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Mitford Murders #6
The Mitford Secret (Center Point Platinum Mystery
It’s 1941, and the Mitford household is splintered by the vicissitudes of war. To bring the clan together � maybe for one last time, Deborah invites them to Chatsworth for Christmas, along with a selection of society’s most impressive and glamorous guests, as well as old family friend Louisa Cannon, a private detective.
440 pages, Library Binding
First published November 3, 2022
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January 3, 2023
Thank you Minotaur Books for my beautiful gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
The Mitford sisters and their former nursery-maid, now private investigator, Louisa Cannon are back together to celebrate Christmas during WWII. But festivities are challenged when a psychic raises old secrets and ends up dead in the manor.
MY OPINION
Why yes, I did read a cozy historical mystery and why yes, I did enjoy it. Keep in mind, this is the first of its type I've read, so I can't really compare it to other similar books. Thereforeth (sometimes therefore doesn't feel fancy enough) this might be good to me as a newbie but an absolute stanker for a cozy historical mystery vet.
I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to read historical fiction considering a young GWTPSM was probably one of three lunatics who obsessively googled "historical drama movies" or "period piece films" LOL. If it had Keira Knightley in a ball gown with one loose curl hanging about her up-do, I was there!!! But nowadays when I read a synopsis and it says "It's the year *long ass time ago*" I'm like immediately no, NEXT. I gotta stop playing myself.
Ok so paragraph three and I'm finally going to talk about the book. First off, I enjoyed the writing. It wasn't too bogged down with old timey speak but still realistic for the time period. I found it quite funny too with most of the observational humour still relatable in today's modern society. For example: Louisa sometimes wondered how two Englishmen managed to put their clothes on in the morning, let alone run governments if these two shining examples were anything to go by.
Yes, there is a large cast of characters in this one, but at the back of the book there's a list to help you out. Also, Fellowes does a great job rehashing everyone's role and personality in the prologue. I didn't feel lost at any point. Tbh I don't think I'll ever feel as confused in a series as I did reading The Family Remains, but I digress.
Reading this reminded me of why I was such a history loving hoe. I loved reading about life during the war (Fellows approaches this with sensitivity while still keeping it "light"), British customs and traditions, and the attitudes of the time. So interesting to see how society has progressed, or regressed depending how you look at it.
I have to say though, 90% of police work was just vibes though. Backaday you really could commit any type of crime with a 95% success rate. Sealing off a crime scene for forensics? Nah. Just chuck the bloody sheets in the wash and call it a day. I'd love to see what kind of evidence was presented in court. Probably used astrology charts to show how the defendant's Venus was in bubble guts (idk anything about astrology) which means he's guilty your honor!
Ok I'm done.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, satisfying ending (not OTT, no weird "catching up with a friend" epilogue), well-executed plot, felt authentic
Cons: some filler scenes
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
The Mitford sisters and their former nursery-maid, now private investigator, Louisa Cannon are back together to celebrate Christmas during WWII. But festivities are challenged when a psychic raises old secrets and ends up dead in the manor.
MY OPINION
Why yes, I did read a cozy historical mystery and why yes, I did enjoy it. Keep in mind, this is the first of its type I've read, so I can't really compare it to other similar books. Thereforeth (sometimes therefore doesn't feel fancy enough) this might be good to me as a newbie but an absolute stanker for a cozy historical mystery vet.
I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to read historical fiction considering a young GWTPSM was probably one of three lunatics who obsessively googled "historical drama movies" or "period piece films" LOL. If it had Keira Knightley in a ball gown with one loose curl hanging about her up-do, I was there!!! But nowadays when I read a synopsis and it says "It's the year *long ass time ago*" I'm like immediately no, NEXT. I gotta stop playing myself.
Ok so paragraph three and I'm finally going to talk about the book. First off, I enjoyed the writing. It wasn't too bogged down with old timey speak but still realistic for the time period. I found it quite funny too with most of the observational humour still relatable in today's modern society. For example: Louisa sometimes wondered how two Englishmen managed to put their clothes on in the morning, let alone run governments if these two shining examples were anything to go by.
Yes, there is a large cast of characters in this one, but at the back of the book there's a list to help you out. Also, Fellowes does a great job rehashing everyone's role and personality in the prologue. I didn't feel lost at any point. Tbh I don't think I'll ever feel as confused in a series as I did reading The Family Remains, but I digress.
Reading this reminded me of why I was such a history loving hoe. I loved reading about life during the war (Fellows approaches this with sensitivity while still keeping it "light"), British customs and traditions, and the attitudes of the time. So interesting to see how society has progressed, or regressed depending how you look at it.
I have to say though, 90% of police work was just vibes though. Backaday you really could commit any type of crime with a 95% success rate. Sealing off a crime scene for forensics? Nah. Just chuck the bloody sheets in the wash and call it a day. I'd love to see what kind of evidence was presented in court. Probably used astrology charts to show how the defendant's Venus was in bubble guts (idk anything about astrology) which means he's guilty your honor!
Ok I'm done.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, satisfying ending (not OTT, no weird "catching up with a friend" epilogue), well-executed plot, felt authentic
Cons: some filler scenes
January 12, 2023
The Mitford Secret (Mitford Murders, #6) by Jessica Fellowes was a gripping historical murder mystery. It took place in 1941, during The London Blitz and World War II, at Chatsworth House, a very impressive mansion, far from the bombings over London. The Mitford Secret was well written and impeccably researched. I listened the audiobook that was well narrated by Rachel Atkins. Even though this was the sixth installment in this series, it was the first book I had the pleasure to read in this series. I felt that The Mitford Secret read fine as a stand alone book. There was a large cast of characters but I had no problem keeping them straight and recognizing them within the twisty plot.
Britain was heavily involved in the war in 1941 and rations became harder and harder to get. London had suffered from both physical losses and from the mental anguish the bombings brought with them.. Louisa and Guy Sullivan and their six year old daughter, Maisie, had experienced it all first hand. Some Londoners were sending their children out of the city to live with families in the countryside where the children would be safer. Louisa knew it made sense to do this but she could not and would not let herself be separated from her daughter. When an invitation came from Deborah Mitford for Louisa, Guy and Maisie to come to Chatsworth for Christmas, Guy insisted that Louisa and Maisie go and get out of London. Guy was unable to join them due to his obligations with the Home Guard. Louisa used to be employed by the Mitford’s. She used to be the nursery maid for the Mitford sisters. Now, Louisa and her husband, Guy, were private detectives. Louisa had mixed feelings about going to Chatsworth. On one hand, it would be great to get Maisie out of London and far away from the bombings but on the other hand, Louisa hated to leave her husband. Louisa would worry about Guy’s safety and she would miss him very much.
Deborah invited everyone from the Mitford and Cavendish families. Kick Kennedy (JFK’s sister) was also invited since she was romantically involved with Billy, the Duke’s oldest son. Deborah met Louisa and Maisie at the train station. Neither Louisa nor Maisie were prepared for the grandness of Chatsworth as they arrived at the house. Over the next day or so everyone arrived and settled in. Then one night, an uninvited guest arrived. Ellis II, the butler, had asked the visitor to wait but the older woman, rain soaked from the storm, followed Ellis to the drawing room where the guests were gathered. Mrs. Hoole, the invited guest, told the assembled guests that she had a message to deliver from the other side. The message was directed at Deborah. She was told to go to the vestibule and she would find something. Louisa’s instincts as a private investigator kicked in. Once Louisa and Deborah figured out where the vestibule was they discovered a hidden panel. Behind that panel, the two women pulled out a bloody maid’s cap. Mrs. Hoole, the one that had delivered the message, had told them that twenty years ago a maid was murdered at Chatsworth and the cap had belonged to her.
Louisa became more and more curious about what had happened to the young maid all those years ago. Everyone agreed to invite Mrs. Hoole back to Chatsworth to perform a séance. During the séance, Mrs. Hoole, revealed that one of the guests were harboring a secret about the fate of the maid that disappeared over twenty years ago. Then, just as this information was revealed, one of the participants in the séance broke the circle and ended it. Mrs. Hoole was to be driven back to the village where her mother resided that night but the car would not start. Ellis, the butler, made an executive decision, and insisted that Mrs. Hoole sleep at Chatsworth that night. She was given a room in the servant’s quarters. The next morning, Mrs. Hoole was found dead in the bed she had slept in the night before. Now there were not one but two suspicious deaths. Louisa was unable to calm her mind. Her detective skills were on high alert. Had Mrs. Hoole died in her sleep or had she been murdered? Did Mrs. Hoole’s fate have anything to do with the young maid’s fate all those years ago?
I enjoyed listening to The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes even though I had not read any of the previous books in this series. Louisa was my favorite character by far. She had risen up from her former station in life as a nanny to the Mitford sisters and was now an independent, very bright, organized and strong woman with a keen sense for solving mysterious investigations. The ending in The Mitford Secret was completely satisfying. I look forward to reading the previous books in this series and I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for January 17, 2023.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Britain was heavily involved in the war in 1941 and rations became harder and harder to get. London had suffered from both physical losses and from the mental anguish the bombings brought with them.. Louisa and Guy Sullivan and their six year old daughter, Maisie, had experienced it all first hand. Some Londoners were sending their children out of the city to live with families in the countryside where the children would be safer. Louisa knew it made sense to do this but she could not and would not let herself be separated from her daughter. When an invitation came from Deborah Mitford for Louisa, Guy and Maisie to come to Chatsworth for Christmas, Guy insisted that Louisa and Maisie go and get out of London. Guy was unable to join them due to his obligations with the Home Guard. Louisa used to be employed by the Mitford’s. She used to be the nursery maid for the Mitford sisters. Now, Louisa and her husband, Guy, were private detectives. Louisa had mixed feelings about going to Chatsworth. On one hand, it would be great to get Maisie out of London and far away from the bombings but on the other hand, Louisa hated to leave her husband. Louisa would worry about Guy’s safety and she would miss him very much.
