BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Murder In Mayfair' by Verity Bright.

YET ANOTHER HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO VERITY ON YET ANOTHER PAGE TURNING SUCCESS!! THIS HAS GOT TO BE MY FAVOURITE BOOK IN ONE OF MY FAVOURITE COSY MYSTERY SERIES!!

Another successful unputdownable cosy mystery by the very talented Verity Bright. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Verity has written her books. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read and making it quite humorous on several occasions. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect. The synopsis and cover also suit the storyline.

The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Eleanor and Clifford go about their detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with suspense, mystery, laughter, murder, clues, deceit. tension, suspense and so much more!! It is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. I devoured it in one sitting as I just could not put it down and gave up on lying to myself saying just one more chapter as that never happened!! I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on, especially considering I have read so many of Verity's books yet she manages to get me every time. The atmosphere was perfectly suited to the mystery. I love the fact that this book takes us on an adventure in London this time seeing it as it was in 1924. Verity's gorgeous evocative writing skills and descriptions whisked me off to London and even with the murder and mayhem I was gutted when I came to the end and had to leave behind some amazing friends!!! However, as always it leaves me looking forward to seeing what they get up to in the next book in this absolutely fantastic series which is actually called 'Murder On The Nile' and is out on the 26th September but is available to preorder on Amazon now!! I am especially looking forward to being whisked off to Egypt for that mystery!! What I also love about each book in this fantastic series is the fact that although they are cosy mysteries they always end up having me in stitches of laughter on so many occasions which makes it the perfect light hearted read!! Verity's books always send me back to the past and I become so immersed in each of her fantastic books that I always feel a bit lost when I finally look up from my book and land back in 2024!!! One of the things I absolutely love and would, again, like to thank Verity for his her absolutely fantastic historical notes that she includes at the end of each one of her amazing books which always fascinate me and I always end up learning at least one new thing about!! At the end of this brilliant book Verity includes historical notes about The British Empire Exhibition, Butter Sculpture, Elephants, The Never-Stop Railway, The Gold Coast, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Electric Carriages and First Editions so make sure you read all of the way to the end of this book to learn more about those as well as enjoying an absolutely fantastic read!! If your looking for a dog with a huge personality, a Lady with an attitude, a politely sarcastic butler and a light-hearted cosy murder mystery then look no further!!

Although this is the eighteenth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters are all larger than life, realistic and a complete breathe of fresh air. Eleanor is an amazing character, very bubbly and certainly not your typical 'Lady', she is absolutely unique as well as a very strong female lead which is a great bonus for myself being female. I absolutely adore her relationship with Clifford along with the rest of her "staff" that she treats more like friends. The only downfall is that herself and Clifford are fictional as these are two characters I would absolutely LOVE to meet in real life!! Clifford is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoy how he makes me laugh with his diplomatic skills while being extremely sarcastic at times. It is so sweet how he has taken Eleanor under his wing and admonishes her in several occasions in his humorous ways. They are like the perfect comedy duo but don't tell Clifford!! I also love Sheldon who is completely overworked but still such a gentleman who is constantly on edge with Eleanor's adventures!! I adored that their love for each other shines through the pages in this book I loved meeting them all again including the Henley Hall ladies Butters, Trotters, Polly and Lizzie in this book. The gang are all larger than life with their own exceptional personalities and I love meeting each and every one of them in each and every book in this fantastic series. I can't forget the absolutely adorable Gladstone along with Tomkins who are adventures in themselves! Every single one of the characters play their parts perfectly as always in Verity's books and I cannot wait to meet Eleanor, Clifford, Sheldon, Gladstone and Tomkins along with the Henley Hall ladies again in the next book in this fantastic series which is called ' 'Murder On The Nile' and is out on the 26th September but is available to preorder on Amazon now.

A huge congratulations on yet another fantastic success Verity!!! Here's to looking forward to your next book 🥂 If you are looking for a cosy mystery that has everything that you could ask for in a book and more then look no further!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and this is one of my favourite 'series' Verity! Yet another page turning and unputdownable success!

Overall a fun and easy to read page turning cosy murder mystery with the perfect amount of crime and humour that will keep you hooked throughout.

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1924,and Ellie and her household are visiting the British Empire Exhibition. On a hot air balloon ride Ellie is convinced that she has seen a man being shot, but on landing and rushing to the scene, nothing is found. Does that deter our sleuthful lady? Heck no, and soon robbery and murder are on the agenda, and Ellie and her partner Hugh find themselves in danger.

