More tightly controlled than previous books. Very enjoyable and the gender politics were fun. ( )

It is around 10 p.m. and Annie Shields is out trying to earn a little more selling flowers. The problem is the pea soup fog. No one is out in it so Annie decides to call it quits for the night. She never makes it home, but instead is found dead on the street.

During this book, the Sufferagettes are demonstrating for women's rights. A conversation comes up during the staff where the women voice their opinions of women deserving rights and being able to do many of the jobs men do, while the men hold on to their view that women are the weaker sex and aren't capeable. Needless to say, a line is drawn between sides. When news comes of Inspector Witherspoon's newest case - the death of Annie Shields - it becomes a contest to see which side will solve the mystery.

In the meantime it proves to be a difficult task of finding clues and putting them together. There is the young child of Annie to be accounted for; there is a person who has been giving her a little extra money - who and why. A fair number of threads to unravel and tie up.

Another fun read in this series and I'm looking forward to more! ( )

Book Six in the Victorian Mystery series has the team investigating the murder of a flower seller.

What most bothered me about the early books in the series was how completely clueless Inspector Witherspoon was. At least now he’s showing some knowledge of police procedure and some independent investigation. He’s also following clues and beginning to put pieces of the puzzle together. Of course, the fun premise of this series is that his housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries, along with other household staff and a neighbor who’s a wealthy American with a curious butler, actually do most of the leg work and carefully steer the Inspector towards the solution.

A fun cozy mystery series that I’ll keep reading when I want a break. ( )

This series centers around the household of Gerald Witherspoon, an extremely kind, but not terribly bright individual who has a great reputation for his amazing (if not downright unlikely) success at solving murders. Inspector Witherspoon doesn't realize, but his good deeds and kindly nature have created great loyalty on the part of his household staff. Led by the housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, a policeman's widow, they successfully (and competitively) investigate every case, and tactfully pass the information along to Witherspoon. A few friends and neighbors eventually join in to help.

I like having a largish band of appealing, repeating characters who are distinct from one another and continue to develop throughout the series. The stories are somewhat formulaic, which the reader may like or dislike. Personally, I wish that the continuing subplots would develop and change a little faster.

A friend recommended this series to me when I was extremely depressed, and it was perfect! ( )