Deborah invited everyone from the Mitford and Cavendish families. Kick Kennedy (JFK’s sister) was also invited since she was romantically involved with Billy, the Duke’s oldest son. Deborah met Louisa and Maisie at the train station. Neither Louisa nor Maisie were prepared for the grandness of Chatsworth as they arrived at the house. Over the next day or so everyone arrived and settled in. Then one night, an uninvited guest arrived. Ellis II, the butler, had asked the visitor to wait but the older woman, rain soaked from the storm, followed Ellis to the drawing room where the guests were gathered. Mrs. Hoole, the invited guest, told the assembled guests that she had a message to deliver from the other side. The message was directed at Deborah. She was told to go to the vestibule and she would find something. Louisa’s instincts as a private investigator kicked in. Once Louisa and Deborah figured out where the vestibule was they discovered a hidden panel. Behind that panel, the two women pulled out a bloody maid’s cap. Mrs. Hoole, the one that had delivered the message, had told them that twenty years ago a maid was murdered at Chatsworth and the cap had belonged to her.
Louisa became more and more curious about what had happened to the young maid all those years ago. Everyone agreed to invite Mrs. Hoole back to Chatsworth to perform a séance. During the séance, Mrs. Hoole, revealed that one of the guests were harboring a secret about the fate of the maid that disappeared over twenty years ago. Then, just as this information was revealed, one of the participants in the séance broke the circle and ended it. Mrs. Hoole was to be driven back to the village where her mother resided that night but the car would not start. Ellis, the butler, made an executive decision, and insisted that Mrs. Hoole sleep at Chatsworth that night. She was given a room in the servant’s quarters. The next morning, Mrs. Hoole was found dead in the bed she had slept in the night before. Now there were not one but two suspicious deaths. Louisa was unable to calm her mind. Her detective skills were on high alert. Had Mrs. Hoole died in her sleep or had she been murdered? Did Mrs. Hoole’s fate have anything to do with the young maid’s fate all those years ago?
I enjoyed listening to The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes even though I had not read any of the previous books in this series. Louisa was my favorite character by far. She had risen up from her former station in life as a nanny to the Mitford sisters and was now an independent, very bright, organized and strong woman with a keen sense for solving mysterious investigations. The ending in The Mitford Secret was completely satisfying. I look forward to reading the previous books in this series and I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for January 17, 2023.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2022
The Mitford Secret, by Jessica Fellowes, is the last of six books in the Mitford Murder Series. It is 1941, and the youngest Mitford daughter Deborah invites the family to Chatsworth House, a large family estate, for Christmas. Louisa Cannon, a friend of the family and a private detective, is invited. Leaving her husband Guy in London, Louisa travels with her young daughter Maisie for the holidays. Mrs. Hoole, a psychic who regularly holds seances, receives a mysterious message from “the other side.� A maid was murdered in the house many years ago. Louisa is caught up in the mystery but soon has Mrs. Hoole’s death to deal with.
I had not read any of the Mitford books, and I found this story delightful. It’s a must-read for Agatha Christie Fans. Louisa is a strong and smart protagonist; and the historical details are well researched. Included at the end of the book is a list of Who’s Who and informative historical notes. I look forward to reading more of the Mitford series. Thank you to NetGalley, author Jessica Fellowes, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.
I had not read any of the Mitford books, and I found this story delightful. It’s a must-read for Agatha Christie Fans. Louisa is a strong and smart protagonist; and the historical details are well researched. Included at the end of the book is a list of Who’s Who and informative historical notes. I look forward to reading more of the Mitford series. Thank you to NetGalley, author Jessica Fellowes, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.
December 23, 2022
The Mitford Secret, by Jessica Fellowes, is the last of six books in the Mitford Murder Series. It is 1941, and the youngest Mitford daughter Deborah invites the family to Chatsworth House, a large family estate, for Christmas. Louisa Cannon, a friend of the family and a private detective, is invited. Leaving her husband Guy in London, Louisa travels with her young daughter Maisie for the holidays. Mrs. Hoole, a psychic who regularly holds seances, receives a mysterious message from “the other side.� A maid was murdered in the house many years ago. Louisa is caught up in the mystery but soon has Mrs. Hoole’s death to deal with.
I had not read any of the Mitford books, and I found this story delightful. It’s a must-read for Agatha Christie Fans. Louisa is a strong and smart protagonist; and the historical details are well researched. Included at the end of the book is a list of Who’s Who and informative historical notes. I look forward to reading more of the Mitford series.
I had not read any of the Mitford books, and I found this story delightful. It’s a must-read for Agatha Christie Fans. Louisa is a strong and smart protagonist; and the historical details are well researched. Included at the end of the book is a list of Who’s Who and informative historical notes. I look forward to reading more of the Mitford series.
March 24, 2024
This might be my favorite one in the series� I don't know! I've enjoyed them all but I love the setting at Chatsworth House and I love having Debo as a main character. I love seeing Louisa as a mom. Her daughter is so sweet. I love the cold case that is intertwined with a recent murder. I like the out-of-London setting during wartime. The only downside is not seeing as much of Guy, but he does come in at the crucial moment. As always, I loved buddy reading this and the whole series with Jessica!
January 14, 2023
What a delight it is to discover this mystery series. I had not previously read any of the earlier Mitford Murder mysteries by Jessica Fellowes, but I have read work by and biographies about the real Mitford sisters, whose life stories were at times almost as improbable as the most outlandish speculative fiction, so I began this book with great enthusiasm and a slight amount of wariness. I needn't have hesitated for even a moment, though, as Fellowes does not disappoint.
She introduces the fascinating, eccentric Mitford sisters into a fictional set of murder stories, and, at least in this particular mystery, also includes other real-life characters, here, one of John F. Kennedy’s sisters, Kathleen (Kick), who was a close friend and sister-in-law of Deborah (Debo) Mitford--after Kick’s husband, Billy, died in the war, only three months after their wedding, the line of succession in the family changed, and Debo’s husband--Billy’s younger brother, Andrew--became Duke of Devonshire. Kick herself died only a few years later, at the age of 28, in a plane crash. These characters are beautifully drawn, and very true to reports of their real personalities, and the investigation is led by a well-developed, fictional ex-nursery maid for the family, and now turned friend, detective Louisa Cannon.
She finds herself looking into the murder of an local woman during a Christmas holiday gathering at Chatsworth, House, which was the real home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. By setting the plot in 1941, the author weaves into her story the turbulence of the period, as it unfolded within the Mitford family itself. Several members of the family are not in attendance this Christmas, as they would not have been in real life: Diana, who had married the fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, was at that time in prison; Jessica, known as Decca, had already become a communist and decamped to America; and brother Tom was in the service; another sister, Pamela, is also not part of the cast of characters here.
However, several sisters are at the gathering. Sister Unity, who had followed Diana into a foolish infatuation with the fascist cause, even spending time in Germany and meeting Hitler, was, in real life as well as in this book, permanently brain damaged at that time from a botched suicide attempt. The other members of the Mitford family that are characters here are Nancy, Debo, and the Mitford parents, known to the family as Farv and Muv.
The author beautifully and with a true researcher's gusto captures a moment of English history, a fascinating cast of characters, an interesting mystery, as well as the details of daily life during the second world war. I will be immediately reading the first five books of the series. Highly recommend.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to the audio book. The narrator, Rachel Atkins, is terrific, and I look forward to hearing her performance in other books in the series.
She introduces the fascinating, eccentric Mitford sisters into a fictional set of murder stories, and, at least in this particular mystery, also includes other real-life characters, here, one of John F. Kennedy’s sisters, Kathleen (Kick), who was a close friend and sister-in-law of Deborah (Debo) Mitford--after Kick’s husband, Billy, died in the war, only three months after their wedding, the line of succession in the family changed, and Debo’s husband--Billy’s younger brother, Andrew--became Duke of Devonshire. Kick herself died only a few years later, at the age of 28, in a plane crash. These characters are beautifully drawn, and very true to reports of their real personalities, and the investigation is led by a well-developed, fictional ex-nursery maid for the family, and now turned friend, detective Louisa Cannon.
She finds herself looking into the murder of an local woman during a Christmas holiday gathering at Chatsworth, House, which was the real home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. By setting the plot in 1941, the author weaves into her story the turbulence of the period, as it unfolded within the Mitford family itself. Several members of the family are not in attendance this Christmas, as they would not have been in real life: Diana, who had married the fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, was at that time in prison; Jessica, known as Decca, had already become a communist and decamped to America; and brother Tom was in the service; another sister, Pamela, is also not part of the cast of characters here.
However, several sisters are at the gathering. Sister Unity, who had followed Diana into a foolish infatuation with the fascist cause, even spending time in Germany and meeting Hitler, was, in real life as well as in this book, permanently brain damaged at that time from a botched suicide attempt. The other members of the Mitford family that are characters here are Nancy, Debo, and the Mitford parents, known to the family as Farv and Muv.
