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Miss Seeton #6
Miss Seeton by Appointment
The eccentric English spinster toddles off to Buckingham Palace to spy on a royal retainer who may also be a Soviet spy, and while there, she encounters a second mystery involving the theft of royal jewels
183 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1990
105 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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 1, 2017This is one of two books in this series by stand-in writer 'Hampton Charles' - first in a continuation of the series after it became popular following reprints.
Charles more or less manages the tone of the original books, and it's a nice enough read, but the denouement doesn't come close to living up to pitched village battles, strings of witches, or any of the truly zany excesses of previous books.
Also, Miss Seeton at the end of this does something deliberate and competent in the cause of bringing down the villain, which was very out of character.
Charles more or less manages the tone of the original books, and it's a nice enough read, but the denouement doesn't come close to living up to pitched village battles, strings of witches, or any of the truly zany excesses of previous books.
Also, Miss Seeton at the end of this does something deliberate and competent in the cause of bringing down the villain, which was very out of character.
November 19, 2020
3 Stars. There's a little buzz about a lovable personality, an elderly lady involved in solving crimes. She carries an umbrella that's often used accidentally as a weapon, and a set of drawing tools with which she fashions caricatures of questionables! All with a touch of humour. I thought I'd visit Miss Emily Seeton of Plummergen in Kent. Here she gets involved with two matters - I'm not certain whether she knew either had been on the menu even after enjoying dinner! In one case, Scotland Yard quietly arranges for her to attend the Queen's reception at Buckingham Palace. Everyone in town is agog at her invitation. While there, the Yard steers her toward a member of Her Majesty's staff. He may be a foreign agent. They actually have an encounter with the Queen while Miss Seeton is unknowingly carrying away a royal artifact! The second relates to a theft of valuable jewelry at the home of Sir George and Lady Colveden during a photo-shoot. They were the locals who gave her a ride to London! Miss Seeton encounters a birdwatcher who stumbles out of a hedge. It's lovingly disjointed. I've said it before - the next will be the first in the series. (May 2020)
November 14, 2017
Apparently either Martin, writing as Hampton Charles, did not read all the earlier books by Carvic, or this, the first attempt by Martin to take on the series after the Carvic's death, was very poorly edited. While the story itself is good, it makes numerous mistakes in the relationships of the recurring characters. Later on, the Miss Seeton books by Hamilton Crane are a little closer to the original, but Martin was never quite able to catch the humor and whimsy of the original creation. As a first attempt, this effort, which has Miss Seeton attending s garden party at Buckingham palace and becoming entangled with a jewel thief is merely okay. The story itself is well told if somewhat predictable. It's worth reading if you're interested in going through the whole series, but don't stop reading the series just because it obviously isn't Carvic's Miss Seeton. Dear Miss S is never quite the same as the wonderful creation of Heron Carvic, but I still love this series. Martin's attempts, though, left me longing for the original. If you are reading the entire series, I'd recommend getting the three written by Martin, as Hampton Charles, from the library or somewhere free. Otherwise, skip those three and move on to the ones written by Hamilton Crane.
August 25, 2016
Gossip is running rampant in Plummeregon as the postman has letters bearing the Royal Seal for someone. Lady and Lord Colveden have been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The Foreign Service is concerned that the Queen's courier is a spy and asked Scotland Yard to lend Miss Seeton for the party. She receives an invitation, also. There is a fashion model, robbery, art, blackmail, romance, and an old school friend to keep you entertained. The book is funny. Miss is back and I like the books whole heartily.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher 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 the publisher 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.
October 6, 2015
Another amusing installment in the series of the clueless but lovable "detective" who "solves" so many weird cases in the English countryside. Somehow, I hadn't noticed that these books were set in Kent until I read this one, which is after I was in Kent this spring visiting my grandmother's birthplace. I think I will have even more affection for the books now that I have that tidbit.
I did a get a kick out of Miss Seeton's encounter with the Queen and the whole business of the shrunken head.
I did a get a kick out of Miss Seeton's encounter with the Queen and the whole business of the shrunken head.
September 11, 2007
Miss Seeton meets the queen in this one. It opens with her receiving an invitation to one of the Queen's garden parties. At the same time, her good friends the Colvedens are hosting a high fashion photo shoot. The best of the ones written by Hampton (aka James Melville).
A very funny book. I really loved the ending. Various local police officers and Scotland yard all face off against the criminal, but only Miss Seeton can really save the day.
A very funny book. I really loved the ending. Various local police officers and Scotland yard all face off against the criminal, but only Miss Seeton can really save the day.
October 15, 2009
An improbable spinster, retired art teacher, gets involved in a tangled attempted jewelry robbery in Kent, England. Also involved in it all, is a motley crew of standard "English" characters - the bumbling ex-army officer of aristocratic bent, the artsy types, MI5 spy hunters, career village constabulary. Through it all, Miss Seeton bumbles on and solves the whole thing. Amusing in a quiet way.
May 17, 2023
Sixth in the overall Miss Seeton series BUT the first with a different author. The series still revolves around the staunchly naive Miss Emily D Seeton, a retired art teacher with a gift for psychic caricature. Miss Seeton, By Appointment was first published 1 September 1990 and is set in the late 1960s, early 1970s in England.
My Take
Yes, Miss Seeton can be a bit much when you’re speaking with her. She follows her own twisty maze of thought and good luck to you. She always sees, hmmm, or “sees”, the most positive side of anything, which stands her in good stead, if no one else, lol. Ya gotta love her though. She sees into the real you and she cares.
Speaking of “speaking”, Charles is using third person global subjective protagonist point-of-view from many perspectives — we’re privy to the thoughts and emotions of a number of characters.
Miss Seeton has been doing yoga since the start of the series, and I’m starting to wonder if I should take it up . . . I will say her exercises have provided some fun moments in the stories.
Charles made a few missteps. One is in his implying that Ranger and Anne aren’t married when Miss Seeton bought them a wedding gift in Miss Seeton Sings , 4, and Carvic states that they’re married in Odds on Miss Seeton , 5. As for Charles not writing Miss Seeton’s usual rambling dialogue in a few places, well, I can understand that rambling about that much can be daunting, but still. I had to re-read dialogue in several scenes to be sure it really was Miss Seeton speaking.
It is too funny how the powers-that-be see Miss Seeton as both a miracle worker and a “weapon of mass destruction”, lol. They view her “psychic” ability with awe and yet are “fascinated” at the idea of turning her loose. She does have the habit of stirring things up, helped along by other people’s own interpretations. I have to laugh at how the bad guys and the good guys misinterpret this aged spinster who can’t possibly move this well and are torn between her naiveté and/or her sinister thinking.
I gotta say the residents of Plummergen sound like a microcosm of our current world with some who are ardent supporters of Miss Seeton and others who see her as anything negative they can conjure up out of their own filthy mindedness.
It is a busy world in Miss Seeton, By Appointment what with Miss Seeton off to meet the queen; the charity event being put on by the villagers in aid of the Plummergen Church Organ Fund; Nigel’s latest romance; and, the unexpected friendship popping up among Sir George, Ferencz, and Sir Wormelow — that description of Wormelow as the “elderly English toff” cracked me up.
I do wonder at Charles’ attitude toward those upperclasses as I read his approach with Sir George. In previous stories, Sir George comes across as an intelligent man who sees beneath the surface and now here’s Charles making General George sound like one of those idiots from a P.G. Wodehouse tale?! His is not the only character Charles screws around with as when Miss Seeton purposely made use of her umbrella handle! Yes, I was shocked . . . and laughing.
Szabo is very much the self-made (and re-made) man and is the one to save the day by remembering his army days. I don’t have a problem with this latter bit, but I do have issues with yanking about with the characters of previously established characters.
There’s a touch of the real world in that Miss Seeton has worried about making ends meet, but Carvic has been taking care of that,between Scotland Yard and the part time teaching in Plummergen with a headmaster willing to stand up to MissEss’ naysayers.
I am enjoying Mel’s all-in evolution since we first met her in Miss Seeton Draws the Line , 2.
There are enough bad guys in here to make things interesting — always thinking they can get away with anything . . . but they haven’t yet met the Battling Brolly! — with most of the characters good people who try to help each other.
Hmm, I wonder if one of the future stories will eventually explain away the crossed fingers . . .? Has it anything to do with Tony Blunt?
The Story
It’s Miss Seeton off to meet the queen at a royal garden party! Fortunately, Sir George and his lady are also invited, so Miss Seeton has a port in the storm, just as she’ll harbor poor Marigold during the fashion shoot at Rytham Hall.
But while Miss Seeton is viewing shrunken heads and other royal treasures with Sir Wormelow Tump, a plan is being hatched by a titled crook to steal valuables of a different kind — a fabulous set of Lalique jewelry.
The Characters
Plummergen is . . .
. . . the Kentish village where Miss Emily D Seeton, a.k.a. MissEss and the Battling Brolly, can usually be found in the cottage, Sweetbriars, she inherited from her godmother. A retired art teacher, she’s on paid retainer with Scotland Yard these days. Martha Bloomer does for Miss Seeton and has a good heart. Martha’s husband, Stan, takes care of the garden, does odd jobs, and tends the hens for their and Miss Seeton’s good. Dr Wright runs a private nursing home and clinic and is Anne’s father. Police Constable Potter is the local copper. The George and Dragon is the local inn. Mr Jessyp is the school headmaster. Bert is the every-third-week postman. The Nuts are legally known as Mrs Norah “Bunny” Blaine and Miss Erica Nuttel who are renowned for their nasty gossip and busybodiness. Mr Stillwell runs the hardware and general store. The dotty Reverend Arthur Treeves is the local vicar who has lost his faith but continues to perform. His sister, Miss Molly Treeves, keeps him in hand. The reverend does envy his bishop, Rick. Mr Baxter from Brettenden runs a taxi.
Rytham Hall is . . .
. . . the country house of Sir George Colveden, a retired major general and the justice of the peace. Lady Colveden, Meg, is his wife and very practical. Nigel is their romantic, supportive son, always falling in love, who’s training to be a farmer. Freddie is a fishing friend of Sir George’s.
Marigold Naseby, a.k.a. Wendy Smith, is the new It girl, for she’s won the contest to model a collection of clothes for Mode fashion magazine with Cedric Benbow, a renowned portrait and fashion photographer. Miss Seeton went to art school with Cedric, only back then he was Clive Bennett. Liz is a freelance make-up artist. Terry is Wendy’s younger brother. June, a student nurse, is her best mate; Mr Christodoulou is their landlord? Mr Turnbull had been Wendy’s very nice manager at Woolworth’s. Harry Manning is the freelance press, society, and fashion photographer who helped Wendy get her start. Kevin is a fellow photographer with whom Harry shares a studio. Lynn is a more free-spirited model. Smithers, a retired soldier, is with Securicor, a security service engaged by Mode. Albertine.
Mel Forby is a journalist who works for the Daily Negative — Amelita Forby is her byline — whom we first met in Miss Seeton Draws the Line , 2. Some of her colleagues include Peter Morgan, Jason Lombard, and Sue. Thrudd Banner is the journalist we met in Miss Seeton Sings , 4.
Sir Wormelow “Wonky” Tump is the custodian of the Royal Collection of Objets de Vertu at Buckingham Palace. The urbane Ferencz Szabo emigrated from Hungary and taught himself to be more English than the English as Frank Taylor (with a preference for the tweedy), who was an acting sergeant in the Royal Army Service Corps until he achieved success with Szabo’s Gallery.
Scotland Yard works . . .
. . . closely with Chief Inspector Chris Brinton of the Kent police, who is friends with Delphick. Detective Constable Foxon is quite colorful when he goes undercover for Brinton. Chief Superintendent “the Oracle” Delphick continues to worry about Miss Seeton. Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger is Delphick's gentle giant of a partner who is married/not married to ( Odds on Miss Seeton , 5) young Anne Knight. A new author to a series really should have read up on the past ones to know who’s doing what and with whom! Sir Hubert Everleigh is the assistant commissioner (crime). The paranoid Roland Fenn is the deputy assistant commissioner in charge of Special Branch. I’m not sure which part of government Inspector Adrian Harlow fits into, but he does take one for the team, poor guy.
Sir Sebastian Prothero is a bad egg, a captain forced to resign from the Guard. He thinks he’s a criminal mastermind. Fiona had been the seventeen-year-old daughter of the adjutant to Colonel Henry. Alfie, Uncle George, and Slicer are all part of Prothero’s story. Reg Cobb owns the Mondial Club.
Tilly Trumpingham wore a frock that reeked of mothballs. Miss Marlborough had been the history mistress. Old Carfax, the property tycoon with a slew of ex-wives, owns Melbury Manor. The White Swan inn is in Canterbury. Guests at the royal garden party include James Callaghan, MP; the Archbishop of Canterbury; the director general of the BBC; the president of the Royal Academy; and, Lady Casson. Royals include the queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Alexandra. Douglas Greatorex (his father was a chauffeur) took the shrunken head to school one time.
The Cover and Title
The cover reflects its times with the lurid gradient of deep lilac in the front of Buckingham Palace strengthening into a deeper purple and then fading to red to deep pink at the bottom. The series info is in a deep purple at the top with the title and the author's name a'slant in white in the bottom half. Surrounding it are icons from the story in shades of yellow. There's a tiny testimonial in white just below the palace on the left.
The title is a reflection of that Buckingham Palace invitation in the immediate story as well as Scotland Yard’s overall plan, to make use of Miss Seeton, By Appointment.
My Take
Yes, Miss Seeton can be a bit much when you’re speaking with her. She follows her own twisty maze of thought and good luck to you. She always sees, hmmm, or “sees”, the most positive side of anything, which stands her in good stead, if no one else, lol. Ya gotta love her though. She sees into the real you and she cares.
Speaking of “speaking”, Charles is using third person global subjective protagonist point-of-view from many perspectives — we’re privy to the thoughts and emotions of a number of characters.
Miss Seeton has been doing yoga since the start of the series, and I’m starting to wonder if I should take it up . . . I will say her exercises have provided some fun moments in the stories.
Charles made a few missteps. One is in his implying that Ranger and Anne aren’t married when Miss Seeton bought them a wedding gift in Miss Seeton Sings , 4, and Carvic states that they’re married in Odds on Miss Seeton , 5. As for Charles not writing Miss Seeton’s usual rambling dialogue in a few places, well, I can understand that rambling about that much can be daunting, but still. I had to re-read dialogue in several scenes to be sure it really was Miss Seeton speaking.
It is too funny how the powers-that-be see Miss Seeton as both a miracle worker and a “weapon of mass destruction”, lol. They view her “psychic” ability with awe and yet are “fascinated” at the idea of turning her loose. She does have the habit of stirring things up, helped along by other people’s own interpretations. I have to laugh at how the bad guys and the good guys misinterpret this aged spinster who can’t possibly move this well and are torn between her naiveté and/or her sinister thinking.
I gotta say the residents of Plummergen sound like a microcosm of our current world with some who are ardent supporters of Miss Seeton and others who see her as anything negative they can conjure up out of their own filthy mindedness.
It is a busy world in Miss Seeton, By Appointment what with Miss Seeton off to meet the queen; the charity event being put on by the villagers in aid of the Plummergen Church Organ Fund; Nigel’s latest romance; and, the unexpected friendship popping up among Sir George, Ferencz, and Sir Wormelow — that description of Wormelow as the “elderly English toff” cracked me up.
I do wonder at Charles’ attitude toward those upperclasses as I read his approach with Sir George. In previous stories, Sir George comes across as an intelligent man who sees beneath the surface and now here’s Charles making General George sound like one of those idiots from a P.G. Wodehouse tale?! His is not the only character Charles screws around with as when Miss Seeton purposely made use of her umbrella handle! Yes, I was shocked . . . and laughing.
Szabo is very much the self-made (and re-made) man and is the one to save the day by remembering his army days. I don’t have a problem with this latter bit, but I do have issues with yanking about with the characters of previously established characters.
There’s a touch of the real world in that Miss Seeton has worried about making ends meet, but Carvic has been taking care of that,between Scotland Yard and the part time teaching in Plummergen with a headmaster willing to stand up to MissEss’ naysayers.
I am enjoying Mel’s all-in evolution since we first met her in Miss Seeton Draws the Line , 2.
There are enough bad guys in here to make things interesting — always thinking they can get away with anything . . . but they haven’t yet met the Battling Brolly! — with most of the characters good people who try to help each other.
Hmm, I wonder if one of the future stories will eventually explain away the crossed fingers . . .? Has it anything to do with Tony Blunt?
The Story
It’s Miss Seeton off to meet the queen at a royal garden party! Fortunately, Sir George and his lady are also invited, so Miss Seeton has a port in the storm, just as she’ll harbor poor Marigold during the fashion shoot at Rytham Hall.
But while Miss Seeton is viewing shrunken heads and other royal treasures with Sir Wormelow Tump, a plan is being hatched by a titled crook to steal valuables of a different kind — a fabulous set of Lalique jewelry.
The Characters
Plummergen is . . .
. . . the Kentish village where Miss Emily D Seeton, a.k.a. MissEss and the Battling Brolly, can usually be found in the cottage, Sweetbriars, she inherited from her godmother. A retired art teacher, she’s on paid retainer with Scotland Yard these days. Martha Bloomer does for Miss Seeton and has a good heart. Martha’s husband, Stan, takes care of the garden, does odd jobs, and tends the hens for their and Miss Seeton’s good. Dr Wright runs a private nursing home and clinic and is Anne’s father. Police Constable Potter is the local copper. The George and Dragon is the local inn. Mr Jessyp is the school headmaster. Bert is the every-third-week postman. The Nuts are legally known as Mrs Norah “Bunny” Blaine and Miss Erica Nuttel who are renowned for their nasty gossip and busybodiness. Mr Stillwell runs the hardware and general store. The dotty Reverend Arthur Treeves is the local vicar who has lost his faith but continues to perform. His sister, Miss Molly Treeves, keeps him in hand. The reverend does envy his bishop, Rick. Mr Baxter from Brettenden runs a taxi.
Rytham Hall is . . .
. . . the country house of Sir George Colveden, a retired major general and the justice of the peace. Lady Colveden, Meg, is his wife and very practical. Nigel is their romantic, supportive son, always falling in love, who’s training to be a farmer. Freddie is a fishing friend of Sir George’s.
Marigold Naseby, a.k.a. Wendy Smith, is the new It girl, for she’s won the contest to model a collection of clothes for Mode fashion magazine with Cedric Benbow, a renowned portrait and fashion photographer. Miss Seeton went to art school with Cedric, only back then he was Clive Bennett. Liz is a freelance make-up artist. Terry is Wendy’s younger brother. June, a student nurse, is her best mate; Mr Christodoulou is their landlord? Mr Turnbull had been Wendy’s very nice manager at Woolworth’s. Harry Manning is the freelance press, society, and fashion photographer who helped Wendy get her start. Kevin is a fellow photographer with whom Harry shares a studio. Lynn is a more free-spirited model. Smithers, a retired soldier, is with Securicor, a security service engaged by Mode. Albertine.
Mel Forby is a journalist who works for the Daily Negative — Amelita Forby is her byline — whom we first met in Miss Seeton Draws the Line , 2. Some of her colleagues include Peter Morgan, Jason Lombard, and Sue. Thrudd Banner is the journalist we met in Miss Seeton Sings , 4.
Sir Wormelow “Wonky” Tump is the custodian of the Royal Collection of Objets de Vertu at Buckingham Palace. The urbane Ferencz Szabo emigrated from Hungary and taught himself to be more English than the English as Frank Taylor (with a preference for the tweedy), who was an acting sergeant in the Royal Army Service Corps until he achieved success with Szabo’s Gallery.
