Mrs. Jeffries Pinches the Post

Mrs. Jeffries #16

by Emily Brightwell

A Mrs. Jeffries Mystery

She keeps house for Inspector Witherspoon...and keeps him on his toes. Everyone’s awed by his Scotland Yard successes—but they don’t know about his secret weapon. No matter how messy the murder or how dirty the deed, Mrs. Jeffries’ polished detection skills are up to the task...proving that behind every great man there’s a woman—and that a crimesolver’s work is never done.

A RUTHLESS END FOR A RUTHLESS MAN

Harrison Nye may have been involved in some dubious business dealings, but no one ever expected him to be murdered. Now Inspector Witherspoon must root out the perpetrator of the underhanded deed. Nye’s business associate visited him just hours before the murder and seems to know more than he’s letting on. And when his maid disappears, this dirty business gets even deadlier. Now, Mrs. Jeffries and her staff must root through the sins of Nye’s past to discover which one caught up with him…

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

197 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Cheryl Lanham was born on 11 October 1948 in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia, USA. Her family moved to Southern California in 1959 and she grew up in Pasadena. After graduating from California State University, she decided to work her way around the world and took off for England. She didn’t get much further because she met Richard James Arguile, the Englishman who became her husband, got married on May 1976, and had two children, Matthew and Amanda. While working in international shipping, she decided to pursue her dream and become a writer – which, of course, is the best job ever. She has written romance novels as Sarah Temple, and Young Adult novels as Cheryl Lanham. As Emily Brightwell, she is the author of the “Mrs. Jeffries” mysteries.

Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.

Reviews

[Martha Rosemberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read when you don't want to think

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspector Witherspoon is Scotland Yard's top detective when it comes to solving messy or strange murders. No one really understands how the quiet, unassuming man of inherited wealth went from records file clerk to the leading murder detective with no unsolved crimes in his career. They don't realize that unbeknownst to him, that he has an entire crew working behind the scenes to help him find the answers! Meet Mrs. Jeffries, the inspector's housekeeper and the brains behind his astounding success; along with Mrs. Goodge, the cook; Wiggins, the footman; Betsy, the maid; Smythe, the coachman; and Luty Belle Crookshank, a wealthy American and her Butler, Hatchet, who have become close friends with the Inspector's household staff. Murderers in Victorian England don't stand a chance of getting away with their crimes with this crew hunting them down!

When Oscar Daggett overhears his doctor talking about having nursed things along as far as he could but that it was no use and death seemed to be imminent, he panicked and wrote a deathbed confession about a conspiracy to defraud a woman from her rightful inheritance fifteen years earlier. Once written he sends a maid off to deliver the missive, not realizing that his doctor was actually talking about the demise of his orange tree! When he realizes his mistake, Oscar dashes into the night and interrupts his fellow conspirator, Harrison Nye, at a dinner party to confess what he has done. When Nye goes out to the house where the letter was sent he is stabbed to death on the front doorstep.

The Inspector and Constable Barnes get the case and Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the crew start hunting down clues. They discover that the maid who was to deliver the letter has disappeared and no one seems to have any idea why or where she has gone off to. Was she also a victim of the murderer, did she elope with her young man or ? Who is the woman that lives in the house where the letter was delivered and where has she been for two months?

Another engaging adventure in a series that never fails to deliver top notch murder plots, along with lifelike characters that are so realistic that they come off the page and into your life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful cozy! I really enjoyed the mystery, I liked meeting all the characters, and just knew about half way through the book that I had discovered a new cozy series! By the last page- I was very happy to have confirmation that I have discovered another delightful cozy mystery series :-)

The premise is that in Victorian London, a group of servants secretly help the Inspector that they work for in the solving of crimes. The servants have a lot of respect for the Inspector and he loves and respects them as well.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

the solution is really obvious, however there is just so many different clues surrounding it that it becomes hard to work out. And then it turns out they are all connected and all the clues pointed to the answer. And your sat there thinking, how on earth didn't I get that, it is so obvious and there isn't any red herrings. okay there is one red herring, however it isn't deceiving and there is just too many clues to throw you off.

[JZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best, I have to admit.

A little repetitive, which is fine for those who are jumping into the series, so explanations are necessary on that level, but really, the final scene is worth it. It's too funny. Not typical finale, at all, for a cozy. lol
I'll be reading another soon, though. It's such a pleasant diversion these days, to have the police portrayed as hapless, kind, and understanding. No riot gear. No tear gas.
No picking on the poor.

