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Miss Silver #17
The Brading Collection
Miss Silver investigates the murder of jewelry collector Lewis Brading, a man who had consulted her on security measures for his collection and then rejected her advice
284 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
221 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wentworth
162 books522 followersPatricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 30, 2018
I once read a review that said Miss Silver makes all the police look like bumbling idiots (or words to that effect). That isn’t how I perceive these novels, however. The difference is that the police are there to do their jobs: investigate and make an arrest as quickly as possible with the evidence (circumstantial or otherwise) that they gather. Miss Silver’s motivation is to gather the facts to get to the truth so that justice can be achieved.
They are not really at cross-principles, but their purposes and methods do differ. Fortunately, Miss Silver is able to piece the facts together without getting distracted by red herrings that the culprits take care to spread liberally. Her sharp mind, and ability to put the puzzle pieces where they belong is what makes her the star that shines in the cause of truth and justice.
This novel is a perfect example of that because the case couldn’t be more muddled by a mixture of characters who all have their own agendas going on – some of them healthy, some not healthy at all, and others whose agendas are completely innocent but they are trapped by time and place.
The Brading Collection is a huge collection of jewelry owned by Lewis Brading who lives in the vault-like annex to a property whose main house has been turned into a “club” where people come to spend their holidays. Each piece in the Brading Collection has its own tale, and the majority of them are morbid stories filled with the vices of life and ultimately, the death of whoever owned the piece and/or wore it.
Lewis Brading is a cold and calculating man who is not above blackmail to achieve his ends. His collection is everything in life to him - until he meets a woman that he falls head over heels for, cutting his cousin out of his will, and generally causing mayhem in the rest of the family. When he turns up dead, the police are doing what they do: they follow the money. Who has most to gain by this death? Miss Silver comes at it from a different angle – who has most to gain by clouding the issue in a miasma of confusion?
With characteristic emphasis on the characters, their motivations, and what people will do to achieve ends that are less than noble, Patricia Wentworth comes through with another intriguing mystery in an idyllic British setting.
Recommended to all fans of mysteries – especially those who appreciate stories from the Golden Age of Mystery.
They are not really at cross-principles, but their purposes and methods do differ. Fortunately, Miss Silver is able to piece the facts together without getting distracted by red herrings that the culprits take care to spread liberally. Her sharp mind, and ability to put the puzzle pieces where they belong is what makes her the star that shines in the cause of truth and justice.
This novel is a perfect example of that because the case couldn’t be more muddled by a mixture of characters who all have their own agendas going on – some of them healthy, some not healthy at all, and others whose agendas are completely innocent but they are trapped by time and place.
The Brading Collection is a huge collection of jewelry owned by Lewis Brading who lives in the vault-like annex to a property whose main house has been turned into a “club” where people come to spend their holidays. Each piece in the Brading Collection has its own tale, and the majority of them are morbid stories filled with the vices of life and ultimately, the death of whoever owned the piece and/or wore it.
Lewis Brading is a cold and calculating man who is not above blackmail to achieve his ends. His collection is everything in life to him - until he meets a woman that he falls head over heels for, cutting his cousin out of his will, and generally causing mayhem in the rest of the family. When he turns up dead, the police are doing what they do: they follow the money. Who has most to gain by this death? Miss Silver comes at it from a different angle – who has most to gain by clouding the issue in a miasma of confusion?
With characteristic emphasis on the characters, their motivations, and what people will do to achieve ends that are less than noble, Patricia Wentworth comes through with another intriguing mystery in an idyllic British setting.
Recommended to all fans of mysteries – especially those who appreciate stories from the Golden Age of Mystery.
February 16, 2018
"He cannot say why, but Lewis Brading is an uneasy man." Lewis is also an asshole. He has a creepy hobby (collecting jewels with a connection to ghoulish crimes), and he is cruel. He likes having people under his thumb, so he can make them dance to his tune, while he watches them suffer. It is somewhat of a relief when he dies, after ignoring Maud Silver's advice. For reals, what kind of jerkwad gets good counsel from Miss Silver and goes away mad and ignores her? Somebody who is ASKING to get killed, that's who.
The love interests are awful, just the worst. Charles is the sort of masterful man who clenches women's hands and shoulders until it hurts, and calls them 'silly little fools.' Stacy is a big girl's blouse who divorced Charles after 3 months of marriage but still loves him like an idiot. She has no self-respect, if she had bitten it I would have laughed, LAUGHED, I tell you!
If you read this and can't figure out how the murder was committed...you are not trying hard enough. The pitiful or sympathetic characters are innocent.
Wentworth has one dramatic red-haired character, a femme fatale who has flaming red hair and white, white skin, and we are told that no matter how much time she spends in the sun, her skin never darkens. It remains white as snow. WTF? That is not actually possible, the woman is not a sheet who bleaches in the sun. She might not tan, but whe would burn to a crisp and freckle! Overdone stuff like the dangerously beautiful woman who is impervious to UV rays are so silly. I give this two disappointed stars.
The love interests are awful, just the worst. Charles is the sort of masterful man who clenches women's hands and shoulders until it hurts, and calls them 'silly little fools.' Stacy is a big girl's blouse who divorced Charles after 3 months of marriage but still loves him like an idiot. She has no self-respect, if she had bitten it I would have laughed, LAUGHED, I tell you!
If you read this and can't figure out how the murder was committed...you are not trying hard enough. The pitiful or sympathetic characters are innocent.
