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Miss Seeton #7
Advantage Miss Seeton
A disgruntled ex-convict is itching to seek revenge against the judge who sentenced him by threatening the life of the judge's tennis star daughter, and Miss Seeton must step in before the man becomes a killer
186 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1990
About the author
Hampton Charles
5 books8 followersHampton Charles is a pseudonym of Roy Peter Martin who is an English author who has written under the pseudonyms James Melville and Hampton Charles.
Martin read philosophy at Birkbeck College and served in the Royal Air Force before a career in education. As James Melville he has written a series of detective novels set in Japan featuring Superintendent Otani and a historical novel The Imperial Way about the February 26 Incident. He also wrote three of the "Miss Seeton" novels under the pseudonym Hampton Charles.
Series:
* Miss Seeton
Martin read philosophy at Birkbeck College and served in the Royal Air Force before a career in education. As James Melville he has written a series of detective novels set in Japan featuring Superintendent Otani and a historical novel The Imperial Way about the February 26 Incident. He also wrote three of the "Miss Seeton" novels under the pseudonym Hampton Charles.
Series:
* Miss Seeton
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March 5, 2017This was pretty dire. It's fortunate that this writer only lasted 3 volumes of the series before a new pen named author took over. The humour and characterisation is all just...off, and not particularly enjoyable.
I'll skim the next outing (lucky these are only 3 dollars each) but really hope the third writer in the series is better at capturing the humour and chaos of Heron Carvic's originals.
I'll skim the next outing (lucky these are only 3 dollars each) but really hope the third writer in the series is better at capturing the humour and chaos of Heron Carvic's originals.
July 15, 2016
I am delighted to read the next Miss Seeton's book as she attends a tennis match. She and her friends are there to watch Trish Thumper play an American opponent. Trish is a daughter of a deplorable judge who is getting threatening notes. While Delphrack and Ranger look to find answers. Nigel has fallen for Trish and becomes her escort. Miss Seeton runs afoul of the crooks stealing the church silver. As usual, she managed to upset the evil plans. I am enjoying Miss Seeton as I did the first time I read the books.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Farrago through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Farrago through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 31, 2023
Seventh in the not-Heron-Carvic Miss Seeton series and revolving around a retired art teacher with a gift for psychic caricature.
My Take
More concerned with what Miss Seeton believes is right and good manners, she wreaks havoc — without intending to — everywhere she goes. She hasn't quite got up to the times (the early 1970s), and she’s curious about all those "correspondents", you know, journalists, ahem, listed in divorce actions and the number of women giving “French lessons” who are also strict disciplinarians.
In the previous Heron Carvic stories Miss Seeton’s style of speech is an inability to “finish one sentence before she gets involved in explaining something else entirely”. In Charles’ stories, he’s missing that essential part of Miss Seeton’s character. Sure it's irritating to try and follow, but it's the pattern Carvic styled for his main protagonist, and it ticks me off that Charles is riding Carvic's popular series while carving out bits that were so brilliant in the original five stories.
The Nuts are, well, nuts. Mean ones. I’d love to get that Erica on a shrink’s couch! I swear that woman can come up with the most bizarre notions and contradict herself all at the same time! Lol, I loved her comeuppance at the WI meeting, lol. Ooh, Charles drops a blatant hint about the Nuts’ relationship. Couple of hypocrites they are.
What’s with this turnaround with Sir George’s character? Charles continues to make him sound like an idiot. At least Lady Colveden is still quite practical. Charles does present most of the core characters nicely in their having respect for each other, especially when it’s a case of journalist against copper, lol.
Charles uses a third person global subjective point-of-view from a variety of perspectives. It’s a bit sad when reading Trish’s reaction to Lady Colveden’s hints. Poor Nigel. Towards the end, there seems to be a turnaround in Trish’s affections. It’s too bad Charles couldn’t be bothered to provide a basis for this.
Mel’s right, Miss Seeton is at her best when she hasn’t a clue. She certainly does open up Lady Thumper’s eyes at Glyndebourne. Go, Lavinia!
Despite being friends — maybe because they’re friends? — Sir George dresses Sir Wilfred down for turning into a bully. Too bad Thumper didn’t get this dressing down before he sentenced Parsons. Actually Parsons wouldn’t have even had a trial if abortion had been available on the National Health.
Using the foreign tourists’ perspective on Ranger’s bachelor party provides a lovely way to inform us on the proper activities for one, lol.
Yep, the characters provide a good bit of action between love, tennis, protection from a writer of threatening letters, church thefts, and that busy Miss Seeton.
The Story
A sunny summer’s day at the Hurlingham Club resounds to the thwack of ball on racket, as Britain’s young hopeful, the splendidly named Trish Thumper, seems likely to knock out her American opponent. Yet not all the eyes following Trish’s strokes belong to tennis fans — it soon emerges that her father, the notoriously stern judge Sir Wilfred Thumper, has made an enemy who will stop at little to harm him and his daughter.
But the wrongdoers have reckoned without that artistic sleuth Miss Emily Seeton, who in a series of apparently mistimed shots with torch and umbrella, defeats them game, set, and match.