The author beautifully and with a true researcher's gusto captures a moment of English history, a fascinating cast of characters, an interesting mystery, as well as the details of daily life during the second world war. I will be immediately reading the first five books of the series. Highly recommend.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to listen to the audio book. The narrator, Rachel Atkins, is terrific, and I look forward to hearing her performance in other books in the series.
February 2, 2023
RATING: 3 STARS
2023; Minotaur Books/Macmillan Audio
I know, I know, I said the last Mitford Murder book was going to be my last one...BUT, then I read that The Mitford Secret was going to be the last in the series, so I had to finish it. And, you know what? I enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of the first and second book, so I am happy I read it.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss, and audiobook through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2023; Minotaur Books/Macmillan Audio
I know, I know, I said the last Mitford Murder book was going to be my last one...BUT, then I read that The Mitford Secret was going to be the last in the series, so I had to finish it. And, you know what? I enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of the first and second book, so I am happy I read it.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss, and audiobook through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
January 23, 2023
Jessica Followes has written a perfectly enjoyable British country house mystery. Its Ww2 period details feel spot on, but I longed for more “Mitford charm� in the novel.
I’m an avid fan of Nancy Mitford’s writing and have more than a passing interest in the family. My expectations may have been too high, but I think I would have enjoyed this mystery more if the characters were fictional aristocrats, not a family like the Mitfords that is so well-documented in fiction and biography.
Maybe it was the dreariness of a war-time holiday, and all the talk of scarce rations, but there wasn’t much wit or sparkle in this rendition of a family that was known for its eccentricity and charm. The mystery was fine, but the book fell flat for me.
Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.
I’m an avid fan of Nancy Mitford’s writing and have more than a passing interest in the family. My expectations may have been too high, but I think I would have enjoyed this mystery more if the characters were fictional aristocrats, not a family like the Mitfords that is so well-documented in fiction and biography.
Maybe it was the dreariness of a war-time holiday, and all the talk of scarce rations, but there wasn’t much wit or sparkle in this rendition of a family that was known for its eccentricity and charm. The mystery was fine, but the book fell flat for me.
Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.
February 14, 2023
As always Jessica Fellowes has me confused and feeling all the feelings. This is the last planned book in the series which has me hoping that the series could potentially continue. At least I’m hoping we get more of Guy and Louisa. The Mitfords I could take or leave. The historical or real life characters in the story were way more fascinating than some of the characters in previous books, fictional or otherwise. The setting was neat too, away from London on one of the grandest estates in all of England. I was happier with Louisa in this book, she was more contented and happy with Guy. I just wish he had a bigger part in the story, he really only popped in a couple of times. It was a delight to see them as parents and get to know their sweet little girl. On the mystery side, it wasn’t much of a case and the suspects were too limited and obvious because more than half of the characters were historical figures. It made the “Who� element too easy to guess and didn’t add to my enjoyment. For the most part I liked it, even if the repetitive early chapters about the Mitfords and Louisa helping Deborah get ready to host her first big house party with her in laws, went on way too long. It was pretty apparent the author had to stretch this one out to match the length of the other books in the series. I don’t think she had a clear enough vision to call this a “mystery�. It read more like the historical fiction genre than a mystery. I hope she continues writing stories that feature Guy and Louisa. I will really miss them!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2023
This short historical mystery series is very well written with good character development and complex puzzles to unravel. Even though this is the sixth and final of the series, each one works fine as a stand alone.
It's 1941 England and the Blitz is making life miserable for everybody. It's also Christmas and Debrah Mitford, the youngest sister, decides to throw a house party at Chatsworth, one of the most famous of the stately homes. Those family and friends able to attend will gather for traditional festivities. One of the guests will be a psychic. Too bad she didn't see her own future because after she does her reading for the guests she is murdered. What might connect a twenty year old case of murder and the murder of the psychic?
Time for a private detective to start investigating. Louisa was the Mitford's maid and she and her young daughter, Maisie are part of the house party. Louisa has left service and become a private detective and will latter be joined by her husband, Guy. I won't say any more for fear of spoilers.
If you like historical mysteries with real life characters mixed in with the fictional ones, this series is for you. If you are a fan of classic mysteries from the Golden Age of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, this series should be on your TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
It's 1941 England and the Blitz is making life miserable for everybody. It's also Christmas and Debrah Mitford, the youngest sister, decides to throw a house party at Chatsworth, one of the most famous of the stately homes. Those family and friends able to attend will gather for traditional festivities. One of the guests will be a psychic. Too bad she didn't see her own future because after she does her reading for the guests she is murdered. What might connect a twenty year old case of murder and the murder of the psychic?
Time for a private detective to start investigating. Louisa was the Mitford's maid and she and her young daughter, Maisie are part of the house party. Louisa has left service and become a private detective and will latter be joined by her husband, Guy. I won't say any more for fear of spoilers.
If you like historical mysteries with real life characters mixed in with the fictional ones, this series is for you. If you are a fan of classic mysteries from the Golden Age of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, this series should be on your TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 30, 2023
If you are a fan of Julian Fellowes and Downton Abbey, then you might find these books by his niece, Jessica Fellowes of interest. Ms Fellowes has created an engaging mystery series that circles around the ever so flamboyant Mitford sisters (yes, Those Mitford Sisters) and their period through the late '20s to this story in 1941. The detective is a humble housemaid, Lucy, who is befriended by Nancy Mitford, thus ending up with a position in the household. Different mysteries present themselves, over the years, and Lucy is involved in solving them - while falling in love, getting married, starting a private detective agency with her loving husband.
I will admit to taking these books out of the library as audiobooks through the Libby app. They are a great accompanyment pulling weeds in the garden. So, I listened to the first two books in the series, then sort of forgot about them, until this summer. The Mitford Secret presented itself, as number 6 in the series. I decided to skip 2, 3 4 and 5, and proceed directly onto this one.
The books are satisfying, especially as you get to know the people involved in the plots. Lucy is plucky and is a very observant servant. Other characters from the period appear. In the Mitford Secret, Adele Astaire shows up and has a speaking role. The Mitfords real lives are alluded to, I would suggest reading The Saga of the Mitford Sisters by Mary Lovell as background to this book.
There is a little too much repetitiveness, but Jessica makes the plot extremely clear. This was good for listening while working in the garden, but could be annoying if one was more focussed.
If you like Downton Abbey, Murder She Wrote,Lord Peter Whimsey, and other detectives of that ilk, I can definitely recommend this series.
I will admit to taking these books out of the library as audiobooks through the Libby app. They are a great accompanyment pulling weeds in the garden. So, I listened to the first two books in the series, then sort of forgot about them, until this summer. The Mitford Secret presented itself, as number 6 in the series. I decided to skip 2, 3 4 and 5, and proceed directly onto this one.
The books are satisfying, especially as you get to know the people involved in the plots. Lucy is plucky and is a very observant servant. Other characters from the period appear. In the Mitford Secret, Adele Astaire shows up and has a speaking role. The Mitfords real lives are alluded to, I would suggest reading The Saga of the Mitford Sisters by Mary Lovell as background to this book.
There is a little too much repetitiveness, but Jessica makes the plot extremely clear. This was good for listening while working in the garden, but could be annoying if one was more focussed.
If you like Downton Abbey, Murder She Wrote,Lord Peter Whimsey, and other detectives of that ilk, I can definitely recommend this series.
January 16, 2023
I just finished The Mitford secret by Jessica Fellowes and here is my review.
With world war 2 in full swing, Deborah feels it's time to bring family and the social well to dos together for christmas. She also invites an old family friend, Louisa who is now a private investigator.
One night a lady arrives with a message� The message leads them to find a bloody cap. Inviting the psychic back for a seance leads to the discovery that a maid was murdered in the house and psychic, well she can prove it. How deep does the truth go and can Louisa work out who did it while everyone actively works to conceal their own truths?
I love a good cozy mystery and this book was the ending to a wonderful series! You cannot help but be charmed by Deborah and Louisa. I loved the pace of the book and the ending was perfect! I have a really soft spot for books set in manor houses and the descriptive language was on point. This is one of my favorite crossover genres, historical mystery. This series was so well done and the writing is exceptional!
The mystery was so well weaved, I was never sure what the truth was. Love books like this. A gentle whisper of a mystery book! If you need a new series in your life, then pick this one up today!
4.5 stars
Thank you to @minotaurbooks for my review copy!
With world war 2 in full swing, Deborah feels it's time to bring family and the social well to dos together for christmas. She also invites an old family friend, Louisa who is now a private investigator.
One night a lady arrives with a message� The message leads them to find a bloody cap. Inviting the psychic back for a seance leads to the discovery that a maid was murdered in the house and psychic, well she can prove it. How deep does the truth go and can Louisa work out who did it while everyone actively works to conceal their own truths?
I love a good cozy mystery and this book was the ending to a wonderful series! You cannot help but be charmed by Deborah and Louisa. I loved the pace of the book and the ending was perfect! I have a really soft spot for books set in manor houses and the descriptive language was on point. This is one of my favorite crossover genres, historical mystery. This series was so well done and the writing is exceptional!
The mystery was so well weaved, I was never sure what the truth was. Love books like this. A gentle whisper of a mystery book! If you need a new series in your life, then pick this one up today!
