Customer Reviews

Mrs. Jeffries Rocks the Boat

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Only the gardener and the residents of Sheridan Square have keys that allow access to the gardens. Venerable Scotland Yard Inspector Gerald Witherspoon begins investigating the murder of Mirabelle Daws, a visitor from Australia. The highly regarded law enforcement official expects this case will prove relatively simpler to solve than most of his previous cases due to the limited opportunity. However, as Gerald meets the occupants, he finds it difficult to see who would possibly have the motive amongst this gentle group. Adding to his troubles is that no one, including the sibling, knew or expected Mirabelle to be in England.

Unbeknownst to the Inspector, his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries organizes the staff to begin their own inquiries in support of their beloved employer. As the Witherspoon servants begin to unlock the case, Mrs. Jeffries subtly provides her employer with clues and answers without him being aware of what his crack staff is doing for him.

The fourteenth Mrs. Jeffries Victorian mystery stays with the overall premise of the series, yet continues to retain a freshness to each new novel entry. The current tale, MRS. JEFFRIES ROCKS THE BOAT, is entertaining and the who-done is perplexing but interesting, and the characters provide a taste of life the nineteenth century in England. Emily Brightwell's novels continue to be some of the brightest historical mysteries of the past decade.

Harriet Klausner

This is one of the better Mrs. Jeffries books. The plot is a little more complex than some of the preceeding books. When an unidentified lady is found stabbed to death in a locked communal garden, Mrs. Jeffries and her crew are launched into investigating one of the most confusing cases yet. The ending for this one is a bit of a surprise as well. And we see Bestsy and her Smythe reach another level in their "courting". Same great characters, same cozy atmosphere - What else could you ask for?

Basically, I enjoy reading all the Mrs. Jeffries' books but this one did not hold my interest as much as some of the others. I really like the regular characters in the Jeffries' series; Wiggins, Betsy, Mrs. Goodge, Smythe, Detective Witherspoon and, of course, Mrs. Jeffries. I just feel it was a weak plot and just not as interesting as some of others in the series. However, if you are like me, I enjoy these simple mysteries by Emily Brightwell and want to read all of them.

Each of the Mrs. Jeffries follows a pattern but no matter, I'm fascinated with each mystery and the way the household of the inspector come together to surreptitously to solve the crime in such a way as to help their employer solve the murder. But the insepctor is in no wise a dolt, in fact through-out the series his experience shows as he grows better in doing much on his own, without the help he doesn't know he has been receiving.

An easy but great read, fascinating characters, enjoy it as i do.

If I had to describe this book (and indeed, other books in the Mrs. Jeffries series) in one word, I'd say "clever." Emily Brightwell has a wonderful knack for creating such interesting plots and twists. The way the characters slowly peel away at the mystery and the way the killer is revealed in a heart-pounding way are simply genius.

Sit back, read this book with a cup of tea, and enjoy!