The Characters
The yoga-practicing Emily D Seeton, a.k.a. the Battling Brolly, is a retired art teacher who goes nowhere without her umbrella. She’s also on retainer with Scotland Yard as a part-time consultant . . . as the notorious MissEss. Sir Hubert considers Miss Seeton a human lightning rod. Martha Bloomer does for Miss Seeton. Her husband, Stan, takes care of the garden and the hens.
Plummgergen, Kent, is . . .
. . . the village where Miss Seeton lives in Sweetbriars, her inherited cottage. PC Potter is their constable; Mrs Potter is his wife. The Reverend Arthur Treeves does his best despite his misgivings. Molly Treeves is his sister who takes care of him and heads up the Women’s Institute (WI). Members of the parish include Mrs Skinner and Mrs Henderson. Members of the WI include the mumbly Mrs Wicks (she tells fortunes with playing cards); Mrs Stillman, who is the secretary (and works for the post office); Flo Morgan, who is 85; and, Miss Armitage. Mrs Threlfall from an embroidery group gave a talk on “In Stitches with Church Kneelers”. The Nuts — Erica Nuttel and Norah “Bunny” Blaine — are vicious gossips. The George and Dragon is the only inn in town where the anxious Maureen is a waitress (her boyfriend, Wayne, has a motorbike). Mr Pontefract’s snack bar didn’t catch on. Mr Jessyp is the headmaster of the village school.
The Colvedens live at Rytham Hall up the hill from Miss Seeton. Sir George, who is a retired major general, holder of a DSO, a baronet, a knight commander of the Order of the Bath, and the justice of the peace for the area — and a golfing crony of Brinton’s chief constable. His wife, Meg, Lady Colveden, is quite practical. Their son, Nigel, is at agricultural school, and falls in love on a regular basis. All three of them are friends of Miss Seeton’s.
Anne Wright is the local doctor’s daughter who works as his nurse/receptionist. She’ll be marrying Bob Ranger. (Ranger’s brother, a wine merchant, has broken his leg waterskiing.) Dr Wright is the local doctor. Major Howett, a recently retired Army nursing officer, will take Anne’s place. She’ll also come to be known as “The Howitzer”.
Scotland Yard
Chief Superintendent “The Oracle” Delphick is Miss Seeton’s primary contact. Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger is Delphick’s partner and about to be married. Sir Hubert Everleigh, a.k.a. Sir Heavily, is the Assistant Commissioner (Crime) and Delphick’s superior. Miss Moody works in Handouts and Cuttings at Scotland Yard. PC Godfrey Hislop apprehended the embezzler.
Chief Inspector Chris Brinton of the Ashford Division of the Kent County Constabulary is a friend of Delphick’s. It seems he still has quite the marriage with Mrs Brinton. Detective Constable (DC) Foxon is colorful when undercover. DC Julian “Sleaze” Arbuthnot does quite well undercover.
Mel Forby, a.k.a. Amelita Forby, the star woman journalist with the Daily Negative, became friends with Miss Seeton. Mel will also become the new music critic. Thrudd Banner is a freelance journalist.
Sir Wilfred Justice Thumper, a.k.a. Thump the Grump, is a notorious brute of a judge, a hanging judge who is a friend of Sir George’s. Lavinia, Lady Thumper, is his wealthy but put-upon wife. Patricia “Trish” is their daughter, a.k.a. “Trish the Tigress” or “The Young Thumper”.
William Parsons, Tintoretto, had worked part-time for the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. These days he’s full-time there and also works in the Sussex County Ambulance Service, now that he's out of prison. Parsons had been a manager at the Reliable Building Society. Audrey is/had been his wife. Vicky, their daughter, had been pregnant by Michael, her first and only boyfriend.
Julie Withers was a bank clerk at the Reliable Building Society along with Beverly Connolly, a.k.a. Mrs Drew. Mr Wilson is the assistant manager.
Norman Proctor had been William’s cellmate. The illegally (and flaming) gay Harvey knows a lot about silver. Norman has a friend (and landlord), Charlie Yung Fat, who owns the Jade Garden, a Chinese restaurant, with a useful van. Charlie’s eldest daughter, Verity, works in the city and is studying accountancy.
Cranhurst is a market town. Mr Windrush of the Easigro Nurseries bowed out of his talk with the Plummergen WI. The Suffragan Bishop of Greenwich is trying to convince the Rev. Treeves that he is still a bona fide clerk in Holy Orders. The bullying Remington had been a perfect at school with Colveden and Thumper.
The Cover and Title
The cover's background is a soft gradient of blue to lime green. In the top quarter is a building in silhouette. The primary graphic is a deep green silhouette of Miss Seeton, wearing pants?, a hat, and dragging her umbrella behind her in her left hand and holding up a tennis racket in her right. Trailing behind her are chalices and crosses in teal. The text begins at the top with the series info in the deep blue of the background with a testimonial in white under the left side of the building. The title is a'slant under Miss Seeton, starting with a deeper lime and progressing to a deep grass green for the rest of it. The author's name is in the deep blue below the title. A light teal blue colophon is in the lower right corner. I haven't a clue what the long object in a deep lime green is.
The title is definitely and always Advantage Miss Seeton.
My Take
More concerned with what Miss Seeton believes is right and good manners, she wreaks havoc — without intending to — everywhere she goes. She hasn't quite got up to the times (the early 1970s), and she’s curious about all those "correspondents", you know, journalists, ahem, listed in divorce actions and the number of women giving “French lessons” who are also strict disciplinarians.
In the previous Heron Carvic stories Miss Seeton’s style of speech is an inability to “finish one sentence before she gets involved in explaining something else entirely”. In Charles’ stories, he’s missing that essential part of Miss Seeton’s character. Sure it's irritating to try and follow, but it's the pattern Carvic styled for his main protagonist, and it ticks me off that Charles is riding Carvic's popular series while carving out bits that were so brilliant in the original five stories.
The Nuts are, well, nuts. Mean ones. I’d love to get that Erica on a shrink’s couch! I swear that woman can come up with the most bizarre notions and contradict herself all at the same time! Lol, I loved her comeuppance at the WI meeting, lol. Ooh, Charles drops a blatant hint about the Nuts’ relationship. Couple of hypocrites they are.
What’s with this turnaround with Sir George’s character? Charles continues to make him sound like an idiot. At least Lady Colveden is still quite practical. Charles does present most of the core characters nicely in their having respect for each other, especially when it’s a case of journalist against copper, lol.
Charles uses a third person global subjective point-of-view from a variety of perspectives. It’s a bit sad when reading Trish’s reaction to Lady Colveden’s hints. Poor Nigel. Towards the end, there seems to be a turnaround in Trish’s affections. It’s too bad Charles couldn’t be bothered to provide a basis for this.
Mel’s right, Miss Seeton is at her best when she hasn’t a clue. She certainly does open up Lady Thumper’s eyes at Glyndebourne. Go, Lavinia!
Despite being friends — maybe because they’re friends? — Sir George dresses Sir Wilfred down for turning into a bully. Too bad Thumper didn’t get this dressing down before he sentenced Parsons. Actually Parsons wouldn’t have even had a trial if abortion had been available on the National Health.
Using the foreign tourists’ perspective on Ranger’s bachelor party provides a lovely way to inform us on the proper activities for one, lol.
Yep, the characters provide a good bit of action between love, tennis, protection from a writer of threatening letters, church thefts, and that busy Miss Seeton.
The Story
A sunny summer’s day at the Hurlingham Club resounds to the thwack of ball on racket, as Britain’s young hopeful, the splendidly named Trish Thumper, seems likely to knock out her American opponent. Yet not all the eyes following Trish’s strokes belong to tennis fans — it soon emerges that her father, the notoriously stern judge Sir Wilfred Thumper, has made an enemy who will stop at little to harm him and his daughter.
But the wrongdoers have reckoned without that artistic sleuth Miss Emily Seeton, who in a series of apparently mistimed shots with torch and umbrella, defeats them game, set, and match.
The Characters
The yoga-practicing Emily D Seeton, a.k.a. the Battling Brolly, is a retired art teacher who goes nowhere without her umbrella. She’s also on retainer with Scotland Yard as a part-time consultant . . . as the notorious MissEss. Sir Hubert considers Miss Seeton a human lightning rod. Martha Bloomer does for Miss Seeton. Her husband, Stan, takes care of the garden and the hens.
Plummgergen, Kent, is . . .
. . . the village where Miss Seeton lives in Sweetbriars, her inherited cottage. PC Potter is their constable; Mrs Potter is his wife. The Reverend Arthur Treeves does his best despite his misgivings. Molly Treeves is his sister who takes care of him and heads up the Women’s Institute (WI). Members of the parish include Mrs Skinner and Mrs Henderson. Members of the WI include the mumbly Mrs Wicks (she tells fortunes with playing cards); Mrs Stillman, who is the secretary (and works for the post office); Flo Morgan, who is 85; and, Miss Armitage. Mrs Threlfall from an embroidery group gave a talk on “In Stitches with Church Kneelers”. The Nuts — Erica Nuttel and Norah “Bunny” Blaine — are vicious gossips. The George and Dragon is the only inn in town where the anxious Maureen is a waitress (her boyfriend, Wayne, has a motorbike). Mr Pontefract’s snack bar didn’t catch on. Mr Jessyp is the headmaster of the village school.
The Colvedens live at Rytham Hall up the hill from Miss Seeton. Sir George, who is a retired major general, holder of a DSO, a baronet, a knight commander of the Order of the Bath, and the justice of the peace for the area — and a golfing crony of Brinton’s chief constable. His wife, Meg, Lady Colveden, is quite practical. Their son, Nigel, is at agricultural school, and falls in love on a regular basis. All three of them are friends of Miss Seeton’s.
Anne Wright is the local doctor’s daughter who works as his nurse/receptionist. She’ll be marrying Bob Ranger. (Ranger’s brother, a wine merchant, has broken his leg waterskiing.) Dr Wright is the local doctor. Major Howett, a recently retired Army nursing officer, will take Anne’s place. She’ll also come to be known as “The Howitzer”.
Scotland Yard
Chief Superintendent “The Oracle” Delphick is Miss Seeton’s primary contact. Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger is Delphick’s partner and about to be married. Sir Hubert Everleigh, a.k.a. Sir Heavily, is the Assistant Commissioner (Crime) and Delphick’s superior. Miss Moody works in Handouts and Cuttings at Scotland Yard. PC Godfrey Hislop apprehended the embezzler.
