A zippy historical cozy. Lady Eleanor must solve the murder of a guest at her neighbor's masked ball and she does, handily. Know that this is not wholly consistent with the 1920s (the language especially) but it's still fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Second in the series and liked it better. Feels more settled now, as getting to know the characters. When a murder happens at a mask party, the hosts’ son is framed. So naturally Lady Eleanor has to step in and help the dishy inspector and help her friend from being convicted. Good story and a fun cozy read. Highly recommend this book.

This is the 2nd book and shows the series is off to a great start.though I do wish the settings had a little more detail.

I'm afraid I very much struggled reading Death at the Dance, and almost DNF'd it. I'll break down why I found it so hard to read, and finish with what I did enjoy.

Despite being billed as a historical mystery, Death at the Dance puts quite a few feet wrong in the accuracy department. Only a few pages in, Eleanor wears a dress belonging to her mother which is over 20 years old, and is unlikely to be appropriate for the 1920s. That's a small misstep, but a larger one is the language used throughout. Even bright young things seem unlikely to say "I get that" , "okay" or "his beef" (not referring to food, and used twice!). I might have forgiven this, but the author is evidently trying to represent 20s speech, with lots of "bally" and ",what!" sprinkled throughout her dialogue.

Plot wise, I found it hard to be invested for the central 60% of the book, as nothing much seemed to happen and I kept confusing the characters. Whilst I found the story more readable once Eleanor had infiltrated the gang of young people at the centre of the mystery, when I reached the conclusion I was completely uninvested in whodunnit.

However, I did appreciate the banter between Eleanor and her Butler, and smiled at their Jeeves and Worcester -esque reparte from time to time. There were some fun character traits and this was often linked to food, which I found both charming and realistic.

From a world building perspective, the outdoor spaces are magnificently described, and whilst I couldn't picture the ballroom or Eleanor's room clearly, I could easily imagine her eating a picnic in her garden.

I've rated Death at the Dance two stars, and I'm aware that I'm very much in the minority with that rating! I think unfortunately it rubbed me up the wrong way and didn't capture my imagination enough to make up for that. I'm grateful to Bookouture who sent me a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

I needed a bit of a break from grisly murder and emotional reads, so I was happy to return to this second in a series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift set in 1920s England. I adore this historical period and love the details of life during that time. This cozy mystery was exactly the tonic I needed.

In this installment, Lady Swift is attending a masked ball at the manor owned by the parents of her new love interest, Lance Langham. While there, she ends up stumbling upon Lance bending over a recently murdered guest, holding a heavy silver candlestick, and some very valuable family jewels missing from the safe. As (bad) luck would have it, the police find them immediately and arrest Lance on the spot for murder and burglary. Eleanor, along with her trusty butler and friend, Clifford, must clear his name. NO SPOILERS.

The thing is, some of this is outright funny. The interaction and friendship between Eleanor and Clifford makes me laugh because she is no typical English Lady and he is no normal manservant. I like the characters and the story moved along very quickly with lots of action and quite a few suspects. I look forward to the next in the series, but unfortunately I don't have a copy of #3, so I will be skipping along to the fourth straightaway. Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review, and recommend.

I absolutely loved this cozy mystery! The cover is gorgeous, such Gatsby vibes! This was such an easy read!

I have read the first book of this series previously. At the time, I felt like there was potential and hoped to pick the next up. I have now made progress in the series although I am missing one odd one out. It does not seem to have affected my reading experience, although I would not recommend skipping the first because it holds a lot of information.
Ellie is settling into her new role. She is on good terms with her household staff and looking forward to attending a Ball. Once there, she is on the lookout for the man(boy) who captured her interest the last time. In tailing him, she finds herself in an inexcusable position of being found near a dead body. Thus begins a tale with a countdown where a friend's life is in danger, and almost everyone in his circle seems to be hiding something. Ellie and her trusted Butler set out to systematically find alibis and identify the culprit before the time runs out. As usual, Clifford (the Butler) does the actual solving, but Eleanor is the one who ferrets out the details by being in the right place at the right time as well as saying the right things. It was a quick read, moving at a fast pace and wraps up quite neatly.
Life in the period is shown in all its fake glamour with people living beyond their means and being people of leisure.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This series is set in England in the 1920 and it's a big surprise to me that I love Lady Eleanor and her friends. I'm not a historic fanatic but this one holds my interest and gives me a glimpse of life in post WWI England. This is book 2 of 4 in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series and I can't wait for the next 2. Lady Eleanor goes to a ball at the neighbors in time to see their son standing over the dead body of another guest. Now Lance is under arrest for murder and Eleanor must work to prove her boyfriend innocent because the local police believe they have an open and shut case. I love the way Eleanor interacts with all the characters. During this time frame there is such a division of classes between the gentry and their servants. A great read and a wonderful mystery. I rceive4d a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was bummed to find out this was the second in the series, but made an exception because like many this year I’m sure, I need ALL the roaring ‘20s titles I can get my hands on. It was EXACTLY what I was hoping for a fun, cozy mystery with a bit of a Clue style vibe, full of quick, witty writing that I adored!

Lady Eleanor Swift is a delight, I would definitely pick up another title like this one in a heartbeat!

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series by Verity Bright.

I have to say right off the bat that I was not sad that Lance Langham had to spend most of the book in jai. Truthfully, he seems like more of a sidekick character than a love interest. I sam surely rooting for DCI Seldon to fill that true love slot. Definitely on Team Seldon. That part at the end where he warns her and then lets her go, I think my heart just squeezed for his pain. And Eleanor just seemed so oblivious to it. I am not certain what she sees in Lance. I mean, seriously!

I love the character of the butler Clifford. He is just the best and probably a better sidekick than Lance would ever be. I guess I would put Lance as the comedy relief since that is all he really is for me.

Lance is caught red handed as he attempts to steal his parent’s jewels and blame a thief that has been frequenting the same parties as he and his Bright Young Things group. His parents are in dire financial straights and need the insurance money. I am not sure why the dunderhead just didn’t sell his pretty expensive plane to get the money instead of turning to a life of crime. Anyway, he gets framed for murder while trying to steal the jewels and is sent straight to jail much to DCI Seldon’s pleasure.

I like that Eleanor stand up for her friends and goes to great lengths to prove their innocence but I still have a hard time buying a love story between these two.

Overall, a great read. The mystery is spot on with lots of twists and turns and the characters are ones you look forward to knowing about.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Wherever Lady Eleanor Swift goes, trouble always seems to follow and that is certainly the case in Death at the Dance, the second irresistible instalment of Verity Bright’s fantastic 1920s set series.

Lady Eleanor Swift wants to take a break from sleuthing after the reluctant detective had to get to the bottom of the case that had even foxed the police. Now, she wants to take a break and have some fun and a masked ball seems the perfect opportunity for the adventurer who had found herself thrust into the world of high society after years spent travelling the world and throwing herself into one new challenge after another. With her new beau, Lance Langham the host of this ball, Eleanor needs to look the part, dazzle Lance’s guests and not put a foot wrong. But when she gets to the ball and follows a pair of very familiar long legs up a grand staircase, little does she realise that she is about to stumble upon another crime scene which will compel her to put her sleuthing hat on and solve the murder of who killed Colonel Puddifoot – especially as Lance has been found standing over the body, carrying a candlestick and with the family safe empty.

As Lance is taken away by the police and arrested for murder and larceny, Eleanor is positive that the man she loves is innocent and she will leave no stone unturned until she clears Lance’s name – even if it proves harder than she initially imagined. With all the evidence pointing to Lance, Eleanor is sure that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye and something that Lance has said about his friends convinces her that the answers might lie closer to home.

With her trusted bulldog Gladstone by her side, Eleanor vows to get to the truth and clear Lance’s name – even if danger and death are never far behind…

Verity Bright’s Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries are the most marvellous fun! Full of humour, red herrings and page-turning suspense, they are fantastic historical cozy mysteries readers will struggle to put down and Death at the Dance is certainly no different. Stylish, enjoyable and nail-biting, Death at the Dance is a gripping read full of atmosphere, verve and twists and turns readers will simply not see coming.

With the effervescent Lady Eleanor Swift at the top of her game, Death at the Dance is another enjoyable historical cozy fans of Carola Dunn and Rhys Bowen are going to thoroughly enjoy.

The second book in this historical cosy mystery series follows Lady Eleanor and her butler Clifford as they try to untangle yet another murder.

Though technically part of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series, this novel can be read as a standalone and is highly readable as well as entertaining. The plot is fast paced and there are numerous suspects. You really don't know who the culprit is until the very end!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is book 2 in a series. It reads ok as a stand alone, but I felt I was missing some backstory. Maybe better if you read in order. This is an historical cozy mystery. I loved Clifford!!! What an amazing butler!!! Made the story for me. The plot was interesting, and I would read more of this series. 3.5 stars. Enjoyable

Such a great series.
Interesting, well plotted mystery that captured the atmosphere of nightclubs and the Bright Young Thing set.
Lady Eleanor Swift is a great character. She is such a mixture between traditional and unconventional that she can go between a variety of social scenes and fit in and gain people's trust.
Really looking forward to more mysteries from this writer.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

In the second book of this engaging cozy mystery series, Lady Eleanor (Elle) Swift is a bit hesitant to attend a masked ball at the home of her friend Lancelot's family's manor. She still hasn't gotten adjusted to her new role as a Lady in her own manor. What's more is that just as Elle was settling into her new life, she took on another role - an amateur sleuth. Now, while at the ball, when her dear friend - and beau - Lancelot is arrested for murder, Elle quickly dons her her hat and seeks to not only prove Lance's innocence, but also plans on discovering the murderer.

Elle begins her inquiries, leaving no stone unturned, especially as there is definitely more than one likely suspect. It soon proves evident that Elle must act quickly, as there are other murders. So not only must Elle help Lance, it doesn't take her much time to fall into danger, with her very life at risk yet again.

This is exactly my type of book! I love Elle, and her little sidekick Gladstone, a proper bulldog who is always by her side. Not only did I enjoy Elle and Gladstone in both books in this series, but there is also Clifford, Elle's butler at the manor. He is great! I love how he is always there - not just to advise Elle, but helping her in ways that she is grateful for.

This is a fun mystery where I was kept guessing throughout. Of course the time frame was fun too, 1920's England. As much as I enjoyed Agatha Christie in years past, I wasn't a huge Miss Marple fan - I had too much fun with Hercules Poirot. Well, by reading both books in this series, I now feel like I should grab a hold of some of the Marple books. I didn't know what I was missing, so I love that my interest was piqued by reading these books by Verity Bright. I cannot wait see what else Elle, et al, have in store in future books.

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

When does a story of any friendship begins? Why, at the beginning, of course.

When I was given Death at the Dance by Verity Bright to read (thanks to Netgalley) I absolutely had to start at the beginning of the series. So, I went ahead and bought the first book in the series A Very English Murder… and did not regret it for a minute.

I’ve met a lovely friend that I want to get to know more and more about. I’ve found a character that ticks all the right boxes for me as a reader. Lady Eleanor Swift is one fun lady… lady-detective…

I am not sure what is more dangerous: a farmer with a pitchfork or a bunch of over-priveledged youth with no boundaries and no moral compass…

Death at The Dance finds Eleanor rushing to help her mmm friend Lancelot avoid hanging. Eleanor will have to interrogate a lot of people, drink a lot of fancy cocktails and dance nights away… It is not her cup of tea or glass of Angel Face or whatever.

Suprisingly, for the cozy mystery, reader will be kept gu

Eleanor is amazing. She is smart, freespirit, unconventional and strong. She does want to fit in in her new community but she does not want to fit in with titled and priviledged. She is not ‘financially challenged’ but does not like to overspend. She is a gem.

I absolutely loved the main character. And her butler is a very unexpected find. Clifford is butler-driver-bodyguard-side kick. He is her Guardian Angel.

I’ve seen a lot of butlers in cozy mysteries. But Clifford is one of a kind. Author does provide a bit of back story on him but still.. she is a mystery.

I’ve read two books in these series so far and can’t wait to read more. Lady Swift mysteries are light and bright. They are lady-like as they do not contain and nasty details, gore or outright violence. They are set in English country on the estate with immaculate gardens. They are dressed in a bit of out of fashion but still amazing frocks and… Yes, they have a devoted constantly hungry attention-addicted bulldog Gladstone.

What more could you wish for?

Five stars from me.

Flame haired Lady Eleanor Swift returns for a second 1920s sleuthing adventure in Death at the Dance by the husband and wife writing team known as Verify Bright. Ellie is now comfortably ensconced at Henley Hall and has made many friends in Little Beckford and it's neighboring communities. She has also developed a particular friendship with Lancelot Fenwick-Langham, known to her as "Goggles" because he rides a motorcycle and flies an airplane every chance he gets.

Invited to a ball by Lord Harold and Lady Augusta Fenwick-Langham, Lancelot's parents, Ellie is the last to arrive. She is hoping to avoid disagreeable Colonel Puddifoot-Barton, a houseguest of the Langhams'. Unfortunately, she is unable to do so, and she and the Colonel exchange words shortly after her arrival. Ellie, however, is more concerned with finding Lancelot. She learns that he, together with his "bright young things" friends, has come in full costume as a pirate. Spotting a pirate, she follows him upstairs, loses eight of him, hears a voice calling out "no," and opens the door from which she thinks the voice came. What she sees as she enters the room comes as a shock; Lancelot is standing over the body of Colonel Puddifoot-Barton holding a candlestick. Just then the doors at the other end of the room bursts open, and a group of policemen along with Detective Chief Inspector Seaton and Sergeant Brice, whom Ellie met on a previous case.

The police were outside the door because a cat burglar has been successfully operating in the neighborhood, making away with a considerable amount of expensive jewelry. The room in which Ellie and Lancelot are found contains the safe that holds Lady Langham's exquisite necklace. DCI Seaton immediately notices that the safe is open and empty, and he arrests Lancelot on the spot for the theft of his mother's necklace as well as for the murder of the Colonel. He also cautions Ellie that she, too, is a suspect.

At the behest of Lord and Lady Fenwick-Langham, Ellie teams up with her inimitable butler, Clifford, determined to discover who really murdered the Colonel and stole the necklace. Was it either or both of the Langhams, who have been experiencing serious financial difficulties? Might it have been one of several of the backstabbing lords and ladies at the ball? Could it have been an inside job committed by a member of staff? Or could the deeds have been done by one of more of Lancelot's "bright young things" friends? Backed up by the rest of the staff of Henley Hall, and by Gladstone, Ellie's elderly bulldog,, she and Clifford sleuth their way through this amusing entry in a series that should continue to delight fans of English cozy historical mysteries for some time to come. Recommended.

Thank you to Verify Bright, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ARC of Death at the Dance in return for this honest review.

Lady Eleanor Swift is still trying to fit in to her new role as the lady of the manor. She attends a masked dance, trips over her dress and discovers a jewel theft and murder. The chief suspect is her love interest Lancelot but can she clear his name and find the real thief and killer...?
Death at the Dance is a light hearted murder mystery set in the 1920s so it has a classical Agatha Christie feel. It is the sequel to A Very English Murder but would work as a stand alone novel.
The characters really pull the plot along and I admit that I had almost lost interest in the plot itself as it is quite slow to develop, and we have little personal knowledge of the theft or murder except for their impact on the lead characters so it stays in the background. The murder victim is not someone we care about an the subsequent investigation does not invoke our sympathy for his untimely death. I felt that there could have been more inquiry into the jewel thefts to make this more prominent.
The gender, class and social distinctions are entertaining to read and make for interesting characters dynamics. The relationship and witty conversation between Eleanor and Clifford is simply divine. The subtlety and sarcasm in their exchanges is funny and has a natural feel which lifts the quality of the book. I really enjoyed the subversion of the usual role stereotypes and the obvious affection they have for each other.
The love triangle between Eleanor, Lancelot and Inspector Seldon adds an extra dimension and subplot. Eleanor's surveillance of Lancelot's friends allows us to witness another dimension to 1920s society: the sense of entitlement and ebullience of the upper classes in the interwar years. Eleanor is rightly disdainful of the group's behaviour and I like her even more for being confident in herself.
Overall, Death at the Dance was an enjoyable book. I hope that there will be more development of the relationship between Eleanor and Lancelot in the next book as it was tricky with him in a prison cell!

I was super stoked to be asked on this blogtour as I really loved the first book. Yes, there are plethora of cozy crimes set in this era but I really like the characters of Eleanor and Clifford! The plot was fantastic, the characters a bit more fleshed out and I just loved the feel of this book. Bring on more I say.

I really liked the pacing as it kicked off with a bang at a huge masked ball, a jewel thief and a murder! Lancelot is then taken prisoner as Eleanor finds him stood over the body. I liked how although he was part of the story, he was in the background and this allowed Eleanor (or should I say Clifford) to find out who the real criminals were. I’m still very intrigued about Clifford and Eleanor’s Uncle as I’m sure there are lots of stories to hear.

It was effortless to read this book as it just flows amazingly well for me. I love all the old language and references to history that are throughout the book. But then this is the era that I am obsessed with. I really enjoyed the imagery that came with the treasure hunt scenes in particular.

I honestly can’t wait for the next one! Hurry up Verity.

Death at the Dance is the second book in the cozy historical series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift. It’s an easy read, well-paced, light-hearted, a perfect holiday read for those who enjoy an amusing ‘whodunnit.’ I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.