Customer Reviews

Mrs. Jeffries in the Nick of Time

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Train enthusiast Francis Humphreys has invited several relatives and neighbors over for tea. Since he is always punctual, his family is surprised when he doesn't show up on time for tea. Soon they discover there is a very good reason why he didn't show up - while they were all together downstairs someone murdered Humphreys. Scotland Yard puts their best man on the job - Inspector Gerald Witherspoon. Unbeknownst to Witherspoon, his household staff has helped him solve several murders in the past. He is definitely going to need their help this time - not only were all his suspects together at the time of the murder, but Scotland Yard throws him a major curve ball that threatens his ability to solve the case.

"Mrs. Jeffries in the Nick of Time" is another great entry in a consistently delightful cozy mystery series. This is the twenty-fifth book in the series and author Emily Brightwell continues to make the series feel fresh. A lot of what makes this series work so well is the characters and they are all here - Witherspoon, Constable Barnes, Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge, Wiggins, Betsy, Smythe, Luty, Hatchet, and for a pleasant change, a lot of Ruth Cannonberry. Witherspoon's old nemesis, Inspector Nigel Nivens, is also there (showing a softer side for a change) as is Nivens' nephew Lionel Gates (who adds a lot of comic relief to the book). Another thing that makes this series stay so fresh is the way Brightwell manages to throw in different plot twists - there's a doozy of one here (which I won't spoil) that completely changes how Witherspoon and his household investigate the case. The mystery itself is nicely plotted - readers will early on have at least an idea of how the murder was done, but not exactly how it was pulled off. Brightwell continues to create Agatha Christie-like mysteries and once you have finished reading the book you will want to go back through the pages to see how cleverly Brightwell plotted the book and left clues as to who the real killer is while adroitly pointing the finger at other characters - not an easy task but she does it well.

"Mrs. Jeffries in the Nick of Time" is another wonderful cozy mystery from the talented Emily Brightwell.

The story had such a long list of characters that it was hard to remember who they all were and (yes) how they were inter-related. Consequently, I just kept reading, and the author kept tucking mini-summaries into the dialog, which I thought were explanations put there for those of us who were bogged down in all the names and peripheral connections. There were a few places where Mrs Jeffries fretted that no progress seemed to have been made on the case, and I as a reader was feeling the same; it needed more action; the story needed to move along. For stretches it seemed nothing at all was happening. At the end there was a full re-cap of the whole who-did-what, as it was all explained in dialog between the household staff. When I finished the book I realized I had never felt suspense building as one usually feels when reading a mystery. This was way too bland. There were only a few action scenarios. And it seems to me that if a mystery is really well written it should not require a summary at the end; it should have become obvious to the reader what happened without that.

A tea party is commencing at Humphrey House, but the owner of the place, train devotee Francis Humphreys fails to be with his guests. Relatives and friends become concerned because he is a punctual person. A knock on his door goes unanswered. Recently Francis has been forgetful as if he was in an early stage of senility. All talking at the party abruptly ends when a shot is heard. Everyone rushes to Francis' room where they find him dead, a bullet to his head. They call the cops and Scotland Yard sends their top detective Inspector Witherspoon to investigate what looks like a suicide by a man losing his mind.

The Inspector is disgusted as he is stuck with as his assistant Inspector Niven's' nephew Lionel Gates; Witherspoon would rather have Constable Barnes whom he respects. Still they interview the guests and investigate motives; most inherit part of Francis' estate. However opportunity remains elusive as every attendee had an alibi as all of them were in the drawing room together when the shot was heard. Witherspoon's housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the downstairs staff secretly investigate in hopes of finding clues to assist their kind employer and prevent a killer from murdering again.

Reading a Mrs. Jeffries Victorian whodunit is paraphrasing the Lays' potato chip commercial you can't read just one. The latest case is a fabulous locked room police procedural with all the suspects providing alibis for one another as they were together having tea. Witherspoon is as always solves the case, but is clueless that his housekeeping staff conducts an inquiry with the downstairs employed at Humphrey House. Fans will enjoy this fine historical mystery that showcases how the police conduct an official investigation and how the amateur sleuths perform their version.

Harriet Klausner

I purchased 3 of this author's books; and am back to download more. These are kinda old fashioned books; which I like. They allow me to get a break from all the bad stuff the media shows on TV.

I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie and having read almost all of her mysteries, I have to say that The Paperback Forum's claim that "Mrs. Jeffries is the Miss Marple of Victorian mystery" is not deserved in the least.

This book is absolutely absurd. By the second chapter, no fewer than 25 characters had been named. Honestly, I was surprised to discover that this is the author's 25th published book. The writing seems very amateurish, going off on so many different pointless threads that the plot loses focus. The characters are one-dimensional and the dialog is contrived and does not seem historically appropriate for the supposed time period.

Don't waste your time reading this book. I wish I could have the two nights of my life back that I did waste my time on it.

As usual, Emily Brightwell continues to delight with her tales of Mrs. Jeffries and the group who cares enough to help.

Ms. Brightwell's attempt at a locked-room mystery with this book was a success. This is a really good historical cozy series. I have come to look forward to each book, and to renewing my acquaintance with the Upper Edmonton Gardens crew. In this book a gentleman is shot in his dressing room. Everyone that could possibly have a motive is downstairs awaiting his arrival for tea. When they all hear the shot, they all go upstairs and find the room is locked and there is no sign of an intruder, but Mr. Humphrey's is shot through the head. We have all the usual motives here, but the trick is to find out who has the most to lose. Inspector Witherspoon, with the help of his wonderful staff figure it out. This is the 25 book in this series, and it just seems to get better and better.

I absolutely enjoy reading Emily Brightwell's Mrs. Jeffries series. I own, bought new, each book she has written in this series. This latest addition, Mrs. Jeffries In the Nick of Time, is just as entertaining as all the rest. The only problem I see is they just don't last long enough! I usually have each new book read within a day of two after receiving it. It is hard to wait several months for the author to publish the next edition, but I will! If you enjoy the Mrs. Jeffries series, you may also want to read the Manor series by author Kate Kingsbury.

I have to admit I did not figure this one out quickly like some of the others. It was a great read and love this series as I have said before. The characters keep growing as we go and it is nice to see some of them come around and actually mature a bit, but they still stay funny at times.

The Mrs. Jefferies series is always suspensful, and entertaining. This new book is no exception. I was delighted with the new twists. I couldn't figure out the killer in this book either and I love it when that happens!! The characters are warm and described with great detail. Can't wait for the next one!!!