Chief Inspector Chris Brinton of the Ashford Division of the Kent County Constabulary is a friend of Delphick’s. It seems he still has quite the marriage with Mrs Brinton. Detective Constable (DC) Foxon is colorful when undercover. DC Julian “Sleaze” Arbuthnot does quite well undercover.
Mel Forby, a.k.a. Amelita Forby, the star woman journalist with the Daily Negative, became friends with Miss Seeton. Mel will also become the new music critic. Thrudd Banner is a freelance journalist.
Sir Wilfred Justice Thumper, a.k.a. Thump the Grump, is a notorious brute of a judge, a hanging judge who is a friend of Sir George’s. Lavinia, Lady Thumper, is his wealthy but put-upon wife. Patricia “Trish” is their daughter, a.k.a. “Trish the Tigress” or “The Young Thumper”.
William Parsons, Tintoretto, had worked part-time for the St John’s Ambulance Brigade. These days he’s full-time there and also works in the Sussex County Ambulance Service, now that he's out of prison. Parsons had been a manager at the Reliable Building Society. Audrey is/had been his wife. Vicky, their daughter, had been pregnant by Michael, her first and only boyfriend.
Julie Withers was a bank clerk at the Reliable Building Society along with Beverly Connolly, a.k.a. Mrs Drew. Mr Wilson is the assistant manager.
Norman Proctor had been William’s cellmate. The illegally (and flaming) gay Harvey knows a lot about silver. Norman has a friend (and landlord), Charlie Yung Fat, who owns the Jade Garden, a Chinese restaurant, with a useful van. Charlie’s eldest daughter, Verity, works in the city and is studying accountancy.
Cranhurst is a market town. Mr Windrush of the Easigro Nurseries bowed out of his talk with the Plummergen WI. The Suffragan Bishop of Greenwich is trying to convince the Rev. Treeves that he is still a bona fide clerk in Holy Orders. The bullying Remington had been a perfect at school with Colveden and Thumper.
The Cover and Title
The cover's background is a soft gradient of blue to lime green. In the top quarter is a building in silhouette. The primary graphic is a deep green silhouette of Miss Seeton, wearing pants?, a hat, and dragging her umbrella behind her in her left hand and holding up a tennis racket in her right. Trailing behind her are chalices and crosses in teal. The text begins at the top with the series info in the deep blue of the background with a testimonial in white under the left side of the building. The title is a'slant under Miss Seeton, starting with a deeper lime and progressing to a deep grass green for the rest of it. The author's name is in the deep blue below the title. A light teal blue colophon is in the lower right corner. I haven't a clue what the long object in a deep lime green is.
The title is definitely and always Advantage Miss Seeton.
April 13, 2024
This is the first of three entries in the Miss Seeton series written by Hampton Charles after the death of Heron Carvic. Charles kept to the spirit of the original six, and Miss Seeton is the same character; it’s possible there’s minor changes in tenor and pace, but nothing that stands out on a first reading. That said, I didn’t find the book as “charming” as the earlier six, perhaps the novelty of the whole “shtick” is wearing off. I’ll certainly read the other two entries by Charles, after which another fifteen or more were authored by Hamilton Crane and we’ll see how far into those I venture.
July 14, 2016
Miss Seeton has a new author. Hampton Charles took over writing the series after the death of the original author, Heron Carvic.
We still have the humor and the wit. But, something new has been added – sex. The world had changed at the time that Mr. Charles took over the series. The sex is not specific, but it is definitely implied. That is a new addition.
The reader is introduced to Justice Thumper. He is not exactly a well loved jurist. He is notorious for giving anyone in his court the maximum sentence possible. At the same time he is sentencing the criminal to a long term in prison, he is also giving a lecture to provide the most embarrassment and humiliation to the accused. Justice Thumper is not a nice person.
Justice Thumper is also a bully in his private life. His daughter, Trish is a tennis player who would like to be a contender at Wimbledon. Justice Thumper has started to receive letters which threaten the safety of Trish. Because he is a powerful man, Justice Thumper has requested police protection. Because he is a powerful man, he has received police protection for his daughter.
So, now we have Chief Inspector Delphick and his unit involved in the investigation. Of course, he wants to use Miss Seeton and her talent if at all possible. It so happens that Miss Seeton has already become indirectly involved, even though she does not know it.
In this story, there are the many returning characters, Delphick and his Seargent Bob Ranger. The reporter Mel Forby and the photographer Thrudd Banner. Mel and Thrudd have suddenly found one another to be very attractive. Sir George Colveden is an old acquaintance of Justice Thumper. They were in school together and Sir George saved Thumper from a beating. Sir George has always believed the best of Thumper. He has not really seen him for many years.
Although this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone story. Things are explained as we go along. We meet Miss Seeton, who is a woman who usually does not have a tight grasp of what is happening around her. We find that the police involved are aware and in awe of the way Miss Seeton inadvertently plays havoc with the health and well being of any criminal who comes within any distance of Miss Seeton.
The dialog is humorous and entertaining. The plot moves along at a fast pace. In short, this is a well done Miss Seeton story.
If you are a fan of British cozy mysteries, this is a book you will enjoy. I sort of missed the other Miss Seeton. She was an older woman who lived in her own little world. This new Miss Seeton is more aware of the world around her.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would provide a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
We still have the humor and the wit. But, something new has been added – sex. The world had changed at the time that Mr. Charles took over the series. The sex is not specific, but it is definitely implied. That is a new addition.
The reader is introduced to Justice Thumper. He is not exactly a well loved jurist. He is notorious for giving anyone in his court the maximum sentence possible. At the same time he is sentencing the criminal to a long term in prison, he is also giving a lecture to provide the most embarrassment and humiliation to the accused. Justice Thumper is not a nice person.
Justice Thumper is also a bully in his private life. His daughter, Trish is a tennis player who would like to be a contender at Wimbledon. Justice Thumper has started to receive letters which threaten the safety of Trish. Because he is a powerful man, Justice Thumper has requested police protection. Because he is a powerful man, he has received police protection for his daughter.
So, now we have Chief Inspector Delphick and his unit involved in the investigation. Of course, he wants to use Miss Seeton and her talent if at all possible. It so happens that Miss Seeton has already become indirectly involved, even though she does not know it.
In this story, there are the many returning characters, Delphick and his Seargent Bob Ranger. The reporter Mel Forby and the photographer Thrudd Banner. Mel and Thrudd have suddenly found one another to be very attractive. Sir George Colveden is an old acquaintance of Justice Thumper. They were in school together and Sir George saved Thumper from a beating. Sir George has always believed the best of Thumper. He has not really seen him for many years.
Although this is a part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone story. Things are explained as we go along. We meet Miss Seeton, who is a woman who usually does not have a tight grasp of what is happening around her. We find that the police involved are aware and in awe of the way Miss Seeton inadvertently plays havoc with the health and well being of any criminal who comes within any distance of Miss Seeton.
The dialog is humorous and entertaining. The plot moves along at a fast pace. In short, this is a well done Miss Seeton story.
If you are a fan of British cozy mysteries, this is a book you will enjoy. I sort of missed the other Miss Seeton. She was an older woman who lived in her own little world. This new Miss Seeton is more aware of the world around her.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hope that I would provide a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2017
Fun for all!
Another wonderful funny mystery! Not as lively & hilariously funny as the last book, but just as good all around. A wonderful ending for everyone concerned, especially the Mutters, well Miss Erica Nutter mostly. Who is always causing problems! Our Greek God of a sergeant at Scotland Yard finally tied the knot, with the tiny Alice, what a pair! Also a wonderful romance between two others! Can't wait to see what's up with our charming retired school teacher in the next instalment of Miss Sexton ?????!!!
Another wonderful funny mystery! Not as lively & hilariously funny as the last book, but just as good all around. A wonderful ending for everyone concerned, especially the Mutters, well Miss Erica Nutter mostly. Who is always causing problems! Our Greek God of a sergeant at Scotland Yard finally tied the knot, with the tiny Alice, what a pair! Also a wonderful romance between two others! Can't wait to see what's up with our charming retired school teacher in the next instalment of Miss Sexton ?????!!!
April 23, 2022
Love all!
This series makes me happy, seeing the growth of these characters is great fun. Miss Ess is just the most wonderful brilliant, dotty, older lady! I would love to just be in her orbit, for the trivia, the art knowledge, and the sweet manners.
This series makes me happy, seeing the growth of these characters is great fun. Miss Ess is just the most wonderful brilliant, dotty, older lady! I would love to just be in her orbit, for the trivia, the art knowledge, and the sweet manners.
September 25, 2016
A travesty of miss Seaton. This substitute lacks the lightness of touch of Heron Carvic. I will not read any more of his novels.
June 11, 2021
I enjoy the antics of Miss Seeton and her friends more and more with each book. A hilarious look at English cozies.
November 14, 2017
This is quick, fun read. My main complaint is that I wish Peter Martin, writing as Hamilton Crane, or his editors, had bothered to read the earlier books in the series created by Heron Carvic. As it is, they failed to get most of the relationships and nuances between the characters correct. Ah well. In this fair addition to the series, Miss Seeton engages burglars and kidnappers. There are three authors of this series, and when I began reading them many years ago, I delighted in Carvic's humor. There is no real mystery is this particular book (and none of Carvic's wit,) but one must remember that the series is really more about Miss Seeton's adventures as an accidental crime-fighter than a true mystery. All in all, it is a quick, fun, frivolous read and in my opinion marginally the best of the three books Martin wrote as Hamilton Crane.
May 19, 2021
Well maybe 3.5 stars.
This is considerably better than "Miss Seeton by Appointment" but perhaps that is because I am judging by that previous offering by Hampton Charles. The story races along with plenty of humour and bumbling villians (a tad Keystone Cops perhaps). It doesn't have quite the gentle humour of the Heron Carvic stories, nor even those by Hamilton Crane. There is a recognisable authorial voice inviting the reader to share a laugh at the characters. Peter Martin was such a skilled writer that it is possible that he felt he was writing for a different audience than would read his Superintendent Otani books.
This is an enjoyable and relaxing read.
This is considerably better than "Miss Seeton by Appointment" but perhaps that is because I am judging by that previous offering by Hampton Charles. The story races along with plenty of humour and bumbling villians (a tad Keystone Cops perhaps). It doesn't have quite the gentle humour of the Heron Carvic stories, nor even those by Hamilton Crane. There is a recognisable authorial voice inviting the reader to share a laugh at the characters. Peter Martin was such a skilled writer that it is possible that he felt he was writing for a different audience than would read his Superintendent Otani books.
