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The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries (Mrs.Jeffries Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,620 ratings

The first novel in the beloved New York Times bestselling Victorian mystery series featuring Inspector Witherspoon and his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries—two of the most charming characters to ever crack a case!

She keeps house for Inspector Witherspoon...and keeps him on his toes. Everyone's awed by his Scotland Yard successes—but they don't know about his secret weapon. No matter how messy the murder or how dirty the deed, Mrs. Jeffries's polished detection skills are up to the task...proving that behind every great man there's a great woman—and that a crime-solver's work is never done.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though completely inept, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon has gained a reputation as Victorian-era Scotland Yard's shining star, thanks to his household staff, headed by Mrs. Jeffries, a policeman's widow. Mrs. Jeffries solves Witherspoon's mysteries without ever letting anyone, Witherspoon included, know she and the staff are involved. In this, romance writer Brightwell's ( Kindred Spirits ) first mystery, Mrs. Jeffries leads the dim-witted Witherspoon to the obvious solution to the poisoning of the thoroughly despicable Dr. Bartholomew Slocum. Displaying his Victorian class prejudice, despite a lack of motive or evidence, Witherspoon decides the murderer is Slocum's cook, who for unknown reasons left the employ of the Duke of Bedford to work for the doctor.It's up to Mrs. Jeffries to discover the true identity of the murderer. Unconvincing red herrings and cliches abound, and sharp readers will spot the murderer early on--he proves to be the least likely person. Brightwell makes Witherspoon almost overbearingly dumb and puts insufficient effort into the mystery itself, which quickly becomes tedious.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Praise for the Victorian mysteries

“[A] winning combination in Witherspoon and Jeffries. It’s murder most English all the way!”—The Literary Times

“Mrs. Jeffries is the Miss Marple of Victorian Mystery.”—The Paperback Forum

“One historical mystery series that never gets boring or dull.”—Midwest Book Review

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009Y1Q6HC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; Reissue edition (February 1, 1993)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 1993
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4419 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 189 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,620 ratings

About the author

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Emily Brightwell
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Emily Brightwell was born in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. Her family moved to Southern California in 1959 and she grew up in Pasadena. After graduating from California State University Fullerton, she decided to work her way around the world and started in England. She didn't get any further because she met future her husband there, got married and moved back to California. While living in Long Beach, she decided to pursue her dream and become a writer - despite having two children and a full-time job. She began the Mrs. Jeffries series in 1993 with "The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries" and has written forty more mysteries in the series in the following twenty-nine years. Emily has just finished (January 23) writing the next Mrs. Jeffries mystery : "Mrs. Jeffries Aims to Win" to be published in August 2023. Almost all books are available as audio books (unabridged) and most are available in large print format.

Now that her children are grown and have left home - Emily and her husband live in Northern Nevada. Her books are also sold in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Hungary. Emily is a relieved Everton FC supporter, loves Korean TV dramas, and "high altitude" baking.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,620 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book and find it a nice way to wind down after a busy day. They appreciate the interesting mystery and well-developed characters. The story flows smoothly, keeping the reader guessing until the end. Readers describe the series as great and a good introduction to a new series. They mention the characters are intelligent, wise, and kind. The humor is light and clean, without profanity or crude language.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

88 customers mention "Enjoyment"81 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it a nice, lighthearted read to wind down after a busy day. The characters are likeable and have their own strengths. The book becomes interesting after a slow start. Overall, customers consider it a great book by Emily Brightwell.

"...Mr. Jeffries was good as well, she is the title character. Her appearance as a charming, old widow, what's interesting was her sleuthing." Read more

"...I’m overstating this a little, the book is good, it’s just that these incongruences, having whole plots based on premises that don’t make sense and..." Read more

"...amount of mystery supplemented with comedy for balance. Very enjoyable read, perfect for a nice way to wind down after a busy day." Read more

"...in a long-running cozy series set in Victorian London, and is a fun quick read (I finished it in a couple of hours)...." Read more

63 customers mention "Mystery quality"55 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery quality of the book. They find the story interesting and enjoyable for a rainy day read. The characters and plotline are well-developed, with clues provided as you read. Readers appreciate the realistic plots and conversations. Overall, the narrative is easy to follow and the ending satisfying.

"...It has two brilliant main leads, Gerald Witherspoon, a Scotland Yard Inspector, with a Sherlock Holmes reputation for solving the most baffling of..." Read more

"The story was just the right amount of mystery supplemented with comedy for balance. Very enjoyable read, perfect for a nice way to wind down..." Read more

"...we say, not terribly bright; but no fear, he has the intelligent, curious and very adept Mrs. Jeffries to help him out, although he himself is not..." Read more

"...Great characters, clever and realistic plots and wonderful conversations. Great escapism, light and upbeat, an all around good vacation read...." Read more

37 customers mention "Character development"34 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters and their relationships. They find the cast entertaining and the setting interesting.

"...Suspects as well as the rest of the cast were very entertaining, and interesting The setting was doing well...." Read more

"...The characters are surprisingly interesting given the lack of development (one is almost on the scene) – and there are a lot of characters...." Read more

"...Brightwell's real accomplishment is in the very well drawn characterizations of the inspector, the servants (there are four including Mrs. Jeffries)..." Read more

"What a great introduction to a new series. Great characters, clever and realistic plots and wonderful conversations...." Read more

22 customers mention "Pacing"18 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book. They find it a nice way to wind down after a busy day, with an interesting storyline and well-written characters. The book is described as a good introduction to the series, set in Victorian London. However, some readers feel the writing skill is childish, making it a less enjoyable summer escape.

"...with comedy for balance. Very enjoyable read, perfect for a nice way to wind down after a busy day." Read more

"...This is the first book in a long-running cozy series set in Victorian London, and is a fun quick read (I finished it in a couple of hours)...." Read more

"...I’m in the mood for a “cozy” mystery series and KCLS has many available on kindle...." Read more

"...Since this book was one of the earliest books to be written, I found it interesting in how the inspector's staff started helping solve his cases...." Read more

8 customers mention "Series quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series. They find it a good introduction to a new series and say it matches their needs perfectly.

"What a great introduction to a new series. Great characters, clever and realistic plots and wonderful conversations...." Read more

"This was a great beginning to what I expect will be a great series. It was not a page turner, but was well written and enjoyable to read...." Read more

"This is one of my favorite series...." Read more

"...This series matches my needs perfectly, and I'll continue along with Mrs. Jeffries and company!" Read more

5 customers mention "Intelligence"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the intelligent characters. They mention the housekeeper is wise and the inspector is kind, yet unsure of himself.

"...is, shall we say, not terribly bright; but no fear, he has the intelligent, curious and very adept Mrs. Jeffries to help him out, although he..." Read more

"...Wonderful characters you will love, an inspector who is kind, yet unsure of himself and his housekeeper/sleuth in hiding, who helps him solve..." Read more

"Intelligent, clean straight up mystery. Really like the cast of sleuths...." Read more

"A very wise housekeeper..." Read more

5 customers mention "Lightness"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book light and easy to read. They say it's a cute story for when you are not in the mood.

"I can see the appeal of Mrs. Jeffries: light, the clues are very interesting and out there (Brightwell isn’t trying to hide them)...." Read more

"...Great escapism, light and upbeat, an all around good vacation read. Had a great time and can't wait to read more from this series!" Read more

"This series is not your typical British mystery, they are somewhat light. The series is about an Inspector from..." Read more

"...I enjoyed this first book I read. It's light and enjoyable...." Read more

4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They say it's clean without profanity or crude language.

"The story was just the right amount of mystery supplemented with comedy for balance. Very enjoyable read, perfect for a nice way to wind down..." Read more

"...There is humor and it's a clean book without profanity or even crude references. All in all just an enjoyable read...." Read more

"...Very funny and fun to read." Read more

"A nice, quiet, but interesting mystery, with some humor. A good read. Different from most of the mysteries I have read." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2017
    This charming, excellent whodunit is set in London during the Victorian Era. It has two brilliant main leads, Gerald Witherspoon, a Scotland Yard Inspector, with a Sherlock Holmes reputation for solving the most baffling of cases, and then theres Mrs. Jefferies, a policeman's widow, and the Inspector's housekeeper, who has an interest in solving mysteries. Whenever Inspector Witherspoon is on the case, Mrs. Jefferies isn't far behind, in this particular case, the Inspector is called the murder scene of a doctor who is poisoned. He goes home to tell the sweet old Mrs. Jefferies about his case, so she along with his staff get involved in his Detective business

    The castle of characters including the staff I like a lot, there's Wiggins and Smythe, practically go hand-in-hand, Mrs. Goode, the cook, and Betty. All add to our Inspector's household of amateur detectives. Suspects as well as the rest of the cast were very entertaining, and interesting

    The setting was doing well. I could picture the cobblestone, carriage lined streets of London, as well as Inspector Witherspoon's atately home Along with a few other areas and locations.

    Inspector Gerald Witherspoon gave me sort of a Sherlock Holmes vibe, but instead of investigating his petty "Detective Affairs". He's actually a Scotland Yard inspector in this version. With his appearance he could throw in a little bit of Lestrade, and Poirot for good measures. Mr. Jeffries was good as well, she is the title character. Her appearance as a charming, old widow, what's interesting was her sleuthing.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2018
    I can see the appeal of Mrs. Jeffries: light, the clues are very interesting and out there (Brightwell isn’t trying to hide them). This series is for the mind that wants to solve the puzzle without the emotional roller coaster, being terrified, having nightmares, and who isn’t interested in passionate sex scenes. Just a light read to solve the puzzle. The author has a nice author’s voice which isn’t too overbearing or self-indulgent. Brightwell’s greatest strengths are her voice, the mystery/clues, keeping the story flowing (oh my goodness, I have read 150 pages of some authors with NOTHING happening except the angst of the main character. Bored out of my gourd. Brightwell has solved the mystery at that point). I enjoyed the book and would read another.

    Still, the book is too light IMO: there isn’t enough character development to actually be drawn into the scene. The characters are surprisingly interesting given the lack of development (one is almost on the scene) – and there are a lot of characters. The book is good, the author has talent, and it is so close, I don’t know why she doesn’t have a developmental editor, or why she doesn’t hire one if the publisher doesn’t provide one.

    There are some silly subplots, both in relation to the characters and the plot (the editor should catch this). The “everyone has a secret and comes to us without a past”: for every character? There might be one, possibly two characters, who are keeping everything about their past a secret. But everyone? Ridiculous. This comes across as laziness on the author’s part. Once the book is written, she should go back and develop some of the characters and set the scene/describe some of the scenes. I would like more of a feeling of Victorian London. I had no sense of where technology was at this point in time; I should in an historical. I’ve read this entire book and could tell you almost nothing about ALL of the characters. I really don’t know anything about Mrs. Jeffries (the main character!) except that she is a widow, smart (or maybe she just observed her husband's methods?), and for some reason doesn’t want her employer to know that she is smart. ?? I didn't connect to her as much as I should have for having completing the book. All it took was one Agatha Christie to fall in love with Poirot.

    I recognize that Brightwell doesn’t want to mess with her author’s voice, which is very good, but this book, though worth reading, could be more satisfying. You know how you finish some books and are left with this warm, satisfying feeling? I’m not feeling it. I’m left feeling a little confused and unsatisfied. Like I had chips for dinner instead of something healthy, or wondering what it was I missed. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a good book, but it could be better.

    And then the whole thing of the housekeeper solving the case without letting Inspector Witherspoon know because the man has to believe that he is the smart one and knows everything? What?!? I realize this series is old-fashioned and I expect women truly did think that way, but gag me. Nor is having Inspector Witherspoon be stupid appealing to me. I get it, Mrs. Jeffries is the real brains behind the operation, which has to be handled delicately.

    It would be more satisfying to me if Mrs. Jeffries’ contributions were acknowledged. I don’t think it adds anything to the book to have the inspector oblivious of his staff’s contributions while developing an exaggerated sense of his own intelligence. Why does anyone’s ego need to be or deserve to be inflated to that degree? I always thought the truth would set you free.

    Another sub-plot which doesn't ring true: they have to keep it a secret from Nivens (Witherspoon’s associate) that Inspector Witherspoon’s staff is helping him. Why? This sub-plot is used a LOT through-out the series and it gets REALLY old. Way overdone. I’m sure that Nivens has a staff, a detective force (EVERYONE does), why couldn’t Inspector Witherspoon hire people to look into things for him? This is no way negates Witherspoon’s ability as an inspector. (Sherlock Holmes had children working for him, for goodness sake.) What if Nivens finds out? OH MY GOD?? WHAT IF? I do not get this. Even if he does find out, Nivens doesn’t have any authority to do anything to Inspector Witherspoon. Their superior only cares that the murder gets solved, he doesn’t care if the family cat solves it.

    If the author is going to keep an unconvincing sub-plot, it needs to be explained why discovery is so scary and what the consequences would be. Brightwell continually says Nivens is so nasty instead of showing him being nasty. Particularly when Nivens is made to look a fool at the end of this book, this should have been shown (not told). This could have been a great scene. Instead of Mrs. Jeffries being told in passing. And I would like to see Witherspoon's reaction.

    I’m overstating this a little, the book is good, it’s just that these incongruences, having whole plots based on premises that don’t make sense and are rather inconsequential matters creates an underlying lack of satisfaction in the read.

    To really be pulled into the story and to have a GREAT read, tweaking of the sub-plots is needed, as well as character development/scene development. Also attention to use of language. All these factors have the effect of pulling me out of the story instead of pulling me deeper into it. I want to be on the set. I can’t be if I’m not even sure who any of these characters are, what their motivations are (basic outlook in life) and where I am/what it looks like. The characters are not very distinct from each other and are mostly interchangeable in my mind.

    Essentially this is a good read that could be a great read. No doubt Brightwell is wildly more successful than me in life, this is just one opinion. I did finish the book, which held my attention to the end, which tells you that I was engaged. Clearly I was engaged. Slightly irritated, but definitely engaged. I would read another.
    33 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
    The story was just the right amount of mystery supplemented with comedy for balance.
    Very enjoyable read, perfect for a nice way to wind down after a busy day.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
    Mrs. Hepzibah Jeffries is the widow of a Yorkshire policeman who has moved to London and taken a job as housekeeper for Inspector Gerald Witherspoon of Scotland Yard. The Inspector had until recently spent most of his career in records for the police, but now he is a full-fledged inspector, currently working on the murder of Dr. Bartholomew Slocum who appears to have been poisoned. Unfortunately, the Inspector is, shall we say, not terribly bright; but no fear, he has the intelligent, curious and very adept Mrs. Jeffries to help him out, although he himself is not aware of that because she is very discreet indeed. But who among the many suspects had actually done the deed? Even Mrs. Jeffries is stumped - for a while, anyway…. This is the first book in a long-running cozy series set in Victorian London, and is a fun quick read (I finished it in a couple of hours). Yes, the Inspector is a bit of a caricature, at least in this first novel, but his detective shortcomings are made up for by his good-heartedness, and Mrs. Jeffries is one of those female characters who through sheer curiosity and force of will is able to deduce the most convoluted situations. I ran across the series accidentally and decided to give it a try; I’m glad I did, as there are a *lot* (41 as of this writing) of them and they will be fun to read throughout the summer; recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Cheryl Jamieson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
    Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2024
    Arrived by mail on July 3rd. Perfect copy.
  • jasmin d'été
    5.0 out of 5 stars delectable série
    Reviewed in France on September 6, 2018
    Une série victorienne avec l'inspecteur Whiterspoon un gentil naïf et son personnel . c'est le 1er de la série.
    Des meurtres dans une société pudique fermée comme pouvait être l'ère victorienne. Le "Hic" est que c'est la gouvernante et son personnel qui enquêtent sans que l'inspecteur gentil et débonnaire s'en aperçoive. On y plonge avec joie
  • Twinkletoes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly delightful!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2018
    The story was well told mostly through Mrs Jeffries and how age helps her boss solve tricky and troubling cases. She uses the staff at the house for a variety of tasks and during her evening sit downs with the Inspector steers him down the right path using the information shes gleaned and also anything he has throughout his day. As mysteries go this is fully engaging and gets you involved from the start, and you also understand each persons impetus as the narrative moves forward. Thou kept me on my toes and even I usually can peg the murderer by the second chapter was guessing until right up to the end. You feel empathy with the characters throughout and can honestly say your rooting for them by the end of the story.
    A well told, character driven book that is well deserved of 5 stars. Kept me up till the early hours as I just had to finish it.
    One person found this helpful
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  • buyright,.
    4.0 out of 5 stars a nice read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2014
    Emily bright well has written quite a number of books this one is the first one I have read, and its very well written, it reminds me a little of Agatha Christies miss marple, except Mrs Jeffries is a cook, and put's any number of ideas, and suggestions into her employer the police inspector to pick up on. very nicely manipulated, clever written.
  • maureen n
    3.0 out of 5 stars So-so
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2022
    Looking for a gentle read that doesn’t tax the brain too much, and this fits this description. The plot is simple who-dun-it, not too many red herrings. A few Americanisms that feel out-of-place, such as ‘gotten’ for ‘got’, ‘first floor’ for ‘ground floor’.
    However, the main thrust is that the professionals involved in the investigation are much less than competent, actually slipshod, needing the amateurs to help out. Someone is murdered, and we are told at once this was by poison, but the actual poison (once identified) also seems possibly factually inaccurate (???) - would it actually work in the manner, and with the effect, described?
    Good enough to read a second book - but, the characters need to develop further. If they don’t, if the author keeps to the same formula, it would quickly become uninteresting

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