Product Description

Upper Edmonton Gardens looks forward to a jolly Christmas, until one humbug sings of murder-in Mrs. Jeffries's 26th mystery.

'Tis the week before Christmas, and all through the house, every creature is stirring...

But just as Inspector Witherspoon's staff prepares for the long-awaited wedding of Betsy and Smythe, a Yuletide murder falls in the Inspector's lap.

A middle-aged spinster has been killed in what her murderer hoped would look like a random crime. But the Inspector's investigation reveals a web of lies, intrigue, and long-buried secrets. With uncooperative witnesses, sulking relatives, and a second Christmas wedding, a simple investigation seems unlikely. And the household will have to put aside its holiday spirit to save the Inspector's reputation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10730 in Books
• Published on: 2009-11-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780425230466
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
Emily Brightwell is the author of 26 Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries books.

Customer Reviews

incredible balancing act

The holidays are upon the residents of Victorian London, which means that the wedding date of Coachman Smythe and Betsy the Cook is getting close. The pair live in the home of Inspector Witherspoon of the Metropolitan Police Department where they work and assist along with the rest of the staff their employer solve crime cases. Witherspoon is ignorant that his household employees led by Mrs. Jeffries are the reason his detecting record is at 100% solved as they serendipitously work cases by finding the clues but allow their beloved Inspector to get the credit.

The staff prays no murder cases until after the wedding, but their prayers go unanswered when a woman is knifed to death in front of the Evans' home where an engagement party is going on. The daughter of the house Rosemary Evans identifies the victim as her old governess, but neither she nor anyone else knows why she was there. Mrs. Jeffries and the crew understand that they need to expedite this case so it does not interfere with the wedding since Witherspoon is giving the bride away.

The police and the staff separately investigate the homicide and believe they know who the killer is but lack proof. When information comes to light in spite of a lack of cooperation, the housekeeper and her amateur sleuths know they must act quickly to prevent a second murder from occurring even as a second wedding will occur.

It is fun watching Betsy and Smythe work on the crime, prepare for their wedding, and host her sister and brother-in-law as they do an incredible balancing act. Readers, Mrs. J, and the Inspector will be blindsided by who the killer is in this delightful cerebral historical cozy. As always with this terrific series, Emily Brightwell provides her fans with a bright well-written Victorian.

Harriet Klausner

Love Emily Brightwell's Latest Mrs. Jeffries Mystery - YULETIDE WEDDINGS!
There isn't much I can say except she has done it again! I own and have read every single book in the Mrs. Jeffries series, by Emily Brightwell. I enjoy the light, cozy, victorian murder mysteries. Keep up the wonderful writing! My only wish is that there were more of these entertaining books written each year, it's hard waiting between publications.

A Must Yuletide Read
Although this is the 26th Inspector Witherspoon and Mrs. Jeffries book by author Emily Brightwell, it is my first. Set in Victorian times, the author stays true to the era providing a setting that is cloaked in fog, horse-drawn carriages, and mansions that hold many secrets.

Just as two prominent members of Inspector Witherspoon's household prepare to marry, a middle-aged spinster is stabbed to death outside a mansion during a late afternoon tea party. Although Mrs. Jeffries and her staff are in the final preparations for the wedding as well as getting ready for Christmas just days away, they also welcome the opportunity to delve into the mystery.

Mrs. Jeffries and the Yuletide Weddings proves to be a combination of mystery to be solved and family relationships to untangle and understand.

As Smythe and Betsy prepare for their wedding, after postponing the wedding twice, they are determined this time it will go on as planned. Unfortunately, Betsy must also deal with her sister who has traveled from Canada for the nuptials. Adding to Betsy's stress are the apparent secrets Smyth is keeping from her.

In the meantime, the Witherspoon household pulls together, works to eek out the secrets of the case, and hopefully solves the case prior to the wedding. The question is, will they make it to the church on time?