Book 13 of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series but my first read in this cosy crime series and it read well as a stand-alone. It’s Eleanor’s birthday but Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon has told her he cannot take her on a promised birthday treat so instead she is taking herself, her dog Gladstone, and her staff on a transatlantic cruise.

Briefly, shortly after embarking Eleanor’s dream of a restful luxury cruise is shattered when she sees a fellow passenger being shot and pushed overboard. She then discovers Sefton is working undercover on the ship so the two of them set out to solve the murder. When a second guest is found dead in his cabin it appears this is a more complex case than at first thought.

This is the ultimate locked room mystery - only 2000 potential suspects and 7 days to solve the mystery. Fast paced and whilst you do need to suspend belief this is a very entertaining read. Good fun light read with some lovely characters. I really enjoyed it.

When your beau lets a birthday girl down
No point in wearing a frown!
Instead make the most of an invitation
And take your staff with you on vacation!

On an opulent ocean liner to New York they'll go
An uneventful trip - you guessed it, NO!!
Eleanor witnesses a deadly crime
A man shot and falls overboard, no rescue in time.

What's worse is the weapon that had been used
It belongs to her beau, now she's confused!
It seems he's on a mission that's undercover
With much more now for them to discover.

With first class suspects and fishy clues
And Clifford there to give them news
Can they help catch the killer?
To find out for yourself read this historic cosy crime thriller!

With stormy seas and surprises galore
You're never quite certain what will be in store!
A cruise across the Atlantic that's deadly for some
And a brilliant ending with promises of things to come.

I've thoroughly enjoyed every book in this set
And this is perhaps the best one yet!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

How does this person do it. No, not Lady Eleanor Swift - we get a thorough and complete picture and story of how she investigates and solves the latest cozy murder mystery. I am referring to Verity Bright, that husband and wife team, who manage to write such completely entertaining and well thought out murder mysteries. They infuse their characters with exactly the right amount of just everything.

Lady Eleanor is never going to be the High Society Lady entertaining the rich and titled in early 20th century British society. Her butler, Clifford, impeccably dressed, is always going to be following in Lady Eleanor’s wake, beyond efficient, protecting her, providing a backstop and ending to her sentences. Her downstairs staff are each and every one just perfectly set in their roles supporting Lady Eleanor and her country estate. Chief Inspector Hugh Sheldon continues to be enamored with Lady Swift while disappointing her yet again. Gladstone the bulldog is endearing as he careens and crashes into any available set of knees.

I was delighted to spend another bunch of hours with these favorite characters unraveling high dungeon crime upon the turbulent seas. Thank you Bookoutre and NetGalley for a copy.

Another fun read following along with Lady Eleanor Swift, Clifford the butler and Gladstone the bulldog, this time on the maiden voyage of the ocean liner, Celestiana.

Murder and mayhem follow Lady Swift and it is taking longer than usual to find the murder or murders but this time Detective Hugh Seldon is involved but not in his usual role.

Another wonderful Verity Bright book to enjoy, you will not be disappointed!

Reluctant aristo Lady Eleanor and her butler and fellow sleuth Clifford are on board a magnificent ocean liner headed to America along with her household staff. Of course there is a mysterious death and who should be discovered traveling incognito but Eleanor's suitor Inspector Hugh Seldon.

Hugh is along for some fairly inexplicable plot machinations and he and Eleanor are soon investigating. The whole thing doesn’t exactly make sense but for those who have followed their agonizingly drawn out courtship, there might be some resolution on the horizon. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is one of my most favourite series featuring Lady Eleanor Swift and her redoubtable butler, Clifford. Also starring a dog called Gladstone and an almost love interest, Detective Hugh Seldon.

Lady Swift cannot escape from murder even on a luxury cruise to New York. By an incredible coincidence, Hugh is on board too and the terrific trio go to enormous lengths to solve the crime. A major red herring made me guess entirely the wrong person as the the culprit.

It is a great story, well told, with entertaining main characters, so much food, and the usual beautiful cover. I commented on the lack of romance in the previous book and it was more than made up for in this one! At last, some progress in the right direction.

I just read that Verity Bright is a pseudonym for a husband-and-wife team of authors. Is this indeed so? I could not find out any more information. Anyway whoever is writing them keep up the good work!

Another excellent book in this delightful series. It has strong, likeable main characters, a great period setting, and the glamour of a cruise ship on her maiden voyage. Add to this a fast paced plot and you have a brilliant read. Eagerly awaiting volume 14!

