I love The Mitford Sisters mysteries! The sixth installment did not disappoint! All of the characters were very likable! The mystery itself was very clever! Thus, this series improves with each installment! I recommend this for fans of Maisie Dobbs! I really love the narrator, she made the audiobook come alive! Her voice was very smooth and she did an excellent job in differentiating between the characters! I recommend this for anyone who loves audiobooks!

Jessica Fellowes has written another fantastic mystery centred around the Mitfords. She pulls the Mitfords in without letting them overtake the mystery, a tough feat. This is the final book in the series; while I would recommend reading the entire series, you can absolutely read and enjoy this book without having read the previous books. (Although it would be minorly helpful to know who the Mitfords are, you will still be able to follow this.)

And as someone who is not overly interested in the world wars, I appreciated that the wartime setting did not overtake the mystery, either.

Rachel Atkins’ narration is wonderful, as always. She strikes a balance with emotion that really adds to the audiobook. (I also really enjoyed her narration of Austen’s novels.)

I enjoyed the audiobook of "The Mitford Secret" by Jessica Fellowes. The narrator, Rachel Atkins, did a great job of differentiating the voices and accents of the characters, which is particularly important in conveying the social/class milieu of 1940s England in which the book is set. I also appreciated the interesting tidbits about some of the real-life characters beyond the Mitfords themselves, such as Kick Kennedy and Adele Astaire, as I wasn't previously aware of their connections with the Mitfords. The mystery at the center of the book, however, was less successful for me--I never quite bought the character Louisa Cannon as a private detective, and the denouement, when it came, felt a bit rushed and incomplete. This is the first and only book in this six-book Mitford Murders series that I have read, however, so perhaps readers who are more familiar with Louisa from reading the earlier books will appreciate it more.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC audiobook of this title in return for my honest review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a good cozy mystery historical fiction, I haven't read all of the books in this series but i would!

I have not finished this book, but have gotten 60% through it.
It's got a good narrator, but it's just not engaging enough to continue to listen for me.
I keep trying to listen and keep trying to finish, but I just can't do it.
I'm not interested in the story. I'm not even entirely sure what it's about.

I absolutely loved this audio book. The narrator was exceptionally talented in her ability to speak for the several characters without missing a beat.
Family secrets, murders, seances and so much more. I’m not a reviewer that believes in giving spoilers so I will leave it at that.
All I can advise is that you don’t hesitate to either listen to or read this fabulous book.
A special thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read/listen to this fabulous book.

Thank you to Netgalley for this copy free to review.

This is my first time reading one of the Mitford Murder books but I am familiar with the historical Mitford family. Jessica Fellowes books follow a fictitious former nanny of the Mitford girls, Louisa Cannon, who has has become a private detective with her husband. This book is set at Chatsworth at Christmas where Louisa and her young daughter have been invited by youngest Mitford Deborah.

If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, Gosford Park or just cozy mysteries set in British Manor houses this will be very enjoyable but also a little predictable. Jessica Fellowes portrayal of the Mitfords feels very true to the historical Mitfords.

This sixth and final (?) installment in the Mitford Murders series by Jessica Fellowes is the series' best. The sisters have matured and found their place in the world (even if it's prison), and Louisa Cannon has settled into a fulfilling career as a private detective, and has a curious and vivacious little girl named Maisie. It's almost Christmas, and Deborah (Debo) has married into the family of the Duke of Devonshire, whose stately home, Chatsworth, has been temporarily turned into a girls' school. While the schoolgirls are off on their holidays, Debo has invited friends and family to escape war-torn London. Louisa, Debo's sisters Nancy (my favorite Mitford) and Unity, the Mitford parents, and Debo's titled in-laws, including celebrity relations like Adele Astair, and "Kick" Kennedy (daughter of Joseph Kennedy) are all visiting Chatsworth. When a mysterious older woman demands to see Deborah, she's shown in to where everyone is gathered, and pronounces that there has been a murder in the house. As a private detective, Louisa immediately jumps into action, and soon discovers a bloodstained cap that brings the mystery to life.

As usual, it is capable Louisa who keeps a cool head, and clever Nancy who slyly bullies her way forward. Debo surprises Louisa with how accomplished and settled she has become; she is a skillful social and domestic diplomat, deftly navigating the world of titled folk upstairs, and respectfully managing the below stairs staff. Historical Chatsworth is rife with secrets and true mysteries--the perfect setting for this classic English house party murder. In fact the house itself is a character. Before the story is halfway through, there's another murder, Louisa has two mysteries to solve. The final few chapters of the book are riveting, and I was kept guessing all the way to the end. Look out for a special Christmas surprise!

RATING: 3 STARS
2023; Minotaur Books/Macmillan Audio

I know, I know, I said the last Mitford Murder book was going to be my last one...BUT, then I read that The Mitford Secret was going to be the last in the series, so I had to finish it. And, you know what? I enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of the first and second book, so I am happy I read it.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss, and audiobook through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I enjoyed this book but I jumped into the series in the middle, so I felt a bit lost. So I am going to need to go back to the beginning and start from scratch. I felt that it took the story a bit to really get going but once it did I was hooked! I am definitely adding this series to my TBR!

What's better than a Christmas mystery? A World War 2 murder mystery steeped in political intrigue and family history and long hidden secrets!

The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellows is an historical mystery taking place in the late 1941 when London is under bomb attack daily by the German air force. Louisa has brought her daughter, Maisie, to spend Christmas with the Mitfords at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cavendish. It is odd that a former servant be treated as a guest, but Louisa was excited, especially for her daughter, who deserved Christmas away from the bombs. Of course, where Louisa goes, murder goes. We get another glimpse into the daily life of whatever members of the Mitford family are available as Louisa susses out the murder of a former employee and possible witness to a murder 30 years earlier.

This is a good series. Louisa is now many years married to Guy Sullivan, a former policeman, and they have opened up their own detective agency. Of course, Guy gets the good job, because no one quite believes a woman can do the work. Louisa is an excellent character who never forgets she was once a servant, but believes in herself and loves her family. This is Mitford lite as we read about their escapades but they are totally in the background as the storyline focuses on Louisa’s investigations and relationships. It is a good story and the mystery is a good one, both of them, really. Fellowes does this time period and these characters well as she takes us once more to murder in the past.

Rachel Atkins was the reader and she did a wonderful job of maintaining the dignity of the time while differentiating between characters. Great voice. For the first time since I have been reviewing, it is a toss-up between which was more enjoyable, the written version or the audio version. They were both terrific. Yay, Rachel Atkins!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC and free e-AUDIO of the Mitford Secret by St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio, respectively, each through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio #JessicaFellows #RachelAtkins #TheMitfordSecret

The Mitford Secret is the newest in Jessica Fellow's series on the Mitford sisters and their nursemaid turned private detective. I have always found the Mitford family quite interesting so the novel was an interesting look at their world and the struggles during their history. Overall I found the mystery of this particular installment very easy to guess so the audiobook didn't quite manage to keep my interest. It's a nice audiobook for easy listening, but the mystery left me feeling a bit lukewarm.

If you enjoyed previous books in this series, you'll likely welcome the 6th & final installment of this mystery series that takes place during WW2, when former nurserymaid Louisa attends a family Christmas at Chatsworth, acclaimed country seat of the Dukes of Devonshire. 

Many of the eternally fascinating Mitford family are in attendance: the parents and several of the daughters that The Times journalist Ben Macintyre famously described as "Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur". Unity's already brain-damaged but still an ardent Hitler supporter. Diana's in prison for her Fascist activities (probably also, in the minds of Britain's War Service, to serve as a potential check on her husband Oswald Mosley's even more seditious speeches and writings). Nancy's at odds with her own husband, who hasn't bothered to communicate with her in quite some time, and Debo's philandering husband, Andrew Cavendish, is off on war duty somewhere, as is his older brother, the current heir to the dukedom. The Mitford parents are emotionally withdrawn from the family and each other.

It's hardly the recipe for a successful house party even before the arrival of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire adds a formal chill to every meal. And then there's the wild woman who turns up on a stormy night claiming to be a psychic medium, leading them through the unheated ancestral pile to a cupboard containing a bloodstained maid's cap.

There are house party games, rationing-constrained festive meals, shopping for small gifts in the village, and the handsome Air Force officer from the nearby base, ingratiating himself with the Chatsworth party. He's inordinately nice to disabled Unity even while unhappily married Nancy eyes his obvious sex appeal and vies for his attention. Soon Louisa figures out the medium is a former employee of the great house, determined to discover the truth behind the long-ago disappearance of her best friend on staff: the maid who once wore that cap. 

And then there's a murder that some of the family seem determined to believe was natural causes. Louisa proceeds to investigate amid the decaying splendour of the great house and everyone comes under suspicion in turn. This would have been more compelling if so many of the players hadn't simply confided in this erstwhile nurserymaid on the slimmest of pretexts to provide clues to the reader. But the wartime village atmosphere is well done, and the glances at the estate-oriented activities of young Deborah (Mitford) Cavendish, later long-reigning Duchess of Devonshire and widely credited with restoring Chatsworth to a fully functioning and productive estate, paint a convincing early picture of a complex and devoted woman who surely deserved a better husband than the one she was saddled with.

