Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Laid Plans

Mrs. Jeffries #22

by Emily Brightwell, Jennifer M. Dixon (Narrator)

She keeps house for Inspector Witherspoon . . . and keeps him on his toes. Everyone's awed by his Scotland Yard successes-but they don't know about his secret weapon. No matter how messy the murder or how dirty the deed, Mrs. Jeffries's polished detection skills are up to the task . . . proving that behind every great man there's a woman-and that a crimesolver's work is never done. A friendless old miser, banker Lawrence Boyd, is found dead at home. Called to the scene, Inspector Witherspoon is lucky to have Mrs. Jeffries's help-since the list of suspects includes just about everyone Boyd's ever met.

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

Audio CD

First published May 1, 2007

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

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really am enjoying this cozy series as I've really fallen in love with these characters. Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff are not only loyal to Inspector Witherspoon but truly care about him and justice to be served.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there were plenty of suspects, the more one learned, the more one leaned towards a specific one as the murderer. It gave me the chills as I put it all together. Evading Nivens' spies was entertaining and worrisome. I hope Smythe didn't overplay his hand. The rest of the team were having trouble splitting their time between Smythe and Betsy's upcoming wedding and the murder investigation. Highly entertaining.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. Another fun book.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ended on a cliff hanger. Going to have to check out the next one!!

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great mystery which as Mrs. Jeffries & The Inspector are on the case of a hated banker that ends up murdered and set on fire in his Art Cottage. Highly Recommend It!

[Lola Soojin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally hearing the Inspector stand up for himself was awesome, I feel like a proud mother. But goodness, that ending got me.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody is terribly upset when someone murders banker Lawrence Boyd - he had many enemies and no friends. The murderer tried to cover up the murder by setting fire to the studio where Boyd was painting, but the police quickly catch on and Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is assigned the case. There are a lot of suspects and it will take time to question them all, but Witherspoon needs to solve the case fast because his rival, Inspector Nigel Nivens, will do anything to discredit him. Luckily Witherspoon has some help - unbeknownst to him his household staff, led by his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries, have helped him solve cases in the past and are eager to work on this one, especially since it will take maid Betsy's mind off her upcoming wedding to coachman Smythe. But the staff needs to be very cautious as they investigate this one - not only do they not want Witherspoon to catch on to what they are doing, but someone is following footman Wiggins as he investigates and they are afraid that someone even higher up in the police department will realize that Witherspoon is not solving these murder cases alone.

"Mrs. Jeffries and The Best Laid Plans" is another delightful entry in a cozy mystery series that never disappoints. One of the things that make this series so good is the characters and they are at their best in this book. You can just picture Mrs. Jeffries, Mrs. Goodge, Wiggins, Betsy, and Smythe sitting around the table talking to the wonderfully eccentric American Luty and her butler Hatchet who also help solve the cases. While Witherspoon remains blissfully unaware that his staff is helping him, he is hardly a buffoon and uncovers several useful clues himself. He has a wonderful scene in this book when he confronts Nivens and shows some real backbone. Constable Barnes, his partner, is also well written, fully aware that the staff is helping solve the case, he is happy to pass clues their way. The mystery is set in Victorian England and author Emily Brightwell does a perfect job in capturing that time period and bits of that era are weaved throughout the book like when Witherspoon is amazed by someone using a typewriter. The mystery itself is well written and well plotted with plenty of suspects and red herrings. Careful readers will figure out the murderer at the same time that Mrs. Jeffries does which is very clever writing on Brightwell's part.

Longtime readers of the series may be surprised and a bit disappointed by something that happens at the end of the book. Now I can't wait until the next book comes out in October to find out what happens next.

[The Hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lawrence Boyd, banker and painter, was murdered in his painting studio. His head was crushed in with a heavy object and the studio was set on fire. Fortunately, Boyd's typist was in the house and she ran for the fire brigade. When Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes began investigating the murder, they quickly learned that absolutely no one liked Lawrence Boyd - not his servants, not the workers at his bank, not the men who served with him on his many charitable boards. So many hated the man! Mrs Jeffries and the rest of the Inspector's household staff had their work to do. So many of the suspects had hated Boyd for more than 20 years; why murder the man now? Which of the suspects would benefit NOW from having Lawrence Boyd out of the picture. That's what Mrs Jeffries and her cohorts are determined to discover and then pass on to Inspector Witherspoon to arrest the murderer. Well-plotted and just enough suspects and red herrings to make this book a page-turner.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable, quick read. Inspector Witherspoon is a successfull and respected murder investigator. What he doesn't know is that his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, and his other household staff help him solve his cases by doing their own investigation and dropping him hints. This time, an unpopular banker dies, and Mrs. Jeffries and her team must help the inspector find the murderer before it's too late - and before his nemesis Nivens can take the case away from him.

I breezed through this book - great for light reading.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little longer to get into this one, probably because it started off a little slower than the others. Instead of having the murder right at the start, it begins with Betsey stressing out over wedding plans, which I found to be a bit dull. Once it got moving though, I enjoyed the story a great deal and the ending was a surprise... although also a bit of a disappointment because I feel like I've been waiting for this wedding to happen for ages now!

