Murder in an Irish Castle

Lady Eleanor Swift #12

by Verity Bright

Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!

Christmas, 1924. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in a castle. Packing Gladstone the bulldog’s coziest Christmas jumper, they set off to the Emerald Isle with her butler Clifford in tow.

Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the snow on the winding country lane outside the estate. The local constable is immediately suspicious and all but accuses the pair of murder. This isn’t the warm Irish welcome Eleanor imagined!

Clifford is certain he recognises the poor fellow from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle – but what was their connection? Undeterred by the villagers’ lack of gossip on the matter, Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. The man’s pockets are suspiciously empty of personal effects, but closer inspection reveals an old key hidden in the heel of his boot. Could this unlock more than one mystery for Eleanor?

But when a fire breaks out at the castle on Christmas Eve, an even bigger question is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift? And will Eleanor’s first Irish Christmas be her last?

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

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2022

About the author

Verity 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.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite cosy series and as usual the author delivers a beauty. It is unusual in that Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler, Clifford, and her dog, Gladstone, depart to spend Christmas on Ellie's other estate in Ireland, and they leave all our regular favourite characters behind. This includes Ellie's beaux, Hugh, so there is very little romance replaced by lots of danger and scary moments.

The excitement begins as soon as the book opens when Clifford almost runs over a body in the road. It continues when they find the estate deserted except for one old retainer in the gate house. It deepens when they find many of the villagers unfriendly and unhelpful. It becomes really dangerous when both their lives are threatened.

Through all this Ellie and Clifford keep up their usual banter, Gladstone suffers a shortage of sausages but makes a new friend and Ellie discovers more about her family and their past. The book is extremely well written and the characters jump off the page. I loved it and I am already looking forward to next book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Lady Eleanor Swift travelled in their Rolls with Clifford and Gladstone, to Ireland's Derrydee and the castle which she had inherited after her Uncle Byron's death, the discovery of a body on the road saw them stopping to render aid. With only a faint pulse, they headed to the nearby convent in search of a doctor. After the man's death, both Ellie and Clifford were suspicious of how and why the man died. So together they began an investigation which would see them in grave danger on several occasions.

The folk of Derrydee were friendly, inviting them to the Christmas celebrations the town traditionally held. The children of the local school sang sweetly, while the alcohol and laughter ran freely. But the danger was still there, and Ellie and Clifford were frustrated by their lack of answers...

Murder in an Irish Castle is #12 in A Lady Eleanor Swift series by Verity Bright and I loved it, just like the previous eleven! A fabulous, fun and entertaining cozy series with characters that always make me laugh. Gladstone has fans wherever they go, and in this one the castle's cat becomes his best friend. The stiff upper lip of Clifford struggles to remain that way and Ellie's sharp brain keeps up with Clifford's - mostly. I'm looking forward to the next in the series! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one stressful to read, especially with the lack of car, no staff, irregular food, cold weather, danger, etc. My self preservation self was too distracted by these things. 😂 Also I found numerous things unrealistic, including their mode of transportation, the distances they had to travel, the odd lack of food until Christmas and then Clifford makes a gourmet meal?, and being outside so much in such cold weather. I know it’s idiosyncratic of me to mind these things but I always want to be prepared personally, and Eleanor’s lack of preparation and Clifford’s being caught off guard by the whole situation was uncomfortable enough for me to not enjoy the story much. The best parts were Clifford and Eleanor’s reliance on each other and Murphy, the pub owner, and his daughter Kathleen. Oh, and the wonderful village Christmas party! That sounded so fun.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐ -- love this cover!

This is one of my favorite historical cozy series, unfortunately this book wasn't one of my favorites in said series. I didn't find it particularly festive for a book set at Christmas time and I prefer my holiday cozies to be festive on steroids. 😂 The other issue I had was this book didn't really have the same charm as the other books because the only two carry over characters in this book were Eleanor and Clifford (and of course Gladstone). And although I adore their relationship, it felt like something was missing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Last, I found it a bit slow and too long. I chalk that up to the aforementioned issues. That said, I still love this series overall and look forward to the next book (Death On Deck)!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[Lady Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.8 / 5

Yet another smashing read in the Eleanor Swift mystery series! (And, reading it just around Christmastime gives the best atmosphere for it as well!)

We return to our wonderful duo of Eleanor and Clifford, alone with Gladstone of course, who start off the story "utterly, utterly lost" somewhere in western Ireland. As it turns out, Eleanor has inherited an estate there, and been invited to spend her Christmas in Ireland for the first time. Being up for adventure, of course Eleanor agrees and, being her guardian butler, Clifford of course has to come along with her. As for leaving Gladstone behind?--unthinkable!

Anyway, our trio soon find themselves in the midst of yet another intrigue involving murder, as more and more mysterious figures keep secrets from them, and everywhere they turn there seems to be an enemy. Have you ever heard the phrase "it takes a village"? Well, usually that's apply to the entire quote of "it takes a village to raise a child", but in this case, the phrase may very well be, "it takes a village to commit a murder"!

Anyway, stranded and without help, Eleanor and Clifford are pretty much on their own, needing to navigate the Irish countryside and solve a murder at the same time, all whilst keeping up the spirit of Christmas!

Now, in terms of twists and turns, of course we have the usual here, which I'm amazed that the author can still keep ongoing over and over again. Like...wowza!

Ahem, anyway, the climax is very exciting and all that, though in this case I felt that it came a bit later than I would have liked, with a lot of mysterious buildup and yet not enough of a threat or intrigue to Eleanor and Clifford until that final revelation. It's a worthwhile twist (and wayyy bigger than what I expected), but given that I expected an entire book to be JUST about the investigation into Eleanor's uncle's death with a lot of leadup and film noir style-esque plot twists, the more unexpected and sudden twist of THIS book being the one to deal with that was just...kind of a let down. I mean, when you expect so much MORE and anticipate it, but then have it instead just be resolved all of a sudden in a plot that seemed to (and could have) gone in a different direction is just...deflating.

So yeah, definitely the same charming style that I've come to love about this series and characters, but I suppose I was just hoping for a different direction overall and more of a payoff for the climax than what I ended up getting.