[Lovely Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

Mrs.Jeffries is always a good time…the prologue was SO interesting, but the solving of the crime was a tad confusing.

A man who believes he is on his deathbed sends a letter to a mysterious person, confessing of a crime from yeeears ago. Only to realize he is not actually dying at all.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always enjoyable

[Leia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may only read these books from now until the end if the calendar year because my brain is mushy. Comfort reads!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Mrs. Jeffries in a row. While I can see the similarities in the cases, I still like the books. I like the characters. I like Inspector Witherspoon and I like the fact that he is not the "all-knowing, all-seeing" policeman, but that instead, he is unsure, he is vulnerable and he is not infallible.

[Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hear the grumbles about the formulaic plots in the Mrs. Jeffries series, but I’m not joining that chorus. Sure, each book follows a familiar path: the lovable, clueless Inspector Witherspoon lands a murder case, his staff members eagerly dig in, they gather clues across London’s social strata, and the unflappable Mrs. Jeffries cracks the case. Yet, subtle nuances keep me hooked. Emily Brightwell nurtures her characters with such care that I find countless reasons to adore them. Her talent ensures the series never feels threadbare or overly predictable. Each character brims with depth, making me want to linger at Mrs. Goodge’s table, savoring her cooking and the lively banter. I’ll miss these folks when the final book’s credits roll. The mysteries satisfy, but the characters keep me coming back.

In this installment of the series, someone stabs Harrison Nye to death outside an empty house. Nye’s shady past suggests his dirty dealings caught up with him. Meanwhile, his missing housemaid sparks fears she’s met a similar fate.

Scotland Yard assigns Inspector Witherspoon the case, and his staff quietly celebrates another murder to solve. Mrs. Goodge, the cook, dives in with particular zeal, hoping the investigation will lift her melancholy.

The plot centers on a hypochondriac who, certain he’s dying, pens a confessional letter about cheating a woman out of her fortune—with Nye’s help. When Nye learns of the letter, he scrambles to stop its delivery or prevent its reading. That desperation costs him his life.

I savored this book over a leisurely afternoon at 2.8x speed, delighting in every four-star page.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nobody really liked Harrison Nye, who was a ruthless businessman and incredibly strict with his servants about not talking about him or his wife, ever, but no one expected him to be knifed. Was it his young, well-connected wife? His former business associate Oscar, who gate-crashed a dinner party, looking completely disheveled, to discuss something urgent with Harrison? Was it one of the party guests, some of whom had pretty good motives? It's up to Inspector Witherspoon--and secretly, his household, who always helps on investigations even though he has no idea--to solve it.

Another good entry in this cozy historical series about found-family in an aspirationally happy household (for the most part!). I kind of guessed the murderer, but not all of the reasons, so it was well-plotted. The historical details are always enough for decent world-building, but don't get in the way of the story. The stars of this series are the characters, and their relationships. I like how the author shows why his servants are so willing to help Witherspoon, who is not stupid, but is a bit hapless, kind, and thoughtful.

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Oscar Daggett believes that he is dying, his biggest concern is that he must confess to something he had done some 15 years earlier and to beg forgiveness of his victim. He writes a letter and has a maid deliver it to a particular house, which turns out to be empty at the time, and then learns that he is not, in fact, dying at all. Desperate to retrieve the confession, he turns to Harrison Nye, a business partner, and in so doing sets events in motion, starting with the murder of Nye. Now Inspector Gerald Witherspoon must investigate - and so must his housekeeper, Mrs. Jeffries, and the household staff…. The 16th book in this series is much like the previous ones: the Inspector investigates in his bumbling way, the household investigates in their gossipy way and after misdirections and stumbles, the truth comes out. What sets this series apart from many like it, I think, is the relationships between the principles and the obvious affection that they all have for each other - their investigations are truly a “family affair,” even if the Inspector doesn’t know it! These books are best read in order, of course, but it’s not absolutely vital that one do so; recommended.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Harrison Nigh is stabbed to death in front of an empty house attempting to retrieve a letter.
The letter was written by his former partner, Daggett, because he believed he was going to die and wanted to confess that he had done a great wrong to a person.
The occupant of the house, Miss Geddy, has been missing for two months.
When Miss Geddy's father, another partner of Nigh and Daggett, died she was told that his share in the gold mine was worthless. It actually made the other two very wealthy. This is what Daggett wrote to confess and Nigh wanted the letter back before anyone read it.
The Whitherspoon irregulars are on the case. They interview everyone and find out about and get the letter. They learn that Miss Geddy is due back and will discover the letter and help with the police investigation; so they return it. Miss Geddy is in danger from the murderer, though.
Nigh's wife and her cousin don't want the letter discovered either. Now that Nigh is gone, the money belongs to them. They are apprehended as they attempt to kill Miss Geddy.