Wentworth has one dramatic red-haired character, a femme fatale who has flaming red hair and white, white skin, and we are told that no matter how much time she spends in the sun, her skin never darkens. It remains white as snow. WTF? That is not actually possible, the woman is not a sheet who bleaches in the sun. She might not tan, but whe would burn to a crisp and freckle! Overdone stuff like the dangerously beautiful woman who is impervious to UV rays are so silly. I give this two disappointed stars.
January 5, 2018
It isn't very often that Miss Maude Silver turns down a case but she sent Lewis Brading away after listening to his story. Mr. Brading was edging much too close to blackmail in order to keep his assistant working at his job. Miss Silver recommended he let Mr. Moberly leave his employment and then either donate the pieces in his jewelry collection to museums or place them in other secure settings. Naturally Mr. Brading was never going to take either one of her suggestions. Several weeks later she was surprised to receive a second request from her to take his case, this time in a letter asking her to come to Warne House in Ledstow where she could even name her own fee to take the case. That was surprise number one that morning with surprise number two coming when she opened her daily newspaper.
Many of the Miss Silver stories have a romance as a central portion of the plot; this book has a bit more emphasis on the romance aspect than usual. Unfortunately for me the female romantic lead is the character type I'm not best pleased to find. However, it's a Miss Silver story which helps me not pay so much attention to Stacy Mainwaring and focus more on the unusual aspects of the environment in which the crime takes place. This comes very close to a locked room story, but not quite. Everyone isn't telling the truth when they give their alibis.
Some of the Miss Silver stories are better written than others but I always get that comfortable, contented feeling when I open the covers of one of these books. The classic situations will be there, good will prevail and evil will be brought to light. If you've never read one of these mystery gems, you are in for a treat as long as you allow that the story will be along the lines of a classic mystery novel. This one was published in 1952 so prepare to slow down and enjoy the puzzle.
(This book is titled both as The Brading Collection and Mr. Brading's Collection.)
Many of the Miss Silver stories have a romance as a central portion of the plot; this book has a bit more emphasis on the romance aspect than usual. Unfortunately for me the female romantic lead is the character type I'm not best pleased to find. However, it's a Miss Silver story which helps me not pay so much attention to Stacy Mainwaring and focus more on the unusual aspects of the environment in which the crime takes place. This comes very close to a locked room story, but not quite. Everyone isn't telling the truth when they give their alibis.
Some of the Miss Silver stories are better written than others but I always get that comfortable, contented feeling when I open the covers of one of these books. The classic situations will be there, good will prevail and evil will be brought to light. If you've never read one of these mystery gems, you are in for a treat as long as you allow that the story will be along the lines of a classic mystery novel. This one was published in 1952 so prepare to slow down and enjoy the puzzle.
(This book is titled both as The Brading Collection and Mr. Brading's Collection.)
September 29, 2016
2 1/2 stars
This may have been my least favorite book of the Miss Silver series to-date.
You must understand that I am comparing the author to herself. If not for that bias, it would have been a solid 3 stars.
Update: 09-29-16
I just noticed that I read this out of order. I still haven't read #15 & #16. I hate when I do that!
This may have been my least favorite book of the Miss Silver series to-date.
You must understand that I am comparing the author to herself. If not for that bias, it would have been a solid 3 stars.
Update: 09-29-16
I just noticed that I read this out of order. I still haven't read #15 & #16. I hate when I do that!
June 2, 2020
Dame Agatha and Her Peers
1952 - The goodreads description talks about this being a 'locked room' mystery. BUT, there is no locked room! The person murdered left the doors unlocked, and at least 6 people could have walked in/out. Just sayin'. Oh, and the old joke about how, if an author doesn't know how to end a story, they just have everyone run over by a lorry. That actually happens here. I kid you not. But not to EVERY character at least. The rest run screaming from this pile of....you know, as fast as possible.
CAST -3: Miss Maud Silver knits. A LOT. Like the entire population of England has something knited by Maud. She occasionally looks around to make sure no one with a revolver is headed her way, then goes back to knitting. She's sorta funny: if anyone says anything really stupid, she's quick to point that out. If my mystery to solve is to buy a gift for the odd, rich uncle who has it all, I'd have Silver knit him a nice, scratchy jock strap to wear on his face for the next pandemic. Stacy Mainwaring is one tough gal: she left her husband, didn't tell anyone why, then pines away for 3 years. It turns out that husband Charles Forrest was into gay sadism (in the mysterious old mill down by the river bend) with the house staff (he'd just finished the 7th volume of Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past" and was inspired) and 5 members of Parliament (in a secret stairway to the Queen's dungeons)...no, none of that is true. But Stacy's reasoning for leaving him is no more believable. I did like Myra Constantine who is very rich and very ugly and hilariously rude and lude and just my type of gal (I need a beige Bentley convertible), so she gets the 2nd star for this element. Then there is Chief Constable Ranal March: "He looked like a country gentleman-big, fair, becomingly bronze. " IF Myra leaves her money to March, he becomes just my type of guy. Okay, a third star. Oh, did I mention the entire 'resolution' involves a character appearing first on page 221 of 256? For no reason, really. Okay, there are also a couple of semi-bad guys, and a couple of semi-bad gals who really dress up for tea!
ATMOSPHERE - 1: Okay, so there is this huge house turned into a resort, and some architect has built an annex which is suppose to secure the family jewels, but you gotta lock the doors or things don't work: the family jewels should be kept secure and warm. Now, at odd times, the passageway lights are on, or off, and can be seen from certain parts of the house. A simple diagram of the house and annex would have been nice, but nothing like that is here. Then there is this OTHER house turned into cheap flats for the cheap, middle class or even worse and that description coulda used a diagram also, you see, cause there are 2 revolvers...oh, never mind. LOTS of colors of yarn! Maud doesn't knit with mauve, but there is a bit of mauve in her fake silk dinner dress. Good to know! Proust and mauve go together like...yarn and jock straps.