This is an enjoyable and relaxing read.
November 11, 2020
Judge Thumper's daughter, tennis star Trish, is being threatened by someone send anonymous letters. To help protect her she is sent to live with family friends who live near Miss Seeton. Not much happens in the book. It switches around between a lot of characters and Miss Seeton was annoying, rambling along never completing a sentence. I've never read any books in this series before. I got this one and one or two more from my grandmother. I'll eventually read the other ones I own but definitely not a series I'll seek out.
October 31, 2021
Hampton Charles doesn't quite get the feel of Miss Seeton and co. right, and there's just enough subtle misogyny to make it at times an uncomfortable read. There's not much mystery, although there are some umbrella shenanigans. I'm just as glad this author only wrote 3 Miss Seton books, and I've only found two of them. That'll be plenty, I expect, and then I really hope that Hamilton Crane did a better job when he took over writing the Miss Seeton books.
Read
July 21, 2020A complete and utter waste of time. Will definitely not be reading any more in this series.
January 27, 2022
One word = tennis
April 26, 2026
a great read
Ms. S. saves the day, again. Always a delicious read. Ms. Seeton really gets to the heart of the matter.
Ms. S. saves the day, again. Always a delicious read. Ms. Seeton really gets to the heart of the matter.
March 6, 2021
Old paperback I'm rereading in between other books. Another fairly interesting one. A young tennis star, daughter of a 'hanging judge' who is much disliked, is getting threatened. She is sent to stay with the Colvedens, and of course Nigel is smitten by her. In the meantime, Miss Seeton is attacked in the church by silver thieves, and manages to see one of them. She draws her helpful pictures for Scotland Yard, and it turns out the two cases are connected.
September 29, 2016
Title: Advantage Miss Seeton - Miss Seeton Mystery Book 7
Author: Heron Carvic (Ghost Writer - Hampton Charles)
Published: 8-11-2016
Publisher: Farrago
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women Sleuths; Amateur Sleuths;
ISBN: 13-978-0786222421
ASIN: B01HQWW7H8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley And Farrago in exchange for my honest review
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
.
Miss Seeton and her trusty umbrella are drawn into the world of competitive tennis through the threats to Hanging Judge Justice William Thumper, renowned for dishing out maximum sentences with a side of a humiliating tongue lashing. Someone is out for revenge and is not about using the Justice's daughter, Trish to get it. There is also a string of robberies of local churches involved.
With a new author comes subtle changes, but the basics of the series is the same. A sweet unassuming former art teacher who spends much of her time helping the police solve crimes. Advantage Miss Seeton is a humorous read that leaves the reader smiling at the dialog and searching for the next Miss Seeton book to see what is going to happen next. Strong, developed characters paired with with a quick well developed plot make this a must read for all who enjoy traditional British cozy. The biggest difference in writers is the introduction of subtle romantic sub-stories without overblown sex scenes. Charles keeps the language clean and the violence inferred, but not graphically described.
I continue to love Miss Seeton Mysteries and look forward to reading book 8 Miss Seeton at the Helm. If you have not read the prior books in the series, don't worry, they can each be read as a stand alone.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HQWW7H8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/advan...
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Author: Heron Carvic (Ghost Writer - Hampton Charles)
Published: 8-11-2016
Publisher: Farrago
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub Genre: Women Sleuths; Amateur Sleuths;
ISBN: 13-978-0786222421
ASIN: B01HQWW7H8
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley And Farrago in exchange for my honest review
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
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Miss Seeton and her trusty umbrella are drawn into the world of competitive tennis through the threats to Hanging Judge Justice William Thumper, renowned for dishing out maximum sentences with a side of a humiliating tongue lashing. Someone is out for revenge and is not about using the Justice's daughter, Trish to get it. There is also a string of robberies of local churches involved.
With a new author comes subtle changes, but the basics of the series is the same. A sweet unassuming former art teacher who spends much of her time helping the police solve crimes. Advantage Miss Seeton is a humorous read that leaves the reader smiling at the dialog and searching for the next Miss Seeton book to see what is going to happen next. Strong, developed characters paired with with a quick well developed plot make this a must read for all who enjoy traditional British cozy. The biggest difference in writers is the introduction of subtle romantic sub-stories without overblown sex scenes. Charles keeps the language clean and the violence inferred, but not graphically described.
I continue to love Miss Seeton Mysteries and look forward to reading book 8 Miss Seeton at the Helm. If you have not read the prior books in the series, don't worry, they can each be read as a stand alone.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HQWW7H8/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/advan...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
November 14, 2016
Continuing with the Miss Seeton stories after the untimely death of its author Heron Carvic, Hampton Charles carries on the tradition valiantly with this book.
We find Miss Seeton becoming involved in the world of competitive tennis, again as a sideline of her activities on behalf of Scotland Yard.
Bright young Trish Thumper (continuing with the catch-name tradition begun by Carvic), is a Wimbledon contender. But her father, Sir Wilfred Thumper, has earned his reputation as a “hanging judge” with his severe decisions in court, a history of justice not even slightly tempered with mercy. Now Justice Thumper has received threats that the Yard is taking seriously. They set about ensuring the safety of Justice Thumper’s daughter.
There are villains, of course: a trio is systematically robbing village churches of their silver in a series of burglaries. The burglary theme becomes enmeshed with the threats to Thumper and his daughter. Miss Seeton and her trusty friends and Yard personnel blaze a trail that goes to Wimbledon and also to Glyndebourne (continuing the theme of classical music also begun by Carvic).
It is lively tale. The evildoers are dealt with in trademark Seeton tradition--the Brolly continues to be a formidable weapon. The scene at Glyndebourne, in particular, is not to be missed.
There are several romances thrown in for good measure: Bob Ranger and Ann, the doctor’s daughter, soon to be wed; also journalists Amelita (Mel) Forby Thrudd Banner, and Nigel Colveden (son of Sir George) and the splendidly athletic Trish.
It’s all most satisfying and entertaining. The villains are dealt with, the lovers continue happily on their respective paths, and Mr. Justice Thumper learns some humility at last.
My thanks to publisher and NetGalley for making an advance copy available for me to read and review
We find Miss Seeton becoming involved in the world of competitive tennis, again as a sideline of her activities on behalf of Scotland Yard.
Bright young Trish Thumper (continuing with the catch-name tradition begun by Carvic), is a Wimbledon contender. But her father, Sir Wilfred Thumper, has earned his reputation as a “hanging judge” with his severe decisions in court, a history of justice not even slightly tempered with mercy. Now Justice Thumper has received threats that the Yard is taking seriously. They set about ensuring the safety of Justice Thumper’s daughter.
There are villains, of course: a trio is systematically robbing village churches of their silver in a series of burglaries. The burglary theme becomes enmeshed with the threats to Thumper and his daughter. Miss Seeton and her trusty friends and Yard personnel blaze a trail that goes to Wimbledon and also to Glyndebourne (continuing the theme of classical music also begun by Carvic).
It is lively tale. The evildoers are dealt with in trademark Seeton tradition--the Brolly continues to be a formidable weapon. The scene at Glyndebourne, in particular, is not to be missed.
There are several romances thrown in for good measure: Bob Ranger and Ann, the doctor’s daughter, soon to be wed; also journalists Amelita (Mel) Forby Thrudd Banner, and Nigel Colveden (son of Sir George) and the splendidly athletic Trish.
It’s all most satisfying and entertaining. The villains are dealt with, the lovers continue happily on their respective paths, and Mr. Justice Thumper learns some humility at last.
My thanks to publisher and NetGalley for making an advance copy available for me to read and review
November 20, 2024
2.5 stars. I am a bit mystified; the outside cover of the Advantage Miss Seeton edition I have lists Hamilton Crane as the author, and the inside page lists Hampton Charles which I found bewildering.
In my opinion, the book started very weakly with the elaborate eavesdropping by Mel and Thrudd of the "overheard" conversation of their "friend" Miss Seeton and her friends. It continued weakly with some peculiar banter between Chief Superintendent Delphick and one of his underlings. I felt the author was trying to find his footing, but having difficulty. One thing I very much appreciate about Hampton Charles is he gives Miss Ess less of that annoying wittering. In the last book I read, I was fed up with her incessant dithering, but here she manages mostly to keep quiet. I found the romance and dialogue between that very '80s power-couple Mel and Thrudd to be a bit tiresome.
Miss Seeton does whip up one of her magic sketches, however, and she does have one of her highly unlikely "accidents" with her cast iron umbrella. In any case, the plot (such as it is) does eventually reach it's anti-climatic ending and happy endings are scattered like stardust.
Not one of my favourite books that I've read this year, but it was passable. I'm sorry but that's the best I can say about this book. I'm finding the entire series limps along unevenly; the characters are all over the place because of the different authors. Had I not originally bought a number of these books when they were on sale, I doubt very much I would invest in another one.
In my opinion, the book started very weakly with the elaborate eavesdropping by Mel and Thrudd of the "overheard" conversation of their "friend" Miss Seeton and her friends. It continued weakly with some peculiar banter between Chief Superintendent Delphick and one of his underlings. I felt the author was trying to find his footing, but having difficulty. One thing I very much appreciate about Hampton Charles is he gives Miss Ess less of that annoying wittering. In the last book I read, I was fed up with her incessant dithering, but here she manages mostly to keep quiet. I found the romance and dialogue between that very '80s power-couple Mel and Thrudd to be a bit tiresome.
Miss Seeton does whip up one of her magic sketches, however, and she does have one of her highly unlikely "accidents" with her cast iron umbrella. In any case, the plot (such as it is) does eventually reach it's anti-climatic ending and happy endings are scattered like stardust.
Not one of my favourite books that I've read this year, but it was passable. I'm sorry but that's the best I can say about this book. I'm finding the entire series limps along unevenly; the characters are all over the place because of the different authors. Had I not originally bought a number of these books when they were on sale, I doubt very much I would invest in another one.
July 14, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for a review copy of Advantage Miss Seeton, the sixth novel in the series, written by Hampton Charles rather than Heron Carvic, the author of the first five novels.
Judge Thumper, a strong advocate of stiff sentencing who does not understand the term mitigating circumstances, has been receiving anonymous letters which threaten his daughter, Trish, a professional tennis player. She is removed to Plummergen for safety but the villains catch up with her and Miss Seeton catches up with them.
Mr Charles makes a fair stab of continuing the series and it is an enjoyable read but it is missing the effortlessness and joie de vivre that Mr Carvic created. Miss Seeton takes a back seat to the plot and more realism - Miss Seeton gets tied up. Imagine! Mr Carvic would never have allowed it.
Advantage Miss Seeton is a good, cozy, fun read and any reader new to the series will not be disappointed by it but for those who have read the previous novels it lacks a little something.
Judge Thumper, a strong advocate of stiff sentencing who does not understand the term mitigating circumstances, has been receiving anonymous letters which threaten his daughter, Trish, a professional tennis player. She is removed to Plummergen for safety but the villains catch up with her and Miss Seeton catches up with them.
Mr Charles makes a fair stab of continuing the series and it is an enjoyable read but it is missing the effortlessness and joie de vivre that Mr Carvic created. Miss Seeton takes a back seat to the plot and more realism - Miss Seeton gets tied up. Imagine! Mr Carvic would never have allowed it.
Advantage Miss Seeton is a good, cozy, fun read and any reader new to the series will not be disappointed by it but for those who have read the previous novels it lacks a little something.
September 10, 2016
An ARC honest review for Farrago Books via NetGalley.
When a notoriously stern judge receives letters threatening the life of his up and coming tennis star daughter Trish Thumper, Scotland Yard and Inspector Delphic are called in.
And it just happens that Judge Thumper is friends with the Colveden's, having been to school with Sir George Colveden. And it is arranged that his daughter will go and stay with them under Sir George's protective arm.
What with threats and church robberies and being Plummergen, Miss Seeton isn't far from the chaos and mayhem that seems to pursue her!
Another fun, tongue-in-cheek outing for Miss Emily D. Seeton with her trusted brolly will keep you enthralled and entertained.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
When a notoriously stern judge receives letters threatening the life of his up and coming tennis star daughter Trish Thumper, Scotland Yard and Inspector Delphic are called in.
And it just happens that Judge Thumper is friends with the Colveden's, having been to school with Sir George Colveden. And it is arranged that his daughter will go and stay with them under Sir George's protective arm.
What with threats and church robberies and being Plummergen, Miss Seeton isn't far from the chaos and mayhem that seems to pursue her!
Another fun, tongue-in-cheek outing for Miss Emily D. Seeton with her trusted brolly will keep you enthralled and entertained.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have made, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres... like, comment and follow.
July 18, 2016
This is a great book; this is the sixth book in the A Miss Seeton Mystery series written by Hampton Charles. This book can be read as a standalone, but once you read this one you will want to go back and read the other books in this series. New author is writing this series, but it is the same great story. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
October 26, 2016
Passing the Baton
Rather than using multiple authors with the same pen name (think Carolyn Keene and "Nancy Drew"), the multiple authors for the Miss Seeton books merely share the initials "HC." Actually, if I hadn't been told I probably wouldn't have noticed the change in authors as Mr. Charles has done a fabulous job copying the basic style. A bit cleaner/sparer, perhaps--a tad easier to read although the dandelion fluff is part of the charm. Our regular cast reappears and the play is far more ensemble although by the sheer strength of her presence Miss Seeton continues to hoist the villains in their own petard. Another delightful romp and a great tribute to Mr. Carvic's vision!
Rather than using multiple authors with the same pen name (think Carolyn Keene and "Nancy Drew"), the multiple authors for the Miss Seeton books merely share the initials "HC." Actually, if I hadn't been told I probably wouldn't have noticed the change in authors as Mr. Charles has done a fabulous job copying the basic style. A bit cleaner/sparer, perhaps--a tad easier to read although the dandelion fluff is part of the charm. Our regular cast reappears and the play is far more ensemble although by the sheer strength of her presence Miss Seeton continues to hoist the villains in their own petard. Another delightful romp and a great tribute to Mr. Carvic's vision!
September 6, 2007
Miss Seeton to the rescue of a teenage tennis sensation. This is the raciest of all the series. Some of its a little funny, but it doesn't quite fit the rest of the books. When 'Hampton Charles' aka James Melville took over the series, he missed a bit in the characterization of the books. Miss Seeton is fine, but the Nuts are slightly off kilter (no, really!) and the slap-and-tickle is out of place as well. Still, Miss Seeton is in good form, which is the most important thing.
May 28, 2014
An interesting installment in the series that includes the wedding of Bob Ranger and his Anne, as well as the romance of Thrudd Banner and Amelita Forby. Many people going all out to protect the tennis-playing daughter of a high-handed hanging judge and the hi-jinks that always ensue when the Battling Brolly is involved. I was glad to see that the judge was taken down a peg in the course of the book and I agree with the way it all turned out.
August 17, 2016
Hilarious!!
September 8, 2016
Laugh a minute
Can Miss Seeton get any funnier? Yes , you can't stop laughing at the antics Miss Seeton gets into. Bring on more
Can Miss Seeton get any funnier? Yes , you can't stop laughing at the antics Miss Seeton gets into. Bring on more
April 26, 2020
Good book
October 20, 2017
Not as accomplished at the earlier books. The transition to a new writer is having an impact on the whimsical nature of Miss Seeton and her adventures. But I still find enough to enjoy that I will stay for a few more and see if the writing improves.
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