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another challenge for Mrs Jeffries and the household of Inspector Witherspoon. As the book opens, housemaid Betsy is stressed about her upcoming wedding to the coachman Smythe and the road of love gets very rocky in this book.
I find the crime investigations being combined with the household's family affairs make this series very interesting.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun, easy, enjoyable read. It is, however, more enjoyable if you don't think about the plot overly much.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 22 in the Victorian era series, is Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Land Plans is another win win for me; I'm hooked on this series. So is one of my co-workers who I'm passing along each book when I finish it. Though I haven't read them all in order, and many I have missed, I look forward to reading each of what I do have. I have 9 left sitting in my bookcase. I'm always on the hunt for more in my Goodwill or any other second hand book stores I'll occasionally visit.

This time around, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon's house staff set out to help their beloved boss find who killed banker Lawrence Boyd, a not a very well liked man. No one is sorry to see him dead. No one grieves for him. In fact, he was to host a luncheon at his home that very same day and while his body was found, his guests are hungry, and sit down to eat their meal.
Found dead in his partly burnt-out studio with a gash to the back of his head, the killer didn't plan it very well. The whole studio was to be burnt down.

Just under half way way through the novel, I made a guess as to who the killer was and I was correct! It's always fun guessing correctly. It makes the story even more enjoyable! And it makes all the clues thereafter more obvious that my guess was right.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffreys and the Upper Edmunston Garden crew assist inspector Witherspoon once again in his murder investigation. It seems a bank manager and budding artist has been bludgeoned to death in his studio. Lots of suspects, because he was hated by everyone. There were several side side stories. Once more, a case of jealousy. A board position had become available and Mr. Boyd was going to get the job. Arnold has always obtained what he wanted by killing people. He killed a boy who whose position in school he wanted, he killed the fiancé of the woman he wanted to marry and now he killed Lawrence Boyd to get the charitable position. His wife turned him in after realizing he had murdered the love of her life.
Betsy and Smythe are to be married, but two days before the wedding he’s called back to Australia to help exonerate a man who saved his life.
I listen to the book and would’ve enjoyed it so much more if the narrator, Jennifer M. Dixon hadn’t made the voices for Wiggins and Betsy so much like fingernails on a blackboard. It was so unpleasant each time those two had to “speak”. I will not listen to any more books narrated by her.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lawrence Boyd is an indifferent private banker whose real passion is painting, although he may or may not be any good at it. He is also an almost uniquely unlikeable man, so when he is murdered in his studio and the assailant tries to cover up by setting the building on fire, Inspector Witherspoon finds no shortage of people who might have wanted him dead, ranging from his colleagues to his social acquaintances to his household staff to almost anybody who ever encountered him. In the meantime, Inspector Nevins is trying to find a way to get back at Inspector Witherspoon after the last fiasco, and Inspector Witherspoon’s household is preoccupied with the upcoming wedding of Betsy and Smythe, leaving them with little time to investigate the murder…. I very much enjoy the recurring characters in this series, and as usual this book features well-drawn “guest” characters and a well-constructed plot. Everything is in a lot of disarray at the end, however, and now I’m worried about what might happen next, which of course is an excellent place for a series to leave the reader, ensuring an avid pursuit of the next book! Recommended.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banker Lawrence Boyd's friend list is shorter than a second-grader's book report. That means the suspect list after his murder stretches like an airport security line the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Between bullying his staff and partners, Boyd painted--call it a hobby, or his final act. Someone slipped into the studio, bashed his head in, posed him on the couch with a cigar in hand, doused the place in turpentine, and set it alight. Ava Clark, the typist next door-known around the office as a Remington girl-saw the flames and called the fire brigade. They saved the room, but not Boyd.

Inspector Witherspoon and his team members have their work cut out for them. His household staff is juggling the investigation with wedding plans for Betsy and Smythe. On top of that, a jealous superior has planted spies on the servants to steal Witherspoon's secret sauce.

If you're hooked on the series, brace yourself for the cliffhanger at the end--I won't spoil it. Four stars: cozy, satisfying mystery fluff. Sure, the formula is familiar, but the cases stay fresh, and the characters feel like old friends. I'll be starting the next one soon.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

#22 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. The recurring and well developed helpers” are Barnes (Witherspoon’s detective sergeant), Mrs. Goodge (cook), Smythe (coachman), Betsy (maid and later Smythe’s wife), Wiggins (servant), Phyllis (maid and newest addition), Luty (wealthy American widow), Hatchet (Luty’s butler), and Ruth (next door neighbor and romantic interest for Witherspoon).

It is May and the household staff women are busy helping Betsy plan her wedding with Smythe a month away when Witherspoon is assigned another murder case.

Lawrence Boyd, a friendless, grouchy, old miser, banker is found dead at home after a fire which the murderer hoped would disguise the murder. Boyd had many enemies and no friends thus many suspects. Witherspoon needs to solve the case fast because his rival, Inspector Nigel Nivens, will do anything to discredit him and is working hard at it.

[moxieBK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries and the Best Laid Plans (Mrs. Jeffries, #22) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon (11 chapters + Epilogue) October 5-6, 2024

Betsy is planning her wedding, but her self esteem is very low considering she came from a poor family and she doesn’t want to make any wrong decisions.

When an old scrooge-like man dies in a fire at his home, there is a suspicion of murder made up to look like an accident. Unfortunately, the man had so many enemies it is hard for the gang to figure out who could’ve killed him. But not to worry, Mrs. Jeffries figures it out in time.

As for the wedding, everything s happening and coming together… until a surprising turn of events causes a lot of heartache in the Witherspoon household.

Probably one of my favorite stories of this series. It has it all: a good mystery, great teamwork to solve the case, and also, sadness.

Five stars.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A banker is murdered in his home, hours before he is to host a luncheon. The killer set a fire, trying to conceal the evidence, but the fire was found and reported before much damage was done, and Inspector Witherspoon is soon on the case, as well as his household. The banker seemed to have several enemies, including some of his luncheon guests, and the investigation takes a few wrong turns before discovering the right person. In a side story, Witherspoon’s maid Betsy and the coachman Smythe are preparing for their wedding, and the plans progress, even though everyone is busy finding a killer. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, and I hope the next installment provides the answers to the questions raised.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Banker Lawrence Boyd is murdered. Nobody is surprised to find out that he's dead. Just about everyone who knew him became an enemy. Inspector Gerald Witherspoon of the Metropolitan Police Force and Constable Barnes, discover that Boyd's head was bashed in and then his studio was set on fire. In the past, Witherspoon's housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, and the rest of the household staff have investigated murders without him being aware of their involvement. This murder is no different. I enjoyed when they got together for meetings to share what information they had collected. This book has a good story and was entertaining.

[Barb Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of Inspector Witherspoon's household staff, have their work cut out for them as they try to determine who murdered a man despised by everyone who knew him.

It has been a while since I've read one of these Victorian mysteries, so my detecting skills are rusty. I was slow to come up with the correct suspect, but I did pick up on a giant clue.

We've got news on the Betsy and Smythe wedding front, too. That news, though, won't leave everyone smiling.

Delightful as ever, Mrs. Jeffries and company do not disappoint.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Mrs. Jeffries book. This time an insufferable ass upper crust banker/painter gets murdered in his painting shed studio. Inspector Nivens is taking his threats seriously and has men dogging the heels of the staff of Upper Edmonton Gardens while they suss out who killed the old bastard. Right at the end, there's a big twist when it comes to Smythe and Betsy's wedding. I have to listen to the next asap to find out wtf Smythe!

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

The staff at Upper Edmonton Street and their friends are at it again, trying to help Inspector Witherspoon solving another murder. Meanwhile there is a wedding to plan.

The characters are quirky and fun, full of personality and engaging. The storyline flows smoothly and quickly with an interesting and unique mystery with subtle clues, numerous viable suspects and suspense. This was an engaging and entertaining story with delightful characters.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun read. :) If you enjoy Agatha Christie style mysteries, that minimize the blood and gore and maximize the riddle and the human personalities, you might enjoy this series.

Note: this was the first one I read. It's no. 22 in the Mrs. Jeffries series. I'm going to try to read a few of the earlier ones too. I could enjoy it as a one-off, but it's clear that there are overarching storylines and character developments throughout the series.

[Terry Polston · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cast of characters were easier to follow. This was an earlier book, so I guess they were explained a little better. The culprit becomes apparent but the 'why he did it' is so strange that securing a conviction is in question. The wife turns on him and 'Bobs your uncle'. Wondering if the inspector is always clueless until Mrs Jeffries puts a bug in his ear. When a universally hated man is murdered, the suspects are numerous.

[Sidna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery. Love Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff and Inspector Witherspoon. Look forward to reading more of the series.

I bought several of these books at our library used book sale a few years ago and haven't read many of them yet. I was looking for a small book to take on a trip and this one was perfect! I started reading it the day the trip started and finished it when the trip ended.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun installment from Ms. Brightwell! Mrs. Jeffries and crew assist the inspector with another case just days before Betsy and Smythe are to be married. A banker/painter is killed and the race is on to see who among his acquaintances did the deed. Satisfactory finish to the murder but a bit of a cliffhanger when with the wedding...

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale in the series. It took a while to realise who the murderer was. What an ending to the story too, certainly not what I was expecting. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Emily Brightwell leads us on a romp with Mrs. Jeffries amazing team coordinating another murder investigation with Inspector Whittington.
Who killed the hated Lawrence Boyd, banker and artist? I love the way these books weave the story to the very end and leave you begging for more.

[Kenneth Holbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review

Just like the previouse books you could think any of the people could have been the killer but you just didn't know until the end but I'm surprised by the ending of this with Smyth leaving I do hope he returns