It was great to be back at Henley Hall for Christmas! This one really reminded me of an Agatha Christie novel in the best way - lots of really well fleshed out secondary characters, a few red herrings, and a really satisfying ending. Can't wait for the next Lady Eleanor mystery!

3.75 stars

Another entry in the entertaining Lady Eleanor Swift series. Ellie was a worldwide adventuress and traveler before inheriting her uncle's estate and settling down in the British countryside. She doesn't much conform to society's idea of a Lady, but she is smart and good-hearted and determined and she is easy to like. Assisted by her late uncle's servant/friend Clifford, she keeps getting embroiled in mysterious murders.

Although it would be nice to have the background from the previous books, I imagine this would be fine as a standalone. This time out, during the manor's gift luncheon and fete for the village, a cranky and much disliked resident drops dead after the footrace. A heart attack is suspected, but it turns out to be murder. There are a pool of suspects, including some of Ellie's servants, so she and Clifford conduct their usual efficient investigation.

The ensemble cast is fun, and Ellie and Clifford's exchanges are enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A light cozy book with lots of interest and intrigue. I enjoyed the book and the character were rather fun. The interaction between the butler and Lady Swift was rather pleasing and tongue in cheek, and at times poignant. The mystery was well written with lots of twists and turns - enjoyable all around

The fourth novel in this historical murder mystery series see Lady Eleanor play hostess to the entire village for Christmas, but the festivities are interrupted by yet another murder!

Trusty butler Clifford soon sees the similarities between the recent murder and that of his late friend and master. Accompanied by bulldog Gladstone, Eleanor and Clifford are soon on the case - but can they solve the crime and find the culprit before an innocent person is framed!?

#MurderintheSnow #NetGalley

Amidst The Snow A Murderer Lurks.....
The fourth endearing cosy mystery to feature Lady Eleanor Swift, reluctant amateur sleuth, and another investigation. The festive season is upon the village and upon Henley Hall and Lady Eleanor is playing indulgent hostess. However, all is not as joyful as it seems, as amidst the snow a murderer lurks. Enjoyable cosy mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters. A fitting addition to the series and an entertaining festive treat.

Such fun! As usual! It’s always a pleasure  going back to Henley Hall and meeting once again Ellie, Clifford, Master Gladstone and cia. And it’s Christmas time so, what more could you ask for?

On her first year as lady of the manor, Lady Swift is playing host to the entire village at Henley Hall for Christmas Eve celebrations but, when one of her guests ends up dead during a race, she finds herself involved once again in a murder investigation.

Ellie’s character just keeps getting better and better. She’s strong, intelligent, helpful, down to earth and with a clever sense of humor. Now she’s more mature than when we first met her but without losing an ounce of charm. Her relationship with Clifford is one of love and mutual respect and they make a formidable team, both in and out of the investigation. It was nice to see how the other members of the household had a more important role in the story and I loved the little glimpse into her uncle’s past and how it linked with the current investigation.

The murder mystery was a good one and, although I called the killer I could not guess their motives.

Lovely series with a cast of endearing characters you can’t help but love.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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!

Can I give it six stars - please? Verity Bright’s fourth Lady Eleanor Swift novel, Murder in the Snow, is pretty much perfect. I really enjoyed the first three novels, but was frustrated by Eleanor’s occasional out of character behaviour. However, in this book. I’m delighted that Eleanor consistently behaves like the highly intelligent woman she really is. (Yes, yes. I know it’s fiction and that the characters are the invention of Verity Bright, but Bright has the amazing gift of bringing the reader into that world where the characters are alive.)

It’s Lady Eleanor’s first adult Christmas at Henley Hall and she’s determined to keep it in the same manner that her late uncle did, starting with a Christmas Eve lunch for the villagers, followed by games and a fun-run. However, one of the fun-run competitors drops dead in front of her – that wasn’t part of the tradition. Eleanor and Clifford investigate and uncover many people’s secrets.

Although Chief Inspector Seldon isn’t “on stage” very much in this book, we also get a touch of romance with Ellie and Seldon acknowledging that they look forward to seeing each other. And for once, Lance doesn’t play the buffoon – as I said, pretty much perfect.

Eleanor is more mature in this book (maybe because her big three-oh is looming) and so is Verity Bright’s characterisation. Even the minor players spring to life as soon as they appear on the page. If you’re new to the series, I recommend you read the other books first as you really will enjoy this one more if you understand the back story.

#MurderintheSnow #NetGalley

The Lady Eleanor Swift books are such a delight to read, and this one is no different!

As a character, Ellie is a headstrong and intelligent lady with a witty sense of humour and mischief to top it all off. I love her approach to solving crimes, and her relationship with Clifford is endearing.

I love how the book leads you in many directions and just when you think you’ve uncovered the killer, you find that you’ve got it all wrong! The twists add the right amount of mystery to this great read.

Looking forward to more books in this entertaining series.