This is the 20th book in the series but I started it without reading the others and I never felt like I was missing key information. It works perfectly as a standalone.
I had a good time reading this book. The characters are relatable and the overall story was far from predictable.

This was my first book from Verity Bright and a fun introduction to Lady Eleanor Swift! She’s wiley and bright, and her personality and wit remind me of a demure Phryne Fisher!

The plot, and subplots, are full of twists and turns, with plenty of intrigue to keep you turning the pages. The pacing is just right, allowing the tension to build naturally, while the warm relationships between characters add a layer of heart to the narrative. It’s so refreshing to see writing where character aren’t going through unnecessary tension and drama.

The mysteries themselves are clever and engaging, and Lady Eleanor’s sharp wit and investigative skills make her a joy to follow. Whether she’s unraveling a dark conspiracy or solving a more personal case, her intelligence and determination shine through, making her a standout in the cozy mystery genre.

This series is the definition of a cosy read, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a new binge read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my arc! I look forward to starting the series from book 1 to follow the growth and development of each character to this one.

If you know me, you know I love a good, historical mystery, and this series with Lady Eleanor is so fun to read. It reminds me of an Agatha Christie – lots of good suspects and everyone is gathering on estates and such in England in the past. Plus Lady Eleanor has a sweet doggo – what’s there not to like?

It’s hard to believe that this title is number 20 in the series. I have read them in order as they came out, but you can read them as stand alones, too. This one had a Christmas theme — fun reading!

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour!

Ho Ho Ho - not so very much. What Lady Eleanor’s Swift hopes to be a Merry Holiday turns into murder and intrigue. Suffice it to say that all my favorite characters make an appearance in one guise or another and the plot is ever so clever. Clues are left as tiny breadcrumbs and if you pay careful attention you may suss out the bad guy.

I have said it so many times before, but allowing from my thrall with the writing team of Verity Bright, I have to admit to being delighted with every single installment of the Lady Eleanor Swift series . Each one is the ultimate definition of a cozy murder mystery with the most likable cast of core characters. I want to thank Bookoutre and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

As always the writing, the mystery and the plot is great.

I like Eleanor's character, specifically that she is not totally ladylike, and eats as much as she wants and how she treats her staff.

I also enjoyed her relationship with Clifford as well as Hugh, though Hugh did not come across as smart as he was portrayed. He seemed more like a figurehead with a notepad where Eleanor used her intuition.

Looking forward to the next one in the series.

This was the perfect cozy mystery for the holiday season. I have read Verity Bright’s work several times, and most of her books in the series mention her fiancé, Hugh, the detective chief inspector who hovers in the background of Lady Eleanor Swift’s other tales. I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing the banter and romance between them as I read.

This story planted Hugh’s character firmly in my mind, pulling me deeper into Lady Eleanor and Hugh’s world. The characters are believable, sometimes predictable, but that is true when reading stories in a large, cozy mystery series. The plot kept me up all night, finishing in the wee hours. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Hugh. The story captivated me from the first page as Lady Eleanor attempted to solve another murder. With plenty of likely culprits, the tale kept me guessing.

Although I am reading the series out of order, A Midwinter Murder is perfect as a standalone novel. It’s five stars all around! Verity Bright has done it again.

I want to thank Bookouture, the author, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

As always, it’s such a delight to spend time with Eleanor and Clifford and the rest of the cast as they celebrate the holidays and solve another mystery.

This series has remained lively and fun, and while I do miss the greater effort toward historical detail that we got in the earlier installments in the series, the concept doesn’t feel tired and the characters remain loads of fun as they embark on their latest adventure.

The mystery itself is fine, and the setting is lovely and well-rendered. I always wish for more holiday detail, there’s enough that you can treat this one as a holiday read if you’re so inclined.

I love wellcrafted cozy SF like Becky Chambers Wayfarers series. I also enjoy cozy mysteries with good puzzles and diverse characters. For me, this historical cozy, the twentieth in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, didn't really hit the mark.

I imagine that people who've stuck with earlier books in the series will be happy to re-acquaint themselves with Lady Eleanor's butler and her troupe of servants, and even her dog and cat. They were all just too jolly for me, and there were too many of them. Readers who enjoy the prospect of an English countryside hunting party at a ducal estate, with jolly good food and Christmas cheer may enjoy this bit of escapism.

On the other hand I found the suspects and other characters too shallow and the story lacking grit or reality. They weren't fleshed out enough to engage me. I found the dialogue twee and the murder(s) and motivations bland.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As I was new to this series and wasn‘t previously attached to the characters, I found it very difficult to get into this book. I read about 30% when I decided to dnf it. If you‘re a fan of this mystery series I‘m sure you‘ll love it. The writing style is very mature und flows nicely and the characters all get their quality time. Since I‘m no such fan the story couldn‘t appeal to me and I ended up being bored by the murder investigation being dragged out so much. If it had been more fast paced I think it would’ve made a great difference.

We follow the characters of Lady Eleanor, butler Clifford, Lady Eleanor’s entourage including the pug and the cat when they encounter another murder.

Invited by the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke to be his guest at his manor house Lady Eleanor is hoping for a romantic weekend with her fiancée far removed from murder and investigation, to give Max a Scotland Yard Detective a much needed break. The murder of the mild tempered Secretary to the Duke is puzzling. He has no enemies, everyone in the Dukes employ speaks well of him, but to investigate Max and Lady Eleanor are frustrated by the Dukes rigid rules of not meeting guests, despite inviting people to be his guests. Every guest here has a link to secrets long hidden and unraveling them adds to the danger because they are all snowbound in an isolated area with no recourse to any outside personnel (which the Duke has prohibited anyway) as he has an aversion to the Police. When an attempt is made on the Dukes life and a guest is murdered, the investigating duo has to step up and apprehend the murderer because it is evident, the murderer is getting desperate.

Despite the murder aspect, the investigations are always jolly because Lady Eleanor makes it so. 1924 England is well described, both the lifestyle as well as where the story is set.

A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright finds Lady Eleanor and her entire staff, as well as pets, at the manor house (castle) of the Duke of Auldwyke. Hugh would be following shortly (working). Ellie had never met the duke and it turns out none of the other guests had either. Then, very soon after arriving, Emily discovered the body of the duke’s secretary, Mr. Porritt, in a storeroom. The duke wouldn’t allow that information to be disbursed until after dinner, and the duke’s word was law. When they were finally able to all the authorities, a very young and inexperienced man was sent and it was determined that Hugh would take over the investigation when he arrived. It turns out the duke would not be in attendance the entire holiday and there was to be a shooting contest, in three rounds. The first was to begin on the morrow. Hugh arrived after driving through the night, was greeted with the news there had been a murder and he was now in charge. The idea had been for he and Ellie to have some time together and make some wedding plans. The whole investigation was decidedly different, as the duke would allow no additional policemen, it was Hugh, Ellie, Clifford, and the young constable.

Hugh, Ellie, and Clifford are old hands at solving a crime. Ellie’s ladies were good at making a holiday fun. It was cold, and snowy, in fact so snowy no vehicles could get in or out. Then one of the guests disappeared. And, someone tried to kill the duke by throwing a homemade firebomb into his quarters. It was all beyond reason, but they kept looking. Hugh and Ellie did get some snatches of time together and they did have a festive holiday, but it was all in the ladies’ cottage, not in the main house. It is always fun to watch them investigate. This time no less than the others. And Hugh and Ellie did spend time together, which is normally in rare supply. Things came aright, eventually, and life went on.

I was invited to read a Midwinter Murder by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #VerityBright #AMidwinterMurder

ARC provided by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.

A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright is another dazzling installment in the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, and as a longtime fan of both the series and the author, I couldn’t have been more excited to dive into this book! Verity Bright has a way of weaving charm, intrigue, and just the right amount of humor into her stories, and I had high expectations for this latest mystery. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint!

Lady Eleanor Swift, as always, is a delight. Her intelligence, courage, and knack for getting to the bottom of even the most puzzling cases shine brighter than ever in this festive, wintry tale. Her loyal butler Clifford, with his impeccable wit and unwavering support, continues to be the perfect complement to Eleanor’s bold personality. Together, they’re an unbeatable duo that keeps readers entertained from start to finish.

The wintry setting adds a cozy yet chilling layer to the mystery, and Verity Bright’s vivid descriptions make you feel as if you’re right there in the snowy countryside, solving the case alongside Eleanor. The twists and turns kept me on my toes, and the festive atmosphere was the perfect backdrop for murder and mayhem.

As a big fan of Verity Bright’s work, I’m thrilled to say this book exceeded my expectations. It’s a testament to the author’s talent that, even 20 books in, the series remains fresh, engaging, and utterly delightful. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries with strong heroines, clever plots, and a touch of humor, A Midwinter Murder is an absolute must-read.

Lady Eleanor Swift has been invited to God’s Own County, my county of residence, Yorkshire for a seasonal séjour with a rather reclusive duke that she’s never met. For me that a tad weird but it might have been the done thing back in the day!

What was meant to an event filled trip turns into a murder investigation rather quickly. After the shock of discovering the deceased wore off, I imagined the eyes of Lady Eleanor, or rather Ellie, lit up at a spot of amateur detection whilst her future husband battles the elements to join her.

I love the (for want of a better word) banter between Ellie and Clifford. In what I imagine in proper etiquette for the tune period, it’s wholly unbecoming for a lady of her stature to have such familiarity, commentary and comical looks with her staff. It adds an element of warm heartedness to their relationship which frequently you don’t see in period dramas.

Gladstone I love – he’s a character in himself. I would love to know what he’s thinking as he’s trawled round by Ellie. That said, he does control her and Clifford and his affection for Hugh is adorable! He’s a loveable liability!!

There is a real feel of the Golden Age to A Midwinter Murder but with a modern way of sharing the story. Bright has created a world that I could imagine being made it to a costume drama similar to the Poirot and Granchester’s of this world. I’m glad I’ve discovered Lady Eleanor! I’m looking forward to travelling with her and getting to know her and her entourage better!

Favorite Quotes:

Taylor’s affected rangy stride as he entered the room made Eleanor wonder if his ego was even more bloated than she’d feared. Or if he’d sat on something akin to a cactus.

I dream of you and me. Of me keeping you safe. And making you happy. And watching you grow into whatever you want to be. Of me somehow being the best husband since husbands were invented. Which is still less than you deserve.

...open heart gives an open face, and yours is like a picture book.

‘He probably keeps a record of all my blunders to delight in chiding me over one day.’ ‘Regrettably not, my lady.’ Clifford’s eyes twinkled as he waggled his leather notebook. ‘Due to insufficient pages to record them all.’


My Review:

I have read every installment of this delightful series and deem this volume the best yet. Team Verity Bright has more than perfected their characters and excels at producing authentic, well-conjured, and smoothly-polished tales that are sumptuously detailed and brimming with clever wry wit, endearing and daring hijinks, humorous repartee, and amusing observations. I have come to adore every quirky character.

I love this series and this was another great addition, Being from Yorkshire myself I loved that this had the Yorkshire Moors as its wintery back drop. Our couple also get to spend more time together and make some progressive in their personal relationship which is about time I think. The plot is complicated and packed with action right from the start .The suspects are interesting with each with their own secrets and eccentricities which keeps things interesting right to the end. Loved it

I enjoy this series. I like the setting and the characters. The mystery kept me guessing. I hope for many more.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe this is the twentieth book in the series! I love them and the characters are great.

A fun, cosy murder mystery set with a Christmas background.

Thanks for the arc.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Midwinter Murder' by Verity Bright.

CONGRATULATIONS VERITY ON YOUR 20TH BOOK IN THIS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING SERIES!!!

YET ANOTHER HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO VERITY ON YET ANOTHER PAGE TURNING SUCCESS!! THIS HAS GOT TO BE MY FAVOURITE BOOK IN ONE OF MY FAVOURITE COSY MYSTERY SERIES!!

Another successful unputdownable cosy mystery by the very talented Verity Bright. I'm always a bit dubious with books based historically as I worry about not being able to 'deal' with the language used but I absolutely love how Verity has written her books. The language used is perfectly suited to the era whilst being easy to read and making it quite humorous on several occasions. The atmosphere and descriptions were perfect. The synopsis and cover also suit the storyline.

I have absolutely loved this series ever since I first got hooked on to them!! I genuinely lost count of the amount of times I genuinely laughed out loud while reading this book!! I would not normally recommend anyone reads books out of order but if you have not read the previous books then it does not make a difference and there is a silver lining in that when you have finished you can go back and read all the previous books in this fabulous series while waiting for the next book to come out which is called 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March. The storyline had me hooked immediately and I love the way that Eleanor and Clifford go about their detective work. There was so much going on that it kept me entertained thoroughly throughout with mystery after mystery and clue after clue. It was filled with suspense, mystery, laughter, murder, clues, deceit. tension, suspense and so much more!! It is absolutely perfect to read either curled in front of the fire or lying on a beach which not many books can achieve. Regardless of where you pick up this brilliant cosy crime book Verity will transport you to Auldwyke Hall and Yorkshire at the turn of a page! I absolutely devoured this brilliant read in one sitting as I just could not put it down and gave up on lying to myself saying just one more chapter as that never happened!! I never did work out who the killer was and was completely shocked when they were discovered. A great achievement as I am a huge crime fan and tend to work out who did what quite early on, especially considering I have read so many of Verity's books yet she manages to get me every time. The atmosphere was perfectly suited to the mystery. I love the fact that this book takes us on an adventure to Yorkshire and transports us into the past to the year 1924. Verity's gorgeous evocative writing skills and descriptions whisked me off to Auldwyke Hall and even with the murder and mayhem I was gutted when I came to the end and had to leave behind some amazing friends!!! However, as always it leaves me looking forward to seeing what they get up to in the next book in this absolutely fantastic series which is actually called 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March but is available to preorder on Amazon now!! What I also love about each book in this fantastic series is the fact that although they are cosy mysteries they always end up having me in stitches of laughter on so many occasions which makes it the perfect light hearted read!! Verity's books always send me back to the past and I become so immersed in each of her fantastic books that I always feel a bit lost when I finally look up from my book and land back in 2024!!! One of the things I absolutely love and would, again, like to thank Verity for his her absolutely fantastic historical notes that she includes at the end of each one of her amazing books which always fascinate me and I always end up learning at least one new thing about!! At the end of this brilliant book Verity includes historical notes about Rural Policing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Prussic Acid, Inheritance Laws, Miniature Books and Edwardian Christmas Trees so make sure you read all of the way to the end of this book to learn more about those as well as enjoying an absolutely fantastic read!! If your looking for a dog with a huge personality, a Lady with an attitude, a politely sarcastic butler and a light-hearted cosy murder mystery then look no further!!

Although this is the twentieth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters are all larger than life, realistic and a complete breathe of fresh air. Eleanor is an amazing character, very bubbly and certainly not your typical 'Lady', she is absolutely unique as well as a very strong female lead which is a great bonus for myself being female. I absolutely adore her relationship with Clifford along with the rest of her "staff" that she treats more like friends. The only downfall is that herself and Clifford are fictional as these are two characters I would absolutely LOVE to meet in real life!! Clifford is absolutely fantastic and I really enjoy how he makes me laugh with his diplomatic skills while being extremely sarcastic at times. It is so sweet how he has taken Eleanor under his wing and admonishes her in several occasions in his humorous ways. They are like the perfect comedy duo but don't tell Clifford!! I also love Sheldon who is completely overworked but still such a gentleman who is constantly on edge with Eleanor's adventures!! I adored that their love for each other shines through the pages in this book I loved meeting them all again including the Henley Hall ladies Butters, Trotters, Polly and Lizzie in this book. The gang are all larger than life with their own exceptional personalities and I love meeting each and every one of them in each and every book in this fantastic series. I can't forget the absolutely adorable Gladstone along with Tomkins who are adventures in themselves! Every single one of the characters play their parts perfectly as always in Verity's books and I cannot wait to meet Eleanor, Clifford, Sheldon, Gladstone and Tomkins along with the Henley Hall ladies again in the next book in this fantastic series which is called 'A Recipe For Murder' and is out on the 31st March but is available to preorder on Amazon now.

A huge congratulations on yet another fantastic success Verity!!! Here's to looking forward to your next book 🥂 If you are looking for a cosy mystery that has everything that you could ask for in a book and more then look no further!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and this is one of my favourite 'series' Verity! Yet another page turning and unputdownable success!

Overall a fun and easy to read page turning cosy murder mystery with the perfect amount of crime and humour that will keep you hooked throughout.

#AMidwinterMurder #ALadyEleanorSwiftMystery #VerityBright #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous

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Twenty books! Can you believe it!? I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each and every one. I do think the more festive settings are particularly wonderful and Verity Bright has a talent for setting the atmosphere. Cosy gatherings with her beloved staff, delicious food and drink, a sprinkle of romance and of course a murder or two along the way. This time we are in the wild Yorkshire moors in a country house that seems to be holding a secret or two. I loved that Eleanor and Hugh were very much working together on this one (alongside Clifford of course) and we get to see their relationship develop a little deeper. We may even get a wedding one of these days. There is also the possibility of new romance blossoming along the way in future stories, if we are lucky enough to have them.

Lady Eleanor Swift was hoping to spend a festive, romantic Christmas at home with her sweetie, Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon. But her plans are upended when she receives a call from Mr. Porritt, secretary to the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, insisting that she and Hugh attend the Duke’s annual shooting competition. Mr. Porritt will not take no for an answer, and Ellie finds herself off to the wilds of Yorkshire.

But she’s barely made Porritt’s acquaintance in person before she finds him dead in the storehouse where the shooting clays are kept. Hugh is quickly made the lead detective on the case – nearly the only detective, as the Duke insists no more outside policemen be brought in. A blizzard shuts down the roads, so getting in or out is a moot point. Thankfully, Danby of the local constabulary made it to the scene, so he’s there to assist Hugh, along with Ellie, Clifford, and the ladies of Henley Hall. This is not at all the romantic Christmas Ellie dreamed about!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the Verity Bright mysteries I’ve read. And I probably say this about each successive one, but I do believe I’ve liked this one the most of them all! Here, Bright gives us, not quite a locked-room mystery, but a contained scene with a limited number of suspects. Hugh feels almost as if the Duke is actively trying to hamper the investigation, but he can’t get a face to face meeting with the Duke to find out why, because the man hasn’t left his chambers or admitted anyone other than his secretary for a decade now – since his wife died. And the more Hugh and Ellie dig, the more questions they have. There’s no shortage of suspects once they all stop lying. But who had reason to kill Porritt? Was he even the intended suspect? Or was the Duke the real target? And who in the world could want to kill a man who’d isolated himself for ten years?

As always, Verity Bright gives us clue after clue that unravels, and then points us somewhere else entirely. They create a vivid picture of life in the Golden Age, and I simply love Ellie and all her people. Clifford, with his mindfulness of etiquette and propriety, and a surprising number of unexpected skills, is a perfect foil to often impulsive, frequently indecorous Ellie. The ladies are a treat. The Christmas they and Clifford create for Ellie and Hugh and themselves is just magical. I don’t even want to be anyplace where there are blizzards, but that Christmas shindig they had might tempt me!

Does Ellie ever actually meet the Duke? Will there be any romance in her Christmas? Can they solve the mystery of Porritt’s death before the killer strikes again? And what kind of outfits did the ladies make for Gladstone and Tompkins this time?

If you love a good, comfy, cozy mystery that feels like going on an adventure with friends, you really should get to know Lady Eleanor. You can start with this one, but I recommend you start at the beginning and get to know her whole story. A Midwinter Murder is a perfect book to read on a chilly day, curled up with a soft blanket, a warm drink, and a cat. I loved it!