4.5 stars
Thank you to @minotaurbooks for my review copy!
January 16, 2023
The Mitford Secret is the sixth and final book in the Mitford Murder Mysteries by Jessica Fellowes. This is the first book I have read from the series and I understood what was going on. Taking place in the early 1941 this book reads like a combination cozy mystery and historical fiction. I felt like the author did an excellent job of setting the mood and giving us the atmospheric feel of war time England.
The story takes place at Christmastime when the Mitford sisters invite family and friends to join them to celebrate the holidays in the country far away from the bombing raids of London. Among the guests is their former nanny, now turned detective. One night they receive a visit from a psychic who tells of secrets and ends up murdered. The sisters and their former nanny investigate the death. I enjoyed the book and the plot kept me interested.
I received this book through Net Galley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book enough that I plan on going back and reading the first 5 in the series.
I posted reviews on several Facebook sites as well as Amazon and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
The story takes place at Christmastime when the Mitford sisters invite family and friends to join them to celebrate the holidays in the country far away from the bombing raids of London. Among the guests is their former nanny, now turned detective. One night they receive a visit from a psychic who tells of secrets and ends up murdered. The sisters and their former nanny investigate the death. I enjoyed the book and the plot kept me interested.
I received this book through Net Galley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book enough that I plan on going back and reading the first 5 in the series.
I posted reviews on several Facebook sites as well as Amazon and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
August 22, 2023
I love this series of books featuring the Mitford sisters and their fascinating lives alongside the detective work of Louisa. This was another entertaining and cosy read, planned to be the last I the series but the author herself leaves a hint that it may not be.....
January 10, 2023
Another brilliant whodunit. Fellowes knows her stuff and writes an intriguing and thrilling tale. Hopefully not quite the last we'll hear of the Mitfords!
August 17, 2024
Really enjoyed the Mitford murder series!
dnf
December 2, 2024I'm good, thanks.
February 24, 2025
What in the world am I supposed to read now that this series is over?? My life will never be the same... Thank you Jessica Fellows for all the wonderful time I've spent with your books
November 11, 2023
I enjoyed the first 5 in this series, not this one. Read like a young adult novel. Was all over the place for me. If someone knows, who did kill Mrs. Hoole?
July 20, 2023
Hard to keep up with all the people in the book. Might be because I didn't read other books in series. But it was ok and interesting enough to finish.
November 17, 2023
not as exciting as the previous ones.
December 30, 2022
Jessica Fellowes ends the Mitford Murder series with a Christmas house party at the Cavendish ancestral pile, where Mitford daughter Deborah has invited her family, her husband's family and long time friend and former servant Louisa. Louisa, with her daughter Maisie, is glad to escape the terrors of London in the Blitz to enjoy a more tranquil country setting. Unfortunately, more mysteries (and dead bodies) show up for Louisa to exercise her detection skills upon.
This entry in the series is much less focused on the Mitford family and their politics. Much of their drama is behind them now, and we are able to enjoy a traditional house party mystery. The puzzles are interesting; the setting is majestic; and we get enough of the Mitford back-story to keep the historical details real.
I've enjoyed the series a great deal, and look forward to where Fellowes takes us next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entry in the series is much less focused on the Mitford family and their politics. Much of their drama is behind them now, and we are able to enjoy a traditional house party mystery. The puzzles are interesting; the setting is majestic; and we get enough of the Mitford back-story to keep the historical details real.
I've enjoyed the series a great deal, and look forward to where Fellowes takes us next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 28, 2023
Eccolo qui.
L'ultimo romanzo delle sorelle Mitford.
Ricordo ancora quando lessi il primo nel 2017.
Sei anni. Sei romanzi.
Mi sono innamorata di tutti, dal primo all'ultimo.
.
Se non conoscete la serie delle Mitford, allora vi consiglio di iniziare a leggerla dal primo. Qui li trovate tutti e sei e l'ultimo l'ho finito proprio ieri.
.
Siamo nel 1941, la guerra imperversa e Londra è sommersa dai bombardamenti. Louisa Sullivan, con la figlia Maisie, si rifugia nei tunnel della metropolitana, mentre suo marito Guy è nella milizia. Nonostante questo, Deborah Mitford, la più giovane delle sorelle, sta per sposarsi e Louisa sarà la sua damigella. A questo proposito Nancy, la maggiore, invita Louisa a Chatsworth, dimora sontuosa dei Duchi di Devonshire, dinastia di cui fa parte anche il futuro marito di Deborah, per passare il Natale con loro, lontano da Londra.
.
Louisa accetta di buon grado, se non altro per dare alla piccola Maisie un po' di pace e serenità .
.
Purtroppo questa dura poco: una sera, Mrs Hoole, una cameriera che ha prestato servizio presso la famiglia del Duca durante la Grande Guerra, irrompe a cena avvisando di cercare qualcosa in un vestibolo della villa, dicendo di aver sentito una voce dall'aldilà . Così viene trovata una cuffia insanguinata e si scopre appartenere ad un'altra domestica, Joan Dorris, che secondo Mrs Hoole è stata uccisa qualche tempo prima.
.
Nasce così un'indagine con i fiocchi e, proprio come dice semprebLord Redesdale, il capostipite dei Mitford, dove va Louisa c'è sempre un caso da risolvere, ma non è lei che attira i guai. I guai si presentano alla porta.
.
L'ultimo romanzo di Jessica Fellowes, degna erede- e nipote - di Julian Fellowes (creatore di Downton Abbey, per capirci) ci trasporta in un'atmosfera che assomiglia molto a quella della famiglia Crawley.
Leggendo il libro vi sembrerà di passeggiare in tenute d'altri tempi e al tempo stesso di vivere un po' nella modernità dell'epoca.
.
Ringrazio @author_jessicafellowes e @neripozza per aver portato questa meraviglia in Italia.
È stato un viaggio meraviglioso.
L'ultimo romanzo delle sorelle Mitford.
Ricordo ancora quando lessi il primo nel 2017.
Sei anni. Sei romanzi.
Mi sono innamorata di tutti, dal primo all'ultimo.
.
Se non conoscete la serie delle Mitford, allora vi consiglio di iniziare a leggerla dal primo. Qui li trovate tutti e sei e l'ultimo l'ho finito proprio ieri.
.
Siamo nel 1941, la guerra imperversa e Londra è sommersa dai bombardamenti. Louisa Sullivan, con la figlia Maisie, si rifugia nei tunnel della metropolitana, mentre suo marito Guy è nella milizia. Nonostante questo, Deborah Mitford, la più giovane delle sorelle, sta per sposarsi e Louisa sarà la sua damigella. A questo proposito Nancy, la maggiore, invita Louisa a Chatsworth, dimora sontuosa dei Duchi di Devonshire, dinastia di cui fa parte anche il futuro marito di Deborah, per passare il Natale con loro, lontano da Londra.
.
Louisa accetta di buon grado, se non altro per dare alla piccola Maisie un po' di pace e serenità .
.
Purtroppo questa dura poco: una sera, Mrs Hoole, una cameriera che ha prestato servizio presso la famiglia del Duca durante la Grande Guerra, irrompe a cena avvisando di cercare qualcosa in un vestibolo della villa, dicendo di aver sentito una voce dall'aldilà . Così viene trovata una cuffia insanguinata e si scopre appartenere ad un'altra domestica, Joan Dorris, che secondo Mrs Hoole è stata uccisa qualche tempo prima.
.
Nasce così un'indagine con i fiocchi e, proprio come dice semprebLord Redesdale, il capostipite dei Mitford, dove va Louisa c'è sempre un caso da risolvere, ma non è lei che attira i guai. I guai si presentano alla porta.
.
L'ultimo romanzo di Jessica Fellowes, degna erede- e nipote - di Julian Fellowes (creatore di Downton Abbey, per capirci) ci trasporta in un'atmosfera che assomiglia molto a quella della famiglia Crawley.
Leggendo il libro vi sembrerà di passeggiare in tenute d'altri tempi e al tempo stesso di vivere un po' nella modernità dell'epoca.
.
Ringrazio @author_jessicafellowes e @neripozza per aver portato questa meraviglia in Italia.
È stato un viaggio meraviglioso.
September 10, 2024
Het laatste deel uit deze reeks.
Het is eind december 1941 als Louisa Cannon samen met haar 6-jarige dochtertje Maisie door de oudste Mitford-dochter Nancy wordt uitgenodigd de kerstdagen en jaarwisseling door te brengen op het landgoed Chatworth in Derbyshire, waar de eerder dat jaar met Andrew Cavendish (jongste zoon van de hertog van Devonshire) getrouwde jongste Mitford-dochter Deborah haar familie en schoonfamilie heeft uitgenodigd. Louisa's man Guy Sullivan kan haar helaas niet vergezellen want hij heeft dienst bij de Home Guard, maar Louisa is blij even te kunnen ontsnappen aan de dagelijkse bombardementen die Londen teisteren.
Ze valt echter weer met haar neus in de boter voor wat betreft haar detectiveloopbaan: de plotselinge dood op Chatworth van een vrouw die daar gedurende de Eerste Wereldoorlog als personeel heeft gewerkt en die Louisa vlak vóór haar onverwacht verscheiden verzocht de mysterieuze vermissing (dood?) te onderzoeken van haar collegaatje en vriendin in 1916, Joan Dorries.