CRIME - 1: IF ONLY there had been a scratchy (insert some private clothing item). Alas, just a standard murder with a revolver. That MIGHT be suicide, natch.
INVESTIGATION - 1: It's darn hard to knit/pearl (sp?) and solve a murder, so that's why the cops show up. Lots of stomping of feet by the ladies. and tons! of! exclamation! points! in case you forget to be! shocked!
RESOLUTION - 1: Things don't quite come together, and, oh! here comes a lorry! Thankfully, a loving couple survive. Nothing is stolen. There are no drugs. No impersonations. No forgery. Nothing particularly illicit is going on. Not even any fake jewels! There is no locked room. Everyone has a high-school level crush on about everyone else...but no kissing, no first base! I think somebody holds hands. (In the dark, I couldn't be sure.) And really no good reason to kill the victim. I can only surmise that the many totally twisted sex scenes were edited out, leaving...nothing much.
SUMMARY - 1.4. The Golden Age had a rock bottom. And I've a feeling I've not read the really bad stuff, as it'd have had to be in publication now for about 70 years! Yes, my friends, this is among the best of said Golden Age.
1952 - The goodreads description talks about this being a 'locked room' mystery. BUT, there is no locked room! The person murdered left the doors unlocked, and at least 6 people could have walked in/out. Just sayin'. Oh, and the old joke about how, if an author doesn't know how to end a story, they just have everyone run over by a lorry. That actually happens here. I kid you not. But not to EVERY character at least. The rest run screaming from this pile of....you know, as fast as possible.
CAST -3: Miss Maud Silver knits. A LOT. Like the entire population of England has something knited by Maud. She occasionally looks around to make sure no one with a revolver is headed her way, then goes back to knitting. She's sorta funny: if anyone says anything really stupid, she's quick to point that out. If my mystery to solve is to buy a gift for the odd, rich uncle who has it all, I'd have Silver knit him a nice, scratchy jock strap to wear on his face for the next pandemic. Stacy Mainwaring is one tough gal: she left her husband, didn't tell anyone why, then pines away for 3 years. It turns out that husband Charles Forrest was into gay sadism (in the mysterious old mill down by the river bend) with the house staff (he'd just finished the 7th volume of Proust's "Remembrance of Things Past" and was inspired) and 5 members of Parliament (in a secret stairway to the Queen's dungeons)...no, none of that is true. But Stacy's reasoning for leaving him is no more believable. I did like Myra Constantine who is very rich and very ugly and hilariously rude and lude and just my type of gal (I need a beige Bentley convertible), so she gets the 2nd star for this element. Then there is Chief Constable Ranal March: "He looked like a country gentleman-big, fair, becomingly bronze. " IF Myra leaves her money to March, he becomes just my type of guy. Okay, a third star. Oh, did I mention the entire 'resolution' involves a character appearing first on page 221 of 256? For no reason, really. Okay, there are also a couple of semi-bad guys, and a couple of semi-bad gals who really dress up for tea!
ATMOSPHERE - 1: Okay, so there is this huge house turned into a resort, and some architect has built an annex which is suppose to secure the family jewels, but you gotta lock the doors or things don't work: the family jewels should be kept secure and warm. Now, at odd times, the passageway lights are on, or off, and can be seen from certain parts of the house. A simple diagram of the house and annex would have been nice, but nothing like that is here. Then there is this OTHER house turned into cheap flats for the cheap, middle class or even worse and that description coulda used a diagram also, you see, cause there are 2 revolvers...oh, never mind. LOTS of colors of yarn! Maud doesn't knit with mauve, but there is a bit of mauve in her fake silk dinner dress. Good to know! Proust and mauve go together like...yarn and jock straps.
CRIME - 1: IF ONLY there had been a scratchy (insert some private clothing item). Alas, just a standard murder with a revolver. That MIGHT be suicide, natch.
INVESTIGATION - 1: It's darn hard to knit/pearl (sp?) and solve a murder, so that's why the cops show up. Lots of stomping of feet by the ladies. and tons! of! exclamation! points! in case you forget to be! shocked!
RESOLUTION - 1: Things don't quite come together, and, oh! here comes a lorry! Thankfully, a loving couple survive. Nothing is stolen. There are no drugs. No impersonations. No forgery. Nothing particularly illicit is going on. Not even any fake jewels! There is no locked room. Everyone has a high-school level crush on about everyone else...but no kissing, no first base! I think somebody holds hands. (In the dark, I couldn't be sure.) And really no good reason to kill the victim. I can only surmise that the many totally twisted sex scenes were edited out, leaving...nothing much.
SUMMARY - 1.4. The Golden Age had a rock bottom. And I've a feeling I've not read the really bad stuff, as it'd have had to be in publication now for about 70 years! Yes, my friends, this is among the best of said Golden Age.
March 4, 2020
Lewis Brading, who is known for his fabulous jewelry collection, tries to hire Maud Silver to find out whether he should be worried about intruders. But she thinks he is playing a dangerous game, keeping his secretary in a job he no longer wants through blackmail, and will have nothing to do with him. When Brading is murdered, his executor and cousin calls on Miss Silver to help find the murderer--especially since the cousin is possibly his heir and definitely a suspect.
