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Lady Eleanor Swift #5
Mystery by the Sea
A magnificent seaside hotel, striped deckchairs, strawberry ice cream... and a rather familiar dead body? Lady Swift is on the case!
Spring, 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift, explorer extraordinaire and accidental sleuth, hasn't had a vacation since she arrived in England a year ago. Being an amateur detective can be a rather tiring business and she is determined to escape any more murder and mysteries. So she books into the Grand Hotel in the fashionable resort of Brighton for some fresh air, fish and chips and, of course, a dip in the ocean.
Eleanor is enjoying her view of the waves and trying to find her bathing suit when calamity strikes: a guest has been found dead at her beautiful hotel. The distraught manager, who can't afford a scandal, asks Eleanor to solve the case as swiftly as possible. Thank goodness she has her partner in crime - Gladstone the bulldog - to help her sniff out the dastardly culprit.
But when Eleanor enters the dead man's room, she receives a shock big enough to make her forget even the finest ice cream sundae. The body is that of her husband, who supposedly died six years ago on the other side of the world. Has he been alive all these years? Why does he have a copy of their wedding photograph with a cryptic message written on the back? If Eleanor can keep herself safe long enough to find her husband's killer, she might discover that everything is not quite as it seems beside the seaside...
A warm and witty whodunnit! Fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and L.B. Hathaway will be utterly charmed by this addictive and absolutely gripping page-turner.
Readers are totally addicted to Verity Bright!
'Can I give it six stars please?... Pretty much perfect... Bright has the amazing gift of bringing the reader into that world where the characters are alive.' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I was literally on the edge of my seat until the last page trying to figure out the mystery. It's an adorable, captivating book.' Washington Life Magazine
Spring, 1921. Lady Eleanor Swift, explorer extraordinaire and accidental sleuth, hasn't had a vacation since she arrived in England a year ago. Being an amateur detective can be a rather tiring business and she is determined to escape any more murder and mysteries. So she books into the Grand Hotel in the fashionable resort of Brighton for some fresh air, fish and chips and, of course, a dip in the ocean.
Eleanor is enjoying her view of the waves and trying to find her bathing suit when calamity strikes: a guest has been found dead at her beautiful hotel. The distraught manager, who can't afford a scandal, asks Eleanor to solve the case as swiftly as possible. Thank goodness she has her partner in crime - Gladstone the bulldog - to help her sniff out the dastardly culprit.
But when Eleanor enters the dead man's room, she receives a shock big enough to make her forget even the finest ice cream sundae. The body is that of her husband, who supposedly died six years ago on the other side of the world. Has he been alive all these years? Why does he have a copy of their wedding photograph with a cryptic message written on the back? If Eleanor can keep herself safe long enough to find her husband's killer, she might discover that everything is not quite as it seems beside the seaside...
A warm and witty whodunnit! Fans of Agatha Christie, T E Kinsey and L.B. Hathaway will be utterly charmed by this addictive and absolutely gripping page-turner.
Readers are totally addicted to Verity Bright!
'Can I give it six stars please?... Pretty much perfect... Bright has the amazing gift of bringing the reader into that world where the characters are alive.' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'I was literally on the edge of my seat until the last page trying to figure out the mystery. It's an adorable, captivating book.' Washington Life Magazine
286 pages, Paperback
First published March 11, 2021
2095 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
About the author
Verity Bright
26 books381 followersVerity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
May 10, 2021
Lady Eleanor Swift returns fairly swiftly (sorry) after her Christmas adventure and she’s off on her hols to celebrate her thirtieth birthday in Brighton, staying at The Grand Hotel. Obviously, Ellie being Ellie the staff will join her too and she’s driven down by loyal butler Clifford. However, they arrive to find something very odd going on with very close links to Eleanor’s past.
First of all, the writing captures and evokes the early 1920’s so well. The style is lively, engaging and the company of such food literary companions (not forgetting Master Gladstone the bulldog) is positively spiffing! I love the gentle humour, the colourful and vivid descriptions of places and characters and the use of Brighton famous landmarks adds additional atmosphere. The author weaves historical information both of Brighton and South Africa into the plot and I like that angle. The pace is fast, it’s twisty, quite dramatic and mysterious and highly entertaining. There are plenty of suspects in this one which link well into the story, keeping you engaged to learn who dunnit with the conclusion and unmasking of the villain of the piece a good surprise.
Overall, this is a fun ‘cozy mystery’ with Lady Eleanor and Clifford as amateur detectives being very much in the spirit of famous writers of this genre and time period. Lady E with her auburn locks, generous spirit and very hearty appetite is a wonderful central character. This is a perfect for right now escapist read in entertaining company. I love the cover which is so evocative of the period.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
First of all, the writing captures and evokes the early 1920’s so well. The style is lively, engaging and the company of such food literary companions (not forgetting Master Gladstone the bulldog) is positively spiffing! I love the gentle humour, the colourful and vivid descriptions of places and characters and the use of Brighton famous landmarks adds additional atmosphere. The author weaves historical information both of Brighton and South Africa into the plot and I like that angle. The pace is fast, it’s twisty, quite dramatic and mysterious and highly entertaining. There are plenty of suspects in this one which link well into the story, keeping you engaged to learn who dunnit with the conclusion and unmasking of the villain of the piece a good surprise.
Overall, this is a fun ‘cozy mystery’ with Lady Eleanor and Clifford as amateur detectives being very much in the spirit of famous writers of this genre and time period. Lady E with her auburn locks, generous spirit and very hearty appetite is a wonderful central character. This is a perfect for right now escapist read in entertaining company. I love the cover which is so evocative of the period.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
March 5, 2021
Lady Eleanor is off on her holidays and of course she takes her staff too so they can all have some R&R in off season Brighton. As usual events intervene and Ellie and her butler Clifford find themselves investigating another murder, that of someone very well known to Ellie. They all still have lots of fun and eat huge amounts of good old English food. (treacle pudding and custard anyone?)
I love the humorous interchanges between Lady Eleanor and Clifford. I really enjoyed the further developments in her romantic involvement - at the current speed we will need about five more books before they get close to a relationship! The author writes beautifully, the mystery is excellent, I never came close to guessing who dunnit and the cover of the book is just beautiful.
The perfect package. I cannot wait for book 6.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I love the humorous interchanges between Lady Eleanor and Clifford. I really enjoyed the further developments in her romantic involvement - at the current speed we will need about five more books before they get close to a relationship! The author writes beautifully, the mystery is excellent, I never came close to guessing who dunnit and the cover of the book is just beautiful.
The perfect package. I cannot wait for book 6.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 4, 2021
As Lady Eleanor Swift arrived at the Grange in Brighton, England, for their much longed-for holiday, the lack of staff in the foyer had Clifford ringing the bell. When men carrying a stretcher walked toward her, followed by a policeman, Ellie was on hand when the covering sheet fell to the floor. When she saw who was lying on the stretcher, Ellie collapsed in a dead faint…
When the local policeman decided Lady Swift was a suspect in the mysterious death of the man who was her husband – the husband she’d thought dead the past six years – she tried to protest her innocence. But he didn’t believe her; consequently, she and Clifford decided to investigate themselves to find the killer. But when the staff of Henley Hall arrived the following day, Clifford and Ellie decided not to include them in their search – to let them enjoy their holiday.
The suspects were many, so could Ellie and Clifford narrow it down? When a second body was found, they realized the danger was increasing, as some would believe Ellie held what was the killer’s motive. Would they uncover the murderer before there were more bodies by the seaside?
Mystery by the Sea is the 5th in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and once again it was written with humour, hidden clues and dastardly criminals. Ellie and Clifford – along with Gladstone – make a great sleuthing team, and I am very much looking forward to #6. The characters are all exceptional and the setting in 1921 after the first world war works well. Another thoroughly enjoyable episode, Mystery by the Sea is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When the local policeman decided Lady Swift was a suspect in the mysterious death of the man who was her husband – the husband she’d thought dead the past six years – she tried to protest her innocence. But he didn’t believe her; consequently, she and Clifford decided to investigate themselves to find the killer. But when the staff of Henley Hall arrived the following day, Clifford and Ellie decided not to include them in their search – to let them enjoy their holiday.
The suspects were many, so could Ellie and Clifford narrow it down? When a second body was found, they realized the danger was increasing, as some would believe Ellie held what was the killer’s motive. Would they uncover the murderer before there were more bodies by the seaside?
Mystery by the Sea is the 5th in A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and once again it was written with humour, hidden clues and dastardly criminals. Ellie and Clifford – along with Gladstone – make a great sleuthing team, and I am very much looking forward to #6. The characters are all exceptional and the setting in 1921 after the first world war works well. Another thoroughly enjoyable episode, Mystery by the Sea is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
Lady Swift's 30th birthday deserves a celebration so she takes her whole household off to Brighton to enjoy some well deserved vacation after the events that took place during Christmas at Henley Hall. But as soon as she enters The Grand Hotel she encounters a body being removed by the police and to her surprise, the dead guy is not a stranger.
