Well, it’s time once again (well past time, actually – this should have been an October pick…) to highlight a highly recommended Cozy mystery book. This entry will be on the first in Verity Bright‘s Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series, A Very English Murder… a name that I am honestly very surprised hasn’t been used before!
Set in England in the 1920s, Lady Eleanor Swift is returning to Henley Hall, the home of her now-deceased uncle, which she hasn’t visited for almost two decades. Something of an adventurer, Eleanor has spent most of her life travelling, indulging her love of stories of adventure and exploration from her youth, but has recently decided she needed a rest – though she’s not quite certain that the traditional background of Henley Hall is the right place for said rest, she’s going to give it a chance.
Unfortunately, as it so often is in Cozies, the chance for a new start to life intersects with a murder, as on her very first day in the Hall, she witnesses someone shot on a neighboring piece of land. When she goes to investigate, she finds no body, but a very obvious patch of blood, indicating the shooting was likely fatal – but when she returns the following day with the local police sergeant and constable, neither body nor blood is still visible. Naturally enough, she decides to take it upon herself to investigate.
Despite being written extremely recently (2020 was the original publishing date) this is what I would call a very traditional Cozy Mystery. Indeed, so many of the themes are from the oldest, most conservative days of Cozies that I would go so far as to say that Christie, Sayers, and the like are very clear inspirations – it is set in the 1920s (which was the original ‘contemporary’ period for some of the earliest Cozies, but now a ‘historical’ choice to harken back to that era), is set in a traditional English manor house, and stars a member of the English aristocracy. Indeed, aside from the sleuth’s gender, it feels very inspired by Lord Peter Whimsy and similar ‘very English’, very early Cozy sleuths.
I also definitely appreciate that the murder occurs very early in the novel. While I do appreciate the layers of theming and atmosphere that go into many modern Cozies, I especially enjoy when this can be added on top of the mystery – sometimes in modern Cozies, the crime itself feels like an afterthought, but that certainly isn’t the case here. (Admittedly this does make my job a bit harder in writing these, since I don’t like to talk about much of the plot AFTER the mystery for ‘spoilers’ reasons, but it’s still worth it to get to the mystery in my opinion!)
If you’re looking for a modern series with a very traditional vibe, then I can strongly recommend A Very English Murder.
As always, if you want to read more of these brief discussions of some of the more popular Cozy Mystery Series that I’ve written in the past, you can find them at the Most Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page.
sue s says
I might have mentioned this. before, because I am a HUGE fan. There are 24 books in the series, but Ms Bright passed away this year. Her husband said she’d written a few more (although those might be 23 and 24) and those are being published.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sue, I’m very sad to hear that – it’s always sad when an author dies. According to the information I saw, Verity Bright was actually both of the husband-wife duo writing together, but who knows if he will continue writing after that sort of loss.
sue s says
Yes, I remembered that after I sent the comment. If he writes more, I’ll give them a try!
D. Victor H. says
I am currently reading #18 in the Lady Swift series, MURDER IN MAYFAIR, and I simply cannot get enough! I have laughed out loud many, many times while reading these books, and I find the writing to be first rate. (Sometimes, though, when the author drops in some current, though clever, turn of phrase, it can take a reader out of 1920s England…but only for a moment, and almost always with a chuckle!) All characters are well written and distinct, particularly Lady Swift’s long-suffering butler, Clifford. (Where is MY “Clifford” when I need him???) A really good series. I’m 18 of 24 in…and if there’s a 25, I’m in for that one, too!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
D., it’s definitely impressive how fast this series has grown – hard to believe it’s only five or so years old but already has dozens of entries! I’m glad to hear it stays reliably good so long into the run.
Ann Rowe says
I’m glad to see you highlight this series, I’ve enjoyed each book I’ve read so far. I’m currently reading number 16 Murder on the Cornish Cliffs.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ann, thanks for letting me know it stays good for so long – I’m always a bit unsure how well fast-growing series like this one will hold up after a dozen or more entries!
Kim says
Looks like a type of story I would enjoy. I’ve been reading ones by Jacqueline Winspear lately and have be really liking them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kim, I hope you enjoy them if you do decide to give them a try!
Lin Moilan says
Were you able to pass on my comments to the people that were looking for certain authors/books?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lin, I’m sorry but I’m not seeing another post by you on that topic – could you have been posting under a different name?
Lin moilan says
My comments were so long. I was trying to send an email to — unfortunately— to do not reply@ wordpress.com.
OK for Yvonne the series she wants is by Andrea Penrose, the Wexford and Stone mysteries.
For Simon, he could try the Scottish bookshop series by Paige Shelton.
And for Maisha, the author is Rosie Sandler, seeds of murder. She might also want to check out birds of a feather by Marty Wingate.
And I have a request: there was an English murder mystery series about a young woman who has to go to work for her eccentric uncle. They go to Egypt, Germany & Switzerland.
Hope these help your readers! And I love the mystery Blog!
Hanna says
I am glad that Verity Bright finally made it to this site. I recommended it in both May and June and am now on Murder in Manhattan. It was clear to the authors that there is a limit on how many murders can take place in a small village so with the fifth book Lady Swift, and the whole household, and the dog, were transferred to different locales.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hanna, thanks for the suggestions – it’s recommendations from regular commenters like yours that most help get authors added!