September 26, 2019
I enjoyed this one! Lewis Brading has a collection of precious jewels he obsesses over, most connected with a scandal, violent theft, or curse, and kept in a magnificent state-of-the art vault facility annexed to his former home which he now runs as a country club, living in facilities provided within the vault along with his meek and mousey male secretary. However, he has a foreboding of evil, comes to see Miss Silver, then decides against pursuing it. Shortly thereafter he is found dead in his office in the annex, just after he posted Miss Silver a letter begging her to come help.
Essentially, this is a variant on the locked room mystery conundrum. As always in Miss Silver mysteries, there is a true love couple who are apart and need to be reunited as the ordeal of the investigation continues. And, as is often the case in these books, characters have dreams that warn them. Not specific predictions of the future, just setting of tone and mood, but often done effectively. It makes me wonder what kind of dreams the author Patricia Wentworth had.
I enjoyed the mix of characters and suspects in this one, and found the ugly, brash, obese, insightful, and domineering former star performer quite engaging.
Essentially, this is a variant on the locked room mystery conundrum. As always in Miss Silver mysteries, there is a true love couple who are apart and need to be reunited as the ordeal of the investigation continues. And, as is often the case in these books, characters have dreams that warn them. Not specific predictions of the future, just setting of tone and mood, but often done effectively. It makes me wonder what kind of dreams the author Patricia Wentworth had.
I enjoyed the mix of characters and suspects in this one, and found the ugly, brash, obese, insightful, and domineering former star performer quite engaging.
August 3, 2017
MY FAVORITE MISS SILVER MYSTERY!
If you enjoy Golden Age mysteries, then I think you will enjoy reading Wentworth's Miss Silver series. I rank most of them above Agatha Christie's.
If you enjoy Golden Age mysteries, then I think you will enjoy reading Wentworth's Miss Silver series. I rank most of them above Agatha Christie's.
May 12, 2020
Omg can she stop writing male romantic leads who grip the woman they love so hard it bruises
August 10, 2020
Could not put this book down. Read it in less than 48h (it was the weekend thankfully) and I do not regret it, only that it's now finished. I not only have a love for the style of writing, but also the characters. Even if the end of every chapter didn't leave you with a question regarding to the mystery you really want answered, you'll have a question regarding the relationships and characters that keep the story going.
Wentworth manages to, time and time again, introduce me to a couple of main and side characters that aren't just remarkable on their own, but are also thrilling within their interactions with each other or, whenever she comes into play, Miss Silver. You can't help but empathize with most of them, however fantastical they may seem - ridiculous or not, there's a reality to them you just can't deny, there's something so life-like about their unrealistic-ness.
And if nothing else, I am a sucker for endings that, being either happy or satisfying at most, fit the storyline and teach you a lesson about people.
Wentworth manages to, time and time again, introduce me to a couple of main and side characters that aren't just remarkable on their own, but are also thrilling within their interactions with each other or, whenever she comes into play, Miss Silver. You can't help but empathize with most of them, however fantastical they may seem - ridiculous or not, there's a reality to them you just can't deny, there's something so life-like about their unrealistic-ness.
And if nothing else, I am a sucker for endings that, being either happy or satisfying at most, fit the storyline and teach you a lesson about people.
April 9, 2019
So we get this situation. Lewis Brading is alive at three-ten, and dead at three-twenty. In that intervening time one of six people killed him — Miss Grey, James Moberly, Miss Constantine, Charles Forrest, Edna Snagge, or Brading himself.
December 23, 2022
Not as memorable as some of the other Miss Silver books.
December 4, 2025
Guessed it but great fun!
February 8, 2022
“Talking of diamonds, have you seen Mr. Brading’s Collection?”
January 11, 2025
I used to love this series and found them so cozy, but the last few have just been quite boring to me.
May 16, 2016
This is a clever locked-room mystery. The murder victim had come to Miss Silver for advice the week before but chose not to take it. England is suffering a heat spell. It is 1950 and there is little or no air conditioning. Having suffered through a heat spell my self once on a trip to London, it is easy to imagine everyone trying to live through the heat while coping with murder as well as formal dressing. The most interesting character is a retired actress named Myra Constantine. She would be totally delightful if she had not brow-beaten one of her daughters into a pathetic scrub and then had the nerve to complain that the poor creature had no back bone.
October 15, 2019
2019 reread: I am downgrading my rating from 4* to 3½*
I don't know whether I have become better at solving these mysteries or if my subconscious mind recalled the culprit. I didn't have any conscious memory of this book's plot but I thought that the guilty party was fairly obvious. Another reason why I am downgrading my rating is that I found the romantic subplot a little frustrating. Still, despite these complaints, I enjoyed reading this.
I don't know whether I have become better at solving these mysteries or if my subconscious mind recalled the culprit. I didn't have any conscious memory of this book's plot but I thought that the guilty party was fairly obvious. Another reason why I am downgrading my rating is that I found the romantic subplot a little frustrating. Still, despite these complaints, I enjoyed reading this.
July 20, 2020
Miss Silver mends another romance gone astray, whilst solving the murder of Mr. Brading and the loss of his spectacular (if cursed) diamond necklace. Several jumpers and sets of stocking’ed footwear are also nimbly-knitted by the sharp-eyed Miss Silver throughout the sorting of the whole sordid case. Another victory for the police, courtesy of prim Miss Silver! >^..^<
October 16, 2020
I usually give Wentworth's books 4 stars. This one was okay, but 3 stars.
August 19, 2023
I was tempted to give this book only 2 or 3 stars, because of the annoying main couple. Being a Wentworth novel, we have to have a romance, and in this one, our heroine, Stacy, is one of the most annoying ones imaginable, flouncing out of her marriage after only a month when another woman tells her a lie about her husband, Charles. Even though she knows the other woman is in love with Charles, she swallows the lie and refuses to even tell her husband why she is leaving him. (One feels sorry for Charles but might feel sorrier if he wasn't the kind of 'hero' who keeps grabbing his lady love in a 'bruising' grip...) Of course, being Wentworth, we know there is going to be a reasonable explanation for the mystery and it will end with the 'happy couple' being reunited, but would Charles really want to be reunited with such a chump? One feels tempted to tell him to run while he can! (From memory, Wentworth has at least three novels where the heroine has walked out of her marriage after only a few weeks due to discovering something terrible about her husband which ends up being proved to have been a misunderstanding/mistake. Even at best - The Clock Strikes Twelve - it's a weak device, but Stacy's behaviour in this novel is nothing short of idiotic.)
However, Charles and Stacy aside, I enjoyed the rest of the novel. Our murderee, Lewis Brading, collects extremely valuable jewels, and as if that doesn't put him at sufficient risk of murder, he also blackmails and bullies anyone he can. So it's not really a spoiler if I tell you that he ends up getting shot. Because of the layout of the house, only six people can have done it - and if you are a regular Wentworth reader, this narrows down to three because there are some character types who are never guilty in her books. So it's not that hard to work out who is guilty.
Having said that, I don't read Wentworth for the plots but for the characters and locations, and I loved the characters in this one. I like that so many of the people in this one are not conventionally good looking - Charles is ugly but attractive, Stacey is just ordinary, Myra Constantine is hideous but great fun. Some of the characters who appear most drab on the surface have the most going on underneath. And the minor characters - one area where Wentworth does so much better than Christie is in fleshing out the walk-on roles: Edna Snagge, the receptionist with strong views on fashion, who likes to spend her spare time planning her dream house ("everything right up to date - and a fridge.") Mrs 'call me Poppy' Hunt with her good nature, her artificial pearls, her cherry coloured chiffon and her enthusiasm for drinks. Poppy's husband, who "had a worried, inefficient look, like an ant that has strayed from the nest." So who cares if the solution is a bit obvious?
However, Charles and Stacy aside, I enjoyed the rest of the novel. Our murderee, Lewis Brading, collects extremely valuable jewels, and as if that doesn't put him at sufficient risk of murder, he also blackmails and bullies anyone he can. So it's not really a spoiler if I tell you that he ends up getting shot. Because of the layout of the house, only six people can have done it - and if you are a regular Wentworth reader, this narrows down to three because there are some character types who are never guilty in her books. So it's not that hard to work out who is guilty.
Having said that, I don't read Wentworth for the plots but for the characters and locations, and I loved the characters in this one. I like that so many of the people in this one are not conventionally good looking - Charles is ugly but attractive, Stacey is just ordinary, Myra Constantine is hideous but great fun. Some of the characters who appear most drab on the surface have the most going on underneath. And the minor characters - one area where Wentworth does so much better than Christie is in fleshing out the walk-on roles: Edna Snagge, the receptionist with strong views on fashion, who likes to spend her spare time planning her dream house ("everything right up to date - and a fridge.") Mrs 'call me Poppy' Hunt with her good nature, her artificial pearls, her cherry coloured chiffon and her enthusiasm for drinks. Poppy's husband, who "had a worried, inefficient look, like an ant that has strayed from the nest." So who cares if the solution is a bit obvious?
October 7, 2020
Miss Silver was unimpressed by Lewis Brading. Brading, believes his valuable collection jewelry who is in danger and seeks to hire her. His boasts to Miss Silver regarding the terrible history behind the jewels, and the threatening means by which he controls his staff, lead to her refusal. But before he leaves she warns that his actions are putting him in danger. Days later Miss Silver receives a message from Brading, there have been "developments", and begs her to come and investigate. But that same morning she reads a newspaper report of Brading’s death in the annex that held his collection.
‘Dear me!’
**WARNING – if you don’t enjoy a good formulaic romance/mystery, move along ‘cause there’s nothing for you to see here!**
Regular readers of Wentworth will find many of her usual themes here. There is of course, a young couple in love, separated by a serious misunderstanding, one of whom falls under suspicion. There are malicious relatives, some shady individuals, and the murder victim is usually someone who deserves it. And then, Miss Silver will arrive to gather the facts, get to the truth and see that justice is achieved.
While there are some good red herrings placed along the way, Miss Silver sees through the deceptions, pieces the facts together and resolves the mystery. And it’s likely that the reader will also not have the slightest problem in determining who the culprit is or how the murder was accomplished either. The who and how are really so transparent that some may throw their arms up in disgust, but not me! Ok—full disclosure—I’ve read this one a few times so of course the solution was no surprise to me.
I know the Miss Silver mysteries are not everyone’s cup of tea. There are those who find her old-fashioned and annoying. But I never find it boring to watch Miss Silver apply her methods.
IMO, reading a Wentworth is like sitting down with a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup (my favorite comfort meal). I could eat it every day, and somehow it never gets old.
Cough and nature thereof – 27: Introductory, preliminary, deprecating/deprecatory, interrogative, reproof/reproving, restrained, encouraging, gentle, little, premonitory, slight, and pleasurable.
P.S. – “Dear me!” count – 11
‘Dear me!’
