A light-hearted and enjoyable escapade involving Lady Eleanor, her butler and various sidekicks.

Lady Eleanor, or Ellie as she refers to herself, is charming and outgoing. Her questioning skills are quite hilarious and enjoyed following her on her investigations.

She has a lovely relationship with her butler and the rest of the household staff. Eleanor's uncle sounds like he had a lively and dangerous past and so I'm looking forward to finding out more about him as the series continues.

Eleanor's love life is also a source of great amusement. She is quite flirty and has caught the eye of more than one man. Lord Lancelot Germain Benedict Fenwick-Langham, or Goggles as she has nicknamed him, is good fun, very charming but immature and a little bit mental in a 'bright young thing' kind of way. Their banter is delightful and one of the things I liked most in the book. Eleanor is smitten but I'm hoping the Detective Inspector gets to play a romantic role further down the line.

It was fairly obvious, to me, from their very first interaction, the person most likely to be the culprit. It didn't come as any great surprise at the end. I did enjoy getting sidetracked with the red-herrings but with the awareness that that's exactly what they were.



I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

An enjoyable book, fast moving and a little like "Boys Own Adventure" The characters are enjoyable and I do like the butler very much. A fun first installment of a cosy read,about an a young niece of a lord, returning to England to take up her inheritance and title, only to find herself involved in a mystery.

To be honest, I’m more familiar with the wise-cracking, grizzled, cynical detective than the impetuous amateur sleuth. I’m on an adventure here, out of my comfort zone, and that’s something I have in common with English Murder’s protagonist. Eleanor Swift is an explorer - she has travelled all over the world and has relied on her own quick thinking to outwit foes and prevent at least one war. She has inherited Henley Hall and is, to her horror, Lady Swift, but she has no intention of buckling down to a lifetime of ladying. Luckily for us readers, it’s 1920: modern enough for Eleanor to have some agency, ancient enough for there to be some friction. (Obviously, I make that comment from a literary rather than political perspective.)

Now the cosy crime genre is well established but I don’t really know the reference points (though I can’t quite hide the idea of this being a kind of 100 year-old Agatha Raisin). You have to have some quirky characters and a community vibe. Eleanor’s got the hall staff, whom we like, her dog Gladstone (important at first as a sidekick and as a cipher for exposition), a few society contacts including an apparently dishy romantic interest. These things stand or fall on whether you can just go along with it and this creation, by Verity Bright, charms us rotten. I look up pictures of the cars that Rolls-Royce were producing at the time so I can better picture the scenes and I have cast Liza Goddard in her Bergerac days as Eleanor Swift. (Now I come to think of it I can picture her bellowing GIVE US A CLUE to her sidekick: her butler Clifford is henceforth cast as Lionel Blair.)

The dialogue is generally good fun and gently sends up contemporary attitudes to issues from vegetarianism to cycling. The initial crime, though, reminds me of 4.50 from Paddington - person witnesses crime, person reports crime, dozy local police can’t find any proof of crime having been committed (the body isn’t there any more). Person goes it alone (or with allies) and - let’s face it, we don’t want anything else - solves the thing to the consternation of the professionals. There are just enough red herrings to keep us satisfied; although I’m glad that I can point to at least one reason why I had my eye on the eventual perpetrator, I did suspect just about everyone in turn.

We like Eleanor which is just as well as the Verity Bright website tells us that at least two more novels are on the horizon. She has lots of guts and seems relatively unstuffy. On the other hand, her tendency to rush off before thinking things through grates a bit on occasion - though I loved the notes that she forced herself to write. She relies heavily on her butler Clifford who busts the norms of sidekickery by being the methodological, grounded one. Their relationship is a highlight of the novel and I hope that they will work together in the future. Love interest Lord ‘Goggles’ Fenwick-Langham is someone I hope will remain a bit player: one for the ‘will-they-won’t-they-oh-they-did-and-now-we-can-write-him-out-of-the-series’ list. I’ll be honest, I like my grit and social realism, but I’ll be keeping my eye out for how this series progresses.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. A fun and enjoyable read. I could not put it down once I started reading.

