A Midwinter Murder

Lady Eleanor Swift #20

by Verity Bright

Homemade baubles, reindeer-shaped cookies and snowy walks across the rolling moors… but Lady Swift’s festive plans are ruined when a body turns up!

Winter 1924. When Lady Eleanor Swift unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house. And that includes kisses under the mistletoe and cozying up by the fire with her fiancé, dashing detective Hugh Seldon.

Instead, the season of goodwill turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s studious secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom. Clasped in his chilly hand is a golden pendant in the shape of a rose. The Duke denies ever having seen the necklace before. But Eleanor can see the lies in his eyes… Did it belong to his mysteriously absent wife?

Hugh and Eleanor must ditch relaxing with hot cocoa in favour of interviewing the Duke’s holiday guests. Every suspect has a secret they’d kill to the socialite with the false name, the Sir with a questionable inheritance and the husband hiding a crack in his marriage.

As the blizzard outside rages, Auldwyke Hall becomes cut off. Trapped by the snow, Eleanor and Hugh must skate around the increasingly secretive Duke to unwrap the identity of the killer. But does the answer to the secretary’s murder lie with a ghost of Christmas past? And when an attempt is made on the Duke’s life too, they realise the killer is closer than they think…

A gripping and twisty Golden Age murder mystery set in a country house on the Yorkshire moors, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss!

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

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2024

About the author

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 20 in this delightful series and still each new story is as delightful as all the ones before it.

A Midwinter Murder takes Lady Eleanor and her entire household, including pets, to spend Christmas at the home of a reclusive Duke. Unfortunately they have barely arrived when Elly discovers a dead body. The good part of this is that Hugh is put in charge of the investigation so our team of sleuths are soon in action.

The mystery is involved, there are many suspects. and the eventual culprit is a surprise. Best of all Hugh is really discovering his romantic side and it seems the wedding may soon become reality. I can't wait to see what Gladstone will wear!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! I had such a great time with this book! The characters felt so relatable, and the story was really well crafted. Sure, there were moments where things felt a bit predictable, but that’s just part of the deal when you’ve read a lot in this genre. Even with that, the overall story kept me guessing and was far from predictable.

This is the 20th book in the series, but I dove in without reading the others and had no trouble keeping up. Everything made sense, and I never felt like I was missing key information. It honestly works perfectly as a standalone.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler Clifford, the ladies plus Gladstone & Tomkins all arrived at Auldwyke Hall, owned by a reclusive Duke, reported not to have left his third floor apartment in ten years. Eleanor had received the puzzling invitation, to which she'd declined, but with a phone call by the Duke's secretary, to say he hadn't received her response, and could she please come at the Duke's request, what could Ellie do? The plans for a special Christmas with Hugh, her fiancé - Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon - were messed up, so Hugh was joining the party the following day. But within minutes of Ellie's arrival, she found a body. Clifford swiftly joined her and together they planned what would follow.

Hugh's arrival saw him take over the search for the killer; the Duke would not allow any other police in Auldwyke Hall, and the Christmas clay shoot must go on! Ellie, Hugh and Clifford had their work cut out for them and with snow deeply on the countryside around them, and stormy weather bringing more, there was no leaving, or arriving at the Hall. The phone was out - they were truly isolated. Interviewing the Duke's guests, plus the staff, proved nigh on impossible; they all held secrets; they all told lies. As danger crept closer, with an attempt on the Duke's life, and another murder, Hugh was as frustrated as he'd ever been - and it was Christmas Eve...

A Midwinter Murder is the 20th in the Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Fun and entertaining, each episode fresh and new - I love the antics of the two animals, and Ellie's ladies - the aprons, they call themselves - are wonderful. As is Clifford - basically the whole cast of regular characters make the books pretty much perfect. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the winter of 1924, Lady Eleanor Swift, delighted to be invited as a guest at the manor of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, eagerly anticipates spending time with her fiancé, Detective Hugh Seldon. Their constant busyness has left them yearning for a moment of respite.

However, their plans are disrupted by the murder of the Duke’s secretary, Mr. Poritt. Hugh immediately takes charge. The inclement weather adds to the challenges of solving this unfortunate crime, making it difficult for Hugh to conduct his investigation. Eleanor, with her past experience in solving murders, offers her assistance as a second set of eyes.

Accompanying Eleanor is her ever-proper butler, Clifford, a loyal man who adheres strictly to the rules and propriety of his Lady. Always there for Eleanor, the quest to uncover the truth behind Mr. Poritt’s murder becomes a race against time.

The investigation is fraught with obstacles, and Eleanor’s sharp instincts and sharp tongue prove invaluable to Hugh’s efforts. As they delve deeper into the case, tension escalates, drawing them closer to the killer.

This delightful Lady Eleanor Swift series’ 20th book offers a unique bonus: an exploration of how a titled Lady and a policeman could plan to marry during the Golden Age. The author delves into the social conventions and expectations of the era, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the characters.

The book also features the return of beloved characters such as Polly, Mrs. Butters, and the other ladies, adding depth and richness to the narrative. Clifford’s ever-protectiveness over Eleanor and his role as the male version of Mary Poppins, always knowing or having what is needed at any given moment, further enhances the charm of the story.

Beyond its captivating mystery, this celebratory 20th book in the series offers a delightful exploration of personal relationships and societal norms, making it a truly enjoyable reading experience.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5++ / 5

Wow. I've gotta say it: just wow. Talk about getting back to true form for this series!

I will confess that for a while I was becoming a bit worried that this series was getting stale in its formula, because while the mysteries still did manage to be unpredictable nearly every time, a worry of mine was that no book from books 14-onwards made it into my top 10, which says something about where my enjoyment with this series was going. With Murder on the Nile earlier this year, I confess that I had high expectations, and yet unfortunately that did disappoint.

For A Midwinter Murder, I likewise had high expectations; only this time, not only were they met, but the authors really went above and beyond on this one!

_________

The setup is that Eleanor and Seldon have both been invited for the holidays to a Duke's estate up in Yorkshire (and, I'll admit, as the #1 place I want to go to in the UK, I already have a soft spot for the setting), even though neither of them actually know the Duke. It turns out that Eleanor inadvertently accepted the Duke's offer (even though she was sure she declined it), and so her, Seldon, and her entire staff hightail it up there for the Christmas festivities.

However, merely an hour into her stay there, a murder is committed; and poor Ellie, as usual, is the one to stumble across the body. With the reclusive Duke making things doubly difficult for her and Seldon both, Eleanor has no choice but to volunteer Seldon for the investigation, therefore compromising what she'd really hoped was her own romantic Christmas getaway with him. But, in this series...pfft, as if!

_________

If I had to sum up how this book reads, I will admit that I really think the authors read through previous reviews of the last few books and took readers' criticisms to heart. To name a few that I can think of, both from myself and from other readers, some of the previous books:

- hadn't had enough of Gladstone and Tomkins present, but this time they are and with cute Christmas-y outfits!
- hadn't had enough of Eleanor's staff ladies making up part of the plot, despite them being present wherever she is--but this time, that as well is fixed, and has quite a few delightfully domestic and mystery-solving scenes with the ladies
- hadn't had enough of Seldon in the story, a point which I myself didn't mind, but I did read as a point of discontent among other readers; fear not, however, for this time Eleanor actually gets a LOT of scenes with Seldon, romantic and mystery-ish alike, which are actually more scenes with Seldon than she even gets with Clifford, which I admit was surprising.

Usually, if there isn't enough Eleanor x Clifford interaction, it's usually a low point for me; however, this time, just seeing Eleanor with the man she loves instead created a really sweet dynamic as well, such that I didn't at all mind that she got less moments working one-on-one with Clifford as much. If the authors are warming up to this idea of putting Eleanor x Seldon together more and more, I'll stand behind it if they choose; however, for mine own part, I am satisfied enough with just the Eleanor x Clifford relationship as well, to be honest. Either dynamic works, but...mmm...how about both?



Ahem, but anyways, all in all I'd say that the authors were trying to please with this book, and in my opinion they thoroughly succeeded! There's a lot to love in here, including *drumroll please*

+ the Christmas-y atmosphere
+ the isolated in the mansion, just like in my favourite book of the series, Dead on a Winter's Day, which I just LOVE and is definitely my favourite setup among all mysteries, PERIOD.
+ an interesting cast of characters
+ a SUPER confusion mystery, which I LOVED. I sincerely love when authors can be clever and leave a reader totally lost such that they can't guess something, or they do and then something else happens and then they need to reevaluate things, and Verity Bright is great at doing this, such that almost every single Eleanor Swift mystery has a delightful twist. In this case, it felt like I was being pieces of the puzzle one at a time, except the pieces didn't connect to each other and were so far apart from each other that, while they all formed part of the puzzle, they formed such different parts that it was hard to realize what the final image would even be. Again, LOVED that.
+ all the characters just interacting together, both the new one-time characters and the delightful staff of ladies
+ ahem, please please PLEASE keep up Lizzie's new love interest. I mean it, I better see our eager young Yorkshire constable again, or else...er...well, just please keep him in, eh? (I think they will though, because Seldon's say-so to Eleanor near the end keeps this pretty open, and I think it'd be a shame to waste a good love interest like that.)
+ Gladstone and Tomkins. Enough said.
+ the quips between Eleanor and Clifford, as always filled with affection
+ the ending. Just...*sighs in a satisfied manner* Everything about it was perfect. Both the twist of the mystery, and all the feels and lovies of the final chapter. *chef's kiss*

So, yeah, a lots of love to shower on this one, to be sure! (And for all these reasons, it's going VERY high up on my favourites list when ranking this series, coming below my review, updated and everything.)

Ahem, but, just to be clear and as a plea to the author, I REALLY hope that this isn't setting things up to finish the series in the next book or anything, right? I mean, I know the next book is when we hopefully and finally get to Eleanor and Seldon's wedding, but I don't think Eleanor getting married should stop her from...well, being ELEANOR, and therefore solving mysteries. Besides which, there are still things unanswered that they have to find out, such as:

1 - WHO the heck is Eleanor's gameskeeper / security guard, and what's with the mysteriousness of him? Seriously, 4 years and Eleanor hasn't met him yet? We NEED him to be central to a mystery, I say!

2 - WHAT on earth happened to Eleanor's parents? I know that this will require digging into Eleanor's past, which will add a great emotional element to the mystery as well, but I'd really like to know. I think that having the past come back to haunt her or something (maybe in a book where Eleanor herself might get pregnant, and therefore bring things full circle with her realizing what it's like to be a mother and make hard decisions as well) would be a really great hook for a mystery, and therefore I (politely) demand that it be considered!

3 - ALSO, WE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT CLIFFORD'S PAST, I BEG YOU! For a central character, he's still very shrouded in mystery, and while learning little tidbits at a time about him is great, I'd really love for there to be more that we learn about him and Eleanor's uncle's adventures. Heck, that count even potentially be a series in itself, only let's keep the focus on Eleanor, shall we?

And, amidst those other great ideas, older characters can be brought back, more romances (ahem, Lizzie's) can be resolved, and more and more can be found out about all these great characters that we've come to know and love!

In short, please please PLEASE keep the mysteries oncoming, authors! After all, there's no reason why Eleanor's hopefully "happily ever after" wedding should be the end of things, right?

(Psst, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this series to ever end.)

My Updated Ranking of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries

1. Death on a Winter's Day (Book 8)
2. Mystery by the Sea (Book 5)
3. A Midwinter Murder (Book 20)
4. A Very English Murder (Book 1)
5. Death Down the Aisle (Book 11)
6. A Witness to Murder (Book 3)
7. Murder at the Fair (Book 6)
8. Death on Deck (Book 13)
9. The French for Murder (Book 10)
10. Murder in an Irish Castle (Book 12)
11. Murder in Mayfair (Book 18)
12. Murder in the Snow (Book 4)
13. Death at the Dance (Book 2)
14. Murder on the Cornish Cliffs (Book 16)
15. Murder in Manhattan (Book 14)
16. A Royal Murder (Book 9)
17. Murder by Invitation (Book 15)
18. Murder on the Nile (Book 19)
19. A Death in Venice (Book 17)
20. A Lesson in Murder (Book 7)

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bookoture for the free, advanced review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.

Ellie is eager to spend Christmas at home at Henley Hall with the ladies, Clifford, the pets - and HUGH, who will be taking a much-needed vacation. Yet here she is in the wilds of Scotland at the Duke of Auldwyk's estate attending a house party she never RSVPd yes to! She'll just bring the party with her, after all, her fiancé was included in the invitation as well. Shortly after her arrival, Ellie and Gladstone stumble across the dead body of the Duke's secretary, Mr Porritt, in the study. Oh no! Not again! With only one police constable available and the reclusive Duke's insistence on not bringing in Scotland Yard, it will be up to Hugh- with help from Ellie and Clifford (and maybe Gladstone) to solve the murder. Ellie soon discovers this house party is a shooting party (glass pigeons) with a bunch of strangers. At least they claim to be strangers but Ellie soon discovers a connection between them all that dates back 15 years to when the Duke's wife was killed and he became a recluse. Are the events connected? The more they dig, the more Hugh and Ellie are convinced there's a killer among them and no one is telling the truth. Can they solve the mystery before someone else is killed?

Ooh! This is a twisty mystery! It was a little dark for a holiday story but also very charming. I never guessed who but in hindsight I DID pick up on the clue Ellie missed! This story also has much more romance than any of the previous stories! Ellie and Hugh manage to carve out time to spend alone together and discuss their future plans - or not. It's all very sweet and innocent even though they've both been married before. My big quibble is with the author's note where they refer to the 1920s as Edwardian when the Edwardian era ended before World War I/with WWI depending on who you ask. My minor quibble is some of the language sounds too modern. According to the internet, "Faffing" became common around the 1940s and 50s. Errors like that take me out of the story. My big pet peeve is that no one knows how to spell all right. All right. Two words, not one. Two ls not one. Please? Thank you.

As always, Ellie's warmth and heart make her an appealing heroine. The way she treats her staff as if they were family is very unusual for the time. She's not "to the manor born" and still, after all this time, not comfortable living that lifestyle. The ladies and Clifford are like family. She's like a proud mom to young Polly who is growing up and more self-aware. Lizzie is growing up too and there's a male friend in her life who makes her blush. Trotters and Butters are a hoot as they usually are but they tone it down a bit because there's a man staying in their cottage. Ellie and Clifford's easy banter and their close relationship is so touching. They've come a long way since she suspected him of trying to kill her! Clifford stands in for Uncle Byron but he seems to be getting younger and has more tricks up his sleeve in each passing book. Also growing younger and more spry is Gladstone. If memory serves, initially he was elderly and spent his time sleeping on the sofa and drooling on slippers. Now he's playing with Hugh and his feline buddy and acting like a puppy again. Maybe he just needed more stimulation. Hugh is sweet and romantic-finally. He's thawing out and has learned to trust Ellie's "intuition" (intelligence?) and trying not to freak out about her investigations. He knows they need to discuss their future but SHE is the one putting it off. Hugh finally has the courage to speak his dreams out loud. I wasn't crazy about him at first but he's grown and adapted to Ellie's way of life. This cast of characters is one of my favorites. There isn't a one I don't love and at this point they feel like MY family too!

The new characters, aside from two, are not at all likable. Mr. Pruitt, the Duke's secretary, is young. He's very kind and charming but he may not be the most efficient secretary because he swears Lady Eleanor Swift RSPVD to the invitation. I find it weird that he's the only one who ever sees the Duke. Mr. Pruitt may have had secrets - secrets he could have been killed for. Did he have a lady friend? Was she from a higher social class? A secret wife? An affair? How else to explain the jewelry he was clutching when he died? I think our young secretary had some hidden depths and dark secrets in the closet. I don't know why else anyone would kill him - unless ... maybe he saw something... Knew something... Learned something, that got him killed?

The Duke of Auldwyke is very weird. He's reportedly reclusive, no one sees him except his secretary and his orders are to be obeyed. Does this guy even exist? I'm thinking he doesn't. I think he died long ago and the staff are running the house according to his wishes. I think this guy doesn't exist in the first place. The whole situation is weird. The Duke - if he exists- is cranky, autocratic, demanding and rude. Who is he- Blackbeard? The Beast? I don't like the sound of him and if they weren't snowed in, if I were Ellie, I would turn around and go home! Clifford would find a way. What happened to Lancelot and his plane? SOS Lance! Get us out of here!

Mr. Lofthouse takes over secretarial duties when Mr. Pruitt is killed. He also has his regular duties as first (only) footman and chauffeur. He's lower class, less educated than Mr. Pruitt and seems kind of lazy too. He doesn't like doing the secretary's job, he seems gloomy and creepy too. I don't trust him. I hope Mr. Bowes, the gardener, didn't do it. He seems humble and proud but clues do point to him. What about the Duke's former secretary, Derek Taylor, turned off after an argument? Could he have returned for revenge?

The guests include Mr. Wilfred Willoughby Taylor "soon to be Sir". ick. Is this guy for real? Who introduces themself like that? He's sleazy and probably a womanizer. Julius Huish is an artist with a large, scary, untrained dog who terrorizes poor Gladstone. Barnabus Musgrave, ESQ. is a blowhard businessman. He's the type that always has to be right and always portrays himself as larger than life. His wife Viola is along for the shooting contest too. These two don't seem to have a happy, loving relationship. They seem to be hiding something including the cracks in their relationship. Maybe this party is making things worse but I think the richer this guy gets, the worse he's going to be. She's not so nice herself and they both want something. Pearl Whitwell, the only other single woman, is super competitive. She's the man eating type and the type who sees all other women as competition. She comes across as catty and witchy. Ellie doesn't seem to like Pearl very much either. None of these people are sincere, they're all lying and they all want something. Which one killed Mr. Pruitt? Maybe they all did it?

Constable Danby is young and untried but he's up for the challenge of assisting in the murder investigation. He has no qualms about Scotland Yard OR a woman doing the bulk of the investigating. In fact, he seems to be excited to be in the presence of real detectives. He's a lovely young man.

I really enjoying spending the holidays (early) with Ellie and the gang. I hope to visit with them again soon! This series has gotten better and better as it has gone along.

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This most enjoyable high quality audiobook is the perfect cozy mystery to enjoy over the festive month. It's my first st outing with this lady sleuth and her ontarage of colourful characters . I loved the innocence and the side romance to give a bit more depth to the character. I do love a mystery where you can discover along with the characters the identity of the killer. It was full if action. The plot was a tad predictable as I gueesed the identity. It was a short enjoyable listen. The language and use of ascents was true to tgat eta which made it all so interesting. The narration was good and clear. Thank you netgallery and publisher and author and narrator fir his highly recommended listen.

[Carol Blunier · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up.
Lady Eleanor Swift and her detective fiancé Hugh Sheldon are invited to a house party at the home of the Duke of Auldwyke. Shortly after arriving, she discovers a body, and she and her fiancé and her staff (which she has brought along with her, including her cook) are left to discover who the murderer is.
I went into this expecting a light, cozy mystery, and that is what I got. There isn’t a lot of depth here. For being a detective with the Scotland Yard, Hugh seems a little dim, which allows Eleanor to shine.
What I liked: I was in the mood for something easy that wouldn’t wrap me up in deep emotion, and this fulfilled that requirement. I enjoyed the relationship between Lady Eleanor and her butler, and I liked that she had a good relationship with the rest of her staff as well.

What didn’t work: frequently characters used phrasing that was far too modern for 1924. She calls her housekeeping staff “her ladies,“ a term generally reserved for those of the upper classes in England in that time and nobody seems to notice. She describes her butler as a “closet softy” and someone else is referred to as a “drama queen.” These are all very modern usages and did not fit in the era. It pulled me out of the story every time I heard one of these. Also, I felt that the mystery plot and solution was lacking. I can’t go into it more without spoilers, but I really didn’t care for the denouement.
Thank you you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this free advanced reader copy. This is my unbiased review.
This book is now available for readers.

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25*

The annual Christmas murder mystery for Lady Eleanor and co is always a welcome instalment to the series and whilst this one kicked off a little more slowly than I expected it ramped up well and overall is a welcome addition.

This time Ellie and Hugh have been invited to attend the home of the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Auldwyke to partake in Christmas fun and a shooting competition. Instead of the season of goodwill though, the atmosphere turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom and forsaking frivolity and fun for notebooks and interviews it's up to our dedicated duo to solve the mystery and hopefully save Christmas.

What I most enjoyed about this instalment was the focus on Eleanor and Hugh's relationship. It finally feels like they have reached a proper understanding of what their future together looks like. It needed to take that jump even though I fear it means we may be reaching the end of this series (I hope not)!

Having Clifford and the Henley Hall team around provided for wonderfully cosy scenes and a lighthearted respite from what was a slightly darker and tenser murder mystery. It was never entirely clear about the who or why in this story until the final reveal, although with plenty of red herrings along the way it was fun to make up potential theories (I was working on a 'Mousetrap' style theory for a good long while, though thankfully was proven wrong).

As always, the antics were entertaining, the characters are lovable and I keenly await the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Midwinter Murder" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

[Moriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. A Midwinter Murder finds Lady Eleanor having to change her holiday plans when her decline of an invite to the Duke of Auldwyke's invite to his shoot party went astray. Luckily, the invite included her fiancé, Hugh, and arrangements were made for her household staff to make use of a nearby cottage. Shortly after arrival, the duke's secretary is found dead, and it is clear that he was murdered. The duke refuses to allow anyone other than Hugh and a local policeman already on the scene to investigate, and even then, he puts limits on Hugh that make it very difficult for him to investigate. Throw in a lot of uncooperative guests with secrets to hide, making it seem almost impossible that they will be able to find out who the killer is or the motive before the end of the party or the duke loses patience with the investigation.

I liked the mystery in this book, but did think that there weren't as many clues this time to help the reader determine who did it and why prior to the reveal. I really enjoyed all the holiday touches that were included in the book and the closeness between Eleanor and her staff that was on full display. There is also some development on the Eleanor and Hugh front that long time series readers will be excited for. I overall found this to be a fun holiday mystery that kept my attention throughout and made me wish I could spend a few hours with Eleanor and her staff celebrating Christmas.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently, I picked up new books in a few “cozy mystery” series. For the most part, I found them pretty accessible, even without having read the books that preceded them. While I enjoyed A Midwinter Murder, I didn’t find it quite as accessible as the other series.

Lady Eleanor Swift is en route to the residence of the Duke of Auldwyke for Christmas in 1924. No, he’s not a relative or friend. In fact, she’s never made his acquaintance. She was invited to his annual shooting party gathering and was guilted into attending after her RSVP declining the invite was lost in the mail. Her fiancee, Scotland Yard Detective Hugh Seldon, will be arriving after her, thanks to his job.

Along with her staff, Lady Eleanor is picked up at the train station by the Duke’s secretary, Porritt, and brought to Auldwyke Hall. She has barely settled in when she finds Porritt’s dead body in a shed. He’s been strangled.

The Duke has been a recluse since the death of his wife ten years earlier and doesn’t like having people around. With his position, he’s also used to getting what he wants, which is why Hugh ends up on the murder investigation with little help except for Eleanor, her staff, and an inexperienced local constable. A winter storm cuts Auldwyke Hall off from the rest of the world, so there’s no way to call for help, even if the Duke would allow it.

To read my full review please go to A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright – Cozy Mystery with Twists

[Nirali Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book from Verity Bright and a fun introduction to Lady Eleanor Swift! She’s wiley and bright, and her personality and wit remind me of a demure Phryne Fisher!

The plot, and subplots, are full of twists and turns, with plenty of intrigue to keep you turning the pages. The pacing is just right, allowing the tension to build naturally, while the warm relationships between characters add a layer of heart to the narrative. It’s so refreshing to see writing where character aren’t going through unnecessary tension and drama.

The mysteries themselves are clever and engaging, and Lady Eleanor’s sharp wit and investigative skills make her a joy to follow. Whether she’s unraveling a dark conspiracy or solving a more personal case, her intelligence and determination shine through, making her a standout in the cozy mystery genre.

This series is the definition of a cosy read, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a new binge read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my arc! I look forward to starting the series from book 1 to follow the growth and development of each character to this one.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part I thoroughly enjoyed the 20th entry in the Lady Eleanor historical mystery series. Unlike several recent books, Ellie and her fiance are together for most of the book. As the book opens, Ellie (and her staff) arrive at the home of a mysterious Duke for the Christmas holidays. Within 18 minutes (or about) Ellie stumbles over the body of someone who has been murdered (yes, the timing is critical). Hugh, her fiance arrives the next day only to discover that rather than a romantic holiday, they'll be investigating a murder.

I found the mystery -- and many of the suspects -- interesting. I thought the solution was a bit out of left field, but still enjoyed it. And the ending promises some major changes for Ellie and Hugh.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Swift had her Christmas all planned out. Romantic days spent with her fiancé, the totally delectable Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, at her home, Henley Hall, as well as festive fun and games with her staff and butler, Clifford. Unfortunately, all plans have been scrapped due to a summons by the Duke of Auldwyke for them to attend his Christmas festivities in a very snowy Yorkshire!

When she discovers a body no more than fifteen minutes after her arrival she also discovers any investigation will take a very distant third place behind the prearranged clay pigeon shoot, and the unusual way of life lived at Auldwyke Hall. Hugh finds himself in charge of a case run in line with the Duke’s idiosyncrasies with no consideration of the need to begin searching for clues immediately. When more attacks against the guests and other residents take place and the weather closes in completely, Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford know it's down to them to save Christmas!

Book twenty in this wonderful series is more than just a Christmas cosy. It takes the reader below stairs and behind the scenes of a Lady Swift Christmas as well as detailing a little more about Seldon and his family history. There is also a recipe at the end, which is gluttony personified but amazing to read about alongside the ever-present and enlightening historical facts!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. From Seldon's romantic awkwardness, through Polly's scene stealing, to a very satisfying denouement, I absolutely loved this and can't wait for book 21 in the new year!

[Lisa Velda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Thank you #netgalley for proving me with an #arc of this book. This was indeed a very cozy mystery and gave me all the wintery vibes. The writing style wasn’t always for me and it took some getting used to, but I liked the story overall. I’m open to reading more books in this series.

[Kay Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love wellcrafted cozy SF like Becky Chambers Wayfarers series. I also enjoy cozy mysteries with good puzzles and diverse characters. For me, this historical cozy the twentieth in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series didn't really hit the mark.

I imagine that people who've stuck with earlier books in the series will be happy to re-acquaint themselves with Lady Eleanor's butler and other troupe of servants, and even her dog and cat. They were all just too jolly for me, and there were too many of them. Readers who enjoy the prospect of an English countryside hunting party at a ducal estate, with jolly good food and Christmas cheer may enjoy this bit of escapism.

On the other hand I found the suspects and other characters too shallow and the story lacking grit or reality. They weren't fleshed out enough to engage me. I found the dialogue twee and the murder(s) and motivations bland.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cosy mystery novel, in the tradition of golden age crime fiction. A Midwinter Murder is the 20th book to feature Lady Eleanor Swift, a reluctant newly-aristocratic woman who seems to just accidentally be around when murders occur. With her fiancé, a Scotland Yard Detective Inspector, and her butler Clifford, Ellie sets out to solve the mystery of who killed the Duke of Aldwych’s private secretary on the first day of a Christmas shooting party that she is invited to.

I loved Clifford as a character, his dry humour, love of decorum and ability to gently tease Ellie for her lack of it were entertaining throughout. The story keeps readers guessing as to ‘whodunnit’ right to the end, with several plausible suspects and a few red herrings. I enjoyed this and would go back and read more in the series.

Thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for an advanced reading copy of this book.

[Kate Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My goodness! How have I missed this delightful cozy mystery series? This is already the 20th book within it. It had me in stitches and smiling at precious moments throughout the story. Just the sledding scenes alone are worth the price of admission.

Lady Eleanor Swift had hoped to spend a quiet cozy Christmas with her dishy fiancé, Detective Hugh Seldon. Alas, the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke does not suffer rejection blithely. His secretary, Mr. Porritt presses upon Lady Eleanor to attend, claiming that her R.S.V.P. was not received and that she and her fiancé are still expected. After all, how does one say, "No" to a duke? So off she goes, with Hugh to follow shortly thereafter. No sooner does she arrive when she happens upon a dead body - that of the poor secretary. The local young constable is called for and he's in over his head. It's apparent that Hugh will need to lead the investigation, if his grace will allow it.

What a fun and charming "closed room" murder mystery, as the characters are all snowed in at Auldwyke Hall. Lady Eleanor is not your usual member of the Ton. Her staff's esprit de corps is strong and they're a playful, yet loving bunch into which Lady Eleanor is ever welcomed.

Author Verity Bright is a husband and wife writing team of twenty-five years. Together, they have written this most engaging murder mystery with a number of red herrings and plentiful surprises. The writing is solid and clever. The banter among well-developed characters is amusing and often playful. The mise en scène is cinematic and atmospheric in scope as one easily imagines Auldwyke Hall situated within the Scottish moors. Although perhaps a bit predictable to the seasoned cozy mystery reader, it is still a clever and entertaining read. I gladly recommend it to all my fellow cozy readers.

I am grateful to publisher Bookouture for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: ‎Bookouture
Publication Date:‎ November 29, 2024
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN:‎ 978-1835256305

[Keira (TwistedPaiges) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy historical murder mystery. This was book 20 in the Verity Bright series but works fine as a stand alone. I’ve not read the other books and was able to follow along just fine.

This book is for lovers of Clue, Downtown Abbey and/or Miss Fischer’s Modern Murder Mysteries.

I loved the characters, especially Hugh and Eleanor. Their relationship was charming. I also enjoyed the story of why all of these people had been brought to this estate. The clues and investigating held my attention and was rather interesting.

I disliked how long this story and felt there was a bit of fluff. (SPOILER)I really disliked a character being introduced at the very end that changes all theories of the “whodunnit”.

Overall lovely book though not super festive besides a blizzard.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Midwinter Murder" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Swift was hoping to spend a festive, romantic Christmas at home with her sweetie, Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon. But her plans are upended when she receives a call from Mr. Porritt, secretary to the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, insisting that she and Hugh attend the Duke’s annual shooting competition. Mr. Porritt will not take no for an answer, and Ellie finds herself off to the wilds of Yorkshire.

But she’s barely made Porritt’s acquaintance in person before she finds him dead in the storehouse where the shooting clays are kept. Hugh is quickly made the lead detective on the case – nearly the only detective, as the Duke insists no more outside policemen be brought in. A blizzard shuts down the roads, so getting in or out is a moot point. Thankfully, Danby of the local constabulary made it to the scene, so he’s there to assist Hugh, along with Ellie, Clifford, and the ladies of Henley Hall. This is not at all the romantic Christmas Ellie dreamed about!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Verity Bright mysteries I’ve read. And I probably say this about each successive one, but I do believe I’ve liked this one the most of them all! Here, Bright gives us, not quite a locked-room mystery, but a contained scene with a limited number of suspects. Hugh feels almost as if the Duke is actively trying to hamper the investigation, but he can’t get a face to face meeting with the Duke to find out why, because the man hasn’t left his chambers or admitted anyone other than his secretary for a decade now – since his wife died. And the more Hugh and Ellie dig, the more questions they have. There’s no shortage of suspects once they all stop lying. But who had reason to kill Porritt? Was he even the intended suspect? Or was the Duke the real target? And who in the world could want to kill a man who’d isolated himself for ten years?

As always, Verity Bright gives us clue after clue that unravels, and then points us somewhere else entirely. They create a vivid picture of life in the Golden Age, and I simply love Ellie and all her people. Clifford, with his mindfulness of etiquette and propriety, and a surprising number of unexpected skills, is a perfect foil to often impulsive, frequently indecorous Ellie. The ladies are a treat. The Christmas they and Clifford create for Ellie and Hugh and themselves is just magical. I don’t even want to be anyplace where there are blizzards, but that Christmas shindig they had might tempt me!

Does Ellie ever actually meet the Duke? Will there be any romance in her Christmas? Can they solve the mystery of Porritt’s death before the killer strikes again? And what kind of outfits did the ladies make for Gladstone and Tompkins this time?

If you love a good, comfy, cozy mystery that feels like going on an adventure with friends, you really should get to know Lady Eleanor. You can start with this one, but I recommend you start at the beginning and get to know her whole story. A Midwinter Murder is a perfect book to read on a chilly day, curled up with a soft blanket, a warm drink, and a cat. I loved it!

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book from Bookouture. I was not required to leave a review. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Eleanor Swift, or Ellie to her friends, is an unusual young woman. Orphaned at a young age, officially she's given into the care of her uncle. But because he doesn't know how to care for a young girl, AND he leads an unconventional life himself as we later find out, sends Ellie off to boarding school. After boarding and finishing school, Lady Swift bicycles around the world then gets a job exploring the best travel routes in Africa for a famous leisure travel company.
In the first book, Ellie is called home because her uncle had suddenly passed away. Lady Swift inherits her uncle's manor, his title, and his staff, including his butler, Clifford.
Soon there is a murder and Ellie and her butler solve it.
Each book in this series has Ellie and Clifford investigating and solving crimes they happen across, sometimes with the help of the local constabulary.
Over time, the cast of characters grows and develops.
The is book 20 so the regulars are:
Lady Eleanor Swift - modern woman, enlightened minor aristocrat, and expert amateur sleuth.
Clifford, her butler and co-sleuth.
Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon of Scotland Yard - currently Ellie's fiance.
Ellie's cook, housekeeper, and two maids (Lizzie and Polly).
Tomkins Ellie's cat and Gladstone, her bulldog.
This time Lady Swift and her staff are invited to a shooting party at Christmas in the Yorkshire Moors at the manor house of a reclusive duke.
There are about six guests for the shooting party. The party won't be shooting real birds but clay pigeons - a detail that's more important than it first seems.
Inspector Seldon will arrive the next day.
After settling in, Ellie and Clifford are called to shooting practice but they find a body instead. The Duke forbids informing the guests or calling the police - so they are left with only a very young inexperienced Bobby to help investigate. Hugh arrives the next day.
The action describes the shooting competition, the investigation into the Duke's secretary's death, Christmas celebrations at a cottage on the Duke's land where Ellie's staff are staying and additional crimes - because someone attempts to kill the Duke (no easy feat since he's a recluse whom never leaves the third floor of his manor - a floor closed off to even his own guests), and a second murder when Ellie and Hugh find a dead body in the snow.
It's a rush to put together all the pieces but eventually the crimes are solved.
Oh, and of course after the attempt on the Duke's life the phone line is cut and the roads are impassable due to a Winter Storm, stranding everyone in the manor.
I actually really loved A Midwinter Winter. It was atmospheric and I loved the contrast between the homey genuine Christmas celebrations of Mrs. Trotman, Mrs. Butters, Polly, and Lizzie verses the cold forced celebrations of the Duke and his guests. The solution was brilliant and not forced nor too quick or sudden like it can be in this type of mystery. There was lots of interaction between Ellie and Hugh and their relationship. I highly recommend this book to any fan of cozy mysteries, especially British 1920s Manor house mysteries.
I also recommend the entire series but it's best to read them in order.

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that are character driven. This mystery had a solid, puzzling murder mystery but it was the characters that made it sparkle. The relationship between Eleanor, excuse me, Lady Eleanor Swift and those about her is a delight.Not born to her title, Eleanor is a generous friends to all, no matter what their status. In fact, she goes out of her way to bring them joy. That's why her staff is at the reclusive Duke's holiday gathering with her. Unfortunately, boyfriend Hugh won't be there until the next day when, as it turns out, she has a probably highly unwanted surprise for him. That said, the natural, witty flow of dialogue between Hugh and Eleanor, not to mention butler Clifford, seems to flow, leaving me wanting more. I definitely want to know more about Clifford. Is he psychic or something? I mean, the man seems to know what is wanted and needed almost before they do, not to mention his expertise in, well, just about everything continues to amaze. Thanks to him, we learn a bit about the stately art of shooting, to how it's judged to how the clay targets are prepared. Young Constable Danby, new to the cast, but shows potential as both detective and as a possible romantic interest for one of Eleanor's ladies. I'll be lookinng forward to more of him in future books.

As for the murder, it happens rather quickly and unexpectedly early on. Eleanor and her entourage have barely had time to disembark and check out their lodgings at the Duke of Auldwyke's estate when his secretary, Porritt, is killed. What happened during that mere eighteen minute gap? As it turns out, there are several suspects, all invited for the shooting contest, but, how odd, none of them seem to have actually met the Duke, including Eleanor. She was simply hoping to take advantage of the lovely Yorkshire setting to spend some holiday time with Hugh. She will definitely have a surprise for him and it isn't just that they're expected to take part in a shooting contest which is to go on despite the murder under some odd but very strict rules. I won't detail the plot further but it kept me guessing and held my interest until the end. The setting definitely sounds lovely, both the estate and interiors and clothing choices, as well as some intriguing sites encountered during explorations. I enjoyed the rather locked room feel of the plot, which is added to when a blizzard arrives and the phone lines go down.

Enough teasers. Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am already looking forward to the next. It was fun to see how quickly and efficiently Eleanor's lady friends created a true Christmas for all involved. And, while the book works well as a standalone, long time readers will surely love the ending. Thanks #Bookouture for allowing me an early peek into Eleanor's Christmas with both friends and strangers.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "A Midwinter Murder" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is the 20th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift series and it just keeps getting better and better. This time Ellie and her staff are invited to a shoot at Auldwyke Hall in the Yorkshire Moors 3 days before Christmas. Mr. Porritt the secretary to the Duke of Auldwyke has picked them up. Ellie while a titled Lady is very much down to earth and it can be said that her education is lacking in decorum, etiquette and the ability to make small talk. But she has one of the kindest hearts of any character written.

Ellie is certain that she received an invitation for herself and Hugh to attend the clay shoot but she is also certain that she declined the invitation. Neither of them know the Duke and easily said no.

They had barely arrived when Gladstone finds a body in the storehouse between rows of crates...it is quite obvious that murder has once again found Ellie. Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon is on his way to the Hall to spend a quiet Christmas with Ellie and finds that he has been volunteered to lead the investigation because the Duke won't allow other police on the grounds.

There are 5 other guests at the Hall and none seem to know the Duke either. The staff all seem to be afraid of him as he is a known recluse since the death of his wife 10 years prior. People have even suggested that he is a figment of people's imaginations. It is said that the Duke of Auldwyke answers to no one. He feels he is above the law. Hugh feels that this is the most absurd murder case of his career. Everyone has a different story to tell, everyone was somewhere other than where they said they were.

My favourite character has always been Master Gladstone and he is terribly bullied by Finbarr. We learn a lot about Hugh's childhood and his backstory. Everyone is quite horrified to learn that a titled Lady is engaged to a policeman because it was unheard of. When there is an attempt on the Duke's life, it is quick thinking Ellie that saves him. While everyone is out sledging, they happen upon yet another body. There are many red herrings in this story and the conclusion is very exciting as it an ending you could not see coming.

Will there be a wedding in the near future for Ellie and Hugh?

One of my favourite features of the Lady Eleanor Swift series are the Historical Notes at the end of the story. I enjoy learning more about some of the interesting things mentioned in the story. Like Rural Policing - Constable Danby is very clever and clearly wasted in his role. Perhaps he will appear in future stories working alongside Hugh? We also learn about Clay Pigeon Shooting, Prussic Acid, Inheritance Laws among other interesting bits of history - it rounds out the story to have the background.

[CPE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verity Bright’s A Midwinter Murder is the latest Lady Eleanor Swift novel. It’s good to see Ellie in her usual setting: a British country house. Although, this time, the host who invited her and her fiancée, Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, is the Duke of Auldwyke: exalted company, even for Lady Swift, as there are only around a dozen dukes in the UK! (I thought the author may have exaggerated as there are currently (2024) thirty dukes in the UK, but, yes, the number of Dukes of the English peerage, i.e. not the UK, Great Britain, Scotland or Ireland, is indeed about twelve.)

As you and I expect, dear reader, someone is murdered by the end of Chapter Two. The Duke has an aversion to policemen, even forbidding his staff to contact the local police about the murder until dinner is over, so as not to inconvenience his guests. His eccentricities really do hamper Ellie and Hugh’s investigation. For example, “No guest must ever approach, or speak to his Grace if they see him. Ever. Ever.” You would think that a host who invites guests for Christmas would join them for dinner but no, the duke dines alone in his room as he does every other night of the year.

I enjoyed the book, although I do feel the series is getting a little tired, with Hugh and Ellie wanting to spend quality time together, but being thwarted by a murder in Chapter One or Two; Hugh banging his forehead and saying “Blast it!”; and Ellie’s butler, Clifford, offering her stiffening drinks or delicious nibbles 24 x 7. However, I could choose not to read any more – if I think they’re getting predictable, I don’t have to read the new ones! I understand that “cosy” detection novels achieve their effect by showing a world pushed out of joint by a murder and then returning that world to the status quo ante by identifying the murderer and making sure they cannot do it again. (And, often, pairing off some lovers so that someone, at least, lives happily ever after!) That means that the life-blood of such novels is predictability. I think, though, my greatest enjoyment of the Lady Swift novels arises from the dialogue rather than the crime-solving. I enjoy Ellie’s banter with Clifford; and the mischievous behaviour of Ellie’s domestic staff. Long may the novels continue!

#AMidwinterMurder #NetGalley

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Midwinter Murder is the 20th book in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery, but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read them all and still enjoyed each one I have read. It's 1924 and Lady Eleanor has been invited to a hunting party at the manor house of the Duke of Auldwyke. She sends her regrets, but then gets a call from the Duke's secretary, Mr. Porritt. They did not receive her response and are expecting her. She, her butler Clifford, her ladies, her pets and Hugh are all going to attend. Shortly after arriving, Ellie stumbles over a body, Mr. Porritt. Gone are her plans to spend a romantic holiday with her fiancé, Detective Hugh Seldon. For whatever reason, the Duke is not very cooperative. He wants no police besides one local constable and Hugh to investigate. The only thing they have to go on is the necklace found in his hand. Between the shooting contest and the investigation, Ellie and Hugh are kept extremely busy. When another body is found, it is even more imperative to solve this case quickly before someone else ends up dead.

This was a very interesting mystery with a lot of characters, suspects and possible motives. The shooting contest was interesting and to see Ellie do so well, was fun. The other guests all seemed to have secrets, but did they have anything to do with the death. Why had Mr. Porritt wanted Ellie there so badly? I had a lot of suspicions of who the culprit might have been, but as the story continued, I changed my mind. The setting of a secluded manor with a blizzard raging gave it an ominous feel. I always enjoy Ellie and her warm and caring ways. She is also a bit impulsive and outspoken, which sometimes causes problems. She admits that she has no idea how a Lady should behave. Clifford was around, but didn't play as much of a part in the investigation this time, as Hugh was there. I also missed her pets getting in on the act, they were pretty quiet in this one. Overall, this was an excellent mystery, with a lot of suspects, several red herrings and some interesting twists. I wasn't sure if Ellie was going to figure this one out. If you enjoy a good historical mystery, then I recommend you pick up this book and/or start at the beginning of this series. Lady Eleanor is a wonderful protagonist, smart and observant, one you will enjoy.

[Sarah Zama · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 20th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift Cosy Mystery series, and I have to admit it's not seamlessly that you come into a series so late. Not because it's difficult in itself - Verity Bright is very clever in welcoming new readers even so late in the series, you never feel you are in the wrong place. But there is so much that is established, and this is easy to perceive.
For example, it's obvious that all the main cast characters have a backstory. They all receive a lot of screen time and have a clear, unique voice. I liked how feeling the bond between these people was so easy. Even as a newcomer, you feel they deeply care for each other.
Likewise, I feel a lot is afoot in their life, and I have been dropped in the middle of things. This made it harder for me to connect—not because the situation was unclear (it was always easy to follow), but because I felt like I'd missed the journey. As a result, I could only partly relate to the characters' fears and doubts.
The story focused quite a bit on Eleanor and Inspector Seldon's romance, which distracted me from the mystery, but that's probably my problem rather than the story. If I'd started the series from the beginning, I'm sure I'd be fully invested in these moments.
Yes, you can read each book on its own— as I did with this one—but reading them chronologically will enhance the experience.

I liked the setting very much, but then, I love this kind of secluded embience, especially for mystery. In this case, it's a faraway manor house isolated by a snowstorm.
Adding to this, the lord of the house has been a secluded man for years, to the point that very few people have seen him lately, and he interacts with the world mostly through his trusted secretary.
You know, at a certain point, I started suspecting the man wasn't real - but I'm not telling whether this is true!

I also enjoyed the way past and present intertwine in the story. What happened in the past bears down on the present in so many different ways and ultimately unavoidably.
The entire cast of characters has something to hide. And you know? I ended up caring deeply for Porrit, the victim, especially when his backstory emerged.

The writing style is very smooth and easy to read. Humour hides between the lines.
It's a very nice, relaxing read.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Verity Bright team have discovered a chilling murder in A Midwinter Murder as Lady Eleanor Swift and her entourage make a reluctant arrival at Auldwyke Hall, home of the Duke of Auldwyke, summoned there by the Duke, to partake in his annual Winter games and Christmas event.
Ellie, having refused the invitation, is talked into attending by Mr Porritt the Duke’s Secretary, reluctantly cancelling the romantic Christmas she and the very handsome Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon had planned.
Under the watchful eye of Clifford, the ladies of Ellie’s household are settled into the old Gamekeepers Cottage and Ellie is settled in to her sumptuous rooms in the House. They have been told there are strict rule for the event and their stay, of which both Clifford and Ellie are still coming to terms with, as well as the fact that they will at no time meet the Duke of Auldwyke.
She is advised to hurry downstairs for the commencement of the first shooting completion, where she will meet the rest of the guests. On the way, the very keen nose of her beloved bulldog Gladstone, draws her attention to an open door of a storeroom filled with crates of glass balls. As she attempts to get him to withdraw, her attention is captured by the body of Mr Porritt, lying on the floor: dead!
Even though there has been a death, the Duke will countenance no changes to his arrangements which leaves Ellie and Clifford to wonder just what sort of Christmas they have in store for them. Ellie wishes more than ever she had held firm and refused to attend.
Hugh is due to arrive early the next morning and Ellie simply can’t wait for him, as she hopes they can still salvage something of a romantic Christmas together, in spite of Murder being committed. They do have plans to make for their future; which she for one would like to do.
But as the snow falls, the guests all fall out with one another, each one holding their secrets close, Ellie, Hugh, Clifford and Constable Denby, of the local Constabulary struggle to discover a murderer who will stop at nothing to achieve his ends.
A Midwinter Murder also sees Ellie and Hugh finally begin to plan the next step in their relationship, something that will be eagerly looked forward to in their next adventure.

[Nannette Demmler · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by Bookouture Audio via Netgalley for an honest review.

I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but this one read enough like a stand alone, that I wasn’t bothered in anyway not knowing anything about the characters or their stories. This was a very clever and enjoyable read and I am thinking about checking out the rest of the series now.

Karen Cass did a marvelous job of portraying Lady Eleanor. She has a great voice and really conved all of the emotions well. She also did some very nice voices and accents for the other characters. I really enjoyed listening to her and would choose another book that she has narrated.

Lady Eleanor Swift is a fine young lady who is smart, witty and inquisitive. She is also very brave and is not afraid to protect those she cares for. There were a few quirks to her personality that I wasn’t very sure of. Like how she treats her staff as if they were friends. Her relationship with her butler, Clifford, was especially puzzling. He seemed more like a close uncle that she was very fond of rather than a servant.

Eleanor and Hugh’s relationship is very sweet and loving. It has of course developed over the course of many books, but they seemed to get along quite well. There was a bit of tension between them though that mostly had to do with how they were going to sort the differences in their social status. Ladies simply don’t marry police detectives. But I am sure they will sort it out and it certainly didn’t cause huge problems between them.

The mystery was well done. Lots of nice clues and red herrings galore. My only issue was that the culprit was someone who had been mentioned early on in the story, but then not seen until the big reveal. I am not a big fan of this style of mystery as it feels like a bit of a ruse to the reader. Also there were times when I felt like Hugh didn’t do a very good job of being a detective, he actually seemed a bit dim at times. Eleanor was the one who seemed to pick up on a lot of the clues and then told Hugh what was really going on.

I loved the writing and the setting. The descriptions of the english countryside and the type of shooting they were doing were well done. There was lots of attention to details especially when it came to the food and clothes. Some of the food sounded delicious and made me hungry. The descriptions of the other guests and the servants were also nicely done.

This story is full of humor and Christmas fun, which made it the perfect read for this time of year. I do recommend the audiobook, as the narrator does a fabulous job. As I said before, it didn’t really matter too much that this is the 20th book in a series. I enjoyed it just as much as any other cozy mystery. Fans of the series will love this just as much as those of you who are not familiar with the series.
https://elnadesbookchat.com

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Midwinter Murder – A Cozy Mystery Delight!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright? I’m practically bursting to tell you how much I absolutely loved this book! Picture this: it’s winter 1924, and Lady Eleanor Swift finds herself at the grand but mysterious Auldwyke Hall, hosted by the reclusive Duke. She has her heart set on a cozy, festive celebration with her fiancé, the charming detective Hugh Seldon, complete with homemade baubles and reindeer-shaped cookies. But, of course, things take a dramatic turn when a body is discovered!

The unfortunate Mr. Porritt, the Duke’s secretary, is found dead in a storeroom clutching a golden rose pendant that sends Eleanor's curiosity—and her detective instincts—into overdrive. As she and Hugh navigate through a blizzard and a house full of suspicious guests, each with their own secrets, the tension builds. The stakes are raised even higher when an attempt is made on the Duke’s life. Seriously, the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat!

What really made this read special for me was seeing Hugh play such a significant role throughout the story. Finally! I’ve been waiting for this! And of course, it’s always a joy to reunite with our beloved characters who feel like old friends at this point. The atmosphere of Auldwyke Hall was so vivid; I could practically feel the chill of the moors and the warmth of the fireside.

Verity Bright has crafted a delightful mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I can’t rave enough about how well everything was tied together—every little detail felt perfectly placed. Honestly, I can’t wait for the next adventure with Eleanor, Hugh, Clifford, and the rest of this fabulous crew!

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery to curl up with this winter, look no further than A Midwinter Murder. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright finds Lady Eleanor and her entire staff, as well as pets, at the manor house (castle) of the Duke of Auldwyke. Hugh would be following shortly (working). Ellie had never met the duke and it turns out none of the other guests had either. Then, very soon after arriving, Emily discovered the body of the duke’s secretary, Mr. Porritt, in a storeroom. The duke wouldn’t allow that information to be disbursed until after dinner, and the duke’s word was law. When they were finally able to all the authorities, a very young and inexperienced man was sent and it was determined that Hugh would take over the investigation when he arrived. It turns out the duke would not be in attendance the entire holiday and there was to be a shooting contest, in three rounds. The first was to begin on the morrow. Hugh arrived after driving through the night, was greeted with the news there had been a murder and he was now in charge. The idea had been for he and Ellie to have some time together and make some wedding plans. The whole investigation was decidedly different, as the duke would allow no additional policemen, it was Hugh, Ellie, Clifford, and the young constable.

Hugh, Ellie, and Clifford are old hands at solving a crime. Ellie’s ladies were good at making a holiday fun. It was cold, and snowy, in fact so snowy no vehicles could get in or out. Then one of the guests disappeared. And, someone tried to kill the duke by throwing a homemade firebomb into his quarters. It was all beyond reason, but they kept looking. Hugh and Ellie did get some snatches of time together and they did have a festive holiday, but it was all in the ladies’ cottage, not in the main house. It is always fun to watch them investigate. This time no less than the others. And Hugh and Ellie did spend time together, which is normally in rare supply. Things came aright, eventually, and life went on.

I was invited to read a Midwinter Murder by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #VerityBright #AMidwinterMurder