Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Cake
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Emily Brightwell
Class/Genre: Mystery Cozy Amateur Sleuth Woman Main Character Historical
Series: Mrs. Jeffries & Inspector Witherspoon # 13
Berkley, Oct 1998, $5.99
In Victorian England, many individuals are cruel and abusive towards the servants they employ. Inspector Gerald Weatherspoon treats his employees as his best friends. In return, they adore him. The staff has many London contacts so when the inspector is involved in a murder investigation, they help him. Led by his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries, his staff gathers information and clues, and expeditiously presents them to Gerald in such a way so that he believes the ideas are his. Thanks to his servants, Weatherspoon is one of the leading inspectors.
Mrs. Jeffries and her sprightly crew spring into action once again when Roland Ashbury is murdered while apparently sharing tea with his killer. Weatherspoon and his invisible assistants discreetly learn that the victim was disagreeable person with many enemies including his business partner, daughter, and son-in-law (an MP). When Roland's wife is also shot, the investigative team knows that time is of the essence before someone else is killed.
Thirteen (as in the thirteenth book) is not an unlucky number for fans of this long running and delightful historical cozy series. Emily Brightwell makes sure that her characters remain fresh and interesting while the story line remains as absorbing as previous novels in the series. The historical detail gives a gothic feel to MRS. JEFFRIES TAKES THE CAKE. Even after all these years, this collection remains one of the best English cozy series on the market today.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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