As always the writing, the mystery and the plot is great.

I like Eleanor's character, specifically that she is not totally ladylike, and eats as much as she wants and how she treats her staff.

I also enjoyed her relationship with Clifford as well as Hugh, though Hugh did not come across as smart as he was portrayed. He seemed more like a figurehead with a notepad where Eleanor used her intuition.

Looking forward to the next one in the series.

This was the perfect cozy mystery for the holiday season. I have read Verity Bright’s work several times, and most of her books in the series mention her fiancé, Hugh, the detective chief inspector who hovers in the background of Lady Eleanor Swift’s other tales. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the banter and romance between them as I read.

This story planted Hugh’s character firmly in my mind, pulling me deeper into Lady Eleanor and Hugh’s world. The characters are believable, sometimes predictable, but that is true when reading stories in a large, cozy mystery series. The plot kept me up all night, finishing in the wee hours. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Hugh. The story captivated me from the first page as Lady Eleanor attempted to solve another murder. With plenty of likely culprits, the tale kept me guessing.

Although I am reading the series out of order, A Midwinter Murder is perfect as a standalone novel. It’s five stars all around! Verity Bright has done it again.

I want to thank Bookouture, the author, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

As always, it’s such a delight to spend time with Eleanor and Clifford and the rest of the cast as they celebrate the holidays and solve another mystery.

This series has remained lively and fun, and while I do miss the greater effort toward historical detail that we got in the earlier installments in the series, the concept doesn’t feel tired and the characters remain loads of fun as they embark on their latest adventure.

The mystery itself is fine, and the setting is lovely and well-rendered. I always wish for more holiday detail, there’s enough that you can treat this one as a holiday read if you’re so inclined.

I love wellcrafted cozy SF like Becky Chambers Wayfarers series. I also enjoy cozy mysteries with good puzzles and diverse characters. For me, this historical cozy, the twentieth in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, didn't really hit the mark.

I imagine that people who've stuck with earlier books in the series will be happy to re-acquaint themselves with Lady Eleanor's butler and her troupe of servants, and even her dog and cat. They were all just too jolly for me, and there were too many of them. Readers who enjoy the prospect of an English countryside hunting party at a ducal estate, with jolly good food and Christmas cheer may enjoy this bit of escapism.

On the other hand I found the suspects and other characters too shallow and the story lacking grit or reality. They weren't fleshed out enough to engage me. I found the dialogue twee and the murder(s) and motivations bland.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As I was new to this series and wasn‘t previously attached to the characters, I found it very difficult to get into this book. I read about 30% when I decided to dnf it. If you‘re a fan of this mystery series I‘m sure you‘ll love it. The writing style is very mature und flows nicely and the characters all get their quality time. Since I‘m no such fan the story couldn‘t appeal to me and I ended up being bored by the murder investigation being dragged out so much. If it had been more fast paced I think it would’ve made a great difference.

We follow the characters of Lady Eleanor, butler Clifford, Lady Eleanor’s entourage including the pug and the cat when they encounter another murder.

Invited by the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke to be his guest at his manor house Lady Eleanor is hoping for a romantic weekend with her fiancée far removed from murder and investigation, to give Max a Scotland Yard Detective a much needed break. The murder of the mild tempered Secretary to the Duke is puzzling. He has no enemies, everyone in the Dukes employ speaks well of him, but to investigate Max and Lady Eleanor are frustrated by the Dukes rigid rules of not meeting guests, despite inviting people to be his guests. Every guest here has a link to secrets long hidden and unraveling them adds to the danger because they are all snowbound in an isolated area with no recourse to any outside personnel (which the Duke has prohibited anyway) as he has an aversion to the Police. When an attempt is made on the Dukes life and a guest is murdered, the investigating duo has to step up and apprehend the murderer because it is evident, the murderer is getting desperate.

Despite the murder aspect, the investigations are always jolly because Lady Eleanor makes it so. 1924 England is well described, both the lifestyle as well as where the story is set.

