interact on the page. A smoothly paced plot, twists and turns, several suspects and more than a few humorous scenes kept me turning the pages.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Lady Swift, Clifford and the Henley Hall staff all pitch in as as there is two murders to solve and Lady Swift is now campaigning to become an MP for her local community. Ms. Bright is developing the characters slowly so in each book we learn more about all of them as they interact on the page. A smoothly paced plot, twists and turns, several suspects and more than a few humorous scenes kept me turning the pages.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
July 6, 2024
Another cute, exceedingly British cosy mystery. 3.5 🌟 rounded up for goodreads. These books are so easy to read with fun characters and great banter. Clifford is my absolute favourite character with his deadpan humour and strong sarcasm 🤣☕️
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous two as I did feel it was pretty obvious who the killer was from the start. However, I still enjoyed myself and I’ll be continuing the series
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous two as I did feel it was pretty obvious who the killer was from the start. However, I still enjoyed myself and I’ll be continuing the series
September 14, 2020
This is the third book in 's series about a retired explorer, set in 1920's England in a place called Chipstone.
Lady Eleanor Swift is adamant that she doesn't want to get involved in any more murder investigations, but when a local politician at an elegant dinner party being held at Farrington Manor dies after eating the fudge, the police believe he may have been poisoned. Shortly after, Mrs Pitkin, the cook from Farrington Manor shows up at Henley Hall with the news that she has been dismissed from her job because the police consider Mrs Pitkin a suspect...
was a compelling, fun, cozy read. Having read book one, , I had some idea what was on offer and I was not disappointed! I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery to satisfy even the most diligent armchair detective. Busy protagonist Eleanor impressed me again with her sleuthing skills and I love her spirit and astuteness, although she is inclined towards impulsiveness. Her faithful partners in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, and the loyal butler, Clifford, were on hand as Eleanor endeavoured to find the killer.
Although part of a series could be read as a standalone novel but there is some development of the characters between books as more of Eleanor's past is revealed, as well as a possible love interest. With an entertaining plot, the mystery itself was well done and there were red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. I highly recommend this humorous, easy to read cozy and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for Eleanor in book #4, .
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Lady Eleanor Swift is adamant that she doesn't want to get involved in any more murder investigations, but when a local politician at an elegant dinner party being held at Farrington Manor dies after eating the fudge, the police believe he may have been poisoned. Shortly after, Mrs Pitkin, the cook from Farrington Manor shows up at Henley Hall with the news that she has been dismissed from her job because the police consider Mrs Pitkin a suspect...
was a compelling, fun, cozy read. Having read book one, , I had some idea what was on offer and I was not disappointed! I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery to satisfy even the most diligent armchair detective. Busy protagonist Eleanor impressed me again with her sleuthing skills and I love her spirit and astuteness, although she is inclined towards impulsiveness. Her faithful partners in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, and the loyal butler, Clifford, were on hand as Eleanor endeavoured to find the killer.
Although part of a series could be read as a standalone novel but there is some development of the characters between books as more of Eleanor's past is revealed, as well as a possible love interest. With an entertaining plot, the mystery itself was well done and there were red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. I highly recommend this humorous, easy to read cozy and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for Eleanor in book #4, .
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 30, 2023
4.5* I love this series! In the 3rd book in the series, Lady Eleanor Swift is asked to stand in the upcoming by-election after local MP dies at a dinner party. The Women's League want Eleanor to continue to stand for women's issues as the previous incumbent did. It is October 1920 and Lady Swift is 29 years old. This book manages to combine a great mystery with a fascinating piece of history. Isn't it bizarre that women over 21 could stand for office (after 1918) but could not vote until they were 30? Women under 30 did not get the right to vote until 1928. I love the characters (especially Eleanor and her imperturbable butler, Clifford). The dialogue is realistic and the period detail spot on. The book is well-plotted and tightly paced and I enjoyed every minute of it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for sending me a copy for review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookoutre for sending me a copy for review.
September 12, 2020
Book Description:
A medieval house, a dead body and some rather suspicious chocolate fudge? Call for Lady Swift!
Autumn, 1920. Lady Eleanor Swift, accidental amateur detective and retired explorer, is determined to take a break from investigating murders. So when a local politician dies suddenly at an elegant dinner party at Farrington Manor, she tries her hardest not to listen to the raft of rumours around the village that he might have been poisoned by the fudge. It’s the anniversary of the disappearance of her beloved parents and she’s promised herself not to get mixed up with any more mysteries. She isn’t sure they’d have approved.
But when she arrives home to discover that Mrs Pitkin, the kindly cook from Farrington Manor, has been dismissed without wage or reference because the police consider her a suspect, Eleanor knows she needs to act. If there was a murder, then she needs to track down the culprit and clear Mrs Pitkin’s name.
Accompanied by her faithful partner in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, who has the best nose for sniffing out bones in the country, Eleanor sets out to find the killer. And when another body turns up and she finds poisoned fudge in the victim’s house, Eleanor knows she’s on the right track. But can she sort the truth from the lies before she becomes a witness to another murder � this time rather closer to home?
An utterly charming cozy mystery! Warm and witty, fans of Agatha Christie, TE Kinsey and LB Hathaway will be totally hooked.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A Witness To Murder' by Verity Bright
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 14th September 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is the third book in the 'Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing cover and interesting sounding blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 34 chapters which are short to medium in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Lady Eleanor Smith. I enjoy books written in third person as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
This book is based in in the UK. I love books set in the UK as I live in Wales, UK and sometimes I have been to the places so can picture them better.
I was a bit dubious at a quick glance that I may struggle with the language used but I thought it was brilliantly written. I became completely absorbed in the storyline and enjoyed going through the suspects with Lady Eleanor.
I absolutely loved the characters, not what I was expecting at all. Fantastic personalities. Clifford's wit made me laugh and Eleanor is a fantastic character full of personality, a breathe of fresh air!!! They were all very realistic and I look forward to meeting them all again.
The storyline itself had me hooked from page one and I thought it was fun to try and work out who the killer was along with Eleanor. I never did work it out which is always a bonus when it comes to crime novels as there's nothing worse than figuring it out when your not even half way through the book!!
Overall a fun and easy to read cozy murder mystery with just the tight amount of humour that will keep you turning the pages.
Genres covered include Cozy Mystery, Murder and Crime.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for an easy read.
289 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on ŷ, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on ŷ or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#AWitnessToMurder #VerityBright #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VerityBright @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.
@BrightVerity
Buy Link:
A medieval house, a dead body and some rather suspicious chocolate fudge? Call for Lady Swift!
Autumn, 1920. Lady Eleanor Swift, accidental amateur detective and retired explorer, is determined to take a break from investigating murders. So when a local politician dies suddenly at an elegant dinner party at Farrington Manor, she tries her hardest not to listen to the raft of rumours around the village that he might have been poisoned by the fudge. It’s the anniversary of the disappearance of her beloved parents and she’s promised herself not to get mixed up with any more mysteries. She isn’t sure they’d have approved.
But when she arrives home to discover that Mrs Pitkin, the kindly cook from Farrington Manor, has been dismissed without wage or reference because the police consider her a suspect, Eleanor knows she needs to act. If there was a murder, then she needs to track down the culprit and clear Mrs Pitkin’s name.
Accompanied by her faithful partner in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, who has the best nose for sniffing out bones in the country, Eleanor sets out to find the killer. And when another body turns up and she finds poisoned fudge in the victim’s house, Eleanor knows she’s on the right track. But can she sort the truth from the lies before she becomes a witness to another murder � this time rather closer to home?
An utterly charming cozy mystery! Warm and witty, fans of Agatha Christie, TE Kinsey and LB Hathaway will be totally hooked.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'A Witness To Murder' by Verity Bright
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 14th September 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is the third book in the 'Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery' series.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing cover and interesting sounding blurb. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 34 chapters which are short to medium in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Lady Eleanor Smith. I enjoy books written in third person as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
This book is based in in the UK. I love books set in the UK as I live in Wales, UK and sometimes I have been to the places so can picture them better.
I was a bit dubious at a quick glance that I may struggle with the language used but I thought it was brilliantly written. I became completely absorbed in the storyline and enjoyed going through the suspects with Lady Eleanor.
I absolutely loved the characters, not what I was expecting at all. Fantastic personalities. Clifford's wit made me laugh and Eleanor is a fantastic character full of personality, a breathe of fresh air!!! They were all very realistic and I look forward to meeting them all again.
The storyline itself had me hooked from page one and I thought it was fun to try and work out who the killer was along with Eleanor. I never did work it out which is always a bonus when it comes to crime novels as there's nothing worse than figuring it out when your not even half way through the book!!
Overall a fun and easy to read cozy murder mystery with just the tight amount of humour that will keep you turning the pages.
Genres covered include Cozy Mystery, Murder and Crime.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for an easy read.
289 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on ŷ, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on ŷ or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#AWitnessToMurder #VerityBright #Bookouture #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VerityBright @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.
@BrightVerity
Buy Link:
July 12, 2022
Rating: 5 / 5
In the third addition to the marvelous Eleanor Swift mystery series, this time we've got political intrigue as one of our themes as well!
Unlike the first two murders, the murder that takes place in this book isn't really attached to Eleanor in any way. In fact, poor girl, she does try to stay out of it, but, being Eleanor, of course she can't. And Clifford, unconventional butler that he is, isn't exactly doing anything to stop her, either.
This time it's a politician in support of women's rights whose been murdered, and right before the eyes of several dinner guests at a fancy party. Eleanor neither attended the party nor knew she people who hosted it, but when she's approached to take the politician's place in the upcoming county election...well, let's just say things go pear-shaped from there.
Now, I have to admit, Eleanor juggling both a murder investigation and a political campaign put a lot of strain on the poor girl. We got fewer personal moments for Eleanor in this book as opposed to the previous two books in the series, because if she's not investigating, then she's trying her hand at politics, so there's not as much time to decompress. I did like the few scenes she shared with Clifford, though, and her romance with Lancelot is also developing. (Though, truthfully, I think that I myself ship her with DCI Seldon more, just because Lancelot's not mature enough for Eleanor, and she can't keep up with his zest for fun and jokes all the time, so Eleanor and DCI Seldon would be a better match, in my opinion. Who knows, though? At this point, it could go either way in terms of the romance aspect.)
But anyway, that being said, the mystery element was great for this book as well, with a lot of suspects still, er, suspicious right up until the end! It kind of got to me how the tiniest detail that I overlooked was the one thing I hadn't guessed and the one thing that was the answer to solving the case! But then, if the author didn't keep us guessing, then she wouldn't be doing her job correctly, what?
Ahem, all in all, an amazing read and a welcome addition to my shelves!
Keep 'em coming with the Eleanor Swift mysteries! (I'm hooked!)
In the third addition to the marvelous Eleanor Swift mystery series, this time we've got political intrigue as one of our themes as well!
Unlike the first two murders, the murder that takes place in this book isn't really attached to Eleanor in any way. In fact, poor girl, she does try to stay out of it, but, being Eleanor, of course she can't. And Clifford, unconventional butler that he is, isn't exactly doing anything to stop her, either.
This time it's a politician in support of women's rights whose been murdered, and right before the eyes of several dinner guests at a fancy party. Eleanor neither attended the party nor knew she people who hosted it, but when she's approached to take the politician's place in the upcoming county election...well, let's just say things go pear-shaped from there.
Now, I have to admit, Eleanor juggling both a murder investigation and a political campaign put a lot of strain on the poor girl. We got fewer personal moments for Eleanor in this book as opposed to the previous two books in the series, because if she's not investigating, then she's trying her hand at politics, so there's not as much time to decompress. I did like the few scenes she shared with Clifford, though, and her romance with Lancelot is also developing. (Though, truthfully, I think that I myself ship her with DCI Seldon more, just because Lancelot's not mature enough for Eleanor, and she can't keep up with his zest for fun and jokes all the time, so Eleanor and DCI Seldon would be a better match, in my opinion. Who knows, though? At this point, it could go either way in terms of the romance aspect.)
But anyway, that being said, the mystery element was great for this book as well, with a lot of suspects still, er, suspicious right up until the end! It kind of got to me how the tiniest detail that I overlooked was the one thing I hadn't guessed and the one thing that was the answer to solving the case! But then, if the author didn't keep us guessing, then she wouldn't be doing her job correctly, what?
Ahem, all in all, an amazing read and a welcome addition to my shelves!
Keep 'em coming with the Eleanor Swift mysteries! (I'm hooked!)
September 15, 2020
This is a murder mystery set in 1920 and featuring Lady Eleanor Swift who, with Clifford, her intrepid butler, and staff, set out to solve just who did it! This is a fascinating read with many historical aspects from that era involved in the story, including politics, nobility, upstairs and downstairs, women's rights movements, they all play their part in the cosy mystery.
Lady Eleanor Swift inherited her title, Henley Hall and the family estate when her uncle died. She's certainly not used to acting as a member of the nobility are expected to, having travelled the world with her parents until they mysteriously disappeared and the story starts on the anniversary of that disappearance. However, she is shocked when she learns that a local politician has died at a dinner party and the cook, Mrs Pitkin, has been accused of his murder - death by peanut allergy . . . . Eleanor can't resist trying to discover what really happened. Nor can she resist agreeing to stand to be the constituency's next Member of Parliament . . . So with campaigning and investigating, life is going to be very interesting again!
The story has great characters, plenty of suspects and a great mix of both mystery and humour. The servants at Henley Hall are more like family to Eleanor, whilst they endeavour to ensure she's recognised as the Lady in charge of the Hall they are also caring, supportive and protective of each other and she of them. There are some really funny incidents, possible romantic encounters, deadly danger and not one but two murders to be solved in this entertaining read. The communities, the attitudes of the residents, the political machinations and the main news and fears of the time are all explored as part of this intriguing murder mystery. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more stories involving this independent young lady acting as a detective!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I read voluntarily and reviewed honestly.
Lady Eleanor Swift inherited her title, Henley Hall and the family estate when her uncle died. She's certainly not used to acting as a member of the nobility are expected to, having travelled the world with her parents until they mysteriously disappeared and the story starts on the anniversary of that disappearance. However, she is shocked when she learns that a local politician has died at a dinner party and the cook, Mrs Pitkin, has been accused of his murder - death by peanut allergy . . . . Eleanor can't resist trying to discover what really happened. Nor can she resist agreeing to stand to be the constituency's next Member of Parliament . . . So with campaigning and investigating, life is going to be very interesting again!
The story has great characters, plenty of suspects and a great mix of both mystery and humour. The servants at Henley Hall are more like family to Eleanor, whilst they endeavour to ensure she's recognised as the Lady in charge of the Hall they are also caring, supportive and protective of each other and she of them. There are some really funny incidents, possible romantic encounters, deadly danger and not one but two murders to be solved in this entertaining read. The communities, the attitudes of the residents, the political machinations and the main news and fears of the time are all explored as part of this intriguing murder mystery. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading more stories involving this independent young lady acting as a detective!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I read voluntarily and reviewed honestly.