Scotland Yard works . . .
. . . closely with Chief Inspector Chris Brinton of the Kent police, who is friends with Delphick. Detective Constable Foxon is quite colorful when he goes undercover for Brinton. Chief Superintendent “the Oracle” Delphick continues to worry about Miss Seeton. Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger is Delphick's gentle giant of a partner who is married/not married to ( Odds on Miss Seeton , 5) young Anne Knight. A new author to a series really should have read up on the past ones to know who’s doing what and with whom! Sir Hubert Everleigh is the assistant commissioner (crime). The paranoid Roland Fenn is the deputy assistant commissioner in charge of Special Branch. I’m not sure which part of government Inspector Adrian Harlow fits into, but he does take one for the team, poor guy.
Sir Sebastian Prothero is a bad egg, a captain forced to resign from the Guard. He thinks he’s a criminal mastermind. Fiona had been the seventeen-year-old daughter of the adjutant to Colonel Henry. Alfie, Uncle George, and Slicer are all part of Prothero’s story. Reg Cobb owns the Mondial Club.
Tilly Trumpingham wore a frock that reeked of mothballs. Miss Marlborough had been the history mistress. Old Carfax, the property tycoon with a slew of ex-wives, owns Melbury Manor. The White Swan inn is in Canterbury. Guests at the royal garden party include James Callaghan, MP; the Archbishop of Canterbury; the director general of the BBC; the president of the Royal Academy; and, Lady Casson. Royals include the queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Alexandra. Douglas Greatorex (his father was a chauffeur) took the shrunken head to school one time.
The Cover and Title
The cover reflects its times with the lurid gradient of deep lilac in the front of Buckingham Palace strengthening into a deeper purple and then fading to red to deep pink at the bottom. The series info is in a deep purple at the top with the title and the author's name a'slant in white in the bottom half. Surrounding it are icons from the story in shades of yellow. There's a tiny testimonial in white just below the palace on the left.
The title is a reflection of that Buckingham Palace invitation in the immediate story as well as Scotland Yard’s overall plan, to make use of Miss Seeton, By Appointment.
August 6, 2016
This is the Miss Seeton I know and love. I liked this book very much.
In this story, Miss Seeton receives an invitation to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. New Scotland Yard and MI5 want her to meet a man who may be a spy. The gentleman, Sir Wormelow Tump is suspected of being someone who should not be trusted in close proximity to the Queen of England.
Because Miss Seeton is known for seeing into the hearts of people, the authorities want to have her meet Sir Wormelow and do one of her famous drawings. In the past, her drawings have allowed the authorities to recognize people who have criminal activities in mind.
Before she gets to the garden party, Miss Seeton has already met Wendy who becomes Marigold, a bird watcher who is actually a housebreaker and she has reconnected with a man who attended art school with her. She has also met Sir Wormelow. And her drawing of him is very telling although no seems to recognize what it is telling.
This book presents Miss Seeton and her friends in a manner that I really like. The police are always trying to keep one step ahead of her in order to protect her from danger. But, in actuality, Miss Seeton is the person most likely to create danger and the danger is always to others.
The villain is a truly amoral man. He has lived his life by cheating and stealing from others. He seems to have no sense of conscience at all. At one point, he determines that in order to have his plans succeed he must commit murder. It is apparently of no consequence to him.
Miss Seeton does her drawings almost as if she has no control over their outcome. But, in reality she looks at people and sees them as they truly are. She is still the wonderful woman who carries on conversations with other people which have no connection to what is being said by anyone involved. Her train of thought seems to take flight, but if the reader pays close attention, she is easy to understand.
The secondary characters are very well developed and familiar to anyone who has read any of the Miss Seeton books. The original creator of Miss Seeton was very careful to give her supporting characters who are interesting as well as entertaining.
The plot of this story involves possible spies, a housebreaker and some blackmail. In each of the books, although Miss Seeton is a kindly and simple retired art teacher with a special skill, the adversaries are criminals who commit terrible crimes. The reader may know who the criminals are, but there is mystery in how and when they will meet their judgment day.
Although, this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. All that is needed is to allow one's imagination to take charge and then sit back and enjoy.
I received this book from the publisher, through NetGalley in the hope I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In this story, Miss Seeton receives an invitation to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. New Scotland Yard and MI5 want her to meet a man who may be a spy. The gentleman, Sir Wormelow Tump is suspected of being someone who should not be trusted in close proximity to the Queen of England.
Because Miss Seeton is known for seeing into the hearts of people, the authorities want to have her meet Sir Wormelow and do one of her famous drawings. In the past, her drawings have allowed the authorities to recognize people who have criminal activities in mind.
Before she gets to the garden party, Miss Seeton has already met Wendy who becomes Marigold, a bird watcher who is actually a housebreaker and she has reconnected with a man who attended art school with her. She has also met Sir Wormelow. And her drawing of him is very telling although no seems to recognize what it is telling.