As per usual this book was pure and fun escapism. Once again the 1920s are perfectly portrayed. The change of scenery was really nice and all the talk and descriptions of Brighton's landmarks made me wanna go visit (although I had to settle for googling them). The historical context and information provided made the cozy mystery plot even more interesting.
The level of cuteness of all the characters just keeps growing and growing. Ellie and Clifford are a fantastic duo of amateur sleuths; it was so much fun reading about the household women having the time of their lives (much to Clifford's chagrin), and I'm so curious to see how this new relationship with Inspector Seldon develops.
Suspects were aplenty and this time the culprit didn't even cross my mind once. The whole story had a locked room mystery feel that I loved.
Fun historical cozy mystery with doses of humour and a set of characters you'll love from the start.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Swift's 30th birthday deserves a celebration so she takes her whole household off to Brighton to enjoy some well deserved vacation after the events that took place during Christmas at Henley Hall. But as soon as she enters The Grand Hotel she encounters a body being removed by the police and to her surprise, the dead guy is not a stranger.
As per usual this book was pure and fun escapism. Once again the 1920s are perfectly portrayed. The change of scenery was really nice and all the talk and descriptions of Brighton's landmarks made me wanna go visit (although I had to settle for googling them). The historical context and information provided made the cozy mystery plot even more interesting.
The level of cuteness of all the characters just keeps growing and growing. Ellie and Clifford are a fantastic duo of amateur sleuths; it was so much fun reading about the household women having the time of their lives (much to Clifford's chagrin), and I'm so curious to see how this new relationship with Inspector Seldon develops.
Suspects were aplenty and this time the culprit didn't even cross my mind once. The whole story had a locked room mystery feel that I loved.
Fun historical cozy mystery with doses of humour and a set of characters you'll love from the start.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
One of her most treasured memories filtered into her mind. Her mother tucking her up in bed after an upsetting experience and whispering, ‘Sleep well, darling girl. All will be fine, I promise, because tomorrow doesn’t know what happened today.’
He is absolutely wonderful, genuinely. Yet at least twice a day I want to boil his head.
Widowed? Twice, as well. To lose one husband may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose the same one twice looks like carelessness.
My Review:
I have vastly enjoyed every one of the brain-teasing, curiosity prickling, and wryly-humorous tales in this delightfully entertaining series. Picking up one of these fun missives has always proven to be a refreshing change of pace. The endearing and humorously detailed characters are a delectable feast of extremes while the murder mysteries they find themselves embroiled in have been cleverly plotted, highly active, well nuanced, smartly textured, unpredictable, and have kept the little pea in my brain hopping. I adore Eleanor and her witty sidekick butler. She is a woman I would enjoy as a friend at any age and in any time period. As with all the previous books, the writing style was comfortable and flowed as smoothly as a movie reel while being true to the period and well researched. I hope the writing duo of Verity Bright continues this engaging series into perpetuity as I could never tire of them.
One of her most treasured memories filtered into her mind. Her mother tucking her up in bed after an upsetting experience and whispering, ‘Sleep well, darling girl. All will be fine, I promise, because tomorrow doesn’t know what happened today.’
He is absolutely wonderful, genuinely. Yet at least twice a day I want to boil his head.
Widowed? Twice, as well. To lose one husband may be regarded as a misfortune, to lose the same one twice looks like carelessness.
My Review:
I have vastly enjoyed every one of the brain-teasing, curiosity prickling, and wryly-humorous tales in this delightfully entertaining series. Picking up one of these fun missives has always proven to be a refreshing change of pace. The endearing and humorously detailed characters are a delectable feast of extremes while the murder mysteries they find themselves embroiled in have been cleverly plotted, highly active, well nuanced, smartly textured, unpredictable, and have kept the little pea in my brain hopping. I adore Eleanor and her witty sidekick butler. She is a woman I would enjoy as a friend at any age and in any time period. As with all the previous books, the writing style was comfortable and flowed as smoothly as a movie reel while being true to the period and well researched. I hope the writing duo of Verity Bright continues this engaging series into perpetuity as I could never tire of them.
May 6, 2021
Lady Eleanor Swift is turning 30 and to celebrate this milestone birthday she decides to treat herself and her household staff, who are no less than family to her, to a spring vacation at Brighton. She is determined that the vacation days are filled with nothing but fun and frolic and even makes sure that her trusted butler Clifford turns a blind eye to the less than appropriate shenanigans of Mrs. Trotters, Mrs. Butters and Polly the maid. However, its wishful thinking on Eleanor's part because no sooner does she step into the Grand Hotel to begin her vacation fun, she finds herself smack in the middle of another murder mystery and this time the victim is someone who was once very close to her and who she thought to be already dead!
I loved, loved everything about this book. My favorite in the series so far!! It great to see Lady Eleanor slowly getting used to her new position as an heiress and lady of Henley Hall and putting down roots with all the help and support from her household staff including the mischievous bull dog Mr. Gladstone. The description of Brighton and all the tourist spots that Lady Eleanor and the gang visit gave off the perfect vacation vibes! Can I also add that the cover designs for this series are STUNNING!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Verity Bright for the e-Arc of the book.
I loved, loved everything about this book. My favorite in the series so far!! It great to see Lady Eleanor slowly getting used to her new position as an heiress and lady of Henley Hall and putting down roots with all the help and support from her household staff including the mischievous bull dog Mr. Gladstone. The description of Brighton and all the tourist spots that Lady Eleanor and the gang visit gave off the perfect vacation vibes! Can I also add that the cover designs for this series are STUNNING!
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Verity Bright for the e-Arc of the book.
April 6, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
A perfect fun and escapist cozy mystery read with a fresh twist of humour.
Mystery by the Sea by Verity Bright is set in England,1921.
To celebrate her 30th birthday Lady Eleanor (not your typical lady) is off to a seaside holiday in Brighton taking her staff to accompany her as she thinks they too deserve a holiday. Master Gladstone the bulldog is also joining them all on the trip!
The characters are divine and the era of 1921 works beautifully. The staff stay at a nearby boarding house and Lady Eleanor, Master Gladstone and her butler Clifford are booked into the luxurious Grand Hotel.
As they arrive at the hotel Ellie and her butler Clifford soon find themselves confronted by a dead body and Ellie becomes a suspect as the victim is very well known to her and the timing of her arrival at the hotel appears way too suspicious. Ellie and Clifford decide to do a bit of their own investigating and just make the best duo of amateur sleuths
There’s a copious amount of mouth watering food, mayhem, mystery and murder in this elegantly told whodunit. Could Ellie’s friendship with police officer Seldon progress into more than just a friendship?
The culprit reveal was quite the surprise! This is the fifth book in a series but easily read as a standalone (it was my first encounter with the series!).
I wish to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of the book to review
A perfect fun and escapist cozy mystery read with a fresh twist of humour.
Mystery by the Sea by Verity Bright is set in England,1921.
To celebrate her 30th birthday Lady Eleanor (not your typical lady) is off to a seaside holiday in Brighton taking her staff to accompany her as she thinks they too deserve a holiday. Master Gladstone the bulldog is also joining them all on the trip!
The characters are divine and the era of 1921 works beautifully. The staff stay at a nearby boarding house and Lady Eleanor, Master Gladstone and her butler Clifford are booked into the luxurious Grand Hotel.
As they arrive at the hotel Ellie and her butler Clifford soon find themselves confronted by a dead body and Ellie becomes a suspect as the victim is very well known to her and the timing of her arrival at the hotel appears way too suspicious. Ellie and Clifford decide to do a bit of their own investigating and just make the best duo of amateur sleuths
There’s a copious amount of mouth watering food, mayhem, mystery and murder in this elegantly told whodunit. Could Ellie’s friendship with police officer Seldon progress into more than just a friendship?
The culprit reveal was quite the surprise! This is the fifth book in a series but easily read as a standalone (it was my first encounter with the series!).
I wish to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of the book to review
February 18, 2021
Mystery By the Sea
is the fifth book in the successful Lady Eleanor Swift cozy mystery series. I love cozy mysteries, and the fact that this is set in the early 1920s definitely adds to its charm. Eleanor has proved to be quite adept at being an amateur detective. No matter where the location, murders always seem to fall into her path. She works on her own, with the police, or with her trusty butler Clifford and faithful dog Gladstone.
This time around, however, Eleanor has decided to take a break. Defying convention, Elle arranges a little holiday with some of her staff, and hopes that she will enjoy more pleasant experiences for at least a little while. Arrangements have been set for Eleanor and the others to spend a few days at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.
Eleanor is approached by the hotel's frantic manager to look into the mystery of a dead body that had been found in one of the rooms. Shockingly, Eleanor discovers that the dead body is that of her husband. How could that be, when he was thought to have died six years previously? After recovering from imaginable shock, Eleanor immediately begins looking for answers. One of the things she finds definitely has clues, but will there be enough for Eleanor to discover how her husband had been alive all of this time, and why he was just killed at the very hotel that she is visiting with her staff?
This book is excellent, as has been every previous title in the series. I love Eleanor and also the time frame in which this book was written. Her love interest is coming along nicely as well. I also enjoyed how Eleanor, as a well-traveled archaeologist, must learn to live the life of a lady, and follow the rules of society. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This time around, however, Eleanor has decided to take a break. Defying convention, Elle arranges a little holiday with some of her staff, and hopes that she will enjoy more pleasant experiences for at least a little while. Arrangements have been set for Eleanor and the others to spend a few days at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.
Eleanor is approached by the hotel's frantic manager to look into the mystery of a dead body that had been found in one of the rooms. Shockingly, Eleanor discovers that the dead body is that of her husband. How could that be, when he was thought to have died six years previously? After recovering from imaginable shock, Eleanor immediately begins looking for answers. One of the things she finds definitely has clues, but will there be enough for Eleanor to discover how her husband had been alive all of this time, and why he was just killed at the very hotel that she is visiting with her staff?
This book is excellent, as has been every previous title in the series. I love Eleanor and also the time frame in which this book was written. Her love interest is coming along nicely as well. I also enjoyed how Eleanor, as a well-traveled archaeologist, must learn to live the life of a lady, and follow the rules of society. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 11, 2021
Mystery By the Sea is the fifth instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in March, 1921 in the sunny coastal resort of Brighton. After a long year of working countless murders around the area in which the Henley Hall estate, bequeathed to her by her uncle, is located, Lady Eleonor believes some rest and relaxation is in order but it's also to celebrate her 30th birthday in post-World War II England when people are freer to let loose. She plans a week-long holiday to Brighton with her reliable butler, Clifford, her lovable, inherited, sausage-guzzling British bulldog, Master Gladstone, and three more of her staff — housekeeper Mrs Butters, cook Mrs Trotman and trusty maid Polly. They soon arrive at the prestigious Grand Hotel where Ellie shall be staying with Clifford, with the three ladies having been given rooms at a nearby guesthouse by one of Ellie's friends. As they step into the foyer they are bemused as to why there is no one around. There are no members of staff or guests which seems unusual. Their impatience to be checked in presents itself when Clifford rings the bell on the reception desk to get the attention of an employee. Then when they witness men carry a stretcher followed by a police officer they gauge that a tragic incident must have happened here in the hotel right before their arrival. They're informed that a guest was just murdered in their suite. But when manoeuvring through the lobby and past Ellie the sheet covering the deceased's body accidentally falls to the ground revealing the victim and his injuries.
Ellie is absolutely gobsmacked at the horror-inducing sight and has no idea what she's seeing as the body is that of her husband who she believed was killed six years ago in The Great War as he had been shot for being a deserter. She rapidly passes out from the sudden shock. The elite hotel is keen to keep the news from coming out, creating a scandal and affecting their business so the manager asks Ellie if she will investigate and once she's gotten over the situation she begins to do just that. It turns out that the suspect pool is much larger than they could've ever imagined as her ex was into some seriously dodgy stuff and associated with the wrong type of people. With her much-needed holiday in seriousbjeopardy can Ellie find out the truth about what happened and still manage to have some leisure time? This is a compulsive, captivating and rich-described golden age cosy mystery and is thoroughly entertaining, humorous and full of fun from start to denouement. The perpetrator and motive are kept under wraps until close to the end and even though you frequently try to work out who did it, the twists, turns and red herrings pull the wool well and truly over your eyes and the drama, mystery, revelations and opulent, richly-detailed 1920's style was spot on. Told solely from Ellie's perspective this allows you to become immersed in the narrative easily and see the unravelling of the truth at the same time she does. The characters have become like old friends and it's always a pleasure to reconnect with them. An absorbing, evocative and perfect escapist read. Highly recommended.
Ellie is absolutely gobsmacked at the horror-inducing sight and has no idea what she's seeing as the body is that of her husband who she believed was killed six years ago in The Great War as he had been shot for being a deserter. She rapidly passes out from the sudden shock. The elite hotel is keen to keep the news from coming out, creating a scandal and affecting their business so the manager asks Ellie if she will investigate and once she's gotten over the situation she begins to do just that. It turns out that the suspect pool is much larger than they could've ever imagined as her ex was into some seriously dodgy stuff and associated with the wrong type of people. With her much-needed holiday in seriousbjeopardy can Ellie find out the truth about what happened and still manage to have some leisure time? This is a compulsive, captivating and rich-described golden age cosy mystery and is thoroughly entertaining, humorous and full of fun from start to denouement. The perpetrator and motive are kept under wraps until close to the end and even though you frequently try to work out who did it, the twists, turns and red herrings pull the wool well and truly over your eyes and the drama, mystery, revelations and opulent, richly-detailed 1920's style was spot on. Told solely from Ellie's perspective this allows you to become immersed in the narrative easily and see the unravelling of the truth at the same time she does. The characters have become like old friends and it's always a pleasure to reconnect with them. An absorbing, evocative and perfect escapist read. Highly recommended.
November 24, 2025
Lady Eleanor "Ellie" is on holiday with her staff in Brighton when she catches a glimpse of a dead body being removed from the resort hotel and it's none other than her hus
March 14, 2021
Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler and partner in crime-solving, Clifford, and the Henley Hall staff are headed to Brighton to enjoy her 30th birthday celebration along with a much deserved holiday. Upon arrival at the Grand Hotel where Eleanor is meant to stay, they find the police carrying out a dead body on a stretcher. When the coverlet falls away, Lady Eleanor is shocked to see the face of her dead husband! The first incongruity is that Hilary Montgomery Eden died 6 years ago after abandoning Ellie shortly after their whirlwind courtship and wedding. The second mystery is to find out who murdered him. With the Grand almost deserted in the off season, Eleanor and Clifford know that the killer must be among the staff and guests of the beautiful seaside hotel. While the ladies on staff enjoy their vacation entertainment, Eleanor and Clifford start their investigation. Eleanor has unresolved issues surrounding her relationship with Hilary and she wants to find those answers along with the homicide. NO SPOILERS.
How I love these characters and am always happy to return to their stories having read this series from the beginning. I love the interaction that Eleanor has with Clifford and her staff as well as her personality and determination. The setting is Brighton, 1921, and I really enjoy all the historical detail and description the author provides as a backdrop to the plot and story line. The narrative provides plenty of red herrings for suspects and the revelations were quite surprising at the end. This kept me guessing and was great entertainment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I can't wait for the next installment.
How I love these characters and am always happy to return to their stories having read this series from the beginning. I love the interaction that Eleanor has with Clifford and her staff as well as her personality and determination. The setting is Brighton, 1921, and I really enjoy all the historical detail and description the author provides as a backdrop to the plot and story line. The narrative provides plenty of red herrings for suspects and the revelations were quite surprising at the end. This kept me guessing and was great entertainment.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. I can't wait for the next installment.
March 7, 2021
I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Eleanor decides she and her staff have earned a lovely holiday at the sea. On her way out the door, a letter from the hotel arrives. Eleanor puts in her purse and starts her journey. Only to arrive at the Grand as her husband's body is removed on a stretcher. Murdered. Dead for the second time.
Eleanor must find out who murdered her husband - and how he failed to die the first time.
With the help of her outrageously proper butler, Clifford, Eleanor traces Hilary's movements while her ladies have indecent fun.
Overall an enjoyable read. Amazing descriptions of Brighton. And I did not guess the culprit.
I have not read the previous books in this series. Though the background information was sufficient, I feel I would have enjoyed the story as well as the characters more if I had read them.
Eleanor decides she and her staff have earned a lovely holiday at the sea. On her way out the door, a letter from the hotel arrives. Eleanor puts in her purse and starts her journey. Only to arrive at the Grand as her husband's body is removed on a stretcher. Murdered. Dead for the second time.
Eleanor must find out who murdered her husband - and how he failed to die the first time.
With the help of her outrageously proper butler, Clifford, Eleanor traces Hilary's movements while her ladies have indecent fun.
Overall an enjoyable read. Amazing descriptions of Brighton. And I did not guess the culprit.
I have not read the previous books in this series. Though the background information was sufficient, I feel I would have enjoyed the story as well as the characters more if I had read them.
February 5, 2021
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Mystery By The Sea' by Verity Bright.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 11th March 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author and the fifth book in the 'A Lady Eleanor Smith' series but can be read as a standalone. The other book I read by Verity is called 'A Witness to Murder' which is the third book in the series which I also highly recommend it.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I also loved Verity Bright's 'A Witness To Murder' so am hoping it is as good and am looking forward to meeting some of the characters again. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 45 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Brighton, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Lady Eleanor Smith. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
Another successful unputdownable cosy mystery by the very talented Verity Bright. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Verity has written her books. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read and making it quite humorous on several occasions. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect and I found myself looking up places to stay in Brighton as it made me feel I was already there mentally and desperately wanted to go physically. It was like I could hear the waves crashing and seagulls cawing.
The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Eleanor and Clifford go about their detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with suspense, mystery and suspense and is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on.
The characters were all larger than life, realistic and a complete breathe of fresh air. Eleanor is an amazing character, very bubbly and certainly not your typical 'Lady' she is absolutely unique as well as a very strong female lead which is a great bonus for myself being female. Clifford is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoy how he makes me laugh with his diplomatic skills. I loved meeting them again along with Butters, Trotters and Polly who are all larger than life with their own exceptional personalities. I cannot wait to meet them all again and see what they get up to in the next "episode".
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical notes and it is easy to see that lots of research has been done on the setting of the book which is great to see.
A huge congratulations on another fantastic success Verity!!! Here's to looking forward to your next book 🥂
Overall a fun and easy to read cozy murder mystery with just the tight amount of humour that will keep you turning the pages.
Genres covered in this novel include Cozy Mystery, Murder and Crime amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Agatha Christie and anyone looking for a very easy and enjoyable read.
276 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#MysteryByTheSea #Bookouture #VerityBright #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VerityBright @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
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Review for 'Mystery By The Sea' by Verity Bright.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 11th March 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author and the fifth book in the 'A Lady Eleanor Smith' series but can be read as a standalone. The other book I read by Verity is called 'A Witness to Murder' which is the third book in the series which I also highly recommend it.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis. I also loved Verity Bright's 'A Witness To Murder' so am hoping it is as good and am looking forward to meeting some of the characters again. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 45 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Brighton, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Lady Eleanor Smith. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
Another successful unputdownable cosy mystery by the very talented Verity Bright. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Verity has written her books. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read and making it quite humorous on several occasions. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect and I found myself looking up places to stay in Brighton as it made me feel I was already there mentally and desperately wanted to go physically. It was like I could hear the waves crashing and seagulls cawing.
The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Eleanor and Clifford go about their detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with suspense, mystery and suspense and is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on.
The characters were all larger than life, realistic and a complete breathe of fresh air. Eleanor is an amazing character, very bubbly and certainly not your typical 'Lady' she is absolutely unique as well as a very strong female lead which is a great bonus for myself being female. Clifford is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoy how he makes me laugh with his diplomatic skills. I loved meeting them again along with Butters, Trotters and Polly who are all larger than life with their own exceptional personalities. I cannot wait to meet them all again and see what they get up to in the next "episode".
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical notes and it is easy to see that lots of research has been done on the setting of the book which is great to see.
A huge congratulations on another fantastic success Verity!!! Here's to looking forward to your next book 🥂
Overall a fun and easy to read cozy murder mystery with just the tight amount of humour that will keep you turning the pages.
Genres covered in this novel include Cozy Mystery, Murder and Crime amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Agatha Christie and anyone looking for a very easy and enjoyable read.
276 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#MysteryByTheSea #Bookouture #VerityBright #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@VerityBright @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
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March 17, 2021
“An utterly addictive English cozy mystery”
If, like myself, you are a firmly entrenched Agatha Christie fan, then this series, rather than seeking to emulate the work of that great lady, fits nicely as a testament and homage to her writing flair and storytelling style. Move over Poirot & Hastings, Tommy & Tuppence, you have company in the wonderful characters and amateur sleuths who are, Lady Swift & Clifford. This book, whilst #5 in the series, works great as a stand alone story, but Oh! how I so wish I had been in on this series from the very beginning. Not to worry though, as I fully intend to make time in my schedule to go back and catch up with all the other ‘Golden Age’ mysteries this intrepid pair have solved, in the short space of time they have been acquainted.
The first chapter set the scene really well, filled in any gaps in the backstory and had me addicted and raring to go, long before the unfolding storyline had even fully kicked in. Then the pages just couldn’t turn themselves fast enough, as I, rather like Lady Swift’s effervescent maid Polly, found myself swept along by the tide of events, towards an ending which was wholesomely complete, personally satisfying and with my batteries recharged ready for my next adventure with this fun-loving, crime-busting, team of cohorts.
This deliciously decadent, multi-layered, traditional mystery, is well researched in respect of timeframe, location and storyline, the latter being well constructed and rich in atmosphere, immediately putting me totally at ease and always at the centre of the action. Authentically written with total and effortless authority and confidence, along with a good dollop of heart and humour, the compelling and entertaining storyline, is rich in detail, fluid and fast paced. However, it transpires that this case is going to be very different and so much more challenging and difficult than any which has gone before. As the investigation unfolds, it has a highly charged, extremely personal and emotionally draining impact on Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift, which is treated with the author’s touching and heartfelt compassion, as our amateur sleuth strives to keep her feelings under control and professionally focus on the job in hand, no matter how painful certain aspects of it might be for her.
Eleanor is definitely ahead of her time and forward thinking about how she perceives her inherited wealth and position, and that rather unconstrained joy of life and freedom to flourish, is extended to her small team of staff, who are all treated to a holiday by the sea, as a token of the esteem in which she holds their loyalty and devotion. Murder, intrigue and danger have a habit of following Eleanor around however and not all of it is glamorous or well behaved, so were it not for the careful, almost fatherly ministrations of her devoted butler, loyal companion and crime busting partner, Clifford, who is afforded extra discretionary privileges over the rest of the staff, she might easily find herself in many more difficult and bothersome situations than she does now!
The seaside splendour of period Brighton, the fashion and glamour of its patrons, and the glitz and pomp of the hotels and eateries, are all beautifully and artfully described in lush detail. The visually descriptive narrative, is seamlessly and effortlessly woven together with some astutely observational and often quite sharply witty dialogue, as Eleanor breaks completely with tradition and the mores of the time and personally ensures that her loyal staff have the good time they deserve, so long as she gets to join in with most of it! Similarly, we are also privy to one or two snapshots of Ellie’s past life in the contrastingly harsh, dog-eat-dog atmosphere of a 1920s South Africa, although even Ellie is shocked by the lengths her ex-husband was prepared to go to in search of fame and fortune. I also had to smile at the many short figuratively speaking ‘speech bubbles’ inserted into the narrative, as Ellie is prone to discussing ideas with herself, as she works a problem, it was a very endearing quality.
The new man in Eleanor’s life, who by luck just happens to be a Detective, is fast becoming used to having his authority challenged by this red-headed firecracker, who finds murder and mystery almost everywhere she goes and is always determined in her mission to unmask the criminals at all costs, with or without his help. Is he about to declare his intentions towards Ellie, and has he made a terrible error of judgement in his timing, or will she allow her self-sufficient, independent exterior to show its slightly vulnerable side, despite the blow this case has just dealt her, which has left her slightly reeling and all at sea!
As with all good mysteries, the ‘bad guys’ are instantly recognisable for what they are, with their reprehensibility speaking for itself and needing no further introduction. The red herrings are liberally spread and had everyone, myself included, slipping and sliding all over the place, as suspect lists are written and re-written, with each unfolding snippet of new information. The undoubted stars of the show, Eleanor and her team, were all in all, an exceptional cast of well drawn and perfectly developed characters, totally engaging and relatable, easy to connect with and invest in, with some excellent dynamics and synergy between them. They look out for one another without thought, regardless of individual ‘position’ in the hierarchy, with any problems and vulnerabilities being sympathetically treated and dealt with as a team. Clifford deserves particular mention for his innate ability to assess a situation and plan ahead as to what might be required from him at a moments notice and at any given point in time. I do believe he has rather given up trying to get Eleanor to behave like the ‘Lady of the Manor’ and is now operating in damage limitation mode, to ensure that his hitherto high standards don’t slip too far!
Eleanor and Clifford do have a third partner in their little crime busting operation, although he has four legs, would rather be led in his bed unless enticed out of it with the offer of a sausage or two, and doesn’t really bother much with the chase. Gladstone is a rule unto himself, as I’ll let you discover!
To read additional information and extracts...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
If, like myself, you are a firmly entrenched Agatha Christie fan, then this series, rather than seeking to emulate the work of that great lady, fits nicely as a testament and homage to her writing flair and storytelling style. Move over Poirot & Hastings, Tommy & Tuppence, you have company in the wonderful characters and amateur sleuths who are, Lady Swift & Clifford. This book, whilst #5 in the series, works great as a stand alone story, but Oh! how I so wish I had been in on this series from the very beginning. Not to worry though, as I fully intend to make time in my schedule to go back and catch up with all the other ‘Golden Age’ mysteries this intrepid pair have solved, in the short space of time they have been acquainted.
The first chapter set the scene really well, filled in any gaps in the backstory and had me addicted and raring to go, long before the unfolding storyline had even fully kicked in. Then the pages just couldn’t turn themselves fast enough, as I, rather like Lady Swift’s effervescent maid Polly, found myself swept along by the tide of events, towards an ending which was wholesomely complete, personally satisfying and with my batteries recharged ready for my next adventure with this fun-loving, crime-busting, team of cohorts.
This deliciously decadent, multi-layered, traditional mystery, is well researched in respect of timeframe, location and storyline, the latter being well constructed and rich in atmosphere, immediately putting me totally at ease and always at the centre of the action. Authentically written with total and effortless authority and confidence, along with a good dollop of heart and humour, the compelling and entertaining storyline, is rich in detail, fluid and fast paced. However, it transpires that this case is going to be very different and so much more challenging and difficult than any which has gone before. As the investigation unfolds, it has a highly charged, extremely personal and emotionally draining impact on Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift, which is treated with the author’s touching and heartfelt compassion, as our amateur sleuth strives to keep her feelings under control and professionally focus on the job in hand, no matter how painful certain aspects of it might be for her.
Eleanor is definitely ahead of her time and forward thinking about how she perceives her inherited wealth and position, and that rather unconstrained joy of life and freedom to flourish, is extended to her small team of staff, who are all treated to a holiday by the sea, as a token of the esteem in which she holds their loyalty and devotion. Murder, intrigue and danger have a habit of following Eleanor around however and not all of it is glamorous or well behaved, so were it not for the careful, almost fatherly ministrations of her devoted butler, loyal companion and crime busting partner, Clifford, who is afforded extra discretionary privileges over the rest of the staff, she might easily find herself in many more difficult and bothersome situations than she does now!
The seaside splendour of period Brighton, the fashion and glamour of its patrons, and the glitz and pomp of the hotels and eateries, are all beautifully and artfully described in lush detail. The visually descriptive narrative, is seamlessly and effortlessly woven together with some astutely observational and often quite sharply witty dialogue, as Eleanor breaks completely with tradition and the mores of the time and personally ensures that her loyal staff have the good time they deserve, so long as she gets to join in with most of it! Similarly, we are also privy to one or two snapshots of Ellie’s past life in the contrastingly harsh, dog-eat-dog atmosphere of a 1920s South Africa, although even Ellie is shocked by the lengths her ex-husband was prepared to go to in search of fame and fortune. I also had to smile at the many short figuratively speaking ‘speech bubbles’ inserted into the narrative, as Ellie is prone to discussing ideas with herself, as she works a problem, it was a very endearing quality.
The new man in Eleanor’s life, who by luck just happens to be a Detective, is fast becoming used to having his authority challenged by this red-headed firecracker, who finds murder and mystery almost everywhere she goes and is always determined in her mission to unmask the criminals at all costs, with or without his help. Is he about to declare his intentions towards Ellie, and has he made a terrible error of judgement in his timing, or will she allow her self-sufficient, independent exterior to show its slightly vulnerable side, despite the blow this case has just dealt her, which has left her slightly reeling and all at sea!
As with all good mysteries, the ‘bad guys’ are instantly recognisable for what they are, with their reprehensibility speaking for itself and needing no further introduction. The red herrings are liberally spread and had everyone, myself included, slipping and sliding all over the place, as suspect lists are written and re-written, with each unfolding snippet of new information. The undoubted stars of the show, Eleanor and her team, were all in all, an exceptional cast of well drawn and perfectly developed characters, totally engaging and relatable, easy to connect with and invest in, with some excellent dynamics and synergy between them. They look out for one another without thought, regardless of individual ‘position’ in the hierarchy, with any problems and vulnerabilities being sympathetically treated and dealt with as a team. Clifford deserves particular mention for his innate ability to assess a situation and plan ahead as to what might be required from him at a moments notice and at any given point in time. I do believe he has rather given up trying to get Eleanor to behave like the ‘Lady of the Manor’ and is now operating in damage limitation mode, to ensure that his hitherto high standards don’t slip too far!
Eleanor and Clifford do have a third partner in their little crime busting operation, although he has four legs, would rather be led in his bed unless enticed out of it with the offer of a sausage or two, and doesn’t really bother much with the chase. Gladstone is a rule unto himself, as I’ll let you discover!
To read additional information and extracts...
https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews...
July 25, 2022
I absolutely love the Lady Swift series, and book 5 did not let me down!
This is such a fun, cheeky and entertaining series. The characters are all so charming and engaging and I feel like every last one of them is my friend (or at least I'd like them to be!) especially Elena. This band of merry British "characters" makes these stories just a rip-roaring bucket of fun and I love every moment of listening to them (I get this series in audio format, and highly recommend the narrator of them who really brings the characters and stories fully to life).
This book sort of brought Elena back to her roots, as it were, which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers, but it was entertaining as always, but perhaps also a touch bittersweet for Elena. Still it was a terrific read, as all the books in this series have been and I look forward to continuing to go on adventures with Lady Swift, Clifford, her surprisingly intrepid butler-cum-sidekick, and one must not forget Gladstone the bulldog, who, while he isn't much help in solving the mysteries, is ridiculously adorable and often has some of the most entertaining moments in the books!
This is such a fun, cheeky and entertaining series. The characters are all so charming and engaging and I feel like every last one of them is my friend (or at least I'd like them to be!) especially Elena. This band of merry British "characters" makes these stories just a rip-roaring bucket of fun and I love every moment of listening to them (I get this series in audio format, and highly recommend the narrator of them who really brings the characters and stories fully to life).
This book sort of brought Elena back to her roots, as it were, which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers, but it was entertaining as always, but perhaps also a touch bittersweet for Elena. Still it was a terrific read, as all the books in this series have been and I look forward to continuing to go on adventures with Lady Swift, Clifford, her surprisingly intrepid butler-cum-sidekick, and one must not forget Gladstone the bulldog, who, while he isn't much help in solving the mysteries, is ridiculously adorable and often has some of the most entertaining moments in the books!
February 15, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Mystery by the Sea, the fifth novel to feature Lady Eleanor Swift, set in 1921 Brighton.
After a tumultuous year Lady Eleanor takes herself and her staff to Brighton for a short holiday. When she gets to the Grand Hotel she discovers there has been a murder, but it is the victim’s identity that shocks her because it is her husband, Hilary Eden, who, she believed, has died six years previously. Deciding to investigate she finds that Hilary had secrets that several people are prepared to kill for.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery by the Sea that is a fun, frothy read with a good plot and a well disguised perpetrator and motive. It is silly but hugely entertaining and what more could a reader want?
The novel is told entirely from “Ellie”’s point of view so the reader gets to speculate alongside her in her investigation and participate in the fun she has with her staff as they move from one outrageous stunt to the next, when not eating the town bare. Obviously this behaviour is not historically accurate but again it adds to the fun and allows the author and her characters to poke fun at the mores of the time. In contrast the novel is strong on historical context, like social events and details.
I loved the plot which is a bit of a pastiche on the fiction of the times with a husband returning from the dead, a daring robbery, secret messages with obscure clues and a wonderful, confrontational denouement that made me laugh. I had absolutely no idea who killed Hilary and couldn’t work it out, even with help from Ellie’s frequent recapping lists. This all added to the fun and makes the novel an absorbing read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
After a tumultuous year Lady Eleanor takes herself and her staff to Brighton for a short holiday. When she gets to the Grand Hotel she discovers there has been a murder, but it is the victim’s identity that shocks her because it is her husband, Hilary Eden, who, she believed, has died six years previously. Deciding to investigate she finds that Hilary had secrets that several people are prepared to kill for.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery by the Sea that is a fun, frothy read with a good plot and a well disguised perpetrator and motive. It is silly but hugely entertaining and what more could a reader want?
The novel is told entirely from “Ellie”’s point of view so the reader gets to speculate alongside her in her investigation and participate in the fun she has with her staff as they move from one outrageous stunt to the next, when not eating the town bare. Obviously this behaviour is not historically accurate but again it adds to the fun and allows the author and her characters to poke fun at the mores of the time. In contrast the novel is strong on historical context, like social events and details.
I loved the plot which is a bit of a pastiche on the fiction of the times with a husband returning from the dead, a daring robbery, secret messages with obscure clues and a wonderful, confrontational denouement that made me laugh. I had absolutely no idea who killed Hilary and couldn’t work it out, even with help from Ellie’s frequent recapping lists. This all added to the fun and makes the novel an absorbing read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
July 23, 2021
Lady Eleanor Swift and her staff are due for a much-needed vacation so it's off to Brighton for some fun in the ... well not sun, it's March, but fun by the seaside? Ellie vows to revert to her 9-year-old self and do nothing but eat ice cream and ride donkeys. However, when she arrives at the Grand Hotel, something strange is going on. It seems Ellie and Clifford have stumbled into yet another murder investigation. This time, Ellie can't believe her eyes when she sees the victim for it is someone she believed had been dead for the last six years-her husband! While Detective Inspector Grimsdale believes Ellie is the prime suspect, she truly hadn't laid eyes on Hilary since he abandoned her shortly after their wedding. Could his death have something to do with why he disappeared and was believed dead? Eleanor wants justice for Hilary but she also wants to know if he ever truly loved her or if it was all a con. Will she ever find the truth and have closure?
This is the best book in the entire series! I stayed up late to finish it and still never guessed whodunit. I was shocked by the twist at the end. I liked the light romance and all the humor too. It felt a trifle long with many passages devoted to "the ladies" having fun and Ellie and Clifford recapping/brainstorming. I only caught one typo/grammatical error and only questioned Ellie's consumption of pancakes and sausages. I'm not sure American pancakes were commonly eaten at fancy hotels in England in 1921 but maybe? Because it's a tourist destination? Anyway, the history of the town past the Regency and Victorian eras was interesting. I didn't know any of that history.
Ellie has come a really long way since the first book. She's found her family in the servants she's supposed to be aloof with. Clifford looks after her like an uncle and he's a man of many talents. Eleanor stopped wasting her time fooling around with that idiot lance and is now hoping to see where her relationship with DCI Seldon goes. Clifford never ceases to surprise me. He's full of tricks and useful skills, including LYING! GASP! For some reason, though, he can't relax and break protocol. He's stuffy and prudish when it comes to gender and class divisions. He's old school but he's kind about it and looks the other way. The ladies are hilarious and I wish I knew what was so funny. I have a soft spot for young Polly. She's so innocent and sweet. She only messes up when people are tough on her and she seems to be learning the rules. Here she has a chance to be the young girl she really is and enjoy some time away with her mother figures. My favorite character, hands-down, is Gladstone, the naughty bulldog. He's along on the trip too and up to his old slipper chewing ways. He's fat, greedy and lazy but so lovable!
DCI Seldon appears in Brighton too, to help Ellie celebrate her 30th birthday and to assist with the mystery. He's growing on me. He does genuinely care for Eleanor and wants to make her happy. I'm not sure an amateur sleuth and a detective make the best couple but he's trying and that's important. He's very kind and thoughtful in this book but I think he misunderstands Eleanor's feelings for Hilary. She's trying to understand so she can have closure, trying to know if she was loved. If she was loved once then maybe she can be loved again. What would that say about her if Hilar did not love her? Would it show she was a bad judge of character? Is she unlovable? Hopefully they can talk about these feelings at some point so he doesn't go away all wounded manly pride and wait forever to ask her out again.
In Brighton there's a whole hotel full of new characters. Detective Inspector Grimsale, Brighton CID is not a thoughtful or intelligent man. Why is it immediately suspect that Ellie arrives at the same hotel right after her husband? How many elegant hotels ARE there in Brighton and a quick check with the military could have told him Hilary was supposed to be dead. Everyone else is suspicious of Eleanor too and thinks her relationship with Hilary was closer than it was. She really didn't know him at all and I feel sad for her that she's working hard to come to grips with this and move on. Hilary sounds like a complicated individual. His story is rather heartbreaking but also not so because he was a rogue. I'm not sure whether he loved Ellie truly or his feelings grew fonder with absence? She'll never know now.
With only 5 other people staying at the hotel and all of them suspicious, it shouldn't be hard to track down the truth but everyone is lying about something. Rex Franklin is a suspicious character. He says he saved Hilary's life but I'm wondering just what he's up to. I really think he's the one who killed Hilary this time and is lying about it. Maybe he's on the run for taking Hilary's bribe and wants revenge. Noel Longley is another suspicious character. He's staying with his "cousin" Bert Blunt yet they don't look anything alike and their stories don't match. I think Mr. Longley is slightly sinister and I wouldn't want to cross him. Together the pair are dumb and dumber though and no match for Lady Eleanor and Clifford. Grace Summers seems very interested in Ellie. I have two theories about that. She's either staring at Eleanor all the time because Eleanor is pretending to be movie star Gloria Swanson to trick the hotel desk clerk, Thomas, into letting the sleuths break into guests' rooms. I think Grace Summers could be the real Gloria Swanson. My other theory is she's the murderer-the head of a criminal gang Hilary double crossed and out for revenge. Mr. Willem de Meyer is a South African dandy but I wouldn't want to cross him. He seems ruthless and on edge all the time. I believe he is our murderer. He seems to have that air about him and he knows a LOT about Hilary's background. Definitely suspicious.
I am eager to read the next one but I must wait a few days before I have the time.
This is the best book in the entire series! I stayed up late to finish it and still never guessed whodunit. I was shocked by the twist at the end. I liked the light romance and all the humor too. It felt a trifle long with many passages devoted to "the ladies" having fun and Ellie and Clifford recapping/brainstorming. I only caught one typo/grammatical error and only questioned Ellie's consumption of pancakes and sausages. I'm not sure American pancakes were commonly eaten at fancy hotels in England in 1921 but maybe? Because it's a tourist destination? Anyway, the history of the town past the Regency and Victorian eras was interesting. I didn't know any of that history.
Ellie has come a really long way since the first book. She's found her family in the servants she's supposed to be aloof with. Clifford looks after her like an uncle and he's a man of many talents. Eleanor stopped wasting her time fooling around with that idiot lance and is now hoping to see where her relationship with DCI Seldon goes. Clifford never ceases to surprise me. He's full of tricks and useful skills, including LYING! GASP! For some reason, though, he can't relax and break protocol. He's stuffy and prudish when it comes to gender and class divisions. He's old school but he's kind about it and looks the other way. The ladies are hilarious and I wish I knew what was so funny. I have a soft spot for young Polly. She's so innocent and sweet. She only messes up when people are tough on her and she seems to be learning the rules. Here she has a chance to be the young girl she really is and enjoy some time away with her mother figures. My favorite character, hands-down, is Gladstone, the naughty bulldog. He's along on the trip too and up to his old slipper chewing ways. He's fat, greedy and lazy but so lovable!
DCI Seldon appears in Brighton too, to help Ellie celebrate her 30th birthday and to assist with the mystery. He's growing on me. He does genuinely care for Eleanor and wants to make her happy. I'm not sure an amateur sleuth and a detective make the best couple but he's trying and that's important. He's very kind and thoughtful in this book but I think he misunderstands Eleanor's feelings for Hilary. She's trying to understand so she can have closure, trying to know if she was loved. If she was loved once then maybe she can be loved again. What would that say about her if Hilar did not love her? Would it show she was a bad judge of character? Is she unlovable? Hopefully they can talk about these feelings at some point so he doesn't go away all wounded manly pride and wait forever to ask her out again.
In Brighton there's a whole hotel full of new characters. Detective Inspector Grimsale, Brighton CID is not a thoughtful or intelligent man. Why is it immediately suspect that Ellie arrives at the same hotel right after her husband? How many elegant hotels ARE there in Brighton and a quick check with the military could have told him Hilary was supposed to be dead. Everyone else is suspicious of Eleanor too and thinks her relationship with Hilary was closer than it was. She really didn't know him at all and I feel sad for her that she's working hard to come to grips with this and move on. Hilary sounds like a complicated individual. His story is rather heartbreaking but also not so because he was a rogue. I'm not sure whether he loved Ellie truly or his feelings grew fonder with absence? She'll never know now.
With only 5 other people staying at the hotel and all of them suspicious, it shouldn't be hard to track down the truth but everyone is lying about something. Rex Franklin is a suspicious character. He says he saved Hilary's life but I'm wondering just what he's up to. I really think he's the one who killed Hilary this time and is lying about it. Maybe he's on the run for taking Hilary's bribe and wants revenge. Noel Longley is another suspicious character. He's staying with his "cousin" Bert Blunt yet they don't look anything alike and their stories don't match. I think Mr. Longley is slightly sinister and I wouldn't want to cross him. Together the pair are dumb and dumber though and no match for Lady Eleanor and Clifford. Grace Summers seems very interested in Ellie. I have two theories about that. She's either staring at Eleanor all the time because Eleanor is pretending to be movie star Gloria Swanson to trick the hotel desk clerk, Thomas, into letting the sleuths break into guests' rooms. I think Grace Summers could be the real Gloria Swanson. My other theory is she's the murderer-the head of a criminal gang Hilary double crossed and out for revenge. Mr. Willem de Meyer is a South African dandy but I wouldn't want to cross him. He seems ruthless and on edge all the time. I believe he is our murderer. He seems to have that air about him and he knows a LOT about Hilary's background. Definitely suspicious.
I am eager to read the next one but I must wait a few days before I have the time.
July 20, 2022
Rating: 5+ / 5
Wowzers and blow me over, the author really went above and beyond with this one!
In our latest addition to the Eleanor Swift mysteries, Eleanor's off on vacation to the lovely, scenic seaside town of Brighton--in March. Ah well, so the weather's not perfect, but it's Eleanor's birthday and she (and all her staff) needs a vacation!
