What do you think?
Rate this book
Mrs. Jeffries #9
Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected
When a local publican is murdered, Inspector Withersppon takes Mrs. Jeffries advice to heart. He is going to trust his own instincts-but that keeps Mrs. Jeffries in the dark. She must rouse the household staff to action and hope the Inspector doesn't arrest the wrong person before they can solve the crime.
Audio CD
First published December 1, 1996
141 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Emily Brightwell
68 books536 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 97 reviews
April 14, 2020
I returned to one of my most favorite series feeling like I needed to go home and enjoy my family. I absolutely adore how the author makes us all privy to the "murder meetings" the household staff conducts in their endeavor to help their beloved inspector brilliantly solve another case.
Reading from the start of the series is a must in my opinion so you can grow with the character relationships. To some, this series may seem a little formulaic, but that's what I like about it and have come to rely on how familiar I am in knowing the characters. In my mind's eye, I'm present thanks to the vivid descriptions of characters and scenes.
With that said, the storyline always has me guessing, the endings never disappoint, and my expectations of the characters are always true. The author does a great job of juggling chaos and action scenes. Yep, just like at home.
Reading from the start of the series is a must in my opinion so you can grow with the character relationships. To some, this series may seem a little formulaic, but that's what I like about it and have come to rely on how familiar I am in knowing the characters. In my mind's eye, I'm present thanks to the vivid descriptions of characters and scenes.
With that said, the storyline always has me guessing, the endings never disappoint, and my expectations of the characters are always true. The author does a great job of juggling chaos and action scenes. Yep, just like at home.
February 4, 2024
4.25⭐️
Possibly my favourite so far!
The one in which Inspector Witherspoon gets tight-lipped around his staff and determines to solve the case in his own head
Possibly my favourite so far!
The one in which Inspector Witherspoon gets tight-lipped around his staff and determines to solve the case in his own head
July 25, 2016
The landlord of a pub is stabbed on the day the pub holds its grand opening. Inspector Witherspoon is puzzled but decides for once to listen to his inner voice rather than talking it over with his housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries.
This is not what Mrs Jeffries intended when she encouraged him to trust his instinct as she and the staff love hunting out evidence and making sure he comes across it so that he can solve the case.
Not knowing what the Inspector is thinking and what is going on in the case doesn't stop Mrs Jeffries and the other staff doing their own investigating. Luty-Belle Crookshank and her butler Hatchet even return from holiday to join in.
I enjoyed reading this light-hearted Victorian murder mystery. I like Mrs Jeffries and her colleagues, Smythe - the coachman, Wiggins - the footman, Betsy - the parlour maid and Mrs Goodge - the cook. All have their different ways of ferreting out evidence but it is up to Mrs Jeffries to work out how to make their employer aware of it.
This is not what Mrs Jeffries intended when she encouraged him to trust his instinct as she and the staff love hunting out evidence and making sure he comes across it so that he can solve the case.
Not knowing what the Inspector is thinking and what is going on in the case doesn't stop Mrs Jeffries and the other staff doing their own investigating. Luty-Belle Crookshank and her butler Hatchet even return from holiday to join in.
I enjoyed reading this light-hearted Victorian murder mystery. I like Mrs Jeffries and her colleagues, Smythe - the coachman, Wiggins - the footman, Betsy - the parlour maid and Mrs Goodge - the cook. All have their different ways of ferreting out evidence but it is up to Mrs Jeffries to work out how to make their employer aware of it.
October 3, 2021
Despite endless dialogue repetition, predictable character development, and a slow pace - this is the coziest of cozy mysteries. I love all the characters, the intriguing mysteries, and the relationships between the Inspector and his staff. And the audiobook narrator is SOOOO soothing. Perfect early-fall read.
May 1, 2020
Such a fun series
February 12, 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!
