A Victorian Mystery,
No 30
Emily Brightwell
Berkley
May 1, 2012 / ISBN: 0425248054
Historical Mystery / Cozy / England Victorian
Amazon
Reviewed
by Brenda Weeaks
Inspector Nivens (aka Odious Toad) is known for two things. Messing
up a murder case and trying to expose the fact that Inspector Witherspoon's
Staff are the ones responsible for solving the many cases Witherspoon
has gotten credit for
They agree to assist Nivens (unbeknownst to him) because Mrs Jefferies
sister-in-law is involved in the case. Jefferies' sister-in-law
married up - as they say - and quickly forgot her brother and his
wife. Mrs Jefferies has never forgiven her. Constable Barnes joins
in by checking Nivens daily reports.
Finally Karma trips up Nivens' and his mean ways. And guess who
gets the case?
Inspector Nivens and Constable Barnes are no slackers. The two are
savvy at knowing the criminal mind. While they work the case, Witherspoon's
staff investigates behind the scenes. They quiz various household
staff, and shop keepers near the victim's resident. Being a Staff
with many successful mysteries behind them they have become experts
at chatting up the locals, recognizing odd behavior, and digging
deeper for clues. All their research ends up at Cooks table where
together they line up clues and solve the mystery. It's a well-written
puzzle.
In Mrs Jeffries Defends Her Own, clues are dropped throughout
and it's only at the end I realize once again how cleaver Brightwell
is at placing clues and setting up false leads. Mrs. Jeffries
Defends Her Own is an entertaining, historical, cozy, English
read. Brightwell's Victorian Mystery series is destined to be a
classic.
Other reviews in this series
Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict, No 21 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead, No 28 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight, No 20 [review]
Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mix-Up, No 29
[review]
Mrs Jeffries
Defends Her Own, No
30 [review]
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