"A medieval house, a dead body and some rather suspicious chocolate fudge? Call for Lady Swift!

Autumn, 1920. Lady Eleanor Swift, accidental amateur detective and retired explorer, is determined to take a break from investigating murders. So when a local politician dies suddenly at an elegant dinner party at Farrington Manor, she tries her hardest not to listen to the raft of rumours around the village that he might have been poisoned by the fudge. It's the anniversary of the disappearance of her beloved parents and she's promised herself not to get mixed up with any more mysteries. She isn't sure they'd have approved.

But when she arrives home to discover that Mrs Pitkin, the kindly cook from Farrington Manor, has been dismissed without wage or reference because the police consider her a suspect, Eleanor knows she needs to act. If there was a murder, then she needs to track down the culprit and clear Mrs Pitkin's name.

Accompanied by her faithful partner in crime, Gladstone the bulldog, who has the best nose for sniffing out bones in the country, Eleanor sets out to find the killer. And when another body turns up and she finds poisoned fudge in the victim's house, Eleanor knows she's on the right track. But can she sort the truth from the lies before she becomes a witness to another murder - this time rather closer to home?

An utterly charming cozy mystery! Warm and witty, fans of Agatha Christie, TE Kinsey and LB Hathaway will be totally hooked."

Murder at a Manor, HELL YAS!

Lady Eleanor Swift has gained a reputation in the six months since she inherited her late uncle's title, that of dogged investigator. It isn't something planned and she can't imagine being known for only that when, in reality, she wants to do so much more for her newly adopted community.

The sudden death of her local member of parliament and subsequent accusations against the chef at the residence where he met his demise shake her resolve however, and means more investigating for Eleanor and her trusted butler, Clifford. Of course, when a sitting member of parliament dies there has to be an election and to her amazement Eleanor is asked to stand as an independent candidate. Could this be her chance to make a name for herself away from murder and mayhem which seems to be her constant companion of late?

Once again this is a fun, easy read with just enough social history thrown in to give an idea what life was like for the privileged and not so privileged Qbetween the two wars. Lady Eleanor Swift becomes more likeable and multi layered with each new story and the other main characters add a friendly familiarity to this third book in the series.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an unbiased review and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys cosy early 20th century crime novels, this is an easy series to get lost in. Long may it continue.

Suspicious Death Sparks Rumours.....
Book three in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series finds Lady Eleanor, reluctant amateur sleuth, amidst another investigation. A suspicious death at Farrington Manor sparks rumours and suspicions aplenty. There’s a killer to be found and a name to clear. Is Lady Eleanor up to the job? Enjoyable cosy mystery with a likeable protagonist and a colourful cast of supporting characters. A fitting addition to the series.

I've so enjoyed getting to know Lady Eleanor! After a politician dies at a fundraising dinner, Lady Eleanor is tasked with finding the killer, clearing an innocent name, and running for the seat herself. This one got a little convoluted at some points and there seemed to be a few too many red herrings, but all in all a great edition to the series!

Third in the series another wonderful read.Lady Eleanor and her butler Cliff are terrific characters .zthe whole story kept my interest from first page to end.#netgalley#bookouture

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "A Witness To Murder" in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was book #3 in the Lady Eleanor Swift series. Once again it was a fantastic read with Lady Eleanor Swift and her staff of Clifford, the butler; Mrs. Trotman, the cook; Mrs. Butters, the housekeeper; Polly, the maid and my favourite character of all Master Gladstone, the "silliest, soppiest, sausage obsessed, slipper stealing" bulldog.

6 months have passed since Lady Swift has moved into Henley Hall after the death of her uncle. This time she is asked to run as an Independent MP after Arnold Aris dies at a dinner party hosted by Lord and Lady Farrington. There is no shortage of suspects for Ellie and Clifford to investigate - Lord and Lady Farrington, Mr. Oswald Greaves, Mr. Ernest Carlton, Miss Mann, Mr. Stanley Morris and Mr. Duncan Blewitt. After another murder, Ellie finds herself (once again) in hot water. There is more going on in the quiet village than just a campaign to replace Mr. Aris. There are land deals, a mysterious baby that was put up for adoption many years ago, men and women who don't want Ellie running for MP. Ellie's friend Lancelot puts in a few appearances but not as many in previous books.

This was a wonderful read and I can't wait for our next visit to see what adventures Lady Swift and Clifford get into.

First book I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed this book. It is #3. I didn't feel that I'd missed anything not having read the others. I will however, see if I can find them. I liked the character of Lady Eleanor and the butler, Clifford.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Bookouture, in return for an honest review. While not the first book in this series, it is easily read as a stand-alone. Lady Eleanor Swift is an unconventional member of the English aristocracy. A retired explorer, young Lady Swift inherited a property and resources from her uncle. In addition, she also has a long-time staff and an English bulldog. Each member of the staff, particularly her butler, aid Lady Eleanor as she’s thrust into both social and murderous quagmires. In this book, a local member of parliament has died from eating peanut fudge and suffering an allergic reaction. The local women want Lady Eleanor to stand for the vacant position. While hesitant, Lady Eleanor undertakes the political campaign and solving the mystery surrounding the death. A second death puts Lady Eleanor in danger from more than just political backstabbing!
A 1920’s era cozy with a fun and free-spirited heroine. Lady Eleanor’s background allows the author to write interesting scenarios that build around the ‘fish out of water’ aspects of living in a small English village just after WWI when mores were changing rapidly. It also allows a more relaxed interaction between her and her staff and neighbors. There’s a measure of love interest developed in the series that will continue into future stories.

A Lady Eleanor Swift mystery, this book is a very readable cosy story, well told and a book that flows very easily. Two murders , set in the era of women obtaining the vote, so not without its dramas and Lady Swift standing for Parliament, whilst trying to solve the murders of the candidates.
Enjoyed the book very much and was sorry when it came to an end.

A Witness to Murder by Verity Bright is another engaging adventure in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series.

Lady Swift, Clifford and the Henley Hall staff all pitch in as as there is two murders to solve and Lady Swift is now campaigning to become an MP for her local community. Ms. Bright is developing the characters slowly so in each book we learn more about all of them as they interact on the page. A smoothly paced plot, twists and turns, several suspects and more than a few humorous scenes kept me turning the pages.

Verity Bright has produced a sparkling heroine and perfect partner-in=crime in her Mistress of the Manor, Eleanor and her incomparable butler, Clifford. They are every bit as compelling a couple as Bertie Wooster and Jeeves and the series is both entertaining and eminently readable.

This is the third book i the series that I have read and they are the perfect light reading for a summer day. An added bonus is the delightful dog Gladstone who is indolent , gluttonous , and totally adorable.

NetGalley has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.

I absolutely love Verity Bright’s cozy mystery series featuring Lady Swift and her sleuthing butler Clifford. This period piece touches on some important issues as well, like the women’s suffrage movement. The main characters are quirky and fun and always seem to find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. This is a great read and one I highly recommend. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out.

Roaring Twenties, wonderful atmosphere and really cozy mistery. I was hooked from beginning till end.
Ellie is powerful and lovely character, the book is so well written and delight to read.

Great series!

Lady Swift is back and this time she's running for office! After the local MP dies suddenly at a dinner party of death by fudge, she's persuaded to run in the upcoming election standing for the women's right movement. While preparing her campaign she must also find a killer and deal with the close minds of some of her neighbors (much harder than finding a killer!).

Once again there's the perfect mix of mystery and humour, and the character of Lady Swift shows some growth from book to book. I love how she's an independent women, unafraid of what others might think about her or her actions, and ready to do everything in her power for the people she loves, regardless of social class. She along all the servants of Henley Hall make such a tight pack of characters and I adore all their interactions as you can clearly see the mutual love and respect they have for one another.

Although her relationship with Lancelot seems to be progressing there are some hints that a love triangle may be in her future, as she's starting to realize that maybe DCI Seldon wasn't so bad of a suitor after all.

The mystery itself was quite entertaining and the resolution satisfying enough.

Thank to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A classy slapstick detective with a cast of crazy Nosies well-wishers. A bit of a Miss Marple feel.

1920s, cosy-mystery, England, women-sleuths, amateur-sleuth, women's-suffrage, family-dynamics, friendship, historical-fiction, situational-humor

Lady Eleanor is having a time of it getting to know about being gentry in a village since she had only visited as a child who lived in South Africa and touring the world with her parents who have since gone missing. Her staunchest supporter and general helper is her butler, and does she ever need him this time! Politics have gotten deadly what with needing a woman in Parliament and some dodgy dealings about land for new council houses. The first victim just maybe was not murder, but the second one left no doubt. And now someone has put Lady Eleanor in the frame for the second one and probably ruined her chances of standing for office, and all because she just can't let her sleuthing go. A great read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

Verity Bright’s A Witness to Murder follows on from the previous two novels, A Very English Murder and Death at the Dance. Lady Eleanor Swift is once again caught up in a murder investigation. This time, it’s the local MP, Arnold Aris. However, his death results in a by-election and Eleanor is persuaded to run for Parliament too.

I enjoyed this book, perhaps because we see less of that idiot, Lance Fenwick-Langham. His frivolity is overdone and I just can’t see Eleanor really putting up with him. His description of her standing for Parliament as a “dashed good wheeze” is typical but still hurtful.

And I think that’s an aspect of the writing that pegs the book at four stars rather than five. I love the friendly interactions between Eleanor and her staff and with Lance’s parents – her friends and neighbours Lord and Lady Fenwick-Langham. Eleanor and Chief Inspector Seldon are obviously attracted to each other and Eleanor recognises that her liking for Lance is greater than that for Seldon.

Eleanor is a very sympathetic and likeable character in those situations. We like and empathise with her and thus we believe in the situation. However, her interviews with the suspects in the case, e.g. the obnoxious Blewitt and the unpleasant Carlton, just aren’t believable. The author knows Eleanor has to talk to this suspect at this time in order to further the plot, but hasn’t thought through what she would really say. This results in an artificial situation where the characters are two-dimensional, reminding us this is a novel and then we no longer live in their world.

#AWitnesstoMurder #NetGalley

I love this cozy novel of the country home. I was literally on the edge of my seat until the last page trying to figure out the mystery. It’s an adorable captivating book.

This is a cute very light cozy mystery perfect for summer reading on the beach. The characters and story line were both fun and very easy to follow. The writing was well done and developed as one get further in the novel. This was the first for me by this author, and I look forward to reading more. Highly recommend for historical mystery lovers!

#AWitnessToMurder #NetGalley
Rita has set sky as her limit. An excellent read. Highly recommended.
Welcome to Farrington Manor or Murderous Manor I must say. Farmington Manor was listed officially in Domesday Book in 1086.
Farrington Estate has only been in the hands of two families since 1463, the Farringtons having inherited it in 1657. This all tells us that we're dealing with some foxy mystery in Agatha Christie's style.
Autumn 1920, a local politician dies in Farmington Manor due to poisoning by the fudge.
All the people who were present there counted as suspects. The murderer is among them. Before the police would declare Mrs. Pitkin as a suspect, the people of the house throws her out of the house. And now Lady Eleanor Swift has to do something in order to save the innocent. Pitkin is innocent, isn't she?
The murderer is clever and is leaving no clue but another body which was unexpected by me. Eleanor will catch the murderer, isn't she?
I loved Eleanor since her first appearance as a detective. I loved A Very English Murder, Murder On The Dancefloor and now this. Eleanor is getting better and better.
I loved three characters the most in the story which are Anna, Clements and Lady Farmington.
Narration of the story is gripping. It holds you until the book is finished from cover to cover.
I myself will do its promotion and post a public review on the publication day of this book. I'll also share it with my fellow Authors Bloggers Followers Friends and Family.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me an advance copy of this awesome cozy mystery.