Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Cake

Rating:
Summary: Another good entry in a series of pleasant time-passers
Review: Because of my mother, I grew up on Victorian books. The Mrs. Jeffries series, in spite of details and expressions sprinkled in, has never reminded me of the Real Thing. I don't care. I like this series anyway. The tone reminds me of Miss Seeton. You aren't getting Anne Perry here, although Ms. Brightwell does have some good comments about social ills.

These books are dainty tea cakes that make for a nice afternoon or evening's read. Sometimes that's all you want; and if that IS all you want, this would be a good series to buy. The main characters are sympathetic (although Lutie is a little too much) and the murders aren't ridiculously easy to solve. This particular entry has a few decent red herrings (all right, I'll admit it -- the author had me fooled too long for my comfort).

The covers fit the series well except for one thing: why is Mrs. Jeffries always portrayed with completely grey hair when the books state that her hair has some grey in it? (I think her hair is auburn, but this isn't my computer, so I can't check.) I know it's a minor thing, but the artist is otherwise so close that it's a shame to have that mistake. I've suffered the aggravation of buying books with covers that have nothing to do with the interior so I do appreciate the fact that this artist has put some effort into the assignment.

In short, if you like cozies, you should try Mrs. Jeffries out. You'll probably want to get them all. Ann E. Nichols

Rating:
Summary: A sublime Victorian mystery
Review: 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