We meet Lady Eleanor and her trusty major domo Clifford, along with Gladstone as they journey to Lady Eleanor’s family castle of Henelley Castle, just outside of the small town of Derrydee in Ireland. That she is even away from her home at Christmas is surprise as she and Clifford, by default, have very firm ideas about how Christmas should be spent. And so begins the 12th mystery in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, Murder in an Irish Castle.
The skies are dark, the rain is threatening and it is getting very cold. Travelling excessively slowly as the road is challenging, they narrowly avoid running over the body of a man lying on the road. He is barely alive and so they place him in the Rolls and reverse back along the road, hoping they can find the Convent that seems to be marked on their map.
Unfortunately, the mystery man dies and it is not long before Ellie and Clifford realise there is something seriously amiss in Derrydee. To begin with, there is no ‘family’ retainers waiting to greet them, the Castle is clean but without staff other than one retainer who lives in the Lodge, the Doctor is not being straight forward about the death of the man and the Mother Superior was anything but helpful.
Things only get murkier as the days pass with the Police less than cooperative, the Publican, a jolly fellow, hiding secrets and the Rolls being made unusable by the theft, in daylight as well, of engine parts! What have they walked into?
Eleanor and Clifford can’t help but get involved and once the gatehouse burns to the ground, killing their retainer, the gloves are off, as there is definitely something terrible happening in Derrydee and they need to find out what, before anyone else is killed. And it is Christmas.
Murder in an Irish Castle is full of the unexpected as Eleanor and Clifford, aided by the trusty Gladstone, and his latest furry friend the ginger house cat, do their best to enjoy the season, get to know the towns people and also solve the mystery of who the man was and what he was doing in the laneway.
There, it would seem, is really never a dull moment in Lady Eleanor’s life. It is also the perfect way to spend an afternoon, or an evening, escaping into the world of cozy murders with a well-constructed plot, a bit of fun and a very interesting ending.

Lady Eleanor Swift is back. Yet again, she is tangled in another murder mystery.

This time, she finds herself in Ireland accompanied by her efficient butler, Clifford, and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone.

They are travelling to spend Christmas in an Irish castle, which Eleanor’s late uncle inherited and now it belongs to her.

On their way to Derrydee, in the middle of Irish countryside, they stumble upon an injured man. They take him to nearest safe place, which is a Benedictine Abbey.

Despite a doctor being called, the man unfortunately dies. The doctor’s verdict is a heart attack, but Eleanor and Clifford don’t believe it.

The pair find themselves investigating yet another murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I found myself trying to piece all the clues together to see if I could discover the killer’s identity (I didn’t!).

In this book, the author portrayed a stark contrast between Eleanor’s wealth and the poverty of Irish people living in the countryside. Despite their shortcomings, they welcomed Eleanor and Clifford in their village and included them in the festivities.

This book is full of cultural references, such as the Irish cuisine and customs, and historical details, which I really appreciated.

I’ve read previous Verity Bright’s mysteries and in my opinion, this one is their best!

Murder In An Irish Castle is #12 in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries and a great addition to the series. The change of scenery has done Ellie and Clifford good as, in this new installment, they must face one of the most puzzling mysteries in the series so far.

It is Christmas and Lady Swift has been invited to the Irish hamlet of Derrydee, in the west of Ireland, for their Christmas party. She can’t wait to explore the castle she inherited from her uncle, so to Ireland she goes along with her trusted butler Clifford and her beloved bulldog, Gladstone. What she didn’t count on was finding a body outside her estate on her first night there. A suspicious ruling of natural death and the weird behavior of the villagers will be more than enough to put our favorite pair of amateur sleuths on the case.

It’s always great when Ellie travels around as the story offers lots of interesting facts about her destination. This time it was fantastic getting to know so many compelling details about Irish foods, traditions and celebrations. I really felt I was partying along Ellie, Clifford and the villagers.

It’s so nice to see how much Ellie has grown throughout the series. She’s fierce, humble, compassionate, unafraid and always willing to get her hands dirty in pursuit of justice (much to Clifford’s chagrin). I love how he acts as her protector but also as a father figure. He is so prim and proper that their interactions are always so much fun to read. This time I missed DI Seldon and the ladies, but there were lots of new characters to make up for their absence. There was even a new friend for Gladstone! Master Tomkins! What’s better than a book with a dog? A book with a dog and a cat acting as best friends!

The mystery touched upon Ellie’s personal life very closely and I liked how the resolution offered some long awaited insight into events from her past.

Another fun historical cozy mystery with a really lovable pair of main characters I can’t get enough of. The summary of book 13 sounds promising and I can’t wait to join Ellie and Clifford on their next adventure.

