A Midwinter Murder, by Verity Bright - Colin
Verity Bright’s A Midwinter Murder is the latest Lady Eleanor Swift novel. It’s good to see Ellie in her usual setting: a British country house. Although, this time, the host who invited her and her fiancée, Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, is the Duke of Auldwyke: exalted company, even for Lady Swift, as there are only around a dozen dukes in the UK! (I thought the author may have exaggerated as there are currently - that is, in 2024 - thirty dukes in the UK; but, yes, the number of Dukes of the English peerage, i.e. not the UK, Great Britain, Scotland or Ireland, is indeed about twelve.)
As you and I expect, dear reader, someone is murdered by the end of Chapter Two. The Duke has an aversion to policemen, even forbidding his staff to contact the local police about the murder until dinner is over, so as not to inconvenience his guests. His eccentricities really do hamper Ellie and Hugh’s investigation. For example, “No guest must ever approach, or speak to his Grace if they see him. Ever. Ever.” You would think that a host who invites guests for Christmas would join them for dinner but no, the duke dines alone in his room as he does every other night of the year.
I enjoyed the book, although I do feel the series is getting a little tired, with Hugh and Ellie wanting to spend quality time together, but being thwarted by a murder in Chapter One or Two; Hugh banging his forehead and saying “Blast it!”; and Ellie’s butler, Clifford, offering her stiffening drinks or delicious nibbles 24/7. However, I could choose not to read any more – if I think they’re getting predictable, I don’t have to read the new ones! I understand that “cosy” detective novels achieve their effect by showing a world pushed out of joint by a murder and then returning that world to the status quo ante by identifying the murderer and making sure they cannot do it again. (And, often, pairing off some lovers so that someone, at least, lives happily ever after!) That means that the life-blood of such novels is predictability. I think, though, my greatest enjoyment of the Lady Swift novels arises from the dialogue rather than the crime-solving. I enjoy Ellie’s banter with Clifford; and the mischievous behaviour of Ellie’s domestic staff. Long may the novels continue!
#NetGalley
Colin
Unfortunately this title is unavailable through Bookshop.org.
Please order it directly from the shop!