The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries (Mrs.Jeffries Mysteries Book 1)

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The fourth installment of Emily Brightwell's Mrs. Jeffries series, a businessman is murdered and the housekeepers interes is piqued. When it comes to catching killers, the smart money's on Mrs. Jeffries. Eccentric Annabeth Gentry pretty much keeps to herself. Besides her recent inheritance - and the attention her bloodhound gets for digging up a body - her life is, in fact, rather dull. Harriet Andover had no intention of dying young like her silly siblings had. She intended to outlive them and outdo them as she always had. But Harriet discovers that the best intentions can lead to murder when she is strangled inside her mansion with a house full of holiday guests. As much as Inspector Witherspoon enjoys his job delivering justice, the last thing he wanted was a complicated murder case just a week before Christmas. The book starts out as suggested: cute, quirky, and intriguing. Immediately I liked Mrs. Jeffries. She’s sweet, clever, supportive. I didn’t know the other help had such a large role in solving the crimes, but delightfully they do, all bringing their individual traits to the table. The detective is subpar with his investigative technique and confidence, previously having been in the filing room for the majority of his career, but this only brings more charm to the story. The guilty party at the end doesn’t stand out much in personality; I wouldn’t have guessed them to be the killer, and motivation came toward the end anyway. I love the Mrs. Jeffries Mysteries. I think I have read all 40 of them and eagerly wait for the next one to be published. I marvel at Ms. Brightwell's ability to create stories that feel new and fresh and don't disappoint. I work as hard as I can to try to solve the mystery before I get to the end. But, alas, that does not frequently happen. Over time you get to love the characters in the books and get so entangled in their lives. I do think it is time for something new to happen beside the solving of the crime. Maybe a wedding of the Inspector.

I love that Inspector Witherspoon has an ‘unknown to him’ support team consisting of his housekeeper, maid, cook, coachman, and several interested friends who are helping him behind the scenes. I love how they quietly feed him the clues they have found without him even being aware that they’ve done it. That ‘support team’ has absolutely no love for Nivens because of the way he’s treated Witherspoon in the past, but they also don’t believe he’s guilty. They’ll help their inspector solve the crime no matter which way it goes.

Publication Order of Life at Sixteen Books

The first book Victorian-era mystery series “ The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries,” features Inspector Witherspoon and his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, who assists in solving crimes. When a doctor is found dead, Mrs. Jeffries investigates despite her employer’s discomfort with questioning suspects, using her wit to uncover the truth behind the murder. Mrs. Jeffries Dusts For Clues So while living at Long Beach California, and despite being preoccupied with a full time job and the task of having to take care of two children, she began writing. She actually started by writing romances, an exercise that even saw her become a member of the Romance writers of America. Within no time Cheryl became a renowned and an accomplished American writer under the name Cheryl Lanham or simply under pseudonyms Sarah Temple and as Emily Brightwell that she used in a number of her writings. Actually, she has since written a number or romance novels as Sarah Temple, together with some young Adult novels under the name Cheryl Lanham, not to mention writing a number of series and books using the name Emily Brightwell, the author of the Mrs Jeffries mysteries. When Inspector Witherspoon becomes the main suspect in a murder case, Scotland Yard refuses to let him investigate. But no-one said anything ...... In “ Mrs. Jeffries On the Trail,” a young flower girl is murdered on a foggy night in a deserted post-riot street. Inspector Witherspoon seeks Mrs. Jeffries’ exceptional detection skills to solve the mystery. Mrs. Jeffries Plays the Cook

Well, Mr.Jeffries leads the dim witted Witherspoon to quite an obvious solution to poisoning of the thoroughly despicable Dr. Barthlomew Slocum. While Inspector displays his Victorian class prejudice, although devoid of evidence or any motive, Witherspoon decides that the murder is slocum’s cook , who apparently for some unknown reasons had left the employ of duke of Bedford to instead work for the doctor. It is now up to Mrs Jeffries to unearth the real identity of the killer. It said: “The new headteacher will build on and enhance present relationships with other schools while driving forward the reputation of the school to inspire stakeholders. The next headteacher will have the full support of an active and supportive Board of Governors, a committed senior leadership team and a dedicated staff body.”In “ Mrs. Jeffries and the Missing Alibi”, Inspector Witherspoon is wrongly accused of murder and banned from an investigation by Scotland Yard. But, with his housekeeper and partner in crime, Mrs. Jeffries, by his side, they defy expectations and work tirelessly to clear his name. Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected Successful businessman Jeremy Marks wasn't highly regarded by any of the members of the West London Archery Club. Most of them considered him a buffoon and a bore. But everyone was stunned when the fellow was murdered during a lull in the club's annual archery competition. He'd been shot with arrows from a longbow during a raging thunderstorm. Michael Provost lived a quiet life, yet this successful owner of a medical supply company was spotted floating facedown off the Chelsea Vestry Wharf. His servants adored him, and he had no greedy relatives or business rivals - who'd ever want him dead?

Once again. Inspector Gerald Witherspoon’s household staff aid him in coming to the right conclusions and solving the murder of American miner Jake Randall. Found floating in the Thames, shot through the heart. Jake had been sold shares in a Colorado silver mine, but his primary investors Ruston Benfield, miserly John Cubberly married to a rich wife, gambler Edward Dillingham and investment advisor Lester Hinkleton, realized their money wasn’t going to by mining equipment or hiring men to work he mines and planned to confront Jake Randall, but he hadn’t shown up for the meeting. Inspector Nivens has recused himself because he has a small investment in the Randall and Watson Mining Company. The problem is who drie it. There are too many suspects, no evidence, insufficient alibis, leaving Inspector Witherspoon befuddled and Constable Barnes trying to make forward progress. Mrs. Jeffries knows this murder troubles the inspector. Witherspoon doesn’t care for Nivens, but he does care for justice, as do Mrs. Jeffries and the staff. One day when the staff is meeting with the results of what they learned, Nivens shows up, wanting to talk with them. He said that people at the station think they are who really investigate and help Witherspoon solve all the murders he does. They denied their involvement multiple times, in multiple ways. He pleads for their help, as he knows he will hang if the real killer isn’t found, but they declare they are only servants. Mrs. Jeffries is also terribly troubled about the case, as Chief Superintendent Barrows will only give Witherspoon and Barnes a couple more days to solve it or arrest Nivens.

Most people, from his peers, subordinates, superiors at the police station to his informants and people he sent to prison, dislike Nivens. He is not a team player, does not know how to investigate properly, relies on informants or bribery, and comes from a wealthy, powerful family whose help he begged for too many times. This time they are not going to help; it is up to him to figure it out. Part of the trouble is that he knows he has burned too many bridges with peers, including Inspector Witherspoon, to have any reason to hope for help. Gerald Witherspoon and his secret weapon loves justice far more than seeing someone else suffer unless proven to be the bad guy. Well, Emily Brightwell began writing Mrs Jeffries Series in the year 1993, where she featured Mrs Jeffries and the Inspector. Since then she has written about 33 more mysteries for the Victorian murder mystery series in the subsequent 21 years. This Victorian Murder Mystery series has gained so much popularity in the recent years even as each new mystery gets to be published, while the earlier tittles becomes issued as three book anthologies. Plus, it is actually her proposal that sold to silhouette, and which was published to special edition under her pen name, Sarah Temple. Emily went on to write two more special editions for Silhouete and of course the renowned Victorian mystery series for prime Crime. Mrs. Jeffries is one of my favorite Victorian era British sleuths, one who could easily have been a detective. The widow of a policeman, Hepzibah Jeffries was Inspector Gerald Witherspoon’s delightful housekeeper. He had inherited an estate several years ago, and the home was large enough to require servants. He was excellent to work for, and those in his employ would do almost anything to help him.

The week before Christmas, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon's staff prepares for the long-awaited wedding of Betsy and Smythe. But an unwelcome surprise falls in his lap: a Yuletide murder. Mrs. Jeffries investigates the murder of wealthy widow Margaret Starling. Despite her charity work and church involvement, Margaret had her share of enemies. Join Mrs. Jeffries and Inspector Witherspoon as they uncover the truth in “ Mrs. Jeffries and the Alms of the Angel,” proving that justice doesn’t depend on popularity. Mrs. Jeffries Demands Justice I don't know if I will be able to find the other 33 books in the series, but I'm certainly going to read a great number of them! This book was well-written and witty. Mrs. Jeffries and the other servants in the house are likable characters, and readers will find themselves loving the bumbling Witherspoon just as much as they do. It was a most peculiar murder. A man's body was found in the canal - but the evidence showed that he had drowned in a bathtub. It didn’t take many solves until Gerald had the attention of the higher ups, and he left the records room to become the inspector who solved more homicides than anyone in the Metropolitan Police Department. He is humble, unassuming, and respectful. His servants and even some of their informants fondly call him “our inspector”.

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