Louisa's onderzoek wordt bemoeilijkt doordat noch het huispersoneel noch de familie Cavendish (Deborahs aangetrouwde adellijke familie) iets over Joan Dorries en haar verdwijning loslaten.
Nieuwe ontwikkelingen dienen zich aan als er een poging wordt gedaan de douairière hertogin van Devonshire te vergiftigen, waarbij haar pekineesje helaas het leven laat...
Staan deze zaken met elkaar in verband?
Een leuke detective met sfeervolle beschrijvingen van de kerstperiode in landelijk Derbyshire in oorlogstijd en een onverwacht plot.
Het is eind december 1941 als Louisa Cannon samen met haar 6-jarige dochtertje Maisie door de oudste Mitford-dochter Nancy wordt uitgenodigd de kerstdagen en jaarwisseling door te brengen op het landgoed Chatworth in Derbyshire, waar de eerder dat jaar met Andrew Cavendish (jongste zoon van de hertog van Devonshire) getrouwde jongste Mitford-dochter Deborah haar familie en schoonfamilie heeft uitgenodigd. Louisa's man Guy Sullivan kan haar helaas niet vergezellen want hij heeft dienst bij de Home Guard, maar Louisa is blij even te kunnen ontsnappen aan de dagelijkse bombardementen die Londen teisteren.
Ze valt echter weer met haar neus in de boter voor wat betreft haar detectiveloopbaan: de plotselinge dood op Chatworth van een vrouw die daar gedurende de Eerste Wereldoorlog als personeel heeft gewerkt en die Louisa vlak vóór haar onverwacht verscheiden verzocht de mysterieuze vermissing (dood?) te onderzoeken van haar collegaatje en vriendin in 1916, Joan Dorries.
Louisa's onderzoek wordt bemoeilijkt doordat noch het huispersoneel noch de familie Cavendish (Deborahs aangetrouwde adellijke familie) iets over Joan Dorries en haar verdwijning loslaten.
Nieuwe ontwikkelingen dienen zich aan als er een poging wordt gedaan de douairière hertogin van Devonshire te vergiftigen, waarbij haar pekineesje helaas het leven laat...
Staan deze zaken met elkaar in verband?
Een leuke detective met sfeervolle beschrijvingen van de kerstperiode in landelijk Derbyshire in oorlogstijd en een onverwacht plot.
March 11, 2025
*Special Content only on my blog, during Murder Most Foul (February-May 2025)
Deborah Mitford is now Lady Andrew Cavendish and she is determined to make her first Christmas as a newlywed a success. It doesn't matter that menus will have to be creative due to rationing, or that Andrew won't be there to celebrate, or that their hoped for child was stillborn, because her in-laws have given her free range of Chatsworth. Her first house party must be a success, and this is quite the house. Even if it's a bit of a mess what with it being used as a school now and the rest of the house being practically shut up, she's sure she can make one or two rooms comfortable and brimming with Christmas cheer. She needs a win. Even if it's small and might seem silly to anyone else, this is her chance to shine. From the Cavendish side, Andrew's grandmother, parents, brother, future sister-in-law, aunt, and uncle will all be in attendance. From the Mitford side, less of a showing what with Tom in Burma and Diana in prison, but Deborah's parents, Unity, and Nancy are all coming. As is Louisa Sullivan. Nancy, knowing her family, thinks a buffer would be a good idea and this way Louisa and her darling daughter Maisie get away from the constant bombing of London and get to have an actually restful holiday. Or that's the plan. Because as soon as Lord Redesdale sees Louisa he's convinced that a dead body will show up any minute. And while one would hope that he is wrong, he's not. One night before dinner a strange villager shows up at the door demanding entrance. A Mrs. Hoole. She has a message for Lady Andrew from, well, she can't really say from where, but they come to her. And the message is to "look in the vestibule." This is all a bit much and cook will be furious if dinner gets cold, but between them all they figure out exactly where in this enormous house there is a vestibule and there they find a maid's cap with dried blood. But as the dowager duchess points out, the style of the cap is from at least the last war. Intrigued and late for dinner they decide that Mrs. Hoole will return and perform a seance. The next night she puts on quite the show for them all but saves the best for last. She tells Deborah, Nancy, and Louisa, the truth after everyone else has retired for the night. She used to work at the house with her dear friend Joan Dorries who disappeared in 1916. The household and the police weren't interested in investigating. But Mrs. Hoole, hearing that a private detective was staying up at the house, realized this might be her last chance to find out the truth. Sadly Mrs. Hoole will be found dead the next morning. The local doctor can't say if it is suspicious or not. Louisa is convinced it is, Lord Redesdale is resigned. It's just another Mitford occasion with Louisa and a corpse. Everything is bound to work out in the end with some dramatics in the interim.
This is it! This is the book I've been waiting for. And not just because it's the end of the series, but because it's about my favorite Mitford, Deborah. Also, if you are wondering, my Mitford ranking goes Deborah, Jessica, Nancy, Pamela, Unity, and in the depths of hell, Diana. So, no pressure right? Jessica Fellowes, it's your duty to make Debo shine! And honestly, there literally was no pressure because my expectations for this series are so low, and yet this book failed to reach even this low bar. The thing is, back in 2020 I read the first three books in this series and, well, hate is almost too benign a word for what I felt. Though I was determined that I would finish this series. So I girded my loins and just finished the series this year. And yes, it did take me five years to mentally prepare myself for this task. At first I thought that maybe I had been too harsh on the series because the fourth book, , wasn't half bad. But the next two books were right back on form, subpar to say the least. From the beginning this series hasn't actually known what to do with the Mitfords. They're there but they add nothing. Which is why I think I actually enjoyed The Mitford Trial, because the Mitfords were integral to the plot not just ambiance. Here they're back to being wallpaper. Yes, we need Deborah because without her we don't have Chatsworth, but seeing as Jessica Fellowes has written so many books on Downton Abbey you think she'd get the dynamic right of the most classic of tropes, a murder mystery at a country house during Christmas. She doesn't. There's no forward momentum. At one point Louisa says that the house is in the dead days between Christmas and New Year's. Now I've never felt that these were dead days, just days to read and recharge, I now view them as dead days. Days that stretch on interminably by an inept author. Why are we supposed to care about a cold case? Why are we supposed to care about a dead woman who may or may not have been murdered? We were given no stakes, instead we were given an unhinged Louisa. She behaves so rashly and out of character that it made me remember why I hated her in the first place. I mean, she just finds the killer by a process of elimination because she has literally blamed everyone else for the crime. And in some cases called the police on them. I mean, this is her job and she is just shit at it. What's more, this running around like a chicken with it's head cut off endangers her child but she doesn't seem to care. But the real kicker is that Jessica Fellowes had a clever idea, I mean, it was bound to happen sometime. The crime scene is a red herring. This should have been played up not left until the end as an afterthought. Though thankfully, this is the end. Right? Don't even think about giving her a contract for a book about Tom!
Deborah Mitford is now Lady Andrew Cavendish and she is determined to make her first Christmas as a newlywed a success. It doesn't matter that menus will have to be creative due to rationing, or that Andrew won't be there to celebrate, or that their hoped for child was stillborn, because her in-laws have given her free range of Chatsworth. Her first house party must be a success, and this is quite the house. Even if it's a bit of a mess what with it being used as a school now and the rest of the house being practically shut up, she's sure she can make one or two rooms comfortable and brimming with Christmas cheer. She needs a win. Even if it's small and might seem silly to anyone else, this is her chance to shine. From the Cavendish side, Andrew's grandmother, parents, brother, future sister-in-law, aunt, and uncle will all be in attendance. From the Mitford side, less of a showing what with Tom in Burma and Diana in prison, but Deborah's parents, Unity, and Nancy are all coming. As is Louisa Sullivan. Nancy, knowing her family, thinks a buffer would be a good idea and this way Louisa and her darling daughter Maisie get away from the constant bombing of London and get to have an actually restful holiday. Or that's the plan. Because as soon as Lord Redesdale sees Louisa he's convinced that a dead body will show up any minute. And while one would hope that he is wrong, he's not. One night before dinner a strange villager shows up at the door demanding entrance. A Mrs. Hoole. She has a message for Lady Andrew from, well, she can't really say from where, but they come to her. And the message is to "look in the vestibule." This is all a bit much and cook will be furious if dinner gets cold, but between them all they figure out exactly where in this enormous house there is a vestibule and there they find a maid's cap with dried blood. But as the dowager duchess points out, the style of the cap is from at least the last war. Intrigued and late for dinner they decide that Mrs. Hoole will return and perform a seance. The next night she puts on quite the show for them all but saves the best for last. She tells Deborah, Nancy, and Louisa, the truth after everyone else has retired for the night. She used to work at the house with her dear friend Joan Dorries who disappeared in 1916. The household and the police weren't interested in investigating. But Mrs. Hoole, hearing that a private detective was staying up at the house, realized this might be her last chance to find out the truth. Sadly Mrs. Hoole will be found dead the next morning. The local doctor can't say if it is suspicious or not. Louisa is convinced it is, Lord Redesdale is resigned. It's just another Mitford occasion with Louisa and a corpse. Everything is bound to work out in the end with some dramatics in the interim.
