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Miss Seeton #2
Miss Seeton Draws the Line
Miss Seeton is most embarrassed. Her every attempt at a portrait of little Effie Goffer has become a chilling picture of a corpse. Is Miss Seeton actually drawing a clue to a series of child murders in rural England?
Scotland Yard thinks so, and wants Miss Seeton to turn from sketching . . . to catching a killer skilled in a very deadly art.
Retired art teacher Miss Seeton steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles. Armed with only her sketch pad and umbrella, she is every inch an eccentric English spinster and at every turn the most lovable and unlikely master of detection.
Scotland Yard thinks so, and wants Miss Seeton to turn from sketching . . . to catching a killer skilled in a very deadly art.
Retired art teacher Miss Seeton steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles. Armed with only her sketch pad and umbrella, she is every inch an eccentric English spinster and at every turn the most lovable and unlikely master of detection.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 1969
323 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Heron Carvic
45 books43 followersHeron Carvic (21 January 1913-9 February 1980) was a British actor and writer who provided the voice for Gandalf in the BBC Radio version of The Hobbit, and played Caiphas the High Priest every time the play cycle The Man Born To Be King was broadcast.
As a writer he created the characters and wrote the first five books featuring retired art teacher Miss Emily D. Seeton, a gentle parody of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.
Further books nominally in the Miss Seeton series were then written under two other pseudonyms. Roy Peter Martin as "Hampton Charles" wrote three novels which were all released in 1990. Sarah J. Mason, writing under the name of Hamilton Crane, then took up the series writing 14 books in all, some of which are still in print.
As a writer he created the characters and wrote the first five books featuring retired art teacher Miss Emily D. Seeton, a gentle parody of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.
Further books nominally in the Miss Seeton series were then written under two other pseudonyms. Roy Peter Martin as "Hampton Charles" wrote three novels which were all released in 1990. Sarah J. Mason, writing under the name of Hamilton Crane, then took up the series writing 14 books in all, some of which are still in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
September 10, 2016
The delightful, intuitive Miss Seeton returns in the second book in Heron Carvic’s slyly comic series. And she’s as charming and perspicacious as ever.
Kind spinster Emily D. Seeton finds herself on the brink of retirement from her job teaching art in a London school and a permanent settlement in the village of Plummergen in Kent. Hopeful that her reputation as the Battling Brolly, established in Picture Miss Seeton, is behind her, she tries to maintain a normal life. But a serial killer who targets children across England and a reporter from the London tabloid Daily Negative — and just bad luck — seem to keep upsetting Miss Seeton’s goal of a quiet life in the country. Plummergen’s regulars return, adding to the fun. Readers will thoroughly enjoy Miss Seeton’s latest caper and will be eager for No. 3 in the series, Witch Miss Seeton, also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Kind spinster Emily D. Seeton finds herself on the brink of retirement from her job teaching art in a London school and a permanent settlement in the village of Plummergen in Kent. Hopeful that her reputation as the Battling Brolly, established in Picture Miss Seeton, is behind her, she tries to maintain a normal life. But a serial killer who targets children across England and a reporter from the London tabloid Daily Negative — and just bad luck — seem to keep upsetting Miss Seeton’s goal of a quiet life in the country. Plummergen’s regulars return, adding to the fun. Readers will thoroughly enjoy Miss Seeton’s latest caper and will be eager for No. 3 in the series, Witch Miss Seeton, also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Read
February 20, 2017There's a kind of benevolent chaos about these stories that's very appealing.
I feel very sad for Miss Seeton, though, whenever she draws. She's someone who had considerable talent, who was trained out of it and into respectability. She represents all those interesting little girls, who were bound up in conformity's straight-jacket.
I feel very sad for Miss Seeton, though, whenever she draws. She's someone who had considerable talent, who was trained out of it and into respectability. She represents all those interesting little girls, who were bound up in conformity's straight-jacket.
March 15, 2018
After reading two of these, I've come to the conclusion that Miss Seeton is Miss Marple crossed with Mr Bean! Delightful, chuckleworthy, and stopping just the right side of absurd to be funny, not painful.
February 20, 2019
Charming cozy mystery. The ending is hilarious. Really great.
January 24, 2023
3.5* rounded up to 4*
September 29, 2024
My favorite book of the year :)
It has the best battle scene I've ever encountered :)
It has the best battle scene I've ever encountered :)
December 23, 2016
Absolutely Deightful
No spoilers in this review. Four stars is my high praise. Five stars is reserved for outstanding books.
This is, without doubt, going to be my favourite Miss Seeton story. Extremely well-written and edited and grammatically correct it is a pleasure to read, although there are a couple of glitches in some words which I put down to the digitisation of the book. Miss Seeton has been compared with Miss Marple in some reviews, and to a certain extent this is so, but only superficially. Miss Seeton is described by a Detective at Scotland Yard as a catalyst and catalyst she certainly is in this book. She has the most delightful monologues in her head that give the readers insight, while the person/people with her have no idea what she is thinking, and invariably jump to the wrong conclusions. The other people in the book are very well characterised, especially the other members of the village, who are all a a real hoot and deserve their places in the story. There are several other characters more on the fringes, but who also add to the enjoyment.
There are some truly funny incidents and some absolutely whacky ones, but I can't give any examples without 'spoiling' the story. I will say that the ending 'piece' couldn't be bettered and was very fitting, in fact, one of my favourite parts.
I think this book could be read as a stand alone as it does give brief mention to the background of Miss Seeton in book 1.
No spoilers in this review. Four stars is my high praise. Five stars is reserved for outstanding books.
This is, without doubt, going to be my favourite Miss Seeton story. Extremely well-written and edited and grammatically correct it is a pleasure to read, although there are a couple of glitches in some words which I put down to the digitisation of the book. Miss Seeton has been compared with Miss Marple in some reviews, and to a certain extent this is so, but only superficially. Miss Seeton is described by a Detective at Scotland Yard as a catalyst and catalyst she certainly is in this book. She has the most delightful monologues in her head that give the readers insight, while the person/people with her have no idea what she is thinking, and invariably jump to the wrong conclusions. The other people in the book are very well characterised, especially the other members of the village, who are all a a real hoot and deserve their places in the story. There are several other characters more on the fringes, but who also add to the enjoyment.
There are some truly funny incidents and some absolutely whacky ones, but I can't give any examples without 'spoiling' the story. I will say that the ending 'piece' couldn't be bettered and was very fitting, in fact, one of my favourite parts.
I think this book could be read as a stand alone as it does give brief mention to the background of Miss Seeton in book 1.
Read
May 10, 2016I'm not really sure what to think about this book. I haven't read any of the earlier books in the series, so this was my introduction to Miss Seeton. The plot; solving the murders of several children and the possible link to post office robberies was enjoyable, as was the charming locale of a small village in England.
The dialogue is what kept me from enjoying the book. In a few places, I had to re-read some passages several times just to understand what was being said. And it wasn't the British accent that confused me, it just seemed like it was double talk. An example; when Miss Seeton went to the Yard after drawing the 12 year old murder victim, there were 3 other people in the room and it was a round robin of who could confuse the conversation the most. I found it pulled me from the story and diminished my enjoyment.
Overall, a fine plot marred by confusing dialogue. It may appeal to people who enjoy older mysteries (the original book was written in the late 1960s) but just did not resonate with me.
The dialogue is what kept me from enjoying the book. In a few places, I had to re-read some passages several times just to understand what was being said. And it wasn't the British accent that confused me, it just seemed like it was double talk. An example; when Miss Seeton went to the Yard after drawing the 12 year old murder victim, there were 3 other people in the room and it was a round robin of who could confuse the conversation the most. I found it pulled me from the story and diminished my enjoyment.
Overall, a fine plot marred by confusing dialogue. It may appeal to people who enjoy older mysteries (the original book was written in the late 1960s) but just did not resonate with me.
October 1, 2017
Miss Seeton Draws The Line
By
Heron Carvic
What it's all about...
Children are being murdered in and around London and Miss Seeton...as usual...seems to accidentally be in the middle of the action.
Why I wanted to read it...
I read the last Miss Seeton book first and loved it so much that I wanted to start at the beginning and really understand how Miss Seeton and her artistic abilities became so important to the police.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
The village of Plummergen and its villagers are the stars of this book. They are quirky, odd and infinitely funny...they aren't funny all of the time but as you get to know them...the pastor, his sister, the vegetarians, the shopkeepers...and many more...they are too humorous. And they are besotted with Miss Seeton and her antics! So we have the murders in London...side by side with what is happening in Plummergen with Miss Seeton in the midst of all of it.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who enjoy quirky cozy mysteries...should love these books!
By
Heron Carvic
What it's all about...
Children are being murdered in and around London and Miss Seeton...as usual...seems to accidentally be in the middle of the action.
Why I wanted to read it...
I read the last Miss Seeton book first and loved it so much that I wanted to start at the beginning and really understand how Miss Seeton and her artistic abilities became so important to the police.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
The village of Plummergen and its villagers are the stars of this book. They are quirky, odd and infinitely funny...they aren't funny all of the time but as you get to know them...the pastor, his sister, the vegetarians, the shopkeepers...and many more...they are too humorous. And they are besotted with Miss Seeton and her antics! So we have the murders in London...side by side with what is happening in Plummergen with Miss Seeton in the midst of all of it.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who enjoy quirky cozy mysteries...should love these books!
October 16, 2025
2025: Repeat listening to Phyllida Nash for series September - with some skipping ahead of the portions below.
2024 Reread: (2 Stars) Phyllida Nash’s narration deserves all 5 stars - she makes a perfect Miss Seeton - the story though has the elements, and occasional toss away comments (ie: a step-father’s comment about his attempted r@pe of step daughters; and, the attitude about a deaf and non-verbal teenage dwarf - will not add spoilers…..),
that are really jarring in a book for me
I forgot that garrotting, of children, is a central thing in the story. It’s not relayed in graphic detail, it’s just there like a nasty stench in a room.
I skipped bits as I listened since I do like artistic, mystic, Miss Seeton, and couldn’t recall how she nabbed the ‘bad lot’.
I won't be listening further in the series now I remember why I didn’t continue on too much further with the series last go through.
Extra: there is magical realism with "that" umbrella and Miss Seeton’s drawings.
*Read for Springtime, &, Spinsters September 2024 challengers.
2024 Reread: (2 Stars) Phyllida Nash’s narration deserves all 5 stars - she makes a perfect Miss Seeton - the story though has the elements, and occasional toss away comments (ie: a step-father’s comment about his attempted r@pe of step daughters; and, the attitude about a deaf and non-verbal teenage dwarf - will not add spoilers…..),
that are really jarring in a book for me
I forgot that garrotting, of children, is a central thing in the story. It’s not relayed in graphic detail, it’s just there like a nasty stench in a room.
I skipped bits as I listened since I do like artistic, mystic, Miss Seeton, and couldn’t recall how she nabbed the ‘bad lot’.
I won't be listening further in the series now I remember why I didn’t continue on too much further with the series last go through.
Extra: there is magical realism with "that" umbrella and Miss Seeton’s drawings.
*Read for Springtime, &, Spinsters September 2024 challengers.
May 10, 2016
Miss Seeton is upset because she is unable to draw a local child' s picture. Shas tried three times and the drawing comes out the same. She has a bad tooth and goes to a dentist. He gives her pain medication and she falls asleep. There so many turns and twists in this book it will keep you guessing. Miss Seeton even though her life that is filled with a child killer, robberies, embezzlement, and town routs without realizing what is happening around her. The police find her drawings very helpful A funny and fast moving adventure.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Farrago through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Farrago through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own
February 6, 2021
How this hasn't been made into a spooftacular brit movie is beyond me. Lots of fun. Recommend.
May 15, 2023
Second in Heron Carvic's Miss Seeton mystery series set in a small village in England in the mid-1960s and revolving around Miss Seeton, a sweet old lady who happens to draw psychically.
My Take
This series is a buy for me...well, at least the stories written by Heron Carvic. In this particular story, Miss Seeton has been coming down to spend her holidays at her cottage for about a year now and the villagers should have had a chance to get to know her...well, to be fair, they have and it seems to be the Nuts who just can't handle the truth. Well, it is so much more fun to make up your own!
I'd reckon about a third of the book is taken up with all the gossip that goes swirling around the village: Miss Seeton's been arrested, she's the burglar, she's in cahoots with __fill in the blank__, she's running from the law, she's tossing people into traffic, etc. The gossip is actually just a few idjits spreading it far and wide; Miss Seeton has a number of friends in the village who do their best to stem the tide.
Oooh...it makes me furious!!!! Poor Miss Seeton was "informed" at art school that the "great cartoonist...Phil May...always worked in meticulous detail" and Miss Seeton's "ebullience of pencil and her lightning sketches" were simply wrong. This sounds like so many art teachers---heck, teachers in general---who can't see past what the rules [of the day] dictate and don't encourage kids to let loose with their imaginations. Decades later, her intended art---versus her psychic art---is stodgy and uninspiring. Simply because of those idiot teachers who couldn't see past the ends of their noses! ARgHHhh!!
I wasn't sure I would like Mel Forby, but after she met with Miss Seeton...she's all right. Brash, rough around the edges…and honest. Then there's the battle between the villagers and the Choppers...too funny and too sweet for words as the villagers take up arms---a hoe, a weighted handbag, a hose...
In spite of the nuts, I do love the village life and how they all come together to help. Mel did some lovely articles...most unexpected.
This is a book you want to read when you need warm, funny, and sweet.
The Story
Effie Gofer is a nasty child whom Miss Seeton feels obligated to draw as a thank you for the help her mother gave, but the results are horrifying. And Miss Seeton is sure that she's had a stroke. Why, every time she's attempted to draw Effie, she simply cannot draw the right side---well, the little girl's left, actually---of the little girl's face properly!
In the meantime, Delphick and the Yard are struggling against a series of child murders. No clues. Nothing they can use to find this monster! Until he remembers Miss Seeton…
One would normally expect a story to then go either up- or downhill from there, but, no. This is Miss Seeton and instead it goes up and down, up and down with the most amazing coincidences and adventures.
The Characters
Miss Emily Seeton is a drawing instructor for a private school in London and recently inherited a cottage, Sweetbriars, in Plummergen, Kent. In Picture Miss Seeton , Superintendent Delphick, a.k.a., the Oracle, and his Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger of Scotland Yard discover that she's also psychic and her drawings provide useful clues when the police are stumped. She's a sweet old thing with a strong sense of what's right.
The Villagers include:
Major General Sir George and Lady Colvedon at Rytham Hall; Nigel is their son studying agriculture. Sir George is the local justice of the peace. The most normal of the village! Along with Dr. Knight who runs the local surgery and a small nursing home with his daughter Anna's help. She has a thing going with Ranger. Miss Seeton inherited Martha Bloomer along with the cottage (she also cleans for Lady Colvedon) and her husband Stan takes care of the garden and the chickens---MissEss gets veg and eggs while Mr. Bloomer sells the extra for his share in lieu of getting paid. Miss [Erica] Nuttel and Norah "Bunny" Blaine share a house in the center of the village---an ideal post for keeping an eye on what's happening so they can stretch it out of all recognition. Most of the village refers to them together as the "Nuts" and their house as "the Nuthouse". Arthur Treeves is the vicar with a distaste for socializing but a strong sense of what's right. His sister Molly Treeves is much more levelheaded and intelligent; both are caring people. I'd just much prefer Molly. PC Potter is the village constable who doesn't show much this time. Mr. Stillman and Mrs. Elsie Stillman runs the post office/grocery. Miss Wicks has a lovely nature in spite of the hypnotic quality of her dentures and her resulting speech.
Effie Goffer is a nasty little girl who revels in her police escort until she realizes how much it holds her back. Mr. and Mrs. Len Hosigg are new to the village and have taken the newly-deceased Mr. Dunnihoe's cottage and there is quite a bit of speculation about them. Doris and Dick Quint and her deaf-mute brother are also new and staying at the Saturday Stop. She's a very curious and eager cleaning lady. Mrs. Farmint is one of the burgled.
Mel Forby is a newspaper reporter whose editor has a brainstorm and sends Miss Forby down to Plummergen to cover the "Battling Brolly". The Ashford Choppers are a motorcycle gang whose lawyers always manage to get them off...poor misunderstood boys. Maryse Palstead is a smarmy, nasty woman who has taken advantage of the bank cashier. Well, he has been taking money from the bank for some time now...and buying a house, jewels, and furniture for Maryse for when they're together. Mr. Jestin, at the bank, thinks quite quickly.
The Police include:
It drives Chief Detective Inspector Chris Brinton of the Ashford Criminal Investigation Department nuts that Miss Seeton keeps getting in the way and solving cases that were already solved. The cheek! Sir Hubert Everleigh, Assistant Commissioner, C.I.D., is open to trying new things. At the least, it may kickstart an idea! Chief Superintendent Gosslin runs interference.
The Title
Yes, Miss Seeton certainly does. Miss Seeton Draws the Line right down the middle.
My Take
This series is a buy for me...well, at least the stories written by Heron Carvic. In this particular story, Miss Seeton has been coming down to spend her holidays at her cottage for about a year now and the villagers should have had a chance to get to know her...well, to be fair, they have and it seems to be the Nuts who just can't handle the truth. Well, it is so much more fun to make up your own!
I'd reckon about a third of the book is taken up with all the gossip that goes swirling around the village: Miss Seeton's been arrested, she's the burglar, she's in cahoots with __fill in the blank__, she's running from the law, she's tossing people into traffic, etc. The gossip is actually just a few idjits spreading it far and wide; Miss Seeton has a number of friends in the village who do their best to stem the tide.
Oooh...it makes me furious!!!! Poor Miss Seeton was "informed" at art school that the "great cartoonist...Phil May...always worked in meticulous detail" and Miss Seeton's "ebullience of pencil and her lightning sketches" were simply wrong. This sounds like so many art teachers---heck, teachers in general---who can't see past what the rules [of the day] dictate and don't encourage kids to let loose with their imaginations. Decades later, her intended art---versus her psychic art---is stodgy and uninspiring. Simply because of those idiot teachers who couldn't see past the ends of their noses! ARgHHhh!!
I wasn't sure I would like Mel Forby, but after she met with Miss Seeton...she's all right. Brash, rough around the edges…and honest. Then there's the battle between the villagers and the Choppers...too funny and too sweet for words as the villagers take up arms---a hoe, a weighted handbag, a hose...
In spite of the nuts, I do love the village life and how they all come together to help. Mel did some lovely articles...most unexpected.
This is a book you want to read when you need warm, funny, and sweet.
The Story
Effie Gofer is a nasty child whom Miss Seeton feels obligated to draw as a thank you for the help her mother gave, but the results are horrifying. And Miss Seeton is sure that she's had a stroke. Why, every time she's attempted to draw Effie, she simply cannot draw the right side---well, the little girl's left, actually---of the little girl's face properly!
In the meantime, Delphick and the Yard are struggling against a series of child murders. No clues. Nothing they can use to find this monster! Until he remembers Miss Seeton…
One would normally expect a story to then go either up- or downhill from there, but, no. This is Miss Seeton and instead it goes up and down, up and down with the most amazing coincidences and adventures.
The Characters
Miss Emily Seeton is a drawing instructor for a private school in London and recently inherited a cottage, Sweetbriars, in Plummergen, Kent. In Picture Miss Seeton , Superintendent Delphick, a.k.a., the Oracle, and his Detective Sergeant Bob Ranger of Scotland Yard discover that she's also psychic and her drawings provide useful clues when the police are stumped. She's a sweet old thing with a strong sense of what's right.
The Villagers include:
Major General Sir George and Lady Colvedon at Rytham Hall; Nigel is their son studying agriculture. Sir George is the local justice of the peace. The most normal of the village! Along with Dr. Knight who runs the local surgery and a small nursing home with his daughter Anna's help. She has a thing going with Ranger. Miss Seeton inherited Martha Bloomer along with the cottage (she also cleans for Lady Colvedon) and her husband Stan takes care of the garden and the chickens---MissEss gets veg and eggs while Mr. Bloomer sells the extra for his share in lieu of getting paid. Miss [Erica] Nuttel and Norah "Bunny" Blaine share a house in the center of the village---an ideal post for keeping an eye on what's happening so they can stretch it out of all recognition. Most of the village refers to them together as the "Nuts" and their house as "the Nuthouse". Arthur Treeves is the vicar with a distaste for socializing but a strong sense of what's right. His sister Molly Treeves is much more levelheaded and intelligent; both are caring people. I'd just much prefer Molly. PC Potter is the village constable who doesn't show much this time. Mr. Stillman and Mrs. Elsie Stillman runs the post office/grocery. Miss Wicks has a lovely nature in spite of the hypnotic quality of her dentures and her resulting speech.
Effie Goffer is a nasty little girl who revels in her police escort until she realizes how much it holds her back. Mr. and Mrs. Len Hosigg are new to the village and have taken the newly-deceased Mr. Dunnihoe's cottage and there is quite a bit of speculation about them. Doris and Dick Quint and her deaf-mute brother are also new and staying at the Saturday Stop. She's a very curious and eager cleaning lady. Mrs. Farmint is one of the burgled.
Mel Forby is a newspaper reporter whose editor has a brainstorm and sends Miss Forby down to Plummergen to cover the "Battling Brolly". The Ashford Choppers are a motorcycle gang whose lawyers always manage to get them off...poor misunderstood boys. Maryse Palstead is a smarmy, nasty woman who has taken advantage of the bank cashier. Well, he has been taking money from the bank for some time now...and buying a house, jewels, and furniture for Maryse for when they're together. Mr. Jestin, at the bank, thinks quite quickly.
The Police include:
It drives Chief Detective Inspector Chris Brinton of the Ashford Criminal Investigation Department nuts that Miss Seeton keeps getting in the way and solving cases that were already solved. The cheek! Sir Hubert Everleigh, Assistant Commissioner, C.I.D., is open to trying new things. At the least, it may kickstart an idea! Chief Superintendent Gosslin runs interference.
The Title
Yes, Miss Seeton certainly does. Miss Seeton Draws the Line right down the middle.
April 11, 2020
This second book in the Miss Seeton series is every bit as delightful as the first, Picture Miss Seeton. Heron Carvic wrote an essay in 1977 in which he recalled how, after having first used her in a short story, 'Miss Seeton upped and demanded a book' -- and that if 'she wanted to satirize detective novels in general and elderly lady detectives in particular,' he would let her have her head. I'm so glad he did. These books are the perfect light (and absolutely hilarious) reads when readers want to forget about what ails them and their world.
Miss Seeton may be satirizing detective novels and elderly female sleuths, but at least she has Inspector Delphick ("the Oracle") who sees her worth and pays attention to her. With her unfailing good manners and distracted air-- and how on earth could I forget her umbrella? -- she unwittingly solves all the crimes in Plummergen, not that her fellow villagers appreciate it. In fact, one of the best scenes in Miss Seeton Draws the Line is one in which a group convenes to discuss village business and winds up conducting a vicious gossip session, all described by Carvic as a medieval joust. Splendid! The scene reminded me of two things: (1) why I moved from the village where I grew up, and (2) the writing of T. H. White in The Once and Future King. Since I love White's novel, this is definitely meant as a compliment.
If you need (several) good laughs, if you need to be charmed, if you need a read that draws you inexorably to the next book in the series, by all means start reading the Miss Seeton mysteries. They are wonderful! (Although I am wondering if Miss Seeton ever discovers where all the strange pillows and cushions in her cottage came from...)
Miss Seeton may be satirizing detective novels and elderly female sleuths, but at least she has Inspector Delphick ("the Oracle") who sees her worth and pays attention to her. With her unfailing good manners and distracted air-- and how on earth could I forget her umbrella? -- she unwittingly solves all the crimes in Plummergen, not that her fellow villagers appreciate it. In fact, one of the best scenes in Miss Seeton Draws the Line is one in which a group convenes to discuss village business and winds up conducting a vicious gossip session, all described by Carvic as a medieval joust. Splendid! The scene reminded me of two things: (1) why I moved from the village where I grew up, and (2) the writing of T. H. White in The Once and Future King. Since I love White's novel, this is definitely meant as a compliment.
If you need (several) good laughs, if you need to be charmed, if you need a read that draws you inexorably to the next book in the series, by all means start reading the Miss Seeton mysteries. They are wonderful! (Although I am wondering if Miss Seeton ever discovers where all the strange pillows and cushions in her cottage came from...)
December 10, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this one, given the premise and the glowing reviews, but the fact is, I just...didn't.
There's a lot to like here, on the face of it. I enjoyed the character of Miss Seeton, and I like the premise of an amateur sleuth who isn't an amateur sleuth at all - just extremely observant and maybe a tad bit psychic, in a way that only comes out in her drawings and artwork. Add in a cast of eccentric characters and a picturesque English village, and it all seems like the perfect setting for a cosy mystery.
The problem is, there's just too much here that doesn't work for me, so much so that it overtakes a strong concept. For one, the mystery is a bit too predictable for me, which is saying a lot given I'm usually useless at guessing a killer. I don't mind coincidences or a weak mystery in a cosy mystery, but this was just too obvious for my liking.
For another, it's all too evident that this book was written in the late 1960s. A lot of the language used in the text is a product of its time, as are a lot of the comments that the characters make in the process of the story. The slim length of the book meant that I pushed myself to finish it, but it has rather soured me on the rest of this series.
There's a lot to like here, on the face of it. I enjoyed the character of Miss Seeton, and I like the premise of an amateur sleuth who isn't an amateur sleuth at all - just extremely observant and maybe a tad bit psychic, in a way that only comes out in her drawings and artwork. Add in a cast of eccentric characters and a picturesque English village, and it all seems like the perfect setting for a cosy mystery.
The problem is, there's just too much here that doesn't work for me, so much so that it overtakes a strong concept. For one, the mystery is a bit too predictable for me, which is saying a lot given I'm usually useless at guessing a killer. I don't mind coincidences or a weak mystery in a cosy mystery, but this was just too obvious for my liking.
For another, it's all too evident that this book was written in the late 1960s. A lot of the language used in the text is a product of its time, as are a lot of the comments that the characters make in the process of the story. The slim length of the book meant that I pushed myself to finish it, but it has rather soured me on the rest of this series.
June 9, 2022
I love Miss Seeton, but as I mentioned, this was a little hard to follow, since the change of POVs weren't clearly delineated. Still, it was a fun read, and not to spoil, but the baddies all got what they deserved.
Off to start Witch Miss Seeton, book 3 in the series, only this one is in paperback. It's going to take some time, because I've got a number of other books I'm reading, as well as the fanfic I'm working on.
However... Onward!
Off to start Witch Miss Seeton, book 3 in the series, only this one is in paperback. It's going to take some time, because I've got a number of other books I'm reading, as well as the fanfic I'm working on.
However... Onward!
September 21, 2024
Too bad to write anything!!!!!
January 3, 2019
More of Miss Seeton with her deep intuition which only comes out in her art and her befuddled misunderstandings of dark situations. The village battle in the end of this book may be one of the funniest things I've read in the series. Cozy, funny, and a fitting second in the series.
August 29, 2016
Miss Seeton is a treasure! This book is funny and well-written, with a fabulous ending. I plan to read every book in this series.
I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2017
Ditto *
*see review of book 1 for more details
*see review of book 1 for more details
June 22, 2009
I hated this book. A little old lady happened to solve a crime with her umbrella. Just really stupid.
August 14, 2020
Miss Seeton fears the worst in this comedy drama mystery featuring the inimitable older lady, her umbrella and most significantly, her strange ability to draw clues to mysteries. Once again, Detective Superintendent Delphick, also known as the Oracle, is stuck in solving a murder, and thinks of Miss Seeton as the only person who can possibly help. This book is part of a series, but can happily be read as a standalone novel, once the basic idea of the unusual premise of the book is established. Although a series of crimes has been committed in various parts of the country, the action mainly takes place in the picturesque village of Plummergen. This is quite the coincidence as Miss Seeton has inherited a house from her godmother in the village, which she stays in during school holidays when she is not teaching in London. Anyone who has read the previous book knows that this is no peaceful village in the midst of the English countryside, but a lively place that contains some memorable characters who are more than capable of putting completely the wrong interpretation on any event, especially where Miss Seeton is concerned.Ranging from a bewildered Vicar, through two ladies referred to as The Nutts, to my favourite, Sir George Colveden and his practical wife Lady Colveden. This is a fast moving mystery which brings in many elements of farce and more in a fast moving tale of crime, detection and more.
The book opens with Miss Seeton saving a child who she finds, in common with others in the village, difficult to like. Her spontaneous use of her umbrella to effect the rescue is, as ever, a matter of instinct. It also serves to remind her that she has tried and failed to sketch this particular child for her mother, and failed. Why she has produced such a strange image drives her see Dr Knight, as she fears that she is ill. When his daughter Anne visits to find out what is going on, she is alerted to further possibilities of what is going on in Miss Seeton’s mind, which provides suggestions for further police investigation. That proves to be helpful, as Delphick is wrestling with cases of particularly nasty murders , and as yet has very little to go on until a common denominator is found. Of course, village life being what it is, as soon as Miss Seeton is fetched to consult further, gossip condemns her activities as illegal, criminal and worse. When some robberies occur in the village many issues emerge, and Miss Seeton’s activities once more, however innocent, are scrutinised.
This book steers a careful line between farce, murder mystery and comedy. It is tense, gently funny and always clever. The situations that Miss Seeton finds herself in are truly remarkable on many levels, and the characters who run through the novel are always consistent and amusing. There are as always a few situations running through this fairly short novel, and there is always something of interest throughout. This is an enjoyable and fairly light read, a 1969 novel republished which shows something of life in the 1960s, and represents a slice of British village life in a fascinating and enjoyable way. I found it a good read which continues Miss Seeton’s story in a very satisfactory way.
The book opens with Miss Seeton saving a child who she finds, in common with others in the village, difficult to like. Her spontaneous use of her umbrella to effect the rescue is, as ever, a matter of instinct. It also serves to remind her that she has tried and failed to sketch this particular child for her mother, and failed. Why she has produced such a strange image drives her see Dr Knight, as she fears that she is ill. When his daughter Anne visits to find out what is going on, she is alerted to further possibilities of what is going on in Miss Seeton’s mind, which provides suggestions for further police investigation. That proves to be helpful, as Delphick is wrestling with cases of particularly nasty murders , and as yet has very little to go on until a common denominator is found. Of course, village life being what it is, as soon as Miss Seeton is fetched to consult further, gossip condemns her activities as illegal, criminal and worse. When some robberies occur in the village many issues emerge, and Miss Seeton’s activities once more, however innocent, are scrutinised.
This book steers a careful line between farce, murder mystery and comedy. It is tense, gently funny and always clever. The situations that Miss Seeton finds herself in are truly remarkable on many levels, and the characters who run through the novel are always consistent and amusing. There are as always a few situations running through this fairly short novel, and there is always something of interest throughout. This is an enjoyable and fairly light read, a 1969 novel republished which shows something of life in the 1960s, and represents a slice of British village life in a fascinating and enjoyable way. I found it a good read which continues Miss Seeton’s story in a very satisfactory way.
July 27, 2020
The Miss Seetonseries is a collection of cosy mystery novels featuring elderly spinster, Emily Seeton, and the cosy village of Plummergen.
“… she is one of those people things happen to – or she happens to them ..”
The series was originally created by author Heron Carvic, before being continued by Roy Peter Martin writing under the name Hampton Charles, followed by Sarah J Mason under the pen name of Hamilton Crane. Miss Seeton Draws the Line is the second in the 25-book series. The books are fun, lively and completely zany, and completely lacking in the graphic violence and sex that we see in a lot of current crime fiction, which makes a refreshing change.
In Miss Seeton Draws the Line, Miss Seeton once again relies on a bit of luck and her trusty umbrella (and maybe some minor assistance from Superintendent Delphick (“the Oracle”) and his sidekick Sergeant Bob Ranger). Scotland Yard are investigating the murders of young children and call in former art teacher, Miss Seeton, to assist with their investigation (her drawing seem to hold some sort of psychic ability). When she fails in her attempts to draw a local child, this leads the policy to believe that the child in question will be the killer’s next victim. Heavy subject matter indeed, but told in a fashion that keeps the tale from becoming too dark.
Miss Seeton is an entertaining protagonist, repeatedly finding herself in awkward situations and unwittingly thwarting criminals in their tracks – whilst usually being completely unaware that she has done so! The inhabitants of Plummergen also make a reappearance. With their unapologetic nosiness and love of gossip, they act as a real warning against village life. Plummergen is certainly not a place where you are allowed to keep to yourself!
Miss Seeton Draws the Line is undemanding and lighthearted – a wittily satirical take on village life, combined with an amusing parody of amateur sleuth detective fiction. It’s twee, old-fashioned, somewhat ridiculous but it really is great fun. With mystery and skulduggery underfoot, this book is perfect for those who fancy a humorous take on a classic detective novel.
Whilst it is a standalone novel, there are some recurring characters and details which will the reader may appreciate more if reading the through series in chronological order.
Thank you to Farrago Press for providing an advanced copy of Miss Seeton Draws the Line for review and huge apologies for the delay in doing so.
“… she is one of those people things happen to – or she happens to them ..”
The series was originally created by author Heron Carvic, before being continued by Roy Peter Martin writing under the name Hampton Charles, followed by Sarah J Mason under the pen name of Hamilton Crane. Miss Seeton Draws the Line is the second in the 25-book series. The books are fun, lively and completely zany, and completely lacking in the graphic violence and sex that we see in a lot of current crime fiction, which makes a refreshing change.
In Miss Seeton Draws the Line, Miss Seeton once again relies on a bit of luck and her trusty umbrella (and maybe some minor assistance from Superintendent Delphick (“the Oracle”) and his sidekick Sergeant Bob Ranger). Scotland Yard are investigating the murders of young children and call in former art teacher, Miss Seeton, to assist with their investigation (her drawing seem to hold some sort of psychic ability). When she fails in her attempts to draw a local child, this leads the policy to believe that the child in question will be the killer’s next victim. Heavy subject matter indeed, but told in a fashion that keeps the tale from becoming too dark.
Miss Seeton is an entertaining protagonist, repeatedly finding herself in awkward situations and unwittingly thwarting criminals in their tracks – whilst usually being completely unaware that she has done so! The inhabitants of Plummergen also make a reappearance. With their unapologetic nosiness and love of gossip, they act as a real warning against village life. Plummergen is certainly not a place where you are allowed to keep to yourself!
Miss Seeton Draws the Line is undemanding and lighthearted – a wittily satirical take on village life, combined with an amusing parody of amateur sleuth detective fiction. It’s twee, old-fashioned, somewhat ridiculous but it really is great fun. With mystery and skulduggery underfoot, this book is perfect for those who fancy a humorous take on a classic detective novel.
Whilst it is a standalone novel, there are some recurring characters and details which will the reader may appreciate more if reading the through series in chronological order.
Thank you to Farrago Press for providing an advanced copy of Miss Seeton Draws the Line for review and huge apologies for the delay in doing so.
May 11, 2020
As there was a serial child strangler at large in towns near the village of Plummergen in Kent, the Colvedens (the area's most prominent family), disliking a particularly obnoxious little girl, were of the opinion of writing an advertisement for the murderer to take notice of the plain, vindictive and mannerless Effie Goffer... thus, putting a stop to her spying on people and her rumor~mongering... obviously resulting in the child's unlamented death. So that when Miss Seeton drew Effie's face it was one half her normal, albeit somewhat dead, face and the other half was later on perceived to be like a postage stamp upon which earlier on Scotland Yard's Oracle was constrained to put forward Miss Seeton's psychic drawing abilities (as a desperate measure after the 5th victim and still with nary a worthwhile lead), and draw the this victim's face... which she did, and it turned out to be like that of Effie's... coincidence or foreshadowing? For they later on surmised that the murders also took place everytime the post offices were held up. The Nutty Pair, who made a career in slandering their neighbors, put out that Miss Seeton was in league with the robbers (undisputed by the postmaster, Untrue but more titillating and dramatic) and that she had the loot... and so her little cottage was ransacked by the thieves. Ashford's Chief Inspector thought the spinster was a crime magnet while the Yard's Assistant Commissioner thought her a catalyst... both of them were correct. Welcome to Miss Seeton's crazy stupidly naive teeth~gnashing world... where danger and peril will come close enough to touch but would only linger temporarily at her vicinity but would eventually go away. Despite this book's humorous and pragmatic take on the macabre, there was a deeper implication as to Miss Seeton's conflicting emotions about her art. She was torn between the conventional approach as against her own unacknowledged genius (stifled in art school by her own less than gifted and 'emphasizing only the usual techniques' teachers) and the freedom to express her own creativity... so her work with the police would allow her to unleash her true gift as well as aid her financially.
September 14, 2017
If this book had been written by someone else, today, it would have been dark and gritty in the extreme. Someone is going around Kent strangling small children, while someone else (or is it?) is breaking into post offices and people's houses. At the same time, gang warfare makes itself felt in the countryside, and a bank cashier is leading a dangerous double life.
Fortunately for us, it was written in 1969 by Heron Carvic, and it's a Miss Seeton cosy. Carvic's Miss Seeton is a combination of Mrs Pollifax and Joan Henderson's version of Miss Marple: yoga plus the dithery elderly "here's my head my butt is comin'" lady who is actually clueless. No sharp sleuth is our Miss Seeton; in fact she's not a sleuth at all! She blunders here and there and things just sort of happen around her, and yet they always turn out right in the end. Her drawings seem to be a very odd sort of "psychic connection" that only Inspector Delphick can make sense of (let alone her conversation).
It's all a bit coincidental for today's reader, but I have to say I prefer Carvic's version to what many a modern mystery writer would make of the same events.
Fortunately for us, it was written in 1969 by Heron Carvic, and it's a Miss Seeton cosy. Carvic's Miss Seeton is a combination of Mrs Pollifax and Joan Henderson's version of Miss Marple: yoga plus the dithery elderly "here's my head my butt is comin'" lady who is actually clueless. No sharp sleuth is our Miss Seeton; in fact she's not a sleuth at all! She blunders here and there and things just sort of happen around her, and yet they always turn out right in the end. Her drawings seem to be a very odd sort of "psychic connection" that only Inspector Delphick can make sense of (let alone her conversation).
It's all a bit coincidental for today's reader, but I have to say I prefer Carvic's version to what many a modern mystery writer would make of the same events.
February 5, 2018
Probably more like 2 1/2 stars. Miss Seeton and her antics are certainly amusing, while the strangulation of children isn't. The fact that Supt Delphic believes in her is a plus, it avoids all that time with him having to be convinced. However, she has been compared to Miss Marple and other older amateur detectives. That does not make sense to me. Yes, she seems to have an intuitive ability to sort things out through drawing and yes, she seems to be at the center of the capture of most perpetrators. However, the latter is usually (totally?) accidental and she typically has no idea what she has done. In fact, she is often totally misguided in her impressions of these people - other than through drawing. In that sense she is not like the very wise Miss Marple. I found the first book amusing, but hoped that somewhere along the way in the second book she would begin to become aware of her talents and strengths and use them proactively instead of accidentally. I know - she is way more amusing this way - and that is fine. However, if you read the reviews that suggest she is like Miss Marple, be aware that is not exactly true.
October 10, 2022
Not For Me
After reading and quite enjoying book 1 in this series, I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the quirky Miss Seeton. I’m afraid I barely made it to the end. Our main character is still quaint and different. I don’t mind following her train of thought to unexpected places, but there is just too much venom displayed by the town gossips and even in the conversations of the police to make it enjoyable. At the end of the day, the plot involves the murder of multiple children in a rather horrible way, but it is almost seen as okay as the last victim at least, was rather ugly and nasty. Whereas the first book had the beginnings of some genuine friendships and even a little bit of romance, this book did not. The pacing seemed off as well, although it did pick up towards the end. Going on the other reviews, a lot of people will disagree with me but speaking for myself, I will not be proceeding with this series.
After reading and quite enjoying book 1 in this series, I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with the quirky Miss Seeton. I’m afraid I barely made it to the end. Our main character is still quaint and different. I don’t mind following her train of thought to unexpected places, but there is just too much venom displayed by the town gossips and even in the conversations of the police to make it enjoyable. At the end of the day, the plot involves the murder of multiple children in a rather horrible way, but it is almost seen as okay as the last victim at least, was rather ugly and nasty. Whereas the first book had the beginnings of some genuine friendships and even a little bit of romance, this book did not. The pacing seemed off as well, although it did pick up towards the end. Going on the other reviews, a lot of people will disagree with me but speaking for myself, I will not be proceeding with this series.
May 19, 2020
This was the second book in a series about Miss Seeton. She is a lovable character and the story is a combination of comedy and mystery, but with a sadistic twist involving children being murdered. I did not enjoy it enough to continue reading the remaining Miss Seeton mysteries. The writing style is disjointed and the use of British slang (which I am quite familiar with) was prolific in the extreme.
Other reviewers felt the terminology used was dated because the book was written in the late 1960's, but this has nothing to do with it. Other British writers writing much earlier in the 20th century do not use the low-class British slang to this extent.
In addition, Miss Seeton has been likened to Miss Marple. There is very little the two have in common except their gender, they are British and they are both elderly.
Other reviewers felt the terminology used was dated because the book was written in the late 1960's, but this has nothing to do with it. Other British writers writing much earlier in the 20th century do not use the low-class British slang to this extent.
In addition, Miss Seeton has been likened to Miss Marple. There is very little the two have in common except their gender, they are British and they are both elderly.
June 20, 2020
Read this if you are feeling like reading about: 1. British old school atmosphere; and 2. some gross crimes! As Heron Carvic goes for these two birds at once here.
To be honest, I do not think the one stone called Miss Seeton can successfully kill them both (no pun intended). Because she is incredully naive for such a long-time teacher (can they be so blind to the sadder realities of life?). But she also has this sharp intuition, which (mostly through her drawings here) shows the way for the smart police guys. When they cooperate, some hard perpetrators can be successfully caught.
So while I wholly bow only to the Queen Miss Marple, the baroness Seeton can offer a pleasant, if not challenging read for your leisure time.
To be honest, I do not think the one stone called Miss Seeton can successfully kill them both (no pun intended). Because she is incredully naive for such a long-time teacher (can they be so blind to the sadder realities of life?). But she also has this sharp intuition, which (mostly through her drawings here) shows the way for the smart police guys. When they cooperate, some hard perpetrators can be successfully caught.
So while I wholly bow only to the Queen Miss Marple, the baroness Seeton can offer a pleasant, if not challenging read for your leisure time.
August 3, 2017
What a lively time for Miss Seeton!
This was such a fun book! I'm so happy I started at the beginning of the Miss Sexton books. How can so much happen to one little aged women, at barely 5' tall, adding her umbrella adds the the petite Miss S. With all the height she needs. Plus don't forget the sharp end of business! All the characters here have all the believability of being for real. I'd love to meet anyone of them, but I think Lady C. would be the most interesting person besides Miss S. Love this series! And can't wait to get on with the next book, etc! Lots of books in this delightful series, and excited to read them all!!
Gail
This was such a fun book! I'm so happy I started at the beginning of the Miss Sexton books. How can so much happen to one little aged women, at barely 5' tall, adding her umbrella adds the the petite Miss S. With all the height she needs. Plus don't forget the sharp end of business! All the characters here have all the believability of being for real. I'd love to meet anyone of them, but I think Lady C. would be the most interesting person besides Miss S. Love this series! And can't wait to get on with the next book, etc! Lots of books in this delightful series, and excited to read them all!!
Gail
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