This book presents Miss Seeton and her friends in a manner that I really like. The police are always trying to keep one step ahead of her in order to protect her from danger. But, in actuality, Miss Seeton is the person most likely to create danger and the danger is always to others.
The villain is a truly amoral man. He has lived his life by cheating and stealing from others. He seems to have no sense of conscience at all. At one point, he determines that in order to have his plans succeed he must commit murder. It is apparently of no consequence to him.
Miss Seeton does her drawings almost as if she has no control over their outcome. But, in reality she looks at people and sees them as they truly are. She is still the wonderful woman who carries on conversations with other people which have no connection to what is being said by anyone involved. Her train of thought seems to take flight, but if the reader pays close attention, she is easy to understand.
The secondary characters are very well developed and familiar to anyone who has read any of the Miss Seeton books. The original creator of Miss Seeton was very careful to give her supporting characters who are interesting as well as entertaining.
The plot of this story involves possible spies, a housebreaker and some blackmail. In each of the books, although Miss Seeton is a kindly and simple retired art teacher with a special skill, the adversaries are criminals who commit terrible crimes. The reader may know who the criminals are, but there is mystery in how and when they will meet their judgment day.
Although, this book is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. All that is needed is to allow one's imagination to take charge and then sit back and enjoy.
I received this book from the publisher, through NetGalley in the hope I would write a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 5, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Farrago for a review copy of Miss Seeton, By Appointment, the eighth outing for unworldly police sketch artist.
Miss Seeton is invited to the Queen's Garden Party as Special Branch want her take on Sir Wormelowe Tump - is he a spy or not? In the meantime Sir George and Lady Colveden, Miss Seeton's neighbours, are hosting a photo shootout where the model will be wearing a fortune in Lalique jewellery. Needless to say a thief has his eye on the Lalique and the police have their eye on Miss Seeton.
Firstly I will say that this novel should be read before the previous one (Miss Seeton At The Helm) as we meet many of the characters in Miss Seeton At The Helm for the first time here.
Sequencing apart Miss Seeton, By Appointment is a great read. It is genuinely laugh out loud funny and has much of Heron Carvic's, the author of the original series, lightness of touch, absurdity and timing.
Miss Seeton is her usual woolly self but still manages to save the day with her brolly. I think sometimes Mr Charles sacrifices a more nuanced character for the plot but that's a minor quibble as it's all good, clean fun (apart from the risqué drawings).
Miss Seeton, By Appointment is an excellent addition to the series and I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
Miss Seeton is invited to the Queen's Garden Party as Special Branch want her take on Sir Wormelowe Tump - is he a spy or not? In the meantime Sir George and Lady Colveden, Miss Seeton's neighbours, are hosting a photo shootout where the model will be wearing a fortune in Lalique jewellery. Needless to say a thief has his eye on the Lalique and the police have their eye on Miss Seeton.
Firstly I will say that this novel should be read before the previous one (Miss Seeton At The Helm) as we meet many of the characters in Miss Seeton At The Helm for the first time here.
Sequencing apart Miss Seeton, By Appointment is a great read. It is genuinely laugh out loud funny and has much of Heron Carvic's, the author of the original series, lightness of touch, absurdity and timing.
Miss Seeton is her usual woolly self but still manages to save the day with her brolly. I think sometimes Mr Charles sacrifices a more nuanced character for the plot but that's a minor quibble as it's all good, clean fun (apart from the risqué drawings).
Miss Seeton, By Appointment is an excellent addition to the series and I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.
September 10, 2016
An ARC honest review for Farrago Books via NetGalley.
This is the sixth instalment of the Miss Emily D. Seeton parody mysteries.
And Miss Seeton receives a Royal invitation to attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace, luckily for her, so have the Colveden's...
but not all is as it seems, as MI5 has set it up so she will meet someone there, to later do a drawing for them.
On top of that the Colveden's have agreed to having a photo shoot at their family home Rytham Hall by the famous photographer Cedric Benbow, a fashion shoot for Mode magazine, with pieces of the famous Lalique jewellery as the centre pieces on a newly discovered model Marigold Naseby.
With spies, thefts and blackmail and as usual, where Miss Seeton and her brolly is, madness and mayhem are bound to be close by!
This is the first book that was written after the death of Heron Carvic, by James Melville writing under the name of Hampton Charles. And I don't think that he has made too bad a job of it. He has still managed to keep it light and a fun read.
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.
This is the sixth instalment of the Miss Emily D. Seeton parody mysteries.
And Miss Seeton receives a Royal invitation to attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace, luckily for her, so have the Colveden's...
but not all is as it seems, as MI5 has set it up so she will meet someone there, to later do a drawing for them.
On top of that the Colveden's have agreed to having a photo shoot at their family home Rytham Hall by the famous photographer Cedric Benbow, a fashion shoot for Mode magazine, with pieces of the famous Lalique jewellery as the centre pieces on a newly discovered model Marigold Naseby.
With spies, thefts and blackmail and as usual, where Miss Seeton and her brolly is, madness and mayhem are bound to be close by!
This is the first book that was written after the death of Heron Carvic, by James Melville writing under the name of Hampton Charles. And I don't think that he has made too bad a job of it. He has still managed to keep it light and a fun read.
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.
October 26, 2016
The good thing about this series is that each book has enough explanations of prior events to make it comfortably stand-alone. But, oh, what you are missing in the richness and depth of characters oft revisited if you are not enjoying the stories in order! For some reason the numbering of the series got switched about some time back so if you are reading in order, this comes AFTER "Advantage Miss Seeton" and BEFORE "Miss Seeton at the Helm."
This particular plot is top-notch with clever twists and an insight into the villain as he plots his dastardly deeds, interweaving an invitation to Buckingham Palace for Miss Seeton and the Colvedons with a jewel heist at the Colvedon's house. Many old friends make appearances and we meet new friends as well, visiting Carnaby Street (if you are not old enough to remember The Beatles, check them out on Youtube and consider this book to be time travel) and contrasting fashions of the '60s-70s with proper Court dress. Just the necessary break from the rigors of 21st Century life!
This particular plot is top-notch with clever twists and an insight into the villain as he plots his dastardly deeds, interweaving an invitation to Buckingham Palace for Miss Seeton and the Colvedons with a jewel heist at the Colvedon's house. Many old friends make appearances and we meet new friends as well, visiting Carnaby Street (if you are not old enough to remember The Beatles, check them out on Youtube and consider this book to be time travel) and contrasting fashions of the '60s-70s with proper Court dress. Just the necessary break from the rigors of 21st Century life!
October 26, 2016
The good thing about this series is that each book has enough explanations of prior events to make it comfortably stand-alone. But, oh, what you are missing in the richness and depth of characters oft revisited if you are not enjoying the stories in order! For some reason the numbering of the series got switched about some time back so if you are reading in order, this comes AFTER "Advantage Miss Seeton" and BEFORE "Miss Seeton at the Helm."
This particular plot is top-notch with clever twists and an insight into the villain as he plots his dastardly deeds, interweaving an invitation to Buckingham Palace for Miss Seeton and the Colvedons with a jewel heist at the Colvedon's house. Many old friends make appearances and we meet new friends as well, visiting Carnaby Street (if you are not old enough to remember The Beatles, check them out on Youtube and consider this book to be time travel) and contrasting fashions of the '60s-70s with proper Court dress. Just the necessary break from the rigors of 21st Century life!
This particular plot is top-notch with clever twists and an insight into the villain as he plots his dastardly deeds, interweaving an invitation to Buckingham Palace for Miss Seeton and the Colvedons with a jewel heist at the Colvedon's house. Many old friends make appearances and we meet new friends as well, visiting Carnaby Street (if you are not old enough to remember The Beatles, check them out on Youtube and consider this book to be time travel) and contrasting fashions of the '60s-70s with proper Court dress. Just the necessary break from the rigors of 21st Century life!
August 22, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review. Since I am a huge Miss Seeton fan, I could easily go on and on about this book which I loved! In a way this could be my favorite of her adventures so far but really, they are all fantastic. This one seems to have a lighter feel to it and maybe a little more fun. things were still exciting and dangerous as Emily Seeton still seemed to have one mishap after another. In this book are a whole lot of new characters along with the old lovable recurring ones. Plumergen is once again the scene for quite a bit of the adventure. Miss Ess is full of boundless energy as she does everything from invited to tea with the Queen , an art showing, and a major photo shoot. Her accidents foil the criminal and save the day. One great thing about this series is that there are more due to be rereleased and I have plenty of Miss Seeton to look forward to and I just can't get enough of her. They are wonderfully written, funny and clever.
January 5, 2018
Miss Seeton meets the Queen!
Once again the story is full of adventure, colorful characters & the regular ones we encounter in every story. Miss Seeton attends the Queen's Garden party....... meets the head curator of the Queen's art/artifacts collection & during her tour of the archives inadvertently pops a real shrunken head into her purse.
......and is introduced to The Queen. There is stolen jewelry, an elegant thief, a fashion magazine shoot.......Miss Seeton catches the thief....... using her umbrella (of course). Once you have read one Miss Seeton.... you will binge read them all. Have fun!
Once again the story is full of adventure, colorful characters & the regular ones we encounter in every story. Miss Seeton attends the Queen's Garden party....... meets the head curator of the Queen's art/artifacts collection & during her tour of the archives inadvertently pops a real shrunken head into her purse.
......and is introduced to The Queen. There is stolen jewelry, an elegant thief, a fashion magazine shoot.......Miss Seeton catches the thief....... using her umbrella (of course). Once you have read one Miss Seeton.... you will binge read them all. Have fun!
August 19, 2017
Another fun mystery!
What a fun book! This is right now my favorite boo, except I have so many more to read. Besides being a mystery, & blackmail, but no murder book it was so hilarious! I laughed so hard in some spots I almost woke up my husband. Both him & the dog moved & turned over as I chuckled on wiggling the bed! I hope you all enjoy this book as much!
What a fun book! This is right now my favorite boo, except I have so many more to read. Besides being a mystery, & blackmail, but no murder book it was so hilarious! I laughed so hard in some spots I almost woke up my husband. Both him & the dog moved & turned over as I chuckled on wiggling the bed! I hope you all enjoy this book as much!
October 13, 2017
This is the sixth in the series and I have loved every one. MIss Seeton amuses and confounds her friends by her aptitude for putting herself in the midst of any nefarious event as it unfolds always to merriment and laughter of her readers!!
August 30, 2009
A light mystery with an improbable sleuth. It is a little too understated for my taste. Lots of dialog but no one gets to the point.
August 17, 2016
Outstanding
As always laughed out loud moments, Miss Seeton keeps you turning the pages to see what she will stumble into!
As always laughed out loud moments, Miss Seeton keeps you turning the pages to see what she will stumble into!
August 27, 2016
Absolutely hilarious! Pure Miss Seeton at her best!
June 9, 2017
Always a good read.
Read these books many years ago and find them just as fun now as then. The change in author is so far not bad.
Read these books many years ago and find them just as fun now as then. The change in author is so far not bad.
April 26, 2020
Good book
March 11, 2020
I love this kind of book and Miss Seeton is quite the character
May 31, 2020
Increasingly daft no one can be as clueless as miss seeton
December 16, 2023
Sixth in the series, firsr authored by Heron Carvic’s successor. How appropriate that Heron Carvic was a nom de plume, as was Hampton Charles (a nom deplume itself for James Melville, another fine mystery writer and itself a nom de plume for…but I digress); Carvic wrote 5, then Charles wrote 3, then…well, a lot more were written.
Charles does a nice job, but the manic pace is absent, as well as the mishaps/adventures of Miss Seeton herself, she is in fact not as large a presence in this tale as she had previously been, and I somewhat missed her. Yes, there is the requisite scene or two with a pivotal action engendered by her famous brolly, but not enuf! Perhaps Charles wasn’t prepared to dive into the deep end of the pool, his own Inspector Otani of the Tokyo Prefecture is a staid and serious character, but I’m hopeful that the next in this series sees him let go of the safety net and embrace the crazy. We avid Miss Seeton fans will certainly enjoy it!
Charles does a nice job, but the manic pace is absent, as well as the mishaps/adventures of Miss Seeton herself, she is in fact not as large a presence in this tale as she had previously been, and I somewhat missed her. Yes, there is the requisite scene or two with a pivotal action engendered by her famous brolly, but not enuf! Perhaps Charles wasn’t prepared to dive into the deep end of the pool, his own Inspector Otani of the Tokyo Prefecture is a staid and serious character, but I’m hopeful that the next in this series sees him let go of the safety net and embrace the crazy. We avid Miss Seeton fans will certainly enjoy it!
May 18, 2021
A short, pleasant and amusing book. Ideal for reading when relaxing in a deck chair on the beach. Otherwise it is not quite up to the others in this series that I have read. A particularly inept villain foiled by Miss S, the Oracle and his fellows, with help from journalist Mel.
In all fairness though I must say that I have recently been reading Louise Penny's Armand Gamache series and they do set the bar extremely high. This offering is still a book to be recommended for light reading.
I didn't realise until I read the reviews of others that this is the same author who wrote the Superintendent Otani books which I love. Clearly that was more his milieu than the Miss Seeton world.
In all fairness though I must say that I have recently been reading Louise Penny's Armand Gamache series and they do set the bar extremely high. This offering is still a book to be recommended for light reading.
I didn't realise until I read the reviews of others that this is the same author who wrote the Superintendent Otani books which I love. Clearly that was more his milieu than the Miss Seeton world.
January 6, 2021
It's been a long time since I've reread any of my Miss Seeton books, but something reminded me of them and I thought I'd have another go. As usual, Miss Seeton and her umbrella unwittingly help to capture a would-be jewel thief. These are easy to read, and although many of the characters are more caricatures, the story is a bit silly and entertaining.
April 10, 2021
This series of books which has been carried on by a couple of authors since the originator died is clever and funny. The way MissEss tells a tale is enough to confound anybody but in the end she solves the mystery.
June 19, 2021
I enjoy Miss Seeton.
She certainly is less of a dithering idiot than Miss Marple who sets my teeth on edge every time she says: of course I’m only a woman. She’s a far more likable character in my mind. This one was not as good as some I think, but I still found it enjoyable.
She certainly is less of a dithering idiot than Miss Marple who sets my teeth on edge every time she says: of course I’m only a woman. She’s a far more likable character in my mind. This one was not as good as some I think, but I still found it enjoyable.
April 1, 2022
Great series
Battling Brolly is a hoot! I enjoy the situations she finds herself in, her stream of consciousness conversations and her wonderful insights to people. It was nice thinking of her at work with some of the art world.
Battling Brolly is a hoot! I enjoy the situations she finds herself in, her stream of consciousness conversations and her wonderful insights to people. It was nice thinking of her at work with some of the art world.
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