Title: The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries
Author: Emily Brightwell
First published February 1, 1993
Audio CD
ISBN: 9781452668154 (ISBN10: 1452668159)
Rating: 3.66
Overview
Inspector Witherspoon is the pride of Scotland Yard, with a reputation for cracking even the toughest cases. But what the public doesn’t know is that he owes much of his success to his trusted housekeeper, Mrs.
Jeffries. With her sharp mind and keen eye for detail, Mrs.
Jeffries is always one step ahead of the criminals – and the Inspector too. Together, they make a formidable team, solving even the messiest of murders with ease.
Join them on their latest adventure, where they’ll uncover secrets, untangle webs of lies, and prove once again that there’s no case too difficult for this dynamic duo.
About the Author
Born in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, USA on October 11th, 1948, Cheryl Lanham’s family relocated to Pasadena, California in 1959. After completing her education at California State University, Cheryl set out to travel the world.
However, her journey was cut short when she met Richard James Arguile, an Englishman whom she later married in May 1976. Together, they have two children, Matthew and Amanda.
Despite working in international shipping, Cheryl never lost sight of her dream to become a writer. She pursued her passion and has since authored romance novels under the pseudonyms of Sarah Temple and Vanessa Royall, and young adult novels under her own name.
Additionally, Cheryl writes mystery novels under the pen name Emily Brightwell, featuring the character “Mrs. Jeffries”.
Cheryl and her husband currently reside in California with their beloved cat, Kiwi. As she puts it, writing is the best job ever!
Editoral Review
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell is a charming mystery novel that was first published on February 1, 1993.
Brightwell is an American author who is widely recognized for her historical mystery novels. The book falls in the cozy mystery genre, which is a sub-genre of crime fiction that is characterized by its lighthearted tone, amateur detectives, and an absence of graphic violence and sex.
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries is set in late 19th century London and follows the story of Inspector Witherspoon and his housekeeper, Mrs.
Jeffries. Witherspoon is a kind-hearted but hapless police inspector who is struggling to solve a murder case that has resulted in public uproar.
Mrs. Jeffries, who has a penchant for detective work, secretly leads a team of household staff to help her boss in solving the case.
The book is focused on the main characters’ attempts to identify the real culprit while dealing with several intriguing subplots. Brightwell’s attention to historical detail is impeccable, making it easy for the reader to picture London in the late 19th century.
Moreover, she is a master of characterization, bringing the protagonists and their surroundings to life. Her prose is engaging, witty and flows fluidly throughout the book, which is a testament to her skill as a writer.
One of the main strengths of the book is the incredible sense of camaraderie between the characters. The household staff is portrayed as genuine human beings with their desires, fears and ambitions, creating a sense of empathy from the reader towards them.
The Inspector, on the other hand, is lovable, naive and absentminded, which adds to the charm of the characters. However, the book’s pacing is somewhat slow at times, and the mystery aspect of the story is a bit predictable in places.
That said, it is important to note that the novel was first published in 1993 and the cozy mystery genre has changed significantly in the meantime. Overall, Emily Brightwell does an excellent job of creating a cozy and enjoyable mystery novel.
The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, cozy mysteries, and detective stories.
It is a unique and fascinating blend of careful attention to historical detail, strong characterization, and compelling storytelling. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written and captivating mystery novel.
Rating: 4/5