Anyway, let's rate this in its place on the list:

My Updated Ranking of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries

1. Death on a Winter's Day (Book 8)
2. Mystery by the Sea (Book 5)
3. A Very English Murder (Book 1)
4. Death Down the Aisle (Book 11)
5. A Witness to Murder (Book 3)
6. Murder at the Fair (Book 6)
7. The French for Murder (Book 10)
8. Murder in an Irish Castle (Book 12)
9. Murder in the Snow (Book 4)
10. Death at the Dance (Book 2)
11. A Royal Murder (Book 9)
12. A Lesson in Murder (Book 7)

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quote:

Even those born with no ears has heard of it, miss.


My Review:

I continue with my infatuation with Lady Swift, Gladstone, her irreparably spoiled elderly bulldog, and Clifford, her always prepared, highly astute, and perfectly impeccable butler. I adore this series, it has been as comically amusing as it has been deviously clever with murder mysteries that the little pea in my brain has never seen coming. This one was completely unsolvable, brilliantly plotted, and shrewdly paced. I’m already primed for their next escapade.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relaxing getaway for Lady Eleanor Swift, accompanied by her butler Clifford, and her dog Gladstone, proves anything but. Instead, on the drive to Ellie’s inherited estate in Ireland, Clifford nearly runs over a man, a man who looks as if he is at the brink of death. After perusing a map, Clifford finds a nearby abbey where they take the gentleman for care until a doctor can be called.

They are not welcomed with open arms, not just by the nuns at the abbey, but also the villagers are quite unfriendly as well. Ellie has been looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday in Ireland as she hopes that this will give her more clues about her past. Before she can even relax in her new setting, they learn that the man they aided has died. As Ellie has never been one to take things at face value, she is determined to discover who the man was and how and why he was killed. Even more so, she plans on finding the killer. Quite naturally, this will soon place her in danger.

It’s hard to believe that this is the 12th book in what is a delightful cozy mystery series by Verity Bright. Each and every story has been enjoyable and this installment is equally impressive. I love the banter between Ellie and Clifford, and I especially love how Clifford is equally proper and intuitive. This engaging read had a few surprises and it was enjoyable watching Ellie and Clifford as they solve yet another murder.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/C9yEPbqvXRQ

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect cozy mystery for the holidays.

I just really enjoy this series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler and partner in crime solving, Clifford, and her bulldog, Gladstone. This particular installment, the twelfth, is set in the tiny village of Derrydee in west Ireland. It’s Christmas, 1924, and Lady Swift has decided to visit a castle there that she has recently inherited. Along the snowy road right outside the estate, Ellie and Clifford nearly run over a body in the middle of the lane. They immediately obtain aid for the man, but he dies before they find out who he was and what he was doing way out there in the country. This is just the first of the mishaps, calamities, and dangerous situations that Ellie and Clifford will confront during their Christmas holiday in Derrydee.

As always, the plot was well developed and it was extremely nice to get a conclusion that I’ve longed to see since I started the series. I always enjoy coming home to visit these characters and find them quite entertaining and often very funny. I like the writing style and all the period details so important in any historical fiction. This is definitely a good one to curl up with on a cold winter night.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend. This is one of the few series I still care to read and I can’t wait for #13.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is getting quite close to Christmas and, much to her surprise, Lady Eleanor Swift has agreed to spend the holidays at her family's property, Henelley Castle, just outside the small village of Derrydee in Ireland. With only bulldog Gladstone, and loyal butler, Clifford, for company Ellie is looking forward to meeting relations she had no idea existed.

As they get nearer to their final destination they only just manage to avoid hitting someone sprawled across the road and are saddened to discover they were too late to save him. With their staff missing and very little food available Ellie and Clifford visit the local hostelry for breakfast and a little gossip except no-one seems remotely interested in talking to the newcomers. When the Rolls Royce is tampered with as well, they realise it wasn't just the stranger who was in danger,

In book 12, yes, really, Ellie and Clifford are venturing across the Irish Sea for Christmas which unfortunately means not all the main protagonists have a part to play this time round. Initially I really missed them and struggled to get into the new mystery but the unusual setting, and excellent storyline soon took over and I became as invested in the storyline as ever. I was surprised regularly throughout and the inclusion of a summary of Book 13 has me ready and waiting for that book too.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. After my uncertain start I loved this and recommend it highly.

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying Verity’s books and recommend them.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

After receiving an invitation to attend Christmas festivities in a small Irish town, where Ellie also own another ancestral home, Hennelly Towers. She and Clifford get lost on the way, and find an almost dead man on the road. After bringing him to a local nunnery, the two are told by the local doctor, priest and constable that the man, who’s a stranger, died, most likely of a heart attack, or heavy drinking, or getting run over. All of which seems highly unlikely to Eleanor and Clifford.

Hennelly Towers is practically abandoned, and has only one caretaker, and nothing set for a welcome of the pair. Everyone in the local village also seems a bit off, or seeming to know too much but saying very little. And the headmistress who invited Ellie claims no knowledge of having done so. So, curious, and all a little off-putting.

Eleanor,of course, decides to find out more about the dead man, especially as it seemed unlikely the man should have died once out of their care.

Even though Eleanor and Clifford are welcomed and fed in the village, there are successive incidents that give the two a strong sense that they’re in danger, which only keeps Eleanor and Clifford being that much more determined to get to the bottom of the mysteries.

I liked this installment a lot. I particularly liked the feeling of dread he author conjured with each new wrong thing happening. I also continue to be amazed at how much food Eleanor tucks away, and how brave she is, even with the mounting danger. Her unstudied and down to earth behaviour tends to win her friends everywhere she goes, and much as Clifford despairs, Eleanor’s relaxed attitude is what usually opens doors for them each time they encounter a mystery. Which Clifford despairs about amusingly at the beginning of the book. And, of course, they’ll be up against a new set of problems next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of intrigue and red herrings to boot.

We're in yet another new environment, with Eleanor, her inimitable Clifford and delightful bulldog, Gladstone, responding to an invitation to visit her estate (on a small village) in Ireland! Their arrival causes quite a stir and their accommodation is not quite what they had in mind. . Things are not what they seem. Once again we see how past behaviours have a direct impact on their present.

The author, once again, portrays the close relationships that get this trio through some tight situations and their determination to do the best they can, despite challenging circumstances, beautifully. However, I find I am missing the broader cast of characters and hope for a cozy mystery closer to home with Seldon making more of an appearance and the village folk! The broader cast adds a great deal to the pleasure of the read, for me.

Having said that I find this series most enjoyable and highly recommend this book and the series. It's 4 out of 5 for me!

