Aaaaaahhh, they did it again!!!!!! Verity Bright's latest cozy mystery "Mystery by the Sea" is book 5 in the series and--just like the other books in the series--didn't disappoint! I had a blast being a little fly on the wall watching Lady Eleanor and her loyal butler Clifford solve another mystery. This time, the case hits closer to home than Lady Eleanor had expected. The murder victim is her own husband who she thought was dead. Well, now he is for sure...but for the last six years, he had been very much alive. A witty, fierce, yet charming Lady E combined with a wonderful portrayal of 1920s Brighton made this a super fun read. Escapism at its finest!!! Lady E is definitely a younger version of Miss Marple. So, if you like Agatha Christie, I am willing to bet everything I have that you will like this series! To me, it feels like butler Clifford is to Lady E what Dr. Watson is to Sherlock Holmes. He is so charmingly British and just as loyal to Eleanor as Dr. Watson is to Sherlock. The only thing I was missing a bit in this book was the sweet relationship Lady E has with Detective Seldon. He did appear in this book, but was more of a supporting character. I love their dynamic and I was sad that I didn't get to read more dialogue between the two. However, Clifford was definitely a wonderful sidekick in book 5. I can't wait to see what other adventures these two will go on.
There is one thing that really made me swoon...Lady E is not only a lady who defies convention at home in England, she is also a well-traveled archaeologist. Since I'm someone who always wanted to be one and who eats up every documentary about archeology and mummification and being a little rebel myself, Lady E is a girl after my own heart. Now on to your next adventure, Lady E...we need you to solve a lot more cases!

“An utterly addictive English cozy mystery”

If, like myself, you are a firmly entrenched Agatha Christie fan, then this series, rather than seeking to emulate the work of that great lady, fits nicely as a testament and homage to her writing flair and storytelling style. Move over Poirot & Hastings, Tommy & Tuppence, you have company in the wonderful characters and amateur sleuths who are, Lady Swift & Clifford. This book, whilst #5 in the series, works great as a stand alone story, but Oh! how I so wish I had been in on this series from the very beginning. Not to worry though, as I fully intend to make time in my schedule to go back and catch up with all the other ‘Golden Age’ mysteries this intrepid pair have solved, in the short space of time they have been acquainted.

The first chapter set the scene really well, filled in any gaps in the backstory and had me addicted and raring to go, long before the unfolding storyline had even fully kicked in. Then the pages just couldn’t turn themselves fast enough, as I, rather like Lady Swift’s effervescent maid Polly, found myself swept along by the tide of events, towards an ending which was wholesomely complete, personally satisfying and with my batteries recharged ready for my next adventure with this fun-loving, crime-busting, team of cohorts.

This deliciously decadent, multi-layered, traditional mystery, is well researched in respect of timeframe, location and storyline, the latter being well constructed and rich in atmosphere, immediately putting me totally at ease and always at the centre of the action. Authentically written with total and effortless authority and confidence, along with a good dollop of heart and humour, the compelling and entertaining storyline, is rich in detail, fluid and fast paced. However, it transpires that this case is going to be very different and so much more challenging and difficult than any which has gone before. As the investigation unfolds, it has a highly charged, extremely personal and emotionally draining impact on Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift, which is treated with the author’s touching and heartfelt compassion, as our amateur sleuth strives to keep her feelings under control and professionally focus on the job in hand, no matter how painful certain aspects of it might be for her.

Eleanor is definitely ahead of her time and forward thinking about how she perceives her inherited wealth and position, and that rather unconstrained joy of life and freedom to flourish, is extended to her small team of staff, who are all treated to a holiday by the sea, as a token of the esteem in which she holds their loyalty and devotion. Murder, intrigue and danger have a habit of following Eleanor around however and not all of it is glamorous or well behaved, so were it not for the careful, almost fatherly ministrations of her devoted butler, loyal companion and crime busting partner, Clifford, who is afforded extra discretionary privileges over the rest of the staff, she might easily find herself in many more difficult and bothersome situations than she does now!