This is it! This is the book I've been waiting for. And not just because it's the end of the series, but because it's about my favorite Mitford, Deborah. Also, if you are wondering, my Mitford ranking goes Deborah, Jessica, Nancy, Pamela, Unity, and in the depths of hell, Diana. So, no pressure right? Jessica Fellowes, it's your duty to make Debo shine! And honestly, there literally was no pressure because my expectations for this series are so low, and yet this book failed to reach even this low bar. The thing is, back in 2020 I read the first three books in this series and, well, hate is almost too benign a word for what I felt. Though I was determined that I would finish this series. So I girded my loins and just finished the series this year. And yes, it did take me five years to mentally prepare myself for this task. At first I thought that maybe I had been too harsh on the series because the fourth book, , wasn't half bad. But the next two books were right back on form, subpar to say the least. From the beginning this series hasn't actually known what to do with the Mitfords. They're there but they add nothing. Which is why I think I actually enjoyed The Mitford Trial, because the Mitfords were integral to the plot not just ambiance. Here they're back to being wallpaper. Yes, we need Deborah because without her we don't have Chatsworth, but seeing as Jessica Fellowes has written so many books on Downton Abbey you think she'd get the dynamic right of the most classic of tropes, a murder mystery at a country house during Christmas. She doesn't. There's no forward momentum. At one point Louisa says that the house is in the dead days between Christmas and New Year's. Now I've never felt that these were dead days, just days to read and recharge, I now view them as dead days. Days that stretch on interminably by an inept author. Why are we supposed to care about a cold case? Why are we supposed to care about a dead woman who may or may not have been murdered? We were given no stakes, instead we were given an unhinged Louisa. She behaves so rashly and out of character that it made me remember why I hated her in the first place. I mean, she just finds the killer by a process of elimination because she has literally blamed everyone else for the crime. And in some cases called the police on them. I mean, this is her job and she is just shit at it. What's more, this running around like a chicken with it's head cut off endangers her child but she doesn't seem to care. But the real kicker is that Jessica Fellowes had a clever idea, I mean, it was bound to happen sometime. The crime scene is a red herring. This should have been played up not left until the end as an afterthought. Though thankfully, this is the end. Right? Don't even think about giving her a contract for a book about Tom!
January 16, 2023
The Mitford Secret is the sixth and final book in the terrific Mitford Murders series by Jessica Fellowes. I truly hate to see this series end, even though I missed the first three books and started the series on the fourth. I'm comforted by the fact that I still have three left to read. This one was my favorite by far. Each murder mystery stands alone, so you can follow easily without having read them all. The story was a fascinating blend of truth and fiction; the Mitford family was unlike any other, and I doubt we'll see their like again!
In 1941, families all across Europe are being torn apart by the war. Deborah (Debo) Mitford Cavendish, the youngest Mitford sister, decides to bring her available family members together at the Chatsworth estate to celebrate Christmas. Besides family, some well-known celebrities are invited, as well as Louisa Cannon Sullivan, a former employee and now friend of the family; she is currently a private investigator in business with her husband Guy. Guy must stay in London with the Home Guard, so Louisa and their adorable six-year-old daughter Maisie head to Chatsworth. A woman from the village arrives claiming to be a psychic, and Deborah allows her to host a séance. Instead of the lighthearted fun they expected, however, the woman claims a maid was murdered in Chatsworth, and she says she can prove it. Louisa begins to investigate the cold case, but everyone around seems to want to keep their secrets hidden away from the light. And then Louisa must investigate a new murder! Will she be able to solve these mysteries that are buried so deeply?
Louisa is such a great character, and I am really going to miss her! She has truly grown, from being a nurse maid for the Mitford children to a married woman with a young child and a career as a private investigator. Louisa and Guy didn't send little Maisie to the countryside like many Londoners did to keep their children safe from air raids, as they thought it would be better to keep her with them. They were glad, however, for Louisa to bring Maisie to Chatsworth for Christmas, which would hopefully keep her safe from the perils of London. She's a good mother and wife and one heck of an investigator. She sometimes jumps to the wrong conclusion, but she digs her heels in to get answers. Louisa will go toe-to-toe with a duke, dowager duchess, doctor and law enforcement without being cowed. I'm not a kid person, but Maisie was absolutely precious! And I was glad to see more of Guy in this story. The real stars of the show, though, are the Mitfords. Among their ranks is a writer, communist, fascist and Hitler devotee. Winston Churchill is their uncle. They were fascinating people! I also enjoyed seeing some other real-life people such as Kick Kennedy (yes, THOSE Kennedys) and Adele Astaire, the dancer/actress whose brother is Fred Astaire. The mystery here will keep you on your toes. I figured out a culprit, but not until I was 83% through with the book. But there was an awful lot I didn't see coming! It was quite an entertaining book, but also sad to see such a great series end. I hope Ms. Fellowes will create more historical mysteries to entertain us!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
In 1941, families all across Europe are being torn apart by the war. Deborah (Debo) Mitford Cavendish, the youngest Mitford sister, decides to bring her available family members together at the Chatsworth estate to celebrate Christmas. Besides family, some well-known celebrities are invited, as well as Louisa Cannon Sullivan, a former employee and now friend of the family; she is currently a private investigator in business with her husband Guy. Guy must stay in London with the Home Guard, so Louisa and their adorable six-year-old daughter Maisie head to Chatsworth. A woman from the village arrives claiming to be a psychic, and Deborah allows her to host a séance. Instead of the lighthearted fun they expected, however, the woman claims a maid was murdered in Chatsworth, and she says she can prove it. Louisa begins to investigate the cold case, but everyone around seems to want to keep their secrets hidden away from the light. And then Louisa must investigate a new murder! Will she be able to solve these mysteries that are buried so deeply?
Louisa is such a great character, and I am really going to miss her! She has truly grown, from being a nurse maid for the Mitford children to a married woman with a young child and a career as a private investigator. Louisa and Guy didn't send little Maisie to the countryside like many Londoners did to keep their children safe from air raids, as they thought it would be better to keep her with them. They were glad, however, for Louisa to bring Maisie to Chatsworth for Christmas, which would hopefully keep her safe from the perils of London. She's a good mother and wife and one heck of an investigator. She sometimes jumps to the wrong conclusion, but she digs her heels in to get answers. Louisa will go toe-to-toe with a duke, dowager duchess, doctor and law enforcement without being cowed. I'm not a kid person, but Maisie was absolutely precious! And I was glad to see more of Guy in this story. The real stars of the show, though, are the Mitfords. Among their ranks is a writer, communist, fascist and Hitler devotee. Winston Churchill is their uncle. They were fascinating people! I also enjoyed seeing some other real-life people such as Kick Kennedy (yes, THOSE Kennedys) and Adele Astaire, the dancer/actress whose brother is Fred Astaire. The mystery here will keep you on your toes. I figured out a culprit, but not until I was 83% through with the book. But there was an awful lot I didn't see coming! It was quite an entertaining book, but also sad to see such a great series end. I hope Ms. Fellowes will create more historical mysteries to entertain us!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
October 9, 2023
Il segreto dei Mitford è il sesto e ultimo volume della saga di gialli storici che Jessica Fellowes ha dedicato alle sorelle Mitford, donne complesse e tutte molto diverse tra loro che occupano un posto importante nella storia inglese. La saga, che va sotto il nome I delitti Mitford � Sei sorelle, una vita di misteri,èedita in Italia da Neri Pozza Editore.
«Con le ruote del treno che giravano veloci e il conforto del loro ritmico fragore, Louisa guardò il marito e la figlia […]. Era tutto ciò di cui aveva bisogno, tutto ciò che aveva sempre desiderato. E in più, pensò, un pizzico di ignoto.»
Il segreto dei Mitford � Trama
Il segreto dei Mitford è dedicato all’ultima figlia di Lord e Lady Redesdale (David e Sydney Mitford), Deborah, duchessa di Devonshire.
È il 1941 e mentre Londra è tempestata dagli attacchi aerei dei nazisti, Louisa e sua figlia Maisie sono invitate da Nancy Miford a trascorrere le vacanze di Natale nella casa di campagna dei duchi di Devonshire. Dimenticarsi per qualche giorno della guerra e poter apprezzare la quiete e la sicurezza della campagna, inducono Louisa ad accettare l’invito.
Ma l’arrivo di un’investigatrice privata da Londra induce, sia gli abitanti del piccolo paese sia gli altri ospiti di Chatsworth House, a mantenere una certa diffidenza e distanza.
È Mrs Hoole, però, una donna che si finge una sensitiva, a sconvolgere il Natale di Louisa e di tutti gli altri ospiti della dimora. Mrs Hoole, infatti, sostiene che durante la Grande Guerra, nell’imponente Chatsworth House, sia avvenuto un omicidio per mano della famiglia Devonshire.
Tra chi cerca di seppellire il passato, chi prova a rievocarlo e chi ne resta del tutto indifferente, Louisa sente che non può tirarsi indietro, nonostante le suppliche di Debo di lasciar perdere.
Struttura narrativa e personaggi
Cosa rende una serie di libri una saga imperdibile?
Nel caso dell’opera della Fellowes dobbiamo il suo successo a tre elementi:
una protagonista intelligente e accattivane, dunque ben scritta;
il contesto storico di riferimento (l’autrice imbastisce trame fittizie prendendo spunto dalla realtà : fatti di cronaca, personaggi esistiti, modi di vivere ecc.);
il ritorno di alcuni elementi fissi che fanno sentire il lettore a proprio agio nel corso della lettura.
