Mrs Jeffries Rocks The Boat

Mrs. Jeffries #14

by Emily Brightwell

Mirabelle Daws travelled all the way from Australia to Sheridan Square to visit her sister - only to die in the middle of a locked garden. All the residents of Sheridan Square have a key to the garden - but no-one seemed to know that Mirabelle was planning to arrive. So the question facing Mrs. Jeffries is: who wanted to make sure that Mirabelle's visit was very, very short-lived?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Cozy

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Cheryl 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.

Reviews

[Lovely Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Ah! One of my favourite Mrs.Jeffries so far!! The mystery was intriguing, the personal stuff from the house staff was interesting, the inspector is improving…. 👏🏻👏🏻

The mystery: an unknown woman is found murdered in the courtyard of a gated in community of 7 residential homes. The gate was locked and no one knows who the woman is…

[Doward Wilson]

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 and Constable Barnes are called to a locked garden in Sheridan Square to investigate the body of an unknown woman laying on a bench. Who is she, where did she come from, how did she gain entrance to the locked garden and who knifed her to death? None of the residents can identify her, so why did she end up there? The Inspector's staff and their friends quickly rally to find out the victim's identity, who killed her and why. Another wonderful adventure in the daily lives of a group of people who have become a family, as they seek to find justice for murder victims.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to love these short books, filled each time with the same characters and structures, with lots of summing up of clues as the story unfolds. Such likeable characters & such an easy, enjoyable read.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had a nice twist to plot as Inspector Witherspoon's household once again helps him to solve a murder in a locked garden. I was proud of the Inspector this time as he was really good at ferreting out many of the clues and red herrings all on his own.

[Yibbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mrs. Jefferies Rocks the Boat by Emily Brightwell
I now remember why I gave up on this series a few years ago. While the mystery aspects of all the books are good, the surrounding story just doesn’t work for me. I like the idea of amateur sleuths helping catch crooks. What I didn’t like was the constant harping on unfair class distinctions. It just reads much too modern. I also didn’t like the constant lying. It seems every character has a scene where, as much as they don’t want to or as much as the feel guilty doing it, they somehow rationalize their way into lying to those they love or random strangers. It gets so that the story doesn’t move without several lies. There were also quite a few instances of cursing and profanity.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Brightwell is a prolific writer who has created a charming world in Victorian England. Mrs Jeffries is the canny housekeeper for Scotland Yard Inspecter Witherspoon. Mrs Jeffries and her staff of eager helpers work behind the scenes to help the Inspecter solve murders. Given the severe class distinctions in Victorian London, the Witherspoon servants can get servants and working class people to tell them information they would never share with the police. Mrs. Jeffries, a brilliant sleuth, finds her biggest challenge is finding ways to pass on these tidbits to the Inspecter without arousing his suspicions that they are meddling.

The author has created a cast of lovable, quirky characters and has brought Victorian London to life in a most enjoyable manner. For lovers of cosy mysteries, this is a must read and best of all, there are over 40 books in the series.

[Nancy Cook-senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes the inspector, his constable, and his nemesis on the force, as well as the entire staff and the neighbor's butler to put together the puzzle of why a newly arrived, nouveau riche Australian woman is killed in a quiet London garden.

[Allison Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great palate cleanser book. Not too simple, not too hard. Kinda like goldilocks’ porridge: just right for light reading in between other books.

Second hand bookstore purchase $5

[Mel]

This series is the bookish equivalent of Werthers for me. Sweet little treats. Wrappers all over the floor.

[Barb Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did it! I solved the case before Mrs. Jeffries and the gang. A woman is stabbed to death in a locked, private garden. Who is she? Who killed her? Hah! I know. Lots of gossip and chatter clutter the path to solving this crime.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the reread.

[Darell Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical events like this.
Boats and historical events are what make me love reading. Could you please share the sequel books of your series?

In fact, even though I started reading very late, I'm getting more and more immersed every day.

It is a great chance to read the books of important authors. I know that. I'm looking forward to your new books.

I am writing the importance of reading a book here for friends who want to read this book. I hope it will benefit sellers and customers...

Are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:

1. Reading Exercises the Brain

While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.

2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment

Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it’s free with your Markham Public Library card.

3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus

We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.

4. Reading Improves Literacy

Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.

5. Reading Improves Sleep

By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.

6. Reading Increases General Knowledge

Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would’ve otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.

7. Reading is Motivational

By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it’s a romance novel or a self-help book.

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[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

#14 in the Mrs. Jeffries series, I've had to backtrack some, actually quite a bit, as I found 3 in the series I hadn't read. But that was okay, because upon reading them, I realized it was kinda fun knowing where the characters are now (in later books) and where they were then (#13, #14 & #15).

Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household are back at it, helping their beloved Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard solve another murder.

This time a dead body is found in Sheridan Square, a gated garden for the residents who live at the seven houses surrounding the garden. The dead body belongs to Mirabelle Daws who came over from Australia by ship to save her sister, Annabelle from her husband Eldon Prosper. Annabelle was once the Lady's Maid in Eldon Prosper's home, but then Eldon realized he loved Annabelle and class doesn't matter. And because Annabelle hasn't been responding to Mirabelle letters, she presumes it's because her husband is abusing her. Mirabelle is newly rich, she is also not shy in telling everyone on the ship what she intends to do; she's going to rescue her sister and bring her back home to Australia. But in the voyage over to London, she has made some enemies. Did one of her kill her and why?

This series is why I love reading; it's another wonderful story with characters who feel like family.

I'm happy to say, I solved another mystery before Mrs. Jeffries did! Woot! Woot!

[Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw the numbers of books about Mrs Jefferies and her unknown sleuthing on behalf of her employer, Inspector Witherspoon, I was surprised I hadn't come across them before. Then, I read the publication details and it became clear. The books were written for an American readership, this one being first published back in 1999 in the USA, but not until 2018 in the UK. There's only a couple of giveaways in the book itself. One is the spelling of neighbour without the u, the use of gotten and several references to 'train station'. That unfortunate usage has only crept onto UK English in the past few years. Hitherto, and in times the book is set (Edwardian England?) It was always railway station. However, there are none of the egregious blunders sometime found in books written by American authors about the UK. The whole premise, that a group of servants and neighbours would investigate crimes also being investigated by their employer and him not twigging, is perhaps a little far fetched. However, the book which definitely falls into the category of cosy crime passed a few pleasant hours on a quiet Saturday. I can't see it writing more than 3* and that is perhaps a little generous. It's a pity we can't give half stars!

[The Hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mirabelle Daws , brash and newly rich, sailed from Australia to London to rescue her sister Annabelle. Her sister was a lady's maid when she began corresponding with Eldon Prosper, a rich Londoner. He was impressed with Annabelle's sense of humor and ideas. He proposed marriage, and Annabelle sailed from her native Australia to London. Their marriage appeared to be a successfulness. But her sister Mirabelle was upset that Annabelle never wrote to her; she suspected Eldon Prosper was not treating her properly. When the family mine struck it rich, Mirabelle decided to sail to England to bring her sister home. Mirabelle's ship landed in Southampton; she didn't reach London until 4:30 the next morning. By 5 AM, Mirabelle Daws was dead, stabbed in the back, in a private locked garden. The valuable opal necklace she always wore was missing. Inspector Witherspoon had to find the person who killed a woman who knew no one in England but her sister. If he found the person who stole the necklace, would he have his murderer? His housekeeper Mrs Jeffries and the Inspector's detective servants were not so sure!

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a locked private garden, a woman lies dead. No one knows who she is and the call goes out to the Inspector to solve this mysterious crime. Back at home Mrs. Jeffries and the gang are excited to start solving the murder.

This is a historical mystery set in London, England. The characters are well described and if you have read the other books in this series, they are like family. Each is carefully crafted, with distinctive personalities complete with strengths and weaknesses. The narrative switches between several characters, allowing you to get a glimpse into their thoughts, emotions, motivations and actions. The dialogue is interesting and witty. The storyline flows smoothly and at a nice pace and is filled with numerous suspects, baffling clues, danger, action and suspense. I enjoy the fact that the realities of the differences in lifestyle between the classes is discussed. I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, just like the previous books I have read.

[Wina · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. 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. this particular installment was (All books in this series have basically the same review.) This installment was particularly enjoyable. Not sure why, I just thought had some freshness and difference to it.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries Rocks the Boat (Mrs. Jeffries, #14) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Lindy Nettleton (10 chapters) November 12-13, 2023

In this story, there are some simmering tensions when Smythe and Betsy’s courting comes to ahead.

Of course, there is still a murder to solve. A man taking his dog for a walk in the communal garden discovers a dead woman lying on a bench… a woman not from the houses that have access to the gardens.

Mrs. Jefferies and the crew need to be more clever about giving clues to Inspector Witherspoon as he is getting closer to discovering their involvement.

All is right as rain in the end, although the crew's dynamics are getting a bit thin as they realize the inspector is getting better at solving his cases. They wonder if they are still needed and may perhaps be wasting their energy and money on being involved. However, they all still want to be.

Interesting tale, and I will be curious to see how this new dynamic evolves.

Three stars.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the classic locked-room mystery, but this book delivers a delightful locked-garden mystery that earns four stars for highly readable entertainment.

An unknown assailant murders Mirabelle Daws just before dawn inside a locked garden. Inspector Witherspoon, lovable yet often clueless, takes on the case and initially struggles to identify the victim.

Fortunately, his house staff leaps into action, as always. Following their clever investigative techniques makes this book a joy to read.

The story weaves a subtle theme of evolution. Witherspoon grows less clueless, sharpening his detective skills. Meanwhile, Smythe, the coachman, and Betsy, the housemaid, transform from dodging romantic tensions to embracing honesty, discovering that truth—even when tough—paves the way for a stronger relationship.

This book offers four stars of fun, engaging reading—perfect for a cozy mystery fix without diving too deep.

[Mili Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing: 5 Stars;
Characters: 5 Stars;
Plot: 2 Stars;
Entertaining: 3.5 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 3 Stars; I love the vintage feel of the cover, but the colours are off and the figures too wooden.

Total: 3 Stars;

This book is a failure for me, because I knew who the murderer was almost from the beginning. I like the characters and the author is an entertaining writer, but a mystery book without the mystery makes me wish Agatha Christie wrote more books.

Here’s hoping the next book is more mentally engaging.

Also, the author could hold back on over explaining if she wants to convince us readers that the characters are as clever as she keeps saying they are. There is a scene where Mrs. Jeffries explains something to Wiggins three times — three times! I understood her the first time, I’m sure Wiggins would have, too.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman was found dead in a private garden by a dog and his man. There are only seven homes that have access to this private garden. Only eight keys; one for each home and one for the gardener. How could someone get into the garden? There is no identification, or anything else found around the body. Mrs. Jeffries and her staff manage find out who the woman was and use one of their methods to notify Inspector Witherspoon of the identification. It seems Mirabelle Daws had just arrived from Australia and wound up stabbed to death. Who killed Ms. Daws? The Inspector has to find out who did this, and why. No one seemed to know that Mirabelle Daws was even coming to London. I have to say that this was a very good mystery! There is a twist ending to this book! I never would have guessed how this ended.

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is impressing me the most about these books is the character development of the regulars. Inspector Witherspoon isn't exactly an idiot, but his naivety is a bit unbelievable given how he must have risen through the ranks in order to achieve "inspector," and yet, here he is, solving the most heinous of crimes, but only with the help of his household staff. And yet, as I move further and further through this series, I'm seeing the Inspector learn and grow as a detective, and he is getting better and better at finding clues and solving the crimes. His staff still helps him, but he's not the same kind of inspector that he was in book 1. That is some very clever writing and character development.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman is murdered in a posh garden, one to which only the residents of the seven houses on the square, and the gardener, have a key. It doesn't take long for Inspector Gerald Witherspoon of Scotland Yard to discover her identity (that is, after Mrs. Jeffries and the household staff anonymously identify her for him), but why a stranger from Australia should be killed in London is anyone's guess….The 14th Mrs. Jeffries cozy plays on some old tropes - identity in particular - but Detective Witherspoon is getting smarter as he goes along, and Mrs. Jeffries worries that he might not need the staff anymore. Also, relations between the progress nicely, which I like. Recommended. Read on vacation, hence this short review.

[Sherry]

#14- murder of a tall lanky woman, Australian sister Mirabelle to Mrs Annabelle Daws Prosper, who had been a maid to Mrs Moulton in Australia before coming to England to marry very wealthy Eldon Prosper, with whom she’d been corresponding for a year and more. Mr Prosper’s sister Mrs McCabe lives with them as she had before they had married.
Where is the long necklace of opals and diamonds Mirabelle always wore on the ship from Australia?
Wildly convoluted mystery, that finally comes right at the grave as Mrs. Jeffries and her intrepid team ull our all stops and tricks, including the American con man, Rollo Puffy!

[Jeanette C. Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is #14 in a favourite series. Mrs. Jefferies is housekeeper to Inspector Witherspoon in Victorian London. She, along with the rest of the household staff, help the Inspector discover why a newly arrived Australian woman is murdered in a private garden area. No one admits to knowing her and, initially, the police don't even know her identity. Through ingenuity and using their various skills and contacts, Mrs. Jeffries and her staff discover not only who the woman is but who she is related to and why she was killed. Well written with just enough red herrings and clues to keep me reading much too late into the night.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The boat in question is a ship from Australia. I liked the assumed identity twist and how it was discovered. While it's great that Inspector Witherspoon is improving in his detective work (thanks in no small part to Mrs. Jeffries), I wonder where this leaves Mrs. Jeffries and the household in their investigative efforts. And FINALLY! Betsy and Smythe--wahoo! Changes are afoot.
How much longer can the household maintain the secrecy of its efforts to aid the Inspector in his detective work?

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman’s body is found in a private garden. She’s been stabbed multiple times, but no one seems to know who she is and there is nothing on her person to identify her. Since only seven people have keys to enter the garden, Inspector Witherspoon should be able to identify the killer quickly, but there’s more to the case than he expects. The household staff does their usual sleuthing, although the inspector seems to find answers as quickly as they do. Smythe and Betsy’s romance suffers a rocky patch as well.

[Kati · Rating 2 out of 5]

This time around, the culprit was very obvious almost from the beginning and the way the author kept having the sleuths miss the clues - absolutely glaring clues, too! - had me so frustrated. At one point, I almost yelled out loud, "Look at the damn photograph, you fools!" The inspector is getting so much better at investigating, though! I love his character progress. Also, I'm so glad the whole issue with Smythe and his money is finally solved, at least where Betsy is concerned. It was really starting to drag.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#14 in the end of the 19th century London based mystery series in which Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon's domestic staff headed by Mrs. Jefferies, without his knowledge, work to help him solve his murder cases.

In this case, Mirabelle Daws travelled all the way from Australia to Sheridan Square to visit her sister - only to die in the middle of a locked garden. All the residents of Sheridan Square have a key to the garden so who is the murderer and why?

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loads of red herrings!
By the time it was revealed that the disgraced and penniless lady who accompanied her maid, Adelaide Daws, to London to marry a very wealthy man, had actually dumped the maid into the Thames and assumed her identity. When the maid’s sister, Mirabelle, came to London, the former lady had to kill her so she wouldn’t expose her.
Glad it was finally solved and Betsy and Smythe were engaged.