A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright finds Lady Eleanor and her entire staff, as well as pets, at the manor house (castle) of the Duke of Auldwyke. Hugh would be following shortly (working). Ellie had never met the duke and it turns out none of the other guests had either. Then, very soon after arriving, Emily discovered the body of the duke’s secretary, Mr. Porritt, in a storeroom. The duke wouldn’t allow that information to be disbursed until after dinner, and the duke’s word was law. When they were finally able to all the authorities, a very young and inexperienced man was sent and it was determined that Hugh would take over the investigation when he arrived. It turns out the duke would not be in attendance the entire holiday and there was to be a shooting contest, in three rounds. The first was to begin on the morrow. Hugh arrived after driving through the night, was greeted with the news there had been a murder and he was now in charge. The idea had been for he and Ellie to have some time together and make some wedding plans. The whole investigation was decidedly different, as the duke would allow no additional policemen, it was Hugh, Ellie, Clifford, and the young constable.

Hugh, Ellie, and Clifford are old hands at solving a crime. Ellie’s ladies were good at making a holiday fun. It was cold, and snowy, in fact so snowy no vehicles could get in or out. Then one of the guests disappeared. And, someone tried to kill the duke by throwing a homemade firebomb into his quarters. It was all beyond reason, but they kept looking. Hugh and Ellie did get some snatches of time together and they did have a festive holiday, but it was all in the ladies’ cottage, not in the main house. It is always fun to watch them investigate. This time no less than the others. And Hugh and Ellie did spend time together, which is normally in rare supply. Things came aright, eventually, and life went on.

I was invited to read a Midwinter Murder by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #VerityBright #AMidwinterMurder

ARC provided by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright is another dazzling installment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, and as a longtime fan of both the series and the author, I couldn’t have been more excited to dive into this book! Verity Bright has a way of weaving charm, intrigue, and just the right amount of humor into her stories, and I had high expectations for this latest mystery. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!

Lady Eleanor Swift, as always, is a delight. Her intelligence, courage, and knack for getting to the bottom of even the most puzzling cases shine brighter than ever in this festive, wintry tale. Her loyal butler Clifford, with his impeccable wit and unwavering support, continues to be the perfect complement to Eleanor’s bold personality. Together, they’re an unbeatable duo that keeps readers entertained from start to finish.

The wintry setting adds a cozy yet chilling layer to the mystery, and Verity Bright’s vivid descriptions make you feel as if you’re right there in the snowy countryside, solving the case alongside Eleanor. The twists and turns kept me on my toes, and the festive atmosphere was the perfect backdrop for murder and mayhem.

As a big fan of Verity Bright’s work, I’m thrilled to say this book exceeded my expectations. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that, even 20 books in, the series remains fresh, engaging, and utterly delightful. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with strong heroines, clever plots, and a touch of humor, A Midwinter Murder is an absolute must-read.

Lady Eleanor Swift has been invited to God’s Own County, my county of residence, Yorkshire for a seasonal séjour with a rather reclusive duke that she’s never met. For me that a tad weird but it might have been the done thing back in the day!

What was meant to an event filled trip turns into a murder investigation rather quickly. After the shock of discovering the deceased wore off, I imagined the eyes of Lady Eleanor, or rather Ellie, lit up at a spot of amateur detection whilst her future husband battles the elements to join her.

I love the (for want of a better word) banter between Ellie and Clifford. In what I imagine in proper etiquette for the tune period, it’s wholly unbecoming for a lady of her stature to have such familiarity, commentary and comical looks with her staff. It adds an element of warm heartedness to their relationship which frequently you don’t see in period dramas.

Gladstone I love – he’s a character in himself. I would love to know what he’s thinking as he’s trawled round by Ellie. That said, he does control her and Clifford and his affection for Hugh is adorable! He’s a loveable liability!!

There is a real feel of the Golden Age to A Midwinter Murder but with a modern way of sharing the story. Bright has created a world that I could imagine being made it to a costume drama similar to the Poirot and Granchester’s of this world. I’m glad I’ve discovered Lady Eleanor! I’m looking forward to travelling with her and getting to know her and her entourage better!

Favorite Quotes:

Taylor’s affected rangy stride as he entered the room made Eleanor wonder if his ego was even more bloated than she’d feared. Or if he’d sat on something akin to a cactus.

I dream of you and me. Of me keeping you safe. And making you happy. And watching you grow into whatever you want to be. Of me somehow being the best husband since husbands were invented. Which is still less than you deserve.

...open heart gives an open face, and yours is like a picture book.

‘He probably keeps a record of all my blunders to delight in chiding me over one day.’ ‘Regrettably not, my lady.’ Clifford’s eyes twinkled as he waggled his leather notebook. ‘Due to insufficient pages to record them all.’