With thanks to Bookouture, Netgalley and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved a free e-ARC from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own and not affected by the giveway.

Lady Eleanor Swift and her ever faithful butler/bodyguard Clifford (and Gladstone, the bulldog) have been invited to Ireland for the holidays. Leaving the ladies behind, Clifford drives through the nasty weather to the castle Ellie inherited from her uncle. Before they even arrive at their destination, the Rolls nearly runs over a man lying in the road. Mercifully he's not quite dead but it's cold and wet outside and if Clifford and Ellie can't find help, he will die. Fortunately, they discover an abbey nearby where the Mother Superior is reluctant to take in the unknown man. She knows her duty, however, even if he is a man, and whisks Ellie and Clifford off to get warm while they wait for the doctor. Ellie believes she sees a man behind a stained glass window but the doctor has not yet arrived. When he does, the poor man expires from his injuries. Ellie is saddened and concerned for the unknown man. She worries he did not die from natural causes but who tried to kill the man and why? Lord Henley never visited the Irish property and Clifford is horrified to find only one old retainer who won't set foot inside. All the other servants have fled over some nonsense about ghosts. The villagers don't seem to know or want to say who the man was and what may have happened. The schoolteacher who invited Ellie to Ireland claims she did no such thing. Who is telling the truth and who is lying?

This book is good to read about now at the end of the year. It features murder and a possible ghost for Halloween and plenty of Christmas cheer. Henelley Towers is creepy enough for Halloween. I bet it IS haunted but not by the ghost that caused the servants to flee. Derrydee is a charming village. I really liked all the color color worked into the story and learning about Irish food and Irish Christmas celebrations. It's a huge difference from last Christmas in Scotland!

The characters in this series are so lifelike. I love Ellie and how much she's grown in the last few years. I suspect the villagers are anti-English but if they take the time to get to know her, they'll see she's not the usual sort of English noblewoman. Ellie takes in everything with wide-eyed delight, like a child. The food of rural Ireland is humble peasant food but she loves it. (Granted, Ellie has traveled to the remotest parts of the world and sampled the most unusual of foods, so she's not fussy). Clifford acts like he's suffering but he's devoted to Ellie and not just for Uncle Byron's sake. They truly are friends. Clifford is more than a friend- he's the uncle figure in Ellie's life since Uncle Byron was murdered. He's her bodyguard, her sleuthing partner and devoted servant too. Clifford is so prim and proper at times, it is very amusing. I missed the ladies and his interactions with them. Gladstone comes along for the trip but he doesn't have much to do. He's adorable as always and makes a new friend, Tomkins, the kitten. They're very sweet together. There's a new animal sidekick, a very stubborn mule only Clifford can manage.

At Ballykieran Abbey we meet the Mother Superior who is very tough and devout. She's reluctant to allow men in her abbey, even half dead ones and servants. From her reaction to the man Ellie brings in, I suspect she knows who he is but she won't say! Father Quinn isn't talking either and Ellie finds him a bit suspicious. He's new to the area but he IS a priest so if he knows something, he's not allowed to tell and if he's up to something bad, well, he IS a priest! This series is pretty cozy so I doubt Father Quinn is a bad person. Maybe just crusty. Doctor O'Sullivan is a bit gruff too. He isn't forthcoming about his patient and he is seen skulking around the village. Ellie suspects Dr. O'Sullivan might know a little something about what happened the the dead man. Constable Doyle is irascible, doesn't like women and seems suspicious of Ellie and Clifford. It would be easy to pin a murder charge on them because they're the only people around with a car and they're new. Yet, she's the Lady of Hennelly Towers so I'm not sure he can arrest her easily. Murphy, the publican and undertaker, is lively and welcoming but also not forthcoming about the dead body in his cellar.

At the Towers, there's only Cocoroan, a faithful old servant. He's cheeky and not in a good way. I suspect he's either a leprechaun or a villain. He seems suspicious to me. Ghost stories? Not setting foot in the house? He is not a good servant. Ellie should have brought the ladies!

Miss Breen is a no-nonsense headmistress/teacher. She's tough on the kids but only because they're very poor and need learning to get ahead. She seems a bit confused though and not all together with it. Unless she's lying. Murphy's daughter Kathleen is a lot of fun. She's the cook in the pub and keeps her dad on his toes. They have a close relationship but I don't think so close that he has involved in her whatever he's mixed up in. Mr. Sheeply Walsh is an old school farmer. He's chatty enough but doesn't involve himself in village affairs - or so he says.

I strongly suspect they ALL are involved in SOMETHING up to their necks and I think that something has to do with the "troubles." The villain was kind of obvious but the reveal was a shock. I wasn't expecting that and it was a little too dark for me. The motive was rather lame. Doesn't everyone else have the same motive? The secondary villains are rather cartoonish goons who threaten and laugh meanly but don't have enough brains to do anything on their own. Otherwise, the residents of the village and town are enjoyable, well-drawn characters. I missed the ladies and Hugh though.

[Yvonne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season”

..


Oh My! Just when I thought that there couldn’t be many more ways to deliver another amazing “Golden Age” murder/mystery story, especially when the series already has eleven episodes under its belt, authors Verity Bright pulled this little stunner out of the bag!

Unique and intriguing, this upside down and back-to-front storyline, tests even the most well-honed sleuthing skills of Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler come companion Clifford and of course, everyone’s favourite four-legged assistant, Gladstone.

As usual, I encourage you to check out the “Historical facts” section the author has thoughtfully included at the end of the book, although whether you do this before or after you read the story, isn’t too critical one way or the other. As personal preference, I went to the facts first so that I could place them in context with the storyline’s narrative and dialogue as I was reading.

The story so far…

..

After enjoying a most bohemian and well-travelled childhood, three years ago Eleanor Swift returned to rural Buckinghamshire, England following the sudden death by poisoning of her late Uncle Byron, to take up the role of Lady of Henley Hall, in what was at that time, a most unusual inheritance for a woman. The staff at Henley have all stayed in situ to support her and over the course of time she has earned their respect and admiration for the kind and generous way she treats her employees. For Lord Byron’s butler and long-time confidante Clifford, the culture shock has been felt most acutely, as with all his guile and stoicism, he is finding it almost impossible to honour his Lordship’s deathbed wish that he should transform his new mistress into Lady of the Manor, whilst she in her turn, is, metaphorically speaking, determined to scrub all the starch from her butler’s stiff shirt collars.

It has also been an unfortunate coincidence that since Eleanor’s arrival murder has seemed to dog her every footstep, no matter where she has travelled. So much so, that she and Clifford have become quite adept as amateur sleuths, much to the chagrin of Eleanor’s beau Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, and on more than one occasion the pair have been more than lucky to survive their unofficial investigations and indeed, to escape with their very lives.

Following a surprise item of post, it has come to Eleanor’s attention that she is also now sole heir to Henley Hall’s sister estate known as Hennelly Towers, situated on the west coast of Ireland, a place which Lord Byron had never personally visited, although he had sent the staff financial support for themselves and the property to keep all in good repair. She is invited by members of the local village community to spend Christmas with them (or at least she thinks she has!), an offer which is accepted by Eleanor and Clifford alone (along with Lord Byron’s faithful four-legged canine friend Gladstone, who travels everywhere with his new mistress), leaving the downstairs staff to celebrate Christmas freely and in their own way, at Henley Hall.

The pair face a long drive, in terrible conditions, to reach their remote destination after disembarking the ferry, although they are even further delayed from arriving in a timely fashion, after coming across the half dead body of a young man, rather inconveniently, or rather too conveniently, depending on your level of scepticism, lying in the middle of a lane, miles from anywhere. When Eleanor and Clifford take the man in their car and seek help from a distant Abbey, the welcome they receive is far from hospitable or charitable, although the nuns do have outside communication with the village, so the local priest, doctor and police officer are called. The young man subsequently dies, although the recorded cause of death instantly rings alarm bells for Eleanor and Clifford, as do some of the ensuing rather strange and secretive practices and the very blasé and non-committal attitude of the locals towards the new English interlopers, including the fact that not a single soul seems interested in who the young man might be or if he has any family to mourn him.

When Hennelly Towers gatehouse burns down, supposedly with the body of Corcoran inside, the single employee who has not, for some unknown reason, deserted the estate, Eleanor and Clifford know that there is more going on in this poverty-stricken enclave, than meets the eye. There is some unexpected and surprising respite when the villagers welcome Eleanor and Clifford into their midst on Christmas Day with open arms and genuine smiles, but this bonhomie is short lived and when immediately the festivities are over and the murder attempts get just a little too personal to Eleanor and much too close for comfort for Clifford, it is clear that this is a personal vendetta with a difference, so the pair decide to literally take their ever-growing list of ‘persons of interest’, but not necessarily suspects, and turn it inside out. Rather than starting with the body of the young man, they attempt to trace a chain of events where his murder might have been the eventual outcome. However, Eleanor, who is still distressed at never having been able to ascertain at whose hand her uncle had met his demise, is in for even more upset, as it transpires that a hitherto unknown and long-lost, black sheep of the family, had lost his life trying to make amends for past misdemeanours.

Eleanor and Clifford are correct in casting aside their original suspect list, as this is a community which has lived in terrorised isolation and fear for so long, they have almost lost their spirit and will to survive. It isn’t until one brave soul, inspired by Eleanors feisty determination to do the right thing, finds his voice, that a beacon of light is lit, and a fire rekindled in their collective hearts. They have all been touched by the kindness of the strangers from across the water, so when more death and destruction is the only path laid out before them, they rise as one body to rebel, reclaim their freedom and save their visitors. Their strength and resilience are rewarded with generosity by a truly grateful Eleanor, however she and Clifford are united in their wish to make it home to Henley Hall, in time to see in the New Year celebrations with their trusted friends, although whether Hugh will be quite so enamoured of Eleanors Irish exploits and brushes with near death, remains to be seen!

..

This well-structured, multi-layered and highly textured storyline is fluently written in short, easy to navigate chapters, which keep the pace of the action non-stop and ever evolving. Just as well in a scenario where I was never able to spot the real villain of the piece or deduce the significance of the unidentified body in amongst the many twists and turns and multiple red herrings. In this story, revenge is definitely a dish best served stone cold and with calculated malintent.

Author Verity Bright has endowed her principal protagonist, Lady Eleanor Swift, with a unique gift, which served her well in this particular case. Her ability to relate to and interact with people from all walks of life, to recognise and nurture their individual strengths and encourage them to overcome their weaknesses, is a commendable trait which Clifford also possesses, although decorum and position means he is unable to articulate his feelings in the open and almost naive way in which his mistress does. The 1920s political theatre and location of this storyline, makes the abject deprivation and unique social mores of the time particularly pertinent and whilst they are not hidden from view, they are understood and compensated for in a discreet and poignant way by a Lady far ahead of her time, with great moral fortitude and disregard for authority and protocol. So, whilst many place names, with the exception of the ferry port, are fictional, through some evocatively descriptive narrative and dialogue, there is a genuine sense of time and place, enough to satisfy the appetite of this ‘armchair traveller’.

Whilst this storyline worked beautifully with a much smaller cast of regular characters, with its bleak and remote setting, it was a bit of a shame that on this occasion I wasn’t to be reacquainted with the ladies of Henley Hall and more importantly, Eleanor’s beau Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon. The relationship between the two fledgling lovebirds is still moving forwards very much at a snail’s pace, however, I have high hopes that one day Hugh is going to wear his heart firmly on his sleeve and move things ahead with a little more pace and abandon, as the balance he asserts between wooing Eleanor in a gentlemanly fashion and getting on with declaring his intentions, can be most frustrating. Clifford’s downstairs ladies are always a delight when they gang up alongside Eleanor to cajole him into letting his hair down a little, as he is still having difficulty in accepting that Eleanor brings with her a brand-new style of managing and interacting with her staff, with definite and very innovative ideas of exactly what a Lady of the Manor should behave like. Theirs is an ongoing battle of wits and subterfuge, but their growing respect and friendship for one another, can be in no doubt.

However, on this occasion, it was probably best that Eleanor, Clifford and of course Gladstone, ventured across the water to the west coast of Ireland alone, as there was little joy to be found in the bleak December isolation of Hennelly Towers, not even in the even stilted welcome the small party received from the locals of the nearby village and adjoining town. On this occasion, Verity has created a veritable cast of secondary characters, who are multi-faceted, well drawn and defined, are authentically realistic and genuinely believable in the individual roles which have been created for them. I could clearly visualise them all in my mind’s eye, even though they were never easy to connect with or relate to, until the very end, when there was the collective sigh of release from a long-held breath, and their friendly and garrulous Irish charm and wit was set free to fill the remaining pages of the book.