The seaside splendour of period Brighton, the fashion and glamour of its patrons, and the glitz and pomp of the hotels and eateries, are all beautifully and artfully described in lush detail. The visually descriptive narrative, is seamlessly and effortlessly woven together with some astutely observational and often quite sharply witty dialogue, as Eleanor breaks completely with tradition and the mores of the time and personally ensures that her loyal staff have the good time they deserve, so long as she gets to join in with most of it! Similarly, we are also privy to one or two snapshots of Ellie’s past life in the contrastingly harsh, dog-eat-dog atmosphere of a 1920s South Africa, although even Ellie is shocked by the lengths her ex-husband was prepared to go to in search of fame and fortune. I also had to smile at the many short figuratively speaking ‘speech bubbles’ inserted into the narrative, as Ellie is prone to discussing ideas with herself, as she works a problem, it was a very endearing quality.

The new man in Eleanor’s life, who by luck just happens to be a Detective, is fast becoming used to having his authority challenged by this red-headed firecracker, who finds murder and mystery almost everywhere she goes and is always determined in her mission to unmask the criminals at all costs, with or without his help. Is he about to declare his intentions towards Ellie, and has he made a terrible error of judgement in his timing, or will she allow her self-sufficient, independent exterior to show its slightly vulnerable side, despite the blow this case has just dealt her, which has left her slightly reeling and all at sea!

As with all good mysteries, the ‘bad guys’ are instantly recognisable for what they are, with their reprehensibility speaking for itself and needing no further introduction. The red herrings are liberally spread and had everyone, myself included, slipping and sliding all over the place, as suspect lists are written and re-written, with each unfolding snippet of new information. The undoubted stars of the show, Eleanor and her team, were all in all, an exceptional cast of well drawn and perfectly developed characters, totally engaging and relatable, easy to connect with and invest in, with some excellent dynamics and synergy between them. They look out for one another without thought, regardless of individual ‘position’ in the hierarchy, with any problems and vulnerabilities being sympathetically treated and dealt with as a team. Clifford deserves particular mention for his innate ability to assess a situation and plan ahead as to what might be required from him at a moments notice and at any given point in time. I do believe he has rather given up trying to get Eleanor to behave like the ‘Lady of the Manor’ and is now operating in damage limitation mode, to ensure that his hitherto high standards don’t slip too far!

Eleanor and Clifford do have a third partner in their little crime busting operation, although he has four legs, would rather be led in his bed unless enticed out of it with the offer of a sausage or two, and doesn’t really bother much with the chase. Gladstone is a rule unto himself, as I’ll let you discover!

Lady Eleanor Swift takes her loyal family retainers: Clifford, the butler; Mrs. Butters, the housekeeper; Mrs. Trotman, the cook; young Polly, the maid; and, of course, Gladstone, the bulldog, to Brighton. A holiday by the sea is just what they all need to recover from the harrowing events that marred Eleanor's first Christmas as lady of the manor.

Eleanor is excited by her first ever holiday to the English seaside, but when she and Clifford arrive at the Grand Hotel they find it unusually quiet due to the presence of the police investigating a murder. Her excitement turns to shock when she discovers that the victim is her husband, who died six years ago.

Eleanor and Clifford once again join forces to catch a murderer. Their task is not easy for there are a number of suspects and the only clue is a cryptic message on the back of Eleanor's wedding photograph. So as not to spoil their holiday, they keep what they are doing a secret from Mrs. Butters, Mrs. Trotman and Polly.

Mystery by the Sea is another charming instalment of this highly entertaining series filled with a host of quirky, but very lovable characters. Eleanor and Clifford are in fine form with their witty banter. Mrs. Butters, Mrs. Trotman and Polly are delightful behaving as giggly and unruly schoolgirls as they enjoy the holiday treats that Brighton has to offer. There are even some amusing moments when Clifford relaxes his strong sense of propriety and shows he also as a sense of fun. And Gladstone, too, gets into plenty of mischief.

DCI Hugh Sheldon puts in an appearance, both professionally and romantically, which augurs well for his continuing relationship with Eleanor.

The mystery element kept me guessing. While I followed and enjoyed Eleanor and Clifford's
analysis of the information they gathered, the identity of the murderer eluded me and was a total surprise when revealed.

I'm definitely a fan of this series and eagerly await book six.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I love this series abut for some reason I just couldn't get into this book. I normally read these books in 2 days but this time it dragged over 2 weeks. There was nothing that kept me gripped. I really hope the next book gets me interested again.

If you enjoy brilliant mysteries, set in the 1920s, grab yourself a copy of any of the books in this fantastic series - I've loved escaping into all that I've read, including this one which is a gem of a book in more ways than one!

Eleanor Swift was an intrepid adventurer, an explorer and archaeologist before inheriting a title and home from her Uncle, now she's endeavouring to learn to be Lady Eleanor Swift - with the support of the team who ran her Uncle's household and are now more like family to her, too. She's taking them all on holiday to Brighton, along with Gladstone the mischievous dog, to help celebrate her thirtieth birthday. She's hoping there won't be any mysterious goings on this time, and never imagined she'd be involved in solving yet another murder mystery!

This is an enthralling page turner, with Clifford, the butler, proving to be a great protector and sounding board as the two are shocked to discover that the person who has been murdered is Eleanor's husband - who she thought had been shot and killed six years ago in South Africa! With all the suspects staying in the same hotel, there are plenty of clues but just who is lying - and why? Where has her husband been and what happened to him? So many mysteries to be investigated but there's also danger, too. Get ready for another great read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries with great characters and even a potential romance!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

Once again we are with Lady Eleanor Swift and Clifford as they end up unexpectedly involved in investigating a murder, though this one is a bit more personal than usual for Eleanor.

This book, however, has a change of scene because everyone has gone on holiday to Brighton so this adds a layer of the unknown to everything, with a new detective and people who don’t know and/or don’t trust Eleanor. Equally Eleanor and Clifford have to deal with societal rules that make them sitting down for a drink or a meal to discuss the case just that little bit trickier than it is at home.

I really enjoyed this book as much as the others in the series, but I also feel it really benefited from the freedom that the change of scene gave it. It was good to see a different side to the characters and Brighton being a relatively unknown place to them meant we were able to explore that as well which gave an extra layer to the story as we get the sea air, essential fish and chips and other seaside related things popping up in the story.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous books in the series you’ll enjoy this one too. If you’re new to the series but wanting a cosy mystery with fabulous characters then this is a great choice. There’s also enough background in each book that they can be read as a stand alone.

Mystery by the Sea is the 5th instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s. Amateur sleuth Lady Eleanor is off on holiday, her first real break for over a year. Her travels will take her to Brighton where she will spend time on the coast with maybe a dip in the sea and sampling the fish and chips. She will make the journey to the Grand Hotel with Clifford, her butler, and her elderly bulldog Gladstone on their first day, with the others - housekeeper Mrs Butters, cook Mrs Trotman and her faithful maid Polly - arriving on the second day, staying at a guest house around the corner. When a guest is found dead at the prestigious Grand the manager asks Ellie to investigate, and she is stunned when she discovers the victim's identity.

Mystery by the Sea had me so engrossed from the first chapter until the final page. It was a treat that saw me very much immersed in the delights of Brighton in 1921, and I really enjoyed all the historical detail and description Verity Bright provided as a backdrop to the plot and storyline. The author's portrayal of Ellie delights me with every book and I love that Ellie's strong-willed, down-to-earth, intelligent, and possesses a great sense of humour. Her relationship with Clifford really complements the story and they make a formidable team. The mystery itself was pretty good and the perpetrator and motive were kept under wraps until close to the end, aided by the clever twists, turns and red herrings. Mystery by the Sea was a comfortably-paced, compulsive and charming historical crime novel and once again, Verity Bright's highly addictive storytelling really worked for me. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and I highly recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler and partner in crime-solving, Clifford, and the Henley Hall staff are headed to Brighton to enjoy her 30th birthday celebration along with a much deserved holiday. Upon arrival at the Grand Hotel where Eleanor is meant to stay, they find the police carrying out a dead body on a stretcher. When the coverlet falls away, Lady Eleanor is shocked to see the face of her dead husband! The first incongruity is that Hilary Montgomery Eden died 6 years ago after abandoning Ellie shortly after their whirlwind courtship and wedding. The second mystery is to find out who murdered him. With the Grand almost deserted in the off season, Eleanor and Clifford know that the killer must be among the staff and guests of the beautiful seaside hotel. While the ladies on staff enjoy their vacation entertainment, Eleanor and Clifford start their investigation. Eleanor has unresolved issues surrounding her relationship with Hilary and she wants to find those answers along with the homicide. NO SPOILERS.

How I love these characters and am always happy to return to their stories having read this series from the beginning. I love the interaction that Eleanor has with Clifford and her staff as well as her personality and determination. The setting is Brighton, 1921, and I really enjoy all the historical detail and description the author provides as a backdrop to the plot and story line. The narrative provides plenty of red herrings for suspects and the revelations were quite surprising at the end. This kept me guessing and was great entertainment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I can't wait for the next installment.

Brighton, March 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift is off on her first holiday since arriving back in England a year ago. The explorer extraordinaire and accidental sleuth is looking forward to some down time after the unexpected misadventures of recent months. But, before she’s even booked into her hotel, she is confronted by a dead body and yet another mystery waiting to be solved. The body belongs to Hilary, her husband who supposedly died six years ago. Can Eleanor decipher the few clues left behind to discover how he died twice and catch his killer?

Mystery by the Sea is a fun frolic that was like being in a time capsule; the author taking you back to a time when a trip to the English seaside meant striped deck chairs, donkey rides and a Punch and Judy show alongside the sea breeze, sandcastles and fish and chips. She brings it all to life so vividly that I felt like I was there walking along the breezy promenade, paddling in the sea and chasing a killer alongside the characters.

It is the fifth installment in the Lady Eleanor series but despite this it is easy to read as a standalone. I can vouch for that as it was my first time reading this series. Despite being an established series I never felt lost, quickly caught up on past events and soon felt like the characters and their relationships were familiar.

Lady Eleanor is a dazzling heroine who I absolutely loved. Outgoing, vibrant, daring and fiercely intelligent, she is a breath of fresh air and was a joy to read. She and her butler, Clifford, make a compelling and entertaining duo who I could happily read again and again. I loved their witty banter and how their differences complement each other. Eleanor may dazzle alone, but she is even more glorious with him. The background characters are just as richly drawn; the female staff may not feature as heavily in the story but make a memorable impression and I can’t wait to see more of her blossoming relationship with DCI Hugh Seldon.

This book was just the tonic I needed on a difficult day. Lively, charming, sharp and authentic, this glorious whodunnit lifted my spirits and left me yearning for more. I didn’t need yet another series to add to my already bulging list, but I found one. And I can’t wait to enjoy more of Lady Eleanor’s exploits.

I really enjoyed Murder in the Snow so was looking forward to the latest Lady Eleanor Swift mystery. I don’t often read cosy mystery’s but found Murder in the Snow to be superior to other’s I’ve read so I had high hopes for Mystery by the Sea. I really enjoyed this book. I got to know Lady Eleanor Swift a lot better. The mystery this time around touches very close to home as the murder victim is her husband who she’d been lead to believe died six years ago. Why did someone kill Hillary? Why did someone lead her to believe he was already dead? Why was Hillary in Brighton? Who killed him and why? I enjoyed Lady Eleanor Swift and Gladstone’s investigation and the way the case unfolds. I will read the rest of the series at some point.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Mystery by the Sea’ by Verity Bright in exchange for an honest review.

