Book number five in the Victorian Mystery series starring Inspector Gerald Witherspoon and his very capable housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries.

When Inspector Witherspoon agrees to escort Lady Cannonberry to the ball being held at the home of Lucinda Marlowe he doesn’t expect that one of the guests will be murdered right in front of him. Of course, this means that he is the chief investigator, and that his household staff (along with Constable Barnes) will be assisting him, ever so tactfully of course. Victorian London is certainly a hotbed of crime but Mrs Jeffries and her staff are more than up to the task of ferreting out the information to make the Inspector look good when he solves the murder.

This time Mrs Jeffries and the rest of the staff have to also manage their “behind the scenes” investigation while evading Inspector Witherspoon’s cousin, Mrs Livingston-Graves, who is visiting (along with her demon cat). Their efforts to get her out of the way are almost more entertaining than the investigation itself. ( )

Although these are very formulaic the characters are so lovely they’re always an enjoyable read. ( )

It is the year of Queen Victoria's Jubilee and there are celebration balls in her honour. While Gerald Witherspoon, of Scotland Yard, is attending one with his neighbour Lady Ruth Cannonberry, things come to an abrupt and deadly halt. A scream and a thud is heard. Seems someone has stabbed one of the guests and shoved her off the upstairs balcony, into the midst of the guests on the terrace.

The ball is being given by Lucinda Marlow, a member of the Hyde Park Literary Circle. The reason is not just in honour of the Queen's Jubilee, but also to announce the winner of the poetry contest among the group members. Members who all seem to have secrets and jealousies that they don't want people to know. Who among them is the murderer and why was Hannah Greenwood murdered?

This event sets in motion the household staff of Inspector Witherspoon. That secret source of clues, hints and affirmation of Witherspoon's ability/reputation of solving crimes. The only fly in the ointment is the presence of Edwina Livingston-Graves, Witherspoon's cousin who is visiting. She is a mean, demanding, snoopy, complaining bat with a cat of the same temperament. Witherspoon isn't fond of her either. How the staff keeps her out of things and still get things done adds an extra dash of humour. ( )

Lighthearted cozy-mystery. In Victorian, England the entire house staff, led by Housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries, work to solve crimes for their employer, Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard.

Very Christie-like all clues are not necessarily given, but relationships are the important key. Everyone involved likes helping the Inspector. ( )