This book definitely had my attention by the end of Chapter 2! What a wild start to a murder mystery for Lady Swift and her entourage, a man falling through a glass roof while she was toasting her honeymoon? Say no more.
I loved the protective nature Seldon had for Eleanor, and the way he has accepted her for who she is, knowing she will never change and always be compassionate to the victims. She is also so steadfast in finding the culprit that she will put herself in danger to see justice served.
And boy was it served! I did not figure out the guilty party at all! That's when I know a mystery is well-written.
I also like the small crumbs we got about her parents.
This is definitely at the top as one of my favourites in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an ARC for my honest review.

Book twenty-two! I can’t believe it! But what a delight it is to be finally following Eleanor and her beau, Hugh on their honeymoon, and to the city of love no less. It’s been quite the journey up to this point. There has been murder, mayhem and many, many close shaves along the way. Each one of the beloved characters have faced their share of peril. As our love birds enjoy a romantic holiday, finally as man and wife, we get the sense that Eleanor may have found her happy ending. For a murder mystery, that would be no fun at all though and it isn’t long before another dead body lands literally in Lady Swift’s lap. But this one unnerves her even more than any of the previous encounters. This time she feels a connection with the victim and a strange sense of déjà vu. As always there are many obstacles to overcome as she, Clifford and now, Hugh try to unmask the killer, the biggest obstacle being that Lady Swift herself is a prime suspect. The deeper she digs the bigger the hole, and Eleanor discovers she is more involved in the dead man’s past that she anticipated. Past memories begin to surface and we, and Eleanor, learn a little more about her past and the link with her parents.

Really enjoyed this instalment in the series, it’s always a joy to be in Eleanor’s company and it was extra special visiting 1920s Paris. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Newlyweds Lady Swift and Detective Hugh Seldon are honeymooning in the most romantic city on earth. Clifford, her butler, has come along for the trip to make sure everything goes to plan for the happy couple. And Gladstone, the mischievous bulldog, to make sure it doesn’t! However the happy couple are shocked when, just as they are toasting their new marriage at the best table in their hotel’s opulent restaurant, a man tumbles through the glass roof. Before he dies, he presses a striking pearl brooch into Eleanor’s hands. She has the strangest feeling of déjà vu. All too quickly, the local police arrive and immediately accuse the new Mr and Mrs of working with the victim – a thief who’d just robbed a nearby museum.
The twenty second outing for Ellie & another engrossing murder mystery. I’ve loved how Ellie & Hugh’s relationship has changed & deepened throughout the series & I love that they are so happy together. This was an intriguing case with plenty of suspects who all have something to hide. A very well written cosy mystery, the characters are well portrayed & some I liked & some I didn’t. There were also twists, turns & surprises. And Ellie has added colours other than green to her wardrobe! I thoroughly enjoyed it & highly recommend it
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

DCI Seldon has arranged to take his new wife, (Lady) Eleanor Swift, all-knowing butler, Clifford, and comic relief in the form of her bulldog Master Gladstone, to a fine hotel in Paris for their honeymoon. Even though few of their party speak more than the tiniest bit of French. In the midst of a magnificent dinner a man falls through the glass ceiling and dies in Verity's arms. And it only gets more convoluted from then on!
Another excellent mystery with a very detailed investigation, amazing plot twists (and a lot of laughs, too!). Fascinating addition to this delightful series. Wish it wasn't ending due to the unforeseen pain and sadness of the authors.
I requested and received a temporary digital e-galley of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ***** #Review @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @the.storygraph
#DeathataParisHotel by @BrightVerity #LadyEleanorSwiftMysteriesBk22 @Bookouture #NetGalley
#situationalhumor #witty #mischievouspets #cozymystery @barnesandnoble @booksamillion @bookshop_org @bookshop_org_uk #cozymystery #family #localcops #foodfest

Lady Eleanor Swift embarks on a new chapter of her life as a married woman. On her honeymoon with her new husband, Hugh, she eagerly anticipates the time they will spend together. This is particularly a blessing for Ellie, as Hugh narrowly escaped a poisoning attempt just two days before their wedding. Thanks to good planning by Hugh, they are accompanied by Ellie’s ever-reliable butler, Clifford, and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone. This is an unexpected surprise to Ellie and she realizes that Hugh knows how special they are to her.

