Mrs. Jeffries Rocks the Boat

by Emily Brightwell

Book Overview

Meet the inspector and Mrs. Jeffries--in a delightful mystery series set in Victorian England--and featuring the most charming characters ever to crack a case. Mirabelle Daws travelled all the way from Australia to Sheridan Square to visit her sister - only to die in the middle of a locked garden. All the residents of Sheridan Square have a key to the garden - but no-one seemed to know that Mirabelle was planning to arrive. So the question facing...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425169340
• ISBN13: 9780425169346
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Another clever one!

If I had to describe this book (and indeed, other books in the Mrs. Jeffries series) in one word, I'd say "clever." Emily Brightwell has a wonderful knack for creating such interesting plots and twists. The way the characters slowly peel away at the mystery and the way the killer is revealed in a heart-pounding way are simply genius. Sit back, read this book with a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Mrs. Jeffries is at the top of her game!

This is one of the better Mrs. Jeffries books. The plot is a little more complex than some of the preceeding books. When an unidentified lady is found stabbed to death in a locked communal garden, Mrs. Jeffries and her crew are launched into investigating one of the most confusing cases yet. The ending for this one is a bit of a surprise as well. And we see Bestsy and her Smythe reach another level in their "courting". Same great characters, same cozy atmosphere - What else could you ask for?

Excellent Victorian mystery

Only the gardener and the residents of Sheridan Square have keys that allow access to the gardens. Venerable Scotland Yard Inspector Gerald Witherspoon begins investigating the murder of Mirabelle Daws, a visitor from Australia. The highly regarded law enforcement official expects this case will prove relatively simpler to solve than most of his previous cases due to the limited opportunity. However, as Gerald meets the occupants, he finds it difficult to see who would possibly have the motive amongst this gentle group. Adding to his troubles is that no one, including the sibling, knew or expected Mirabelle to be in England. Unbeknownst to the Inspector, his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries organizes the staff to begin their own inquiries in support of their beloved employer. As the Witherspoon servants begin to unlock the case, Mrs. Jeffries subtly provides her employer with clues and answers without him being aware of what his crack staff is doing for him. The fourteenth Mrs. Jeffries Victorian mystery stays with the overall premise of the series, yet continues to retain a freshness to each new novel entry. The current tale, MRS. JEFFRIES ROCKS THE BOAT, is entertaining and the who-done is perplexing but interesting, and the characters provide a taste of life the nineteenth century in England. Emily Brightwell's novels continue to be some of the brightest historical mysteries of the past decade.Harriet Klausner