Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings

The former governess of a bride-to-be is killed in front of the family home, and Inspector Witherspoon is assigned to the case, despite the fact that it’s nearly Christmas and his housemaid and coach driver are getting married in just a few days’ time. The members of his household leap into action as well, but find themselves increasingly distracted by the upcoming nuptials and the arrival of Betsy’s long-lost sister; and Mrs. Jeffries herself begins to worry that this may be the case that they cannot solve….I’ve been reading the Mrs. Jeffries books back-to-back recently, in part as escapism from these fraught times and in part because I just keep wanting to know what happens next. One can jump into this series at any point, I show more think, as Ms. Brightwell does a good job of bringing the novice reader up to speed with each book, but starting from book 1 is probably the best (this one is the 26th, of 41 so far!); recommended. show less

While they usually enjoy helping Inspector Witherspoon solve murder cases (even if he doesn't know it) his household staff doesn't really need a case right now. Christmas is coming, as is the long awaited and often delayed wedding of Betsy and Smythe. But murder waits for no one and when ex-governess Agatha Moran is murdered, Witherspoon gets the case. Scotland Yard wants the case solved by Christmas and Witherspoon's staff is determined to help him while still preparing for the wedding. Will Witherspoon, Constable Barnes, his staff, and friends be able to solve the mystery in time for everyone to have a happy holiday?

"Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings" is the nicely done twenty-sixth entry in Emily Brightwell's delightful cozy show more mystery series set in Victorian England. Fans have long waited for the marriage between Betsy and Smythe and Brightwell smoothly interposes their wedding plans with wedding plans involving Rosemary Evans, who had Agatha Moran as a governess - the contrasts between the world of the upper crust of society versus the world of Witherspoon's household staff are nicely done. Even after several books in the series, Brightwell continues to keep the series fresh as the characters and situations continue to grow. Witherspoon unknowingly has the help of his household staff in solving the mystery, but he has made great strides of his own in solving cases. Mrs. Jeffries, who is usually content to let the others do the investigating while she pieces together the clues, seems aware of becoming stagnant and works to make sure she doesn't become complacent. We get yet another peek into Betsy's life before working for Witherspoon as we get to meet her sister and brother-in-law. Brightwell doesn't ignore the fact that the more cases Mrs. Jeffries and the rest help Witherspoon solve, the more people will catch on to what they are doing and instead addresses that issue head on.

What makes the Mrs. Jeffries series so delightful are the characters and the Victorian setting, but the mystery elements are also a big factor in the series. This mystery is well plotted, with plenty of suspects, all of whom seem to be lying at one point or another. Readers will enjoy not only trying to figure out who the killer is but why Agatha was killed. There are a lot of red herrings and a nifty twist that will keep readers guessing. The ending is action packed and readers will get as caught up in trying to guess who the killer is as Mrs. Jeffries is. If I have any complaint about the book it's that there weren't enough details about Betsy and Smythe's wedding.

All of the Mrs. Jeffries books are an enjoyable read and "Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings" is no exception. Longtime readers will be happy to visit Witherspoon and his staff again and new readers are in for a treat. Enjoy! show less

This was my very first book that I read on my new Kindle, so that made it exciting on its own, but the book was very good. I love this Victorian cozy series, and I particularly loved this book. It is set around Christmas and close to Smythe and Betsy's wedding. So even though there is a murder and Inspector Witherspoon is on the case, the staff at Edmonton Gardens find they have to divide their time between preparations for the wedding and investigating a murder. The murder itself is a little tricky this time and not easily figured out. In fact, Mrs. Jeffries quite despairs that she will ever solve the case, let alone before the wedding. But never fear, she does at the last moment and all ends happily. Thank goodness; because I can't show more wait to read the next book in this heartwarming series. And in that book Smythe and Betsy will be married so that will definitely change the dynamics. show less

Inspector Witherspoon is regarded as the most successful detective at Scotland Yard. It's actually his household staff that discretely solves the crimes by using their network of domestic help, neighbors and sympathetic, eccentric friends. The former governess of a young woman is killed on the doorstep while an engagement party is going on. Who killed her, the fiance who is marrying for money after having killed two wealthy wives, the mother desperate to marry her daughter into the aristocracy, someone from the governess's past? They must solve the murder while getting two of the household staff married off.

The week before Christmas, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon's staff prepares for the long-awaited wedding of Betsy and Smythe. But when a middle-aged spinster is killed in what looks like a random crime, the Inspector suspects otherwise. With uncooperative witnesses, sulking relatives, and a second Christmas wedding, a simple investigation seems as unlikely as catching St. Nick at work.

I had to make an emergency trip to the library as I could not read this book. I love M.C. Beaton and was hoping it would be somewhat similar. Nothing like it. A very tedious read. Just my opinion of course.