However, their honeymoon takes an unexpected turn when a man falls through a ceiling, literally landing in Ellie’s lap and dies, but not before pressing a valuable object in her hand. When Ellie realizes this, she can sense the value of what turns out to be a silver brooch. Despite Hugh’s status as a senior detective back home, he lacks the authority to act in Paris. Nevertheless, Ellie keeps the information of the pearl brooch secret, determined to solve the murder herself. She is willing to leverage Hugh’s prominence to aid her in her quest.

With a long list of suspects, Ellie and Hugh find themselves entangled in a game of cat and mouse to uncover the truth behind the murder. As they delve deeper into the investigation, clues begin to pile up, as well as both Ellie and Hugh find themselves becoming suspects themselves. Now, they must work doubly hard to clear their names, as the stakes are higher than ever.

Verity Swift’s captivating series enchants readers with its fresh and intriguing plots. Ellie, Hugh, and the ever-clever Clifford form an unstoppable trio when it comes to solving crimes, no matter how perilous the danger. The Paris setting, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower in its early stages, and Hugh’s humorous attempts at French communication, all work together to make this book quite an engaging read.

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

Book Review: Death at a Paris Hotel by Verity Bright

Rating: 5-Star s

I just finished Death at a Paris Hotel, and honestly, it was such a treat! This latest installment in the series takes us on a romantic and suspenseful honeymoon adventure with Lady Eleanor Swift and her new husband, Detective Hugh Seldon. Picture this: champagne breakfasts, scenic strolls along the Eiffel Tower, and then—bam—a mysterious man crashes through the glass roof of their fancy hotel restaurant right as they’re celebrating. Before dying, he presses a unique pearl brooch into Eleanor’s hand, kicking off what quickly becomes their most dangerous case yet.

From there, Eleanor and Hugh find themselves wrongly accused of being linked to the victim, who turns out to be a museum thief. Together, they race against time through iconic Parisian spots—from lively cabarets to the very top of the Eiffel Tower—following clues tied to a tragic love affair. The tension ramps up with a shadowy figure in black tailing them at every turn. It’s a perfect mix of romance, mystery, and that irresistible Parisian charm.

One thing I loved about this book (besides the captivating story) was how beautifully the Paris setting was woven into the narrative. The historical tidbits felt natural and added a lovely layer of depth without ever slowing down the pace. Also, seeing Hugh and Eleanor finally married, sharing their honeymoon with their loyal butler Clifford (and their cheeky bulldog Gladstone!), made their relationships feel so warm and real. There’s something genuinely delightful about how these characters interact—they feel like old friends you want to root for.

On a more personal note, learning about the real-life loss of Laura, half of this husband-and-wife writing partnership, truly saddened me. My heart goes out to her husband during this difficult time.

All in all, Death at a Paris Hotel is an exceptional read that continues to raise the bar for this series. If you love cozy mysteries with a dash of romance set against stunning historical backdrops, this one’s definitely for you!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Lady Swift is unstoppable in her determination to solve the murder of the man who falls onto her romantic first dinner in Paris. Without revealing too much of the story, Ellie, Hugh, and Clifford find themselves in a wide variety of locales in and around Paris while trying to stay ahead of a murderer and solve the unjustified death of an artist.

Layer upon layer of mystery is found in Death at a Paris Hotel and eventually all the threads are connected into a beautifully tragic masterpiece.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

On their Parisian honeymoon, newlyweds Eleanor and Hugh become entangled in a murder investigation involving a stolen brooch and a mysterious man in black, forcing them to race against time to clear their names and solve the case.