Whilst I would always feel quite comfortable in recommending that fellow readers might comfortably dip in and out of the series, as there are generally enough background story clues to bring them up to speed, reading book #1 would always be beneficial in offering up that slightly more detailed insight into the history between the main protagonists, so that you can see how the synergy between them is growing and becoming stronger over time. Oh! and I still maintain that every woman needs a Clifford in her life, even if she doesn’t realise it yet!

I read to relax, be entertained and enjoy a few hours of delicious escapism from the real world and a Lady Eleanor Swift story always sets me up, although I am always sad to see this dream team close a case and go off to get on with their own lives, leaving me to return to my own – but only until next time. Thanks for another lovely journey, Verity!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in an Irish Castle (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 12)
by Verity Bright
ISBN 9781803148274
Pub Date 28 Nov 2022
Bookouture

I had a pile of books I’d planned to read, but when I saw this—a cozy mystery set in the west of Ireland at Christmastime—how could I possibly resist? I couldn’t. I am very pleased with my lack of willpower too, because this is a delightful book.

Lady Eleanor Swift has inherited her uncle’s estate, which includes the wonderful butler, Clifford, and property in Ireland, as well as his property in Britain. She has yet to visit the Irish property, but when she gets an invitation to the Derrydee village Christmas 1923 festivities, she is eager to go. Clifford accompanies her. They making their way to the big house in lashing down rain when Clifford slams on the brakes. They get out to find a man in the road, just barely alive. They get him into the Rolls and to the nearest place with a telephone, which is the abbey. The nuns are not thrilled at this turn of events, but they take the guy to a distant room and call the Garda (police), doctor, and priest. Alas, he does not make it. But who is he, how did he get there, and who killed him? On Christmas Eve, the caretaker’s cottage burns down. Was it an accident? The locals aren’t talking and seem to be acting in ways Lady Eleanor finds strange, although since it is during the Irish civil war and the fight for independence from British colonization, she assumes some of it can be put down to that. Lady Eleanor and Clifford decide to find answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Clifford—his exasperation when Lady Eleanor does not behave according to the sense of what is ‘proper,’ the way he is a stickler for language, his encyclopedic knowledge of history and culture, and his affection for Eleanor, whom he has known since she was a small girl. Clifford was very close to Eleanor’s uncle for years and he sometimes has a sarcastic remark which includes a memory about the uncle or wee Eleanor. Eleanor is equally fond of Clifford and relies on him for support, information, and understanding. They make an excellent team.

As a blow-in to northwest Ireland, I was curious to see how the author would handle that aspect of the story—she did this well and even included a short glossary-ish section at the back, explaining things like hurling matches and their importance in small villages, culture, and history. Even though the book is set a century ago, there are some aspects of culture that remain the same.

Even though this book is the twelfth in the series and I had not heard of it before now, I could still jump right in and feel at home with this pair. I didn’t feel like the fact that I had not read any of the previous books in any way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I will be looking for more books in this series and hope to spend more time with Lady Eleanor and Clifford in future.

I received a copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I thank them, the author, and the publisher.

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder In An Irish Castle is #12 in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries and a great addition to the series. The change of scenery has done Ellie and Clifford good as, in this new installment, they must face one of the most puzzling mysteries in the series so far.

It is Christmas and Lady Swift has been invited to the Irish hamlet of Derrydee, in the west of Ireland, for their Christmas party. She can’t wait to explore the castle she inherited from her uncle, so to Ireland she goes along with her trusted butler Clifford and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone. What she didn’t count on was finding a body outside her estate on her first night there. A suspicious ruling of natural death and the weird behavior of the villagers will be more than enough to put our favorite pair of amateur sleuths on the case.

It’s always great when Ellie travels around as the story offers lots of interesting facts about her destination. This time it was fantastic getting to know so many compelling details about Irish foods, traditions and celebrations. I really felt I was partying along Ellie, Clifford and the villagers.

It’s so nice to see how much Ellie has grown throughout the series. She’s fierce, humble, compassionate, unafraid and always willing to get her hands dirty in pursuit of justice (much to Clifford’s chagrin). I love how he acts as her protector but also as a father figure. He is so prim and proper that their interactions are always so much fun to read. This time I missed DI Seldon and the ladies, but there were lots of new characters to make up for their absence. There was even a new friend for Gladstone! Master Tomkins! What’s better than a book with a dog? A book with a dog and a cat acting as best friends!

The mystery touched upon Ellie’s personal life very closely and I liked how the resolution offered some long awaited insight into events from her past.

Another fun historical cozy mystery with a really lovable pair of main characters I can’t get enough of. The summary of book 13 sounds promising and I can’t wait to join Ellie and Clifford on their next adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linniegayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another fun entry in the Lady Eleanor mystery series, but with a slightly different flavor. It’s Christmas time again, but this time, instead of celebrating with her large staff back home, Lady Eleanor and her butler (and sleuthing partner) Clifford are off to an Irish castle. The castle is part of Eleanor’s inheritance from her uncle, and she has yet to visit it. But an invitation from a village committee has the two heading there over Christmas. Expecting to spend a grand holiday, things go awry as they generally do with Lady Eleanor, with an unexpected body, mysterious nuns, a resident ghost, a castle devoid of staff, too many suspects to count, and threats on her life at every turn.

Fairly early on, Clifford comments that “nothing seems to be quite as it appears,” and that fits well with what happens. Nothing goes to plan for Eleanor and Clifford, and nothing is as expected. The two are constantly in trouble and at numerous points various villagers encourage them to leave and go back to England.

I’ll admit the mystery had me stumped. I really wasn’t sure what had happened to the man they found in the road in the early going, and just why he was killed. Nor could I figure out what the villagers were trying to hide, or as Eleanor and Clifford try to figure out at one time, who was the devil and who were the angels?

While Eleanor and Clifford’s relationship is always critical to the series, this one focused solely on it, as none of her usual staff was with them, and her “beau” Detective Seldon was back in England, and never even made an appearance (although their relationship does seem to have moved along).

I enjoyed this latest mystery, but miss the usual cast of characters, and hope we’ll see them in the next entry.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Murder in an Irish Castle" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 12th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series and it was among the most suspenseful ones to date. Of the regulars from the books only Ellie, her butler Clifford and Gladstone the bulldog were in this adventure to Derrydee in West Ireland. The "ladies" of Henley Hall having stayed behind in Little Buckford.

Ellie receives and invitation from a Miss Winifred Breen, the headmistress of the local school and head of the Derrydee Village Committee to visit the Irish estate that she inherited from her late Uncle Byron during the Christmas holiday season. Hennelly Towers also comes with the title of Baronetess Derry of Ross.

DCI Hugh Seldon has often commented that Ellie has a tendency to "attract dead bodies" and this book is no exception. After getting hopelessly lost in the Irish countryside, they happen upon an unconscious man who they then take to Ballykieran Abbey. This is when all manner of subterfuge starts and while getting deeper and deeper into trying to find out what actually happened to the poor man, Ellie and Clifford find themselves in all sorts of trouble. Ellie brings out her famous notebook and starts listing suspects - she has many because almost everyone in the Village is acting strangely.

A new character is introduced - Tomkins the cat, who becomes fast friends with Master Gladstone and insists on travelling back to England with them. Very much looking forward to Ellie's next adventure! Once again this book as all in the series, deserves more than 5 stars.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 review rounded up.

Lady Eleanor Swift is back. Yet again, she is tangled in another murder mystery.

This time, she finds herself in Ireland accompanied by her efficient butler, Clifford, and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone.

They are travelling to spend Christmas in an Irish castle, which Eleanor’s late uncle inherited and now it belongs to her.

On their way to Derrydee, in the middle of Irish countryside, they stumble upon an injured man. They take him to nearest safe place, which is a Benedictine Abbey.

Despite a doctor being called, the man unfortunately dies. The doctor’s verdict is a heart attack, but Eleanor and Clifford don’t believe it.

The pair find themselves investigating yet another murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I found myself trying to piece all the clues together to see if I could discover the killer’s identity (I didn’t!).

In this book, the author portrayed a stark contrast between Eleanor’s wealth and the poverty of Irish people living in the countryside. Despite their shortcomings, they welcomed Eleanor and Clifford in their village and included them in the festivities.

This book is full of cultural references, such as the Irish cuisine and customs, and historical details, which I really appreciated.

I’ve read previous Verity Bright’s mysteries and in my opinion, this one is their best!

[Lotte Van Der Paelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first cozy mystery in a while, but I was glad to return with the cold season starting. This really is what it was advertised to be: a funny, comfortable cozy mystery. I haven't read the previous books (this is the 12th book in the 'Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery' series), but it wasn't necessary at all to be able to get everything you needed to know out of this book. I will be taking a look at the rest of the series however, I think I might enjoy those as well. I do think it could have been a bit shorter, but I didn't really mind it too much. I do like that we get to see Eleanor's thoughts quite a lot. It isn't the most original story ever written, a bit predictable at some points, but I personally don't mind that when reading cozy mysteries. I mostly come for the comfortable and fun read, not for some exquisite plot full of the craziest twists. The descriptions were very good. The way the food is described in this book just made me hungry. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Verity Bright's work!
Thanks very much to NetGalley and the creators of this book for providing me with an ARC!

[Carolyn Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening a Verity Bright novel is like stepping back in time to another world far unlike my own. This time Eleanor, her trusted butler Clifford, and her dog are off to Scotland to enjoy a lovely Christmas but their reality quickly takes another turn. They find themselves caught up in a mystery on the way into town with the discovery of a stranger in the road in need of medical attention. But not too long after they find him help, he dies. The suddenness and the offstandedness of everyone in the small rural town gets Eleanor's hackles and suspicions up. People are hiding something and she is determined to figure out what. The thing is though the more she sticks her nose in, the more danger she attracts.

I greatly enjoyed this book, from the characters to their conversations to the plot itself. The resolution was one I certainly never saw coming and it was extremely satisfying. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

Ellie decided to go to the Irish Castle she inherited from her uncle with Clifford and Gladstone to celebrate Christmas. On the way, they found a man dying in the middle of the road and they took him to the nearest place, which just happened to be a nunnery, where the man eventually died.

Ellie and Clifford are suspicious when the local doctor declared the man died from a heart attack when they believed he'd drown. Then a number of worrisome incidents started happening to Ellie and Clifford, that made them realised they might be in danger. But they are determined to figure out what's happening in their little Irish countryside.

Another solid addition to the series.

[Amy Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Murder in an Irish Castle is a part of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series and I’m sure it won’t be the last one I pick up from Verity Bright! This book is filled with fun twists and turns, great vocab, and the most heartwarming end.

I really wanted a transition from fall thriller to holiday magic and I’m not a big holiday romance reader so this was a great fit. Though I had trouble following in the beginning and wasn’t fully gripped at times, the ending truly made me smile ear to ear. Everything from the personalities of Lady Eleanor and Clifford, to Gladstone the pup, to some amazing descriptions of holiday meals which left me hungry for more. I loved how though this is book 12 in this mystery series, it’s great as a stand-alone read. Can’t wait to check out the other Lady Eleanor Swift stories!

A special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my first ARC and a chance to review.

[Nanette Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the detecting duo of Lady Swift and her butler Clifford.

[Sharon McFrederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my Lady Swift favorites--but I missed Hugh.

[Keely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review about the series as a whole, rather than a specific book review about each book.


I am enjoying this series somewhat. I do find somethings rather frustrating at times, but overall, I like how things are developing through the whole series and I do want answers to certain questions that still have to be answered. It's a pleasant, not taxing on brain way to spend a couple of hours.

Eleanor. Right. She does not read as a 28 something woman, who eventually hits her 30's as the series progresses. Her character background doesn't fit the character we are presented with. I know she has been somewhat spoiled and is pampered, but she reads as a teenager to me, especially as all her exploring should've made her more mature. She has been travelling the world for 10 years alone. I repeat, travelling alone as a woman in the 1920's. That wouldn't have been easy and you'd need your wits about you. It's not like she's been locked in a manor for 15 years and is finally being released into the world alas Rapunzel. I also find her general horniness, both hilarious and frustrating, especially when she's falling for people she's just met and having romancey moments at the most worst times when she should be focusing on something much more serious. Though I do know it's part of her character that she falls hard over nothing and has a habit of rushing into romances with people she barely knows. She knows this about herself, yet does it anyway, she never really grows in this respect througout the story. I also didn't like that she turned into blushing, awkward giggling girl around males she finds attractive. It's stereotypical and once again, it's reminisce of a teenager. You'd think at 28, you can be around an attractive male and be fine. Most woman I know can. She just doesn't come across as a 28-30 year woman to me. I do sigh when she's like a bull in a china shop where a delicate hand was needed. She sometimes makes life hard for herself though once again, I know that's one huge part of her character traits, but she can come across quite rude at times. But I don't dislike her and I don't mind having her as the main character, I do wish we would have some more character growth within the story though.

Also, I know talk of food is a somewhat part of the cozy genre, but it gets tiring that Eleanor eats six heavily calorie meals a day, yet always keeps her figure. It's unrealistic and is a pet peeve of mine, as it's a mythical dream that is used as a stick to beat woman with when they can't achieve it.

I really like Clifford (despite the grating chivalry misogyny and being all proper which can get tiring. And I dislike how he's always reminding the ladies that because Eleanor has a title, that means she's better, worth more and special than them. All people are equal on the whole. A title doesn't mean much in this day and age. I know it's somewhat suitable/normal for the time period, but I think the authors can easily not focus and push this specific idea as much as they do. I know Clifford truly believes that she's better but it's getting old, especially when he pushes it on the staff several times a book.) and the rest of the staff though Clifford should be a bit easier on them, haha. I mean, they're doing several peoples worth of work a day by themselves. And one of them is 15 and started working at 11. (Imagine having an 11 year old as a maid/cleaner/everything else.) Dude doesn't know how to relax and chill. And Gladstone is my favourite. He's a cutie and I love his addition to the story. He makes a cute, fun aspect to the books with his charming personality of constantly stealing shoes and his penchant for digging.

Also, Polly started working at the manor at 11. In 1918, you had to stay in school until you were 14! so what's with that?!? Breaks the immersion. I don't understand why they couldn't have her at like 17? It would change nothing. She can still be a clumsy, young, silly girl at 17. You wouldn't have to change a thing about her character as it was written. I don't understand why the author chose her to come to the manor at 11, and be 15 within the stories narrative. Also, within the books I've read (13 as I type this sentence), we've had 2 Eleanor's birthdays, but Polly still has remained 15 somehow?

General Discussions about the series as a whole, including my thoughts on Hugh (ugh) so probable minor spoilers;



While I think Hugh is a step up from the other guy (He had no substance and was always about just having a good time), I can't help but feel that he wants to change Eleanor, rather than accept her as she is. I know it's partly down the classic chivalry misogyny of the time period, but it is frustrating. He just needs to accept that she won't stand for injustice and stop ordering her about. For her to be like "Someone has been murdered. Oh well, not my problem." is asking her to be someone else. I know he worries about her safety, but that is in Eleanor's control, rather than his. Also, Eleanor has been right on the mark about murders happening. He says no. She says yes. She is proved right. It has happened what like seven times? I can accept that after the first or second one, he might still disregard her opinion. But after the third one, he still does it. Which I don't get. He should trust her instincts as she has yet to be proved wrong, unlike Hugh. She has proved him wrong every single book when he's declared "natural causes" yet he still doesn't trust her instincts and knowledge. Infact, Hugh should trust Eleanor opinion more than his own, considering he's been wrong on the mark so many times. It makes him come across as an idiot when he dismisses Eleanor so easily, especially as the reader knows he is in the wrong. So as a reader, I find that aspect frustrating as it feels like time wasting as we know Eleanor is right and doesn't make me warm to him. As we know Eleanor is right, he kinda comes across as incompetent when he could help but chooses not to do so. It's acceptable when higher ups are blocking him etc, but not when he's not helping due to free will. So I find that aspect really frustrating. And despite me reading 10 books with the character, we still know very little about him as a whole. So I hope the future books will stop him having a moan every book about Eleanor choosing to find answers to a murder as it's getting old. I want him to accept Eleanor as she is, she won't let things go when she could help and he needs to accept that. The chivalry disguised as misogyny is getting old and not making me like him all that much, and I believe as a reader, I'm supposed to do so, as I think he's the main romance aspect of this series. I can't see Eleanor swerving back to Lance and unless a new guy moves to the village, we don't have many other romance options. Also, it's hypocritical that he spends most of his time at work, so justice is important to him, yet he can't accept that justice and answers is just as important to Eleanor. It's one of the things they have in common. I am also getting so tired about the locking her in the house/Clifford control this woman!!! jokes, or should I say, jokey half truths, cause if he had no "chivalry", Eleanor would be tied to a chair in the library. I was going to say oven or something generic like that, but we know Eleanor isn't going to make a single meal in these books and why should she.


I didn't like Lance, he was shallow, vapid and had no real substance so I was glad he was binned off as a romance option quite quickly. He was more childish than Eleanor. He has no respect for anyone. And is very dismissive to the things that matter to Eleanor.

Also, it gets a bit boring when everyone fancies the main character. It's just a small annoying tidbit.

And it is a bit tiring when everyone else is either an serious idiot or is being evil for no reason. Like come on!

Also, I understand why the author keeps the staff at the manor down to 6-7 people as it would be hard to have 30 staff members popping up and being background characters. It allows the 6-7 staff to have their own personality without overwhelming. But I can't help think they must work to the bone, as it impossible they could do everything they do. There is no way that 6-7 people can keep a 40 something room manor clean, make food, do all chores, helping their lady etc. There are two, then three, ladies whose job it is to clean and help Eleanor amongst other jobs, no way two people can keep a manor in pristine condition. And Eleanor makes their life harder and easier at the same time, she'll buy them a vaccum but she won't keep her clothes tidy, thus making them clean up her twenty outfits that she's tried on and discarded on the floor. And I know it's stated that Eleanor offers more staff and they turn her own. But that's just silly. I mean, average people in a 3 bed can easily get behind with chores, especially with those tasks that should be done every month, but end up being done every three, e.g. spring cleaning, the fridge, cleaning the skirting boards, taking everything out of the cabinet and dusting/washing it all. But they simply could not realistically keep this manor to high standards, they would legit never be able to sleep. But I can let go and accept this part is pure fantasy. But Imagine watching an 11 year old work each day! Cleaning your banisters, dropping your tray, doing the stuff you could easily do yourself etc. It would be weird. The girl is meant to be at school! In 1918, it was compulsory to stay in school till 14. Obviously probably didn't always happen that way, but the law exists.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in an Irish Castle is the 12th instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s. This time, it's December and Ellie is in Derrydee in the west of Ireland on her way to her late Uncle's castle. Her butler is travelling with with her as well as Gladstone the bulldog. But just after they arrive they find a body on the road in the drizzle.

The author's portrayal of Ellie delights me with every book and I love that Ellie's down-to-earth, intelligent, and possesses a wicked sense of humour. Again, a real draw of these tales book for me is the wonderful relationship between Ellie and Clifford and their delightful, occasionally sarcastic repartée. After eleven books (I missed book 2 for some weird reason) the characters are like real friends and it is a huge pleasure to spend time with them. The mystery itself is pretty good though a little convuluted, and there's danger lurking. Murder in an Irish Castle is comfortably paced, compulsive and once again, Verity Bright's highly addictive storytelling really works for me. I cannot wait for the next Lady Swift adventure and I highly recommend this one. A super, refreshing and effervescent tale as ever.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Bookouture via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Emma Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me so much of the Lady Hardcastle books! Lady Eleanor is invited to spend Christmas in an Irish castle so off she goes along with her butler Clifford and dog. She ends up in a sleepy little village and finds a body right outside the castle grounds. This has got clergy content, lots of Irish flavour and family secrets and the relationship between Lady Eleanor and Clifford is great fun. I'd completely consider reading the rest of the series, this was really enjoyable.

A thousand thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we find Lady Eleanor and Clifford venturing to Ireland to get in touch with Ellie’s roots. Her inheritance included not only Henley Hall, but also another estate, Hennelly Towers in the west of Ireland, and the title of Baronetess Derry of Ross. Uncle Byron had never actually gone there, but had maintained the staff and sent funds for them to keep up the estate. When Ellie receives an invitation to celebrate Christmas with the small village of Derrydee, not far from this newly realized portion of her inheritance, she jumps at the chance.

The mystery begins before they even reach the castle when they find a man clinging to life in the middle of the road. They seek help at a nearby abbey, and the Mother Superior reluctantly takes them in and phones for assistance. Sadly, the man dies, and no one – the Mother Superior, the priest, the police, the doctor – seems particularly concerned about the man’s identity, nor do they seem to mourn his passing. Constable Doyle, in fact, seems almost to hold Lady Eleanor and Clifford responsible for the man’s death, since they’re the only folks around with a car and must have run him over.

There may be no love lost between the Irish and the English as a whole, but the villagers seem to be generally welcoming to Ellie. It probably helps that she’s a most unconventional noblewoman! Still, though, no one wants to talk about the dead man, and indeed, they almost seem afraid to do so. And more curious, the school headmistress who supposedly extended the holiday invitation vehemently denies having done so. Something isn’t right, and Ellie and Clifford start nosing around, placing themselves in danger in the process.

This story takes place entirely in the west of Ireland, so events unfold without the usual presence of DCI Hugh Seldon, Eleanor’s beau, and the ladies of Henley Hall. There are still plenty of characters to love, though! Murphy, the keeper of the local pub, his daughter Kathleen, Doctor Sullivan O’Sullivan, Headmistress Breen, and so many more. And let’s not forget Tompkins, the cat at Hennelly Towers – he and Gladstone the bulldog soon become fast friends, and I do love a story with a cat!

Clifford has always been most concerned for his mistress’s propriety and a stickler for doing things by the book. Here, though, we see him loosen up just a little more. I think Clifford is one of my favorite characters. He’s Ellie’s butler, sure. But he’s so much more than that to her. Differences in status aside, I think she sees him as a friend and an honorary uncle standing in her Uncle Byron’s stead. I think she is much more than an employer to him, too, and it’s fun seeing their relationship grow.

The setting is charming, if impoverished, and Bright does a good job of giving the reader a sense of place and time. I’m not a big student of history, but it seems that they’ve done their research. I really loved the descriptions of the food. I might not fix much of it myself, but I think I’d try making some farls.

Murder in an Irish Castle is a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas-themed cozy. There is action and suspense. There is humor and affection. There is plenty of Irish charm, and a satisfactory resolution when the killer is brought to justice. (I cheered when we finally learned what had kept the villagers quiet and that situation was resolved!) I missed seeing Hugh and Ellie together, but the descriptions of the Christmas celebrations in Derrydee were delightful just about made up for Hugh’s absence. I hope we’ll see a bit more progress on the relationship front for them in the next book!

It’s another five-star read from Verity Bright for me!

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't actually like.

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Murder in an Irish Castle’ by Verity Bright. I also was invited to take part in their publication week blog tour.

This is Book 12 in Bright’s delightful Lady Eleanor Swift series of historical cosy mysteries set in the early 1920s. I again complemented my reading with its unabridged audiobook, narrated by Karen Cass.

While I have been following this series since the beginning, background is always provided for new readers. Still, it’s such a fun series I have no hesitation in recommending it. I especially enjoy observing the main and supporting characters development over the course of the series.

Christmas, 1923. Lady Eleanor Swift has received an unexpected invitation to attend a Christmas party in the tiny hamlet of Derrydee in the West of Ireland. She is excited to explore her ancestral roots and visit Hennelly Towers, a castle that is part of her uncle’s estate. She is accompanied on the trip by Clifford, her loyal butler, and of course Gladstone the bulldog.

Just before they arrive at the estate they come across a man’s body lying in the road. They manage to find help at Ballykieran Abbey, a community of Benedictine nuns. Sadly, the man does not survive and remains unidentified. Yet Clifford is convinced that he recognises him from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle.

The villagers seem to be strangely apathetic about the victim though Eleanor is determined to discover his identity and obtain justice for him. Armed with her trusty notebook and assisted by Clifford there are plenty of clues to uncover and suspects to question. As things progress the stakes become higher and increasingly dangerous.

Alongside solving the mystery, Verity Bright takes the opportunity to highlight the social and political issues in Ireland in late 1923. In their Historical Notes they provide background on these as well as Irish customs. The recently concluded Irish War of Independence manifests in some characters expressing anti-British sentiments towards Lady Eleanor and Clifford.

In the past Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon has asserted that Eleanor attracts dead bodies “like a spinster attracts stray cats”. In this book she manages to fulfil the latter by acquiring Tomkins, a fluffy ginger cat. Still, it may be that Tomkins and Gladstone were the ones that made the decision.

Overall, I feel that this series continues to go from strength to strength. It provides the light entertainment of a historical cosy yet is solidly grounded in history.

I am happy that there won’t be a long wait for Book 13 as ‘Death On Deck’ is due to be published in March 2023.