Gerald has solved more homicides than anyone else at Ladbroke Road Station in London. He doesn’t know it, but Hepzibah and her group is his secret weapon! They have a network of friends and acquaintances who are more likely to talk with them than with constables. Hepzibah considers anything they learn and passes it to Constable Barnes, his preferred partner when investigating homicides, who can best determine how to follow up on it. Witherspoon is well-liked by many people, co-workers and household staff alike. 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. Then there was a giant step for mankind. I do not know if this started with Mrs. Jeffries # 37 or #38 since I haven't read them, but there has been a transformation with #39. The writing is more mature, the plot wonderfully complicated, the clues strewn like mysterious confetti, and the emphasis is on the dastardly Inspector Nivens. The accusation of murder against him could have been used for revenge, but instead it became an instrument of honor among the sleuths. The plotting and pacing were neatly done, and the depth of how it was executed could never have fit into the earlier works. Tis the season to make merry, and a Yuletide dinner in West Brompton should provide a festive occasion for all. But the good cheer disappears when the host, wealthy Stephen Whitfield, dies before the second course. Set in Victorian London this is #41 in the series if you can believe it. Having followed Mrs. Jeffries from the beginning I have come to know the characters like old friends. Everyone is a likable individual and somehow the author has managed to keep them fresh and engaging in every story.

In a holiday-themed Victorian mystery, “ Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women,” Inspector Witherspoon and his team are determined to solve the unsolvable murder of Christopher Gilhaney during a Guy Fawkes Night dinner party, even if it means canceling Christmas plans. Justice doesn’t take time off in this thrilling tale of persuasive powers and criminal urgency. Mrs. Jeffries Delivers the Goods I’ve been reading this series for a long time and have come to care about these characters. The mystery itself works as a standalone, but some of the things that occur in the book will be more meaningful to those who have read at least a couple of the prior books. Jeremy Marks, the victim, was an unwelcome guest to the archery club, and his numerous enemies mean there are plenty of suspects with a motive to kill him. The method of the murder is an arrow, so that gives most everyone on the scene the means. Therefore, the investigation is all about figuring out who had the opportunity to commit the murder. I really enjoyed how Witherspoon and Barnes, and Witherspoon’s friends all work together to get the clues needed to solve the case. In addition to working on the case, Mrs. Jeffries is also trying to find out what Nigel Nivens is up to. Nivens is jealous of Witherspoon’s success and has been newly reinstated to the force and is always out to discredit Witherspoon.Hannah Lonsdale was - WAS - the fiancé of Mr. Marks up until moments before he died. Gossips claim Hannah Lonsdale, a middle-aged wealthy woman, had a great row with Mr. Marks and then she left. She doesn't seem very upset by the news of his death and not terribly surprised either. The club manager and other members indicate that Hannah Lonsdale's family has a lot of clout and no one wants to upset them. Is Inspector Witherspoon certain Miss Lonsdale went home and didn't return to the club? Did she have family there with her? Mrs. McElhaney, a wealthy matron, was previously engaged to Mr. Marks. She's spitting nails furious that he proposed to another woman while still dating HER! EEE! That's bad. That's a good reason to want revenge! She doesn't blame the woman, fortunately, but her eyes were opened to Mr. Marks's character. How good a shot is she? Where was she when the murder happened? Miss Lonsdale is very smart and a very good archer. I think she could easily be the murderer. Mrs. McElhaney doesn't seem too shabby in the brains department either. What if they teamed up to kill their ex-lover? In this particular case, Inspector Witherspoon is in the frame for murder, and unable/unwilling to provide an alibi for the time of the murders, so his loyal and trusty team come to his rescue. A great piece of sleuthing ensues. We read about some brilliant detection and discover that Mrs Jeffries is not only a very good housekeeper, but also has amazing skills of detection. When a local woman is killed during a robbery, Blimpey Groggins claims his friend was wrongfully convicted. With a cold trail, tampered evidence, and only three weeks until the execution, Mrs. Jeffries and her team must work tirelessly to save an innocent man from the gallows. Get ready to uncover the mystery in Book 21. Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Laid Plans

In 1884, Alfred Dyer's London Committee obtained evidence of a high class Chelsea brothel operated by Jeffries. An investigation by a former police inspector, who had resigned from the Metropolitan Police when senior officials refused to prosecute her, had been amassing evidence against Jeffries during the year until the London Commission began a private prosecution in March 1885. This investigation included many witnesses from the brothels, including Lola Shropshire, Leona Noman, and Agnes Moris. These witnesses unfortunately had no clear evidence and were soon dismissed.

Publication Order of Mrs. Jeffries Books

I loved this book and enjoyed reading every word of it. I love the characters and the whole ‘family’ feel it has. I hope you’ll read this book, and this series, and that you’ll love it as much as I do. I even like that this book has departed from its norm and leaves a bit of a cliff-hanger for the end. I feel a set-up for a future story there :)

Train enthusiast Francis Humphreys was was drawing his last breath while his relatives and neighbors were over for tea. But Inspector Witherspoon wonders: If everyone was downstairs, who could have stolen into Francis' second-story study, killed him, and escaped?Book 22 follows the investigation of banker Lawrence Boyd’s murder. With numerous suspects from upstairs and downstairs, Inspector Witherspoon relies on Mrs. Jeffries’ keen eye to identify the killer among enemies, including rivals, a housekeeper who lost money, and others who crossed paths with the victim. Mrs. Jeffries and the Feast of St. Stephen The friendship “our inspector” had with his housekeeper fascinates me. Perhaps it was because her late husband was in law enforcement, or that he recognized her as a good sounding board. When he is on a case and gets home from work, he invites her to have glass or two of sherry with him. He tells her what he learned about the case or people involved with it. When Constable Barnes, with whom he was partnered, arrived to walk to the station with Witherspoon each morning, she told him anything that the staff uncovered and he inserts it into plans with the inspector.