This clever and emotional mystery kept me guessing until the end. The Parisian setting added to the intriguing atmosphere of the story. The book can be read as a standalone.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

An excellent addition to this hugely successful cozy crime series sees the honeymoon of Lady Swift and her police detective husband in Paris, along with her trusted butler and bulldog. As is the case with Lady Swift there is murder afoot and soon the party are deeply involved with solving the crime, while putting themselves in danger.

Fabulous characters and a plot who CJ builds to a great ending, gently teasing the reader into the next highly awaited episode.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Eleanor Swift and the handsome Hugh Seldon have finally made it to Paris, the city of romance for their honeymoon. Ellie is still wondering at being married and enjoying endless time with Hugh, a real luxury as he was always time strapped in his role with Scotland Yard.
Clifford has accompanied them in the role of Secretary to ensure all goes well and look after Gladstone, who had to come along.
They are raising their glasses for a toast in the luxuriously appointed dining room of the Hotel. Ellie looks up to marvel at the ornately stunning class cupola ceiling and wonders at the shadows she sees. Only moments later a man crashes thought the roof and lands on their table. He hands something to her seconds before he dies.
Who is he and what was he doing on the roof become the central questions both Ellie and Hugh ask each other as the Hotel appear to be lax at setting a proper train of action in place, and in the general confusion Ellie is the one held responsible for the ‘murder’. Interestingly Ellie believes the man looks familiar but has no idea why.
Despite their desire to not become involved in the case, because they are on their much-awaited honeymoon, they are reluctantly drawn into the investigation to the point where their lives are in danger and old history becomes the focal point to a series of terrible crimes.
Once again, the team of Verity Bright bring a well-planned and plotted murder mystery to life under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower as Ellie and Hugh along with Clifford struggle to find answers to Death At A Paris Hotel.
Death at a Paris Hotel is book 22 in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series and another fantastically un-put-downable murder mystery, Parisian style.
Vale Laura Tong.

Death at a Paris Hotel was a pleasant read for me. I wasn’t sure if these books were meant to be read in order, or if they could be read as a stand alone. I will say that you could read them out of order or as a stand alone, but I felt I was definitely missing key parts of the story by doing so.
Some of the prose felt a little bit off to me, specifically the dialogue, but it was only something I took note of here and there.
The mystery aspect ties in nicely to the historical setting in the story, and the exploration of Paris felt natural to the story.
I enjoyed the characters, particularly Eleanor, which made it easy to root for her throughout the story.
Overall a very cozy and capturing read!

Having a murder fall into their lap isn't exactly how newly-weds Lady Eleanor Swift and Det. Hugh Seldon planned to start celebrating their honeymoon in romantic Paris. Good thing they brought butler Clifford, not to mention Gladstone their feisty bulldog along. This one is going to need all the help and input they can get, especially since they aren't fluent in French. Long time readers won't be surprised to learn which of them is best, of course. Of course, that doesn't keep them from being arrested and, again no surprise, I'm sure, Eleanor finding herself in danger once again.

Nope, not telling you the plot. It's in the official publisher blurb. What I will say is that it was a real delight to get to see Paris through their eyes. We even get a trip to not just the top of the Eiffel Towel but a peek at the apartment its creator, Gustav Eiffel, made for himself. I'd read about that before, so nice to see it used as one of the settings. Make sure you read the historical notes at the end. t was great to see the easy relationship that has developed between Clifford and Hugh, too, especially recalling the tension in the early relationship between Eleanor and Clifford. As always, Clifford seems to see all and know what is needed before it's needed. While the murder is the focus, it doesn't stop Eleanor and Hugh from enjoying the romance of Paris, either, including romantic river cruising and what I'll obliquely call a remembrance gift. And, hey, this is Paris so art is prominently mentioned and we get a bit of an education on the then not prominent Impressionistic art and artists' lives. Eleanor isn't sure why she feels such a connect with the victim, an artist, so that's a fun question for you to ponder over and beyond the usual whodunit.

