Murder in an Irish Castle (A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Book 12)
by Verity Bright
ISBN 9781803148274
Pub Date 28 Nov 2022
Bookouture

I had a pile of books I’d planned to read, but when I saw this—a cozy mystery set in the west of Ireland at Christmastime—how could I possibly resist? I couldn’t. I am very pleased with my lack of willpower too, because this is a delightful book.

Lady Eleanor Swift has inherited her uncle’s estate, which includes the wonderful butler, Clifford, and property in Ireland, as well as his property in Britain. She has yet to visit the Irish property, but when she gets an invitation to the Derrydee village Christmas 1923 festivities, she is eager to go. Clifford accompanies her. They making their way to the big house in lashing down rain when Clifford slams on the brakes. They get out to find a man in the road, just barely alive. They get him into the Rolls and to the nearest place with a telephone, which is the abbey. The nuns are not thrilled at this turn of events, but they take the guy to a distant room and call the Garda (police), doctor, and priest. Alas, he does not make it. But who is he, how did he get there, and who killed him? On Christmas Eve, the caretaker’s cottage burns down. Was it an accident? The locals aren’t talking and seem to be acting in ways Lady Eleanor finds strange, although since it is during the Irish civil war and the fight for independence from British colonization, she assumes some of it can be put down to that. Lady Eleanor and Clifford decide to find answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Clifford—his exasperation when Lady Eleanor does not behave according to the sense of what is ‘proper,’ the way he is a stickler for language, his encyclopedic knowledge of history and culture, and his affection for Eleanor, whom he has known since she was a small girl. Clifford was very close to Eleanor’s uncle for years and he sometimes has a sarcastic remark which includes a memory about the uncle or wee Eleanor. Eleanor is equally fond of Clifford and relies on him for support, information, and understanding. They make an excellent team.

As a blow-in to northwest Ireland, I was curious to see how the author would handle that aspect of the story—she did this well and even included a short glossary-ish section at the back, explaining things like hurling matches and their importance in small villages, culture, and history. Even though the book is set a century ago, there are some aspects of culture that remain the same.

Even though this book is the twelfth in the series and I had not heard of it before now, I could still jump right in and feel at home with this pair. I didn’t feel like the fact that I had not read any of the previous books in any way detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I will be looking for more books in this series and hope to spend more time with Lady Eleanor and Clifford in future.

I received a copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I thank them, the author, and the publisher.

It is getting quite close to Christmas and, much to her surprise, Lady Eleanor Swift has agreed to spend the holidays at her family's property, Henelley Castle, just outside the small village of Derrydee in Ireland. With only bulldog Gladstone, and loyal butler, Clifford, for company Ellie is looking forward to meeting relations she had no idea existed.

As they get nearer to their final destination they only just manage to avoid hitting someone sprawled across the road and are saddened to discover they were too late to save him. With their staff missing and very little food available Ellie and Clifford visit the local hostelry for breakfast and a little gossip except no-one seems remotely interested in talking to the newcomers. When the Rolls Royce is tampered with as well, they realise it wasn't just the stranger who was in danger,

In book 12, yes, really, Ellie and Clifford are venturing across the Irish Sea for Christmas which unfortunately means not all the main protagonists have a part to play this time round. Initially I really missed them and struggled to get into the new mystery but the unusual setting, and excellent storyline soon took over and I became as invested in the storyline as ever. I was surprised regularly throughout and the inclusion of a summary of Book 13 has me ready and waiting for that book too.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. After my uncertain start I loved this and recommend it highly.

Loving this lady Eleanor swift murder mystery series……This author creates well-drawn, complex characters, and knows how to build tension and drama that hold readers to the end. With several plot twists it managed to keep me guessing until the end. Even then I was surprised. I’m not easily surprised.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another good book in the cozy mystery series. Lady Eleanor and her butler Clifford head to Ireland to see the property she inherited in Ireland. With her faithful dog by her side they come across a body in the road. After taking him to an abbey nearby, they start to meet the set of characters that make up the visit. Enjoyable, although sadly her hunky Sheldon is not in this one. Nor are the other characters of her household in England. Still though, a fun addition to the series and one i highly recommend.

snow-season, Christmas, mysteries, murder-investigation, murder, 1920s, Ireland, pet-dog, class-consciousness, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, historical-novel, historical-research, historical-places-events, cozy-mystery, friendship, misconceptions*****

All is not as it seems.
Can easily be read as a stand-alone.
This series has the very best and interesting characters (good, bad, and absolutely silly). The series began as a farce: Eleanor is widowed and is a presumed orphan and world traveler on the cheap who comes to rural England and finds that she has inherited the title and all that from uncle who is recently deceased. The best part of it all is The Butler Who Knows Everything who helps her with anything, and never treats her like a ninny.
This time she finds that she has also inherited a property in Ireland. She and The Butler Who Knows Everything (AKA Clifford). Things start to go badly once they get near the property and it seems to all go downhill from there. Lots of sleuthing, plot twists, red herrings and more.
I really enjoy all the ongoing (as well as new) characters, and the mysteries are so well done!
I requested and received a digital ARC of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!