Ellie and Clifford are at it again, this time with a mystery on board a Nile cruise. As it's a boat there's a finite group of suspects and obviously they are all lying about something, but what ? I enjoyed this story. There were very few clues to go on and I'll be honest, I wondered how they would ever manage to figure out whodunnit. The vagueness of the documents they find is a bit annoying. I mean if you want someone to figure it all out for you, why be so damn cryptic. Of course, it works well as a plot piece, but really? Sadly, there's not much interaction with the ladies and the terrible two in this story and Hugh doesn't feature at all, hence the 4 stars - I want more Hugh !

Thank-you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book

This is book 19 in this great series and while all Lady Eleanor's entourage are in Egypt with her this story takes place when they are split up and she is travelling with just her trusty butler Clifford. This reminds me of the earlier books where its just Lady Eleanor and Clifford as they ladies really make only token appearances for most of the mystery. Its a complicated locked room mystery on a boat so only a limited cast of characters could be involved. It still ends up being twisty with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing (although I did guess the villain) it kept my interest to the end. As enjoyable and exciting as always with the added details of Egypt the pyramids and a visit to a tomb and some catacombs too. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a convoluted mystery! I'm not quite sure what happened exactly. I read it twice but everything happened so quickly. I was annoyed that a villain got away and another didn't really have to pay for their crimes. At first I was worried about comparing the story and setting to my beloved Amelia Peabody but this one pays homage to Agatha Christie more than Elizabeth Peters. There was one character who reminded me of the MC in Amelia's books. It's not about archaeology although there is some history of that and the mystery is rooted in the recent past. The story relays the information about what a sensation the finding of King Tut's tomb was and how everyone wanted to get rich and famous. It addresses Egyptian independence and British military control, the looting of tombs (What is the purpose of archaeology? Is it a good thing or bad?) and the removal of artifacts from the country illegally. There's a little more recent history than in Amelia's books since this one takes place after the last Amelia book. I learned some new things about what happened after Amelia's journals leave off and that was great.

Never fear, there's still plenty of banter between Ellie and Clifford and a few scenes with the ladies and the pets. The ladies' new hobby made me almost laugh out loud! Can you imagine the cook belly dancing? LOL! The antics of the pets are adorable as always and make this qualify as a cozy mystery.

Dear Ellie is so compassionate and has such a big heart. She's very sweet but she can be tough when she wants to be. I felt her confrontational method of solving the murder was just shooting in the dark and not effective. She also could have found herself in some serious trouble sneaking around on her own. Clifford is remarkable and it's amazing he always knows what Ellie is thinking. I missed having Hugh investigate with them and the quirky characters Clifford always seems to know. Hugh was very much in Ellie's thoughts though which is nice. What I really liked about this story is how complimentary people are about Ellie's intelligence and bravery. No one puts her down for having bicycled alone around the globe the way they do back home. That's how it should be but we all know when a woman does something even the least bit extraordinary, she gets pushback or all anyone wants to mention is her looks. Ellie is beautiful, strong, brave and intelligent.

The new characters are not very likable. I only enjoyed one because they reminded me of a lovable character who is not what they seem in the Amelia Peabody mysteries. Deckhand Farah doesn't speak English. He's not too intelligent and gets caught up in things he doesn't understand. Captain Anders is sleazy, cheap, lazy and not very nice. He's never around when Ellie asks, not even to greet his passengers or dine with them. Is he even on board? If so, doesn't he have someone else to help pilot the ship? It's such an odd, old boat and the brochure technically doesn't lie but the photos are misleading. This guy is suspicious and probably up to no good.

The passengers are not a jolly lot. Herr Ernest Piltz is German and obviously suspicious because it's just after WWI. He claims to be traveling for business but why is he on this old, creaky, leaky boat if he has to be somewhere for work? He's not friendly and seems suspicious beyond his nationality. Ludo and Frederika de Groot are supposedly married but I think she's way too quick to announce her surname and the fact they are a married couple. I think they are not married. Ellie won't care but for propriety's sake they must pretend. I think he's married to someone else. Frederika is more intelligent and dominant. She's sharp and seems to know who Ellie is somehow. Has the news of Ellie's murder solving exploits become widely known? Ellie seems worried about that. Ludo is a fussy man who can't agree with his "wife" on anything but he's aware when he hurts her and after a good sulk, apologizes. I appreciate that. However, one or both of them could be a murderer!

Wesley Merrick is also traveling on business. He's a pompous businessman of some sort and likes to brag about how it's not his first time in Egypt. He has followed his wealthy father into business by being the dutiful son. How far is he willing to go to protect his business interests - whatever they are? I'm guessing import/export (as in illegal exports)? Lieutenant Baxter acts like a total pompous, arrogant English military gentlemen. He has little use for women or foreigners. Then his behavior changes and he seems nervous almost and tries to hold cryptic conversations with Ellie. Is he suffering from shell shock (not battle fatigue, that's a WWII term) as Clifford suggests? I don't think so. I get the impression something happened in his past in the military he now regrets. He wants to make amends. He may have stolen something and/or killed someone. The clues seem to suggest it. The actual story is pretty complicated and tragic.

Yakub Sharaf, from near Cairo, is traveling to Bawaaba. He's kind and Ellie is respectful of his beliefs. Of course the arrogant Europeans also traveling on the boat are less kind. They don't know who he really is and why he's on the boat! He's far more astute than anyone gives him credit for and a good man. He's the most likable of the passengers. Also likable is Felix Trott, a goofy herpetologist. He's a bit of an idiot and probably lying about his profession but not it being a passion. He's continually going on about crocodiles and making Merrick squeamish. Merrick loathes and fears reptiles of all kinds. Who doesn't fear crocs and snakes? No thank you! Arthur Barr, a cockney rogue, probably escaped prison a time or two, is a man on the make in Egypt. He'll do anything as long as the pay is good. He's quite an enjoyable character. At first I didn't like him or see the necessity of this type of person but he grew on me, especially at the end. Mahmoud Zaki is another one I didn't like at first. He runs a nightclub probably a brothel and is rumored to be a smuggler and gun runner. He's scary in a mob boss way. His revelations about himself are surprising and made me like him a little bit more. I don't trust him though.

Overall, this was another great adventure. I think I will give it another look over before the release date. I was speed reading towards the end! I look forward to Ellie's arrival back at Henley Hall and hope she stays put for awhile. I don't know how many people in the area can be murdered but I do love it when she's home.

Another hit in the series. This one has Lady Eleanor and her butler taking a cruise down the Nile. Her household and pets are waiting in a small town when a murdered passenger is found. Later, when a crew member is also killed, she works with the Egyptian police officer to help solve the murders. Good story, although since in another country she doesn't get to have her fiance with her. Still though, enjoyed this one and would highly recommend this book and series.

Having arranged a trip aboard a luxurious paddle steamer along the River Nile without Clifford’s input Lady Eleanor Swift is dismayed to realise the owner's description may have flirted a little with the truth! The SS Cleopatra is many things, but luxurious isn't one of them and when an unexpected death occurs Eleanor and her trusty butler find themselves once again up to their necks in danger!

Book 19 in this brilliant and fascinating series finds Eleanor and her staff once again travelling to exciting and exotic locations. As always, the historical aspects of the book add another level to an already excellent storyline and the notes included at the end give just enough information to confirm or deny everything which happens alongside Eleanor and Clifford’s adventures.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is another excellent addition to one of my favourite series.

Lady Eleanor and her “ family” are the kind of literary friends that I welcome as frequent visitors.

Verity Bright has created a cast of characters that amuse, amaze and entertain… all in the context of charming cozy mysteries.
This book, set in Egypt, takes our protagonist back to her “ roots” as an adventure traveler. Instead of running her “ operation” from her manor house, she is on a small vacation boat in Egypt with a questionable cast of fellow-passengers.

There was, perhaps, less local color than I would expect in an historical novel set in an exotic locale, but that didn’t diminish my pleasure in this adventure and light mystery.

Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a candid review.

Egypt has always fascinated me. Having read a few non-fiction books focused on Egypt, I jumped at the opportunity to read this fictionalized account set in 1924. It'd also been quite some time since I checked up on the events in Lady Eleanor Swift's life. How long? Actually, I'm not sure, but obviously awhile since she was still relatively new to her title when I last tuned in. As much as I enjoy her growing friendship with Clifford, who seems to be the perfect lady's butler, I did miss getting to catch up with Hugh and the ladies of the manor until late in the story. That said, Egypt itself makes for a fascinating character in a way, particularly with the detailed descriptions we get from the author. I'm glad she made Lady Eleanor such an observant character, opening the way for those details.

Eleanor is quite likable and seems able to talk to everyone, probably due to her past history of world travel. As it was, however, I had to chuckle at her almost bubbly efforts to make conversation with the other passengers, none of whom seemed particularly interested in being social. That Eleanor persists, tells you about her personality, one not easily detoured or put off by someone. I could relate somewhat to the others this time as I'm one of those who frequently prefers to simply sit and read or gaze at the world about me, hard to do when someone as chatty as Eleanor is about. Her trust and admiration for Clifford, the butler-friend who accompanies on this voyage, is definitely fun to watch. Clifford is a fascinating character in his own right and I fear I may have missed some character reveals of him while on hiatus from this series. He seems unflappable and to almost know what Eleanor is thinking or needs before she even does at times. He's also protective and, even better, seems to be good at it. I mean, there are crocodiles.

As for the supporting cast this go-round, I never felt I got to know them well, though I'll blame the road work outside my window for that. There were interesting stories behind the characters but all seemed tied to the mystery. Ah, the mystery? Who killed Lieutenant Baxter. Even more delicious for mystery buffs, the body is found in a locked room of the (not so luxurious) SS Cleopatra. Shades of Agatha Christie. We do get to visit some pyramids, however, and actually spend time inside a tomb. Let's just say, that isn't for those with claustrophobia. There are also references to the discovery of King Tut's tomb and the demand for Egyptian artifacts, legal or otherwise. But, how is this all tied to the death of Baxter? Well, I'm not telling but will admit to not quite figuring it out myself prior to the reveal. The clues were tricky, let's just say, and I obviously need to up my sleuthing game. The killer is diabolical and there are reasons behind their actions that do help it all make sense in the end. Thanks #Bookouture for letting me catch up with Lady Eleanor again with this early peek at her adventurous life. I will be making an effort to catch up again, that's for sure.

MURDER ON THE NILE is the nineteenth novel in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series by VERITY BRIGHT.
The story takes place in 1924 in Egypt with Lady Eleanor Swift and her butler Clifford boarding a rather worse for wear boat, the SS Cleopatra, in Cairo for a three day journey on the Nile to Bawaaba, where Eleanor’s entourage are awaiting her…..
I enjoy the characters especially the feisty Lady Swift and the very British army Clifford, who seems to have given up all hope of making a lady out of her……
The excitement of two murders on the boat, together with a motley crowd of passengers, a disinterested captain, and two dead bodies, has Eleanor springing into action, with her faithful butler, to solve the crimes…….
The book is enjoyable and most exciting.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Lady Eleanor and Clifford have another adventure but this time they travel to Egypt to do it. While the rest of the household “ladies” and the “terrible two” pets make an appearance, the story is mostly just Eleanor and Clifford trying to solve a murder. The clues left by the victim are incredibly vague, so much so that it is quite a stretch that anyone (even Eleanor) would be able to figure them out. While the book is similar to the rest in being a good mystery with interesting characters, this one felt a little bit too forced. While it’s interesting when characters travel, I found myself wishing they were back home with Hugh & Kofi. It may be that after 19 books, I’m just getting a little tired. I’d like to see more character development of the “ladies” or a new twist in the story of Eleanor’s parents to get my attention back.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

It is a cozy mystery story, very Agatha Christie style. I loved the atmosphere, the character interactions, and the mystery itself. Lady Eleanor Swift herself is very likable as well as witty and smart which is a great combination for a book.

The only downside for me was not having the inner monologue or just the narrator's voice describing the world around the characters, the way they did it themselves felt a bit forced. Other than that, I loved the book and would recommend it to my friends.

Are you a murder mystery girl or boy? If so, check out Murder on the Nile. This is a book that will have you wanting more.

I was in the mood for a historical cozy crime story and this book does exactly what it says on the tin. The sleuth Lady Eleanor Swift sails along the Nile on the SS Cleopatra, and soon has a murder to solve. There's a dash of glamour with the 1920s settings, and witty banter with her butler Clifford. The mystery is meticulously worked out. A fun, escapist read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This is the 19th mystery that Lady Eleanor Swift sets out to solve, this time on the Nile, Agatha Christie style. Fans of the series will enjoy this story that closely resembles Death on the Nile