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MRS JEFFRIES AND THE SILENT KNIGHT
by Emily Brightwell
Berkley, October 2005
240 pages
$22.95
ISBN: 0425205584


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

In this, the 20th of the series, Mrs Jeffries and the staff of the home of Inspector Witherspoon are helping to solve the case of the murdered Sir George Braxton a baronet who was bashed on the head in his garden on a cold snowy night just before Christmas. Working together, the staff and Mrs Jeffries will help Inspector Witherspoon solve the crime.

Sir Braxton was a relative of the Queen, so Inspector Witherspoon is brought into the case because of his solid reputation for being a spectacular detective. Unknown to the bigwigs, and to Inspector Witherspoon himself, is that Witherspoon's household staff all adore helping their beloved employer solve his cases.

By using their individual knowledge and contacts of the 'below stairs' members of the community, the staff, and a few close household friends suss out the truth and help Inspector Witherspoon solve his cases.

Because Sir George was universally disliked -- by each relative who lived in his home, by the staff he mistreated and tried to swindle, by the shopkeepers of the town and even the livery stable close by -- the number of suspects can't be counted. Only his crotchety cat seemed to like him and have his affection.

Soon Inspector Witherspoon is being pressed by the Yard to find the killer by Christmas, only a week away. Mrs Jeffries and her staff go into overtime to get to the bottom of the mess. Only by talking to everyone and listening closely can they find the small seed of the truth and then help their good-hearted employer keep his title of the best detective at The Yard.

Author Emily Brightwell has an appealing and skilful touch when creating the period of Victorian England. The people, the dialogue and the sense of location are all beautifully created. As for the murder mystery itself, it's a well-put together puzzle worked and masterfully solved by a cast of likeable and appealing characters.

There have been 20 of these Mrs Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon mysteries but this is the first I've heard of them. MRS JEFFRIES & THE SILENT KNIGHT stands solidly on its own, yet lets the readers in on the background with a deft and light touch. After I finished this book I felt absolutely compelled to start collecting and reading all the others. I can't wait to read them!

I recommend MRS JEFFRIES & THE SILENT KNIGHT to all cozy lovers and to anyone who likes to read well-crafted Victorian mysteries. I adored it.

Reviewed by Sharon Katz, November 2005

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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