Are you a history buff? If this period of history is highly entertaining, you might enjoy this book. If you're just a fan of historical mystery books, I think this is one you can pass by. Yes, I know it's a series, but I don't believe that not having read the others in the series is the thing that stands in the way of me liking this book. It seemed to me that all of the characters read like young adults when for the most part they would have been older and would have sounded more worldly. They seemed like teenagers in their language and behavior, which seemed at odds with both their age and the setting. Also, there were long stretches with this audiobook where I realized I had been hearing the book but not really listening. The narration was a bit too neutral and lacked inflection and jazz. It does the book a disservice.

Jessica Fellowes does a good job researching her subject and then making it interesting as a fictional novel. It was a fascinating vignette of a family who were rather like the Kardashians of their day.

The 24th book in the Ian Rutledge series, takes place in 1921. Rutledge, as always is accompanied by the specter of his friend, Hamish, who died in WWI. Hamish serves as Rutledge’s sounding board and conscience. Although Rutledge wasn’t aware of why he had these horrid memories of WWI, today we can see that he suffered from PSTD. Rutledge is called to a small coastal town where a WWI airfield was located. He’s there because a friend of higher-ups in Scotland Yard, Lady Benton, says she saw a murder committed by a dead man. No body was discovered, but as Rutledge wades into the investigation, he discovers there’s murder involved by not done by a dead man. Although there are many different threads spreading out in the story, Todd (the pen name for a mother-son writing team) pulls them all together. Along with all the dead-end leads, Rutledge follows before solving the case, readers learn that his attraction to Kate Gordon continues to grow, as hinted at in previous books. At the end of the book, readers discover that he is being promoted to Chief Inspector, despite the animosity of his boss Markham. In the beginning of the book, readers are told of the death of the co-author’s mother and although the book’s ending indicates more to come, one wonders if the direction of the books might change.

RATING: 2.5 STARS
2022; Minotaur Books/Macmillan Audio

For some reason, I am losing my interest in this series. The Mitfords seem further on the outside, and less like participatory characters. I am also not into Louisa's story anymore. I was half listening to this one as I could not really get into it. I think I will leave it here for the series.

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

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Pretty good, just kinda felt like it was longer than it was? but would read more from this series

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review. This was the first of the series I had listened to, so in the beginning it took a little away from the story. However, in the end, I enjoyed it. It was a great listen and was written really well.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in return for my honest review.

This was my first Mitford book. It worked as a stand-alone.

The description really interested me and I wanted to like this book, The story wasn’t as interesting as I wanted it to be and I found the narration could have been better because it didn’t help keep my interest at all. The characters seemed too naive for adults and the epilogue didn’t work me.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t a book for me but, there are many positive reviews about this book. So, read those instead.

The Mitford Vanishing by Jessica Fellowes.
Narration by Rachel Atkins
I have not read previous books in this series but have read books by and about the Mitfords and a biography of Clementine Churchill so am I am familiar with the family and the relationships. Like another reviewer I was reminded of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. I did not find this story especially compelling and I found it annoying that Louisa and Guy both lied to each other. She got caught in her lie and he was upset but he never confessed his lie to her.
Narration was fine.
I do not think I will read other books in this series. It just didn’t excite me that much.

1937

Louisa and Guy Sullivan have finally begun a life of their own. In recent years, they have managed to marry, start a family, and establish their own private detective agency. Despite their best efforts, however, the couple finds there really is no getting away from the Mitford family.

When Jessica “Decca” Mitford disappears while vacationing with friends, Louisa and Guy are called in to find her. However, it soon becomes apparent that communist Decca may very well have run off to Spain of her own free will. As Louisa and Guy try to track down Decca, they become involved in multiple cases that may just intertwine.

This is a really interesting concept for a historical mystery series. Although Louisa and Guy are fictional, the Mitford family are actual historical figures. In the early 1900s, David Freeman-Mitford, 2nd Baron Redesdale, his wife Sydney Bowles, and their seven children were well-known members of British Society. The six daughters were considered particularly scandalous. One journalist referred to them as, “Diana the Fascist, Jessica the Communist, Unity the Hitler-lover; Nancy the Novelist; Deborah the Duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur”. The Mitford Murders series blends the lives of these real people with fictionalized murder mysteries.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Rachel Atkins. She did a great job, but I kind of wish there had been a male narrator for the sections following Guy’s POV.

NOTE: This is the 5th book in The Mitford Murders series, however this can be read as a standalone. Personally, I had only read the first book before picking up this one. It was clear that time had passed and significant events had taken place in the intervening books, but I never felt lost of confused while reading this one.

I should start off by saying- you don’t need to have read the previous books in the series to read this! I’ve only read the second book in the series, and had no issues following along. (I do have the others requested from the library, though.)

The Mitfords are really having their moment right now (which I think that they would appreciate). With The Pursuit of Love being remade in 2021 and the 1930s in focus once again, it is time for the Mitfords. I think that Fellowes grounds the story in history well while still being creative and telling a fictional story, she really brings the family to life. And I’ve got to say, having Louise and Guy investigating in two different countries worked so well, and brought a lot more nuance to the book than I expected.

