The Miss Silver Mysteries Volume Four: Dark Threat, Latter End, and Wicked Uncle

by Patricia Wentworth

Three cozy mysteries in the “timelessly charming” historical series featuring a retired English governess who finds a second calling as a detective (Charlotte MacLeod).   Meet Miss Maud Silver, a retired governess and “little old lady who nobody notices, but who in turn notices everything” (Paula Gosling, author of the Jack Stryker mystery series).  Dark Judy Elliot leaves war-torn London for a job as a maid in the peaceful countryside.  But something’s not right at the house known as Pilgrim’s Rest. Fortunately Miss Silver is skilled at shedding light on deadly secrets . . .  Latter Wealthy Mrs. Lois Latter thinks she has everything, but that doesn’t stop someone from giving her poison. And with the late matron’s long list of enemies, Miss Silver has her work cut out for her . . .  Wicked Gregory Porlock didn’t become one of Britain’s most powerful men by following the rules. But when he’s found with a knife in his back, the game is over. Now Miss Maud Silver must deduce who’s playing dirty.

Genres: Mystery

877 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2018

About the author

Patricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.

She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.

She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.

Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.

Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.

Reviews

[Heatherinblack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more impressive solution

This was another book where I was saying from the first page, “When is someone going to kill him?” Some of the things that the police let some of the characters get away with seemed quite dastardly. Would they really do that? Miss Silver had the answers this time because she paid attention to details. We all should.

[Marilyn Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this collection four stars mainly because of Dark Threat, which I read as Pilgrims Rest. This was a five-star read with a large dose of Miss Silver. Latter End was also about an estate that struck me as unbelievable with a main character, a woman who was too bad to be true. I still enjoyed it.
Wicked Uncle was my least favorite, drawn out, and Miss Silver was only in it for a short time. She solved the crime at 85% and the ending was satisfying, but the pacing was way off. 2 stars. I loved the first novel so much; I give the collection a solid four stars.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the investigations of the indomitable Miss Maude Silver, retired governess and Private Investigator. Two of her former students are with Scotland Yard and are, sometimes, happy to find her involved in their investigations. She usually appears about about a third of the way into the novel and with her gentle way and perpetual knitting she makes her clients feel relaxed and comfortable. She makes an appearance as a house guest so she can solve the case. When Inspector Lamb and Detective Abbott appear she's able to provide the clues and insights to solve the case. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I've just discovered that Wentworth wrote a series about Lamb and Abbott and their cases without Miss Maude.

[Trenton Twining · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike many / most / all other mystery writers, Wentworth focuses on the people surrounding the crime. This serves to make her stories: more emotionally invoking and also to cover the skeleton of the story with some flesh. Very well worth reading; I suspect that they'll be worth re-reading despite knowing, at the out-set, the solution.

[Maureen Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Miss Silver series

Christie’s Poirot used green cells. Miss Silver uses a deep knowledge and wisdom. It’s a feminine roll model—unmarried and unapologetic about it, the heroine proceeds, insinuating herself into people’s confidences while knitting socks for a nephew or something for her niece’s baby.

[B Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite mystery author

This is my favorite mystery author. The characters are genuine and the developed are believable. I try very hard to savor each book and not read them quickly.

[Carol Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Silver is the best

I have enjoyed every Patricia Wentworth book featuring Miss Silver.
I have recommended them to everyone who is a misters buff.

[Patricia Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice combo of books

Yes it’s a nice combo of books. I did enjoy the first two books rather a lot. The last book - not quite as much

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightfully cozy. I've been on a Miss Silver binge lately, and it's been just the right thing for an overtaxed brain. One wouldn't want an ongoing diet of nothing but Patricia Wentworth, but she's a delight when one wants a relaxing book. And these three novels are a good collection.

[Silvio111 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for DARK THREAT.
I have read more than a dozen Miss Silver mysteries at this point. This one has the best plot ever. Nice wrap up too.

You really can't go wrong with Miss Silver.