**WARNING – if you don’t enjoy a good formulaic romance/mystery, move along ‘cause there’s nothing for you to see here!**
Regular readers of Wentworth will find many of her usual themes here. There is of course, a young couple in love, separated by a serious misunderstanding, one of whom falls under suspicion. There are malicious relatives, some shady individuals, and the murder victim is usually someone who deserves it. And then, Miss Silver will arrive to gather the facts, get to the truth and see that justice is achieved.
While there are some good red herrings placed along the way, Miss Silver sees through the deceptions, pieces the facts together and resolves the mystery. And it’s likely that the reader will also not have the slightest problem in determining who the culprit is or how the murder was accomplished either. The who and how are really so transparent that some may throw their arms up in disgust, but not me! Ok—full disclosure—I’ve read this one a few times so of course the solution was no surprise to me.
I know the Miss Silver mysteries are not everyone’s cup of tea. There are those who find her old-fashioned and annoying. But I never find it boring to watch Miss Silver apply her methods.
IMO, reading a Wentworth is like sitting down with a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup (my favorite comfort meal). I could eat it every day, and somehow it never gets old.
Cough and nature thereof – 27: Introductory, preliminary, deprecating/deprecatory, interrogative, reproof/reproving, restrained, encouraging, gentle, little, premonitory, slight, and pleasurable.
P.S. – “Dear me!” count – 11
December 8, 2021
Lewis loves to collect "artifacts". By that I mean jewelry that belonged to murderers.
Lewis is a worm that exploits other people's weaknesses then threatens them with scandal if they don't Kowtow to him.
Lewis is condescending, bad tempered and cheap (outside of his collection).
Lewis speaks in a flat monotone and lectures over you nine times out of ten.
AND YET I'm supposed to believe a guy like that is girl magnet? That he's "charming"???
This actually extends to the entire cast. You are given a long list that boils down to a specific stereotype, then plot, so now they break that completely. There is no hint or reason other than plot so it's really jarring.
I was surprised to see this listed as a "locked room mystery" in the blurb. Part of the problem was that the door was left wide open with people coming and going.
Some of the imagery was odd too. There is a side a character in here that had pages, yes PAGES, of descriptive text and a detailed backstory so you think it's going to factor in somehow... nope, just drops by now and again to gossip and reminds you how awesome and super ugly she is (no really, that's her character). Then you have the police interrogating a suspect while Miss Silver is sitting right there next to him knitting a pink baby onesie, is this a cartoon?
It's riddled with really old clichés that are executed poorly. Unnecessary descriptive text to pad it out. The author cheats by hiding key info until the reveal and quite a bit of it is random.
This is a personal opinion but I'm getting a strong vibe of Cards on the Table though more nicking a few things here and there rather than a blatant rip off which caused the jarring Jekyll/Hyde effect on the characters.
Normally this would be a 2.5 stars, An ok book, but it lost half a star when it labeled the women as "hysterical" just for showing emotions... after seeing a corpse. Not screaming, not breaking down, no she just got shaky remembering it so = hysteria. aka being a woman disease. This was published in 1950, that's two decades behind on that kind of thinking.
Lewis is a worm that exploits other people's weaknesses then threatens them with scandal if they don't Kowtow to him.
Lewis is condescending, bad tempered and cheap (outside of his collection).
Lewis speaks in a flat monotone and lectures over you nine times out of ten.
AND YET I'm supposed to believe a guy like that is girl magnet? That he's "charming"???
This actually extends to the entire cast. You are given a long list that boils down to a specific stereotype, then plot, so now they break that completely. There is no hint or reason other than plot so it's really jarring.
I was surprised to see this listed as a "locked room mystery" in the blurb. Part of the problem was that the door was left wide open with people coming and going.
Some of the imagery was odd too. There is a side a character in here that had pages, yes PAGES, of descriptive text and a detailed backstory so you think it's going to factor in somehow... nope, just drops by now and again to gossip and reminds you how awesome and super ugly she is (no really, that's her character). Then you have the police interrogating a suspect while Miss Silver is sitting right there next to him knitting a pink baby onesie, is this a cartoon?
It's riddled with really old clichés that are executed poorly. Unnecessary descriptive text to pad it out. The author cheats by hiding key info until the reveal and quite a bit of it is random.
This is a personal opinion but I'm getting a strong vibe of Cards on the Table though more nicking a few things here and there rather than a blatant rip off which caused the jarring Jekyll/Hyde effect on the characters.
Normally this would be a 2.5 stars, An ok book, but it lost half a star when it labeled the women as "hysterical" just for showing emotions... after seeing a corpse. Not screaming, not breaking down, no she just got shaky remembering it so = hysteria. aka being a woman disease. This was published in 1950, that's two decades behind on that kind of thinking.
August 31, 2020
The protagonist is a woman whom I started to want to smack up side the head (metaphorically) to get her to start standing up for herself and what she wanted and didn't want to do. When she turned out to have withheld things from her husband that was important for her to have shared, I gave up on her.
There is a very convincing female narcissist in this book, a common character for this author, suggesting she probably knew one in real life. Quite a bit of the author's savvy psychological understanding of human nature is in the books too.
There is the use of the racist “golliwog”, a term from minstrel shows, later used for a racist black caricatured doll; and a use of “Jew” that would not be used today in that way; and the phrase “worked like a black”. It is sad that these older books always seem to have one or two nasty bits like this, and they knew they were bad when they used them, but just felt confident that everyone thought as they did.
There is an odd setting for the story, that I think one recent writer lifted, along with some plot points, which is always a shame. I found the repetition of the facts tedious, I'm afraid, in this one. There really was quite a bit of it, and the resolution not much of a surprise. Miss Silver's coughing and knitting grated more than usual. The best bits are the first hand details of post WWII Britain, and the lingo of the era and place.
There is a very convincing female narcissist in this book, a common character for this author, suggesting she probably knew one in real life. Quite a bit of the author's savvy psychological understanding of human nature is in the books too.
There is the use of the racist “golliwog”, a term from minstrel shows, later used for a racist black caricatured doll; and a use of “Jew” that would not be used today in that way; and the phrase “worked like a black”. It is sad that these older books always seem to have one or two nasty bits like this, and they knew they were bad when they used them, but just felt confident that everyone thought as they did.
There is an odd setting for the story, that I think one recent writer lifted, along with some plot points, which is always a shame. I found the repetition of the facts tedious, I'm afraid, in this one. There really was quite a bit of it, and the resolution not much of a surprise. Miss Silver's coughing and knitting grated more than usual. The best bits are the first hand details of post WWII Britain, and the lingo of the era and place.
February 22, 2022
Lewis Brading's collection of jewelry had quite a different slant to it because every single one of them had a dark history of murder... like a brooch worn by a wife when her husband killed her and her lover and the the husband in turn committed suicide. Brading went to see Miss Silver because he thought that he was sometimes drugged and he suspected his secretary whom he was forcibly holding to his post by threatening to disclose the man's criminal past. Given such a disclosure, Miss Silver did not take his case. Then Brading got shot and his death was reported on Miss Silver's paper as well as a letter from Brading asking her to come to Warne. Given the circumstances, Miss Silver had to investigate. Prior to his death, Brading was about to propose to a gold~digging red~haired widow. Some men could be so stupid sometimes... and that was their undoing. The reader would meet some interesting characters here and a couple of nasty obnoxious and manipulative ones... both of them amoral women.
My tally for this book:
1. "Miss Silver coughed." in a single sentence also the word "coughed" combined with other words in paragraphs always related to the same Annoying Silver affectation that never failed to piss me off. 21 times.
2. "Dear me." 9 times.
3. "My dear ..." plus whatever name required in the conversation... another sentence that seemed false to this reader but was apparently the common expression in that timeline. 11 times.
My tally for this book:
1. "Miss Silver coughed." in a single sentence also the word "coughed" combined with other words in paragraphs always related to the same Annoying Silver affectation that never failed to piss me off. 21 times.
2. "Dear me." 9 times.
3. "My dear ..." plus whatever name required in the conversation... another sentence that seemed false to this reader but was apparently the common expression in that timeline. 11 times.
December 9, 2018
Patricia Wentworth's Miss Silver mysteries have provided me with hours of entertainment, but this book---#15 in the series, is one that I simply read through without much interest or enjoyment.
For readers who personally engage in solving a murder mystery, this might have offered more pleasure as a "locked-room" puzzle. But, I read primarily for character and found myself skimming through the lengthy descriptions of hallway locations and which door clicks and which door swooshes shut. And, I am generally not avidly trying to suss out the murderer the day the corpse is found, but Ms. Wentworth didn't really try to hide this perpetrator from the reader, or at least left so many clues that this rather disinterested reader sussed out "who dun it."
But, don't let these grumbles deter you from selecting a different book in Wentworth's very lengthy series. Miss Silver is a gem. The descriptions of her wardrobe and knitting may seem judgmental and annoying, but the pleasure in Miss Silver as a detective is not just her acute nature and surprising intelligence, but that she is so often underestimated or invisible. I love the conceit, and somehow it doesn't get old.
So, although this particular book was not "my cup of tea," I am a definite fan of Patricia Wentworth and Miss Silver and will be seeking out other books in the series.
For readers who personally engage in solving a murder mystery, this might have offered more pleasure as a "locked-room" puzzle. But, I read primarily for character and found myself skimming through the lengthy descriptions of hallway locations and which door clicks and which door swooshes shut. And, I am generally not avidly trying to suss out the murderer the day the corpse is found, but Ms. Wentworth didn't really try to hide this perpetrator from the reader, or at least left so many clues that this rather disinterested reader sussed out "who dun it."
But, don't let these grumbles deter you from selecting a different book in Wentworth's very lengthy series. Miss Silver is a gem. The descriptions of her wardrobe and knitting may seem judgmental and annoying, but the pleasure in Miss Silver as a detective is not just her acute nature and surprising intelligence, but that she is so often underestimated or invisible. I love the conceit, and somehow it doesn't get old.
So, although this particular book was not "my cup of tea," I am a definite fan of Patricia Wentworth and Miss Silver and will be seeking out other books in the series.
August 1, 2017
Early Bird Deal | Pretty standard for the type and the series, good for those who aren't looking for more. | This was very much a Miss Silver mystery, with all the usual trappings. Unfortunately, as the murder happened it was clear what the solution was--before any other suspects had entered the picture or red herrings had been drawn. I don't read this series for deep puzzlers, but I do still like there to be some slight mystery for at least a few pages after the murder. Additionally, since I've read so many others in the series, it was clear what the romantic resolution would be as soon as that tension was introduced (she's used that story arc in other books, and honestly, people, have a conversation before you get divorced!). My biggest complaint, though, was that I do not in any way care for "romantic heroes" who physically manhandle their love interests, and when told "that hurts!" respond with "that's the idea" then when they finally stop, explain that they wouldn't want to leave proof in the form of bruises. I don't care that this was written so many years ago, that shit isn't romantic. That said, if you enjoy the series you'll enjoy this one, and I read the series for fluff and as a diversion, not for penetrating insight into human character or crime.