Bottom line, an excellent addition to this series. Book #22, in fact, for the Verity Bright husband-wife writing team. The characters are well-rounded, with both lovable and maybe not so lovably traits at times.... Eleanor's inability to let go of a case even on her honeymoon, for instance .... but those traits are what make them seem like genuine humans we might know and consider friends. The Paris setting, of course, was a delight, not to mention it's set in the past, the early days of the Eiffel Tower. Trust me, taking that elevator up to the top might not have happened had I been Eleanor. The mystery is full of twists and turns which, coupled with being off their own British turf, added to the fun of following them along the way. Thanks #Bookouture for allowing me this virtual trip and an early peek at the possibilities to come. "The Three Musketeers" was an apt reading choice for Clifford for this trip to France.

I have been enjoying the Lady Eleanor Swift series since the very beginning, and Death at a Paris Hotel is no exception.

This time around, Eleanor, Hugh, Clifford, and Gladstone are in Paris celebrating. Naturally, people start dying, and our favourite characters start investigating!

I really enjoyed the setting. The different areas of the city, and the Chateau, all had their different atmospheres. It was fun exploring so many places through the characters eyes.

The mystery was most, well mysterious! It’s hard to say very much without any spoilers, but every time I thought I might have some idea what was going on, they found out something else that threw a new light on things.

As always, it was a joy to spend time with some of my favourite characters. I missed the ladies and Tomkins, of course, but I very much enjoyed spending lots of time with Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford. And seeing them starting to function even better as a team. It was also fun to see Hugh *not* being a policeman!

Overall, this was an excellent mystery, and will certainly keep you entertained. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Lady Eleanor and her new husband Detective Hugh Seldon are honeymooning in Paris. Luckily they have taken Clifford, their butler, with them as he soon becomes vital to helping them solve the case when a man dies in a rather scary way in the hotel restaurant. There follows a twisty, tricky mystery as our three sleuths work to solve the crime. Four really as Gladstone, the bulldog is there as well.

I really enjoyed this story. Eleanor, Hugh and Clifford have all evolved hugely over the period of this series and I cannot help but enjoy the jokey, but very caring relationships between them all. I also loved the Paris setting and the many historical facts which just slipped in naturally into the tale.

I have enjoyed every book in this series but give this one full marks for being the best of them all.

An excellent adventure for Ellie, her love, Clifford and Gladstone. It's very twisty and the most fraught adventure yet. My subconscious actually put it together but there was so much going on, I forgot about my earlier thought and couldn't put the book down.

Paris of the 1920s plays a huge role in the story, almost a major character. Can you imagine a time when the Impressionist painters were not well known and their art was only just beginning to sell for a lot of money? Can you imagine when the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world and when elevators were so new, just taking one up the tower was scary enough without thinking about how high up you were. The rooftop party was interesting and really helped created the 1920s setting. I can't imagine NOT going to Paris and geeking out in Montmatre! the windmill! I love Impressionist art and I loved seeing the familiar scenes from the paintings come to life with the characters. Ellie is not an art connoisseur and even Clifford seems to be unfamiliar with the Impressionists. I want to jump into the book and hang out with Ellie and show her all of my favorite paintings and tell her about the artists. I'm not a fan of post-Impressionism as much and that's what she's seeing in this adventure but I'd still recognize a famous painting if I saw one. It was fun to time travel and see everything fresh and new. If you don't know much about French art of the early 20th-century, this book has just enough information to send readers looking for pictures but not too much to be boring.