Per quanto riguarda il primo punto, Louisa è una calamita per omicidi e casi da risolvere (come sostiene Lord Redesldale). Il suo personaggio è quello di una femminista anti litteram. Il suo arco evolutivo durante tutta la saga è chiaro e ben definito: da timida e spaventata bambinaia, a donna realizzata: è un’investigatrice privata capace e rispettata, non più disposta a farsi intimorire dal sesso o dallo status sociale delle persone con cui si interfaccia. Svolge in maniera appassionata e con coraggio il suo lavoro, ma non per questo è una madre o una moglie meno attenta.
Per quanto riguarda il secondo punto, la Fellowes ha fatto dell’intreccio narrativo tra realtà e finzione la sua cifra stilistica, scegliendo di calare i suoi gialli all’interno di una delle famiglie più controverse della storia londinese: quella dei Mitford che, tra scandali privati e politici, continua a far parlare di sé, anche a distanza di tempo.
Infine, l’autrice ha saputo riprodurre in tutti e sei i libri, senza mai annoiare, gli elementi tipici del giallo investigativo. In quest’ultimo sono presenti i capisaldi del genere “alla Agatha Christie�: la villa con duecento stanze da esplorare, il delitto in una di queste, l’ipotesi dell’avvelenamento, il maggiordomo, le spie militari, l’invitata straniera, le cameriere senza passato�
Perché leggerlo
Il segreto dei Mitford è, come tutti i libri della Fellowes sulle sorelle Mitford, un giallo perfetto, specchio dei tempi che racconta, preciso nel mescolare finzione e realtà , affascinante come sempre nel tracciare la vita di queste sei sorelle, ognuna unica a modo proprio.
L’addio ai personaggi, in questo libro, lascia una punta di tristezza. Ma voglio illudermi che i ringraziamenti finali dell’autrice diano spazio a una piccola speranza.
«Con le ruote del treno che giravano veloci e il conforto del loro ritmico fragore, Louisa guardò il marito e la figlia […]. Era tutto ciò di cui aveva bisogno, tutto ciò che aveva sempre desiderato. E in più, pensò, un pizzico di ignoto.»
Il segreto dei Mitford � Trama
Il segreto dei Mitford è dedicato all’ultima figlia di Lord e Lady Redesdale (David e Sydney Mitford), Deborah, duchessa di Devonshire.
È il 1941 e mentre Londra è tempestata dagli attacchi aerei dei nazisti, Louisa e sua figlia Maisie sono invitate da Nancy Miford a trascorrere le vacanze di Natale nella casa di campagna dei duchi di Devonshire. Dimenticarsi per qualche giorno della guerra e poter apprezzare la quiete e la sicurezza della campagna, inducono Louisa ad accettare l’invito.
Ma l’arrivo di un’investigatrice privata da Londra induce, sia gli abitanti del piccolo paese sia gli altri ospiti di Chatsworth House, a mantenere una certa diffidenza e distanza.
È Mrs Hoole, però, una donna che si finge una sensitiva, a sconvolgere il Natale di Louisa e di tutti gli altri ospiti della dimora. Mrs Hoole, infatti, sostiene che durante la Grande Guerra, nell’imponente Chatsworth House, sia avvenuto un omicidio per mano della famiglia Devonshire.
Tra chi cerca di seppellire il passato, chi prova a rievocarlo e chi ne resta del tutto indifferente, Louisa sente che non può tirarsi indietro, nonostante le suppliche di Debo di lasciar perdere.
Struttura narrativa e personaggi
Cosa rende una serie di libri una saga imperdibile?
Nel caso dell’opera della Fellowes dobbiamo il suo successo a tre elementi:
una protagonista intelligente e accattivane, dunque ben scritta;
il contesto storico di riferimento (l’autrice imbastisce trame fittizie prendendo spunto dalla realtà : fatti di cronaca, personaggi esistiti, modi di vivere ecc.);
il ritorno di alcuni elementi fissi che fanno sentire il lettore a proprio agio nel corso della lettura.
Per quanto riguarda il primo punto, Louisa è una calamita per omicidi e casi da risolvere (come sostiene Lord Redesldale). Il suo personaggio è quello di una femminista anti litteram. Il suo arco evolutivo durante tutta la saga è chiaro e ben definito: da timida e spaventata bambinaia, a donna realizzata: è un’investigatrice privata capace e rispettata, non più disposta a farsi intimorire dal sesso o dallo status sociale delle persone con cui si interfaccia. Svolge in maniera appassionata e con coraggio il suo lavoro, ma non per questo è una madre o una moglie meno attenta.
Per quanto riguarda il secondo punto, la Fellowes ha fatto dell’intreccio narrativo tra realtà e finzione la sua cifra stilistica, scegliendo di calare i suoi gialli all’interno di una delle famiglie più controverse della storia londinese: quella dei Mitford che, tra scandali privati e politici, continua a far parlare di sé, anche a distanza di tempo.
Infine, l’autrice ha saputo riprodurre in tutti e sei i libri, senza mai annoiare, gli elementi tipici del giallo investigativo. In quest’ultimo sono presenti i capisaldi del genere “alla Agatha Christie�: la villa con duecento stanze da esplorare, il delitto in una di queste, l’ipotesi dell’avvelenamento, il maggiordomo, le spie militari, l’invitata straniera, le cameriere senza passato�
Perché leggerlo
Il segreto dei Mitford è, come tutti i libri della Fellowes sulle sorelle Mitford, un giallo perfetto, specchio dei tempi che racconta, preciso nel mescolare finzione e realtà , affascinante come sempre nel tracciare la vita di queste sei sorelle, ognuna unica a modo proprio.
L’addio ai personaggi, in questo libro, lascia una punta di tristezza. Ma voglio illudermi che i ringraziamenti finali dell’autrice diano spazio a una piccola speranza.
July 2, 2023
The Mitford Secret is the sixth entry in the Mitford Murders series, and although I said the last book would be my last one, I couldn't resist the setting; plus, this one is apparently the last one of the series, so I really needed to finish it. And to my everlasting surprise, this one happens to be my favourite of the lot. A perfectly enjoyable country house mystery, with some interesting details from WWII thrown into the mix, and a nice group of historical figures gathered together, there was a lot going on and I enjoyed reading about it all. Despite all of this however, I still felt like something was missing, something that would really draw me into their lives.
First of all, I didn't find Louisa so irritating in this one and I definitely liked the interactions between her and her little daughter. With Guy in London, he wasn't really a part of the story, something in which I was disappointed as there was so much going on there I almost wish the setting had taken place there. However, it was nice to see the two of them be together once in a while.
I think the problem with writing about the Mitfords is that they are so well known it can be difficult to do them justice and I don't really feel like the author allowed their individual personalities to really shine. I still enjoyed the various characters, but I am familiar with who is who as well as what happened to each of them, but it makes me wonder what it is like reading about them if you have no knowledge of them and I think it could be confusing if read through these books. Let's face it, the Mitfords were involved in all sorts of things politically, and I don't think the impact on the family went far enough in this book. Furthermore, Chatsworth, what can I say? I did like how Deborah was portrayed and developed, as I can't even imagine the stress of what she was going through during this time period, but I don't think the others were developed enough. It was interesting to read about the different relationships in their adult years and how they manoeuvred through their political views during this difficult time.
The mystery itself was a bit weak, and considering the cast of characters staying at the house, it wasn't hard to figure out who was the culprit, I mean your choices were pretty limited. I did feel like the author focused too much on the house and its goings-on rather than the mystery, something that also weakened the overall story. I mean, how many times were they going to question Deborah's ability to host a Christmas party? Maybe just help her and move on. But no, a lot of time spent discussing such trivial stuff, it slowed down the overall story.
The Mitford Secret is the last book in the series, and while I enjoyed it, the mystery was the weakest element of the book. It almost felt like the author was adding superfluous details to draw out the length, but all it did was make it feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel rather than a historical mystery. However, the wartime details were well done, and I liked the glimpses of early Deborah, later to become Duchess of Devonshire and widely credited with the restoration of this magnificent home, Chatsworth. The details of the setting were really good and I enjoyed the descriptions of the home during this time period. It's too bad the mystery wasn't more exciting or compelling, and the rest of the characters weren't more developed, but overall, it was still fun and a nice way to end a series. I would love to see Guy and Louisa feature in their own mystery series in the future. Now that would be fun!
First of all, I didn't find Louisa so irritating in this one and I definitely liked the interactions between her and her little daughter. With Guy in London, he wasn't really a part of the story, something in which I was disappointed as there was so much going on there I almost wish the setting had taken place there. However, it was nice to see the two of them be together once in a while.
I think the problem with writing about the Mitfords is that they are so well known it can be difficult to do them justice and I don't really feel like the author allowed their individual personalities to really shine. I still enjoyed the various characters, but I am familiar with who is who as well as what happened to each of them, but it makes me wonder what it is like reading about them if you have no knowledge of them and I think it could be confusing if read through these books. Let's face it, the Mitfords were involved in all sorts of things politically, and I don't think the impact on the family went far enough in this book. Furthermore, Chatsworth, what can I say? I did like how Deborah was portrayed and developed, as I can't even imagine the stress of what she was going through during this time period, but I don't think the others were developed enough. It was interesting to read about the different relationships in their adult years and how they manoeuvred through their political views during this difficult time.