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook-reader, Jennifer Dixon, I like better than Lindy Nettleton. She can't do an American accent for Mrs. Crookshank, but she reads faster and is less annoying. It made the book more enjoyable, because even though there is a bit of squabbling and competition, it was read in a more casual, lighthearted way. It took some of the emphasis off the quibbling.
These are enjoyable, cozy mysteries in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining, and you become attached to them. Their stories and relationships evolve over time. The mystery itself is good, too. The premise is a little silly--that the servants can solve the mystery without the inspector finding out. This gets 4 stars now, probably because of the new reader. There have been caring and tender moments in the last few books, but they were more touching now. There is very little swearing in these books, but the "b" word is used a couple of times here by a criminal. (All books in this series have basically the same review.)

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bleah. Don't bother. A book that has to spend a large portion recapping everything that happened in prior instalments is poorly written. Too many characters, stereotypically described, and I can't even imagine reading more in the series and having to re-read those descriptions in each book. I can see why the writer took so much time describing all the characters and their back stories and the tedious ins and outs as they go their various ways investigating - because the mystery is dull as ditchwater and could have been solved in a chapter. The concept of an inspector's house staff looking after him and helping him find clues behind the scenes is a fun one, but I think it's terribly executed, if this particular example is typical of the series. I'm not a harsh critic of 'cozy' mysteries and will overlook a lot of flaws if it's a good read.....but I won't be seeking any further acquaintance with Mrs Jeffries.

[The Hobbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar Daggart was hysterical when he burst into a dinner party given by Harrison Nye and his wife. Before the last guest had left, Mr. Nye had run off to Fulham and gotten himself stabbed in the back in the front garden of an unoccupied house. Some questionable guests had been invited to the dinner party. One of Daggart's maids was missing after going to Fulham on an errand for him in the late afternoon of the day of the murder. The owner of the unoccupied house had disappeared two months earlier. Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes wondered if any of these instances were related. The Inspector's housekeeper, Mrs Jeffries, and the rest of his staff of servants used their sleuthing skills to answer those same questions. But instead of interviewing the principals in the case like the Inspector was doing, his staff interviewed the servants and shopkeepers, the ones who listen and know what's really going on.

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries and the staff of Upper Edmonton Street are at it again. They love to help their wonderful employer, a Inspector at Scotland Yard, secretly solve murder cases. When Betsy comes back from taking some items to the station that the Inspector forgot, she brings news of a stabbing. And so the group gathers along with their friends to begin solving the case.

What a great cozy, historical mystery featuring an eclectic collection of quirky characters. The storyline flows smoothly and quickly filled with the wonderfully crafted characters and a complex mystery. The mystery is filled with numerous suspects, subtle clues, danger and suspense. I love the mystery and how they gather clues using skills unique to each of them. I like the interaction between the characters and how their lives change throughout the series. This is definitely a worthwhile read for those who love historical mysteries laced with romance p, humour and friendship.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the 16th in the Mrs. Jeffries series of cozy mysteries, it is the first one I have read. There are 41 books in this series (as of 2022) and still going strong. They are short (around 200 pages) and can be read as single books. Basically, Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon of Scotland Yard. The bachelor inspector inherited the house from his aunt and promised to keep the servants that came with the bequest. It’s a good thing he did, because although he is an adequate detective, it is Mrs. Jeffries and her crew of helpers that make the inspector the successful policeman that he is. Mrs. Jeffries and her crew manage to get information from their fellow workers that the police wouldn’t find … and she feeds this information to the Inspector so that he doesn’t realize all the help he is receiving. – This system works well for everyone! A pleasant quick read.

[Mili Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing: 4 Stars;
Characters: 4.5 Stars;
Plot: 4.5 Stars;
Entertaining: 4.5 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narrator: 5 Stars;
Cover Art: 5 Stars; I like both the graphic and the illustrated cover. Though on a thumbnail, at first, I thought the letter was a cheesecake. Composition is good, lighting is nice, and they capture my attention.

Total: 4.5 Stars;

Finally! This book has twists and turns and makes me want to know what will come next. It is also the first book where the killer is not as obvious, with two twists at the end.

At times the author still over-explains what’s happening, but out of all the books in the series, this one is my favourite thus far.

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries Pinches the Post (Mrs. Jeffries, #16) — Emily Brightwell/Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon (11 chapters) December 4, 2023

A hypr0condric man believes he is dying and writes a confession letter and requests his chambermaid take him to an address. Once she does, she disappears. However, when the gentleman finds out he is not dying, he makes it his duty to go and retrieve it. Mrs. Jeffries gets involved and splits the group into the chambermaid’s disappearance, but the case is really related.

Another good story in the series.

The new narrator from the last book continues into the book.

Three stars.

[Amanda Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another case, will they solve it in time?

Miss Geddy disappears, Daggett thinks he's dying, Nye is murdered. The race is on to work out what links these 3.. as usual an undercover mission by Mrs Jeffries and co is needed to help Inspector Witherspoon solve the case.

Victorian Agatha Christie.. Mrs Jeffries is a cross between meek Miss Marple, paying attention to the servants, and Hercule Poirot's little grey cells.. letting her mind wander through the information collected until it finds a solution..

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many clues that it leaves you with your head spinning as Wiggins mentions at one point. I was right with him. The gang does some major sleuthing, and it becomes obvious that Barnes and others have figured out who is helping the Inspector solve so many murders. My biggest problem with the series is the mention of scones and high tea and other delicacies that make one's mouth water. At one point I thought there might be an addition to Witherspoon's house staff, but it didn't work out - so far.

[Candyce Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Jeffries can do no wrong! And there is just enough character and overall plot development to keep me coming back for more. Does the Inspector finally see that he has a rival in Scotland Yard!? It's only taken 16 books for someone to point that out to him, though we've known it all along, practically.

Will Betsy and Smithe ever get married? What about the Inspector's next door neighbor? I can't wait to read more of this series to see what all happens with the characters!

Oh, and the mysteries are nice, too. :)

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentleman is discovered stabbed to death at the front door of an unoccupied home. Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes discover the man left a house party just after his harried business associate came with an urgent message. But the associate won’t tell what that message was. The inspector suspects that the killer was one of the people at the house party, but needs to sort out which one followed the victim and why. At first, this seemed like a simple plot, but as it progressed, other events were neatly tied in, creating a complex story that I enjoyed.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3

I think this is the weakest entry in the series that I have read so far.
The characters are pretty much the same as usual, the writing style is uncomplicated and easy to understand.
But in this novel the mystery element is not particularly strong and the sudden reveal of murderer at the end felt very rushed , maybe even forced to bring the novel in under a required word or page count.

So cannot really recommend this one to new readers or casual browsers I’m afraid.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this cosy series with forty plus novels. Mrs Jeffries and her supporting cast deliver a fun, uplifting murder mystery with a big heart, lots of red herrings and fun twists. It is formulaic; but to me that is part of the charm. The characters are like a pair of old comfortable shoes that I always enjoy slipping into. If you like your murders interesting versus graphic and a big cast of supporting characters with funny quirks, you will enjoy this series.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man thinks overhears what he thinks is his doctor saying the man will die, when in actuality the doctor is talking about his orange tree. Well, the not-dying man has a guilty conscience, sends off a letter of confession with his maid, and starts a chain that leads to the death of another man. Not a great synopsis, but that what I remember, over 3 months after reading it. I do know I liked it.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Nye was stabbed to death in front of a home of a missing woman. Why was he there? Mrs. Jeffries and her staff must find out who Mr. Nye was and why did someone want to kill him. Was he a bad man or in the wrong place at the wrong time? Did he know who the woman was? Did his death have anything to do with the woman's disappearance? So many questions to find answers to in this murder mystery.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love how sweet and kind Inspector Witherspoon is. But the trope of Mrs. Jeffries not listening when people have something important to tell her because she knows better or whatever is getting really old. It's been used in several books in the series and one would think that she would finally learn her lesson. But no. It's downright annoying.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read. Not as much sleuthing of the household staff compared to other stories. Only a very few credible suspects to choose from and I figured this one out early on. Still a night light and fast read while traveling.