I’m afraid I really struggled with this one. Yes it’s wry and dry but sometimes the narrative is so arch and pleased with itself I could barely follow what was happening. I hoped it would be a fun festive mystery but, although it had potential, I found it slow going.

Emily Seeton, aka Miss Seeton, Miss Ess, or the Battling Brolly, is the fictional heroine in a series of British cosy mystery novels written in part by Heron Carvic; then following Carvic's death, by Roy Peter Martin, writing as Hampton Charles (I guess preferring to focus more on his own "The Superintendent Otani Mysteries" under the name of James Melville); then picked by Sarah J. Mason (writing as Hamilton Crane), before branching out on her own with the “Trewley & Stone” series .

In each book, we find Miss Seeton using her skills as an art teach as she randomly draws psychologically and, perhaps, psychically informative sketches that allow Inspector Delphick of the Yard, and his assistant Bob Ranger, to solve the crime. The primary storyline is the seemingly naive and oblivious Miss Seeton finding herself in awkward situations, then managing to provide enough random clues and insights for the detectives to use to solve these mysteries.

I have read a number of titles in the series (of which there are 23 - 22 and a prequel). The character of Miss Seeton is standard cosy fare (elderly spinster involved in solving crimes); the villagers, distinctly unique (reference "The Nuts"); the crimes predominantly local with a few trips further afield; the community, typically English of the 1950s style. Whilst the first five stories were original and charming, as the series goes on, it does get a bit repetitive, and with so much crime in one sleepy village, I'm surprised Scotland Yard has opened a branch there! In the end, Miss Seeton comes across as a poor man's Miss Marple crossed with Inspector Clouseau as the final author, I feel, struggles to provide anything original with which to involve our heroine.

Review was declined. Thank you for the opportunity.

Starring Miss Seeton delivers with yet another fun adventure filled with eccentric characters. It is Christmastime, and tiny Plummergen is preparing a Christmas pantomime full of humor. The "entertainment " doesn't end there. Some Roman ruins are discovered on the Colvedon estate accidentally by Miss Seeton when she manages to detonate a bomb left from World War II while searching for holly and mistletoe. She and her battling brolly also manage to foil some bank robbers. I enjoyed spending Christmas with some of my favorite characters from the Miss Seeton series and learning about some interesting Kentish Christmas customs to boot!

As this series has progressed, I love that it has become less about the mysteries and more about village life and tradition. This novel is no exception. It takes place at Christmastime where the village pantomine of Cinderella will benefit the Organ Fund.

Since the tradition of pantomines is not done elsewhere, i loved that the explanations of how it works were clear and engaging. I also liked that near the end of the book other Kentish Christmas traditions were shown and explained. Just for that part of the plot, the book is worthwhile.

But, of course, there have to be complications and they have to have Miss Seeton in the middle of them. The first complication is that a leftover mine explodes when he umbrella happens upon it, uncovering a Roman mosaic and treasure trove on the Colvenden's land. This brings notoriety and an unwanted visitor or two to the village, one of whom is found murdered. That's mystery #1.

A string of bank robberies at gunpoint happen and Miss Seeton is at the local bank when it is robbed. Mystery #2.

The third mystery comes as a complete surprise and Miss Seeton's realization of it gives the book its title.

As always, great fun all around.

A lively mystery set in and around the Christmas pantomime in Plummergen; I had a great time with the characters and traditions of the village. As with most of Miss Seeton series, the mystery takes a back seat to the quirkiness of the village and its inhabitants and this one, to me, was great to hunker down with during the holidays. Grab a hot chocolate and dig in!

This book was so much fun with an interesting mix of characters. I loved how they interacted with each other; the author has the various personalities for each one down pat, and her mastery of detail shows through.

In the beginning, I did have a bit of trouble keeping all the players straight, but that became easier as I progressed through the book. I did notice this was book 16 of 22! Wow! That might have helped some readers keep the characters straight; although, since this was the first book for me, all in all, I think it worked well as a stand alone.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Poor Miss Seeton. She and her umbrella stumble upon an unexploded bomb that detonates and reveals an unknown cache of Roman mosaics and burial artifacts. She is shaken but not as much as the rest of the community as the hoards descend to see the treasure. When one of the visitors is found murdered, solving the murder is just one more problem with which to deal.
Most of the village is involved in the Christmas Panto. Miss Seeton prompts not only the script but the investigation with her uncanny talents. She is quite the character- sort of a hodgepodge of the old style British mystery heroines. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, it is fun to read about the wild and whacky goings-ons. It is a lighthearted romp that requires little effort. All the reader has to do is roll along with the cast of characters.
I give it four purrs and two paws up.