4,5* rounded to 5.
I loved this funny, entertaining and enjoyable historical mystery, it made me love and it kept me hooked till the end.
Even if there are some of the issues typical of a first in a series it's a good historical cosy mystery and it is clearly inspired by the books of the Queens of the Golden Age.
Eleanor is an interesting characters, she changes during the book facing the difficulties of a new role and of sleuthing in an unknown environment. She's well developed and it's interesting to read how she changes.
Her relationship with Clifford, the butler, reminded me of Peter Wimsey and Bunter. They are bound by the rules of the society but they are also partner in investigating.
A character I loved is Gladstone the dog, some of the most funny parts involve him and you cannot help loving this dog.
The other characters are well thought and I'm curious to see how the relationship between Eleanor and Lancelot will develop.
The mystery is solid, full of red herrings and twists, and even if it wasn't hard to guess the culprit it was enjoyable and interesting.
I think that all the issues of this first instalment will be solved in the next stories and there is a lot of potential and I can't wait to read them.
It was an entertaining read, recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Now I love what may be deemed ‘cozy crime’ set in between the wars - Carola Dunn, Nicola Upson, Frances Brody to name some of my favourites. Verity Bright is now among these. This was a funny, entertaining and well thought out crime book, although I wouldn’t suggest that Lady Swift is the brains of the operations. That goes to Clifford and maybe Gladstone!

I was a bit put off with the pace at the start as Lady Swift seemed to be bumbling around making a nuisance of herself and not even showing much intelligence behind her actions. BUT, it all made sense once the butler Clifford entered more into the story. As much as I like the character of Lady Swift I’m more drawn to the adventures of Clifford! There is many a tale to be told there I’m sure. In my head I’m imaging Lady Mary and Carson from Downton Abbey but a lot more fun and adventurous!

I enjoyed all the side characters that reside in Henley Hall and the surrounding area. I especially loved the unconventional staff at the Hall and Gladstone of course! The staff don’t bat an eyelid at anything. I even liked Lancelot - dashing, funny, has a plane! Although, I’m not sure there won’t be others vying for Lady Swift’s attention in further books to come.

I really did enjoy this book - I flew through it in a couple of sittings. It’s funny, has a clever plot, great characterisation, backstories I can’t wait to find out about and a loyal dog! What more could you ask for?! Roll on the next one.

When Eleanor Swift arrived at Henley Hall, the home of her uncle, Lord Henley, recently deceased, she wasn’t sure how she felt about her old home. Met by Clifford, the butler, who was as stiff and upright as she remembered him, even though it was many years since she’d seen him or her uncle, Eleanor determined that the sooner she left the place behind her, the happier she’d be. Now she was Lady Swift, owner of the old manor and in charge of the staff, her immediate connection to Gladstone, her uncle’s dog, found her a friend.

Taking Gladstone for a walk through the countryside around the manor, she took no notice of the brewing storm until she became aware of the heavy rain, thunder and lightning. It was when she was looking for shelter that she saw in the distance what looked like a man being shot. That was the beginning of an in-depth investigation by Lady Swift after the local police declared, because there was no body, obviously there was no murder. Was Eleanor Swift in danger? Of course she was. But would that stop her?

A Very English Murder is the first in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery by Verity Bright and I loved it. Set in England in 1920, Lady Swift’s witty dialogue had me laughing out loud on many occasions. Clifford, stiff and upper lipped as he was, was fabulous! He and Ellie made an excellent team. It reminded me a little of T.E. Kinsey’s Lady Hardcastle mysteries. I’m really looking forward to more in this fun and entertaining series and highly recommend this one.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A Very English Murder is the first book in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series.

Eleanor, a young lady of higher standing has after the death of her parents, lived with her uncle for a short time before she was sent to the boarding school. After the uncle's death she inherits not only his estate but the title as well.
Almost immediately after coming back home she witnesses a murder. The only problem is there is no body nor any trace of it. Needless to say the police do not believe her. The only one who believes that something strange is going on is her uncle's butler, who turns out not to be a regular butler at all. Nor is the rest of the staff.

Nicely paced cleverly plotted whodunnit. Many interesting characters who are just bursting to tell their tale. So next installments are promising to be very very intriguing.
I really liked the fact that the heroine is a intelligent, brave and extremely adventurous lady who has found herself in a tiny, sleepy village brimming with malice and evil.
Really looking forward to the next books.

This delightful cozy mystery is set in 1920 England. This story introduces Lady Eleanor Swift - however, she is anything but a Lady. She has lived a full life, one with no restrictions and has traveled the world over, and has had unique experiences. Suddenly, however, she finds her self in a town called Chipstone and is shocked to discover that she now has a title of Lady, along with a staff ready to wait on her hand and foot.

