Delightful characters, enjoyable read. ( )

While Inspector Gerald Witherspoon usually handles murder cases, when Ronald Dearman is murdered the case goes to Inspector Nigel Evans instead. Witherspoon's household staff (who help him on murder cases even if he doesn't know it) think this will be one case they won't be investigating. However, it turns out that Mrs. Jeffries is related through marriage to one of the suspects who begs her for help. This will be one of their toughest cases yet - not only will they not have much information from the police, a couple of the household staff won't be available to help this time around.

"Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own" is the 30th book in Emily Brightwell's "Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries" cozy mystery series set in the Victorian England and Brightwell continues to find ways to keep the series fresh. In this book she has outdone herself. Not only are two key members of the household staff missing but Mrs. Jeffries and friends don't have the full benefit of Witherspoon's investigating this case. This could not have been an easy book to plot and write but Brightwell does an excellent job with it. Another thing she does so well is to continue to reveal more information about characters that long-time readers know so well - this time we get a glimpse into Mrs. Jeffries's private life and even learn more about her long deceased husband. Phyllis is a relatively new character to the series and it is fun to read as she grows more comfortable with being a member of the household staff and solving murders. The mystery aspects are well done with plenty of suspects and readers will have fun trying to figure out who the killer is.

"Mrs. Jeffries Defends Her Own" is another winner by Emily Brightwell. ( )

A nice entry into the series. Characters lives are developing, find out a little about Mrs Jeffries past. What are they going to do when Inspector Witherspoon catches on? ( )

I love the Mrs. Jeffries series. I realize that some of the dialogue may not be as true to the era as it could be, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this wonderful cozy series. This is one of the best books in this series because we have Mrs. Jeffries actually trying to protect a family member. Her sister-in-law, who she has lost contact with for many years, comes to her to ask for her help because the sister-in-law thinks she will be charged with the murder of her brother-in-law. Mrs. Jeffries and her wonderful team of household staff and neighbours sets out to find who the real culprit is. The mystery is more complex than usual in this book, and of course we get to see the wonderful characters from Upper Edmonton Gardens, minus Smythe and Betsy as they are on vacation when the murder occurs. These books are a lot of fun and I look forward to each new one in the series.
I love the Mrs. Jeffries series. I realize that some of the dialogue may not be as true to the era as it could be, but that doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this wonderful cozy series. This is one of the best books in this series because we have Mrs. Jeffries actually trying to protect a family member. Her sister-in-law, who she has lost contact with for many years, comes to her to ask for her help because the sister-in-law thinks she will be charged with the murder of her brother-in-law. Mrs. Jeffries and her wonderful team of household staff and neighbours sets out to find who the real culprit is. The mystery is more complex than usual in this book, and of course we get to see the wonderful characters from Upper Edmonton Gardens, minus Smythe and Betsy as they are on vacation when the murder occurs. These books are a lot of fun and I look forward to each new one in the series. ( )