What do you think?
Rate this book
Mrs. Jeffries #13
Mrs Jeffries Takes The Cake by Brightwell, Emily (April 23, 2015) Paperback
Meet the inspector and Mrs. Jeffries--in a delightful mystery series set in Victorian England--and featuring the most charming characters ever to crack a case.
The evidence was all there: a dead body, two dessert plates, and a gun. Could it be that Mr. Ashbury was sharing his cake with his killer? The old bloke had enemies galore - even his own daughter disliked him. Mr. Ashbury's son-in-law doesn't want Inspector Witherspoon asking questions. Of course this doesn't stop Mrs. Jeffries and her staff snooping around.
The evidence was all there: a dead body, two dessert plates, and a gun. Could it be that Mr. Ashbury was sharing his cake with his killer? The old bloke had enemies galore - even his own daughter disliked him. Mr. Ashbury's son-in-law doesn't want Inspector Witherspoon asking questions. Of course this doesn't stop Mrs. Jeffries and her staff snooping around.
Paperback
First published October 1, 1998
About the author
Emily Brightwell
68 books545 followersCheryl 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.
Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 16, 2018
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!
The Inspector and Constable Barnes are investigating a shooting in the home of MP Andrew Frommer. The dead man is his father-in-law, Roland Arthur Ashbury. Apparently the man was having tea with his murderer while the rest of the family and servants were still coming into town from their country home. Ashbury wasn't a well liked person and his list of enemies was a long one that included his own daughter who despised him. How did the man wind up having tea with his murderer? Another fun adventure in Victorian London with the Inspector's household sleuthing out clues so Mrs. Jeffries can arrive at the right conclusion to put the murderer behind bars!
The Inspector and Constable Barnes are investigating a shooting in the home of MP Andrew Frommer. The dead man is his father-in-law, Roland Arthur Ashbury. Apparently the man was having tea with his murderer while the rest of the family and servants were still coming into town from their country home. Ashbury wasn't a well liked person and his list of enemies was a long one that included his own daughter who despised him. How did the man wind up having tea with his murderer? Another fun adventure in Victorian London with the Inspector's household sleuthing out clues so Mrs. Jeffries can arrive at the right conclusion to put the murderer behind bars!
September 28, 2019
Inspector Witherspoon unknowingly gleans assistance from his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, his staff, and their investigative team. In this installment, a older man who has treated others meanly is murdered. Then someone attempts to murder his daughter as well. Each member of the team tries to find clues to solve the case first. Together they manage to catch the culprit
April 19, 2024
3.75⭐️
March 14, 2022
Someone else mentioned that the plots of this series aren't exactly Agatha Christie-esque in terms of cleverness and intricacy and that the pace is fairly slow even by cozy mystery standards ---and I agree wholeheartedly. But that same reviewer (I'm so sorry for not being able to find you and give you credit!) also noted that these books are immensely satisfying anyway, and I completely concur with that too.
I truly love being transported to this world where characters who are just flawed enough to be realistically human yet so fundamentally decent solve murders around Victorian era England. I know there are anachronisms, and the premise of Victorian-era servants who are 1. this close with their "master" and other members of the elite and 2. can secretly solve murders while still handling their significant daily duties doesn't exactly scream realism, but somehow it doesn't bother me in the least. As you make your way through the series, the core characters really do genuinely feel like family---to one another and to the readers! The settings are vivid without the writing getting bogged down with too many excessive, tedious descriptions, and while the murder mysteries won't elicit many ooohs and aaahs for how brilliant they are, I really do find almost every single one of them engaging and satisfying.
I'm choosing to review this book because it's the one I read most recently, but as someone who's read just over half the series, I don't think you can't go too wrong with any of them! I really do find that these immerse me, boost my mood and make me feel a bit better about the world at large, and these days we all need that from our fiction :)
I truly love being transported to this world where characters who are just flawed enough to be realistically human yet so fundamentally decent solve murders around Victorian era England. I know there are anachronisms, and the premise of Victorian-era servants who are 1. this close with their "master" and other members of the elite and 2. can secretly solve murders while still handling their significant daily duties doesn't exactly scream realism, but somehow it doesn't bother me in the least. As you make your way through the series, the core characters really do genuinely feel like family---to one another and to the readers! The settings are vivid without the writing getting bogged down with too many excessive, tedious descriptions, and while the murder mysteries won't elicit many ooohs and aaahs for how brilliant they are, I really do find almost every single one of them engaging and satisfying.