This is the fifth in the Lady Eleanor Swift series of historical cosy mysteries set in England in the early 1920s. As always, it proved great fun from start to finish. I just adore this series

As I began reading on publication day, I treated myself to its audiobook edition, again narrated by Karen Cass.

It’s March, 1921 and Lady Eleanor Swift hasn’t had a holiday since she arrived in England a year ago and inherited her uncle’s estate. As she’s about to celebrate her 30th birthday, she’s off to the seaside for a week of relaxation. Yet Lady Eleanor is not going on her own as Clifford, her late uncle’s butler, and Gladstone, her uncle’s elderly bulldog will be joining her at the posh Grand Hotel.

Being a generous employer, Lady Eleanor has also invited her staff to come along too. So Polly, her lady’s maid, Mrs. Butters, the housekeeper, and Mrs. Trotman, the cook, are enjoying themselves and also provide light relief causing the very proper Clifford some embarrassing moments.

Of course, no amateur sleuth can go on holiday without a mystery to solve. So when a hotel guest is murdered, Lady Eleanor naturally becomes involved even though the local detective in charge is not receptive to her assistance. I suggest that this will be best enjoyed without too many advance details in order to avoid spoilers.

I certainly felt that this was a cracking case for Lady Eleanor, with Clifford giving his usual stoic assistance. ‘Mystery by the Sea’ also provided more details of Eleanor’s past, including where she was in 1914 when the Great War broke out and her activities during it.

This is a series that has continued to impress me and that I am always enthusiastic about recommending to lovers of historic cosy mysteries.

Oh I do enjoy this series. I was first introduced when I reviewed Murder in the Snow last year and so I returned to Lady Swift's adventures knowing I would be in safe hands. I love the easy, humour that flows throughout the novels. The characters are wonderfully engaging and the detective duo of Lady Swift and her butler and bodyguard, Clifford is simply sublime. I adore the repartee between them and the obvious love and respect that has formed during their time together at Henley hall.

This time we join them as they attempt some rest and relaxation by the sea. Brighton to be exact and having been there many times myself (and having even stayed at The Grand Hotel!), it was wonderful to visit with them and this time during the 1920s. I love that Lady Swift's household staff are as dear to her as family and that she took the lot of them along with her for a holiday. Of course the book requires a murder mystery and so the holiday couldn't really be all paddling in the sea and fish and chips and the authors certainly didn't keep us waiting for long - Lady Swift's welcome to The Grand Hotel was certainly NOT what she expected.

Although a 'cosy crime' novel this certainly had me going back and forth as to who out of the suspects could have been the murderer. The plot is well thought out and carries the story along beautifully. It was a delight to read. Gentle, fun and with a few good twists and turns along the way. During these trying times this type of novel is the perfect medicine. I would thoroughly recommend reading with a large piece of cake and something scrumptious to drink! Lady Eleanor would you know.

My thanks must go to Sarah Hardy for inviting me to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a review copy via Netgalley. I very much look forward to seeing what adventures may be in store next for Lady Swift and Clifford.

Although I like this book, it's the weakest of the series to date. it takes place in Brighton where Ellie and her staff have gone on vacation. Immediately on arrival, she discovers that there has been a murder at the hotel -- and that of her husband who had been shot by a firing squad several years previously.

Why was he still alive? What was he doing in England? Who killed him? These and other questions perplex Ellie. ultimately though, the book does not hang together well.

I really enjoyed this outing of Lady Swift - you can’t beat a caper at the seaside! It was funny, surprising plot, great development of characters and plus it felt like putting on a nice warm pair of slippers - comfort at its best.

In this outing for Lady Swift she decides to go on holiday to Brighton to enjoy the sea air but also to celebrate her birthday! However, unlike most lady’s of the manor, she decides to treat all her staff to the same holiday all expenses paid. How novel and very socialist in thinking. But alas it’s not going to be all enjoyment you know there has got to be a dead body at some point in the book. When she arrives at the very proper Grand Hotel in Brighton it’s clear that something is afoot as the police are in lobby. The manager asks her to investigate but Eleanor is in for a bit surprise as it turns out the dead body is that of her husband! Her husband who died 6 years ago in South Africa and he is clutching a picture of the wedding.

