"Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations" by Simon Brett is a delightful and entertaining mystery novel featuring the charming and resourceful widow, Mrs. Pargeter.

In Simon Brett's lively eighth installment of the Mrs. Pargeter series, "Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations," the clever and always elegant Melita Pargeter claims to know very little about her late husband's fortune. But when she meets Rochelle Brighouse and her son, Haydon, at a charity auction in London, she discovers a long-lost family member and a potential new source of information. When Mr. Pargeter's black book goes missing and a member of the PhiliPussies society is found murdered, Mrs. Pargeter's curiosity is piqued. With the help of her husband's former employees, she sets out to solve the case. Fans of light-hearted mysteries will thoroughly enjoy this entertaining and engaging read.

Simon Brett is the author of several bestselling English cozy series, and they are upbeat and delightful. Mrs. Pargeter’s Public Relations is the eighth installment in the Mrs. Pargeter Mystery series. Mrs. Pargeter was left with plenty of money when her husband died, and his “associates” still protect and support her. Mrs. Pargeter is very generous, and even though she doesn’t particularly like cats, she attends a charity function called PhiliPussies to support a friend of hers. PhiliPussies is an organization that finds and helps stray cats on the Greek island of Atmos, then adopts them into good English homes as pets. At the function, a woman introduces herself as the sister of her beloved late husband. One thing leads to another, and Mrs. Pargeter finds herself involved in an evil organization and a murder. The suspense builds as she puts herself in danger when she visits Atmos, and for a time it appears that she just may not survive.

Mrs. Pargeter is a delightful character. It seems she is very naïve, but as the novel evolves, readers will find that she is actually quite savvy. Her main objective in this novel is not only to uncover the evil that is around her, but also to save her late-husband’s reputation. At first, the novel seems like a bit of a farce, and the humor will appeal to everyone. Everyone will also like Mrs. Pargeter, and her cleverness will not be forgotten.

The Mrs. Pargeter Mystery series is not only delightful, but it is suitable for all ages and anyone who enjoys a good mystery. The books are decidedly English, which adds a dash of charm. Mrs. Pargeter’s Public Relations is one of the best in the series. Those who haven’t read the previous novels will enjoy it even though they aren’t familiar with the others, but will also pick up the others and read them too. They are quick reads, which is nice for busy people who don’t have a lot of time. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I'm a huge fan of Simon Brett's Charles Paris series and have enjoyed his Fethering series but this was the first Mrs Pargeter book I have read. It probably won't be my last either but I didn't think it was quite as good as some of his other works. It's a very quick read and there's not much depth to it; the plot is very convenient and requires enormous suspensions of disbelief! That said, it's good fun with some humorous moments and a decent mystery. If you have read and enjoyed Mrs Pargeter before, I am sure you will like this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the ARC.

Simon Brett in Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations has Mrs. Pargeter pitted against the sister of her late husband. Mr. Pargeter was the genteel leader of a criminal gang; his sister is a blackmailer and criminal. Mrs. Pargeter respects her husband's associates and has to protect them when his little black book goes missing.

I really enjoy books written by Simon Brett and I was looking forward to this latest outing for Mrs Pargeter. In many ways I was not disappointed. This time Mrs Pargeter investigates a charity which is importing cats into the UK from a Greek island so that they can be rehomed, but is there more to it than there seems? Her late husband's sister has emerged from the woodwork and is involved with the charity, but she is a nasty piece of work and when Mr Pargeter's "little black book" goes missing Mrs Pargeter has a strong suspicion who the culprit is. Brett excels at cosy crime and the charming Mrs Pargeter and her band of supporters are always good company. But I struggled with the fact that the plot of this book involves a major case of "jumping the shark" which rather marred the whole experience for me. However, there is a line right at the end of the book about vanity authors and garages that had me laughing out loud - and finally made up my mind to give it three stars as I had been dithering between two and three because of the impossible nature of the plot..

It's always interesting to go into a book completely blind. I had read the blurb but I really knew nothing about the series or the character at all. This reminded me a bit of the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman. Just by looking at her Mrs. Pargeter seems like a respectable wealthy widow but in reality she is the widow of a kind of crime boss who had many resources and connections - all of whom are more than happy to provide assistance to his widow.

The mystery itself was intriguing. Right from the start Mrs. Pargeter feels that something is more than a little bit fishy with the cat charity and it was easy to follow her reasoning. As well when the supposed sister of her late husband shows up and not only will none of his usually incredibly helpful associates shed light on just who this sister is but an important item goes missing I was quite curious to see how it all worked out. I had a few guesses as to what was going to happen. This doesn't read like a big reveal mystery but more like you're along for the ride getting the clues just as Mrs. Pargeter gets them.

The story itself had a somewhat old fashioned feel. Mrs. Pargeter is a perfectly proper reluctant society lady and Truffles and some of her other friends have a seriously vintage old school gangster with a heart of gold vibe. It wasn't the fastest paced mystery I've read but it was a very fun one. Mrs. Pargeter is a character I enjoyed getting to know and her world is one I'd like to revisit. This is a long running series and this is a later book. However, I had no problem jumping in right here. Enough was explained that I had no trouble understanding who was who and what was what but nothing was over explained or cumbersome.

Mrs Pargeter’s Public Relations
A Mrs Pargeter Mystery #8
Simon Brett
Crème de la Crime/Severn House, April 2017
ISBN 978-1-78029-092-8
Hardcover

From the publisher—

It is her characteristic generosity rather than her love of animals that finds Mrs Pargeter supporting her friend, Jasmine Angold, at a charity reception for PhiliPussies, whose worthy aim is to rehabilitate stray cats from the Greek island of Atmos into caring English homes. But the evening is to have unexpected consequences. At the event, Mrs P is taken aback to meet a woman who claims to be the sister of her late husband, the much-missed Mr Pargeter.

This surprising encounter leads to unwelcome digging into past secrets, the discovery of a body in Epping Forest, an eventful trip to Greece – and unexpected danger for Mrs Pargeter. In the course of her investigations, she learns the true nature of charity and the dubious skills by which Public Relations can make evil look good.

The Mrs Pargeter series is beguiling and delightful and this particular installment is no exception. Once again, the very wealthy and very kind widow finds herself in the midst of a puzzling crime and perhaps more.

Mrs Pargeter is always ready to help worthy causes with her money and her time but the latest, a cat rescue program, doesn’t really speak to her as she’s not particularly fond of cats. She agrees to go to a fundraiser because it’s important to her friend, Jasmine Angold, and Mrs Pargeter is all for supporting friends and those who are good to her, people such as Gary, her driver-on-call, and a security expert, Parvez. She found both in her late husband’s little black book full of experts in all sorts of activities. These experts were all connected in one way or another to her husband’s, er, illegal enterprises and while Mrs Pargeter would just as soon not know anything about said enterprises (to the point of not allowing anyone to mention them), she certainly appreciates the resulting wealth and the contents of the little black book.

When a very expensive necklace disappears from the charity auction, Mrs Pargeter is intrigued but even more so by the out-of-the-blue appearance of Rochelle Brighouse, a sister-in-law she never knew existed. Now, she has two mysteries to look into, the theft and this rather unpleasant woman, and she begins with a few questions to Gary and Parvez but is stymied by their surprising unwillingness to talk.

When Rochelle makes her agenda known and Mrs Pargeter realizes her husband’s reputation is at stake, she’s mobilized to do something about it. Add to that a murder connected to the cat rescue and our intrepid sleuth is soon doing what she does best.

Mrs Pargeter is a woman wedded to fighting for good and against evil and this crime caper is as entertaining and full of dry humor as one could wish despite a bit of silliness (it’s puzzling why Brits would feel compelled to rescue cats from Greece when there are plenty of needy felines at home). She also is an unusual sleuth with her vast wealth and her ability to call on some of her husband’s very capable associates with their particular talents. All in all, it’s really easy to be charmed.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, April 2017.

I have once more crashed midway into this long-standing series, but Brett is far too deft and experienced to make that a problem. It didn’t take me all that long to realise that Mrs Pargeter is a widow, whose deceased husband was a crime boss – a detail that those who are in her employ go to some lengths to keep away from her. To be honest, that aspect of the storyline was a tad irritating, given she is also supposed to be intelligent and perceptive, as well as honest.
However, it certainly wasn’t a dealbreaker as this cosy mystery soon swung into action as Mrs P finds herself enmeshed in a tale of blackmail and wrongdoing. I found her a mostly endearing character – except for the aforementioned annoying blind spot – and she leads an enjoyably luxurious life, given she is very wealthy. However, that doesn’t necessarily shield her from those who would harm her. I liked the fact that unlike many protagonists, she’s not all that cat-minded – but gets involved with the charity because a friend wants her along. This is important, because when she is threatened, I cared. Despite the fact that there was no gore and this is as gentle as mysteries get, that didn’t stop there being plenty of pace and tension in this tale such that I tucked into this one and finished it in two greedy gulps.
This is an ideal summer read and if you want an entertaining mystery adventure that isn’t drenched in gore with some pleasing flashes of humour in amongst the adventure, then give this one a go.
8/10

Mrs. Pargeter's husband has been dead for a number of years now but she will let no one say anything bad about him. He was a wonderful provider, left her plenty of money and a little black book that has all his old contacts on it. She uses them to help her through life now. One drives her, one is detective and there are all kinds of other skills within the black book. She even got one to make her safe secure. But evil doesn't go away just because you're prepared...

Severn House and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 1st.

It's when Mrs. Pargeter goes to a charity event for cats that she meets a woman who says she's her dead husband's sister. She'd never heard of her before, doesn't like her much, and avoids her at the event. However, she calls again. She thinks she's owed something from the estate. Mrs. Pargeter tells her to put it in writing and she'll discuss it with her attorney. She thinks she's taken care of that but then she finds her failsafe safe that only opens with her fingerprint ID has been opened and her black book is missing. She calls the detective and they go off on the hunt.

The trail goes to Greece and so do they. But it's a dangerous place to be. Everyone is related and they're all part of a conspiracy. The facts get muddled the further they go. And Mrs. Pargeter's husband was not the most honest and perfect gentleman in the world but she won't hear of it. She's going to protect his reputation and work with his friends to do so.

This story is a bit tongue-in-cheek but I really enjoyed it. Mrs. Pargeter is not as dense as she appears because she comes up with a way to nip the trouble in the bud. You need to be careful around old ladies. They may not be what they seem to be...

While supporting her friend in her bereavement Mrs Pargeter invites, Jasmine Angold to a charity reception for PhiliPussies. A charity which rehouses cats from the Greek Island of Atmos back to England. But at the event she meets her previously unknown sister-in-law, which is followed by a death, results in a lot of potential revealing of secrets.
An enjoyable cosy crime mystery which re-introduced me to the tales of Mrs Pargeter.

Princess Fuzzypants here:

Mrs. Pargenter is blissfully naive. Her late husband had a coterie of associates for whom the sun rose and shone. Their gratitude is overwhelming and they would do anything within their power for her as they would have done for him. All she needs to do is access a little black book that he bequeathed her as well as almost endless wealth.

The folks have unique skills to say the least and whenever she is in need, they are there to protect her and her interests. When she is wrangled into attending a charity event, she meets her husband's hereto unknown sister and her son. There is something disquieting about her. In fact her innuendos about her husband's business affairs would be downright disturbing had Mrs. P not refused to acknowledge anything tawdry about him.

As events transpire, it becomes clear the sister is an evil person who will besmirch Mr. P's reputation. Mrs. P will not permit it and enlists those who would protect his image as well. In the process, she uncovers a charitable front for a nefarious smuggling ring.

Mrs. Pargenter is a delightful character whose intentional oblivion gets tested at every turn but she manages to ignore the realities of her husband's past. The cast of characters who surround her are a fascinating bunch and the light humour of the story is enchanting. The villains are sufficiently nasty as they threaten Mrs; P's calm and orderly world. It is most satisfying when they get their comeuppance.

It is a lovely book and I give it five purrs and two paws up.

Mrs Pargeter discovers the skills by which Public Relations can make evil look good in the latest wickedly entertaining mystery.

It is her characteristic generosity rather than her love of animals that finds Mrs Pargeter supporting her friend, Jasmine Angold, at a charity reception for PhiliPussies, whose worthy aim is to rehabilitate stray cats from the Greek island of Atmos into caring English homes. But the evening is to have unexpected consequences. At the event, Mrs P is taken aback to meet a woman who claims to be the sister of her late husband, the much-missed Mr Pargeter.

This surprising encounter leads to unwelcome digging into past secrets, the discovery of a body in Epping Forest, an eventful trip to Greece - and unexpected danger for Mrs Pargeter. In the course of her investigations, she learns the true nature of charity and the dubious skills by which Public Relations can make evil look good.

This is an easy read but I found it a little boring and predictable. Sad really as I enjoyed all the previous Mrs Pargeter books.

Mrs. Pargeter still misses her beloved husband and the only thing that lessens the pain is he did leave her well-provided for, both in terms of money and a network of former business associates that never hesitate to assist Mrs. Pargeter. Mrs. Pargeter is in turn generous to those associates and their families, which is how she ends up attending a charity function for a cause she isn’t very interested in. Something unexpected occurs at the event when Mrs. Pargeter finds herself face-to-face with a woman she has never met nor heard of who introduces herself as Mr. Pargeter’s sister! Mrs. Pargeter soon suspects the woman of trying to cause trouble for her and that situation along with a murder lead her on what turns out to be a very dangerous trip to Greece to investigate.

I’m so glad Simon Brett has started writing new installments of this series again. This newest Mrs. Pargeter adventure includes plenty of Brett’s clever, dry wit, along with an interesting plot and unique characters. It’s great to see the loyalty Mr. Pargeter’s former “business associates” show Mrs. Pargeter. She usually returns their loyalty unless one of them even hint that Mr. Pargeter broke the law. Then she will freeze them with a look that causes an immediate change in subject. That has been the premise throughout this series and it still makes me chuckle each time. This is really the case in this book when it seems someone is trying to dig up dirt on the late Mr. Pargeter.

The quest to solve a murder and protect Mr. Pargeter’s reputation make for an entertaining story. It’s wonderful how she works with a selected group of friends, ranging from a safe-cracker to a computer hacker, to help with the investigation. I have followed this series for quite some time, but there is no reason new readers can’t jump right in an enjoy the fun. This is a fast-paced, easy to read mystery full of humor and I hope there are many more books to come in this delightful series.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

This delightfully dry British cozy features Mrs. Pargeter, well-to-do widow of a British crime figure. The late Mr. Pargeter was revered by all. He left his wife quite comfortable financially, and his old "business associates" keep a respectfully guarded eye on Mrs. P. She steadfastly refuses to believe that her husband was engaged in anything nefarious and his old gang protectively continue that deception.

But when his old black book full of names disappears from her safe, Mrs,. Pargeter has to do some scheming to make sure no unseemly information leaks out that could sully her husband's reputation.

This series is an understated and entertaining romp, firmly tongue in cheek, and Mrs. Pargeter is a terrific character. Thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to finally see another Mrs. Pargeter book from Simon Brett. I've read all the previous books in the series, and love Mrs. Pargeter, the English widow of crime baron who of course knows "absolutely nothing" of her beloved husband's exploits. His greatest legacy to her, besides his fortune, was his little black book of his associates, which Mrs. Pargeter has successfully used to solve crimes and clear up messy situations that arise in her life and the lives of her friends. She is very protective of her husband's former associates and their families, and regularly steps in to help them whenever she can.

In this installment, Mrs. Pargeter has gracefully moved into the 21st century and meets her husband's sister for the first time at a charity dinner for a cat rescue she's attending to support a friend. Ultimately, this reunion threatens to expose Mr. Pargeter's unsavory past, and Mrs. Pargeter must take action to save her husband's reputation. At the same time, she senses something is not right with the cat charity, and goes to the Greek islands to investigate.

I enjoyed this book very much. It's a fun and humorous read, like all the previous Mrs. Pargeter books. I hope Simon Brett has more installments planned.

This is a very enjoyable piece of nonsense. Simon Brett is really good at writing amusing crime mysteries, and this is an good example of what he does so well.

I hadn't read Mrs Pargeter before; she is the shrewd and charming widow of a very successful…er…businessman whose former associates include safe-crackers, getaway drivers and the like. These associates are fiercely loyal to and protective of Mrs P, who, naturally, has no knowledge of the details of her late husband's enterprises. Here, she comes across a rather dubious charity and is threatened by people who may wish to expose…er…I mean, spread malicious gossip about the late Mr. P's activities.

It's an amusing romp which made me laugh out loud occasionally and smile a lot. Gritty realism, it ain't; there's no grit and precious little realism, but it's very well written, has genuine humour and has a decent, if less-than-believable plot. I spent a few happy hours in its company and I can recommend it as a witty, enjoyable escape from reality.

(I received an ARC via Netgalley.)

Simon Brett can be wickedly funny and is a master plotter. Mrs. Pargeter's Public Relations is is a cozy crime caper with flashes of humour. Mrs. Pargeter is the wealthy widow of a master criminal. She is determined to remain innocent of his unlawful doings, while surrounding herself with his former henchmen and women. Mrs. Pargeter solves mysteries that come her way, helping the good and foiling those with evil plans.
In this case the mystery involves a Greek island and a suspicious cat charity. This book is distracting, quick and ably written - perfect for a quick break.