Mrs.
Jeffries Appeals the Verdict
An Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries Victorian mystery,
No. 21
by Emily Brightwell
Blimpey Groggins
returns to London from his vacation to find that his friend, Tommy
Odell, has been found guilty of killing Caroline Murran, a factory
owner, and is to hang in a few weeks. The police, in the guise of
Inspector Nivens, have declared this a robbery. The victim's husband's
watch was found in a local pawnshop. Tommy was identified as the
man pawning the watch. Tommy, a pickpocket by trade, maintains his
innocence; claiming that he had stolen the watch from Caroline's
husband, Keith, earlier in the evening and had nothing to do with
the shooting. Caroline was shot and killed; her husband rendered
unconscious by a blow to his head. Blimpey believes Tommy, and asks
his friend Smythe to enlist the aid of the household staff of Inspector
Gerald Witherspoon of the Metropolitan Police Force to investigate
the murder.
The Inspector's housekeeper, Mrs. Hephzibah Jeffries,
in collaboration with her household staff, has solved more than
20 murders with which the Inspector has been credited. He is quite
oblivious of the fact that he has been helped. He just believes
that he has been in the right place at the right time. His constable,
Barnes, is aware of what has been occurring, but keeps silent. Mrs.
Jeffries and her staff agree to take on the task even though it
will be difficult since the case has already been solved, the trail
is cold, and they will have no access to the case file since the
case belongs to Inspector Nivens, Witherspoon's nemesis. Their investigations
uncover hidden jealousies, old family tragedy and unexpected revivals.
This is an enjoyable read about a household determined
to protect its employer and his position. The characters continue
to develop with the series. The characters are all pleasant and
competent people you would like to know. The story is well plotted
and is moved along by the efficiency of Mrs. Jeffries. It astounds
me that any work was done in the Witherspoon household since all
the staff is involved in the investigations. And the number of buns
and seed cakes consumed and the amount of tea that was drunk during
the many conferences of the staff!!! The atmosphere of the Victorian
household and Victorian society is well presented.
Other reviews in this series
Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict, #21 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead, #28 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight, #20 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mix-Up, #29
[review]
Mrs Jeffries
Defends Her Own, #30
[review]
Mrs. Jeffries Turns the Tide #31 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen #32 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the One Who Got Away #34 [review]
Mrs Jeffries Wins the Prize
#35 [review]
|
The Book |
Berkley
Prime Crime |
May
2006 |
Paperback |
0425209695 |
Historical
Mystery |
The Reviewer |
Barbara
Buhrer |
Reviewed
2006 |
|