The mystery itself was a bit weak, and considering the cast of characters staying at the house, it wasn't hard to figure out who was the culprit, I mean your choices were pretty limited. I did feel like the author focused too much on the house and its goings-on rather than the mystery, something that also weakened the overall story. I mean, how many times were they going to question Deborah's ability to host a Christmas party? Maybe just help her and move on. But no, a lot of time spent discussing such trivial stuff, it slowed down the overall story.
The Mitford Secret is the last book in the series, and while I enjoyed it, the mystery was the weakest element of the book. It almost felt like the author was adding superfluous details to draw out the length, but all it did was make it feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel rather than a historical mystery. However, the wartime details were well done, and I liked the glimpses of early Deborah, later to become Duchess of Devonshire and widely credited with the restoration of this magnificent home, Chatsworth. The details of the setting were really good and I enjoyed the descriptions of the home during this time period. It's too bad the mystery wasn't more exciting or compelling, and the rest of the characters weren't more developed, but overall, it was still fun and a nice way to end a series. I would love to see Guy and Louisa feature in their own mystery series in the future. Now that would be fun!
January 19, 2023
If you enjoyed previous books in this series, you'll likely welcome the 6th & final installment of this mystery series that takes place during WW2, when former nurserymaid Louisa attends a family Christmas at Chatsworth, acclaimed country seat of the Dukes of Devonshire.Ìý
Many of the eternally fascinating Mitford family are in attendance: the parents and several of the daughters that The Times journalist Ben Macintyre famously described as "Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur". Unity's already brain-damaged but still an ardent Hitler supporter. Diana's in prison for her Fascist activities (probably also, in the minds of Britain's War Service, to serve as a potential check on her husband Oswald Mosley's even more seditious speeches and writings). Nancy's at odds with her own husband, who hasn't bothered to communicate with her in quite some time, and Debo's philandering husband, Andrew Cavendish, is off on war duty somewhere, as is his older brother, the current heir to the dukedom. The Mitford parents are emotionally withdrawn from the family and each other.
It's hardly the recipe for a successful house party even before the arrival of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire adds a formal chill to every meal. And then there's the wild woman who turns up on a stormy night claiming to be a psychic medium, leading them through the unheated ancestral pile to a cupboard containing a bloodstained maid's cap.
There are house party games, rationing-constrained festive meals, shopping for small gifts in the village, and the handsome Air Force officer from the nearby base, ingratiating himself with the Chatsworth party. He's inordinately nice to disabled Unity even while unhappily married Nancy eyes his obvious sex appeal and vies for his attention. Soon Louisa figures out the medium is a former employee of the great house, determined to discover the truth behind the long-ago disappearance of her best friend on staff: the maid who once wore that cap.Ìý
And then there's a murder that some of the family seem determined to believe was natural causes. Louisa proceeds to investigate amid the decaying splendour of the great house and everyone comes under suspicion in turn. This would have been more compelling if so many of the players hadn't simply confided in this erstwhile nurserymaid on the slimmest of pretexts to provide clues to the reader. But the wartime village atmosphere is well done, and the glances at the estate-oriented activities of young Deborah (Mitford) Cavendish, later long-reigning Duchess of Devonshire and widely credited with restoring Chatsworth to a fully functioning and productive estate, paint a convincing early picture of a complex and devoted woman who surely deserved a better husband than the one she was saddled with.
Many of the eternally fascinating Mitford family are in attendance: the parents and several of the daughters that The Times journalist Ben Macintyre famously described as "Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur". Unity's already brain-damaged but still an ardent Hitler supporter. Diana's in prison for her Fascist activities (probably also, in the minds of Britain's War Service, to serve as a potential check on her husband Oswald Mosley's even more seditious speeches and writings). Nancy's at odds with her own husband, who hasn't bothered to communicate with her in quite some time, and Debo's philandering husband, Andrew Cavendish, is off on war duty somewhere, as is his older brother, the current heir to the dukedom. The Mitford parents are emotionally withdrawn from the family and each other.
It's hardly the recipe for a successful house party even before the arrival of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire adds a formal chill to every meal. And then there's the wild woman who turns up on a stormy night claiming to be a psychic medium, leading them through the unheated ancestral pile to a cupboard containing a bloodstained maid's cap.
There are house party games, rationing-constrained festive meals, shopping for small gifts in the village, and the handsome Air Force officer from the nearby base, ingratiating himself with the Chatsworth party. He's inordinately nice to disabled Unity even while unhappily married Nancy eyes his obvious sex appeal and vies for his attention. Soon Louisa figures out the medium is a former employee of the great house, determined to discover the truth behind the long-ago disappearance of her best friend on staff: the maid who once wore that cap.Ìý
And then there's a murder that some of the family seem determined to believe was natural causes. Louisa proceeds to investigate amid the decaying splendour of the great house and everyone comes under suspicion in turn. This would have been more compelling if so many of the players hadn't simply confided in this erstwhile nurserymaid on the slimmest of pretexts to provide clues to the reader. But the wartime village atmosphere is well done, and the glances at the estate-oriented activities of young Deborah (Mitford) Cavendish, later long-reigning Duchess of Devonshire and widely credited with restoring Chatsworth to a fully functioning and productive estate, paint a convincing early picture of a complex and devoted woman who surely deserved a better husband than the one she was saddled with.
January 16, 2023
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review The Mitford Secret. All opinions and comments are my own.
Louisa Sullivan has another involvement with the Mitford Sisters in The Mitford Secret, the last book in a series that has brought the unconventional family of English women to the attention of fans of the historical mystery genre. Jessica Fellowes knows how to imbue her fictional story and her characters with life, and The Mitford Secret is no exception.
These books don’t follow hard upon each other. Four years has passed since the last one; it’s 1941, Christmas, in the middle of the Blitz in London. We get a compact recap of what the sisters have been up to. Indeed, the sisters aren’t really in it much, only Nancy, now Mrs. Peter Rodd, and Deborah figure prominently. (Unity is included, but as you read you’ll see her part is small.) But that’s okay, because they do have roles, firstly as “remembrances of things past,� and then as a reminder that, indeed, these are the Mitford Sisters, with those personalities that the author uses to great effect.
Our premise -- Nancy Mitford invites Louisa and her daughter to spend Christmas at Chatworth, because her sister Deborah’s married into the family of the Duke of Devonshire, and thus the ancestral estate is available. Well, what giant pile of stone like this doesn’t hold a lot of secrets? (Readers should take the time to look up the history of the house, which is magnificent.) You can be sure that this one certainly does, and our author proceeds to give us a story replete with deep ones, from the past and present. To do this Jessica Fellowes makes use of a “cold case� as the ribbon tying everything together throughout the book, and characters that include Kathleen Kennedy and Adele Astaire (another reason to do your history homework).
Louisa does her part, of course (don’t forget she and her husband run a private detective agency), and all is satisfactorily resolved. The Mitford Secret demonstrates that no secret can ever be hidden for long, when someone like Louisa Sullivan is determined to get at the truth. With everything concluded, there’s a farewell to the two Mitford sisters she knows best and a departure for home -- London. They have their lives, and she has hers.
It’s a fine end to what has been an intriguing look at the Mitford family. But is it over? The author’s Historical Notes contain more information about the family and their amazing lives. There’s a hint that this “might� not be the last we’ll read of Louisa, or the sisters. Certainly, with the war, there’s plenty of fodder for more stories. We’ll see if our author may have something more in mind, which I would welcome.
Louisa Sullivan has another involvement with the Mitford Sisters in The Mitford Secret, the last book in a series that has brought the unconventional family of English women to the attention of fans of the historical mystery genre. Jessica Fellowes knows how to imbue her fictional story and her characters with life, and The Mitford Secret is no exception.
These books don’t follow hard upon each other. Four years has passed since the last one; it’s 1941, Christmas, in the middle of the Blitz in London. We get a compact recap of what the sisters have been up to. Indeed, the sisters aren’t really in it much, only Nancy, now Mrs. Peter Rodd, and Deborah figure prominently. (Unity is included, but as you read you’ll see her part is small.) But that’s okay, because they do have roles, firstly as “remembrances of things past,� and then as a reminder that, indeed, these are the Mitford Sisters, with those personalities that the author uses to great effect.
Our premise -- Nancy Mitford invites Louisa and her daughter to spend Christmas at Chatworth, because her sister Deborah’s married into the family of the Duke of Devonshire, and thus the ancestral estate is available. Well, what giant pile of stone like this doesn’t hold a lot of secrets? (Readers should take the time to look up the history of the house, which is magnificent.) You can be sure that this one certainly does, and our author proceeds to give us a story replete with deep ones, from the past and present. To do this Jessica Fellowes makes use of a “cold case� as the ribbon tying everything together throughout the book, and characters that include Kathleen Kennedy and Adele Astaire (another reason to do your history homework).
Louisa does her part, of course (don’t forget she and her husband run a private detective agency), and all is satisfactorily resolved. The Mitford Secret demonstrates that no secret can ever be hidden for long, when someone like Louisa Sullivan is determined to get at the truth. With everything concluded, there’s a farewell to the two Mitford sisters she knows best and a departure for home -- London. They have their lives, and she has hers.
It’s a fine end to what has been an intriguing look at the Mitford family. But is it over? The author’s Historical Notes contain more information about the family and their amazing lives. There’s a hint that this “might� not be the last we’ll read of Louisa, or the sisters. Certainly, with the war, there’s plenty of fodder for more stories. We’ll see if our author may have something more in mind, which I would welcome.
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