Rachel Atkins is a perfect narrator for this story. She tackles the accents of different classes and regions well, and conveys emotions beautifully.

Best of series to date

I would like to thank Jessica Fellowes, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Possible spoilers

Of the five Mitford books, I liked this one most, and it’s probably because it contained the Mitfords the least.

I’d never heard of the Mitfords before venturing into this series, and now that I’ve learned about them, I fail to understand why anyone would center a book series on them. I get why they are—were—media darlings, so eccentric and outspoken and opinionated, but they weren’t good people. Or rather, some of them weren’t good people, and the others weren’t very likeable (at least as depicted by this series). They try readers’ patience more than endear them or compel them to know more.

That leaves the heavy lifting to the actual main character, Louisa Cannon, who worked for the Mitfords for half her life in one capacity or another. I liked Louisa, but I never quite cared about her or became endeared to her. Same for the man who eventually became her husband and foremost secondary, Guy Sullivan. They were good, admirable, honest people, always trying to do right, but they just . . . didn’t have much personality, I suppose. They didn’t pop on page, didn’t have unique characteristics. Weren’t particularly funny or quirky—or memorable. Good leads, but not strong ones.

That could more or less describe Fellowes’s writing style as well. Not bad but not notable, not oh-my-god-I’ll-read-a-grocery-list-if-this-person-wrote-it. Not helping is her unfortunate narrative choices, such as having the series follow the Mitfords, making huge jumps in time, going back and forth between the historical present and a trial, which really just confused the entire mystery of book 4 for me. Here there were no huge jumps in time and the mystery was pretty straightforward with a couple intriguing twists I didn’t see coming. The most annoying Mitfords, Unity and Diana, were not present, thank god, and the second most annoying, Lord, Lady, and Nancy, were marginal. Jessica wasn’t as grating as I’d feared, so she was okay. The PS was super depressing, though.

Yes, overall, it appears I liked this one most because it was least like the others, lol. I think I’ve had enough of Fellowes’s work. I’m glad Louisa’s happy and has gotten what she wanted out of life. It’s just sad to think of all the hardships she’ll face in a few years.

The Mitford Vanishing - AUDIO by Jessica Fellowes is another in the series featuring primarily Louisa Cannon Sullivan, who along side her husband, Guy has started a private detective agency. This is to be her first case as she is just returning to work after the birth of their daughter, Maisie. Her friend, and daughter of her long-time employers, Nancy Mitford, the novelist is at the heart of the case. Her younger sister has run off, supposedly to France to travel with a friend, but it has become apparent that that is a prevarication and the family wants her back before she can do anything stupid or embarrassing. They have called upon Guy and Louisa to follow her to France and bring her home. At about the same time, a woman comes to Louisa with the story of a missing sister.
They are separate cases, but along with several others, come together in the end.

It is 1937 and things are changing for women but they are not there yet. Guy is trying to be a modern male, but he is a protector at heart and he loves Louisa and worries about her tendency to rush headlong into danger. These are complicated cases, all people who might be involved with the revolution in Spain and all the dangers that entails. The wards between the Nazis, the fascists, and regular British are running rampant. Young people, as young people do, believing heir parents are ignorant and they know best. Jessica Mitford is one such young person. Louisa is non-political but knows the dangers of the street. She wants to save her friend from making a terrible mistake, and at the same time find the women who are truly missing. She works hard and has her own set of morals. It is a moving piece of writing.

I listened to the audio version narrated by Rachel Atkins was quite good. She made it easy to follow the changing characters and she was perfect for Louisa.

I was invited to listen to a free e-ARC of the Mitford Vanishing by MacMillan Audio, through Net galley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #macmillanaudio #jessicafellowes #themitfordvanishing

This was a delightful book to read and listen to.
It is 1937. There is a lot of political turmoil in Europe. The Spanish war is going on and unrest in the rest of Europe is rampant. It isn’t many years before we have World War II affecting all of Europe.
Young people as most times in history full of ideals are entering Spain to assist in the fight. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that one of the Mitford daughters is falling in love wants to marry and assist her husband in Spain. Louisa now married with a baby of her own and partner in her husband’s detective agency is requested by her former employer to tract down the missing girl and bring her home.
In the story we become aware of the class differences in England. The general attitude of the population’s towards the various political situations in Europe, the place of a woman in that time frame and more.
This is the first book I read by this author and I fell that the book held up very well as a stand-alone. I did want to learn more about the Mitford sisters that when I notice “The Mitford Scandal” on sale on amazon I quickly purchased it.
As far as the Narrator is a concerned I think she did a great job presenting the individual characters.

I love this author and have followed the series. This book was amazingly good! The story sucks you in at the very beginning and you can’t leave until your done. It was well written and very engaging. The characters are believable real and one feels a part of the story as you read it. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended!

The Mitford Vanishing is the fifth book in the Mitford Murders series, but it is the first book in the series that I have read. In Touch Weekly describes it as Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie, so I couldn't pass it up. Also, the cover reminded me of another cozy series - Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series.

I did have some trouble keeping all the Mitford daughters straight. I take it that each book focuses on a different daughter in some way. But other than struggling with the daughters, I don't think it is necessary to have read the other books in the series. Though after reading this one, you will probably want to go back and pick them up - I know I do.

It is set in 1937 - my favorite time period. The daughters are somehow connected to all the important people of this time period, like Winston Churchill, Hitler, Oswald Mosley, etc. I don't know a lot about the Spanish Civil War that occurred during this period so I liked that it was part of the plot.

I love the private detective husband/wife team of Louisa and Guy. I love that Guy truly loves having his wife working with him - even though he worries about her safety.

The mystery was interesting - it is apparently based on a real-life murder. There are two plot threads that weave together making this story a bit more complicated than your average cozy so you will want to limit distractions to get the full enjoyment. Otherwise, the audiobook is well down. I enjoyed the narrator Rachel Atkins reading of the book.

Fans of Winspear's series will want to read this series.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/01/5-audiobooks-to-help-you-read-more-books.html

CW: spousal abuse, references to fascism

Louisa is finally ready to join her husband Guy at their detective agency after the birth of their daughter. They are given in quick succession missing persons cases that converge at the Spanish Civil War: one of the young Mitfords who Louisa was once nursery maid for, a young woman, and an unpleasant husband.

▪ I’ll start with the unpleasantness first: two of the Mitfords are fascists and the rest of the family is either completely unconcerned by this or gently disapproving. I understand that these are historical characters, but it just feels very jarring that being the mistress of Mosley or friends with Hitler doesn’t cause any emotion stronger than mild disapproval. I only read the first novel in the series before this one and really likes Nancy Mitford, but her laissez-faire attitude in this book cooled my affection for her. I feel like someone should be outraged about these friendships, so that person will be me I guess.

▪ Complicated web of interlocking mysteries. The mystery itself is top-notch, with a lot of puzzle pieces that look like they will not fit together.

▪ Louisa and Guy are a great detecting team. It’s great to see the respect Guy has for Louisa’s skills as a detective. I enjoyed the way they have to arrange their investigations around their private lives, their daughter, and Louisa’s connection with the Mitfords.

▪ Contrasting kind of upstairs/downstairs points of view. It is very subtle the ways the narrative shows the differences between the working-class Louisa and Guy and the upper-class Mitfords in the way they approach problems, or politics. While I wish the condemnation of fascism were a bit stronger, the narration stays true to the information someone like Louisa and Guy would have had at the time, and they don’t fail to point out how unfair it is that people like the Mitfords get support and resources while poorer people don’t.

▪ Excellent narration by Rachel Atkins. I love when the same narrator works on all the books of a series, as it makes it even easier to recognize the characters when they speak. Atkins is very good, and it was particularly nice to hear her take on Louisa and Nancy again.

Good mystery, some lovable, some less lovable characters, with some difficult subjects thrown in.

This was a very good audiobook. I had a bit of trouble understanding all the relationship between everyone at the beginning, but slowly they all made sense.
The mystery was great and so was the interactions between all characters. Very realistic.
Only thing I did not like was the epilogue. I didn't want to know about es and Beck, I wanted to know about the three girls.
It would have been better with no epilogue at all.

This book wasn't a good fit for me. I found myself a bit bored and sometimes a bit confused at the storyline. The narrator for this book was also a tad too dull of voice for me to be able to finish it.

I need to start out this by saying that this was the first Mitford book I have read. You do not need to have read the other books to understand this story, but I have a suspicion that knowing the characters would enhance the reading experience.

I wanted to like this book, I really did. It had a few good misdirects that I appreciated. It was an easy book to listen to while I was doing something. I could start and stop at any point without getting confused. The narration in the audiobook was excellent. But overall, I just didn’t love it.

The characters all seemed very juvenile for being full grown adults. This story also featured a classic “the main character had a child because it fit in an early story line but now that child is irrelevant so we will basically pretend like it doesn’t exist but mention it every few chapters because #continuity”, which I hate.

What dropped this down from three stars to two stars for me was the epilogue. WORST. EPILOGUE. EVER.

I will still probably listen to the first book in this series because I am curious, but it’s doubtful that I’ll make it through the whole series.

This is a series that I wish I had come to earlier. I feel like I have potentially missed some of Louisa's growth that could have happened in prior novels to get her to the point where she is now. Perhaps then I would have appreciated her more and found her to be well-rounded. I felt that she landed a bit flat.

I also feel like there were too many characters. We start with one person missing, but for a large portion of it, we know where that missing person is. So, there isn't much of a mystery, but it develops into this whole other mystery, with all these other characters, and I felt like the plot went from something slow and uneventful into something that was too confusing with too much happening.

Overall the book wasn't too bad, but it isn't a series I think I would want to continue.