February 2, 2020
A most enjoyable outing for Miss Silver in a tale of murder, misunderstanding and blackmail set in post-WW2 England.
The eponymous Brading Collection is formed of jewels which have rather creepy, criminous associations and its unlikeable owner is found murdered. Miss Silver is called in to assist her former pupil, Chief Constable Randal March and Inspector Crisp, both of whom regular readers have encountered in earlier instalments.
As ever, Miss Silver's credo is clear: "I have been engaged in many such cases and have worked in harmony with the police, but it is not my practice to work for the police. In a murder case, as in any other, I can have only one object, the bringing to light of the truth. It is only the guilty who have to fear this, the innocent are protected."
This episode is more lightly spiced with romance than is customary and the "hero and heroine", Charles and Stacy, are, respectively, less handsome and stiff-lipped and pretty and wet than is usual with this writer.
3.5 stars.
The eponymous Brading Collection is formed of jewels which have rather creepy, criminous associations and its unlikeable owner is found murdered. Miss Silver is called in to assist her former pupil, Chief Constable Randal March and Inspector Crisp, both of whom regular readers have encountered in earlier instalments.
As ever, Miss Silver's credo is clear: "I have been engaged in many such cases and have worked in harmony with the police, but it is not my practice to work for the police. In a murder case, as in any other, I can have only one object, the bringing to light of the truth. It is only the guilty who have to fear this, the innocent are protected."
This episode is more lightly spiced with romance than is customary and the "hero and heroine", Charles and Stacy, are, respectively, less handsome and stiff-lipped and pretty and wet than is usual with this writer.
3.5 stars.
September 2, 2024
Mr. Lewis Brading meets with Miss Silver regarding his unusual collection of Jewellery. A fanatic about the collection and its security to the point he has a custom-built annex for it on the grounds of a country club; complete with living accommodations for him and an secretary Some strange things that have recently happened have made him concerned about the people around him.
He chooses to ignore Miss Silver’s advice and is later found murdered in the annex — a building only he and his secretary have access to.
Chief Constable Randal March, a friend of Miss Silver, asks for her help in solving the case. The country club owner, the owner’s ex-wife (a young portrait artist), a gold-digging fiancée, an aging actress and her two daughters, Brading’s adopted sister — who wants to marry Brading,, along with family secrets, blackmail, greed and gossip makes for a challenging case for Miss Silver.
He chooses to ignore Miss Silver’s advice and is later found murdered in the annex — a building only he and his secretary have access to.
Chief Constable Randal March, a friend of Miss Silver, asks for her help in solving the case. The country club owner, the owner’s ex-wife (a young portrait artist), a gold-digging fiancée, an aging actress and her two daughters, Brading’s adopted sister — who wants to marry Brading,, along with family secrets, blackmail, greed and gossip makes for a challenging case for Miss Silver.
November 19, 2024
This is a new experience for me. I like books written during the Golden Age of detectives. This is book 17 of the Miss Silver books. And my first book in this series.
Miss Silver is described as looking like a governess. She is a serious and down to earth kind of person. She is kind hearted, and sees much too much of a person. Not much gets past this woman.
In this story, it is obvious who will be the victim from the beginning. He deserves to be killed. He is a bully and enjoys every minute of belittling people who are powerless.
The story started slowly. But, I can see why Miss Silver is so very popular. The plot is well written, each character is a special person and the reader is brought right along as the story progresses.
Even though I am starting in basically the middle of the series, I did not get lost anywhere.
I like Miss Silver and I like this book. Look forward to reading some more of this series.
Miss Silver is described as looking like a governess. She is a serious and down to earth kind of person. She is kind hearted, and sees much too much of a person. Not much gets past this woman.
In this story, it is obvious who will be the victim from the beginning. He deserves to be killed. He is a bully and enjoys every minute of belittling people who are powerless.
The story started slowly. But, I can see why Miss Silver is so very popular. The plot is well written, each character is a special person and the reader is brought right along as the story progresses.
Even though I am starting in basically the middle of the series, I did not get lost anywhere.
I like Miss Silver and I like this book. Look forward to reading some more of this series.
October 31, 2024
J'aurais mis 4 étoiles pour ce roman détective léger et amusant, mais j'ai fini par en enlever une en raison de l'histoire d'amour à l'eau de rose et d'une résolution de l'enigme improbable:
1-Encore une fois, l'auteure a mis en scène une ''pauvre jeune femme vulnérable'' face à un ex arroguant - il faut se rappeler que ce livre date d'une autre époque, mais les femmes sont très souvent infantilisées dans les livres de Patricia Wentworth.
2-Les bonnes personnes arrivent avec les indices confirmant la déduction infallible de Miss Silver comme par hasard, au moment opportun pour conclure l'histoire.
Toutefois, la lecture était suffisamment intéressante pour en faire un livre de chevet efficace: un histoire qu'on a envie de lire, mais qu'on arrive sans problème à déposer pour s'endormir.
1-Encore une fois, l'auteure a mis en scène une ''pauvre jeune femme vulnérable'' face à un ex arroguant - il faut se rappeler que ce livre date d'une autre époque, mais les femmes sont très souvent infantilisées dans les livres de Patricia Wentworth.
2-Les bonnes personnes arrivent avec les indices confirmant la déduction infallible de Miss Silver comme par hasard, au moment opportun pour conclure l'histoire.
Toutefois, la lecture était suffisamment intéressante pour en faire un livre de chevet efficace: un histoire qu'on a envie de lire, mais qu'on arrive sans problème à déposer pour s'endormir.
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