The change of pace was very welcome, what I mean is it was great to learn more about Eleanor’s past and marriage. Plus the different setting of Brighton allowed for new experiences and japes! Just saying I wish there was an actual picture of Clifford - I would pay to see that. However, it was good to see a more mature and reflective side to Eleanor in this book. Plus her choice of beau in my view is the correct one and will be looking forward to seeing how that develops.

This series is now an auto read for me as I really do enjoy just sitting down with a cup of tea and finding out about the gang. Also it’s publication date today so whoop you can go read it as well!

Favorite Quotes:

One of her most treasured memories filtered into her mind. Her mother tucking her up in bed after an upsetting experience and whispering, ‘Sleep well, darling girl. All will be fine, I promise, because tomorrow doesn’t know what happened today.’

He is absolutely wonderful, genuinely. Yet at least twice a day I want to boil his head.

Widowed? Twice, as well. To lose one husband may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose the same one twice looks like carelessness.


My Review:

I have vastly enjoyed every one of the brain-teasing, curiosity prickling, and wryly-humorous tales in this delightfully entertaining series. Picking up one of these fun missives has always proven to be a refreshing change of pace. The endearing and humorously detailed characters are a delectable feast of extremes while the murder mysteries they find themselves embroiled in have been cleverly plotted, highly active, well nuanced, smartly textured, unpredictable, and have kept the little pea in my brain hopping. I adore Eleanor and her witty sidekick butler. She is a woman I would enjoy as a friend at any age and in any time period. As with all the previous books, the writing style was comfortable and flowed as smoothly as a movie reel while being true to the period and well researched. I hope the writing duo of Verity Bright continues this engaging series into perpetuity as I could never tire of them.

This is a delightful and highly entertaining book but it’s also the more complex in this series.
I love how the author wrote a more mature Eleanor. She’s always carefree and unorthodox in her relationship with the personnel but we also get to know her better and to learn something about her past.
This is a story about a holiday at the seaside but it’s also a complex mystery, full of red herrings and twists, that kept me guessing and the solution surprised me.
The author did an excellent job in using some of the Golden Age tropes like an environment with a restricted number of suspects but they were also able to balance the ligh humour with the more poignant aspects.
Clifford and Gladstone are great characters as usual but I think that all the characters are well written and most of them likable.
The mystery is solid and the investigation was an excellent puzzle that had to identify not only the culprit but also what was behind stories from Eleanor’s past.
I had a lot of fun and I think this is the best story in the series so far. A bit darker than the previous books but as enjoyable and fun as the others.
I can’t wait to read the next installment, this one Is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Mystery By the Sea is the fifth instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in March, 1921 in the sunny coastal resort of Brighton. After a long year of working countless murders around the area in which the Henley Hall estate, bequeathed to her by her uncle, is located, Lady Eleonor believes some rest and relaxation is in order but it's also to celebrate her 30th birthday in post-World War II England when people are freer to let loose. She plans a week-long holiday to Brighton with her reliable butler, Clifford, her lovable, inherited, sausage-guzzling British bulldog, Master Gladstone, and three more of her staff — housekeeper Mrs Butters, cook Mrs Trotman and trusty maid Polly. They soon arrive at the prestigious Grand Hotel where Ellie shall be staying with Clifford, with the three ladies having been given rooms at a nearby guesthouse by one of Ellie's friends. As they step into the foyer they are bemused as to why there is no one around. There are no members of staff or guests which seems unusual. Their impatience to be checked in presents itself when Clifford rings the bell on the reception desk to get the attention of an employee. Then when they witness men carry a stretcher followed by a police officer they gauge that a tragic incident must have happened here in the hotel right before their arrival. They're informed that a guest was just murdered in their suite. But when manoeuvring through the lobby and past Ellie the sheet covering the deceased's body accidentally falls to the ground revealing the victim and his injuries.

Ellie is absolutely gobsmacked at the horror-inducing sight and has no idea what she's seeing as the body is that of her husband who she believed was killed six years ago in The Great War as he had been shot for being a deserter. She rapidly passes out from the sudden shock. The elite hotel is keen to keep the news from coming out, creating a scandal and affecting their business so the manager asks Ellie if she will investigate and once she's gotten over the situation she begins to do just that. It turns out that the suspect pool is much larger than they could've ever imagined as her ex was into some seriously dodgy stuff and associated with the wrong type of people. With her much-needed holiday in seriousbjeopardy can Ellie find out the truth about what happened and still manage to have some leisure time? This is a compulsive, captivating and rich-described golden age cosy mystery and is thoroughly entertaining, humorous and full of fun from start to denouement. The perpetrator and motive are kept under wraps until close to the end and even though you frequently try to work out who did it, the twists, turns and red herrings pull the wool well and truly over your eyes and the drama, mystery, revelations and opulent, richly-detailed 1920's style was spot on. Told solely from Ellie's perspective this allows you to become immersed in the narrative easily and see the unravelling of the truth at the same time she does. The characters have become like old friends and it's always a pleasure to reconnect with them. An absorbing, evocative and perfect escapist read. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars

This is the fifth book in the A Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright.

This book was quite complex. While looking into the death of a hotel guest, Eleanor realizes it is her husband whom she thought already dead. Now he was really dead and she needs to figure out whodunit. Along with her friends from Henley Hall, Eleanor dives head first into all the action.

I really think the butler Clifford is the real standout in this book. If it were a movie, he would definitely steal the show. He has to be my favorite character here. If he were younger, I would want to pair him with Eleanor romantically.

This mystery was hard to figure out and there were plenty of suspects to consider during the course of the book. There were quite a few threads that harkened back to book one when Eleanor acquired her uncle’s estate. So having a good grasp of the backstory might be key here but it can still be read as a standalone without missing a beat.

If you like historical cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

What a delight. Lady Eleanor Swift is taking her staff, her entourage on holiday to the seaside. The plan is to kick up her heels, relax and have fun while trying to decide what comes next in her life. With her loyal butler, Clifford, her bulldog Gladstone along with her maid, cook and housekeeper in tow, they are leaving Henley Hall for Brighton. What a lark, what a delight, what a calamity when a dead body is discovered at the Grand hotel where she has a reservation. While she never plans it Murder seems to keep knocking at her door and obviously she feels compelled to try to solve the mystery.

Have you ever watched Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on PBS? This book has a faint resemblance to the goings on and the characters in that show. Both period pieces are set around 1920 one in England, one in Australia - they have a familiar vibe. Charming, clever, light and fun - I spent a pleasant few hours with Lady Swift and look forward to reading about her future with a certain Chief Inspector of the police.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoutre for a copy.

March 1921& Lady Eleanor Swift along with her staff is taking a week’s holiday in Brighton. She has booked into the Grand Hotel along with Clifford & Gladstone whilst the other three staff are booked into a nearby guesthouse. Eleanor arrives to learn that a guest has been found dead when the police walk past carrying the body the sheet falls & Ellie faints. The body is that of her husband, who supposedly died six years ago on the other side of the world. Why had he sent her their wedding photograph with a cryptic message written on the back? If Eleanor can keep herself safe long enough to find her husband’s killer, she might discover that everything is not quite as it seems beside the seaside.
This is the fifth in the series & once again it’s a well written engrossing read. Ellie is delightful, Clifford is as sanguine as ever, Gladstone manages to still get his sausages ,& the three staff have a whale of a time in Brighton. Who can Ellie & Clifford believe? There are red herrings, plenty of twists & turns in this utterly charming cosy read. I hope there’s many more
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read