My Review:

I have read every installment of this delightful series and deem this volume the best yet. Team Verity Bright has more than perfected their characters and excels at producing authentic, well-conjured, and smoothly-polished tales that are sumptuously detailed and brimming with clever wry wit, endearing and daring hijinks, humorous repartee, and amusing observations. I have come to adore every quirky character.

I love this series and this was another great addition, Being from Yorkshire myself I loved that this had the Yorkshire Moors as its wintery back drop. Our couple also get to spend more time together and make some progressive in their personal relationship which is about time I think. The plot is complicated and packed with action right from the start .The suspects are interesting with each with their own secrets and eccentricities which keeps things interesting right to the end. Loved it

I enjoy this series. I like the setting and the characters. The mystery kept me guessing. I hope for many more.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe this is the twentieth book in the series! I love them and the characters are great.

A fun, cosy murder mystery set with a Christmas background.

Thanks for the arc.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Midwinter Murder' by Verity Bright.

CONGRATULATIONS VERITY ON YOUR 20TH BOOK IN THIS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SERIES!!!

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.

I have absolutely loved this series ever since I first got hooked on to them!! I genuinely lost count of the amount of times I genuinely laughed out loud while reading this book!! I would not normally recommend anyone reads books out of order but if you have not read the previous books then it does not make a difference and there is a silver lining in that when you have finished you can go back and read all the previous books in this fabulous series while waiting for the next book to come out which is called 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March. 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. Regardless of where you pick up this brilliant cosy crime book Verity will transport you to Auldwyke Hall and Yorkshire at the turn of a page! I absolutely devoured this brilliant read 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 to Yorkshire and transports us into the past to the year 1924. Verity's gorgeous evocative writing skills and descriptions whisked me off to Auldwyke Hall 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 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March but is available to preorder on Amazon now!! 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 Rural Policing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Prussic Acid, Inheritance Laws, Miniature Books and Edwardian Christmas Trees 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 twentieth 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 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March 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.

#AMidwinterMurder #ALadyEleanorSwiftMystery #VerityBright #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous

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Twenty books! Can you believe it!? I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each and every one. I do think the more festive settings are particularly wonderful and Verity Bright has a talent for setting the atmosphere. Cosy gatherings with her beloved staff, delicious food and drink, a sprinkle of romance and of course a murder or two along the way. This time we are in the wild Yorkshire moors in a country house that seems to be holding a secret or two. I loved that Eleanor and Hugh were very much working together on this one (alongside Clifford of course) and we get to see their relationship develop a little deeper. We may even get a wedding one of these days. There is also the possibility of new romance blossoming along the way in future stories, if we are lucky enough to have them.

Lady Eleanor Swift was hoping to spend a festive, romantic Christmas at home with her sweetie, Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon. But her plans are upended when she receives a call from Mr. Porritt, secretary to the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, insisting that she and Hugh attend the Duke’s annual shooting competition. Mr. Porritt will not take no for an answer, and Ellie finds herself off to the wilds of Yorkshire.

But she’s barely made Porritt’s acquaintance in person before she finds him dead in the storehouse where the shooting clays are kept. Hugh is quickly made the lead detective on the case – nearly the only detective, as the Duke insists no more outside policemen be brought in. A blizzard shuts down the roads, so getting in or out is a moot point. Thankfully, Danby of the local constabulary made it to the scene, so he’s there to assist Hugh, along with Ellie, Clifford, and the ladies of Henley Hall. This is not at all the romantic Christmas Ellie dreamed about!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Verity Bright mysteries I’ve read. And I probably say this about each successive one, but I do believe I’ve liked this one the most of them all! Here, Bright gives us, not quite a locked-room mystery, but a contained scene with a limited number of suspects. Hugh feels almost as if the Duke is actively trying to hamper the investigation, but he can’t get a face to face meeting with the Duke to find out why, because the man hasn’t left his chambers or admitted anyone other than his secretary for a decade now – since his wife died. And the more Hugh and Ellie dig, the more questions they have. There’s no shortage of suspects once they all stop lying. But who had reason to kill Porritt? Was he even the intended suspect? Or was the Duke the real target? And who in the world could want to kill a man who’d isolated himself for ten years?

As always, Verity Bright gives us clue after clue that unravels, and then points us somewhere else entirely. They create a vivid picture of life in the Golden Age, and I simply love Ellie and all her people. Clifford, with his mindfulness of etiquette and propriety, and a surprising number of unexpected skills, is a perfect foil to often impulsive, frequently indecorous Ellie. The ladies are a treat. The Christmas they and Clifford create for Ellie and Hugh and themselves is just magical. I don’t even want to be anyplace where there are blizzards, but that Christmas shindig they had might tempt me!

Does Ellie ever actually meet the Duke? Will there be any romance in her Christmas? Can they solve the mystery of Porritt’s death before the killer strikes again? And what kind of outfits did the ladies make for Gladstone and Tompkins this time?

If you love a good, comfy, cozy mystery that feels like going on an adventure with friends, you really should get to know Lady Eleanor. You can start with this one, but I recommend you start at the beginning and get to know her whole story. A Midwinter Murder is a perfect book to read on a chilly day, curled up with a soft blanket, a warm drink, and a cat. I loved it!

In the winter of 1924, Lady Eleanor Swift, delighted to be invited as a guest at the manor of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, eagerly anticipates spending time with her fiancé, Detective Hugh Seldon. Their constant busyness has left them yearning for a moment of respite.

However, their plans are disrupted by the murder of the Duke’s secretary, Mr. Poritt. Hugh immediately takes charge. The inclement weather adds to the challenges of solving this unfortunate crime, making it difficult for Hugh to conduct his investigation. Eleanor, with her past experience in solving murders, offers her assistance as a second set of eyes.

Accompanying Eleanor is her ever-proper butler, Clifford, a loyal man who adheres strictly to the rules and propriety of his Lady. Always there for Eleanor, the quest to uncover the truth behind Mr. Poritt’s murder becomes a race against time.

The investigation is fraught with obstacles, and Eleanor’s sharp instincts and sharp tongue prove invaluable to Hugh’s efforts. As they delve deeper into the case, tension escalates, drawing them closer to the killer.

This delightful Lady Eleanor Swift series’ 20th book offers a unique bonus: an exploration of how a titled Lady and a policeman could plan to marry during the Golden Age. The author delves into the social conventions and expectations of the era, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the characters.

The book also features the return of beloved characters such as Polly, Mrs. Butters, and the other ladies, adding depth and richness to the narrative. Clifford’s ever-protectiveness over Eleanor and his role as the male version of Mary Poppins, always knowing or having what is needed at any given moment, further enhances the charm of the story.

Beyond its captivating mystery, this celebratory 20th book in the series offers a delightful exploration of personal relationships and societal norms, making it a truly enjoyable reading experience.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I love this series and was happy to read this new installment as it's better that the previous, festive, and gripping.
Catching with Eleanor, Clifford, Gladstone and all the happy gang is always a treat and it's a good way to read a solid mystery and having fun.
This is no exception: characters evolving, festive atmosphere, well researched historical background, and solid mystery full of surprises.
I don't think I can write anything new: go, read it since the beginning, have fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series are written as standalone novels, meaning you don’t necessarily have to have read the previous volumes to understand the plot. However, I highly recommend you do because they are all so delightful! This holiday mystery is the 20th adventure for Eleanor and the gang, and I think it’s the best one yet.

Eleanor has plans to spend the holidays at home at Henley Hall this Christmas. However, she and her fiancé detective, Hugh Seldon, have been invited to a shooting competition at the mysterious Duke of Auldwyke’s estate. All seems to be going fine until Ellie finds the duke’s secretary, Mr. Porritt, dead. The duke doesn’t want to call Scotland Yard, but since Hugh works for them, he and Eleanor will have to figure out the murderer without any help. That should be no problem, right? After all, this is Ellie’s 20th murder mystery, right?

Besides the normal, lovely drawn characters, I really enjoyed the interplay between Eleanor and Hugh. I didn’t like Hugh much when he first came on the scene, and I thought their engagement was rushed, but he’s really grown on me. And for this volume, the two characters actually discuss their future together!

This mystery was a bit darker than previous volumes in the series but having Clifford and Gladstone the bulldog present relieved some of the tension amongst the guests at Auldwyke Hall. Overall, I found this a very enjoyable read

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
LOVE this series!!! Lady Eleanor is ready to celebrate Christmas with her finance. Oh course nothing goes smoothly and Lady Eleanor soon finds a dead body. Eleanor and Hugh are trapped in a manor house while a blizzard is outside. Can they figure out who did it before someone else dies?
I can’t believe this is the twentieth book in the series! They keep getting better as the series goes on. 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.

READ THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE…
Closed door mysteries
Sweet holiday romance
Nonstop action

#AMidwinterMurder #VerityBright #Bookouture #LadyEleanor #Mystery #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks