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Mrs. Jeffries #28
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead
Arlette Montrose Banfield angered many marriageable women when she snagged the handsome Lewis Banfield-but were they angry enough to poison her? Mrs. Jeffries doesn't mind getting her hands dirty to uncover the greed behind her murder.
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
75 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Emily Brightwell
68 books536 followersCheryl 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.
Cheryl Lanham Arguile returned to California, where she lives with her husband and a cranky old cat named Kiwi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
November 29, 2018
Lady Cranberry is invited to the Canfield's Summer Ball by Arlette Banfield. The Banfields were mortified when Lewis arrived her making Arlette the mistress of the mansion. Arlette is poison at the ball and Lady Cranberry and the Doctor prevent the scene from being disturbed. Lady Cranberry sends for Inspector Witherspoon to take the case. Witherspoon's household is delighted to be exploring a murder again. Mrs Jefferies must find the answer preventing the Inspector from arresting the wrong person and a revenge murder. I read a large print edition from my library.
August 30, 2024
A young wife, an artistic sort who's married into the aristocratic Banfield family, is poisoned during a gala. Her friend, Lady Cannonberry--who's also Inspector Witherspoon's dear friend--is sitting right beside her at the table when she takes the fatal drink. As always, the inspector's household starts looking for clues to find out who did this awful deed. A well plotted and well written story.
May 12, 2019
These are great books to read when I find myself in a reading lull and don't know what I want to read next. Always entertaining, easy to read cozy mysteries that aren't obvious by the second or third chapter. The antics of Whitherspoon's household are a delight.
I highly recommend this book and the series as well.
I highly recommend this book and the series as well.
April 22, 2020
This was a delightful cozy mystery, part of a series that I was not familiar with. I won't go back to read any of the previous books because I believe that even though this book is a stand-alone, some of the main characters have already been fleshed-out. Brightwell is a very good writer who has woven together an intricate plot in a very pleasant and satisfying manner.
June 7, 2021
Just what I needed for reading while recovering
February 27, 2014
Lady Cannonberry is invited to attend a party at the home of someone she doesn't know very well but thinks could be a good friend. Arlette Montrose Banfield is married to a wealthy businessman of an old family but she's also the daughter of artists and a good businesswoman. She and Ruth seem to have much in common, which is why it comes as a huge shock when Arlette drops dead at her party. The doctor claims no young woman drops dead of natural causes and all signs lead to cynanide poisoning. Knowing her Inspector's methods well, Lady Cannonberry tries to keep the crime scene from being destroyed without much luck. Lewis Banfield's Aunt Geraldine doesn't wish to have the family's honor so polluted by something like a police investigation and some of the evidence disappears. Then Inspector Witherspoon is on the case. Mrs. Jeffries and the servants are on the hunt too. What to do about the new maid Phyllis? Can they keep her in the dark and if not, will she tell the Inspector what they're up to? The staff forges ahead with the investigation and at the same time Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes conduct their own investigation to find out who wanted Arlette dead. They butt heads with the aristocratic Mrs. Banfield the elder and her two catty friends. None of them liked Arlette very much. They considered the younger woman beneath them for being an artist's model and businesswoman. A lady had no business being involved in her husband's business affairs and a lady never works and especially not as a model! Will the wrong person hang because the evidence is weak? Will the Inspector solve the mystery or will a clever killer get away?
This is a mediocre mystery. I figured it out right away. It was perfectly obvious who and how and I thought why was obvious too but the why turned out to be a bit more complicated. There were only three suspects and evidence pointed to all three together or individually. I stuck to my original suspect. The clues were all there pretty early on and incredibly obvious. Much of the plot is taken up with political and philosophical discussion. I found that a bit tedious and out of place. We know Lady Cannonberry is a radical and we know the older generation tend to be old-fashioned and very strict about the "natural order of things." It didn't need to be repeated again and again. The murder of a young woman in the prime of her life disgusted me. That's my second least favorite victim behind mistaken identity or accidental killing. It's really horrible to think that someone would do something like that and feel perfectly justified.
Sometimes when the mystery is bland the family life plot keeps me more interested. This time there wasn't much of the personal going on in the story. Smythe and Betsy are awaiting the arrival of their baby and finally stopped bickering. There's only a bit about new new maid and where she fits into things. As usual Luty provides a few laughs but she didn't have much to do in this book. Even Wiggins only had a minimal amount of page time though he has the most luck. Lady Cannonberry is the main character in this novel. The Inspector has as much, if not more, information than his staff. It seems like now he's capable of doing his job with a little bit of help but the staff and his friends all want to solve the mystery before him. I don't like that type of competition. Let the man do his job and then give him a nudge when he needs it. It seems now that Constable Barnes is in on the secret, it's easier to point the Inspector in the right direction, but it's also more boring. Even though this wasn't the best story, it still kept me up too late and awake way too early racing through it to find out if I was right about the killer and how they figured it out.
This is a mediocre mystery. I figured it out right away. It was perfectly obvious who and how and I thought why was obvious too but the why turned out to be a bit more complicated. There were only three suspects and evidence pointed to all three together or individually. I stuck to my original suspect. The clues were all there pretty early on and incredibly obvious. Much of the plot is taken up with political and philosophical discussion. I found that a bit tedious and out of place. We know Lady Cannonberry is a radical and we know the older generation tend to be old-fashioned and very strict about the "natural order of things." It didn't need to be repeated again and again. The murder of a young woman in the prime of her life disgusted me. That's my second least favorite victim behind mistaken identity or accidental killing. It's really horrible to think that someone would do something like that and feel perfectly justified.
Sometimes when the mystery is bland the family life plot keeps me more interested. This time there wasn't much of the personal going on in the story. Smythe and Betsy are awaiting the arrival of their baby and finally stopped bickering. There's only a bit about new new maid and where she fits into things. As usual Luty provides a few laughs but she didn't have much to do in this book. Even Wiggins only had a minimal amount of page time though he has the most luck. Lady Cannonberry is the main character in this novel. The Inspector has as much, if not more, information than his staff. It seems like now he's capable of doing his job with a little bit of help but the staff and his friends all want to solve the mystery before him. I don't like that type of competition. Let the man do his job and then give him a nudge when he needs it. It seems now that Constable Barnes is in on the secret, it's easier to point the Inspector in the right direction, but it's also more boring. Even though this wasn't the best story, it still kept me up too late and awake way too early racing through it to find out if I was right about the killer and how they figured it out.
June 4, 2011
I do enjoy this Victorian cozy mystery series, and look forward to each new book that comes out. This was a respectable showing, but I did find that the book was not as well plotted as most of the others in this series. A young, modern woman is poisoned at her own dinner party. There is no shortage of suspects in this fairly complex case. The characters are realistic, and I do love the people that live in Upper Edmonton Gardens. The mystery was a good one, and there were lots of red herrings to distract the reader. Will Mrs. Jeffries and her intrepid crew be able to solve it in time? I look forward to the next book in this long-running series.
May 30, 2011
Always enjoy the Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries series and the latest book didn't disappoint. Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead finds Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the gang doing what they do best. A proper mystery with plenty of clues. It was the perfect read for the few hours I was stuck on an airplane.
February 11, 2022
Another solid Mrs Jefferies read. These books perfectly embody the cozy mystery and I unashamedly admit to enjoying them! Anyone who likes a good cozy should check them out.
October 28, 2025
The champagne, it was so fizzy!
It made poor Arlette dizzy!
You could say that it went quickly to her head!
She got to feeling buzzy.
Things started getting fuzzy.
Ere long, dear readers,
Poor Arlette was dead!
I refer, of course, to the unfortunate Arlette Montrose Banfield. Someone poisoned her during a summer ball, an annual event for her husband’s family. The examining doctor determined that cyanide in the champagne killed her. Inspector Witherspoon and his associate, Constable Barnes, drew the assignment to identify the killer of this free-spirited suffragette.
Her husband appears devastated by Arlette’s death. Yet readers note that he and Arlette both changed their wills days before the ball. Since the couple had no children, they left their inheritances to each other—a decision that stirred considerable controversy in Victorian England.
The husband’s aunt, Geraldine Banfield, despised Arlette. Geraldine viewed Arlette’s progressive ideas and free spirit as a source of shame for the prosperous Banfield family, especially given Arlette’s past as an artist’s model before her marriage. Arlette’s parents shared similar concerns; they feared marriage into the aristocracy would ruin her.
Witherspoon’s household staff and two neighbors join the hunt for the killer, as always. They proceed surreptitiously to ensure the inspector remains unaware of their assistance. This time, Lady Ruth Cannonberry attends the ball. She sits beside Arlette and witnesses her down the fatal drink. Ruth doubtless shares tender moments with the inspector when she returns from caring for her first husband’s relatives, but her proximity to the murder unsettles him. Arlette alone at the table drank the champagne, though anyone there might have fallen victim with different choices.
Even the new maid, Phyllis, contributes meaningfully to the resolution. She confesses her struggles with people and her inability to coax gossip from others. Still, her efforts bolster the team’s success. The solution held no surprises for me—I deduced it early. Yet this gets four stars for the sheer creativity the staff employs in their quest to unmask the killer.
It made poor Arlette dizzy!
You could say that it went quickly to her head!
She got to feeling buzzy.
Things started getting fuzzy.
Ere long, dear readers,
Poor Arlette was dead!
I refer, of course, to the unfortunate Arlette Montrose Banfield. Someone poisoned her during a summer ball, an annual event for her husband’s family. The examining doctor determined that cyanide in the champagne killed her. Inspector Witherspoon and his associate, Constable Barnes, drew the assignment to identify the killer of this free-spirited suffragette.
Her husband appears devastated by Arlette’s death. Yet readers note that he and Arlette both changed their wills days before the ball. Since the couple had no children, they left their inheritances to each other—a decision that stirred considerable controversy in Victorian England.
The husband’s aunt, Geraldine Banfield, despised Arlette. Geraldine viewed Arlette’s progressive ideas and free spirit as a source of shame for the prosperous Banfield family, especially given Arlette’s past as an artist’s model before her marriage. Arlette’s parents shared similar concerns; they feared marriage into the aristocracy would ruin her.
Witherspoon’s household staff and two neighbors join the hunt for the killer, as always. They proceed surreptitiously to ensure the inspector remains unaware of their assistance. This time, Lady Ruth Cannonberry attends the ball. She sits beside Arlette and witnesses her down the fatal drink. Ruth doubtless shares tender moments with the inspector when she returns from caring for her first husband’s relatives, but her proximity to the murder unsettles him. Arlette alone at the table drank the champagne, though anyone there might have fallen victim with different choices.
Even the new maid, Phyllis, contributes meaningfully to the resolution. She confesses her struggles with people and her inability to coax gossip from others. Still, her efforts bolster the team’s success. The solution held no surprises for me—I deduced it early. Yet this gets four stars for the sheer creativity the staff employs in their quest to unmask the killer.
July 8, 2020
In front of the 200 people attending the annual Banfield Family ball, Arlette Banfield was murdered. She was drinking champagne when she began convulsing, gasping for breath, and collapsed. A doctor, who was a guest, smelled almonds on the dead woman's breath; that meant she had been poisoned by cyanide. Lady Cannonberry, Ruth, had been sitting next to Arlette and held the young woman as she died. Ruth was a dear friend of Inspector Witherspoon. She knew his methods. She and the doctor insisted that none servants remove anything from the main table. They also insisted the police be called, which incensed the elder Mrs Banfield who wanted to keep scandal away from the Banfield family. A police messenger woke up Inspector Witherspoon to get him to the Banfield house. Thus, his household knew he had a murder case. When he had a case, they had a case. Led by Mrs Jeffries, the housekeeper, his servants began gathering clues. They are joined by their friends Luty and Hatchet, and by Ruth, who gave them a first-hand account of the murder. It was obvious that not everyone in the Banfield family approved of Lewis Banfield marrying an artist's model. Her parents, well-known artists, disapproved even more of their daughter's marriage. Several of the ball's guests openly disliked Arlette, but she did not care. She was a free-thinking, easy-going , modern woman. While the Inspector and police interviewed the Banfield family and their guests, Mrs Jeffries and her sleuths met servants, shopkeepers, hansom drivers, and street messengers to discover who poisoned Arlette Banfield. Clues pointed to one of three suspects. Mrs Jeffries came up with a plan to expose the real murderer. A well-plotted page-turner
October 27, 2024
Few people are pleased at the marriage of Lewis Banfield and Arlette Montrose - not her artist parents, who feel the Banfields are philistines without an artistic bone in their collective body, not Lewis’s elderly aunt who believes he married beneath himself and therefore tainted the family honour, not the various movers and shakers of High Society who feel uncomfortable about the apparent egalitarianism of the match. So when Arlette is poisoned in front of 200 guests at the annual Banfield Summer Ball, Inspector Witherspoon has no shortage of suspects under his eye, difficult as it is to get the aristocracy to cooperate with the police. Mrs. Jeffries and the household are equally nonplussed by the task, especially as they also need to take into account the reluctance of the new housemaid Phyllis to join them in their clandestine investigations….By this, the 28th book in the series, the reader knows all of the characters very well, and we can predict (to some degree) how they each will act and react as the story unfolds; thus, it is nice to bring in a new character, namely Phyllis, who turns out to have hidden talents herself. As I’ve come to expect with this series, the mystery is carefully clued and misdirection is well-placed while still leaving the reader with enough information to perhaps solve the crime before the characters do. And I continue to love how the characters interact and evolve throughout the series, as each of them are people one would like to know in real life. Recommended!
June 7, 2021
A likeable and decent woman is poisoned in front of everyone at the ball. Inspector Witherspoon is given the case and his household and a few special friends begin to investigate as well.
This is a great historical mystery that focuses on an eclectic group of characters. It is the interaction between these characters that I enjoy the most, they function as a family. How they respect and treat each other is touching. The characters continue to grow and evolve throughout the series. The mystery is complex with numerous likely suspects, subtle clues, many twists and surprises and suspense. Once I start one of Emily Brightwell’s books I find I have to complete it in one sitting they are so engaging. You can read each one separately but I think you will enjoy them more if you read them in order.
This is a great historical mystery that focuses on an eclectic group of characters. It is the interaction between these characters that I enjoy the most, they function as a family. How they respect and treat each other is touching. The characters continue to grow and evolve throughout the series. The mystery is complex with numerous likely suspects, subtle clues, many twists and surprises and suspense. Once I start one of Emily Brightwell’s books I find I have to complete it in one sitting they are so engaging. You can read each one separately but I think you will enjoy them more if you read them in order.
January 27, 2024
Yes!!
This is what all cozy writers should aspire their cozy mysteries to be when they are complete.
This is everything I want in a cozy mystery.
This is book #28 of over 40 books. It is the only one I have read yet I never felt lost with the characters. It’s apparent the Inspector, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff appeared in most if not all of the previous books yet the author never left me hanging. It was written so well I was never lost with who these recurring characters were.
Plus the mystery for this specific book was so well written. So entertaining.
I’m so happy I found this book. I need to go on the hunt for the remainder of this series. What a wonderful author/series.
This is what all cozy writers should aspire their cozy mysteries to be when they are complete.
This is everything I want in a cozy mystery.
This is book #28 of over 40 books. It is the only one I have read yet I never felt lost with the characters. It’s apparent the Inspector, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the household staff appeared in most if not all of the previous books yet the author never left me hanging. It was written so well I was never lost with who these recurring characters were.