September 12, 2020
A Witness To Murder is the third in a series featuring an amateur sleuth, Lady Eleanor Swift. The story takes place ini 1920, somewhere in the Cotswolds in England, not too far from Oxford. I had not read the first two books in the series but felt this worked as a standalone just fine. The author provided enough information on Lady Eleanor’s backstory without going into too much detail. The main character is charming, an unconventional young woman in attitude and history. She has recently inherited her uncle’s manor, including his loyal staff and beloved dog, Gladstone. She is still learning what being the “lady of the manor� means. One example is that traditionally women used printed calling cards but “Ellie� doesn’t care for that and doesn’t get any printed. The butler, Clifford, is her partner in solving local murders, and he is delightful. The whole situation reminded me so much of the old television series, Upstairs, Downstairs, as well as the more recent Downton Abbey series.
Being set in 1920, there is a fair amount of the plot that revolves around the position of women, who had recently gained the right to vote, but were still looked down upon by most men.
One thing that just didn’t sit right with me is the method of death being attributed to a severe peanut allergy. That seemed anachronistic to me, as peanut allergies didn’t “explode� until the 1990s. I could certainly be wrong about this, but it just seemed odd to me. Also, do the English actually like and use peanut butter as an ingredient, especially 100 years ago? Again, I could be wrong, but I think it’s much more an American thing. I will have to trust that the author did her research on this topic though.
This was an enjoyable mystery, with lots of suspects and lots of red herrings. There is also a bit of a love interest and a possible romantic triangle that might be explored in future books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Being set in 1920, there is a fair amount of the plot that revolves around the position of women, who had recently gained the right to vote, but were still looked down upon by most men.
One thing that just didn’t sit right with me is the method of death being attributed to a severe peanut allergy. That seemed anachronistic to me, as peanut allergies didn’t “explode� until the 1990s. I could certainly be wrong about this, but it just seemed odd to me. Also, do the English actually like and use peanut butter as an ingredient, especially 100 years ago? Again, I could be wrong, but I think it’s much more an American thing. I will have to trust that the author did her research on this topic though.
This was an enjoyable mystery, with lots of suspects and lots of red herrings. There is also a bit of a love interest and a possible romantic triangle that might be explored in future books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own.
May 5, 2023
It occurred to me as I was doing reading sprints with some bookish friends that the set up between Clifford and Eleanor is very Jeeves and Wooster. Clifford lives up to Jeeves amazingly well. He continues to be my favorite character. Eleanor is…interesting. She has Bertie’s good heart but she is extremely impulsive and unmethodical. Her investigation style is all over the place and it makes the atmosphere of this story feel chaotic. Bertie gets into chaotic situations but Wodehouse has such tremendous control over his plots that Bertie’s scrapes are amusing rather than stressful. With Wodehouse, I can prop my feet up and let him carry me along. With Eleanor, I feel nervous at what mischief she’s going to get up to next and whether that will involve her a) flying over the handlebars of her bike into a hedge, b) ruining her dress by rounding up piglets on the loose (or something equivalently messy), or c) consuming more slices of fruitcake than seems possible for a 29-year-old woman.
The whole Eleanor as MP thing was interesting as far as women’s rights at that time in England but she has absolutely no qualifications. 😂 I would trust her to have my best interests at heart but not to actually be able to carry through anything in parliamentary committees. Can she even sit still long enough for a committee meeting? I haven’t seen much evidence of it. 😜
I do enjoy the cast of characters in this, and I want to know more about Eleanor’s past, her parents, and her mysterious uncle so I will keep reading the series. But I do hope in coming books that the plot tightens up, the details become more crisp, and Eleanor gets more of a calm center.
The whole Eleanor as MP thing was interesting as far as women’s rights at that time in England but she has absolutely no qualifications. 😂 I would trust her to have my best interests at heart but not to actually be able to carry through anything in parliamentary committees. Can she even sit still long enough for a committee meeting? I haven’t seen much evidence of it. 😜
I do enjoy the cast of characters in this, and I want to know more about Eleanor’s past, her parents, and her mysterious uncle so I will keep reading the series. But I do hope in coming books that the plot tightens up, the details become more crisp, and Eleanor gets more of a calm center.
September 8, 2020
The third book in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series, this book once again features Ellie (Lady Swift) almost immediately being embroiled in a murder. The victim was poisoned by peanuts in the dessert fudge and the cook has been accused of either murder or manslaugter, depending on whether or not the peanuts were deliberate or an oversight. She is a friend of Ellie’s cook who asks Elie to help her.
In addition to the murder, Ellie gets involved in politics as a candidate for the Women’s League. While she knows little about politics, she is an avid supporter of women’s rights as well as developing concerns regarding people’s need for affordable healthcare. She uses these issues to springboard her message that she cares about the community and wants to be of service to the people.
There are some regular secondary characters who are also part of the book, most noticeably Clifton, Ellie’s butler and partner in sleuthing. Clifford. We also get glimpses of the house staff, both the cook and Polly, Ellie’s very young maid who has yet to develop an ease in the position or in herself. There is also a very brief inclusion of Lancelot, Ellie’s love interest from the previous novel as well as Detective Inspector Seldon who was briefly in the running for Ellie’s affections in a previous book but lost out to Lancelot.
The novel takes place during the 1920's and there is some flavor of the period, particularly as it relates to the general opinion of women. Ellie is an unconventional woman of the time, and yet runs into almost no resistance to her attitudes. Her staff are a combination of employees and family, as Ellie’s parents have been missing for over twenty years. The household is warm and welcoming and most readers will likely feel a desire to sit in the snug or in the kitchen and have a cup of tea or, better yet, sit with the staff and enjoy a flute of champagne at one of their celebrations. All of this is overseen by Gladstone, the bulldog that Ellie inherited along with the mansion from her wealthy uncle.
This is an exceptionally light cozy mystery and would make an excellent airplane read. It can easily be picked up and read for a paragraph or two, a page or two, or a chapter or two, without the reader losing the thread of the story. I knew, almost from the beginning, the identity of the guilty party. The book is best suited for any reader who wants to relax with a light fiction, not having any read tension or much intense activity; just an easy read featuring characters who are basically nice people.
My thanks to Bookoutour and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this novel. This is an unbiased review that reflects entirely my own opinion.
In addition to the murder, Ellie gets involved in politics as a candidate for the Women’s League. While she knows little about politics, she is an avid supporter of women’s rights as well as developing concerns regarding people’s need for affordable healthcare. She uses these issues to springboard her message that she cares about the community and wants to be of service to the people.
There are some regular secondary characters who are also part of the book, most noticeably Clifton, Ellie’s butler and partner in sleuthing. Clifford. We also get glimpses of the house staff, both the cook and Polly, Ellie’s very young maid who has yet to develop an ease in the position or in herself. There is also a very brief inclusion of Lancelot, Ellie’s love interest from the previous novel as well as Detective Inspector Seldon who was briefly in the running for Ellie’s affections in a previous book but lost out to Lancelot.
The novel takes place during the 1920's and there is some flavor of the period, particularly as it relates to the general opinion of women. Ellie is an unconventional woman of the time, and yet runs into almost no resistance to her attitudes. Her staff are a combination of employees and family, as Ellie’s parents have been missing for over twenty years. The household is warm and welcoming and most readers will likely feel a desire to sit in the snug or in the kitchen and have a cup of tea or, better yet, sit with the staff and enjoy a flute of champagne at one of their celebrations. All of this is overseen by Gladstone, the bulldog that Ellie inherited along with the mansion from her wealthy uncle.
This is an exceptionally light cozy mystery and would make an excellent airplane read. It can easily be picked up and read for a paragraph or two, a page or two, or a chapter or two, without the reader losing the thread of the story. I knew, almost from the beginning, the identity of the guilty party. The book is best suited for any reader who wants to relax with a light fiction, not having any read tension or much intense activity; just an easy read featuring characters who are basically nice people.
My thanks to Bookoutour and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this novel. This is an unbiased review that reflects entirely my own opinion.
September 23, 2020
I’m a big fan of historical mysteries, and I also like that dry British sense of humor (or humour), so I was happy to get a chance to read a review copy of A Witness to Murder, which is the third book in Verity Bright’s Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift series. I read the first book in this series some time ago, and I liked that one, so I expected good things from this book too. And I was not disappointed!
First, the characters have matured some. Ellie is a little more settled into her life at Henley Hall, although in a “modern� way; her relationships with Clifford, Mrs Butters, and her other staff are more developed; her relationships with Lancelot and Inspector Seldon remain suitably confusing; and she’s getting more comfortable in Little Buckford. And of course, Ellie’s bulldog Gladstone is a wonderful character in his own right!
The plot is also interesting, with a wide cast of potential suspects and many possible motives that get narrowed down by a subsequent death, and of course, by Ellie’s (and Clifford’s) sleuthing. Clifford is awesome as a sleuth � while reading this, I often thought he should have an equal co-billing with Ellie. As with the first book, I enjoyed some of the details of village life (good and bad) that popped up in the background, such as the worries of the milkman about the weather and whether his milk would curdle, or the idea that women who had supposedly just gotten the vote actually couldn’t vote until they were 30 (and had property), but all men could vote at 21.
All-in-all, I liked this book as much as the first one, and now will have to go back and find the second one to read. Please keep in mind that for me, four stars is a really good rating. I try to avoid star-flation, and keep five stars for a very very few books that I like enough that I imagine I will read and re-read and re-read again � maybe only one in thirty or forty books. Again, my thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley, who provided me with the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
First, the characters have matured some. Ellie is a little more settled into her life at Henley Hall, although in a “modern� way; her relationships with Clifford, Mrs Butters, and her other staff are more developed; her relationships with Lancelot and Inspector Seldon remain suitably confusing; and she’s getting more comfortable in Little Buckford. And of course, Ellie’s bulldog Gladstone is a wonderful character in his own right!
The plot is also interesting, with a wide cast of potential suspects and many possible motives that get narrowed down by a subsequent death, and of course, by Ellie’s (and Clifford’s) sleuthing. Clifford is awesome as a sleuth � while reading this, I often thought he should have an equal co-billing with Ellie. As with the first book, I enjoyed some of the details of village life (good and bad) that popped up in the background, such as the worries of the milkman about the weather and whether his milk would curdle, or the idea that women who had supposedly just gotten the vote actually couldn’t vote until they were 30 (and had property), but all men could vote at 21.