However, murder follows wherever Eleanor goes, it seems, as she arrives at the hotel and the first thing she sees is a dead body--specifically, the dead body of her husband, whom she already thought dead so...yeah.
Quite a twist there to the series, but surpassing my expectations all the same! The twists and turns in this book are the most perplexing yet, especially since everyone seems equally as much a suspect in this case, and you can never tell who's lying or who's telling the truth, so it's a lot to take in. Add to that a treasure hunt plot and a lot of historical references and research that the author clearly did, and what you've got is a confounding mystery!
Interlaced with all this depth are the heart-warming moments as well, especially as Eleanor is in her paradise element of disorder and delicious meals, whereas Clifford himself is struggling not to lose his cool over what is a trying time for him in terms of keeping everything appropriate and according to plan. Once again, their dynamic just draws me in more and more, and I think that they're definitely my favourite murder mystery-solving duo from any cozy mystery series I've read to date! (In a non-romantic way, of course. Romantically, I'd have to keep Murder at the Mayfair Hotel and the accompanying series as my favourite.)
My love of this series shows no signs of slowing down, so I shant try to! Onward to the next read!
Wowzers and blow me over, the author really went above and beyond with this one!
In our latest addition to the Eleanor Swift mysteries, Eleanor's off on vacation to the lovely, scenic seaside town of Brighton--in March. Ah well, so the weather's not perfect, but it's Eleanor's birthday and she (and all her staff) needs a vacation!
However, murder follows wherever Eleanor goes, it seems, as she arrives at the hotel and the first thing she sees is a dead body--specifically, the dead body of her husband, whom she already thought dead so...yeah.
Quite a twist there to the series, but surpassing my expectations all the same! The twists and turns in this book are the most perplexing yet, especially since everyone seems equally as much a suspect in this case, and you can never tell who's lying or who's telling the truth, so it's a lot to take in. Add to that a treasure hunt plot and a lot of historical references and research that the author clearly did, and what you've got is a confounding mystery!
Interlaced with all this depth are the heart-warming moments as well, especially as Eleanor is in her paradise element of disorder and delicious meals, whereas Clifford himself is struggling not to lose his cool over what is a trying time for him in terms of keeping everything appropriate and according to plan. Once again, their dynamic just draws me in more and more, and I think that they're definitely my favourite murder mystery-solving duo from any cozy mystery series I've read to date! (In a non-romantic way, of course. Romantically, I'd have to keep Murder at the Mayfair Hotel and the accompanying series as my favourite.)
My love of this series shows no signs of slowing down, so I shant try to! Onward to the next read!
March 14, 2021
Mystery by the Sea is the 5th instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s. Amateur sleuth Lady Eleanor is off on holiday, her first real break for over a year. Her travels will take her to Brighton where she will spend time on the coast with maybe a dip in the sea and sampling the fish and chips. She will make the journey to the Grand Hotel with Clifford, her butler, and her elderly bulldog Gladstone on their first day, with the others - housekeeper Mrs Butters, cook Mrs Trotman and her faithful maid Polly - arriving on the second day, staying at a guest house around the corner. When a guest is found dead at the prestigious Grand the manager asks Ellie to investigate, and she is stunned when she discovers the victim's identity.
Mystery by the Sea had me so engrossed from the first chapter until the final page. It was a treat that saw me very much immersed in the delights of Brighton in 1921, and I really enjoyed all the historical detail and description Verity Bright provided as a backdrop to the plot and storyline. The author's portrayal of Ellie delights me with every book and I love that Ellie's strong-willed, down-to-earth, intelligent, and possesses a great sense of humour. Her relationship with Clifford really complements the story and they make a formidable team. The mystery itself was pretty good and the perpetrator and motive were kept under wraps until close to the end, aided by the clever twists, turns and red herrings. Mystery by the Sea was a comfortably-paced, compulsive and charming historical crime novel and once again, Verity Bright's highly addictive storytelling really worked for me. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and I highly recommend this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Mystery by the Sea had me so engrossed from the first chapter until the final page. It was a treat that saw me very much immersed in the delights of Brighton in 1921, and I really enjoyed all the historical detail and description Verity Bright provided as a backdrop to the plot and storyline. The author's portrayal of Ellie delights me with every book and I love that Ellie's strong-willed, down-to-earth, intelligent, and possesses a great sense of humour. Her relationship with Clifford really complements the story and they make a formidable team. The mystery itself was pretty good and the perpetrator and motive were kept under wraps until close to the end, aided by the clever twists, turns and red herrings. Mystery by the Sea was a comfortably-paced, compulsive and charming historical crime novel and once again, Verity Bright's highly addictive storytelling really worked for me. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and I highly recommend this one.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
March 11, 2021
This is a delightful and highly entertaining book but it’s also the more complex in this series.
I love how the author wrote a more mature Eleanor. She’s always carefree and unorthodox in her relationship with the personnel but we also get to know her better and to learn something about her past.
This is a story about a holiday at the seaside but it’s also a complex mystery, full of red herrings and twists, that kept me guessing and the solution surprised me.
The author did an excellent job in using some of the Golden Age tropes like an environment with a restricted number of suspects but they were also able to balance the ligh humour with the more poignant aspects.
Clifford and Gladstone are great characters as usual but I think that all the characters are well written and most of them likable.
The mystery is solid and the investigation was an excellent puzzle that had to identify not only the culprit but also what was behind stories from Eleanor’s past.
I had a lot of fun and I think this is the best story in the series so far. A bit darker than the previous books but as enjoyable and fun as the others.
I can’t wait to read the next installment, this one Is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I love how the author wrote a more mature Eleanor. She’s always carefree and unorthodox in her relationship with the personnel but we also get to know her better and to learn something about her past.
This is a story about a holiday at the seaside but it’s also a complex mystery, full of red herrings and twists, that kept me guessing and the solution surprised me.
The author did an excellent job in using some of the Golden Age tropes like an environment with a restricted number of suspects but they were also able to balance the ligh humour with the more poignant aspects.
Clifford and Gladstone are great characters as usual but I think that all the characters are well written and most of them likable.
The mystery is solid and the investigation was an excellent puzzle that had to identify not only the culprit but also what was behind stories from Eleanor’s past.
I had a lot of fun and I think this is the best story in the series so far. A bit darker than the previous books but as enjoyable and fun as the others.
I can’t wait to read the next installment, this one Is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
April 2, 2021
This was a most enjoyable read. In my opinion the best one in the series so far and it's going to be a challenge for Verity Bright to top this one with the next instalment. Well done indeed!!
The holiday stay in the Grand Hotel definitely took some unexpected twists and turns. Apart from investigating the murder, we learn a great deal more about Eleanor's journey through life. She had a husband?
Despite being determined to get to the bottom of things, she does find time to enjoy the seaside resort and make sure her staff have a lovely holiday.
My thanks to Bookouture, #Netgalley and the author for my Advance Reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The holiday stay in the Grand Hotel definitely took some unexpected twists and turns. Apart from investigating the murder, we learn a great deal more about Eleanor's journey through life. She had a husband?
Despite being determined to get to the bottom of things, she does find time to enjoy the seaside resort and make sure her staff have a lovely holiday.
My thanks to Bookouture, #Netgalley and the author for my Advance Reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this outing of Lady Swift - you can’t beat a caper at the seaside! It was funny, surprising plot, great development of characters and plus it felt like putting on a nice warm pair of slippers - comfort at its best.
In this outing for Lady Swift she decides to go on holiday to Brighton to enjoy the sea air but also to celebrate her birthday! However, unlike most lady’s of the manor, she decides to treat all her staff to the same holiday all expenses paid. How novel and very socialist in thinking. But alas it’s not going to be all enjoyment you know there has got to be a dead body at some point in the book. When she arrives at the very proper Grand Hotel in Brighton it’s clear that something is afoot as the police are in lobby. The manager asks her to investigate but Eleanor is in for a bit surprise as it turns out the dead body is that of her husband! Her husband who died 6 years ago in South Africa and he is clutching a picture of the wedding.
The change of pace was very welcome, what I mean is it was great to learn more about Eleanor’s past and marriage. Plus the different setting of Brighton allowed for new experiences and japes! Just saying I wish there was an actual picture of Clifford - I would pay to see that. However, it was good to see a more mature and reflective side to Eleanor in this book. Plus her choice of beau in my view is the correct one and will be looking forward to seeing how that develops.
This series is now an auto read for me as I really do enjoy just sitting down with a cup of tea and finding out about the gang. Also it’s publication date today so whoop you can go read it as well!