The world is at war, Guy is worried about keeping Maisy in London but Louisa can't bear the thought of sending her away to the country. Deborah Mitford Cavendish is hosting her first Christmas house party, and with her husband away at the front, she insists her friend and former nanny Louisa must join her in the country for a nice quiet holiday. But houses as old as the Devonshire estate hold many secrets. A former maid, on hearing that there is a private investigator staying in the big house, knows now is the time to finally solve on of its mysteries.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free audiobook was provided for an honest review.

book cover of historical cozy mystery mystery audiobook The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes
January 2023; Macmillan Audio; 9781250890689
audio (10h 30m), ebook, print

I wish I had discovered this story. It is a great blend of history and mystery. I only discovered it last year when The Mitford Vanishing (read my review) came out which is book 5 in the series. The Mitford Secret is the sixth and final book in the series.

I've really enjoyed listening to both of the books as audiobooks and I'm happy to see that my library has the first book in the series on CD as I do plan on going back and reading the previous books in the series.

While the book is set at Christmas it isn't too Christmasy - there are some Christmas festivities but they are pretty low-key given that they are in the midst of WWII.

The mystery is a good one. A former housemaid disappeared during the first war and at least one former employee suspected that the former Duke had her murdered, but no one would listen to her then. Will Louisa be able to help her now?

If you love the intrigue of old nobility homes then this is the book for you. There are plenty of secrets past and present for Louisa to unravel.

I love stories based on history and the author offers a wonderful note at the end about everyone.

The audiobook is well done. Rachel Atkins does a great job. Her accents are wonderful and add authenticity to the story. Yet they aren't difficult to understand to my American ears. The story is engaging enough that it holds her attention while doing minor tasks. I did yardwork and laundry while listening to the book. There were a few minutes when whatever task I had at hand was a little loud and I missed a bit of the story but I never felt lost. I definitely hope to be able to listen to the rest of the series as audiobooks.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/01/the-mitford-secret-by-jessica-fellowes.html

I have not previously read any of the earlier Mitford Murder mysteries by Jessica Fellowes. I have read works by and biographies about key families during WWII. I am amazed at how much both the real families and the families in the book had to do in order to adapt to bombs going in front of them, losing friends and families during the blitz, and so much more.
I asked to read this book because I have had so much background in world war II history and figured I could easily fall into the book which was the absolute truth. I truly do love a good romance and meeting and marrying the love of your life during war seems right up my alley. I was pretty upset in the book when she lost her husband only a few months after marrying him. I was however intrigued that she did work for the pi company that her husband started.
I genuinely enjoyed the orator of this book and felt as though I was engulfed in the war with the characters as it was happening. The mystery contained within the book I do not want to give away, however, I will say this much it had me guessing all the way to the end. To find the murderer amongst the war must have been a feat beyond belief.
I would strongly encourage picking up this book to read, however, maybe start with book one as I will be doing now.

The Mitford Secret is the sixth and final book in the Mitford Murder Mysteries by Jessica Fellowes. This is the first book I have read from the series and I understood what was going on. Taking place in the early 1941 this book reads like a combination cozy mystery and historical fiction. I felt like the author did an excellent job of setting the mood and giving us the atmospheric feel of war time England.

The story takes place at Christmastime when the Mitford sisters invite family and friends to join them to celebrate the holidays in the country far away from the bombing raids of London. Among the guests is their former nanny, now turned detective. One night they receive a visit from a psychic who tells of secrets and ends up murdered. The sisters and their former nanny investigate the death. I enjoyed the book and the plot kept me interested.

I received this book through Net Galley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the book enough that I plan on going back and reading the first 5 in the series.

Reviews posted on Goodreads and several Facebook groups
Will review on Amazon on release date

The Mitford Secret (Mitford Murders, #6) by Jessica Fellowes was a gripping historical murder mystery. It took place in 1941, during The London Blitz and World War II, at Chatsworth House, a very impressive mansion, far from the bombings over London. The Mitford Secret was well written and impeccably researched. I listened the audiobook that was well narrated by Rachel Atkins. Even though this was the sixth installment in this series, it was the first book I had the pleasure to read in this series. I felt that The Mitford Secret read fine as a stand alone book. There was a large cast of characters but I had no problem keeping them straight and recognizing them within the twisty plot.

Britain was heavily involved in the war in 1941 and rations became harder and harder to get. London had suffered from both physical losses and from the mental anguish the bombings brought with them.. Louisa and Guy Sullivan and their six year old daughter, Maisie, had experienced it all first hand. Some Londoners were sending their children out of the city to live with families in the countryside where the children would be safer. Louisa knew it made sense to do this but she could not and would not let herself be separated from her daughter. When an invitation came from Deborah Mitford for Louisa, Guy and Maisie to come to Chatsworth for Christmas, Guy insisted that Louisa and Maisie go and get out of London. Guy was unable to join them due to his obligations with the Home Guard. Louisa used to be employed by the Mitford’s. She used to be the nursery maid for the Mitford sisters. Now, Louisa and her husband, Guy, were private detectives. Louisa had mixed feelings about going to Chatsworth. On one hand, it would be great to get Maisie out of London and far away from the bombings but on the other hand, Louisa hated to leave her husband. Louisa would worry about Guy’s safety and she would miss him very much.

Deborah invited everyone from the Mitford and Cavendish families. Kick Kennedy (JFK’s sister) was also invited since she was romantically involved with Billy, the Duke’s oldest son. Deborah met Louisa and Maisie at the train station. Neither Louisa nor Maisie were prepared for the grandness of Chatsworth as they arrived at the house. Over the next day or so everyone arrived and settled in. Then one night, an uninvited guest arrived. Ellis II, the butler, had asked the visitor to wait but the older woman, rain soaked from the storm, followed Ellis to the drawing room where the guests were gathered. Mrs. Hoole, the invited guest, told the assembled guests that she had a message to deliver from the other side. The message was directed at Deborah. She was told to go to the vestibule and she would find something. Louisa’s instincts as a private investigator kicked in. Once Louisa and Deborah figured out where the vestibule was they discovered a hidden panel. Behind that panel, the two women pulled out a bloody maid’s cap. Mrs. Hoole, the one that had delivered the message, had told them that twenty years ago a maid was murdered at Chatsworth and the cap had belonged to her.

Louisa became more and more curious about what had happened to the young maid all those years ago. Everyone agreed to invite Mrs. Hoole back to Chatsworth to perform a séance. During the séance, Mrs. Hoole, revealed that one of the guests were harboring a secret about the fate of the maid that disappeared over twenty years ago. Then, just as this information was revealed, one of the participants in the séance broke the circle and ended it. Mrs. Hoole was to be driven back to the village where her mother resided that night but the car would not start. Ellis, the butler, made an executive decision, and insisted that Mrs. Hoole sleep at Chatsworth that night. She was given a room in the servant’s quarters. The next morning, Mrs. Hoole was found dead in the bed she had slept in the night before. Now there were not one but two suspicious deaths. Louisa was unable to calm her mind. Her detective skills were on high alert. Had Mrs. Hoole died in her sleep or had she been murdered? Did Mrs. Hoole’s fate have anything to do with the young maid’s fate all those years ago?

I enjoyed listening to The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes even though I had not read any of the previous books in this series. Louisa was my favorite character by far. She had risen up from her former station in life as a nanny to the Mitford sisters and was now an independent, very bright, organized and strong woman with a keen sense for solving mysterious investigations. The ending in The Mitford Secret was completely satisfying. I look forward to reading the previous books in this series and I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for January 17, 2023.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Mitford Secret by Jessica Fellowes through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

In this 6th book the author finishes her Mitford Murder Series with a focus on Deborah (Debo) Mitford the youngest of the family. It is 1941 and war is raging on the continent. Debo known as Lady A invites Louisa Sullivan, a former employee and her young daughter Maisie down to the ancestral home for Christmas. In previous stories we learn that Louisa has become a Private Detective working with support from her husband Guy, a member of the London police. Other Mitford family members have been invited along with historical characters including Adelle Astaire (sister to Fred ) and Kick Kennedy sister of John F. Kennedy who took London by storm and snagged a titled boyfriend. As the days before Christmas draw near Debo invites Mrs. Hoole a local medium to hold a seance for the assembled guests. During the seance Mrs. Hoole suggests foul play about a former house maid who disappeared twenty-five years before. Later after a game of hide and seek a bloody cap is discovered in a remote part of the house that lends credence to her story. Mrs. Hoole is forced to "stay the night" at the country house and is discovered to have died the next morning. These events set Louisa into motion to apply her detective skills to uncover what really happened. The audioformat of the book was skillfully narrated with excellent attention paid to the voices of the gentry that differed from Louisa's working class accent. it was a little difficult to keep track of so many characters and it would have perhaps been helpful to start the audio version by reading off the list and names of major players. It was a clever plot device to bring a number of famous historical people together for a house party in wartime, This included activity at a nearby airbase and reports of a significant bombing that affected members of the household. Most importantly it gave the reader (listener) time to spend with the endlessly fascinating Mitford family. The book can totally be read out of order and will likely prompt the reader to seek out earlier titles in the saga.

I really like the calm mystery that this book carries in it. Most mysteries are really fast paced who dunnit books and this one is a mystery- murder and history of the monarch all in one. I would never have guessed who did what and why had I not listened to the whole thing. I would have been totally wrong on my theories. Great writing.