This is hardly something that Eleanor wanted or expected. She is now a woman with responsibilities and that means, at the very least, that her travels have come to an end. When Eleanor arrives at her uncle's home, she learn of his death and how this will affect her life. Eleanor has a lot to think about. After all, she has not seen her uncle in years, and to have this new life he left her is a cause for confusion and concern.

While taking a walk with a dog who is a part of the manor, Gladstone, she witnesses a murder. However, not only does the killer get away, but the body disappears. Who is going to believe her when she has no proof? So, Eleanor fearlessly decides to solve this mystery on her own. She has a bit of help, her late uncle's butler, Clifford - as she goes about the town seeking clues. So, Eleanor, Clifford and the trusty dog Gladstone leave no stone unturned to prove the murder and to find the killer.

A Very English Murder is a cute cozy mystery and is the first book in a new series. I love Eleanor, especially as she acts like anything but a Lady. I also enjoyed learning about her past. With Clifford acting as her sidekick gave a nice element to the story. Also the setting was nice as well, both the time period and the beauty of the town. The story was a quick read with enough twists to keep me riveted and I love how the conclusion wrapped things up. As someone who reads quite a few cozy mysteries, I am glad to add this to my collection of series to follow.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Very English Murder’ by Verity Bright in exchange for an honest review. I obtained its audiobook edition, narrated by Karen Cass, and listened alongside reading my eARC.

April, 1920 and Eleanor Swift has just returned to England from South Africa following news of the death of her uncle. She has inherited his fortune, his title, and Henley Hall along with servants and an elderly bulldog named Gladstone. It means that now she is now addressed as Lady, something that she’s not completely comfortable with despite having clearly lived a privilege life.

On her first night she goes out for a walk with Gladstone and witnesses a man being shot in a nearby quarry. When the police investigate they find no body and so they dismiss her account. Yet being a bit of a jolly hockey sticks type, Eleanor resolves to solve the mystery on her own. She does get some assistance from her late uncle’s butler, Clifford.

Clearly this is a historical cosy mystery and draws on tropes of the golden age of detectives, such as a woefully incompetent police force and an amateur sleuth quite confidently riding roughshod over them.

It’s was an entertaining read though only after finishing did I stop and think about its historical setting. It seems everyone has amnesia about the Great War. There is a brief mention of Eleanor’s late husband being killed early on (the circumstances pretty much indicates he was a rotter though she does not disclose this to others). The dowager countess at the dinner party does remark in passing that ‘many were’ (killed) and that’s about it.

While I know that cosies are not going to necessarily reflect the real world in the way a work of straight historical fiction would, it seemed incongruous to incorporate into Eleanor’s background the real problems faced by the first commercial flight between Cape Town and London in February 1920 (they crashed more than once) and then for Eleanor to return to an England seemingly unaffected by the events of the war just eighteen months after the 1918 Armistice.

Also, the fact that Eleanor has spent the past few years travelling the world mapping out routes for rich tourists seemed strange. I expect that it is meant to be a glamorous and adventurous occupation for her backstory. She even mentioned riding her bicycle in Europe. (Was it a case of ‘don’t mention the war’?)

I guess that it’s a departure from having fictional heroines of this period nursing or driving ambulances during the war. Again, she is from an aristocratic family so maybe scouting out luxury holidays was just more her thing. However, it painted a picture for me of an entitled rich woman swanning about the world ‘sorting out the locals’. Maybe that in itself does reflect an aspect of the period and the prevailing class system.

Anyway, aside from my quibbles this was still an entertaining romp and I probably shouldn’t take things so seriously. Yet I doubt that Miss Marple will need to ‘move over’.

There are two more titles in the series coming soon and it will be interesting to see how the characters develop and what further mysteries await them.

On a side note the Art Deco cover art was stunning.

I struggled with rating it, though I recognise that my issues are not going to concern most readers who are seeking escapism in their cosies. Thus, 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Verity Bright has introduced us to a wonderful and exciting new series that has brought England of the 1920's to life with absolutely delightful characters.

Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift has inherited Henley Hall after the passing of her uncle. She has fond memories of visiting the Hall as a youngster and now she is the Lady of the manor. She has two absolutely engaging "sidekicks" in her first mystery. Her butler Clifford and Master Gladstone - and elderly bulldog - who totally makes the book! There are also the "Ladies of Henley Hall" - Mrs. Butters, the housekeeper; Mrs. Trotmam, the cook; and Polly, the young maid.

On her first night at Henley Hall Ellie goes for a walk with Gladstone and a storm comes out of nowhere. She stumbles upon a murder at an old quarry. The victim she sees through the window seems familiar to her. She is passed on the road by a car and a motorbike that almost runs her over. When the local police finally arrive there is no body and no sign of a murder. There are plenty of suspects - Thomas Cartwright of Pike's Farm whose land borders the quarry, he insists that the quarry gates are always locked and as Ellie learns in the village, he is not very well liked for some reason. Lord Lancelot Germain Benedict Fenwick-Langham is a pilot with a plane named Daphne. He has an alibi for the night of the murder, he was at a masked ball at The Goat Club. Ellie even suspects the inept Sergeant Wilby and Mayor Kinsley. As another murder occurs and accidents happen that put their lives in danger - Ellie and Clifford make a wonderful team as they investigate and rule out suspects.

This book is definitely very high on the list of my favourite books of the year! I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Ellie and Clifford. I'm also wondering about a possible romance between Ellie and Lancelot. A world of possibilities to look forward to in future books!

What a fun new addition to the English cozy mystery genre. The book is the 1st in what I hope is an ongoing series. The book starts with Lady Eleanor Swift inheriting her uncle’s estate with requisite English butler and dog. She is a bit ambivalent about her inheritance and being lady of the manor, but is soon distracted by a murder she witnesses, or did she? When the police begrudgingly investigate, there is no body. So Lady Eleanor decides that she will solve the mystery and with the help of a neighbor, Lancelot, her unflappable butler Clifford and of course Gladstone, off she goes.

I love mysteries set in England amid high society and grand estates, and this one fit the bill. I really enjoyed this book for the time period, the characters and the mystery. I look for to more in this series!

This is the story of Lady Eleanor who inherits her Uncles estate after his death. She witnesses a murder and becomes determined to solve this case.

I was instantly drawn to this book because of the beautiful cover.
I liked the characters in this book and the interactions between them.
The mystery element to this book felt a bit weak and lacked depth.
However all in all, this was an enjoyable read.

I'm going to start by saying I loved this book. It's such a mixture, firstly of Eleanor adapting to her new situation as Lady of Henley Hall, with all of the rules and societal expectations that go with that position. We then also have her relationship with Clifford the bulter and Gladstone the dog, plus meeting and learning about the village residents, Lancelot the local young Lord (who was so much fun!) and not forgetting that along the way she decides to solve a murder that the local police don't believe took place and therefore don't investigate. 


Eleanor arrives at the hall at the beginning of the story, having suddenly inherited it from her late uncle whom she hadn't seen in years. From the start it's clear that she is not a conventional person, having travelled all over the world until now. Her different outlook on life is what makes this book different. We get to experience her highs and lows as she adapts to her new role, though Eleanor is not one to meekly fit in, no she does what she wants, whether it fits with her new situation or not. 


Her upbringing was a bit unconventional and although she is well-traveled she comes across as inexperienced in other matters, especially it appears, when it comes to Lancelot who lives nearby and is very much into airplanes. While Eleanor is still working things out, and taking it steady Lancelot is almost like the energizer bunny, he has bundles of energy, almost bounces around the place and seems to do whatever he wants, whenever, even in the middle of lunch.


Lancelot is the perfect contrast to Eleanor's more steady approach. Although he is also one of those people who could get a bit annoying some times it doesn't make me like him any less. However, there is also the Detective Inspector who is not local and for some reason partially believes Eleanor. Him I also liked, though we got to see less of him that Lancelot. I can see both of these chracters returning in later books. 


Clifford is fabulous, very butlery (if that is a word?) and also mysterious in his own way. He is dealing with a lot of change and the loss of his previous employer Lord Henley, not to mention suddenly becoming almost a detective, as he does a splendid job of assisting Eleanor with her investigating. Clifford is definitely growing on me, as is Gladstone the dog who seems to get into everything he can which is typical for dogs and makes an excellent listener. 


As for the murder and investigation, Eleanor doesn't let the local police not believing her hold her back, she questions everyone that she can and keeps digging away until she finally finds the solution. Being set in 1920 there is clearly no internet or social media so everything is done face to face and there is much musing from Eleanor to Clifford and Gladstone while they work everything out. There is also peril and danger involved, which adds a layer of excitement to the story. 


This is an excellent start to this series and I hope is the first of many. I want to spend more time with the characters I've mentioned above, getting to know them better but also getting involved in further investigations. Exciting times lie ahead!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I'm a total sucker for books set in the 1920s and I quickly fell for Lady Eleanor Swift and the rest of the quirky cast of characters living at Henley Hall. I most thoroughly enjoyed this cozy murder mystery set in Chipstone.

On the night of her arrival at the Hall she hadn't visited since age 13, Ellie is walking near the estate when she witnesses what appears to be the shooting death of a man inside a workman's hut. Concerned that it was murder, she contacts the local constabulary but is met with resistance when they investigate and no body and no evidence of any homicie can be found. A very independent adventuress, Lady Eleanor won't be dismissed and decides to begin her own inquiries with the help of her deceased uncle's butler, Clifford. Is she just a nosy newcomer or is there something nefarious going on in the little town. NO SPOILERS.

The further I read, the more I enjoyed this first installment in a new series featuring this strong female protagonist. I liked the interaction and banter between the characters and the mystery was complicated enough to present all sorts of possible outcomes. I liked the relationships between those who lived at the Hall and very much look forward to the next book in the series. The only drawback, to me (and I realize I'm going to be the exception here) is Eleanor's dog, Gladstone. I'm sure many dog lovers will disagree, but there was way too much focus on him at times and her conversations to him annoyed me. OK, that said, I am eager to see what Eleanor does next as she gets more comfortable in her new home. This was easily a one sitting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

A Very English Murder by Verity Bright was certainly very English. It captured the subtle English sense of humor and moved slowly enough for one to relish it. Lady Eleanor Swift has returned to England to claim her inheritance. He uncle has died and left her his home, Henley Hall, along with it's butler, Clifford, a cook, a housekeeper, and a maid. She is not sure at all that she wants it. Her life, up until now has been lived away from England, and pretty much away from propriety, as far as society is concerned. She rides her bike all over Middle Eastern and African countries, mapping routes for tours. She never came home, because her uncle never seemed to want her there. He had become her guardian when her parents were killed and promptly shipped her off to boarding school. She did like his dog, an elderly bulldog called Gladstone, after the luggage. On her first night home, she and Gladstone went for a walk and they saw a man get shot. by the time she found the entrance to the quarry where he had been, there was no body, but there was a huge bloodstain. She went home and called the authorities, who didn't seem to care and they said they would see her the next day. By the next day, even the bloodstain was gone and the constable treated her as if she wasn't quite there. She decided she had to investigate on her own. So she did and learned a great many other things along the way.

This book was longer than it needed to be. The mystery was good and after two deaths, the murderer was, at last, discovered. It took a lot of twists and turns to get here, much like a real investigation, probably. Clifford, the butler, turned out to be a good partner in investigation although, he was on the suspect list for a while. He turned out to be the consummate English butler, but so much more, in a very entertaining way. The entire household staff participated, much to Ellie's surprise. The constable, kind of useless, was not a positive addition to the story, as useless people often are. Cartwright, the farmer, was entertaining in a gruff and humorless way. All in all, it is better in memory than it was as it was read. I recommend it with reservations.

I received a free ARC of A Very English Murder from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #averyenglishmurder

An English Mystery With Flair!
I love stories where the heroine is a proper feminist way before it was popular. Our Lady Swift has her opinions and does not suffer fools gladly. She hates to be treated like a fragile dunderhead. This is a wonderful, vintage 1920, English murder mystery. This book is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read more of it! There are mysteries beneath mysteries, some romance and so much more to keep things very interesting. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

Verify Bright, A Very English Murder, Bookoutre, April 7, 2020.

The sprightly debut featuring Lady Eleanor Swift will keep cozy readers on the edge of their seats. Lady Eleanor has inherited Henley Hall from her uncle. She has also inherited her uncle's butler, Clifford, and his elderly bulldog, Gladstone. She and Gladstone go for a walk on the night she arrives at the Hall, get lost in the pouring rain, and see a man shot dead in a worker's hut on the estate. But when she gets to the hut, she finds that the body has dissappered. Joined by Clifford and other members of the household, she tries to identify the body, solve the murder, and convince the authorities that it even took place.

Bright writes with verve, and Lady Eleanor is an engaging herione. Previously an independent world traveler, she must negotiate the more circumscribed reality of life at the Hall. The supporting characters are cleverly drawn, as well. Will you be able to sort the evildoers from the saints? Is romance in the air for Lady Eleanor? Bright also demonstrates a growing mastery of pacing that keeps the reader guessing in this fun whodunnit. Highly recommended for cozy readers.

Thank you to Verify Bright, Bookoutre, and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

I think I’ve said this before, but I’m going to say it again … I don’t know why I’ve always avoided the ‘cosy mystery’ genre because it’s absolutely delightful!

Eleanor Swift has arrived back in England after the death of her uncle. She’s inherited his home, Henley Hall, and also the title of ‘Lady’, which she prefers not to use. She’s been an intrepid world adventurer for the last few years and is in a quandry about returning to her homeland. In fact, she returned on the first (hazardous) flight from South Africa, which included 2 crash landings!

She reaches her new home, which she actually hasn’t visited since she was a child, and has only vague recollections of, to a rather chilly reception from her uncle’s butler, Clifford, who is of indeterminate age. She feels sure he must be much older than her uncle was, but thinks it must be quite rude to go and die on one’s employer’s time, which is why he’s still around. Finding herself at a bit of a loss as to what to do with herself, she decides to go exploring, which is what she generally does best. So off she goes, despite the fact that there are stormy skies above, which she doesn’t seem to notice. She takes a companion with her. Her uncle’s adorable dog, Gladstone is desperate for an escape from the musty old mansion, and so he goes with.

Predictably, the weather quickly turns foul, and caught in a terrible storm, Ellie and Gladstone look for somewhere to shelter. She sees a light up ahead through the trees and heading towards it, seeing someone through the window, is relieved that someone is home to receive them. But just as soon as she sees this person, she witnesses them being shot! She rushes as fast as she can to the scene, but strangely, there’s no blood and no body.

She gets back to Henley House and immediately tells Clifford what she’s seen. He convinces her to call the police which she does. However, she now needs to convince them that a murder has indeed taken place. Not surprisingly, with no evidence to show, they don’t believe her. Not being one to shy away from a challenge, and thrilled that what she thought was going to be a boring life in the English countryside has now turned into somewhat of an adventure, Ellie sets out to to prove that a murder did actually take place. Not only that, but she is going to find the victim and the perpetrator, with or without the help of the local constabulary. Help comes from surprising places, and Clifford (and Gladstone) proves to be quite the impressive sidekick.

This is a rollicking read. Ellie is really quirky and so likeable. This is 1920’s rural England, and the locals don’t quite know what to make of her – she’s independent and outspoken, not shy and introverted and young English ‘roses’ are expected to be. She knows what she wants and she’s not afraid to go out and ask for it. She’s an awesome trailblazer and I can’t wait to read more about her adventures and what she’s going to get up to next!

4 stars for this lovely, refreshing read!

England, 1920. Eleanor Swift has spent the last few years travelling the world she has just arrived in England after a chaotic forty-five-day flight from South Africa. Chipstone is about the sleepiest town you could have the misfortune to meet. Lady Eleanor, as she would prefer not to be known, reluctantly returns to her uncle’s home, Henley Hall. Now Lord Henley is gone, she is the owner of the cold and musty manor, she befriends the household dog, Gladstone & heads straight out for a walk in the English countryside, even though a storm is brewing. But then, from the edge of a quarry, through the driving rain, Eleanor is shocked to see a man shot and killed in the distance. Before she can climb down to the spot, the villain is gone and the body has vanished. With no victim and the local police convinced she’s stirring up trouble, Eleanor vows to solve this affair by herself. And when her brakes are mysteriously cut, one thing seems sure: someone in this quiet country town has Lady Eleanor Swift in their murderous sights…
This is the first in a new series & I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were twists & turns, plenty of red herrings before the murderer was revealed. A well written story that held my interest all the way through. The characters had plenty of depth & were quintessentially of the period. It did take me some time to like Ellie, I felt lukewarm towards her at the start but the more I read the more I liked her. The pace was good & didn't lag. I look forward to more in the series & hope the budding romance also develops
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read