There are some distinctly human stories in this outing, one involving Clifford the butler that is sure to run and run over the next books in the series, which makes this another excellent entry in the collection. Great stuff, and fans of the series will lap it up.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

A wonderfully breezy read, great fun and with interesting characters. It was also informative as I'd not previously heard of the British Empire Exhibition, which took place in 1924 in Wembley and bequeathed us Wembley Stadium. It is at the exhibition that the story opens, a great extravaganza celebrating the diversity of countries within the Empire. Lady Eleanor Swyft, a thoroughly modern aristocrat, observes an apparent murder from the vantage point of a hot air balloon, and resolves to discover what happened. It helps that her young man, DCI Seldon, is assigned to security at the exhibition, and also that her trusty valet is discreetly available to assist as necessary. There are twists, misdirection and much subterfuge before truth and justice triumph, following a path that is very entertaining to follow. A hundred years ago, women's position in the world was very different to today, but change was afoot and Lady Eleanor is certainly at its forefront. an absolute, stylish, pleasure.

Lady Eleanor Swift is in London for the British Empire Exhibition in the 18th installment of Verity Bright's cozy mystery series. Murder in Mayfair can be read as a stand-alone novel if you haven't discovered this series before. For long-time fans like me, I think you will really enjoy the interactions between the characters.

Now that Eleanor and Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon are engaged, I'm loving the interactions between Hugh and her butler Clifford. Watching all three of them work together to solve the mysteries (yes, there's more than one!) is fun and has me looking forward to when Eleanor and Hugh are married.

If you have read my previous reviews of this series, then you know that I love the rest of Eleanor's staff affectionately referred to as "the ladies". I'm happy they make an appearance in this novel. It's brief but enjoyable. Speaking of brief appearances... Gladstone and Tompkins also show up for a few scenes.

While I love the characters, I think I was growing a little bored with the series. However, this book has reinvigorated me and I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

The mysteries are intriguing. Only Lady Swift would witness a murder from a hot air balloon. Solving the mystery involved a number of shenanigans that made it fun.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/07/murder-and-shenanigans-abound-in-verity.html

Another entertaining installment in one of my favorite cozy historical mystery series.

Lady Eleanor Swift is taking in Wembley's British Empire Exhibition while aloft in a hot air balloon and sees a murder from above. By the time she gets back to ground, the shooter and the victim are gone. All she finds is a piece of a jewelry clasp almost hidden in the dirt. Of course, she's intrigued and frustrated by the situation. Meanwhile, she's been asked by Lady Philomena Chadwick to help her with locating a stolen pearl necklace. Lady Philomena believes that a member of her staff has taken it, and Eleanor agrees to go undercover at her home pretending to be governess to the Chadwick children. Are these two cases related and can Eleanor and her butler, Cliffor, along with her fiance, Detective Hugh Seldon, find out what is happening?

It's hard to keep coming up with great new plots in a long running series, so I appreciate that I still find these so enjoyable and look forward to them. I like the characters and always relish coming back to see what they get up to next. Love the period details about the clothes, food, homes, society, etc. and the historical references. I can't imagine reading these out of order, so be sure to start at the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.
BLOG STOP TOUR on July 1, 2024
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Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Murder in Mayfair”. If you like cozy mysteries, this book is for you!
Lady Eleanor Swift is back! She is in London going on her first hot air balloon ride. Instead of a peaceful adventure, Lady Eleanor witnesses a murder! Her friends are beside her to help her catch the killer.
This book is fun and entertaining. It is a series, but you can read it as a stand alone. Trust me, you are going to want to go back and read the whole series- it is very enjoyable! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#MurderInMayfair #VerityBright #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetInLondon

Love, love this series! Have listened to almost all previous on Audible, which I highly recommend, because the stories even come more alive!

This time, Lady Eleanor finds herself in London, enjoying riding in a hot air balloon and witnessing a murder! What is most enjoyable to me is the historical aspects, that I always go down that rabbit hole to read about!

A series of thefts and working with her beau Hugh, bring this story full circle in an unputdownable way!

If you have not read this entire series, do not miss it!!

A fun book. Overall a satisfying mystery with plenty of hijinx and humor as Eleanor attempted to carry on an investigation downstairs at an elegant house in Mayfair and be a governess at the same time. She actually turned out to be a decent governess. Some of the investigation seemed to be needlessly complicated but it is difficult juggling two investigations and being a governess too. The ending was a bit too convenient but that is usually true of cozies.

The writers did a good job of tying in historical information about the exhibition as well as "modern" household appliances that were becoming available into the storyline. Justifiably there were some comments about the exploitation of members of the British Empire shown as exhibits but it didn't overtake the story. It showed that even though things were far from running smoothly in the British Empire the attitude in England was still strong.

I liked this one better than the last one. I can't pin point what it was it just worked better for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Lady Eleanor Swift is always a delight. I’d like to read the whole series in order! In this one, the intrepid red-haired Ellie spots a murder after taking off in a balloon at the Expo in London. Her lovely fiance, Chief Inspector Seldon doesn’t want her to get involved for various reasons, including high-level powers, but that doesn’t deter her. In another case, she is asked by an acquantance to pretend to be a governess to find out who stole a necklace.





This is a fast-paced fun mystery with some interesting historical background. I would have liked some notes at the end.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Lady Eleanor Swift, Clifford & The Ladies are in London for the British Empire Exhibition & she’s been eagerly awaiting her trip in a hot air balloon. But what she witnesses instead is a murder! By the time she arrives back on the ground, Eleanor can find no trace of the body. Just the broken piece of a pearl necklace clasp, trodden into the dirt. Eleanor’s acquaintance Lady Philomena Chadwick invites her to tea at the Ritz with an ulterior motive – her priceless pink pearl necklace has been stolen & she’d like Eleanor to go undercover as a governess in the Chadwick’s sparkling Mayfair mansion.
The eighteenth book in this lovely series & it felt as fresh as the first. I love Ellie, her delightful staff & Hugh. This is an action packed book from Ellie climbing out of a hot air balloon to sneaking around partially finished exhibits at the exhibition. There are twists turns & red herrings as Hugh, Ellie & Clifford try to solve the murder. Strong characters & a well paced story had the pages flying by. Whilst it could be read on its own I’ve loved how all the relationships have grown & deepened over the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

As far as I know it's the first instalment in this series that I didn't read for a blog tour and I was happy to read it just for fun.
Because it was a lot of fun as Eleanor, Clifford and the rest of the characters are at their best and Eleanor is investigating while undercover as a governess.
As entertaining and compelling as usual, a solid mystery that kept me turning pages and guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Who is this author team, known as Verity Bright, who hits it out of the park every time? #18 in the Eleanor Swift cozy mystery series is no exception.

This installment finds Eleanor and her Butler Clifford at an Exhibition meant to impress all by the “magnificence and far-reach” of the British Empire. Similar to the World Fairs of the twentieth century, many nations, such as Ceylon, East Africa, Nigeria and Bermuda are showcased, if not as Eleanor points out, authentically. All the characters I have come to know and recognize make an appearance and there is a new addition who adds value and interest. What I love about these stories is not only are they well thought out, engaging and entertaining but they are informative and all have a strong social conscience. But the real question is - where to find all the delicious nibbles and edibles that are being consumed.

Yes, there is a murder, a possible theft, an inordinate amount of intrigue and a bit of romance as well - after all it is a story with Eleanor Swift at the center. Told with humor and wit this installment is one of the best. Many thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for a copy.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all opinions expressed are my own. Murder in Mayfair finds Eleanor visiting the British Empire Exhibition featuring pavilions for each of the various British colonies. While on a hot air balloon ride, the balloon breaks free and Eleanor witnesses what appears to be a murder from high above. When she is able to go to the location on the ground, there is no body or sign of a murder occurring. Not only is Eleanor determined to prove that there was a murder and find out how the victim is, she is asked by Lady Chadwick to help her locate her missing pearl necklace by going undercover as a governess for Lady Chadwick's two children. As always, Clifford is on hand to help Eleanor with her investigation and her cop fiance Hugh is on hand for this adventure. This book has everything that I enjoy about the series with an appearance of Eleanor's staff who are hilarious in their own right, a nicely written mystery, and the wonderful relationship between Clifford and Eleanor. This book is a perfect beach book and I look forward to additional titles in the series.

Book Review: Murder in Mayfair by Verity Bright

Rating: 5 Stars

As an avid fan of historical mysteries (especially this series), I found "Murder in Mayfair" by Verity Bright to be an absolute delight. From the moment Lady Eleanor Swift witnesses a murder from a hot air balloon high above London, I was hooked on the thrilling mystery that unfolded.

The story weaves together a stolen pearl necklace, a missing dead body, and a web of secrets within the luxurious setting of Mayfair. Lady Eleanor's determination to solve the case, even if it means going undercover as a governess, showcases her tenacity and wit. The addition of the dashing (and Ellie's beau) Detective Hugh Seldon adds another layer of intrigue to the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Verity Bright's writing style is captivating, drawing readers into the glamorous world of the 1920s with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. The author's ability to transport readers to another time and place is truly impressive. The pacing of the story is spot on, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Murder in Mayfair" is a well-plotted mystery that will keep you entertained from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed every page and found myself eagerly turning them to uncover the hidden secrets of Chadwick House. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery with a touch of glamour and intrigue.