Watching the development of these characters has been wonderful. Ellie arrived with a chip on her shoulder, ready to sell Henley Hall, convinced Clifford was trying to kill her and now look at her! She banters with Clifford like the brother she never had and he adores her. Even if he acts like a devoted servant, they're family. Ellie took awhile to figure out what she wanted and how she wanted to live her life and now she's self-assured and mature. Hugh arrived on the scene grumpy and tried to arrest Ellie. Now they're madly in love and he's so very sweet! Who knew Hugh was a romantic? Ellie does have some trepidations about marriage after her first ended in a spectacular failure but doesn't dwell on it too long. She knows that wasn't her fault and she knows in her heart Hugh loves her and won't let her down and she loves him and would never hurt him. They are the real deal - happily ever after! And Hugh inviting Clifford on the honeymoon signifies Hugh's awareness of how important Ellie's found family is to her. It's too bad she didn't get to reconcile with her uncle but I think somehow he knows how much she loves him. Ellie's endless compassion and empathy make her one of the most appealing cozy mystery sleuths I've ever read.

This is the most hair-raising adventure yet and I hope the rest of the trip is uneventful!

Lady Eleanor Swift and her new husband, Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon of Scotland Yard, have arrived in Paris to begin their honeymoon, a delightful surprise for Eleanor. With them is of course, Clifford, and Gladstone, the madcap bulldog. Dining at the luxurious restaurant, which was part of the hotel, on the night of their arrival, their meal had barely begun when a man crashed through the skylight and landed on the table in front of Eleanor, Hugh and Clifford, spraying glass everywhere. As Eleanor did her best for the poor man, including taking an item he pressed into her hand before he died, she vowed to discover what had happened to him. And so their relaxing, romantic honeymoon was disrupted completely, as they raced to clear their names, and find a killer before they murdered again. Why does this always happen to Ellie?

Death at a Paris Hotel is the 22nd in the Lady Eleanor Swift series by husband and wife team, Verity Bright and once again it's an exceptional read. Learning in the last few days that the wife of the partnership, Laura, had recently passed away saddened me, and I send deepest sympathies to her husband, Mark. I really enjoy Eleanor's character; tenacious, stubborn, determined and compassionate are a few words to describe her. Then there's Clifford who is stoic and strong, but often makes me laugh. He's a real character. And now, Hugh fits in well. A great team! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

For Lady Eleanor Swift, Paris means champagne at breakfast, romantic walks by the Eiffel Tower… and her deadliest case yet! It is a well written novel, with punchy dialogue that rings true, and the descriptive writing brings the scenes to life.

Eleanor and Hugh are on their honeymoon in Paris under the watcheye eye of their butler, Clifford. What could possibly go wrong?

Murder and mayhem seems to follow Lady Swift even on her honeymoon!

Another wonderful witty read that will have to right there with the delightful characters until the end!

This cosy mystery has it all, a beautiful, atmospheric setting, plenty of peril, lots of twists and turns and romance too, as it takes place during Ellie and Hugh’s honeymoon! They, Clifford and Gladstone form the perfect team to solve a very dramatic murder. It’s impossible to tell friend from foe and the book kept me guessing until the satisfying reveal at the end. Death at a Paris Hotel is a fabulous new instalment in this tremendous series. Highly recommended!

Eleanor and Hugh (along with Clifford and Master Gladstone, of course) are off to Paris for their honeymoon. They have barely enjoyed the delights of married life when a dead body literally falls in Eleanor's lap.

Death at the Paris Hotel is book 22 of the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series. You don't have to read all the previous books to enjoy this one. Actually, if you haven't picked up this series, this book would be a great one to start with. Eleanor and Hugh are on their honeymoon in Paris, so the only regular characters that are present are those two, plus Eleanor's butler, Clifford, and bulldog Gladstone. So you won't have to figure out a lot of character relationships.

I thought this one was really fun. I love how well Hugh, Eleanor, and Clifford work together on a case. I was worried about how adding a third would affect the dynamic, but it has enhanced it. I love how Hugh has just resigned himself to going along with Eleanor's schemes.

The mystery is complex and not easily solved. There are quite a few characters in this book and as we don't know any of them, we can't rule out anyone. Of course, they are all hiding something, which makes them all very suspicious.

I think this might be my favorite book of the series, and I'm so looking forward to more of Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford solving crimes.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2025/06/death-at-paris-hotel-by-verity-bright.html