Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen by Emily Brightwell

Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen by Emily Brightwell ISBN-13: 9780425268094 Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: November 4, 2014

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
Orlando Edison is a stockbroker using London’s infatuation with foreign mining ventures to make a fortune. He has curried favor with the nation’s most respected aristocrats, even inviting three influential investors—known as the Merry Gentlemen—to be part of his latest enterprise. Edison is welcomed in the highest circles and moves with ease among the rich and powerful. But a few days before Christmas, he is found murdered.

Inspector Witherspoon and his household are looking forward to the festive season. But they all know their duty, and led by the intrepid Mrs. Jeffries, they plan to see justice served for the holidays . . .


My Review:
Mrs. Jeffries and the Merry Gentlemen is a historical mystery set in Victorian England. This was the 32nd book in the series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this book didn't spoil any previous whodunits.

The characters were likable and acted realistically. The household gets off to a slow start due to other interests distracting them from investigating. I liked how Witherspoon did some good investigation on his end and how he's getting better at catching on to clues without help. Of course, I like how the the household helps by collecting vital clues that they're uniquely suited to discover. Team effort!

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle-mystery. I was able to understand what were important leads/clues a little faster than Mrs. Jeffries, but it took longer than normal for me to feel any certainty about whodunit. So the pacing on the clues and leads was good.

There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this well-written, engaging mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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