The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries (Mrs.Jeffries Mysteries Book 1)

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This book has given me a new appreciation of the word "manipulation". Mrs. Jeffries is a master in the *subtle* art of manipulation (the emphasis is on subtle). Besides being the housekeeper to Inspector Witherspoon Mrs Jeffries has another duty - solving the cases of the inspector and nudging him in the right direction so that he thinks he had solved the case all by himself. She leads the inspector all along to the major clues and suggests the strategies of investigation. But she pretends the inspector has been the one who came up with every idea. Talk about spoon feeding! It said: “The new headteacher will build on and enhance present relationships with other schools while driving forward the reputation of the school to inspire stakeholders. The next headteacher will have the full support of an active and supportive Board of Governors, a committed senior leadership team and a dedicated staff body.” This book is part of a long-running series, but the author does a good job of including the necessary information about the main characters to bring readers who are new to the series up to speed. The reader is given the clues right along with Mrs. Jeffries and the Inspector, and will be able to figure out some, but probably not all, of the details of the case. I was pleased that all of the members of the household contribute equally to the case, without any one character dominating the book. Less satisfying is the fact that there seems to be less scenes showing the actual investigation. Things start coming together for Mrs. Jeffries and for Witherspoon, and the conclusion of the case makes sense with the clues that are given throughout the book.

Cozy mysteries can be such fun, and this one especially looked so by the blurb and cover – a maid and other household help assist an investigator without his knowledge to solve crimes. It’s set in Victorian times with afternoon teas, proper society regulations on etiquette, and the infamous Scotland Yard. When looking at this series, I’m surprised to find there is over thirty books in it. Wow. I plan to get more of the series but not sure I’ll ever be able to get and read all of them. Mrs. Jeffries investigates the murder of wealthy widow Margaret Starling. Despite her charity work and church involvement, Margaret had her share of enemies. Join Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon as they uncover the truth in “ Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel,” proving that justice doesn’t depend on popularity. Mrs. Jeffries Demands Justice Over the next few days, a couple things were clear to the police. One, her husband and stepchildren don’t have a lot of respect or love for her. Two, most other people liked Harriet, including her staff. One of the family resentments stems from Harriet being the one with the purse strings. They depended on her for everything. And she was one day away from changing her will, of which they greatly benefited. Once again. Inspector Gerald Witherspoon’s household staff aid him in coming to the right conclusions and solving the murder of American miner Jake Randall. Found floating in the Thames, shot through the heart. Jake had been sold shares in a Colorado silver mine, but his primary investors Ruston Benfield, miserly John Cubberly married to a rich wife, gambler Edward Dillingham and investment advisor Lester Hinkleton, realized their money wasn’t going to by mining equipment or hiring men to work he mines and planned to confront Jake Randall, but he hadn’t shown up for the meeting. Inspector Nivens has recused himself because he has a small investment in the Randall and Watson Mining Company. The problem is who drie it. There are too many suspects, no evidence, insufficient alibis, leaving Inspector Witherspoon befuddled and Constable Barnes trying to make forward progress. When a local woman is killed during a robbery, Blimpey Groggins claims his friend was wrongfully convicted. With a cold trail, tampered evidence, and only three weeks until the execution, Mrs. Jeffries and her team must work tirelessly to save an innocent man from the gallows. Get ready to uncover the mystery in Book 21. Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Laid PlansIn the last dozen years I've read about 6 of the 39 Mrs. Jeffries cozies, and enjoyed them as uncomplicated, cute, and very English mysteries. The writing fit the stories and the characters were the stars. Throughout, the theme of the "downstairs" inhabitants of Inspector Witherspoon's household not only being more than in service, but in pursuit of justice, came through clearly. Banker Lawrence Boyd didn't waste his time making friends, which is why hardly anyone grieves when he's found dead in his burnt-out studio..

When the general office manager of Sutcliffe Manufacturing is murdered, no one is really surprised. Ronald Dearman was anything but a dear man. The tyrannical bully had more than enough enemies to go around. But who hated him enough to walk into his office and put a bullet between his eyes? The readers of Inspector and Mrs Jeffries will see how people live in Victorian times in London. Also,

Publication Order of Mrs. Jeffries Books

Set in Victorian England at Christmas time, “Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders” is the well done 40th book in the Mrs. Jeffries cozy mystery series by Emily Brightwell. The fact that the series has lasted so long is a testament to how wonderful this series is. By now all the characters – Inspector Witherspoon, Constable Barnes, Mrs. Jeffries, Luty Belle, Hatchett, Ruth, Smythe, Betsy, Mrs. Goodge, Phyllis, and Wiggins all feel like old friends and I love visiting with them again. The setup for each book is the same – Witherspoon and Barnes question the suspects while Mrs. Jeffries and friends talk to servants, shopkeepers, etc. to get clues that Mrs. Jeffries puts together to solve the murder but Brightwell manages to keep the series fresh with each book. This book has plenty of suspects which allows the reader to try and solve the mystery alongside Mrs. Jeffries. There are also plenty of twists and turns and a few red herrings – I thought for sure I knew who the killer was but I was totally wrong. Finally, the book ends with a couple of cliffhangers that make me eagerly await the next book in the series. I love the Mrs. Jeffries Mysteries. I think I have read all 40 of them and eagerly wait for the next one to be published. I marvel at Ms. Brightwell's ability to create stories that feel new and fresh and don't disappoint. I work as hard as I can to try to solve the mystery before I get to the end. But, alas, that does not frequently happen. Over time you get to love the characters in the books and get so entangled in their lives. I do think it is time for something new to happen beside the solving of the crime. Maybe a wedding of the Inspector. In this Victorian mystery “ Mrs. Jeffries Rights a Wrong,” Thomas Mundy is murdered in London’s Wrexley Hotel. Inspector Witherspoon investigates and discovers Mundy has a dual reputation as both a charming businessman and a deceitful con man with enemies worldwide. Mrs. Jeffries and the team work together to identify who had the motive to end Mundy’s life. Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women

Mrs. Jeffries always keeps her friends close and now must keep an enemy even closer if she is going to catch a killer. . . . The evidence was all there: a dead body, two dessert plates, and a gun. As if poor Mr. Ashbury had been sharing a piece of cake with his own killer! The old bloke had plenty of enemies. I can definitely recommend this if you want an interesting mystery and some fun interactions with some lovely people. Now, I have to wait for the next one. In “ Mrs. Jeffries On the Trail,” a young flower girl is murdered on a foggy night in a deserted post-riot street. Inspector Witherspoon seeks Mrs. Jeffries’ exceptional detection skills to solve the mystery. Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook It didn’t take many solves until Gerald had the attention of the higher ups, and he left the records room to become the inspector who solved more homicides than anyone in the Metropolitan Police Department. He is humble, unassuming, and respectful. His servants and even some of their informants fondly call him “our inspector”.

Publication Order of Life at Sixteen Books

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