Inspector Witherspoon is charged with solving the murder of pub owner, Haydon Dapeers on this birthday, at the opening of The Gilded Lily, a beautiful and elaborate showplace with etched glass windows, solid wood partitions and brass gas lamps. Who was behind his being stabbed in his taproom when he went to get another keg? Was it his wife, the artist who had created the etched windows, the wife's sister-in-law who the artist fancied, Haydon's younger brother and his wife, who were rival pub owners or someone else?
Inspector Witherspoon is charged with solving the murder of pub owner, Haydon Dapeers on this birthday, at the opening of The Gilded Lily, a beautiful and elaborate showplace with etched glass windows, solid wood partitions and brass gas lamps. Who was behind his being stabbed in his taproom when he went to get another keg? Was it his wife, the artist who had created the etched windows, the wife's sister-in-law who the artist fancied, Haydon's younger brother and his wife, who were rival pub owners or someone else?
August 18, 2017
Enjoyed this one and it didn't follow the usual pattern.
January 16, 2021
Nice to see the Inspector solve his own case.
March 15, 2024
What a nice escape this older series is.
May 5, 2020
The opening night of the Gilded Lily found the new pub filled with guests invited by the owner Haydon Dapeers. When the barmaid told Dapeers they needed another keg of beer, he walked down the hall and into the taproom. He never came out! He was found dead on the floor of the taproom with a knife in his back. Inspector Witherspoon's household staff hated to see anyone murdered, but they were excited to have a case to solve. Mrs Jeffries, his housekeeper, passed along to the Inspector information his servants discovered, without letting him know he was receiving help. But this case was different - Inspector Witherspoon did not share his findings with Mrs Jeffries. He decided to trust his "inner voice." The servants had no idea what the inspector knew or whom he suspected. They learned what they could by interviewing the employees and servants of those in the pub that night, but nothing made sense. There were lots of suspects, but few motives strong enough for murder. Therefore, when the Inspector announced he was close to making an arrest, they panicked. They didn't think he knew all the facts they has uncovered. If he arrested the wrong person, he could be back in the Police Records Office where he had spent most of his career, and his servants would be back to polishing silver and shining floors. They had to try to prevent him from making the biggest mistake of his career. Not as exciting as previous entries in the series because it lacked the repartee between Mrs Jeffries and the Inspector as she slyly passed along the clues she and the servants had discovered.
November 18, 2020
I didn't love this book as much as the previous eight. The staff at Upper Edmonton Gardens was very petty and dismissive of Inspector Witherspoon. He is my favourite character and I was firmly on his side this round. I am glad he was vindicated and hope that everybody learned that he isn't quite as in need of their help as they thought. I also hope that we will return to the status quo (with some respect in the mix) for book ten.
May 14, 2010
I have loved all of Emily Brightwell's Mrs. Jeffries stories. They are fun to read with warm, funny characters. These are feel good books. This one stands out a bit though. The plot takes a very different kind of turn. The ending is a wonderful surprise.
August 6, 2018
It's always a pleasure to visit the staff of Edmonston Gardens. Same structure, same characters, same level of enjoyment!
December 4, 2020
It's about time the inspector solved his own dang cases. Well done!
July 31, 2018
In Victorian times, Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon has no idea that his household staff help him solve murders--in fact, they kind of live for it. This newest murder is different, though--a successful pub owner is found murdered on the opening night in his new, upscale establishment. But thought housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries deploys her staff as usual, hunting for clues, they're stymied by the Inspector's sudden close-mouthed-ness about the case. Generally he fills in Mrs. Jeffries on all the details, which helps with their investigations, but this time he's determined to solve it by listening to his "inner voice"--but he doesn't know that Mrs. Jeffries invented that notion during an earlier case. Now the staff is frustrated by following clues without all the information they need, and they're all terrified that the Inspector will make a muff of it and get demoted back to the records room, which will mean they have nothing to look forward to but lives of dull work. Will a miracle occur, allowing the Inspector to properly solve the murder alone, for once?
I love this series, which is totally unbelievable but delightful, and the reader of the audiobooks does a good job--she doesn't overdo the voices. I liked in this one that Wiggins, the footman, was bothered by their excitement over "getting us a new murder"--exploring the notion that it's not all that comfortable to know that someone has to die for them to get the excitement of investigating. I also liked that the author gave Inspector Witherspoon some credit for brains of his own in this one, because he's not an idiot--just a bit naive. His staff all love him for his courtesy and kindness, but they sometimes forget that he does have brains.
I love this series, which is totally unbelievable but delightful, and the reader of the audiobooks does a good job--she doesn't overdo the voices. I liked in this one that Wiggins, the footman, was bothered by their excitement over "getting us a new murder"--exploring the notion that it's not all that comfortable to know that someone has to die for them to get the excitement of investigating. I also liked that the author gave Inspector Witherspoon some credit for brains of his own in this one, because he's not an idiot--just a bit naive. His staff all love him for his courtesy and kindness, but they sometimes forget that he does have brains.
July 4, 2024
When a publican is murdered in his own pub on opening day (his birthday to boot!), Scotland Yard Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is assigned to investigate; the problem is that there were a lot of people in the pub, a huge percentage of those people had reason to hate the publican, and everybody’s attention had been drawn away at the crucial moment, in order to watch a fight that was unfolding in the street outside. Mrs. Jeffries, housekeeper to the Inspector, and her fellow servants - Betsy the maid, Wiggins the footman, Smythe the coachman and Mrs. Goodge the cook - are ready to help with the investigation, but this time the Inspector is keeping the details of the crime to himself and following his own “inner voice” to solve the case. But if the Inspector follows his instincts, it’s sure that the culprit will go free and he himself will be back in the records room in disgrace in no time - and Mrs. Jeffries can’t let that happen…. The ninth book in the long-running Victorian cozy series holds several surprises, in particular the fact that the Inspector, hitherto an endearing, very kind but not too intelligent character, seems to finally be developing a detective’s sensibility and instinct! Very enjoyable, especially because the suspects in this case range through a good portion, if not the entirety, of the English social classes of the time, which the author does a good job of depicting without resorting to worn-out cliches. Recommended.
September 19, 2025
Good intentions can sometimes lead to unexpected complications. Mrs. Jeffries, the astute housekeeper for Scotland Yard Inspector Gerald Witherspoon, has often encouraged him to trust his instincts in past cases.
In this book, her advice backfires when a widely disliked bar owner meets a deadly end on his birthday, stabbed in a shocking murder. Assigned to the case, Witherspoon decides to keep his observations private, withholding critical details from his loyal household staff. This secrecy frustrates the staff, which relies on those insights to covertly assist in solving the murder and ensure his success at Scotland Yard.
The author skillfully highlights the resourcefulness and devotion of Witherspoon’s staff, showcasing its unwavering commitment to the inspector’s triumph. As the investigation deepens, the bar owner’s death isn’t the only tragedy, pushing the staff to work harder to unravel the crime while navigating Witherspoon’s self-imposed silence.
This light, cozy mystery earns three stars for its quick pace and enjoyable read, perfect for a relaxing escape.
In this book, her advice backfires when a widely disliked bar owner meets a deadly end on his birthday, stabbed in a shocking murder. Assigned to the case, Witherspoon decides to keep his observations private, withholding critical details from his loyal household staff. This secrecy frustrates the staff, which relies on those insights to covertly assist in solving the murder and ensure his success at Scotland Yard.
The author skillfully highlights the resourcefulness and devotion of Witherspoon’s staff, showcasing its unwavering commitment to the inspector’s triumph. As the investigation deepens, the bar owner’s death isn’t the only tragedy, pushing the staff to work harder to unravel the crime while navigating Witherspoon’s self-imposed silence.
This light, cozy mystery earns three stars for its quick pace and enjoyable read, perfect for a relaxing escape.
August 18, 2019
Audiobook-reader, Lindy Nettleton, is good but could be better.
These are enjoyable, cozy mysteries in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining, and you become attached to them. Their stories and relationships evolve over time. The mystery itself is good, too. The premise is a little silly--that the servants can solve the mystery without the inspector finding out. In this novel, he figures it out himself. Does a clever job of it. I believe that if I read these in print, it would be easier to swallow. Having the reader doing the characters full blown and sometimes a little over the top in their lines makes it closer to farce than I would like. If I was reading it myself, I could gloss over those parts in a more casual style, especially the character of Mrs. Crookshank. (All books in this series have basically the same review.)
These are enjoyable, cozy mysteries in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining, and you become attached to them. Their stories and relationships evolve over time. The mystery itself is good, too. The premise is a little silly--that the servants can solve the mystery without the inspector finding out. In this novel, he figures it out himself. Does a clever job of it. I believe that if I read these in print, it would be easier to swallow. Having the reader doing the characters full blown and sometimes a little over the top in their lines makes it closer to farce than I would like. If I was reading it myself, I could gloss over those parts in a more casual style, especially the character of Mrs. Crookshank. (All books in this series have basically the same review.)
May 28, 2021
#9. Well this one was different! Scotland Yard Investigator Witherspoon has decided to listen to his inner self, his intuition, rather than discussing what he has learned from Mrs Jeffries, who with the rest of the staff, have fed him information on all his previous cases leading to his solving them. They are finding info and suspects in the murder of a much hated publican, stabbed to death in his own elegant pub the night it opens. But the Inspector is not sharing what he’s learning, or absorbing any subtly shared facts from his staff. While he clams to be about ready to make an arrest, they are feeling totally left out.
(Mrs. Jeffries Takes Res at Three holds books #7,8,&9.)
(Mrs. Jeffries Takes Res at Three holds books #7,8,&9.)
October 27, 2023
Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected (Mrs. Jeffries, #9) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) October 14, 2023
Well, Mrs. Jeffries has really done it this time. She has always encourage the good Inspector to use his head and in this one, he does just that, leaving Mrs. Jeffries and the staff out of the loop about a local publican’s murder.
The staff are concerned that he will get the murderer wrong and the crew are afraid of those consequences. However, when Insector Witherspoon does solve the case and solves it correctly, he makes a startling discovery about his sleuthing skills.
I didn’t like this one as much, but still an interesting plot.
Two stars.
Well, Mrs. Jeffries has really done it this time. She has always encourage the good Inspector to use his head and in this one, he does just that, leaving Mrs. Jeffries and the staff out of the loop about a local publican’s murder.
The staff are concerned that he will get the murderer wrong and the crew are afraid of those consequences. However, when Insector Witherspoon does solve the case and solves it correctly, he makes a startling discovery about his sleuthing skills.
I didn’t like this one as much, but still an interesting plot.
Two stars.
October 6, 2024
Witherspoon solves this one on his own!
This had quite a twist. The inspector doesn't talk to Mrs. Jeffries. The household investigates on their own.
They are sure that the inspector will arrest the wrong person and be back in the records room.
I took off a star because Mrs. Jeffries annoyed me all through the book. She totally discounts many things bc “they couldn't have anything to do with the murder.” Turns out that these were the clues that were the most important.
The inspector caught the real killer through an excellent plan. I hope that means that the household will look at him differently now
Still a good read, despite being annoyed.
This had quite a twist. The inspector doesn't talk to Mrs. Jeffries. The household investigates on their own.
They are sure that the inspector will arrest the wrong person and be back in the records room.
I took off a star because Mrs. Jeffries annoyed me all through the book. She totally discounts many things bc “they couldn't have anything to do with the murder.” Turns out that these were the clues that were the most important.
The inspector caught the real killer through an excellent plan. I hope that means that the household will look at him differently now
Still a good read, despite being annoyed.
July 11, 2021
Hard to believe it but there is a case that Mrs. Jeffries and staff are having a hard time solving. It seems Inspector Witherspoon is using his inner voice and not giving out any information to his staff about his latest murder. What will they do? A public house owner is killed in his tap room but who did it? Was a fight outside the pub part of the murder or was the backdoor open and someone got in to kill him? Who would want to kill him - everyone! It seems no one liked the man. How will they ever find out who the killer is with so many suspects?
November 27, 2019
Emboldened by Mrs Jeffries compliments, Detective Witherspoon has decided to listen to his “inner voice” and not use Mrs Jeffries as a sounding board for this case. Anyone familiar with this series is probably thinking ‘oh dear’ at the prospect of Witherspoon handling this solo. But maybe, just maybe we haven’t given the detective the credit he deserves... maybe.
The case is the murder of a bar owner, he was not well liked and so there are numerous suspects. Poor Mrs Jeffries and co are heading in blind trying to find out as much as possible to assist the detective. They fear the detective won’t be able to cope without them and when he is outed as a bumbling nitwit their murder solving days will be over.
But can the detective cope on his own? Can the gang cope without being needed? Is the murderer going to walk free?
I really enjoyed this instalment as it was a change in pace and style to normal. I thoroughly enjoy this series and am eager to continue it.
The case is the murder of a bar owner, he was not well liked and so there are numerous suspects. Poor Mrs Jeffries and co are heading in blind trying to find out as much as possible to assist the detective. They fear the detective won’t be able to cope without them and when he is outed as a bumbling nitwit their murder solving days will be over.
But can the detective cope on his own? Can the gang cope without being needed? Is the murderer going to walk free?
I really enjoyed this instalment as it was a change in pace and style to normal. I thoroughly enjoy this series and am eager to continue it.
December 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, because for once Inspector Witherspoon does the investigating on his own. His employees are not of much help, mainly because he is not discussing the case with Mrs. Jeffries, so her team is stumbling around trying to find clues on their own. The reader, too, has to figure out what to investigate and how to determine what clues have relevance and which don't. It was almost fun.
April 15, 2019
Delightful. When I need a vacation I head to Upper Edmonton Gardens and a visit with Mrs. Jeffries and the gang. This book was a bit different when it came to the snooping side of things, and the way the Inspector "figures out" who-dunnit was also different as well as a pleasant surprise.
I highly recommend this cozy!
I highly recommend this cozy!
February 5, 2020
This review is based on the audio book. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as I've enjoyed others in the series - the Inspector in particular just seemed to be acting out of character for no particularly good reason. Though the mystery itself was enjoyable, and of course Mrs. Jeffries and the rest are always worth visiting.
March 20, 2021
Love this series of books. The characters and the way they interact are part of the way it keeps a readers interest. In this book however, the inspector does not disclose any of the case to his housekeeper. They carry out their own investigations and the inspector decides to listen to his internal voice. Great story line.
August 12, 2021
Extra Excellent!
I really enjoy the Mrs Jeffries series, and this one was particularly entertaining and fun.
I don't want to risk spoilers, so cryptically, what I've been wishing for through eight books finally happened, and now I'm even more so looking forward to the next book!
Enjoy this excellent book!
I really enjoy the Mrs Jeffries series, and this one was particularly entertaining and fun.
I don't want to risk spoilers, so cryptically, what I've been wishing for through eight books finally happened, and now I'm even more so looking forward to the next book!
Enjoy this excellent book!
June 20, 2022
Just when you think you have established the pattern for the Mrs. Jeffries series, here comes the curve ball. Can Inspector Witherspoon solve a murder without the aid of his faithful staff? The nervous systems of the staff really get tested as well as Mrs. Jeffries abilities to control the Inspector. The solution to the murder puts our respect for the Inspector back on firm footing.
January 19, 2024
I wonder how thrilled the Inspector would be if he knew how inept his staff thought he was at investigating. Their constant doubt concerning his abilities got on my nerve. It was a good mystery, although I had the culprit nailed fairly quickly. But I thought the Inspector's plan to nab the killer was brilliant, and his staff should have more faith.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews