Mrs Pargeter’s Murder Mysteries 1-3: A Nice Class of Corpse / Mrs, Presumed Dead / Mrs Pargeter’s Package

Mrs Pargeter #1-3

by Simon Brett

In this three-book box set:

A Nice Class of Corpse
Meet Mrs Melita Pargeter, a vivacious widow whose mystery-solving talents come in handy when a murderer stalks a hotel for well-to-do retirees. The victim is old Mrs Selsby, timid occupant of the hotel’s most coveted sea-front room. Everyone says her death was a tragic accident, but Mrs Pargeter’s not so sure . . .

Mrs, Presumed Dead
Mrs Pargeter moves to a lovely new home in leafy Surrey, where her neighbours are well-to-do young couples. But then her boiler breaks down, and she tries to get in touch with the former owners, Mr and Mrs Cotton. It turns out they have vanished without trace. Mrs Pargeter soon discovers that the nice Mrs Cotton was mixed up with some very shady characters. Mrs Pargeter’s determined to piece together the mystery . . .

Mrs Pargeter’s Package
Mrs Pargeter jets off on holiday to the sleepy Greek island of Corfu with her dear friend Joyce Burton. Two weeks of sun, sea and sand should be just what they need. But on their very first morning in Corfu, Joyce turns up dead in her bed. Everyone says she took her own life. But Mrs Pargeter knows there are fishy dealings afoot — and it’s up to her to uncover the truth.

The Detective
Sixty-something Melita Pargeter is a woman in her prime — classy, earthy and sharp as a tack. Don’t believe the rumours about her late husband. The perfect gent, he left Mrs P. wanting for nothing. On his advice, she never leaves home without binoculars, gloves and a skeleton key. And these trusty essentials have always served her well. But murder seems to follow her to every new address . . .

629 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2023

About the author

Simon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.

He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.

He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.

After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.

He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Hoong · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 'Mrs, Presumed Dead.' The storytelling is distinctively different from that in Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. After reading so many of Christie's books, I just want to experience another writer's perspective of a female sleuth. Brett referenced many unique British terms that I had to look up. I find Mrs. Pargeter somewhat annoying in her pretensions compared to Miss Marple. I feel her class privilege access to services was lavished upon amusing herself instead of helping to better the lives of others less fortunate than her. (This is contrary to the Far East sociocultural sense of ethics). Perhaps Mr. Brett may have been successful in crafting crime fiction of the kind whose protagonist lacks ethical actions, although it provides a reasonable form of diversion while doing physical exercise. Still, I prefer Miss Maple's character.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

Mrs Pargeter is an unusual "detective." A widow whose late husband set her up with all the help she could ever need. That he was not quite the most honest man you could ask for is beside the point. I liked Mrs., Presumed Dead the best, but all three of the books were fast-paced and entertaining.

[Lauralee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Pargeter figures it out.

This series was full of twists. Loved how the Mrs. P. always thought out side of the box, thanks to the late Me. P. whom she always referred too. Enjoy the read! I sure did.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh so British

Mrs Pargeter Murder Mysteries books 1-3 are page turning and the endings you will be shocked at the clever twists.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always love reading and rereading Mrs.Pargeter. She's my favorite Simon Brett character. The books are entertaining and well written.

[Lesley Ann Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most enjoyable reading

I have always loved Simon Brett’s writing and TV shows. Brilliant characters and clever twist at the end keeps the reader guessing.

[Kristyn Bray · Rating 3 out of 5]

old sleuth, ok story