Anyone who is a fan of English mysteries will definitely want to pick up the first installment in bestselling author, Verity Bright’s (actually a husband/wife team) Lady Eleanor Swift series, A Very English Murder. I chose to listen to the audio version, and it made the book especially “English” due to the excellent narration by Karen Cass, who has a proper English accent and sets the tone for the book. Lady Eleanor (Ellie) has just inherited her late uncle’s estate, and while she has just returned from a long adventure, isn’t excited to move into Henley Hall, which is located in the boring town of Chipstone, and is nonplussed over the happenings there compared to her worldwide adventures. However, while taking a walk in the evening, she witnesses a murder in the nearby quarry, and when she contacts the police, finds they aren’t interested and refuse to investigate since the body has disappeared. When she finds that one of her uncle’s closest friends and someone she knew from childhood has been murdered, she takes on the role of an amateur sleuth to find the murderer.

Bright does an excellent job of introducing her characters; Ellie, the protagonist, is delightful, and is joined by sub-characters such as the staff of the manor, a soon-to-be Lord who may end up being a romantic interest, and an elderly dog, Gladstone. Set in the 1920s, the story flows – Bright is an excellent storyteller – and keeps her readers on the edge. While this is a cozy, it has plenty of suspense building scenarios, as well as a bit of humor. It is historically correct as to the era and the mores of the day regarding royalty.

I highly recommend the audio version, since hearing it makes you feel you are actually in the UK with the characters. However, the kindle version is also very fun to read. Both versions are suitable for all ages. This is a series that will make readers take note and read each subsequent installment of the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I loved this book! Lady Eleanor Swift and Clifford, her butler, are delightful characters and had me in stitches as Clifford educates headstrong Ellie on how to be Lady of the House, the importance of Elevenses, Cockney Rhyming Slang and the lack of turbans in Madagascar!

I loved the anecdotes Clifford told Ellie about her late uncle, from whom she has inherited the house, the staff and the only creature Ellie can really trust, Gladstone the dog.

Of course, there is a serious side to this story, as Ellie witnesses a murder that the police are very keen to cover up. Super-sleuth Ellie refuses to let it drop. As the body count goes up, Ellie finds herself in danger and has to question whether she can trust Clifford, local heartthrob, Lancelot Fenwick-Langham, or the police themselves.

I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook, which was brilliantly narrated by Karen Cass and will definitely watch out for more in this series.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Verity Bright and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I’ve been looking for a good historical murder mystery detective series for a while and this one was exactly what I was looking for! It delivered on all accounts. I’ve recently finished the Lady Hardcastle series and this one filled the gaping hole it left behind and gave me some new fab characters to get behind.

Eleanor was great and there was no warm up period needed as I loved her from the get go. She’s headstrong, knows what she wants, is determined to see things through yet is a perfect women of the times who is struggling to adjust to her new station as Lady Swift of the manor after the death of her uncle.

She’s not been long ensconced when she comes across what looks like a murder. When she comes to report it, there’s no sign of the body or of evidence left behind, yet she knows what she saw….

Also Mr Clifford (the Butler) made for a great character and I enjoyed getting to know the housekeeper, cook etc… and all the staff. And of course, Gladstone (the dog) was the most perfect companion. I just loved the feel of these books - perfect cosy mysteries. Imagine my delight when I researched the series to see there was many more to follow! I can’t wait to follow this up with the next instalments as I would very much like to rejoin Ellie and her detective adventures.

The narrator did a fantastic job. We follow Eleanor, an adventurous woman who accidentally witnesses a murder, but by the time the police arrive at the scene of the alleged murder, the body (and pool of blood) is missing. The police do not take Eleanor seriously, so she decides to investigate on her own (with the help of her butler later).
It was very nice to listen to. And even though there was a serious murder, it was a lot of fun, even funny in some moments. The characters and their relationships were interesting.
If you like Miss Marple / cozy books you should read this.