The Mystery of Lady Sedgewick's Butler

Gwendoline Hartwell Mysteries #1

by Ann Sutton

An aristocratic family. A murdered butler. And a widowed photographer who sees everything.

The Great War is over, but for widow Gwen Hartwell, the crippling grief lingers. Struggling to honor her late husband's wish that she take over his photography studio, she hires an assistant and accepts a commission to photograph the aristocratic Sedgewick family—an opportunity that could put her fledgling business on the map.

But during the photo session, the butler is found murdered.

Enter Inspector Will Slaughter, an injured war hero with a sharp tongue and a sharper mind, who manages to ruffle Gwen’s feathers during their first interview. However, he quickly recognizes her unique gift for observation and recruits her to use her skills while photographing each suspect.

As Gwen's camera captures evidence and her trained eye spots clues others overlook, she finds herself drawn deeper into a dangerous game as she discovers that each family member harbors dark secrets—affairs, blackmail, financial desperation.

With her loyal assistant Penny at her side, Gwen must use her camera and her wits to unmask a killer before they strike again.

A gripping historical cozy mystery featuring a fragile young widow who discovers she is stronger than she thinks, an unlikely partnership, and enough suspects to keep you guessing until the final page. Sure to please fans of Rhys Bowen and Agatha Christie.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Gwen! My heart broke for her so much, dealing with grief after her husband passed away. He also left her his photography studio, but it is 1919 and there are still stigmas around women owning a business. Luckily some are extremely excited about a women taking photos and once word starts to get around that she is great at them, she gets invited to Lady Sedgewick's house. Of course because she is a photographer but it also means she has a great eye for detail, so when the butler is found dead she can give the inspector all of the information to help move forward with the investigation.
Gwen hires an assistant at the beginning, Penny, a black girl who has to also deal with plenty of prejudice of her own. These two are easily going to become one of my favorite duos when it comes to cozy mysteries, because they both understand how to be strong females and support one another through and through.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful start to what I hope is a new series for this author. It was not bogged down with most of the pitfalls in a 1st book. The characters were well fleshed out and the mystery was engaging. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[marita lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it....

strong female characters that grab you from the get go..... Nothing like an intelligent cozy that spins a tale that sucks you in from the start. Gwendoline is full of self doubt when she finally decides to get out of her mourning bed (1 year after the death of her husband in the war) and opens the photography studio he ran, and which he left to her. She hires an assistant, Penny, a young girl who has to deal with prejudice everyday because she is black, but will have you loving her from the get go. Together they move ahead and start getting clients and quickly their appointment book is full. After getting a call to take a family portrait for Lady Sedgewick's family, Penny and Gwen show up and after a while are embroiled in the death of the butler by a family member.... Great start to a new series by Ann Sutton.

[Kathryn Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed this book. Gwen is so unique and I absolutely love Penny. I hope you write more of these. Well done.

[Sue Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Breath of Fresh Air

After the Dodo series became annoying due to Dodo's perfect life and perfection in everything (love, marriage, home, beauty, success, money), this book and it's heroine Gwyne and, Penny, of course, was very welcome.

Bravo Ann Sutton. Hoping there are more to come in this series!

But first... Inspector BLOOD, now Inspector SLAUGHTER... Really? :-)

[Sparky Fredlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and enjoyable book

I read many cozy mysteries and this was one of the best I’ve read recently. It was especially important as it is the first in what I hope will be a continuing and lengthy series!

[Sheila-Merle Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first book in series

Lovely start to a new world. Well written, great cozy mystery evoking the social in class changes of the early 20th century. I look forward to more in this series.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotes I enjoyed:

“The eyes were a window to the soul.”
“A mother’s love can be a fierce thing Gwen.”

Thank you @simonmaverickaudio maverick mavens for the gifted copy via @librofm.

I always love a cozy mystery and this one was so cute! It features a cast of characters who are easy to root for from the very beginning, Gwen and Penny. After Gwen’s husband is killed in World War I, she unexpectedly inherits his photography business and must figure out how to run it on her own. Fortunately, Penny—a bright, energetic young woman—applies for the position of photography assistant, and the two quickly form a strong partnership. I loved Gwen is determined to stand up and herself. This cozy mystery kept me engaged and guessing till the end.

This is book one in the Gwendoline Hartwell Mystery series. Really hoping there is a book two coming out soon.

Listened to on @librofm
Narrated by Lucy Rayner. Such a great job narrating!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming cozy mystery features a cast of characters who are easy to root for from the very beginning. After Gwen's husband is killed in World War I, she unexpectedly inherits his photography business and must figure out how to run it on her own. Fortunately, Penny—a bright, energetic young woman—applies for the position of photography assistant, and the two quickly form a strong partnership.

Even before the mystery unfolds, the story is captivating, as Gwen and Penny navigate the challenges of running a business in a society that underestimates women. Their determination, friendship, and resilience make this an engaging and enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

[Delores Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The primary main character is is a widow since her husband was killed in the war. And she promised to take over his photography business. At first she doesn't have any self-confidence that she can do it. But as the story develops she becomes quite proficient at being a photographer and also is very detailed oriented and helps the detective solve the murder because of everything she notices of the people that she is for taking pictures of. The storyline moves along nicely. The one thing I didn't think was necessary was the background that she was remembering about how she met her husband which took up a whole chapter that she was reliving one night when she was sad about losing her husband. Because that backstory had no bearing on solving the murder.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Sure It Is Really Four Stars

I liked the book until the very end. I found the detective’s endless tendency to feel faint and almost overwhelmed by grief at key moments grew tiresome. I loved her talent and professionalism as a photographer and the accurate details of her work. I also loved her assistant and her assistant’s practical take on life. I know Agatha Christie does it too, but I think having one of the suspects completely change their character at the end of the book to force a solution is a cheat on the reader. In this case, it opens up a huge plot hole.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start for a new series. I am looking forward to the next book. I liked it better than her Dodo series. Two people both left with sorrows after WWI are finding their way forward. Apparently, they will find romance despite it. Penny is a delightful assistant to Gwendoline who has Sherlock Holmes level observations. Inspector Will Slaughter is the perfect foil to solve crimes with Gwen.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read, but there were a lot of little things that bugged me throughout. Perhaps the biggest of these was the ease with which a Scotland Yard detective included a previously unknown woman in an investigation, regardless of whatever skills she might have - it just didn't seem very believable.

[D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't. This one is NOT for me. The self doubt, the low self esteem of thinking you're not good enough-kept pushing me out of the story. I'm sure the story was a good one, but I could not see around Gwen and the incessant rabbit holes of mind doubts. Soooo done.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique cast of characters and an interesting story.

I am looking forward to next story. I hope the characters continue to develop along with the beautiful pictures that they take.

[Lisa Bjornstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book!

I love Ann Sutton’s other series, and this one promises to be equally entertaining. She knows how to write characters you love as well as those you love to hate. Very absorbing, fast-paced reading. Now, on to Book 2!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwendoline Hartwell Book 1

Quite a departure from the other series this author pens. Money can paint a pretty picture but the ugly will come out.

[stephanie leighton]

Flash of knowledge

Great characters. Looking forward to book two already seeing what happens with Gwen and Slaughter. Hopefully things get easier for Penny

[Amanda Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Jolly Good Read

I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Mystery of Lady Sedgewick’s Butler’. Engaging characters involved in an intriguing mystery with a good mix of suspense and romance.

[Debra Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

The characters are well written and engaging, instantly relatable. the story line flows well and keeps you guessing. Best of all it’s CLEAN.

[Wanda Alwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Could not put it down .love books of the 1900 s WWI Art deco and how history changed for the most part of women's plight after the war