I echo the sentiment of many fans of the series when I say that I hope the adventures of Lady Eleanor Swift continue for many more books to come. Verity Bright has created a captivating world filled with lovable characters and engaging mysteries that will leave you craving for more.

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

I absolutely adore this series.

Lady Eleanor gets into all manner of mis-adventure yet again in Murder in Mayfair. While (mostly) enjoying a hot-air balloon ride, Ellie witnesses a murder. Or at least she thinks she did, as the balloon was quite low, and she saw very clearly what happened. But when she arrives at the location mere minutes later, there is no evidence. At least, not that appears in the first round of investigating.

We are treated to many new characters, lovable and villainous both. The story seemed longer than some of the others, but all the more enjoyable for it. I love how Hugh and Ellie are continuing to grow in their relationship and trust with each other. It is also appreciated that their relationship stays chaste. And the always faithful Clifford... I love it when he walks on the page.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Love, love, loved this brilliant historical cosy! The whole package was perfect, from the period London setting and Ellie going under cover, to the secret meetings at Clifford’s lodgings and clandestine collaborations with fiancé Hugh. It’s a fast-paced, adventure-filled story with oodles of atmosphere and plenty of heart. Wonderful!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Verity Bright for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder in Mayfair coming out June 27, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the second book I’ve read in the series. I definitely own most of them and I need to read them. I loved that this was set in Mayfair. I have a few books with Mayfair in the title. I love Eleanor’s character. I think she’s intelligent and strong. There was definitely a lot of action in this one. I love that she’s able to travel and have adventures. I’m definitely excited for future books!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical travel cozy mysteries!

The 18th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift series and a really fun instalment. I love this series and really enjoy when we have books set closer to home with strong showings from the whole familiar gang.

This time the story is set in and around the British Empire Exhibition and we have not one case but two - a potential murder and an intriguing burglary and it's up to Ellie to try and figure out the secrets of all our potential suspects and see how the two cases may be interlinked.

I loved how we had Hugh back in action and a central part of the investigation team (along with the ever stoic Clifford). His sentimentality and love for Eleanor is really coming through in the stories and I'm looking forward to them finally walking down the aisle! We also got some more insight into Clifford's backstory in this one which brought about a really touching ending with a new arrival to the gang and as always our supporting core cast including the ladies of Henley Hall and the animals make memorable appearances which just make me hope we get a return to home for Eleanor soon.

The necklace burglary case from Lady Chadwick felt a little messy at times and I didn't really enjoy the characterisations of the staff but I think that just highlighted how balanced and idyllic the Henley Hall team are (which is what I want from a cosy mystery). I only wished we got a little more of the Chadwick children as I think the interactions with Eleanor were my favourite parts of the story (and I highly recommend Book 7 - A Lesson in Murder for similar).

The story ultimately all fell into place - a little convoluted and with a few two many characters involved yes but still satisfying, fun and heart-warming overall. As always, I enjoy this visit in the world of the Henley Hall crew and I look forward to book 19!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "Murder in Mayfair" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler, Clifford and the ladies, were in London for a day or two, for the British Empire Exhibition. Eleanor had decided on a hot air balloon ride, which Clifford declined in partaking. But it was while aloft that Eleanor spotted two men down below, in one of the vacant exhibition areas, and she saw one shoot the other. When she was finally able to head to the area, there was nothing there - no sign of what she'd seen. Did she imagine it?

Lady Chadwick, a person Eleanor didn't know well, approached Ellie at The Ritz, where she was staying, and begged her for help. An expensive pearl necklace had gone missing and Lady Chadwick was sure one of her staff was the thief. Could Ellie pretend to be a governess to her two children, all the while investigating the loss of the necklace? Of course, Ellie would help (wondering all the while what she would do with two children!) Clifford would be close at hand, but not living in Chadwick House, while Ellie's fiance, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, was also in London, but for a different purpose. Ellie was quite bemused with what she found in the manor; the back biting and mud slinging wasn't how it was in Hendon Hall. Gradually she made her way forward - but would she find the answers she needed? And how was it connected to the murder Ellie thought she saw?

Murder in Mayfair is the 18th in the Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright and I loved it once again! Ellie's an excellent character and with Clifford by her side, along with Gladstone (the dog) and Tomkins (the cat) and of course, Hugh - the highjinks continue. This series is always fun and entertaining, and this one is no different. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.