Mrs. Jeffries Weeds the Plot

Mrs. Jeffries #15

by Emily Brightwell

Annabeth Gentry thinks someone wants her dead. When Mrs. Jeffries discovers three attempts on her life, she thinks Annabeth may be right. Now she must unearth answers-and fast!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Audiobook, Historical

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Cheryl Lanham was born on 11 October 1948 in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, USA. Her family moved to Southern California in 1959 and she grew up in Pasadena. After graduating from California State University, she decided to work her way around the world and took off for England. She didn’t get much further because she met Richard James Arguile, the Englishman who became her husband, got married on May 1976, and had two children, Matthew and Amanda. While working in international shipping, she decided to pursue her dream and become a writer – which, of course, is the best job ever. She has written romance novels as Sarah Temple, and Young Adult novels as Cheryl Lanham. As Emily Brightwell, she is the author of the “Mrs. Jeffries” mysteries.

Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.

Reviews

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

I’m never disappointed with a Mrs. Jeffries!!! 👏🏻👏🏻

This one follows our crew of employees of the great inspector Witherspoon when they take on a case of this woman who feels like random ‘accidents’ that keep happening to her are looking suspiciously like attempted murder- but no one believes her.

This is the first audiobook in the series not narrated by Lindy Nettleton (who was superb), and the first one narrated by Jennifer Dixon who did a pretty impressive job taking over these characters and sounding similar to Lindy. (I do miss Lindy though-I think her character voices were more distinctive)

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Witherspoon is Scotland Yard's top detective when it comes to solving messy or strange murders. No one really understands how the quiet, unassuming man of inherited wealth went from records file clerk to the leading murder detective with no unsolved crimes in his career. They don't realize that unbeknownst to him, that he has an entire crew working behind the scenes to help him find the answers! Meet Mrs. Jeffries, the inspector's housekeeper and the brains behind his astounding success; along with Mrs. Goodge, the cook; Wiggins, the footman; Betsy, the maid; Smythe, the coachman; and Luty Belle Crookshank, a wealthy American and her Butler, Hatchet, who have become close friends with the Inspector's household staff. Murderers in Victorian England don't stand a chance of getting away with their crimes with this crew hunting them down!

Is Annabeth Gentry a klutz, prone to accidents that brush the shoulder of death or is someone trying to kill the young lady. After Annabeth's dog, Miranda, dug up a dead body on a footpath, she is almost run over by a fast moving coach, a pile of bricks falls off the top of a wall onto the chair she was setting in a moment before and then Miranda swipes a bite of a scone and is almost killed by the poison in it. What and who is behind these attempts on Annabeth's life. Was it the large fortune and house she recently inherited, that has her family members grasping to get control of, or is it something to do with the dead body Miranda dug up. Annabeth's maid, Martha, knows that the Inspector's maid, Betsy, was involved in a past murder case that included her. When Martha approaches Betsy for help, Mrs. Jeffries and the staff also get involved and get the Inspector and Constable Barnes to go meet with Annabeth. Another twisted tale of greed and murder that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the staff thru Victorian London putting murderers behind bars.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Agatha Christie had set her tales in the Victorian era Mrs Jeffries would be the new Miss Marple

A cross between a cozy mystery and Agatha Christie, Mrs Jeffries and her friends will do anything to help Inspector Witherspoon with his cases. Mild mannered and lacking confidence and worldliness the Inspector, kind and considerate, unbeknowingly has a little help from his household servants and their friends to solve each case.

Without them he'd be stumbling around in the dark. Mrs Jeffries carefully feeds him each clue so that he doesn't realise the help he's getting, in fact he's quite sure it's his "inner voice".

Annabeth Gentry has been left a substantial bequest. With her sister's jealous and unhappy and her brother-in-law's unsuccessful careers they're keen to gain control of her finances and move into the mansion she's been left. Her neighbour to be has raised objections to her dog, a bloodhound called Miranda.. especially after Miranda discovers a dead body while on a walk. After several bizarre occurences it's obvious that someone wants her dead and out of the way.. that's when her maid remembers being questioned by Betsey and Mrs Jeffries in an earlier case of Inspector Witherspoon's.. would they please help her mistress because things are becoming more and more dangerous.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one.

[Aarathi Burki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plot and wonderful writing. The mystery was worth reading and I couldn't guess the murderer or the motive till the very end. As usual Mrs Jeffries and her team were at their best in sleuthing and helping Witherspoon with ample clues to work.

[Bonnie Gleckler Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first glimpse of Mrs. Jeffries was a pleasant experience. I enjoyed it so that I’ve already downloaded four more of her audiobooks. Mrs. Jeffries has been hired by Inspector Witherspoon as his housekeeper. But, keeping house is only one of her specialties. She fancies herself an amateur sleuth. And, therefore unbeknownst to inspector Witherspoon, plants ideas in his head that will help him solve the crime he’s been assigned.
Mrs. Jeffries also gets her assistance from other staff of inspector Witherspoon. This includes the footman Wiggins, coachman Smythe, Betsy the maid, and Mrs. Goodge the cook.
Author Emily Brightwell, brings us the entire package, all wrapped in one cozy, historical mystery!

[Samantha Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really hard to pay attention to this one. It probably didn't help that there was a completely new narrator for the audiobook, which after the first 14 books in the series was a bit of a shock. The voices were completely different and even names were pronounced differently. I think the new narrator is the one who does the rest of the series and I am not super happy about it. I am sure she does a great job, its just after 14 books you come to know the characters by the way a narrator voices them and so when that completely changes, it feels almost like a different series.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another fun Mrs. Jeffries listen.

This time, the sleuthing servants have to find the connection between an unearthed murdered pickpocket, the assassination attempts on a lady whose dog found and dug up the pickpocket's body, and the murder of the caretaker for a closed-down boys school neighboring the lady's home before she moves into her house she inherited, which keeps having renovation accidents.

Ms. Gentry is the lady and Miranda her faithful bloodhound. Ms. Gentry recently inherited a large sum of money and house from her deceased fiance's mother. Her sisters and their husbands conspire separately to part Ms. Gentry from her windfall.

However, that's a red herring. The three sets of crimes are all tied together. And Mrs. Jeffries' lot, though only brought in to assist Ms. Gentry with her near-fatal attempts on her life, think the coincidence of the three is too much for them to not be connected.

Turns out, Mr. Eddington, Mrs. Gentry's new neighbor at her inherited home, is a serial murderer who targets wealthy woman with no close relations, marries them in England or Canada, brings them to the other country, koshes then strangles them, and buries them in the garden behind his and Ms. Gentry's houses. The school caretaker assisted with the crimes and burials, while the pickpocket, who discovered the whole foul business, blackmailed Eddington and the caretaker and lost his life for it.

Eddington and the caretaker tried to do Gentry in so her sleuthing bloodhound would not unearth anymore evidence of their grisly crimes.

This audiobook is the first in the series to be read by someone other than the fantastic Lindy Nettleton. While the new read is fine, with some hit-or-miss spots, I do so miss Nettleton's narration, especially Luty Belle's scrappy voice. I know real world considerations and circumstances must be involved, but I wish audiobook series did not change readers mid-series. It's jarring for the listeners, even though this time it wasn't too harsh a change.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

#15 in the Mrs. Jeffries series, I've had to backtrack some, actually quite a bit, as I found 3 in the series I hadn't read. But that was okay, because upon reading them, I realized it was kinda fun knowing where the characters are now (in later books) and where they were then (#13, #14 & #15).

Mrs. Jeffries and the rest the household are back at it, helping their beloved Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard solve another murder. Instead of the police being called to a dead body, this time Annabeth Gentry seeks out Betsy's help. Betsy is Inspector Witherspoon's maid. Miss Gentry explains that while she and Miranda, her bloodhound dog, were walking along a forest path, Miranda starts sniffing and ends up digging up a corpse. Plus within this same week, in her opinion, three attempts have been made on her life. And her house she is renovating has had a flood and a fire.

She seeks Betsy's help because she knows the police will not believe her out help because both her sisters and their spouses don't believe her either. They think she is a hysterical spinster who is making up stories and believe she needs to marry and spend her time looking after a husband instead of fabricating stories and drawing attention to herself. Of course what that really means is, they want her money and her house, and for her brother-in-law's to control her money.

Then the caretaker in the shut down school next to Annabeth's house is found strangled. Does this all connect? Mrs. Jeffries seems to think so, and so does Inspector Witherspoon.

I'm happy to say, I figured out who the murderer was before Mrs. Jeffries. Woot! Woot!

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annabeth Gentry knows someone wants her dead. In the days before the story begins, a poison-laced cream nearly claims her life—her dog, Miranda, eats it instead, falling gravely ill. Later, while hosting guests in her courtyard, Annabeth narrowly escapes when bricks tumble from a wall, crashing where she stood moments before. Freshly inherited wealth has made her a target, and she refuses to let her married sisters, through their controlling husbands, dictate her fortune. Someone clearly plots her demise.

Enter Wiggins, the sharp-witted footman for Scotland Yard’s Inspector Witherspoon. While poking around, he discovers a caretaker’s body in the abandoned buildings next to Annabeth’s property. Now Wiggins faces a dilemma: how to alert the lovable but clueless Inspector without admitting he snooped where he shouldn’t. The tight-knit household staff, ever eager to solve murders discreetly, crafts a clever plan to feed Witherspoon the tip while keeping Wiggins in the clear.

This remarkable crew dives into the case, shielding their efforts from a nosy colleague’s interference while unraveling the mystery. The formulaic plot hums along with charm, making you care as much about the staff’s camaraderie as the whodunit itself.

Annabeth Gentry and her heroic bloodhound, Miranda, shine brightest—Miranda even sniffs out more bodies buried near the killer’s home, adding a thrilling twist.

This cozy earns three stars for its delightful read. I’m already eager to revisit these characters in the next book!

[The Hobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in the Mrs Jeffries series! It all started after Miranda dug up the corpse. Miranda, Annabeth Gentry's bloodhound, found the body of a pickpocket when she and her mistress were walking along a forest path. Within a week of Miranda's discovery, three attempts were made on Annabeth's life. Plus, the house she had recently inherited suffered a flood and a fire. Annabeth's sisters and their husbands thought she was just being hysterical. They did not approve of a spinster inheriting money and a house; they suggested she give one of her brothers-in-law control of her finances. Not thinking the police would believe her, she had her maid contact Inspector Witherspoon's maid Betsy. With Betsy involved, so were housekeeper Mrs Jeffries, cook Mrs Goodge, coachman Smythe. and footman Wiggins. They agreed to help Annabeth Gentry discover who was trying to harm her. But before they could get far with their investigation, the caretaker in the school next to Annabeth's house was found strangled. Did the deaths of the pickpocket and the caretaker have anything to do with the attempts on Annabeth's life and the accidents at her new house? That's what Mrs Jeffries and her team of detective servants were determined to find out.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspector Witherspoon has no idea his household staff is critical in his high success rate at catching killers, but a few other people are catching on. One of them is Annabeth Gentry's maid, who comes to Mrs. Jeffries and the others with the plea to help Ms. Gentry, who thinks someone is trying to kill her. It all started when her bloodhound dug up the body of a murdered man, but are the attempts on her really related to a murdered pickpocket? But then another body turns up at the abandoned school right next to Ms. Gentry's house, and the staff know that there is something evil going on--if only they can figure it out in time, and convince the Inspector that he figured it out on his own!

This series is so charmingly improbable, and has such a warm heart but not in a saccharine way. I listen to these as much to catch up with the members of the household as to enjoy the mystery, and it's always a delight. I do wish they'd tied up some loose ends in this one, not about the staff (because they'll be back), but about some of the people around Ms. Gentry, and their plans. Still, great escapist reading!

[JZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely the best plot written in the series.
The rant at the end of the audiobook is worth the whole book. I loved it. And the 'bad guy' got caught. That's what I treasure in mystery books. But this one takes it to the truth that's eternal.

Social commentary at its best.

Truly, my favorite, despite a lot of excess verbage. Edit, my dear, edit.

Oh, yes, about the new narrator: I cannot believe that she thinks that the correct pronounciation of the person that does the heavy cleaning is called a 'chairwoman' for long. I'm sure she's been called on that one.

The fact that all of the new audiobooks have to repeat the same phrases over and over again to keep continuity and 'comfort factor through familiarity' thinking. I'm afraid that it's just that I've listened to too many in too short a time, while I quarantine binge. I have to feel some compassion for the author that has spent lots of time at a digital device to spew out a story that will give me more than neutral enjoyment to return again and again to the familiarly cozy (and yes, that's truly why they're called cozy: because you don't get jarred by suspense or horror, but get to enjoy that feeling that good has prevailed, all's well that ends well, and, let's face it, most of the time the murdered person was either vile or an innocent victim, but their murderer was so much worse, in every depraved (but sexual) way, ever.)
The more murder mysteries I read, and the more police procedurals I watch on tv, the more I realize that the police 'force' is paid for by the rich to make sure that no one who has less can take it away from them. Every now and then, they do something for the oppressed, but it's nearly by accident.
There are enough cops that do the right thing for the poor, by supporting charity, but do nothing to empower the poor.

I've read nearly a thousand mysteries to see this. Plus what the world has become.

You're welcome. To disagree, comment, or chime in.

[Mili Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing: 4 Stars;
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 4 Stars;
Entertaining: 5 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 4 Stars; Not as diverse in characterization as the other narrator, but still good.
Cover Art: 5; The cover with the dead hand gave me the chills, while maintaining that classic mystery look.

Total: 4.5 Stars;

I feel that this author often explains things that need no explanation. I also wish that for once I would be surprised by the killer at the end. Does she know who the killer is as she writes? As I understand it, the best mystery authors have no idea until they reach the end. This author does not leave breadcrumbs of clues, but giant billboards that say “I am the killer”. The only mystery in this one was how and why.

However, I’m giving this book 4.5 Stars, because it was very entertaining. It is by far the most entertaining book in this series. I could not wait to see what happened next and it made me laugh several times. The escape of Mrs. Jeffries and Wiggins out the back door... X-)

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries Weeds the Plot (Mrs. Jeffries, #15) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon (11 chapters) December 2, 2023

A woman is convinced someone is trying to kill her, but there aren’t a lot of suspects. The police think it may be all in her head, but as the the woman’s dog, Meranda digs up something peculiar, and Mrs. Jeffries and the household gets involved, they realize it may something far more sinster. But finding suspects is very difficult.

This woman’s house backs against an abandoned schoolhouse and there are all sorts of odd happens and noisies coming from over near her border.

An interesting case that involves both the doggies and concludes in a very nice manner.

For this book, there is a change in narrator. This one does a fine job, and I hardly noticed any differences.

Four stars.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

It appears that someone is trying to murder Annabeth Gentry, particularly since her bloodhound Miranda had uncovered the body of a murder victim. At almost the same time, the custodian of a defunct school located just behind Annabeth’s home has been found murdered. Mrs. Jeffries is called to look into the threats against Annabeth, but once the second murder is discovered and Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is assigned to investigate, she begins to realize that the cases may indeed be connected, if only she can figure out how….This 15th book in the Mrs. Jeffries series is much like its predecessors: the enjoyment lies mainly in the interplay between the main characters and the way they go about collecting information and clues. Quite fun as always; recommended. Read on vacation, hence this short review.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was hard to listen to because the narrator is different from the first 14 books. I knew the voices so well, and now I have to get to know the new voices. But the story was a good one. Annabeth Gentry may be a little eccentric but someone is trying to kill her, at least that is what she tells Inspector Witherspoon household staff members. She has had bricks nearly toppled on top of her. as well as other things ever since her dog has dug up a body in the backyard of the house she just inherited. Her family wants to live with her, thinking she is looney. But do they just want her money or do they really care about her? Her new house has had a water pipe break and a fire in it. Who is doing this? Can the Inspector and his staff find out before another person dies?

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#15. This was a bit more convoluted with Inspector Witherspoon’s staff: Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge, Smythe, Betsy Wiggins and dog Fred, plus eccentric American Luty Belle Crookshanks and her butler Mr. Hatchet, all actively recruited by Martha Dowling, maid to help middle aged spinster, Annabeth Gentry, who believes her life is in danger. It all started when her bloodhound Miranda dug up the body of a pickpocket. A series of events: a runaway carriage, poisoned cream, the murder of a much disliked and disagreeable defunct school caretaker, an argument with oft traveling neighbor Mr. Eddington over Miss Getty’s unleashed dog begins to link evidence to the murderer.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Upper Edmonton Gardens, the home of Inspector Gerald Witherspoon, the staff is surprised when a woman comes to them asking for help to find out who’s trying to kill her. They’re intrigued, especially when they discover that the murder attempts started after her dog unearthed a body in a garden. When another body is found next door to the woman’s home, they assume the cases are all related. This was a very intriguing mystery, and I enjoyed listening, although this episode and the rest of the series is recorded by a different narrator than the first fourteen. I had to get accustomed to a few names pronounced differently, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 2.5

A nice cosy read in this series, nothing complicated just a straight forward mystery
The main characters are all well drawn by this point in the series whilst the ‘guests’ play their parts as expected
No real surprises and indeed it would be a surprise is there any to be found.
The only issue I thought was the rather sudden ending, story was bobbing along nicely and then last 2 chapters mystery was solved and villain apprehended
Otherwise a definite recommendation for readers of cosy crime fiction. A good comfort read

[Rosa Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. This one was quite different. While in others you get a sense of who the culprit is or read the act of the murder, all the victims are pretty much dead and you don't really get much interaction with the murderer. Also, this murderer wasn't some outraged woman or man in high society. He was much more deranged and could even be deemed a serial killer. This one kept me guessing quite a bit. Also, is Barnes becoming wise to the workings of the staff of Upper Edmonton Gardens? Can't wait to see what happens next.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#15 in the end of the 19th century London based mystery series in which Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon's domestic staff headed by Mrs. Jefferies, without his knowledge, work to help him solve his murder cases.

In this case, a dog digs up a body, the owner suddenly has several attemps on her life and the home she is building is pledged with accidents. How will Mrs. Jeffries and her staff help the inspector this time?

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Jefferies and the other members of Inspector Witherspoons household take on a new mystery.

This historical novel has great characters and an interesting mystery. The characters are engaging holding the readers interest throughout. The mystery has numerous suspects, subtle clues and surprising twists and turns. The storyline runs smoothly and quickly. I especially enjoyed the sense of family and character interactions. I am anxious to read more mysteries in this series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabeth Gentry has dealt with more than her share of bodies. Now her beloved dog Miranda is poisoned and Annabeth believes it was meant for her. That is the third time someone has tried to kill her.

Of course, Detective Witherspoon is given the task of finding out what is going on and his household staff is right there to help, unbeknownst to him.

Another great Mrs. Jeffries story. I love this series!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely one of the more elaborate books in the series so far, but that made me like it all the more. There were a lot of details, a lot of characters, but it wasn't overwhelming or confusing. The plot was handled very well. I enjoyed the whole thing a great deal! Without a doubt one of my favorites in the Mrs. Jeffries series.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

New narrator, not as good as Ms Nettleton.
Martha, the maid, comes to the Witherspoon staff for help as her mistress has had several attempts on her life.
They figure it out of course. A neighbor has killed several wives and buried them in his yard. Martha's mistress is renovating a house next door and the neighbor is aftaid her dog will dig up the corpses.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole crew is back, but before there is a murder, there is a request for help from a woman who has survived three murder attempts. Someone knows how the Inspector's household helps out. It appears that several people are figuring it out. These are fun reads now and easy to get through in a single day.

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so the ending to this one was kind of wild. I was not expecting it as it came out of left field! It was a very (un)pleasant surprise--pleasant in that I was totally shocked and (un) because of the implications for the lost lives. I'm not often surprised by cozy mystery novels, and Emily Brightwell has managed it (twice!) for this series. Very cool!

[Nancy Cook-senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Sprightly spinster asks the Inspector's staff for help in finding who is trying to make her the victim of "accidents" since her dog discovered a body buried in a field near her home. Greedy relatives, an abandoned school and a trans-Atlantic bluebeard keep the household busy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was kinda different, they were trying to find out who would want to kill a lady that came to them for help because no one believed her. I really liked this one.
I would highly recommend this book.