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

A delightful addition to the Eleanor Swift Mystery series. Eleanor is all set to enjoy a Christmas for once--hopefully free of murder--in Ireland and learn more about a family branch she knows next nothing about. Of course, the free of murder part doesn't last long when Eleanor and her butler run into a barely alive man who appears to have be almost drowned though any body of water is miles away. The man dies but the police and doctor insist that he just suffered a fatal heart attack. Everyone in the town near the castle she inherited are curiously uncurious about her activities and quick to refuse to answer any question she asks. Is there a conspiracy or something else going on? A fire and mysterious attacks bring further questions. In an isolated village, can Eleanor and Clifford figure out what is going on so they can enjoy a wonderful Irish Christmas?

Although, Eleanor and Clifford leave behind the usual cast of characters that add charm to this series in England Gladstone, the older dog with a love for bacon, is along as always to bring love and cheer and some laughs. He discovers an adorable new friend that soon becomes a constant companion. The banter between Eleanor and Clifford is entertaining as always.

It is also filled with Christmas cheer and period detail of Irish Christmas celebrations and traditions. And, of course, there is plenty of description of food. Some may be a little exotic to modern tastes but most sounded delicious.

The mystery is solid and filled with plenty of twists and turns. Eleanor finally learns some answers to secrets that have bothered her ever since her uncle died.

A wonderful cozy filled with chills and thrills, Christmas cheer and laughter. You can't go wrong with this read. And, why you are at it, read the rest of the series. You will be delighted with them to.

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

Ellie, her bulldog Gladstone, and her loyal butler Mr. Clifford are spending Christmas in Ireland. Along with Hennely Hall in England, Ellie inherited a castle in Derrydee Ireland. She's hoping for a quiet holiday for once. However, when they come across an unconscious man in the road it isn't looking that way. Surely, things will look brighter when they get to the House of Towers. Right?

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and Murder in an Irish Castle may be my favorite book in the series.

This time of year I want to read nothing but Christmas books so I was excited to see that this one is set at Christmas. At first, I was disappointed that Ellie was traveling and we would get to see the downstairs ladies or her beau Hugh Seldon. But this trip turns into such an adventure that it was okay that they weren't there.

Clifford is more relaxed around Ellie - he's definitely more of a friend and confidant in this book than he has been in past books. And I really liked to see their relationship evolve beyond just employer/employee.

Derrydee is a cute village and I loved the characters. Their Christmas celebrations are awesome too.

The mystery in this book is great. It's not easily solved and the revelation is kind of shocking. It wasn't just the Christmas celebrations that made this my favorite novel in the series, but also the mystery. I think it was one of the better mysteries and there is definitely more danger.

We also get to see a little of pre-titled lady Ellie. She had to be resourceful and courageous when bicycling around the world on her own and while we have seen glimpses of these traits but they are on full display in this story.

If you haven't read this series, you can start with this book. It is a lot of fun with just the right mix of holiday spirit and murder mystery. If you need a break from the Christmas romance novels filled with sugary sweetness, then this is a book you should pick up.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/12/murder-in-irish-castle-by-verity-bright.html

What is better than Christmas in Ireland? Following Eleanor and Clifford's adventure as they try to solve a murder!

I have not read this series completely yet, but it is exactly what I adore in British historical mysteries!
The murder, the clues, the red herrings and of course the banter and characters!

Throw in a new cat and I am hooked! I was intrigued from beginning to end and cannot wait for more!

This is one of my favourite cosy series and as usual the author delivers a beauty. It is unusual in that Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler, Clifford, and her dog, Gladstone, depart to spend Christmas on Ellie's other estate in Ireland, and they leave all our regular favourite characters behind. This includes Ellie's beaux, Hugh, so there is very little romance replaced by lots of danger and scary moments.

The excitement begins as soon as the book opens when Clifford almost runs over a body in the road. It continues when they find the estate deserted except for one old retainer in the gate house. It deepens when they find many of the villagers unfriendly and unhelpful. It becomes really dangerous when both their lives are threatened.

Through all this Ellie and Clifford keep up their usual banter, Gladstone suffers a shortage of sausages but makes a new friend and Ellie discovers more about her family and their past. The book is extremely well written and the characters jump off the page. I loved it and I am already looking forward to next book.

This cozy mystery was a lot of fun - but the pacing was a little off at points - some slower than others. I did fall in love with the characters and it made me want to read the other books in the series even more - definitely had me turning pages to find the answers.

This time Lady Eleanor and Clifford are in Ireland
I think I understand why but I am not sure that matters.
As usual her kindness and his attention to detail allow our sleuths to uncover what terrible things are happening in the village close to her ancestral home.
Highly recommend

It’s not easy write something original after having read and reviewed 12 books unless you want to analyze the specific plot. Each book in this series is better than the previous and all are very entertaining and well plotted.
This is no exception and I liked it even if I missed Hugh and the lady of Henley Hall.
The Irish setting is interesting and the different type of characters, liked the doctor or the abbess, make us discover new sides of the investigating couple. Eleanor and Clifford are at their best in this unusual and troubled place. A place full of secrets and where people do not seem to be ready to gossip or reveal anything.
Gladstone is as lovely as usual and I have great expectations for Tomkin the cat.
It’s an unusual, gripping, solid, and complex mystery I read in one afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it’s highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this arc, all opinions are mine

This is another murder mystery, set back in time in 1923
Lady Eleanor Swift is invited to the hamlet of Derrydee
To celebrate Christmas and her inherited Irish castle to see.
She, Clifford and Gladstone hope it will be murder free!

Someone lying in the road as they travel there
They have to stop to show some care.
They carefully load him into their car
To take to the abbey that isn't too far.

The doctor, police constable and abbess, too,
Seem suspicious, not revealing just who
This man they found really is or why
They claim he's a stranger - why should they lie?

This story is filled with revelations and more
Secrets to uncover as the duo start to explore.
No questions asked, it makes such a change,
But after their start, all seems so strange.

A story of community, filled with troubles and danger
Where Eleanor and Clifford are both a stranger.
What's going on in this community, it isn't clear,
But something is - or why would there be so much fear?

Another investigation by this unlikely duo again,
Involving murder, treasure, mystery and pain.
Will they escape to return home safely once more?
Or will they find more than they were looking for?

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

Christmas, 1923. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in Henelly Castle. Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the country lane near the estate. They take the unconscious man to the nearby convent & await the doctor, unfortunately the man dies. Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. But the Rools is tampered with & then a fire breaks out at the castle gatehouse, an even bigger question looms: is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift?
The twelfth outing for Ellie, her butler Clifford & adorable bulldog Gladstone, I love this series, yes each book could easily be read on its own but I love the relationship between Ellie & Clifford & how it’s grown throughout the series & how they both rely on each other. It's a fun, entertaining, humorous read, which also highlights but doesn’t labour the plight of the villagers of Derrydee. There were twists & turns, many of which I didn't see coming as well as lots of red herrings. However Ellie doesn’t shrink from solving a mystery which threatens her. Hugh & the ladies of Henley Hall don't appear in this book but it's still an engrossing read, which I recommend & look forward to Ellie’s next case
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Murder in an Irish Castle is the 12th title in the long running series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift and her faithful butler, Clifford. This time, Eleanor is traveling to Ireland during the holiday season to visit a property she inherited from her uncle along with her title and English property. Arriving in less than ideal weather, the duo find a dying man in the roadway and bring him to a local abbey in an attempt to find help. Unfortunately, the man dies and Eleanor begins to suspect that the locals may have been involved in the mysterious death. As she begins to learn about the occupants of the area, the more questions she has about who sent her the letter inviting her to visit and what exactly everyone is covering up. Will Eleanor and Clifford figure out who the dead man was and how he died before it is too late? I really enjoyed this story which had some very nice twists and turns. As always, I enjoyed the relationship between Eleanor and Clifford as well as the holiday setting. I did miss some of the secondary characters like the ladies at Henley Hall and her sort-of beau, Hugh. I look forward to the next story in the series and hope that there are some developments in the relationship department for Eleanor and Hugh.

For a cozy mystery, there’s surprising depth in the writing. I’m guessing that’s because Verity Bright has lived with these characters for 12 books. But don’t be deterred by the fact that this book is one in a series. Even if you haven’t read the other books in the Eleanor Swift series, you’ll get by just fine in this book. There was only one time when I did a “HUH?” and that was about half-way through the book when Eleanor mentions her beau, Hugh, who isn’t in this story. So if you’re looking for the slow burn of a romance in your cozy mystery, this isn’t it.

The castle Eleanor inherits is in a quaint little town in the Irish countryside. It’s a world completely different than today’s: using peat for firewood, still using cart and wagon, the largely agrarian society is suspicious of Eleanor and her butler, Clifford, and no one takes kindly to strangers sticking their nose into things. Trying to get answers from the townspeople is difficult, but that doesn’t stop Eleanor.

The manner of death of the stranger in the road is an unusual one, and one that leaves the reader wondering how it could have happened. Then there’s the house fire on the castle estate which takes the life of the caretaker which adds to the mystery. The fact that all the house help has been scared away by ghosts, leaving Eleanor and Clifford alone in the castle, adds to the mystery even more.

The culprit isn’t one you’d expect, simply because you’re not introduced to them until later in the story. The mystery itself was wrapped up about 80% into the book, but the murderer needed to be apprehended, and Eleanor needed to experience more of the Christmas holiday in Ireland before returning to England.

For Eleanor Swift fans, have no fear, Gladstone the bulldog makes the trip and provides comic relief. I’m not much of a dog person but the pup’s behavior was certainly endearing.

I enjoyed reading about the traditional Irish Christmas traditions as my husband is Irish. I can’t say I’ll be serving some of the meals described, but I’ll certainly be telling Dave and the kids about it.

It was so good to catch up with Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler Clifford and the trusty bulldog Gladstone! I love Ellie’s effervescent style, Clifford’s droll humour and good old Gladstone’s solid presence. In this book, the three head to Ireland over Christmas to visit the castle Ellie has inherited. Known by the locals as the House of Towers, it and the nearby Ballykieran Abbey are both fabulously imposing and full of a feeling of threat. This is the perfect mystery for long winter evenings, full of atmospheric descriptions, by turns festive and distinctly creepy! There are twists and turns aplenty and many breath-holding moments as the intrepid trio work out who killed the mysterious stranger they found at death’s door on their way into town. First class, as always!

Irish, Ireland, castles, green rolling hills, Christmas. What is not to like?

I really enjoyed this cosy murder mystery. Christmas 1924 (a great period in time), a Christmas party, a dead body. What will happen next, what did happen?

Lady Eleanor Swift stumbles upon a dead body in the snow on the way to the party and so begins the hunt for who it is and who dunnit! And what else will happen? I will not tell. You must read!

This is a fun read, made me laugh but also kept my interest. With characters that bring interest to the story as well as the cat, this book was so easy to read and was very entertaining and fun. And having not read the others in this series I now need to go see if I can uncover some more great stories by this author. Great read.

Another great read in this fab series. The plot was a good one, and I found it difficult to work out who was trying to help them, and who wished to harm them as this from the start was different in that there were not the usual character's helping out just Eleanor and Clifford and of course Gladstone. I was enthralled to the last.as usual.
Overall, though a little darker, this was another excellent and compelling murder mystery, with humour and fun, though not my favourite of the series.. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The series is whimsical. A bit unusual too. Lady Eleanor Swift has a penchant for ferreting
out a murder. wherever she goes murder seems to follow her like a magnet. She has her faithful,
and resourceful butler and the podgy bulldog Gladstone

Lady Eleanor receives an invitation for a Christmas celebration in the remote village, where
she has inherited a castle which she has never visited and has forgotten about. Deciding that
this is as good a time as any to look around her inheritance, the three of tgem set out
on this adventure.

Terrible weather, even worse road conditions, a body on the road (almost dead), a perilous journey to the nearest abode which turns out to be a convent, inhabited by almost hostile nuns
not wanting to show much hospitality in such a terrible weather and then the local priest, doctor, policeman and undertaker all denying any knowledge of who the man could be and closing
up to even the simplest of questions.

we have villains aplenty, almost a local mafia which has kept the locals under their control
and attempt upon attempt to get rid of Lady Eleanor. The tables are turned of course, motives
are discovered, everything is sorted out and all ends well.

Very good vintage detective reading

I really enjoyed the setting and the introduction of this novel. However, the dialogue is rather off putting and the pace of the plot is too slow for me.

I can definitely see this appealing to the right audience, however it is not the right book for me.

Eleanor Swift and her butler, Clifford, head to the Irish Castle she inherited from her uncle for Christmas. Neither she or her uncle had ever seen it, as he inherited it not too long before he died. She has been invited to come by Miss Winnifred Breen, the village teacher and the head of the Derrydee Village Committee. As they get close to the castle, Clifford suddenly slams on the brakes, as there is a man lying on the road. They manage to get him in the car and go back a short distance to the Ballykieran Abbey. The Mother Superior summons the Priest, Father Quinn, Dr. O'Sullivan, and the village policeman, Constable Doyle. The man dies, and none of those present want to talk. Everyone they have met seems very unfriendly and strange.

When they finally get to the castle, Hennelly Towers, there is no one inside. All the staff has left except for Corcoran who lives in the gatehouse. They go to the pub in the village the next morning to get something to eat, and meet the owner, Murphy who is friendly. When they see two men run away from the Rolls, they quickly find that the car has been disabled. Car parts and mechanics are few and far between, and Eleanor and Clifford soon realize this is not the wonderful vacation Christmas they had imagined.

When the gatehouse is burned down on Christmas Eve, they get help from Murphy and Smithie. By then, they realize there is a real problem in Derrydee, and they are determined to find out who is causing fear in all the residents. Will they be able to figure out the problems and fix them before their Christmas holiday has ended? Will they still be alive on Christmas night?