Lady Eleanor Swift is all set to spend her birthday with her beau, DI Hugh Seldon, until he calls to cancel on her again at the last minute. So she accepts an invitation on the stunningly opulent ocean liner Celestiana’s maiden voyage to New York. Eleanor tries to forget her worries and make the most of her trip. That is, until she sees a man being shot and falling overboard. On closer inspection of the scene, Eleanor literally stumbles over the likely murder weapon. And the nick in the barrel is unmistakeable: this gun belongs to Hugh. With some discreet digging, Clifford discovers Hugh is aboard the ship on an undercover mission. When another passenger is found dead in his first-class cabin, a poisoned whisky glass clutched in his hand, Eleanor realises they are really in hot water.
The thirteenth book in this delicious series & it could be read on its own. I love the dynamics between Ellie & her staff, especially Clifford & I also love how her relationship with Hugh has grown & changed. Another delightful read, there are plenty of suspects on board the liner but time is limited to get Hugh ‘off the hook’ for being framed but also to find the killer before the liner docks. There are twists & turns as well as red herrings. The pace is very good but once the ship hits a storm the pace ramps up & the pages flew by to the climax. I also adored the ending
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Lady Eleanor Swift is planning to spend some time with Inspector Hugh Seldon for her birthday, when he calls to say he can't come. She decides to accept an invitation from her former boss, Mr. Walker, to go on the maiden voyage of the Celestiana, the largest, most luxurious ocean liner ever built. She gets a room in first class, and gets a room for all her staff in second class.

On the first night, Ellie goes to a reception where she sees a man dancing who looks something like Hugh. Later that evening she sees two people in the shadows fighting. Then she hears a revolver shot, and one man pushed the other over the rail. She accidently kicks a gun and picks it up. The handle has a destinctive nick in the handle which is just like Hugh's. Mrs. Butter finds where Hugh is staying in second class, and Ellie gives him back his gun. He explains that he is actually on leave and is following the man who he believes killed his wife. Ellie agrees to help with the investigation.

Then, there is another murder. When they are almost to New York, there is a huge storm, and Eleanor puts herself in great danger as she finally figures out who is doing the murdering.

After Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon had cancelled their time for Lady Eleanor Swift's birthday, she reconsidered the invitation she'd recently received. That was to sail on the Celestiana's maiden voyage from England to New York. She also bought tickets for her staff, as well as Gladstone, the excitable bulldog. Boarding was a chaotic time, made easier by Clifton's skills at organisation. But not long into the journey, Ellie witnessed a man being shot and pushed overboard - could she never escape murder, the bane of her existence?

Discovering the gun, and realising it was the Detective Inspector's, she sent Clifford to search. And find Hugh he did, suffering greatly from seasickness, also working undercover to capture a criminal he'd been following for a few years. The obvious planting of evidence against Hugh had them all thinking; of course Ellie, Clifford and Hugh would work at flushing out the killer - before they arrived in New York. But could they do it? With a second death, the pressure was on, the clock was ticking...

Oh I do love this series!! Death on Deck is the 13th in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series by Verity Bright and this was just as much fun as the previous twelve. Fast paced, action packed, the beauty of the crime scene was there was nowhere for the criminal to go (only mingle with 2000 other guests!) Another entertaining addition to this series which I highly recommend. Bring on #14!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Eleanor Swift’s birthday plans are scuppered when her beau, Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon, unexpectedly cancels on her. No worries — as she can now accept a previously declined invitation to travel on the maiden voyage of a luxury ocean liner (accompanied by her faithful staff—and bulldog Gladstone). No worries — until she witnesses a man being shot and thrown overboard. Her subsequent discovery of the gun should help with the investigation. But then she realizes who it belongs to.

This was such a fun read. A cozy mystery with just the right amount of suspense, witty dialogue, engaging protagonists and a cast of very entertaining supporting characters.

This is the 13th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, and prior to this I’d only read the first book in the series so far. That didn’t deter from the enjoyment though. But I definitely must go back and read the rest of the series as soon as I can. And the I can sit and wait for number 14.

Though there are usually a couple of murders in each book, the way the story is told
between the Lady Eleanor, her bulldog Gladstone and her faithful and immensely clever
butler Clifford - an element of frivolity or lightness always creeps in. Very different
to modern mystery murders

Set on an opulent ship (shades of the Titanic) again on its maiden voyage, the Captain
with his crew do not want any mishaps, any delays to mar their arrival in New York.
When Lady Eleanor witnesses the first murder which is explained to all as a man overboard
accident, she knows something is afoot. Finding Detective Hugh Seldon aboard the ship
adds to the confusion. The captains table in the first class lounge also throws up
debatable characters with dubious reasons for travelling.

Unravelling one murder is hard and when the second happens and Lady Eleanor is expressly
forbidden to investigate, she knows she has to find the murderer and tge reasons to
exonerate Hugh Seldon from suspicion.

Very descriptive, class distinctions and all, this was a light read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful cozy mystery set in the '20s aboard a luxury transatlantic ocean liner! Death on Deck is the 13th book in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series but I hadn't read any of the previous mysteries and found it worked well as a standalone - although I do now think that I might go back and start at the beginning as this was such a fun read!

Eleanor Swift had been a world traveller until the death of her uncle and her inheritance of his estate. She's now Lady Eleanor Swift and resides in an English country manor but has some difficulty behaving as a proper lady and seems to habitually find herself in the middle of murder investigations. In Death on Deck, Eleanor is disappointed when her police detective beau cancels their plans for her birthday so she accepts an invitation to travel on the maiden voyage of a luxury ocean liner from Southampton, England to New York City accompanied by her butler, Clifford, the four female members of her household staff, and her bulldog, Gladstone. On the first night of the cruise, she witnesses a man being shot and thrown overboard and is soon caught up in the investigation along with her trusty butler and her detective friend who was aboard on a secret mission.

This was the perfect cozy mystery - a quick, entertaining read with just the right amount of suspense. I loved the shipboard setting as I have always wanted to sail on a transatlantic cruise (minus the murder of course!) Also great was the witty dialogue and the wonderful supporting characters - I was particularly fond of Lady Eleanor's butler, Clifford, and Lady Eleanor herself is a great character - smart, compassionate, independent and brave. Anyone who loves a historical cozy mystery should enjoy this series!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Death on Deck is the 13th title in the now long running Lady Swift series. This title finds Eleanor, Clifford, and the rest of her staff taking a trans-Atlantic cruise to New York to visit New York for Eleanor's birthday after she was disappointed by her kind of beau, detective inspector Hugh Seldon had to cancel their plans to celebrate. Murder follows Eleanor as always when she accidentally witnesses a man be shot and go overboard. As always, there are no shortage of suspects, and the mystery has some nice twists and turns. Readers are given an opportunity to learn about Hugh's background and what makes him tick. Fans who may be getting a little frustrating with the pace of romance between Hugh and Eleanor will not be disappointed. I think that the mystery aspects of this series have become stronger as the series progresses and I look forward to many more titles in the series.

Another glorious tale featuring the delightful Lady Eleanor and her suitor the dashing detective. Not forgetting her staff and loyal hound Gladstone.

This time the household are cruising to New York and all is going well until a man goes overboard in suspicious circumstances.

Of course the group investigate and put themselves in terrible danger doing so.

Well written, great progression of the characters and a very readable story which I would highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for Ann honest review.

The premise of this book sounded very interesting, although I will admit it didn't hook me as much as I wanted it to. I found myself confused a couple of times between Ellie talking to herself and the surrounding things going on. The mystery was intriguing.

Death on Deck is Verity Bright’s thirteenth book featuring Lady Eleanor Smith; her butler, Clifford; and her four female staff. Eleanor hoped to spend her birthday with her beau, Chief inspector Hugh Seldon. However, he’s had to cry off but won’t tell her why. Deeply annoyed with him, Ellie decides to accept an invitation from her ex-employer to sail on the maiden voyage of the Blue Line’s new liner, Celestiana. Ellie is her usual generous self and pays for tickets for all her staff so that they can enjoy themselves too. On her first night at sea, Ellie witnesses a murder. As you would expect, she gets involved in investigating the case.

I really enjoyed the book. It was pacy; the dialogue was good, with the usual excellent banter between Ellie and Clifford. Although it is far, far more enjoyable to read the series in order, I think anyone reading this book first wouldn’t be lost.

Quibbles? You do have to not just suspend disbelief, but put it in a sack and weight it down in a dark sound-proofed room. Why would a fellow lady passenger invite Ellie to accompany her to the steam room and then pretty much refuse to enter into conversation with her? Similarly, if someone else can barely talk to Ellie without getting angry, are they likely to want advice about a gift? And if someone is so incapacitated by sea-sickness that they can barely stand up, are they really likely to be on peak form during a storm? As I say, though, suspend disbelief and just enjoy this mystery / romance on its own terms because, despite those quibbles, it IS highly enjoyable.

#DeathonDeck #NetGalley

Eleanor, and her faithful butler and household servants (and of course her bulldog) head off on a sea voyage to New York. Really enjoy this series, although felt this one did drag a bit at times. Maybe because they were so confined? Not sure. Anyway, would have liked to see more with her policeman beau and more with her sleuthing. Would still recommend though, and strongly recommend this author and series. Fun read.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Bookouture.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Lady Eleanor Swift is on her first cruise but she can not seem to escape murder.

While on the cruise she encounters a shooting as a man goes overboard. She then stumbles over the barrel of a gun which is owned by her detective boyfriend who stood her up.

Is there a connection to the dead body and her boyfriend or is he being framed for the crime? Another exciting mystery in this historical setting. A must in the series.

I was introduced to these wonderful characters in #12 of the series, Murder in an Irish Castle. I was excited to read this next installment and visit with my new friends. I am also a huge fan of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, so I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy it when I read the story description.

Its 1923 and Lady Eleanor Swift is celebrating her birthday with her bulldog Gladstone, her Butler Clifford and the house and the ladies of her staff. They are off on a maiden voyage of a transatlantic liner from London to New York. Of course, the shadow of the Titanic tragedy a few years earlier looms over the trip. If that isn't enough to deal with, there is a murder, lots of characters with plenty of secrets, shady dealings and then a second murder. Lady Eleanor will need "all hands-on deck" of her gang to find the culprit before they arrive in New York. Oh....did I mention a hurricane like storm? It has a good mystery, great story and wonderful characters. I admit I did not figure it out until the end, another reason for my 5-star rating.

I LOVED this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read another installment of what is becoming one of my favorite series.