All-in-all, I liked this book as much as the first one, and now will have to go back and find the second one to read. Please keep in mind that for me, four stars is a really good rating. I try to avoid star-flation, and keep five stars for a very very few books that I like enough that I imagine I will read and re-read and re-read again � maybe only one in thirty or forty books. Again, my thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley, who provided me with the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 18, 2020
4.5 stars
This is the third book in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series by Verity Bright.
I was a little miffed in the last book that Lady Eleanor was leaning toward Lancelot as her leading man. I was told that this book would make me happier. Okay, not so much. Yes, I did have a bit of hope she had her head turned toward a certain Detective Inspector but nothing really came of the relationship, much to my dismay. I have hope for book four to have more of a relationship feel.
Lady Eleanor in this book gets herself involved in an election when the woman’s suffrage movement wants her to be their candidate after a certain politician bites the dust at a dinner party from ingesting peanuts.
Lots happens in this book and Eleanor gives quite an inspiring speech right before the sufferage ladies kick her to the curb and turn their back on her. This does not deter Eleanor since she has come to love the ladies she worked with and wanted the best outcome for them. She stands up for herself in an amazing way while talking to a few politicians that I think many of us could learn from. Cool as a cucumber, Eleanor is.
Definitely a fascinating read. Looking forward to book four.
Loved so much about it. If you like historical cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
This is the third book in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series by Verity Bright.
I was a little miffed in the last book that Lady Eleanor was leaning toward Lancelot as her leading man. I was told that this book would make me happier. Okay, not so much. Yes, I did have a bit of hope she had her head turned toward a certain Detective Inspector but nothing really came of the relationship, much to my dismay. I have hope for book four to have more of a relationship feel.
Lady Eleanor in this book gets herself involved in an election when the woman’s suffrage movement wants her to be their candidate after a certain politician bites the dust at a dinner party from ingesting peanuts.
Lots happens in this book and Eleanor gives quite an inspiring speech right before the sufferage ladies kick her to the curb and turn their back on her. This does not deter Eleanor since she has come to love the ladies she worked with and wanted the best outcome for them. She stands up for herself in an amazing way while talking to a few politicians that I think many of us could learn from. Cool as a cucumber, Eleanor is.
Definitely a fascinating read. Looking forward to book four.
Loved so much about it. If you like historical cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
July 14, 2024
3 stars.
It's another solid instalment. Although I don't understand why Ellie is still bothering with Lancelot, who is such an immature manchild, even if he's a handsome devil. As for the murder mystery, we have a couple local wannabe politicians being killed and Ellie's decision to run as an Independent on Women's issues. I really admire all the real ladies who fought for our rights a century ago. They fought so hard to give us the equal rights we have today.
I liked seeing the fictional Ellie improving the lives of the women in her village. It shows her growth as a person and her commitment to the local community. As usual, Clifford was invaluable in assisting her in the investigations and her political endeavors. It'll be interesting to see what they get up to next.
It's another solid instalment. Although I don't understand why Ellie is still bothering with Lancelot, who is such an immature manchild, even if he's a handsome devil. As for the murder mystery, we have a couple local wannabe politicians being killed and Ellie's decision to run as an Independent on Women's issues. I really admire all the real ladies who fought for our rights a century ago. They fought so hard to give us the equal rights we have today.
I liked seeing the fictional Ellie improving the lives of the women in her village. It shows her growth as a person and her commitment to the local community. As usual, Clifford was invaluable in assisting her in the investigations and her political endeavors. It'll be interesting to see what they get up to next.
December 1, 2021
A popular Member of Parliament is poisoned during a dinner party, and since the victim had been a champion of women’s rights, a suitable candidate is needed to run for his open seat. The Women’s League approaches Lady Swift, who accepts the challenge, though her mind is more on helping the poor cook who was blamed for serving a peanut-filled fudge when it was known that the dead man had been highly allergic to them. Lady Swift manages to gain the support of the locals, despite initial antagonism toward the very idea of a woman standing for a seat in Parliament. But then another candidate for the open seat is killed, and Lady Swift is a suspect, making her investigation even more difficult and dangerous. This was another page turner, and I’ll definitely read Book 4 soon.
November 21, 2021
I love Lady Swift! She is smart and spunky, and determined and kind.
This series is so much fun!! Ellie tries to be the "Lady" she's expected to be, but her prior life as an adventuring modern woman travelling the world means she's not like the other aristocratic people in her small English village and probably never will be. What she is instead is charming and likable and totally hilarious.
The characters are what make this series for me. Aside from Lady Swift, we have Clifford the butler, Polly the "trying to be" ladies' maid, the cook Mrs. Butters and of course, slipper-stealing bulldog Gladstone. These people are an absolute delight, and I love visiting with them as they assist Ellie in solving the murders she keeps getting caught up in.
Totally escapist fun that I highly recommend!
This series is so much fun!! Ellie tries to be the "Lady" she's expected to be, but her prior life as an adventuring modern woman travelling the world means she's not like the other aristocratic people in her small English village and probably never will be. What she is instead is charming and likable and totally hilarious.
The characters are what make this series for me. Aside from Lady Swift, we have Clifford the butler, Polly the "trying to be" ladies' maid, the cook Mrs. Butters and of course, slipper-stealing bulldog Gladstone. These people are an absolute delight, and I love visiting with them as they assist Ellie in solving the murders she keeps getting caught up in.
Totally escapist fun that I highly recommend!
February 19, 2021
It was a real struggle to stay focused and listen to this book. I constantly lost concentration.
If you are fan of books where people verbalize every thought and they go through the process of logic with their butler, than look no further. I am not.
We have these first murder and we keep going round and round ....and when finally we have a suspect, that one is murdered. More talking, more supposition...
The ending is nice and it does ties up lose ends.
If you are fan of books where people verbalize every thought and they go through the process of logic with their butler, than look no further. I am not.
We have these first murder and we keep going round and round ....and when finally we have a suspect, that one is murdered. More talking, more supposition...
The ending is nice and it does ties up lose ends.
January 11, 2023
This is the third installment of the Lady Swift mysteries . It's still cute, I like the staff of the manor. It could stand a little more action both murder and relationship wise. Don't know how much farther I will go with the series. I already own book four. So, at least one more!
October 18, 2020
Another wonderful, warm-hearted book with appealing and vivid characters, an atmospheric setting and an involving mystery. The historical details were fascinating too, adding some harsh truths of the time into the mix and giving the story an extra edge. Love this series!
October 24, 2024
This is a review about the series as a whole, rather than a specific book review about each book.
I am enjoying this series somewhat. I do find somethings rather frustrating at times, but overall, I like how things are developing through the whole series and I do want answers to certain questions that still have to be answered. It's a pleasant, not taxing on brain way to spend a couple of hours.
Eleanor. Right. She does not read as a 28 something woman, who eventually hits her 30's as the series progresses. Her character background doesn't fit the character we are presented with. I know she has been somewhat spoiled and is pampered, but she reads as a teenager to me, especially as all her exploring should've made her more mature. She has been travelling the world for 10 years alone. I repeat, travelling alone as a woman in the 1920's. That wouldn't have been easy and you'd need your wits about you. It's not like she's been locked in a manor for 15 years and is finally being released into the world alas Rapunzel. I also find her general horniness, both hilarious and frustrating, especially when she's falling for people she's just met and having romancey moments at the most worst times when she should be focusing on something much more serious. Though I do know it's part of her character that she falls hard over nothing and has a habit of rushing into romances with people she barely knows. She knows this about herself, yet does it anyway, she never really grows in this respect througout the story. I also didn't like that she turned into blushing, awkward giggling girl around males she finds attractive. It's stereotypical and once again, it's reminisce of a teenager. You'd think at 28, you can be around an attractive male and be fine. Most woman I know can. She just doesn't come across as a 28-30 year woman to me. I do sigh when she's like a bull in a china shop where a delicate hand was needed. She sometimes makes life hard for herself though once again, I know that's one huge part of her character traits, but she can come across quite rude at times. But I don't dislike her and I don't mind having her as the main character, I do wish we would have some more character growth within the story though.
Also, I know talk of food is a somewhat part of the cozy genre, but it gets tiring that Eleanor eats six heavily calorie meals a day, yet always keeps her figure. It's unrealistic and is a pet peeve of mine, as it's a mythical dream that is used as a stick to beat woman with when they can't achieve it.
I really like Clifford (despite the grating chivalry misogyny and being all proper which can get tiring. And I dislike how he's always reminding the ladies that because Eleanor has a title, that means she's better, worth more and special than them. All people are equal on the whole. A title doesn't mean much in this day and age. I know it's somewhat suitable/normal for the time period, but I think the authors can easily not focus and push this specific idea as much as they do. I know Clifford truly believes that she's better but it's getting old, especially when he pushes it on the staff several times a book.) and the rest of the staff though Clifford should be a bit easier on them, haha. I mean, they're doing several peoples worth of work a day by themselves. And one of them is 15 and started working at 11. (Imagine having an 11 year old as a maid/cleaner/everything else.) Dude doesn't know how to relax and chill. And Gladstone is my favourite. He's a cutie and I love his addition to the story. He makes a cute, fun aspect to the books with his charming personality of constantly stealing shoes and his penchant for digging.
General Discussions about the series as a whole, including my thoughts on Hugh so probable minor spoilers;
I am enjoying this series somewhat. I do find somethings rather frustrating at times, but overall, I like how things are developing through the whole series and I do want answers to certain questions that still have to be answered. It's a pleasant, not taxing on brain way to spend a couple of hours.
Eleanor. Right. She does not read as a 28 something woman, who eventually hits her 30's as the series progresses. Her character background doesn't fit the character we are presented with. I know she has been somewhat spoiled and is pampered, but she reads as a teenager to me, especially as all her exploring should've made her more mature. She has been travelling the world for 10 years alone. I repeat, travelling alone as a woman in the 1920's. That wouldn't have been easy and you'd need your wits about you. It's not like she's been locked in a manor for 15 years and is finally being released into the world alas Rapunzel. I also find her general horniness, both hilarious and frustrating, especially when she's falling for people she's just met and having romancey moments at the most worst times when she should be focusing on something much more serious. Though I do know it's part of her character that she falls hard over nothing and has a habit of rushing into romances with people she barely knows. She knows this about herself, yet does it anyway, she never really grows in this respect througout the story. I also didn't like that she turned into blushing, awkward giggling girl around males she finds attractive. It's stereotypical and once again, it's reminisce of a teenager. You'd think at 28, you can be around an attractive male and be fine. Most woman I know can. She just doesn't come across as a 28-30 year woman to me. I do sigh when she's like a bull in a china shop where a delicate hand was needed. She sometimes makes life hard for herself though once again, I know that's one huge part of her character traits, but she can come across quite rude at times. But I don't dislike her and I don't mind having her as the main character, I do wish we would have some more character growth within the story though.
Also, I know talk of food is a somewhat part of the cozy genre, but it gets tiring that Eleanor eats six heavily calorie meals a day, yet always keeps her figure. It's unrealistic and is a pet peeve of mine, as it's a mythical dream that is used as a stick to beat woman with when they can't achieve it.
I really like Clifford (despite the grating chivalry misogyny and being all proper which can get tiring. And I dislike how he's always reminding the ladies that because Eleanor has a title, that means she's better, worth more and special than them. All people are equal on the whole. A title doesn't mean much in this day and age. I know it's somewhat suitable/normal for the time period, but I think the authors can easily not focus and push this specific idea as much as they do. I know Clifford truly believes that she's better but it's getting old, especially when he pushes it on the staff several times a book.) and the rest of the staff though Clifford should be a bit easier on them, haha. I mean, they're doing several peoples worth of work a day by themselves. And one of them is 15 and started working at 11. (Imagine having an 11 year old as a maid/cleaner/everything else.) Dude doesn't know how to relax and chill. And Gladstone is my favourite. He's a cutie and I love his addition to the story. He makes a cute, fun aspect to the books with his charming personality of constantly stealing shoes and his penchant for digging.
General Discussions about the series as a whole, including my thoughts on Hugh so probable minor spoilers;
October 14, 2023
Verify Bright writes a fun cozy based in the 1920S. Lady Eleanor is definitely not anything like the elegant confidant Partner Fisher. Both are affluent with supportive staff with the nose for justice. But, Lady Eleanor is more approachable, kinder and more down to earth.
Lady Eleanor is not present when an important man suddenly dies at a dinner party. But, the cook is blamed for the man's death.She is a friend of Eleanor s cook. And Butler Clifford and the Lady start looking for answers.
She also is giving an opportunity to serve her community by becoming part of the politics. She soon finds out, politics are a dirty game with underhanded deals and backroom deal.
Lady Eleanor is not present when an important man suddenly dies at a dinner party. But, the cook is blamed for the man's death.She is a friend of Eleanor s cook. And Butler Clifford and the Lady start looking for answers.
She also is giving an opportunity to serve her community by becoming part of the politics. She soon finds out, politics are a dirty game with underhanded deals and backroom deal.
September 20, 2020
Originally published on my blog: .
A Witness to Murder is the third Lady Eleanor historical cozy mystery by . Released 14th Sept 2020, it's 289 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the rest of the series) are currently included in the KU library to borrow and read for free.
This is a very light & fun British cozy which is sort of an homage to earlier golden age inter-war mysteries. It's fairly irreverent, with an appealing ensemble cast of amateur society sleuth Lady Eleanor and her butler/dogsbody Clifford whom she inherited along with her title from her late uncle as well as assorted society friends and servants.
This outing sees a local businessman and politician collapsing into his dessert at a charity fundraising dinner. Lady Eleanor and Clifford are soon sallying forth to right wrongs and make the world safer for everyone.
It's a fast and undemanding cozy read; the language is clean, the murders are not written violently or explicitly and the denouement is satisfying and well written. For readers looking for verisimilitude in dialogue and action, be warned, this series is full of modern vernacular and sensibilities. Eleanor fraternizes with the servants and runs a shockingly lax estate. Her sometimes beau, Lancelot, is a caricature and only makes brief appearances in this entry in the series.
Four stars, a somewhat exuberant and whimsical romp.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Witness to Murder is the third Lady Eleanor historical cozy mystery by . Released 14th Sept 2020, it's 289 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the rest of the series) are currently included in the KU library to borrow and read for free.
This is a very light & fun British cozy which is sort of an homage to earlier golden age inter-war mysteries. It's fairly irreverent, with an appealing ensemble cast of amateur society sleuth Lady Eleanor and her butler/dogsbody Clifford whom she inherited along with her title from her late uncle as well as assorted society friends and servants.
This outing sees a local businessman and politician collapsing into his dessert at a charity fundraising dinner. Lady Eleanor and Clifford are soon sallying forth to right wrongs and make the world safer for everyone.
It's a fast and undemanding cozy read; the language is clean, the murders are not written violently or explicitly and the denouement is satisfying and well written. For readers looking for verisimilitude in dialogue and action, be warned, this series is full of modern vernacular and sensibilities. Eleanor fraternizes with the servants and runs a shockingly lax estate. Her sometimes beau, Lancelot, is a caricature and only makes brief appearances in this entry in the series.
Four stars, a somewhat exuberant and whimsical romp.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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