In this outing for Lady Swift she decides to go on holiday to Brighton to enjoy the sea air but also to celebrate her birthday! However, unlike most lady’s of the manor, she decides to treat all her staff to the same holiday all expenses paid. How novel and very socialist in thinking. But alas it’s not going to be all enjoyment you know there has got to be a dead body at some point in the book. When she arrives at the very proper Grand Hotel in Brighton it’s clear that something is afoot as the police are in lobby. The manager asks her to investigate but Eleanor is in for a bit surprise as it turns out the dead body is that of her husband! Her husband who died 6 years ago in South Africa and he is clutching a picture of the wedding.
The change of pace was very welcome, what I mean is it was great to learn more about Eleanor’s past and marriage. Plus the different setting of Brighton allowed for new experiences and japes! Just saying I wish there was an actual picture of Clifford - I would pay to see that. However, it was good to see a more mature and reflective side to Eleanor in this book. Plus her choice of beau in my view is the correct one and will be looking forward to seeing how that develops.
This series is now an auto read for me as I really do enjoy just sitting down with a cup of tea and finding out about the gang. Also it’s publication date today so whoop you can go read it as well!
March 14, 2021
If you enjoy brilliant mysteries, set in the 1920s, grab yourself a copy of any of the books in this fantastic series - I've loved escaping into all that I've read, including this one which is a gem of a book in more ways than one!
Eleanor Swift was an intrepid adventurer, an explorer and archaeologist before inheriting a title and home from her Uncle, now she's endeavouring to learn to be Lady Eleanor Swift - with the support of the team who ran her Uncle's household and are now more like family to her, too. She's taking them all on holiday to Brighton, along with Gladstone the mischievous dog, to help celebrate her thirtieth birthday. She's hoping there won't be any mysterious goings on this time, and never imagined she'd be involved in solving yet another murder mystery!
This is an enthralling page turner, with Clifford, the butler, proving to be a great protector and sounding board as the two are shocked to discover that the person who has been murdered is Eleanor's husband - who she thought had been shot and killed six years ago in South Africa! With all the suspects staying in the same hotel, there are plenty of clues but just who is lying - and why? Where has her husband been and what happened to him? So many mysteries to be investigated but there's also danger, too. Get ready for another great read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries with great characters and even a potential romance!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
Eleanor Swift was an intrepid adventurer, an explorer and archaeologist before inheriting a title and home from her Uncle, now she's endeavouring to learn to be Lady Eleanor Swift - with the support of the team who ran her Uncle's household and are now more like family to her, too. She's taking them all on holiday to Brighton, along with Gladstone the mischievous dog, to help celebrate her thirtieth birthday. She's hoping there won't be any mysterious goings on this time, and never imagined she'd be involved in solving yet another murder mystery!
This is an enthralling page turner, with Clifford, the butler, proving to be a great protector and sounding board as the two are shocked to discover that the person who has been murdered is Eleanor's husband - who she thought had been shot and killed six years ago in South Africa! With all the suspects staying in the same hotel, there are plenty of clues but just who is lying - and why? Where has her husband been and what happened to him? So many mysteries to be investigated but there's also danger, too. Get ready for another great read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries with great characters and even a potential romance!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
March 8, 2021
4.5 stars
This is the fifth book in the A Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright.
This book was quite complex. While looking into the death of a hotel guest, Eleanor realizes it is her husband whom she thought already dead. Now he was really dead and she needs to figure out whodunit. Along with her friends from Henley Hall, Eleanor dives head first into all the action.
I really think the butler Clifford is the real standout in this book. If it were a movie, he would definitely steal the show. He has to be my favorite character here. If he were younger, I would want to pair him with Eleanor romantically.
This mystery was hard to figure out and there were plenty of suspects to consider during the course of the book. There were quite a few threads that harkened back to book one when Eleanor acquired her uncle’s estate. So having a good grasp of the backstory might be key here but it can still be read as a standalone without missing a beat.
If you like historical cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the fifth book in the A Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright.
This book was quite complex. While looking into the death of a hotel guest, Eleanor realizes it is her husband whom she thought already dead. Now he was really dead and she needs to figure out whodunit. Along with her friends from Henley Hall, Eleanor dives head first into all the action.
I really think the butler Clifford is the real standout in this book. If it were a movie, he would definitely steal the show. He has to be my favorite character here. If he were younger, I would want to pair him with Eleanor romantically.
This mystery was hard to figure out and there were plenty of suspects to consider during the course of the book. There were quite a few threads that harkened back to book one when Eleanor acquired her uncle’s estate. So having a good grasp of the backstory might be key here but it can still be read as a standalone without missing a beat.
If you like historical cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
June 5, 2021
The entire population of the Hall head off for a holiday at Brighton. Not a sunny summer holiday but in breezy springtime. The ladies of the staff have a whale of a time enjoying the pleasure beach, bathing in the sea, etc as well as enjoying spending time in restaurants and at the theatre with Ellie and Clifford. Even so, the minute Ellie and Clifford arrive at their hotel murder raises it's ugly head. This is a convoluted tale with references to South Africa and India as well as an execution which isn't an execution. Usually with this series I've had some inkling as to who the culprits are even if I've changed my mind several times through a book but on this occasion I simply had no idea.
July 18, 2024
3 stars.
Ellie takes her whole household to Brighton to celebrate her 30th birthday. But upon arriving at the foyer of the hotel, she sees the police carrying the dead body of her long-dead husband! After recovering from the double shock, she's determined to find out the truths behind both her husband's supposed death years ago and his brand-new murder. And of course, there are suspects galore staying in the same hotel.
Another solid addition to the series. I finally get to know DCI Sheldon's first name! It's Hugh, btw. And he just happens to have a few days off and with some collusion from Clifford, is also in Brighton to celebrate Ellie's birthday. It does seem the era of Lancelot has come to an end and I'm interested see if this new romance will go anywhere.
Ellie takes her whole household to Brighton to celebrate her 30th birthday. But upon arriving at the foyer of the hotel, she sees the police carrying the dead body of her long-dead husband! After recovering from the double shock, she's determined to find out the truths behind both her husband's supposed death years ago and his brand-new murder. And of course, there are suspects galore staying in the same hotel.
Another solid addition to the series. I finally get to know DCI Sheldon's first name! It's Hugh, btw. And he just happens to have a few days off and with some collusion from Clifford, is also in Brighton to celebrate Ellie's birthday. It does seem the era of Lancelot has come to an end and I'm interested see if this new romance will go anywhere.
March 13, 2021
If this had been a more ‘serious’ mystery I’m sure I would have become very irritated by some of the liberties taken by the authors during the early part of the book. Even the Police Detective couldn’t believe some of the coincidences.
However this was still an enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the relationships between Eleanor and her staff. The investigation wasn’t quite as good and a few times I became a bit frustrated with the authors, as they had Eleanor and Clifford going around in circle. With her South African connections, Eleanor should have realised what they were looking for quite early in the book.
However this was still an enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the relationships between Eleanor and her staff. The investigation wasn’t quite as good and a few times I became a bit frustrated with the authors, as they had Eleanor and Clifford going around in circle. With her South African connections, Eleanor should have realised what they were looking for quite early in the book.
February 28, 2021
This was my second book of the series.
It was great to see the the Hendley Hall family on holiday. This was a mystery full of twists and turns and there was no inkling given to the identity of the murderer until the big reveal at the end. I enjoyed seeing Brighton through the eyes of Lady Eleanor and her 'gang' and enjoyed a trip to the beach (something we have missed out on doing during lockdown...)
It was also nice to find out more about Lady Eleanor's past and it was good to snatch a glimpse of a possible future with DCI Seldon.
Great fun and frolic in the sand and a good read.
It was great to see the the Hendley Hall family on holiday. This was a mystery full of twists and turns and there was no inkling given to the identity of the murderer until the big reveal at the end. I enjoyed seeing Brighton through the eyes of Lady Eleanor and her 'gang' and enjoyed a trip to the beach (something we have missed out on doing during lockdown...)
It was also nice to find out more about Lady Eleanor's past and it was good to snatch a glimpse of a possible future with DCI Seldon.
Great fun and frolic in the sand and a good read.
March 22, 2021
The 5th book in the series sees Lady Eleanor Swift take Gladstone the dog, her butler andstaff for a well deserved holiday in Brighton. However Ellie finds that murder is never far away when arriving at the hotel the victim is being taken away, but not before Ellie sees it is her husband, who she believed had died years ago.
This is another lighthearted fun romp, which is likely to make you hungry whilst reading it as food features heavily!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this story in exchange for my review.
This is another lighthearted fun romp, which is likely to make you hungry whilst reading it as food features heavily!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this story in exchange for my review.
April 22, 2021
It seemed to me that somewhere between Mystery in the Snow and Mystery by the Sea, Bright hit her stride as a writer. The setting by the sea is Brighton, a famous place that seems at times as exotic and glamorous as Casa Blanca; there is definitely an undercurrent of international bad deeds afoot. The elements I liked best are Bright's stong characterizations and her almost painterly descriptions of rooms and scenery. I would have liked a little more romance, but I think that's coming.
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