Plus the mystery for this specific book was so well written. So entertaining.
I’m so happy I found this book. I need to go on the hunt for the remainder of this series. What a wonderful author/series.
February 6, 2024
The crew is back at work, but the wrong person dies. A new friend of Lady Cannonberry's, Mrs. Banfield is poisoned at her own ball and doesn't deserve it at all. She is a nice woman. The Inspector's household goes into action with the addition of Phyllis, the new live-in maid, and information gets thrown at the reader faster than can be taken in. Trying to organize and get a handle on it all makes what Mrs. Jeffries goes through very real. The usual class commentary is here. Entitlement, this time of the rich, is shown up as a poor way to deal with life. When it comes right down to it, life owes one nothing. It is what one makes of it that is important.
December 4, 2025
A wealthy young woman is poisoned while hosting a ball in her home. The Inspector’s friend Lady Cannonberry is a guest, seated at the woman’s table when she succumbs, and between her and the attending doctor, who happens to be a police surgeon, they manage to keep the staff from clearing away most of the evidence. But the inspector’s efforts are hindered by the host’s aunt, who stands in their way at every turn. Betsy and Smythe are expecting a baby, and the new maid Phyllis has moved into Betsy’s room in the Witherspoon home. She’s invited to join the group but she waits until the end to show her skills.
May 26, 2018
#28 in the end of the 19th century London based mystery series in which Scotland Yard Inspector Witherspoon's domestic staff headed by Mrs. Jefferies, without his knowledge, work to help him solve his murder cases.
Arlette Montrose Banfield was killed with poison at a dinner party in front of hundreds of guests. There are plenty of suspects for Witherspoon and Constable Barnes to deal with. The story alternates between showing readers Witherspoon and his associate Barnes in action questioning suspects and his household staff investigating the case.
Arlette Montrose Banfield was killed with poison at a dinner party in front of hundreds of guests. There are plenty of suspects for Witherspoon and Constable Barnes to deal with. The story alternates between showing readers Witherspoon and his associate Barnes in action questioning suspects and his household staff investigating the case.
March 19, 2020
This is my first Emily Brightwell and Mrs. Jeffries and it did not disappoint. It's a cozy mystery read and a nice break after the quite intense read that was Murakami.
Lady Cannonberry is invited to the Banfield ball and witnesses the murder of her friend and mistress of the house, Arlette Montrose Banfield. Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes are assigned to the case. As always, the Witherspoon household staff - headed by the indomitable Mrs. Jeffries, is on top of this murder mystery.
The new Mrs. Banfield isn't the typical high society lady in 19th century London. Arlette came from a family of some distinction being that her parents are both artists. Yet, unlike ladies of her lineage, she was well-informed and artistic. Her effrontery was inveighed by the traditional (read: older) ladies of the upper crust of the London society. The enmity piled when she snagged one of London's most eligible bachelors, Lewis Banfield. It turned out to be a killer union.
Among the union's opposition is Lewis' own aunt Geraldine who used to run her nephew's household.
Mrs. Jeffries and her cadre of enthusiastic investigators investigate how the cyanide got into Arlette's drink and why she was murdered despite being loved by the household staff.
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead is the 28th book in the series. New readers of this series need not start with the first book unless they want to learn the dynamics and relationships between the colorful characters. The story and language are easy to follow. Each member of the team contributes to the investigation and is crucial to the success of the investigation. The clues are plenty and easy to spot. It was easy to guess who the murderer was. From there, I just had to sit back and read how the investigation unfolded. The newest member of the household staff seems skittish at first but turns out to be an invaluable asset to the investigation.
This is a perfect read for anyone who is in a reading lull or just looking for a cozy mystery. This was a perfect antidote to Murakami's melancholic and weird short stories.
Lady Cannonberry is invited to the Banfield ball and witnesses the murder of her friend and mistress of the house, Arlette Montrose Banfield. Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon and Constable Barnes are assigned to the case. As always, the Witherspoon household staff - headed by the indomitable Mrs. Jeffries, is on top of this murder mystery.
The new Mrs. Banfield isn't the typical high society lady in 19th century London. Arlette came from a family of some distinction being that her parents are both artists. Yet, unlike ladies of her lineage, she was well-informed and artistic. Her effrontery was inveighed by the traditional (read: older) ladies of the upper crust of the London society. The enmity piled when she snagged one of London's most eligible bachelors, Lewis Banfield. It turned out to be a killer union.
Among the union's opposition is Lewis' own aunt Geraldine who used to run her nephew's household.
Mrs. Jeffries and her cadre of enthusiastic investigators investigate how the cyanide got into Arlette's drink and why she was murdered despite being loved by the household staff.
Mrs. Jeffries Forges Ahead is the 28th book in the series. New readers of this series need not start with the first book unless they want to learn the dynamics and relationships between the colorful characters. The story and language are easy to follow. Each member of the team contributes to the investigation and is crucial to the success of the investigation. The clues are plenty and easy to spot. It was easy to guess who the murderer was. From there, I just had to sit back and read how the investigation unfolded. The newest member of the household staff seems skittish at first but turns out to be an invaluable asset to the investigation.
This is a perfect read for anyone who is in a reading lull or just looking for a cozy mystery. This was a perfect antidote to Murakami's melancholic and weird short stories.
not-to-read-dnf
October 27, 2024DNF at chapter 1, unfortunately. I found the circumstances of the murder, the characters around it that got introduced and the proximity of the drama to the inspector's "lady friend" very discouraging — I didn't want to spend any more time in that situation and in that company. Plus, I could guess the guilty party practically from page 1, and once I decided to stop reading, I looked it up and found my guess confirmed. Finding out the "how" didn't seem like a fair compensation for the unpleasantness of reading on.
October 26, 2017
A young woman from an artistic family who recently married into a wealthy one is poisoned at the family's ball in front of a crowd of people. Lots of people didn't like her, but who wanted her dead?
As usual, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the staff and friends of Inspector Witherspoon come together to solve the crime. We have a new member of our sleuthing team who offers a unique talent to the enterprise.
This books are fun little romps designed to entertain without too much effort.
As usual, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of the staff and friends of Inspector Witherspoon come together to solve the crime. We have a new member of our sleuthing team who offers a unique talent to the enterprise.
This books are fun little romps designed to entertain without too much effort.
October 18, 2021
Another good book in this series. The inspector, his team as well as his friends and household have to overcome a series of misdirections. The murder of the beautiful lady is a tragedy and her husband is determined to help bring the killer to justice. Am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 9, 2023
and a place for Phyllis.
Phyllis gets, and nearly loses, her chance, to be part of the “family”. A lovely young woman, dies while sitting next to Ruth Cannonberry. The motive is unbelievable, perhaps, for this day and age, but then again, perhaps more believable given this age of MAGA.
Phyllis gets, and nearly loses, her chance, to be part of the “family”. A lovely young woman, dies while sitting next to Ruth Cannonberry. The motive is unbelievable, perhaps, for this day and age, but then again, perhaps more believable given this age of MAGA.
February 12, 2021
Mrs. Jeffries, head of a Victorian household staff for Inspector Witherspoon, has organized the staff to assist him, unbeknownst, in solving crimes. Delightful peak into what's accepted or not socially, and the differences between the aristocracy and trades people, and serving people.
July 20, 2025
Love these little cozy mysteries to start my day, while I'm getting ready to go to work. I really have grown to love all the characters, and I know I'll miss them when I'm done with the series.
Perfect....
Perfect....
October 22, 2017
Fun light reading with clever characters you grow to know and love in each book of this long series.
October 23, 2017
Fun series to read - very light reading
May 22, 2020
Never disappoints, thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, feel so connected to the main characters its like revisiting family every new story I read now. Long may they continue.
January 23, 2022
One of the better entries in this delightful series.
February 22, 2022
Libby
Another good cozy!
Another good cozy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews