Surprise! I’m starting in the middle of a series again! That being said, I simply adore Lady Eleanor Swift.

Lady Swift finds herself pressed into service by Sir Percival, head of the royal police, to investigate the suspicious death of Lord Xander Taylor-Howard, a minor royal (eighteenth in line to the throne). Lord Taylor-Howard dropped dead in front of a crowd at the royal regatta, poisoned by the champagne he drank as he prepared to hand out awards to the winners. Turns out His Lordship was hiding a number of secrets, but which of them led to his untimely death? And who hated him enough to want him dead? His sister? An angry husband of one of the many ladies His Lordship dallied with? A Russian spy to whom he was providing information on the royal family?

Verity Bright crafts a delightful tale here. Eleanor – Ellie – is the type of lady I suspect I’d be – one not overly concerned with Keeping Up Appearances and Doing the Done Thing. Her so-called friend Tipsy has her work cut out for her, but she’s determined to convince Ellie to forget about her fondness for Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon and “bag” some wealthy, titled man. Ellie is interested in none of it, and I applaud her for it! Tipsy was so over the top, she almost seemed a caricature, but I’m sure there were women like that, for whom snagging the “right” gentleman was all that mattered.

Clifford, Ellie’s butler, would like to see her come more into her role as lady of the manor, and he encourages her to go along with some of Tipsy’s “suggestions” (Tipsy is very pushy). But ultimately, he knows Ellie isn’t ever going to fit entirely into the “proper lady” mold, and he assists in her investigation, often playing a pivotal role either in moving things forward or in keeping Ellie safe when she’s poking into corners someone doesn’t want poked in. I really like Clifford.

As with Tipsy, I find the Bright Young Things a bit shallow and kind of annoying. But they were a part of the time period, and they fit the setting of the story. Had Ellie taken up with any of that set, it would have been terribly disappointing!

The story has intrigue and action, tension and romance. I found myself wondering if Ellie would make it through this one unscathed! I’m anxious to read future entries in the series to see how the romance between Hugh and Ellie develops. It seems that they’ve made some progress on that front here, and I want to know how it turns out!

And oh, there is humor. The female servants at Henley Hall, the ancestral manor, make no secret that they all find Hugh dashing and handsome. The shenanigans they go through to lay eyes on him are quite entertaining. Gladstone, the family dog, is also a scene stealer. I want to give him skritches and pats and feed him treats, because he is a Very Good Boy! He also has a tendency to find the muddiest muck at the most inopportune of times, and it’s hilarious.

Is this profound literature? No. But it is a light, witty, clever mystery that lets me escape into another time and place for a while. And can’t we all do with more of those right now? It gets five stars from me.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift is back with another fun, glamorous and nail-biting mystery that is simply delightful: A Royal Murder!

Eleanor is accompanying her new friend Tipsy Fitzroy to the royal regatta and she plans to have a wonderful time – even if she has let her new pal dress her up like a debutante about to make her come out! Still, Eleanor plans to sip champagne and have fun at this most distinguished social occasion. However, the redoubtable Lady Swift should know by now that wherever she goes, murder always follows! When the handsome host, the king’s cousin Lord Xander Taylor-Howard, saunters onto the stage and gulps down his glass of bubbles, he collapses and dies. Was this a tragic accident? An unfortunate turn of events? Or cold-blooded murder?

Eleanor might have promised Detective Seldon to steer clear of solving mysteries, but the amateur sleuth cannot resist doing her own investigating and as she begins looking into the case, it transpires that Lord Xander was involved in some shady business and entangled in a dubious gambling ring. Was his death connected to his dodgy associations? Did someone kill him instead of collecting his debt? Eleanor seems to be coming up with more questions than answers, but clearly someone is edging ever close to the truth because they have her firmly in their line of sight and are waiting to strike the moment she uncovers who was behind Lord Xander’s death!

Can Eleanor solve this case in time? Or has her luck finally run out?

Stylish, nail-biting and addictive, A Royal Murder is a delightful cozy mystery full of twists and turns and red herrings from the fabulous Verity Bright. Lady Eleanor Swift is one of my all-time favourite sleuths; she’s intuitive, methodical, impulsive and someone who always fights for what’s right whilst looking like she has just walked off a magazine cover.

As always, Verity Bright adds plenty of humour, verve and brio to a terrific historical cozy mystery I read in a single sitting. I cannot wait for the next installment and more high-society mischief and mayhem with the unparalleled Lady Eleanor Swift!

It must be a challenge to keep on writing these engaging stories, And I for one appreciate each one. It's Book 9 and I'm already looking forward to Book 10.

The characters are so well written. I really couldn't take to Eleanor's new best friend, she really jarred with me. Unsurprisingly she contributes to the plot tension! Well done!

The cast of Detective Seldon, Clifford and the hunky and cheeky bulldog, Gladstone, continue to provide the perfect ensemble to investigate this latest murder mystery.

Despite the red herrings, I figured out quite a lot of the plot. Yet, once again there were those unexpected twists.

A most enjoyable cosy mystery. well done indeed.

My thanks to Bookouture, #Netgalley and the author for my Advance Reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Dearest Ellie,
I think I've had enough of your adventures. Good luck for the future.

Yes, well, I really wanted to see where Ellie's and Hugh's relationship will take them. And yes, Ellie and her butler Clifford are commendable cozy mystery pair. Clifford is one of a kind man, truly. However, I find that adventures are lacking more and more with each book.

Another disappointing part in A Royal Murder was fibs, big time. I guess it all adds up to a mystery and enables easy reading and understanding.... However, a story about Moscow glamour magazines was an outright lie. It spoiled the whole story and turned me off big time. It was too bad.

However, A Royal Murder is an easy to read, light mystery about a murder of a member of royal family. Ellie gets involved (quite officially this time) so do her butler, her dog and her friend Hugh Seldon (police inspector). The readers get a treat with the setting, witty banter, fun details and, of course, uncovering whodunit.

Also, I need to commend the author on making the 8th installment easy to read (even if you missed some of the adventures, like I did). Thus, A Royal Murder reads very easily as a stand alone novel. Well done.

What an intriguing read this proved to be
Complete with murder and mystery.
Set in 1923 with an intrepid Lady sleuth
Eleanor's always determined to find the truth!

At the Henley Regatta for the first time
Lady Eleanor Swift never dreamt she'd witness a crime.
However, when the awards are to be made
The royal presenter collapses, he's been slayed.

Then Sir Percival, the head of the royal police, demands
That Lady Eleanor gives the investigators a hand.
He won't let Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon take part
But gives Eleanor clues to help her start.

Clifford, her butler and Gladstone, too,
Both play key roles in all she'll do!
And Hugh will keep her safe if he can,
Or that's what she hopes will be his plan!

Get ready for danger, car chases and more
As Lady Eleanor wants to be sure
That the murderer of the royal who died
Will soon be definitely identified.

With a mischief making friend
Is Eleanor's romance with Hugh at an end?
With others determined to stop her attempts to sleuth
Will she survive and discover the truth?

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
It is a great cosy mystery and this is my honest review.

This one caught me completely by surprise. Why haven’t I heard of this series earlier? Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC and allowing me to discover the wonderful world of Lady Swift.

Full disclaimer: I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series but I didn’t feel as though I enjoyed it any less because of that.

This book is the definition of a cozy mystery. It follows Lady Swift, a woman who breaks all the rules of what a 1920s woman is expected to be. She makes her own rules when she is consulted on the murder of someone in the royal family. With the help of her butler Clifford and her handsome “friend” Chief Inspector Hugh, she unravels the who and why of the royal’s suspicious death.

I enjoyed every moment of this book. About halfway through, I guessed one of the reveals but that didn’t take away any of the fun. I will definitely be adding the whole series to my TBR and I can’t wait for what Verity Bright has coming next.

Favorite Quotes:

I’ve only seen blue that deep in the most heavenly exotic lagoons. Those eyes could melt a nun on an iceberg.

‘I pity your guardian, since locking one’s ward in the cellar is probably frowned upon in today’s over-liberal times!’ ‘It doesn’t stop him wishing it wasn’t though,’ she said genuinely. ‘Honestly, if it wasn’t frowned on, I’d be lucky to see the light of day most weeks.’

… she tried to think of a more flattering description for him rather than “the perfect mix of everything average”, but failed.

Sir Percival’s nose is a nasal protrusion worthy of winning prizes.

Can you believe, someone once suggested I attract dead bodies like spinsters attract stray cats?


My Review:

Another lively and entertaining read from the winning husband and wife literary duo of Verity Bright. I am completely enamored with these smooth and creative wordsmiths as well as their engaging series. They never fail to come up with the most clever conundrums with generous servings of amusing humor, vibrant characters, and unpredictable head-scratching mysteries. The storylines were delightfully nuanced, smartly plotted, well-paced, curiously additive, colorfully detailed, and shrewdly contrived. I still struggle to determine if my favorite character is the lovely yet unconventional Lady Swift or Clifford, her ever prepared, indispensable, Google on legs butler. Honestly, I need more of both of them in my life and don’t want to do without either.

It has been a good while but I am adding an addition to my Brit word list that I have noted before but had never actually looked up to be sure with good shout – which is slang for a good idea.

‘A Royal Murder’ finds Eleanor with a new friend Tipsy who is determined to drag our heroine back up to date and become one of the ‘bright new things’! Part of her plan is to mingle with the numerous eligible bachelors that will be present at Henley Boat Regatta - there even will be royalty there to flirt with! But alas we now know that where Eleanor goes death follows. This time it is Lord Xander Taylor-Howard who dies during the prize-giving right on stage in front of everyone. However, since he is the King’s cousin chaos ensues and Eleanor is asked by Sir Percival, the head of the royal police, to investigate the cases!

Once again I loved returning to this series - they are now seriously a highlight of my reading year. It now feels as if Eleanor, Clifford, Detective Seldon, Gladstone and the ladies are old friends. It's just fun reading this series and this outing is no different. I loved the inclusion of whether there was political intrigue surrounding the death. It seems that every book I have read this month has a small connection to Russia and I loved the character associated with that here! There is always lots of humour and lightheartedness in Verity Bright’s writing and I just adore reading these books. This is the 9th book in the series and I hope there will be a lot more to come!

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Royal Murder' by Verity Bright.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Verity Bright, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 28th February 2022.

This is the sixth book I have read by this author. It is also the ninth book in her 'Lady Eleanor Smith Mystery' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read Verity's 'A Witness to Muder' (3rd book in the series), 'Mystery By The Sea' (5th book in the series), 'Murder At The Fair' (6th book in the series), 'A Lesson In Murder' (7th book in the series) and 'Death On A Winter's Day' (8th book in the series) which I would also recommend reading.

I was originally drawn to this book by its fantastic eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Addictive reading for fans of T E Kinsey, Lee Strauss and Agatha Christie.' I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Verity and if this is as good as 'A Witness To Murder', 'Mystery By The Sea', 'Murder At The Fair', 'A Lesson In Murder' and 'Death On A Winter's Day' it is sure to be an epic read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 36 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited and had holidays in England on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Verity has based the book on.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Lady Eleanor Smith. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO VERITY ON YET ANOTHER PAGE TURNING SUCCESS!!

Another successful unputdownable cosy mystery by the very talented Verity Bright. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Verity has written her books. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read and making it quite humorous on several occasions. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect. The synopsis and cover also suit the storyline.

The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Eleanor and Clifford go about their detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with suspense, mystery, laughter, murder, clues, deceit. tension, suspense and so much more!! It is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on, especially considering I have read so many of Verity's books yet she manages to get me everytime. The atmosphere was perfectly suited to the mystery. I also love the fact that although this is a cosy mystery it also had me in stitches of laughter in so many occasions which makes it the perfect light hearted read!!

Although this is the eighth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters were all larger than life, realistic and a complete breathe of fresh air. Eleanor is an amazing character, very bubbly and certainly not your typical 'Lady', she is absolutely unique as well as a very strong female lead which is a great bonus for myself being female. I absolutely adore her relationship with Clifford along with the rest of her "staff" that she treats more like friends. The only downfall is that herself and Clifford are fictional as these are two characters I would absolutely LOVE to meet in real life!! Clifford is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoy how he makes me laugh with his diplomatic skills while being extremely sarcastic at times. It is so sweet how he has taken Eleanor under his wing and admonishes her in several occasions in his humerus ways. I loved meeting them again along with Butters, Trotters and Polly who are all larger than life with their own exceptional personalities. I cannot wait to meet them all again and see what they get up to in the next "episode".

A huge congratulations on another fantastic success Verity!!! Here's to looking forward to your next book 🥂

If you are looking for a cosy mystery that will have you laughing until your crying look no further!!!


This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and this is one of my favourite 'series' Verity! A page turning and unputdownable success!

Overall a fun and easy to read page turning cozy murder mystery with the perfect amount of crime and humour that will keep you turning the pages.

Genres covered in this novel include Cozy Mystery, Murder and Crime amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Agatha Christie and anyone looking for a very easy, page turning and enjoyable read.

317 pages.

This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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We’re back for another fun romp with my favourite aristocratic amateur sleuth. For the ninth instalment in their Lady Eleanor Swift series, Verity Bright transport us back to Spring 1923 and the annual royal regatta, which Eleanor is attending with her new friend, Tipsy Fitzroy. Tipsy is determined to turn Eleanor into a ‘proper’ Lady and find her a suitable man at the event. But all thoughts of love and propriety are swiftly forgotten when Lord Xander Taylor-Howard, a minor member of the royal family, collapses at the prize-giving ceremony. Though initially reluctant, Eleanor soon finds herself drawn into the investigation into Xander's death, trying to identify the suspect and avoid a royal scandal. But someone doesn’t appreciate Eleanor’s investigations and once again she finds herself in danger…

I have come to view this series as a real comfort read and it was the beginning of my journey into reading cosy mysteries, which I’d always previously thought would be too tame for my dark crime-loving soul. The characters are a delight and I love the relationship between Lady Eleanor and her butler Clifford. This witty crime-solving duo never fails to entertain me while keeping me glued to their latest mystery. I am also deeply invested in her burgeoning romance with Chief Inspector Hugh Sleddon, which I’m hoping will head towards the happily-ever-after they deserve.

Once again I was glued to the pages as Eleanor finds herself embroiled in yet another murder investigation. The poor woman can’t seem to go anywhere without a dead body turning up! This time she’s doing it for King and country as she tries to help avoid a royal scandal after the poisoning of a maverick minor royal. Xander was charming but left a trail of potential scandal behind him, leaving a myriad of possible killers and motives. It’s a tangled web to unravel, but if anyone can do it it’s Eleanor and Clifford. I loved how much this story twisted and turned, taking me by surprise and revealing truths I never even considered.

If you’re looking for a murder mystery that is also lively, witty and uplifting then pick up this book.

As a former war nurse, death is something that Lady Eleanor Swift has seen in passing more than she would like to remember. However, Ellie has become more than adept as an amateur sleuth and she gets that very same opportunity yet again. She is attending a royal regatta, with a stunning new dress. Her friend Tipsy Fitzroy provided her input as to an apparent makeover and depending on how Ellie does at the event, she just might prove she can now be a proper lady.

Considering Ellie had spent most of her life doing as she wished, conforming to her proper station in life has definitely proved a challenge. She has the very special Clifford at her side, butler turned guardian turned confidante - and more. The pair get the opportunity to do what they do best when the host at the regatta drops dead immediately upon drinking champagne. Poison seems very likely the culprit and Ellie intends on finding out who could be responsible.

Sworn to secrecy by Sir Percival Westlake of the royal police, Ellie is brought into the investigation of which was quickly determined to be murder. She was actively agrees to cooperate but she definitely has her own idea on how to proceed.

What a fabulous read! This book is part of a delightful series and each story is nice and fresh, thoroughly entertaining with the perfect mix of drama and intrigue, with just the right dose of danger. Also, don’t miss the extremely informative Historical Notes at the end of the book.

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

⭐⭐⭐⭐

First off, Netflix, PBS, BBC,...someone needs to take note of this series and make it into a tv (mini) series! 🙌🏻 I adored the previous book in this series and again, this one hit all the marks with me. Well written. Well paced. Plenty of red herrings. Charming characters. I enjoyed the setting in the previous one a tad more. Hence the 4 stars instead of 5 like the previous book. However, this series is shaping up to be one of my all-time favorites. I can't wait to see what these characters get up to in the next book!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

A Royal Murder by Verity Bright is another Lady Eleanor Swift mystery and maybe one of the best as personalities re-emerge and relationships progress. Elli has a new friend named Lady Tipsy Fitzroy. Her name is actually Tiffany but Tipsy suits her. She loves champagne and has made it her calling to movie Ellie into society. She has a list. Ellie likes her life as it is, but Clifford, her butler, thinks it would be good if there were more people about the house, and parties. She allowed Tipsy to order her a new dress and drag her to a society event, a regatta, but as far as Ellie could see, no one was watching the rowing, just one another. Tipsy introduced her to Lord Xander Taylor-Howard, a minor royal, something like 18th in line to the throne, but just barely as he moved on immediately. Tipsy was enthralled with him and knowing he would be presenting the wards, she steered Ellie to that marquee, just in time to watch Xander pass out on stage. Hugh, Chief Inspector Selden, was there as her fell and sadly, Xander died in his arms. Poisoned. Oddly, Sir Percival Westlake, head of the Royal police force arrived almost immediately, took the investigation away from Hugh, and asked to see her at 9 the next morning, at which time he instructed her to investigate and gave her a list of names. Things were not going well for Hugh.

I have finally discovered what draws me to this series. It is the language. It is formal and beautiful. Clifford is the butler, and of course, highly trained, including his manner of speaking, but nearly everyone in the book has absolutely beautiful sentence structure, vocabulary, and demeanor. It is beyond lovely. Ellie's relationship with Hugh seems at an impasse, as it always does. It revives then, wanes. It is a little frustrating. Clifford always exceeds expectations. He seems to be a mind reader. He is right there when he is needed. He is observant, intelligent, and knows just who is needed, when they are needed. He plays her guardian with aplomb when that is necessary. They are the perfect pair. Even Hugh worries less because he knows Clifford will take care of her. Then, there is the dog. Every Cozy needs a pet. Gladstone is not much help except for eating and sleeping, but he is omnipresent and always in a loving mood. The all make up the perfect ensemble cast and manage to solve crimes, as well. Ellie solved this one and even took care for her own safety. It was a good mystery and an even better book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Royal Murder by Bookoutre, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #bookoutre #veritybright #aroyalmurder

This is the ninth book in the Lady Eleanor Swift mystery series set in the 1920s. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous ones, as it is a stand alone novel, and you can quickly catch up on all the characters.

Lady Eleanor (or Ellie to her friends) is attending a regatta with a new friend Tiffany Persephone Fitzroy, or Tipsy in short.

The two women are like chalk and cheese: Tipsy is glamorous and insists that Ellie keeps up with the latest trends, and even suggests how she should behave at the event in front of the gentlemen. Ellie is an independent woman, she doesn’t care for fashion at all, and certainly she isn’t searching for a new husband.

From the beginning, it is clear that Tipsy is enjoying the regatta way more than Ellie. However, their festivities are cut short when one of the guests, Xander Taylor-Howard, dies…

As Xander was a member of the royal family, the royal police begin their investigation led by Sir Percival, who demands Ellie’s help. He even bestows upon her a list of potential suspects! Ellie is curious and with the help of her butler, Clifford (who is more like an uncle to her) and Detective Chief Inspector Seldon, they begin their enquiries. What will they uncover? Can they get to the truth before the killer strikes again?

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery, I read it over the weekend with lots of cups of tea. I really liked Ellie as a character. I felt that she was unconventional and far ahead of the times: she wanted to do her own thing and to remain as independent as possible. It was great to read her relationship with Seldon develop, although it had a shaky start. I managed to solve the puzzle of who killed Xander, however, I didn’t guess the motive.

Overall, it’s a great ‘whodunnit’, perfect for fans of cosy mysteries.

Thank you to Sarah Hardy of Bookouture for the e-ARC and inviting me to take part in this blog tour.

9th installment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Series and still a fun read with a cast of lovable characters that it’s always great to meet back.

Lady Swift has a new friend, Tipsy, who has decided to make Ellie her new pet project and as Glinda said to Elphaba in Wicked “she’ll help her be popular, but she’s got an awfully long way to go!”. But Ellie resists Tipsy’s advice (well done, Ellie). The Bright Young People is not her scene, but she agrees to go with Tipsy to the Henley Regatta where she’s witness to a royal murder and soon finds herself investigating it.

The first half of the book felt a bit slow, perhaps cause Ellie and Clifford’s investigations are constricted to the requirements of the Royal Police, so the interrogations of the same suspects again and again became a bit repetitive. The second half really picked up the pace and the action increased several notches.

I love how Ellie’s character has grown since we first met her and the tight family she’s built around her trusted Clifford, the ladies of Henley Hall, Master Gladstone and Chief Inspector Seldon. I think it’s time for her relationship with Seldon to take a step forward for good! All this yes but no, taking a step forward and moving three steps back is starting to get a bit old. I’m really curious to see how Ellie manages around a serious relationship.

Although the mystery and the investigation stalled a bit at first, the resolution still delivered some surprises and, although I predicted some of it, it was still pretty satisfying.

Another enjoyable cozy mystery that will make you chuckle more than once with its unforgettable duo of sleuths.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

‘I won’t have you sliding any further towards Dickens’ Miss Havisham. Just look what happened to her!’ - Tipsy to Lady Eleanor.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A Royal Murder’ by Verity Bright in exchange for an honest review. This is Book 9 in the Lady Eleanor Swift series of historical cosy mysteries set in the early 1920s.

It’s always a happy day when a new Lady Eleanor mystery appears and I again complemented my reading with its unabridged audiobook, narrated by Karen Cass. Just a few plot details in order to avoid spoilers.

In recent weeks Lady Eleanor has made a new friend in the form of the irrepressible Tiffany Persephone Fitzroy, known to all as Tipsy, who is seeking to give her a makeover in order to better integrate into British high society. This not only includes a new wardrobe and lessons on drinking champagne but having Lady Eleanor accompany her to the Henley Regatta.

Tipsy insists that they are not there to watch ‘those stupid floating lumps of wood’ but to crowd watch because ‘every eligible titled dish attends Henley Regatta.‘ Tipsy is very keen to introduce Eleanor to a royal or two of her acquaintance.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a murder mystery without a murder and it isn’t long until there is a suspicious death. Lady Eleanor is asked by the head of the royal police, Sir Percival Westlake, to assist by making discreet enquiries. In this instance DI Hugh Seddon is not allowed to investigate while Lady Eleanor being a member of the aristocracy is!

While definitely a highly engaging whodunnit, the authors do explore social issues linked to the British class system. Lady Eleanor may have inherited a title but remains a very down-to-earth person despite Tipsy’s campaign to posh her up. As is observed about Lady Eleanor: ‘Personally, the only thing that impressed her about anyone was their personality and generosity of attitude towards others.’

Following the text, Verity Bright includes a few helpful historical notes.

This is again was a joy to read and I have no hesitation in recommending both this novel and entire series of delightful historical cosies!

The 9th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift series is another fab read and one of the best yet in the series I think.

This story sees Eleanor make a new friend Tipsy, who is part of the Bright Young Things set. When Tipsy takes Eleanor to a royal gala party. the charming host is murdered right in front of everyone’s eyes. Sir Percy, head of the Royal police requests Eleanor to assist with investigation, also clashing with detective Seldon who is warned by Sir Percy not to get involved.

Along the way there is another murder and Eleanor’s own life is put at risk, as well as Clifford who assists Eleanor with her investigation.

This is an easy read cosy crime, however there are lots of twists, turns and enough red herrings to keep you entertained. There is also the ongoing romance between Eleanor and Hugh.

This could be read as a standalone but you get a better understanding of the main characters if you read the previous books.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

4*

Anyone who follows or reads my blog regularly will know that I’ve been reading this series since the beginning. I enjoy cosy crime and historical novels and this one appealed to me from the off, as Eleanor is not your typical Lady. She has an unusual past and isn’t following the conventional and expected path for her, which I like.

In this book we have the addition of a new friend, Tipsy who is determined to make Eleanor fit in with society. Something I cringed at the entire time, because I like that Eleanor doesn’t fit in. However while this is happening they both attend the regatta at Henley where a member of the royal family ends up dead and Eleanor is on more familiar ground, investigating his death.

In this story we also have the usual and dependable Clifford, Gladstone and the rest of the regular characters to provide some familiar faces in amongst the new ones. It was, as always, fun to spend time with Eleanor and Clifford. I think they may be my favourite most unlikely pairing, their differences make them work brilliantly together.

This was another fabulous read. The combination of the investigation and the descriptions of people and locations were spot on as usual. A visit with Eleanor and her gang is always brilliant escapism. I can only hope for many more adventures to come.

Lady Eleanor is no ordinary detective. She along with her team at home ably headed by her butler Clifford
and with the support of Chief Detective Seldon are able to solve any crime. When a minor Royal is found murdered
at the Regatta in broad view of hundreds of people, both Eleanor and Hugh realize that it is an insider job.
However from the beginning the Royal Police headed by the insufferable Sir Percival is intent on side lining Seldon
and very "reluctantly" drags in Lady Eleanor to conduct a discreet investigaiton into five suspects he thinks
are probable murderers.

Investigations continue with Seldon silently supporting Lady Eleanor and it is only at the end, that she realises
that she has been given a few red herrings and lead on a wild goose chase by the erstwhile Sir Percival for his own
personal ends.

It had a very surprising twist in the tale which is always there in the series and together with Clifford
the domestic troupe, the fabulous food and Gladstone all make up for fantastic light reading.

Never disappoints.

“At Henley Regatta there are beautiful boats, plenty of bunting, and… is that a body in the marquee?”


I am so addicted to this ‘Golden Age’ cozy mystery series, which just keeps getting better and better. The author would really have to ‘drop the baton’ before one of Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift’s adventures would get less than full marks from me!

It is usually easy for me to slip into the era of a storyline, however sometimes I do have to stop and give myself a good talking to, when my mind wanders too far from the time and place of the crime and the characters as they are depicted, and I start comparing them with the crime detection techniques and forensic testing of the present day. It might be that on this occasion, Ellie herself was so far out of her own comfort zone that she took her eye off the ball momentarily, not because there was anything at all out of context with the narrative or storyline, but simply because the ‘bright young thing’ culture which pervaded events and was determined to distract her, is so far removed from her natural outlook on life. Everyone close to her, has tried and spectacularly failed, to turn Eleanor into the pitch perfect ‘Lady Of The Manor’, that they have given up trying and to be honest, are actually made to feel much more comfortable themselves, when taking her as they find her and accepting that her rather quirky and down-to-earth outlook on her supposed position in life, is what makes her so genuine, unique and endearing.

Therefore, the force of nature who is Ellie’s new best friend, one Tiffany Persephone ‘Tipsy’ Fitzroy, really can be overwhelming and begin to grate on one’s nerves, in her efforts to change and transform Eleanor, not only by insisting on the two of them heading off to Henley Regatta, after first coercing Ellie into purchasing some very fashionable, yet totally frivolous and constraining clothes; but by then encouraging her to throw herself at the many eligible, but immensely conceited, titled and idle young men, who frequent such events. For Ellie, who is persevering in her attempts to take her so far rather tenuous friendship with Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon to the next level, she really isn’t interested in any extraneous romantic distractions and soon decides that Tipsy might have her own selfish best interests at heart, not Ellie’s. Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing, Ellie!

Which is just as well, because Ellie, together with her faithful butler come confidante and fellow amateur sleuth, Clifford, soon find themselves embroiled in their favourite pastime, that of solving what fast becomes a rather complicated and convoluted duo of murders. However, on this occasion, the situation is further exacerbated by the fact that both victims are distantly related to the Royal Family, so Hugh and his team have been side-lined by the Royal Police, who take automatic jurisdiction and have personally requested that the duo investigate exclusively and with the utmost discretion, so as not to cause the Royal Household any derogatory press. It soon becomes clear to Ellie and Clifford, that they have been chosen by Sir Percival Westlake, with his own separate and very personal agenda at the forefront of his mind, although they assume, as it transpires incorrectly, it is because of the serious nature of the allegations against the two young men, that of potentially spying and running up huge debts through their nefarious gambling activities. Together with Hugh, who has by now defied his superiors to throw in his lot with Ellie and Clifford, it takes all their combined brainpower to eventually fathom the full extent of Sir Percival’s selfish duplicity and ulterior motives, which are much worse than they had expected, and thus confront and apprehend the murderer. By which time, they have been attacked, followed, had their conversations bugged and all manner of underhand activities, culminating in their final near death chase.

As the saying goes, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, and on this occasion Ellie not only manages to cheat death in her closest encounter yet, but she has also been able to give Hugh a metaphorical nudge in the right direction on the romance front, as he makes it clear that he is ready to move their relationship forward a step or two, although whether it will be quickly enough for an impetuous Ellie, remains to be seen. Whatever happens though, Ellie and Clifford’s luck must surely soon run out and I can’t see Hugh tolerating many more such heart-stopping moments, which place Ellie in terrible danger, as he has had to endure during their Royal Murder Investigation.

Those are the very bare bones of what was in fact a very complex and complicated investigation, and whilst I might have briefly considered the eventual perpetrator as one of my suspects, their name certainly didn’t appear in my final frame, although many other erroneous ones did!

This multi-layered, highly textured, traditional murder/mystery storyline, was well structured and fluently written over many concise and well signposted chapters, which kept the action fast-paced and seamless, with never a dull moment. Rich in atmosphere, totally immersive and certainly a story to escape into, some wonderful narrative and dialogue added excellent visual depth to the proceedings; as picnics are shared with Hugh; late night brainstormers turn into marathon draughts and chess matches with the inimitable Clifford; the female members of the household staff, both old and young, can’t hide their feelings about having the dashing detective calling at the Hall on a regular basis; and even the gardener and Gladstone the dog get in on the act, with a hilarious episode concerning a roll in a muddy swamp! When the chips are down and duty calls, this rather eclectic mix of personalities take their responsibilities very seriously. However, there is always time for a little fun and games and those moments are documented by the author, with some delicious bursts of heart and humour.

As the series moves on and the characters really take on their own definitive personalities, I unusually find myself trying to visualise them as real, flesh and bones people and what they might physically look like. The times dictate that Ellie really should be only decorous window dressing and as such, when invited to events such as Henley, she should always have a glass in her hand, but always discreetly abstain from eating anything. OK, so either Ellie is much more curvaceous than I see her, or she definitely has hollow legs, as she doesn’t seem to be able to stop, like most of us, at ‘three square meals a day’, with her extensive snack regime known only to Clifford. Hugh, I imagine to be handsome, tall and rather gangly, always smartly turned out, but a little shy and tongue tied at social occasions and definitely married to his job, at which he is rather good. It is definitely Clifford who is something of an enigma. At first I had built up an image of someone rather ‘Poirot’ like, quite short, a little stocky and very silent and fleet of foot. However, having read about his personal exploits and challenges during the progress of this particular case, my view has been revised somewhat and whilst still rather stockily built, I now see him as a rather tall and imposing figure, silent yes, but you would always know when he is in a room. His loyalty to his mistress is without question, although at times he appears to act more like a middle-aged bachelor uncle, than a stuffed-shirt butler!

Ellie is a compelling, if unconventional, member of the aristocracy, although whether she will ever quite make it to ‘Your Ladyship’ status in high society, I’m not sure, and does she really aspire to? Clifford is every person’s dream companion, with his uncanny knack of being able to read his mistress’s mind, knowing what she is thinking and pre-empting her every slightest need before she even utters a word. Hugh is developing nicely in his role of charming suitor for Ellie, despite the gossips pointing out that his lowly position as a working class man and a member of the Constabulary at that, is not conducive to him ever becoming Lord of Henley Hall. In fact, all of the characters are maturing and growing in their individual roles, with some excellent vibrant synergy between them, making it easy for me to identify with and remain invested in them, as the series progresses.

Oh! and I mustn’t leave Gladstone out of the equation, for whilst he really doesn’t commit too much effort to the work of crime solving, he is a faithful and loyal friend to the entire household, so long as they have a few titbits of food for him on a regular basis and his bed is always in a nice warm spot by the kitchen range, for when life just gets too much for him and he needs his own space and forty winks!

A few hours of delicious escapism from the real world and I am always sad to see this dream team, close a case and go off to get on with their own lives, leaving me to return to my own!