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Anna May

Bet you never heard of this poison?

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2020

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Verity Bright’s latest book is a ray of sunshine in these oh so uncertain times. Being plunged headlong into a lavish Christmas at Lady Eleanor’s Henley Hall you can picture the huge Christmas tree with its flickering candles and Gladstone the bulldog grabbing the ornaments and burying them under the tree with lady Eleanor scrabbling on the floor in hot pursuit.
Lady Eleanor is giving her first Christmas eve lunch to all the villagers following a tradition started by her late uncle who left her the Hall and all it entailed in his will. Her uncle amongst other things was a philanthropist who believed charity should start at home and Lady Eleanor is keen to follow in his footsteps even though, due to her unusual upbringing, she is more at home climbing mountains or facing natural dangers then taking part in tea parties or any social occasions. She also seems, since coming to the Hall, to have an unfortunate habit of stumbling across dead bodies. But what could happen here in her own backyard?
Well actually quite a lot. Part of the festivities for the villagers is a fun run in the grounds for the men and even though it is now snowing hard they all set off watched by amongst others Lady Eleanor (doing her duty) and Clifford her butler and right-hand man. When the last runner reaches them panting and gasping, he collapses but not just with exhaustion.
From then on his death? or murder? sets off a fascinating chain of events including, in Clifford the butler, the haunting memory of what he is now sure was a similar death much closer to home.
There is always so much more to the Verity Bright books than the murders. The description of English village life (much of which still continues to this day), of the changing seasons, and the depth and understanding of the language makes this exile sure that the books could only be written by a British couple.
And for me the jewel in the crown. A method of murder I have never come across before. I just had to look it up and as usual I am in awe of the amount of research they put into each book whether it’s the food (oh how sumptuous) or the way of life of villages at the time, such as when one realizes that the Christmas Eve lunch at the hall is the best meal by far many of the villagers will have all year and the fact that the next morning, before going to another festive meal this time at Langham Manor, Lady Eleanor is at her village hall helping the ladies of the W.I. do up parcels for the less fortunate in the village. This must resonate with many of us doing the same sort of thing in these troubled times.
All in all I think this is their best book yet, and well worth 5 stars. A wonderful absorbing story and still many loose ends to look forward to. For me especially, has Lady Eleanor finally decided between Lancelot and D.C.I. Sheldon? What really happened to her uncle and parents and finally how on earth does she stay slim and sober with all she eats and imbibes? Not sour grapes with Christmas coming up I really want to know!!

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metaldude30236

A fun read

Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2020

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Another fun book.

Elsbeth

How entertaining this book is!

Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2021

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I loved this cozy English mystery! Easy to read as well as well written.

Amazon Customer

Don’t miss this one!

Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2021

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This whole series is a delight!

Anne R. Marshall

Can Lady Eleanor and Clifford solve this murder despite the fact no one is sorry he's dead?

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020

Murder in the Snow by Verity Bright is another in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series featuring none other than Lady Eleanor herself along with her sidekick/butler, Clifford. It is Christmas at the manor and Lady Eleanor, in the tradition started by her uncle, is entertaining the entire village, as well as a few others for a large luncheon and entertainments, including a race, crafts, and all manner of noshing. The day was marred by the sudden death of a man, Canning, at the end of the race. He apparently suffered a heart attack, although there were some suspicious symptoms. Clifford managed the body so well that none of the guests were aware and the joyous day continued without blemish. Two days hence was Boxing Day and after enjoying a full breakfast with the staff and seeing them off, Clifford left for his luncheon engagement, and returned to commence investigating. No one else in town through Canning's passing a bad thing, but it niggled at Ellie's conscience. What would they discover?

Lady Eleanor and Clifford are an incongruous pair. She the lady of the manor, and he, her mentor and guardian. She is growing in to her position, largely with her staff to thank. She has two men in whom she is interested. Lancelot, the son of he aristocratic neighbors, and DCI Seldon, with who she shared a contentious relationship, but with whom the attraction is mutual. She is popular with all her neighbors, aristocratic or not, and is in general, a lovely character, if a little stubborn. Clifford is perfection in a butler, always well turned out, always highly prepared for any eventuality, and always able to rescue her from the scrapes in which she finds herself. The murder is a conundrum, but with excellent organizational and sleuthing skills, they manage to solve the mystery and put as much to rights as is possible at this point. They may have even discovered Uncle Byron's murderer. It is a joy to be transported back to the 1920's English countryside and sojourn with Lady Eleanor and the other residents of her home and village. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Murder in the Snow by Bookoutre and Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #murderinthesnow

Jan

What fun!

Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2020

1920s, Christmas, England, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, cosy-mystery, family-dynamics, friendship, situational-humor, amateur-sleuth*****

What fun! The series begins as a farce: presumed orphan from South Africa comes to rural England and finds that she has inherited the title and all that from uncle who is recently deceased. She has little idea of how people are expected to behave in this milieu and is a klutz, to boot. The best part of it all is the Butler who knows everything, helps her with anything, and never treats her like a ninny. Now it is Christmastide and she works with her staff to provide the estate and the village with the kind of celebrations that her uncle had always done. Everything and everyone is quite happy until a crabby middle-aged man drops dead at the first community event. Eleanor and her butler are certain that it is murder, but the friendly law enforcement do not, and are very annoyed when she keeps on snooping as the snow gets deeper and deeper. Loved it! A nice, low key cosy for these fraught times.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

Top reviews from other countries

T. Wood

Love This Cosy Crime Series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 19, 2020

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It is Eleanor Swift's first Christmas as Lady of the Manor and she is determined to continue all the traditions put in place by her late uncle. The most popular is the Christmas Eve get together for the entire village of Little Buckford. After partaking of the beautiful food and extra special festive mead, all prepared by her loyal and willing staff, the highlight of the day is the traditional Christmas fun run through the grounds of Henley Hall.

When one of the runners collapses and dies Eleanor and her indomitable butler, Clifford, are convinced the man was murdered. Unfortunately the police disagree and as the victim was universally disliked no one else is too worried about why or how he died. After more victims are struck down and a link to Eleanor’s family and staff is discovered it becomes clear time is of the the essence if they are to prevent more deaths occurring before the new year is rung in.

Once again Verity Bright has written a fun, atmospheric, cosy historic crime this time with a festive theme. This is a series which gets better with each new book and was a pleasure to read. Eleanor’s relationship with her staff, close neighbours, and the local constabulary is once again pivotal to the storyline with scenes involving far more of the running of the household than usual which I loved.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a brilliant Christmas tale of murder set in very different time which is a great read.

angela dormer

A wizard trip to a gentler time

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2020

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I just love these books they are so well written that you can't put them down and they are such an easy read very Christie like in that respect. They Characters are so well crafted that I can see them all in my minds eye . the are a great escape from the world today and you can lose yourself in the grandeur of yesteryear and absolutely fantastic to have a main female character who loves the food her dedicated staff prepare for her.
The worst thing about these books - coming to the end and having to wait for the next thrilling instalment, I enjoy them so much I have just bought the 1st four for my sister for Christmas.

Trevor Green

Easy reading “who done it” Recommended.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2021

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A lovely, well written, light read “who done it?” A murder mystery without the blood and guts and gory details. Makes for a delightful change! I note one review criticised the book for being based on an unrealistic relationship betwix Lady and her Butler. I disagree. Such relationships are fairly common. I seem to recall a Sovereign not too long ago giving up his crown for a rather plain looking, relatively poor divorcee foreigner. You don’t a bigger social gap than that. Wow!

R. Blanshard

Another great Lady Eleanor Swift mystery

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2020

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I was delighted to find this latest adventure for Lady Eleanor in my Kindle library. Having read the first three books I couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. An excellent story, wonderful characters and a grpping mystery meant I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended

manley

A bright mystery by a Bright lady.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2021

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As this reader had not read the previous thrillers, there was much background to catch up with . However, as the action gathered pace and the characters developed, my enjoyment increased. By the last page I was determined to sign up for the next story. A perfect antidote for Vivid blues.

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