Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Laid Plans [Mass Market Paperback]

This series has been described by another individual as "cozy." I confess to having read them after ordering for another. I found them to be great "stress reducers" if you will allow me that. This series has been like some old time TV shows, e.g. very predictable, but you just fell in love with the characters who crossed Victorian class boundries and became a "family" in the best sense of the term to serve justice. I may be wrong, but I think Mrs. Jeffries, et. al. pre-dated Sherlock Holmes if you follow time lines. I even ignored the fact that the author frequently used vernacular terms such as "cuppa" and "suss" that did not appear in the English language (either side of the Atlantic) until the 1930's and 1960's.

It sounded "British" much like our chimney sweep friend from Mary Poppins so it was O.K. BUT, Surprise is one descriptor for this latest in the series and begs a few questions. There is a bit of a change in writing style to begin with, but by the time you are finished with this tome

you are wondering what is going to happen next and to the "family" that you have learned to appreciate not just for the characters, but the qualities they possess. I, who read this series as a bit of a lark to get away from academic reading, etc., am looking forward to the next in the series! BTW, I don't know why anyone placed a "tag" for "nyc murder mystery 1900" but it would be better to have "London murder mystery circa 1880's" (Victorian) I believe.

Another fantastic installment in the Mrs. Jeffries series.

What is great about these books is that despite how many there are in the series, they never become formulaic and predictable. Brightwell always finds a way to include unique situations and details to make each book special. This book is no exception. For example: somebody is following the household staff as they make their inquiries. Is the odious Inspector Nivens finally closing in on the household's secret? Also, there is an undercurrent of tension throughout the book as Betsy frets about her upcoming wedding to Smythe. Despite the household trying to reassure her, Betsy is on edge. And here's something else that sets this book apart from the rest in the series - it ends with a substantial cliffhanger.

This book is a must read for all Mrs. Jeffries fans and all fans of cozy historical mysteries.

Nobody is terribly upset when someone murders banker Lawrence Boyd - he had many enemies and no friends. The murderer tried to cover up the murder by setting fire to the studio where Boyd was painting, but the police quickly catch on and Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is assigned the case. There are a lot of suspects and it will take time to question them all, but Witherspoon needs to solve the case fast because his rival, Inspector Nigel Nivens, will do anything to discredit him. Luckily Witherspoon has some help - unbeknownst to him his household staff, led by his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries, have helped him solve cases in the past and are eager to work on this one, especially since it will take maid Betsy's mind off her upcoming wedding to coachman Smythe. But the staff needs to be very cautious as they investigate this one - not only do they not want Witherspoon to catch on to what they are doing, but someone is following footman Wiggins as he investigates and they are afraid that someone even higher up in the police department will realize that Witherspoon is not solving these murder cases alone.

"Mrs. Jeffries and The Best Laid Plans" is another delightful entry in a cozy mystery series that never disappoints. One of the things that make this series so good is the characters and they are at their best in this book. You can just picture Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge, Wiggins, Betsy, and Smythe sitting around the table talking to the wonderfully eccentric American Luty and her butler Hatchet who also help solve the cases. While Witherspoon remains blissfully unaware that his staff is helping him, he is hardly a buffoon and uncovers several useful clues himself. He has a wonderful scene in this book when he confronts Nivens and shows some real backbone. Constable Barnes, his partner, is also well written, fully aware that the staff is helping solve the case, he is happy to pass clues their way. The mystery is set in Victorian England and author Emily Brightwell does a perfect job in capturing that time period and bits of that era are weaved throughout the book like when Witherspoon is amazed by someone using a typewriter. The mystery itself is well written and well plotted with plenty of suspects and red herrings. Careful readers will figure out the murderer at the same time that Mrs. Jeffries does which is very clever writing on Brightwell's part.

Longtime readers of the series may be surprised and a bit disappointed by something that happens at the end of the book. Now I can't wait until the next book comes out in October to find out what happens next.

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