I'm choosing to review this book because it's the one I read most recently, but as someone who's read just over half the series, I don't think you can't go too wrong with any of them! I really do find that these immerse me, boost my mood and make me feel a bit better about the world at large, and these days we all need that from our fiction :)
April 17, 2021
3.5 Mrs Brightwell, you tried to trick me. I figured it out then you tried to pull a switch a roo on me. Tisk Tisk. LOL
September 21, 2021
Another entertaining and intriguing addition to this series. I was shocked when Mrs. Jeffries got it wrong! I really do enjoy this series and I'm already on to the next one that I can get at the library.
January 2, 2018
This book in the Mrs. Jeffries series has by far been my favorite one. This plot had no lack of suspects and I was going back and forth there for a while before I settled on who actually did it. I like how this story focused more on how Wiggins, Hatchet, Luty and Mrs. Goodge sussed out clues where as in the past it's been mostly Betsy and Smythe. I know that this is a long running series so it's nice that Emily Brightwell continues to find a way to keep our favorite characters interesting and fresh. She continues to draw me in and therefore, I will continue to come back for more.
September 16, 2020
Another nice story to listen to while doing chores. All the stories in this series are comfortable.
April 13, 2019
Mrs. Goodge's cake baking knowledge is key to solving this one for the team.
August 20, 2016
A man is shot dead after taking tea and cake with his guest. But who was his guest? The dead man's son in law - an MP - doesn't want Inspector Witherspoon asking too many questions as he doesn't want anything to damage his reputation.
Naturally this isn't going to put the inspector or his household off and they are all determined to bring the murderer to justice. But can Witherspoon's household do their investigating without letting the Inspector know they are helping?
This is the thirteenth book in this entertaining Victorian crime series. I love the ingenious ways Mrs Jeffries finds of directing the investigations of the household and various friends and then feeding the information to the Inspector so that he is pointed in the right direction. If you want a light hearted historical crime series this might be one to try. The books can be read in any order but it probably is best to read them in the order in which they were published.
Naturally this isn't going to put the inspector or his household off and they are all determined to bring the murderer to justice. But can Witherspoon's household do their investigating without letting the Inspector know they are helping?
This is the thirteenth book in this entertaining Victorian crime series. I love the ingenious ways Mrs Jeffries finds of directing the investigations of the household and various friends and then feeding the information to the Inspector so that he is pointed in the right direction. If you want a light hearted historical crime series this might be one to try. The books can be read in any order but it probably is best to read them in the order in which they were published.
September 28, 2022
I love this series! Thought I had the killer figured out a few times and I was wrong.
December 8, 2023
'"Has something happened on the case? Are you going to make an arrest?" She [Mrs. Jeffries] certainly hoped that wasn't true.'
Honestly, I am just about shut of this mad idea I had that I would still like cozy mysteries. The thing is, I remember how much I enjoyed them, and I am trying to recapture that feeling. Of course, there's a lot of things I used to like that I don't anymore. Like making mud pies.
Honestly, the mystery isn't bad, really. It's just that the sleuths let it down. (And, sometimes, the writing.) The servants (and Luty) see this as a fun competition. If they don't get to solve it, they get upset. Basically, all of them want to be the sole person who solves the case - or discovers the 'it clue' - and treats it like a game. There's also a bit of a men vs. women thing going on that I very much do not approve of.
And, really, the whole basis for this is that Witherspoon - a police detective - is incompetent and needs his servant's help - without him ever knowing. For me, who values honesty pretty much above everything, it seems very…unpleasant.
And there's this thing I deal with a lot in mysteries where the sleuth always has this idea that they either have to chase or that dances right back out of their mind. I hate this. This book has that in spades.
Finally, the 'trigger' for Mrs. J to figure it out... Look, the author probably had a certain amount of pages to hit, otherwise, the solution could have been discovered a good 80 pages sooner. (This is an example of something else I hate in mysteries: the solution being revealed when someone makes an unconnected remark to the sleuth and 'oh, of course'.)
Honestly, I am just about shut of this mad idea I had that I would still like cozy mysteries. The thing is, I remember how much I enjoyed them, and I am trying to recapture that feeling. Of course, there's a lot of things I used to like that I don't anymore. Like making mud pies.
Honestly, the mystery isn't bad, really. It's just that the sleuths let it down. (And, sometimes, the writing.) The servants (and Luty) see this as a fun competition. If they don't get to solve it, they get upset. Basically, all of them want to be the sole person who solves the case - or discovers the 'it clue' - and treats it like a game. There's also a bit of a men vs. women thing going on that I very much do not approve of.
And, really, the whole basis for this is that Witherspoon - a police detective - is incompetent and needs his servant's help - without him ever knowing. For me, who values honesty pretty much above everything, it seems very…unpleasant.
And there's this thing I deal with a lot in mysteries where the sleuth always has this idea that they either have to chase or that dances right back out of their mind. I hate this. This book has that in spades.
Finally, the 'trigger' for Mrs. J to figure it out... Look, the author probably had a certain amount of pages to hit, otherwise, the solution could have been discovered a good 80 pages sooner. (This is an example of something else I hate in mysteries: the solution being revealed when someone makes an unconnected remark to the sleuth and 'oh, of course'.)
August 6, 2024
There has once again been a murder in London; an elderly man has been shot in his own home at a time when the rest of the household is out of town. Inspector Gerald Witherspoon of Scotland Yard is initially baffled by the case because there seems to be no end to the number of people who heartily hated this very unpleasant man, but with the help of his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of his household staff, he will surely find a way through all the distractions to reach the correct conclusion….I will admit that the Mrs. Jeffries series, of which this is the 13th, is rather formulaic in the sense that someone is killed, all of the investigators are initially in quite a muddle about the complex situation and eventually the solution is found after one key piece of evidence emerges. (Of course, one could say that about many mystery novels, one way or another.) The strength of this series lies in the relationships between the main characters, and this volume focuses on the tentative romance possibly emerging between Inspector Witherspoon and Lady Cannonberry, a relationship that is not without its thorny moments as happens here. If the formulaic nature overwhelms the relationships at some point, I will probably stop reading, but until then - recommended!
September 24, 2019
It's not actually that big a surprise that someone killed Roland Ashwell (I think that was the name); he was a bully, a leech, a miser, and overall waste of space as a human being. Nevertheless, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon must try to solve his murder, though the case is immensely confusing. He has a superpower, however, that even he doesn't know about; his household staff actually do most of the solving for all his murders. They get excited when they have an investigation, and compete to see who can get more and better information. Who was the murderer? The daughter he forced to stay in an abusive marriage because her husband was an MP with social ties? The business partner who might want more of a share in the business? The MP who is running out of money and is sick of housing his father in law? The MP's mistress, for some strange reason? The neighbor, for equally strange ones? It all hinges on walnut cake...
This is a completely unbelievable but equally delightful Victorian-era series. The mysteries are fine, but it's more fun to read them for the warm relationships between the characters in Witherspoon's household.
This is a completely unbelievable but equally delightful Victorian-era series. The mysteries are fine, but it's more fun to read them for the warm relationships between the characters in Witherspoon's household.
Read
December 29, 2019It appears that Roland Ashbury had tea with his killer before he was shot in the head. The killer did not like the walnuts in the cake they had been eating; walnuts were piled on one plate. No one was upset that Mr Ashbury was dead - the servants hated him, his "business partner" did not care for him, and his daughter despised the man. Ashbury lived with his daughter Mary Anne Frommer, who was married to Arthur Frommer, an MP. Mrs Frommer hated her husband as much as she hated her father and swore had she committed murder, it would have been her husband whom she would have killed. The more Inspector Witherspoon investigated, the more people he discovered who detested Ashbury. The number of suspects kept climbing. Even Witherspoon's household staff, led by his housekeeper Mrs Jeffries, couldn't believe the horrible deeds the dead man had committed. A missing footman who had been devoted to Mrs Frommer, a missing revolver belonging to the next door neighbor, and lot of suspects! It was Mrs Goodge, the cook, who came up with an ingenious way to unmask the murderer, but not before a second murder was attempted. A page-turner!
June 2, 2021
#13 finds Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon’s household staff are scurrying to investigate the murder of wealthy and miserly Mr. Roland Ashburn who lives with his middle aged daughter MaryAnne who is most unhappily married to financially distressed and abusive MP Mr. Andrew Frommer. He’d disowned his only son Jonathan and denied him his inheritance from his mother for marrying Natasha, an immigrant girl. Wealthy Colorado silver miner Charles Burroughs now lives next door to Frommer and is now involved with his former mistress, Eloise Hartshorn. Henry Alladyce, son of tight fisted Mr. Asbury’s deceased former shipping firm partner dislikes the tight fisted old man. Everyone seems to have secrets, are telling lies, tattling, vengeful, no one has a reliable alibi and everyone seems to have good reason to want Ashburn dead. It comes down to Mrs. Goodge’s special scones to narrow down who didn’t like walnuts in the cake Mr Ashburn intentionally served his murderer.
January 3, 2023
It's been a couple of month since I've last read a Mrs. Jeffries novel, and it was so nice returning to the characters; like old friends. I've read these books in mostly order (though far from reading them all) and then found books #13, #14 & #15 (in a second hand book store) and have had to backtrack.
These stories take place in Victorian England. Mrs. Jeffries keeps house for Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon. What he doesn't know is, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of his home staff help him in solving his murder mysteries.
This time Mr. Ashbury, a wealthy disliked man by all, including his very own daughter, is found dead in his chair in his own home. He was apparently having tea and cake with his killer, and one of them doesn't like walnuts. All the walnuts were left on the plate. So, why would the killer leave the gun under the chair?
It's not a difficult one to figure out who done it. You need to put the pieces together and it's all there.
These stories take place in Victorian England. Mrs. Jeffries keeps house for Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon. What he doesn't know is, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of his home staff help him in solving his murder mysteries.
This time Mr. Ashbury, a wealthy disliked man by all, including his very own daughter, is found dead in his chair in his own home. He was apparently having tea and cake with his killer, and one of them doesn't like walnuts. All the walnuts were left on the plate. So, why would the killer leave the gun under the chair?
It's not a difficult one to figure out who done it. You need to put the pieces together and it's all there.
September 30, 2025
Roland Ashbury, despised by nearly everyone—including his own daughter—takes a bullet to the head one afternoon. Scotland Yard hands Inspector Witherspoon the case, and his household staff leaps into action, proving teamwork makes the dream work.
Few books highlight the power of collaboration and harmony as well as this series, a refreshing escape in our divided times. Ashbury lived with his daughter and her husband, a Member of Parliament, and suspects abound. Brightwell delivers a suspenseful twist of an ending that caught me off guard.
The subplots shine just as brightly. Witherspoon’s neighbor, the widowed Lady Ruth Cannonbury, summons the courage to invite him to dinner as he wraps up the case. While the staff quietly toasts their latest triumph, Witherspoon chases a sweeter mystery: the thrill of new, enigmatic love.
This four-star gem blends suspense, heart, and camaraderie. It’s a cozy delight that lingers.
Few books highlight the power of collaboration and harmony as well as this series, a refreshing escape in our divided times. Ashbury lived with his daughter and her husband, a Member of Parliament, and suspects abound. Brightwell delivers a suspenseful twist of an ending that caught me off guard.
The subplots shine just as brightly. Witherspoon’s neighbor, the widowed Lady Ruth Cannonbury, summons the courage to invite him to dinner as he wraps up the case. While the staff quietly toasts their latest triumph, Witherspoon chases a sweeter mystery: the thrill of new, enigmatic love.
This four-star gem blends suspense, heart, and camaraderie. It’s a cozy delight that lingers.
August 14, 2023
The "Mrs. Jeffries" series by Emily Brightwell is such a fun series to read and I credit most of that to the phenomenal group of characters. Mrs. Jeffries is one tough housekeeper and always knows just how to help her boss figure out the whodunit in his cases. She pretty much solves them but always does so in a way that makes her boss believe he, himself solved it. It makes for such good cozy mystery fodder. Each book is as good if not better than the previous one. They're just fun books with a good well thought out murder that Mrs. Jeffries and crew must get to the bottom of. Happy Reading!
November 9, 2023
Mrs. Jeffries Takes the Cake (Mrs. Jeffries, #13) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) November 8, 2023
A very mean man is found dead in his chair and the Inspector is on the case. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jefferies and her crew are looking for clues to the case as well.
Also, the neighbor lady that the Inspector is crushing on has a new admirer and the Inspector starts gaining weight feeling that he’s been brushed off.
Also, Cook has a good idea to solve the case, but Mrs. Jeffries brushes her off… will it send a riff between the two that can’t be overcome?
I love the characters in the series, but this story wasn’t as strong.
Three stars.
A very mean man is found dead in his chair and the Inspector is on the case. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jefferies and her crew are looking for clues to the case as well.
Also, the neighbor lady that the Inspector is crushing on has a new admirer and the Inspector starts gaining weight feeling that he’s been brushed off.
Also, Cook has a good idea to solve the case, but Mrs. Jeffries brushes her off… will it send a riff between the two that can’t be overcome?
I love the characters in the series, but this story wasn’t as strong.
Three stars.
October 20, 2019
My mom recced this series to me and it was an A+ rec. These books have such a cute cosy premise - a Victorian detective who is not that great at police work and his household staff who are fabulous at figuring out whodunnit. The staff, led by the housekeeper, gently feed the detective clues so he can 'solve' the cases without realising they're helping him.
The mystery in this one was great too! I totally fell for the red herring and only figured out who the real killer was a couple of pages before the main characters did. A really fun, adorable read.
The mystery in this one was great too! I totally fell for the red herring and only figured out who the real killer was a couple of pages before the main characters did. A really fun, adorable read.
March 25, 2023
A little confusing with so much information hitting the crew. I thought I knew who the murderer was, but I was off base. I like the new entry to the crew, if he is one. An eight-year-old would be unnoticeable and could gather a lot of information. We'll see if he's in the next book. I do wish Smythe and Betsy would make some progress in their relationship. The inspector is definitely making some progress. I like the way he and Barnes work together, and how he and Mrs. Jeffries work together. He knows about the former, and I am still wondering if he is slowly figuring out the latter.
July 19, 2025
This is one of my most favorite mystery series. I listen to them on audiobook and they’re so good. Nothing like a British constable and his household (Housekeeper, cook, footman, coachman, maid, and neighbors) solving cases. But of course, Inspector Witherspoon doesn’t know all the things his staff does to help him solve the cases. He believes he’s done it all, and perhaps that’s not bad.. we all need a little help now and again. But Mrs. Jefferies knows what to do to help and still keep her staff undercover. 🙌☺️
October 17, 2019
Rating between 3 & 3.5
A good entry in this series I thought.
The mystery is quite interesting at the start and progresses along in the usual mrs Jeffries style.
There is the usual banter and competition between the staff but it is surprising that they are not discovered where they should’ve be, especially during the final quarter of the book.
The solution was a bit wanting I thought but still entertaining.
One of the better novels in the series up to this point.
A good entry in this series I thought.
The mystery is quite interesting at the start and progresses along in the usual mrs Jeffries style.
There is the usual banter and competition between the staff but it is surprising that they are not discovered where they should’ve be, especially during the final quarter of the book.
The solution was a bit wanting I thought but still entertaining.
One of the better novels in the series up to this point.
May 22, 2020
Revenge, greed, and oh, horrors, a revolver!
Rather a good way to spend a quarantine day, but be careful, because there's so much eating and baking in this one, I had to get up to eat several times.
My teapot is really getting a workout these days. British cozy mysteries can keep me sedated for weeks.
This is no exception. The cook gets her own in this one.
I hope there's some exercise in the nest one.
Rather a good way to spend a quarantine day, but be careful, because there's so much eating and baking in this one, I had to get up to eat several times.
My teapot is really getting a workout these days. British cozy mysteries can keep me sedated for weeks.
This is no exception. The cook gets her own in this one.
I hope there's some exercise in the nest one.
September 10, 2020
Writing: 5 Stars;
Characters: 4 Stars;
Plot: 3 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars;
Total: 3.5 Stars;
This book had a very interesting beginning and would have ended up with 5 stars if the ending did not drag on and on. Even with the red herring I guessed who the villain was. Then I found the remainder of the book unnecessarily convoluted.
As is, it is an OK read.
Characters: 4 Stars;
Plot: 3 Stars;
Entertaining: 4 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 4 Stars;
Total: 3.5 Stars;
This book had a very interesting beginning and would have ended up with 5 stars if the ending did not drag on and on. Even with the red herring I guessed who the villain was. Then I found the remainder of the book unnecessarily convoluted.
As is, it is an OK read.
July 22, 2021
Cake! What does cake have to do with murder? One never knows how food can affect people. Mrs. Gooch seems to think food gets people talking, at least her informants seem to tell her everything when she feeds them. Can Inspector Witherspoon use food to help find the killer of Mr. Ashbury, who was murdered right after tea and cake? Mrs. Jeffries and her staff will certainly try to feed him the answers he needs!
March 16, 2019
I didn’t care too much for the first of the series....the inspector was just portrayed as too much of a bumbling fool. I did like the premise however, so decided to give a later story another try. I’m glad I did. This one was an enjoyable entry in this cozy series and I will be adding some more of these to my to-read shelf.
October 16, 2019
These Victorian mysteries are a good choice for those who enjoy a mystery without the excessive violence, sexual innuendo, or foul language that is common in mysteries with modern settings. Rather reminiscent of Agatha Christie though not as stellar as those classics written by the grande dame of British mystery.
March 27, 2024
Another fun read by Emily Brightwell! What keeps me coming back to these novels, one after the other, are the murder mysteries to be solved and the characters who work so hard to solve them. The basic premise is a bit silly--the household staff, all as one, solving the crimes of their employer, a Scotland Yarder--but once you suspend your belief a bit on that one, they are fun, fun, fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews