I very much enjoy Jessica Fellowes Mitford mysteries, featuring Louisa Cannon, who began her working career as nursemaid,then lady's maid to the famous Mitford family's daughters.Louisa's wedding to Guy Sullivan DS, of London's Metropolitan occurs as the story opens- with the entire Mitford family in attendance a happy day!

As war clouds hover over the UK, Louisa is induced to report to British authorities anything that transpires on a cruise that Lady Redesdale and her daughters Diana Guinness and Unity are taking.
Diana's relationship with Sir Oswald Mosley and both sister's fascist leanings are of concern to UK authorities.

Guy turns up on the cruise as he is worried about Louisa and a murder happens that he as a police officer handles. The plot is long and complicated and involves British secret intelligence, double agent spies etc. The murder itself is based on a real crime but in real life the Mitfords are not involved in this.

It was a bit too complicated and long but I do enjoy the characters and hope for a sequel ( pretty sure there will be one)

The Mitford Trial is the fourth instalment of the Mitford series by Jessica Fellows. Due to #NetGalley allowing me to read this book for my honest review, this was my first Mitford book. I was easily drawn into the characters and the story even not having read the earlier books. Louisa Cannon is preparing to become Mrs. Guy Sullivan as Britain faces the rise of fascism. Then Louisa is whisked away to board the Princess Alice to accompany the Mitford ladies to Europe. Suddenly there is a murder on board and Louisa must help solve it. This book is actually based on a real murder case. It was well written and enjoyable.

Yes, yes, yes! Another one hit straight out of the park involving the Mitford family and their former maid Louisa. Finally Louisa and her policeman, Guy, get married with all of the whose who in attendance. That is until there is a call dispatched to a disturbance that turned out to be nothing but a false alarm. Off on their honeymoon now, Louisa is changing her life and learning a new trade. Everything is going well until there is a murder that throws the Mitford sisters together once again. The mysteries contained inside this book are well written with great descriptive verbiage that keeps the readers attention and wanting to devour more. Fellowes has a knack for bringing her characters flaws and all together in such a way that you would think that you are part of the story as you read it. I also felt that the time sequences are well drawn together without any lapse or missed time frames. Overall I would say this one is a 5+++++.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have mixed feelings about this novel. It is an excellently researched, well written historical novel that leans heavily on actual people and events, even though in some cases the names of individuals have been changed. I wasn’t aware, when I began,that the Mitfords were actual people, and I was somewhat lost because this is not the first book in the series and when the other Mitford sisters were referred to, I had difficulty placing them.
The book itself moves back and forth between time frames. This sudden switch, which occurred through chapters and, until I became accustomed to the style, it took me a second to reorient myself to what I was reading.
There are some explanations at the end of the book that help share research information from the author and help with understanding of the novel. It is best not to read these before finishing the book as they contain spoilers. They do add credence to the novel itself and to the author’s credentials.
Finally, the book is filled with unlikable people. With the exception of Louisa, the chief protagonist, and Guy her newly minted husband, I didn’t like any of the characters. The Mitford sisters come across as entitled, spoiled, and self-absorbed. The other characters in the book show many flaws, such as the Nazi officer who appears to be a poster-child for Hitler’s Aryan race or the victim, a highly flawed “captain of industry who tries to trade his wife’s “favor’s to pay off a debt.
Still, I believe there are readers who will read and be captivated by this book. They most likely are people who have a significant interest in the time period, in the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich, or who want a more genuine look at the differences between the working class and the nobility. For that reason, Although there is a fictional mystery in this book, I believe that takes a significant back seat to the historical research and facts that underpin the book.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advanced digital copy for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The fourth installment of the Mitford Mysteries with Louisa Cannon at the center. This book finds Louisa accompanying Diana Mitford Guinness, Unity Mitford and their mother on a European cruise. While on board, a murder happens. Louisa learns things that she cannot share, even with her husband, DSI Sullivan who came to visit her on cruise. The Mitford girls are entrenched in fascism with Unity wanting to travel to Berlin to meet Hitler. The British Government is doing everything to keep England from going to war with Germany. A great read, and there is a glimmer of more to come!

A timeless murder mystery with the fascinating, glamorous Mitford sisters at its heart, The Mitford Trial is the fourth installment in the Mitford Murders series from Jessica Fellowes, inspired by a real-life murder in a story full of intrigue, affairs and betrayal Like the other books in this series the historical detail is amazing. I really enjoy the notes at the end outlining the actual story itself. This particular story takes place during the rise of Nazism in the 30's. Tightly plotted, interesting characters and great dialog make this a fast and entertaining read. This can read as a standalone but the whole series is worth reading. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

1930s, espionage, historical-novel, historical-research, murder, fascists

These books are fiction, but based on true events and Fellowes includes historical notes at the end of each book. The time is during the rise of the Nazis and all that entailed.
Newly wed Louisa is in steno training and her husband is a DS at The Met in London when she is tapped by the espionage agent known to her to join the Mitfords (her former employer) on a three-week European cruise as a lady's maid because of their involvement in fascist enterprises. While on the cruise there is the predictable murder and that sets things up for the later trial. It is fast-paced and riveting and highlights the issues of fascism as well as the role of women and marriage in the 1930s. Very interesting!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “The Mitford Trial.” All opinions are my own.

Our book begins with a wedding (well, after “that” prologue). No longer the Mitford ladies’ maid, Louisa Cannon is at last getting married to her policeman. Everything’s fine, and then all the coppers have to rush off to help quell a disturbance of the Oswald Mosley-led BUF (British Union of Fascists). It turns out to be a false alarm, and soon she and Guy Sullivan, her new husband are off on their honeymoon. She’s stopped being a maid completely, and is training to be a court stenographer. What could go wrong? Plenty, in “The Mitford Trial,” the fourth in the series that uses the five famous Mitford sisters and their tumultuous lives as the basis for some very mysterious goings-on.

Six months later, Nancy Mitford asks to see Louisa. She wants her to accompany her mother and a couple of the sisters on a cruise. Louisa turns her down. She wants nothing to do with the Mitfords anymore. Well, our book should be over, shouldn’t it? Not likely, for she’s approached by a stranger who tells her that for King and Country it’s her duty to go on the cruise to keep an eye on the Mitford clan (mother, then Diana, and the youngest, Unity) and “observe,” to see who they interact with. And she can’t tell her husband. Well, nothing good can come out of that, and nothing does, obviously. We already know that somebody (presumably) dies. And Louisa and the sisters will be up to their pretty ear bobs in it, soon enough. So Louisa makes up a story for Guy, takes a leave from school, and we’re off.

What “they” are looking for is anything to do with Mosley, presumably, and also how chummy the Mitfords plan to be with anyone or anything to do with the Nazi party. The author fills us in on Diana Mitford’s history with Oswald Mosley, how she left her husband for him. She’s using the cruise as a ploy for the gossip to die down while she’s getting a divorce. And Unity is there salivating about a German who’s on the boat. Add to our cast a woman with a husband having investment troubles, and she’s having an affair with a cabin boy, who’s also got a girlfriend aboard. And then Louisa’s husband shows up. Enough complications for you yet?

Finally, it’s revealed that the woman’s husband is the one from the prologue that’s attacked. The wife and the cabin boy are highest on the suspect list, especially since they were right there. Our murder investigation begins, with Louisa’s husband as the chief investigator.

There’s cross and double cross. Louisa comes back to England, and meets with her mystery man. She’s told that she can never talk about what she knows, that the security of the country is at stake. And that’s that. But her trust has been shattered, and things have changed between her and her husband. That’s what was so heart-breaking about this book, the secrets that must be kept between these two. At least Louisa has an idea for the future, so maybe something good will come out of it after all.

Eventually, much time has gone by. There’s a sensational trial of the wife and her cabin boy lover. Diana testifies, and things are over rather abruptly with a tragic ending.

I found this book complex and compelling. A lot of unpleasant people populate the pages, including the Mitford sisters (history pretty much bears this out). One caveat -- the book jangles you out of your comfort zone by moving the timeline around a bit. I found it annoying. But the author has certainly done her research, and provides a thought-provoking story in “The Mitford Trial.”

An author’s note explains the real-life trial and people the book is based upon. Don’t read it first as it contains spoilers.

This book, the 4th in the series, sees Louisa Cannon getting married to her long time beau Guy Sullivan with members of the Mitford family attending. It has been many years since Louisa first met the Mitford family and they have all grown up and changed—some not for the better. Before long, Louisa and members of the Mitford family are once again caught up in murder.
Based, in part, on real life events and facts including the murder and some of the Mitford daughter’ anti-Semitism and support of Hitler this is not a light-hearted book set in the roaring twenties but the darker days leading up to World War II. Fellowes is able to weave historical facts with real people and create a fictional story that does justice to the atmosphere of the time.

It is a satisfying story but I don’t like it as much as the others because I don’t like these people very much. Louisa and Guy are a delight and I’m happy that they finally find some happiness in marrying one another but the Mitford children who are the focus of this book aren’t very nice and neither are their beliefs.

Thanks for to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a prologue! Jessica Fellowes has a gift with words...they seem to flow seamlessly. Her books aren't in the realm of ordinary and this, her fourth in the Mitford Murders series, is my favourite so far. All you require is hot cocoa or tea and a toasty corner and immerse yourself. We can all use more of that these days.

Louisa and Guy Sullivan are newlyweds when Louisa decides to join the Mitfords on a three-week cruise as a lady's maid. She is independent and could use the generous salary as well as relaxation. Well, she doesn't exactly relax...who could with criminals aboard the ship with no escape? As an amateur sleuth she inveigles, interviews and observes not only the Mitfords but the staff and other fellow travelers. The twisty secrets are brilliant and unexpected which I love. There is a lot to gush about but spoiling is awful.

Historical Fiction fans ought to enjoy this. Reading the series in order would benefit but is not crucial. The characters are well settled, if you know what I mean, in their own groove.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book is the fourth book in the Mitford murder series. Louisa is very excited about marrying Guy. Louisa is drawn into a murder mystery that has more questions than answers. This book had many twists and turns. I cant wait to read the next book.

This book is incredible. It is fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Whenever I picked up "The Mitford Trial", I was whisked back in time, and went on an emotional journey with this story.

This is the fourth book in Jessica Fellowes "The Mitford Murders" Series, and what a book it is! Ms. Fellowes truly knows how to bring the world of her novel to life, and she seamlessly blends history and historical fiction. You really feel like you are a part of the story through the way Ms. Fellowes brilliantly weaves her character's thoughts, dialogue, and the various locations together, and I could envision each and every part of the book. I could truly feel the ship rocking on the sea, hear and see the whispers of everyone onboard, and envision the different classes and what their lives would be like on the ship.

Louisa is such a strong, intelligent, and kind-hearted protagonist. She strongly cares for those she loves, and will go to great lengths to protect them. When she is put in a difficult position, she must decide what to do, and I can only imagine how difficult certain decisions were to make.

Guy is such a kind, determined, and loving man who wants the best for those around him. He wants to see justice done fairly and in the right way, as well as to ensure the protection of those he loves most.

I do not want to write any spoilers in this review, so I will simply say that the mystery within the book kept me guessing up until the very end. I enjoyed how Ms. Fellowes structures the telling of the story, and the time jumps are smooth and really help to frame everything going on quite well. People and events are not always as clear cut as they appear to be.

If you enjoy historical mystery and / or historical fiction novels, I highly recommend this book. It had me turning the pages late into the night to see what would happen next, and (no spoilers!), there are quite a number of twists and turns that made my mouth drop.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, I absolutely could not put it down. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.