Another fun and witty Lady Swift Mystery, this time bringing them all to Auldwyke Hall just days before Christmas.

Having initially declining the invitation by the Duke of Auldwyke, Eleanor finds herself, along with Clifford, the ladies and eventually Hugh, arriving to a blizzard and a murder all before even unpacking!

A investigation begins with Hugh as the lead and with the help of Lady Swift and Clifford . Who will be found responsible, staff or the other invited guests with maybe a score to settle.

Book 20 will not disappoint!

This was a cosy mystery novel, in the tradition of golden age crime fiction. A Midwinter Murder is the 20th book to feature Lady Eleanor Swift, a newly-aristocratic woman who seems to just accidentally be around when murders occur. With her fiancé, a Scotland Yard Detective Inspector, and her butler Clifford, Ellie sets out to solve the mystery of who killed the Duke of Aldwych’s private secretary on the first day of a Christmas shooting party that she is invited to.

I loved Clifford as a character, his dry humour, love of decorum and ability to gently tease Ellie for her lack of it were entertaining throughout. The story keeps readers guessing as to ‘whodunnit’ right to the end, with several plausible suspects and a few red herrings. I enjoyed this and would go back and read more in the series.

Thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for an advanced reading copy of this book.

Ooh! This is a twisty mystery! It was a little dark for a holiday story but also very charming. I never guessed who but in hindsight I DID pick up on the clue Ellie missed! This story also has much more romance than any of the previous stories! Ellie and Hugh manage to carve out time to spend alone together and discuss their future plans - or not. It's all very sweet and innocent even though they've both been married before. My big quibble is with the author's note where they refer to the 1920s as Edwardian when the Edwardian era ended before World War I/with WWI depending on who you ask. My minor quibble is some of the language sounds too modern. According to the internet, "Faffing" became common around the 1940s and 50s. Errors like that take me out of the story. My big pet peeve is that no one knows how to spell all right. All right. Two words, not one. Two ls not one. Please? Thank you.

As always, Ellie's warmth and heart make her an appealing heroine. The way she treats her staff as if they were family is very unusual for the time. She's not "to the manor born" and still, after all this time, not comfortable living that lifestyle. The ladies and Clifford are like family. She's like a proud mom to young Polly who is growing up and more self-aware. Lizzie is growing up too and there's a male friend in her life who makes her blush. Trotters and Butters are a hoot as they usually are but they tone it down a bit because there's a man staying in their cottage. Ellie and Clifford's easy banter and their close relationship is so touching. They've come a long way since she suspected him of trying to kill her! Clifford stands in for Uncle Byron but he seems to be getting younger and has more tricks up his sleeve in each passing book. Also growing younger and more spry is Gladstone. If memory serves, initially he was elderly and spent his time sleeping on the sofa and drooling on slippers. Now he's playing with Hugh and his feline buddy and acting like a puppy again. Maybe he just needed more stimulation. Hugh is sweet and romantic-finally. He's thawing out and has learned to trust Ellie's "intuition" (intelligence?) and trying not to freak out about her investigations. He knows they need to discuss their future but SHE is the one putting it off. Hugh finally has the courage to speak his dreams out loud. I wasn't crazy about him at first but he's grown and adapted to Ellie's way of life. This cast of characters is one of my favorites. There isn't a one I don't love and at this point they feel like MY family too!

The new characters, aside from two, are not at all likable. Mr. Pruitt, the Duke's secretary, is young. He's very kind and charming but he may not be the most efficient secretary because he swears Lady Eleanor Swift RSPVD to the invitation. I find it weird that he's the only one who ever sees the Duke. Mr. Pruitt may have had secrets - secrets he could have been killed for. Did he have a lady friend? Was she from a higher social class? A secret wife? An affair? How else to explain the jewelry he was clutching when he died? I think our young secretary had some hidden depths and dark secrets in the closet. I don't know why else anyone would kill him - unless ... maybe he saw something... Knew something... Learned something, that got him killed?

The Duke of Auldwyke is very weird. He's reportedly reclusive, no one sees him except his secretary and his orders are to be obeyed. Does this guy even exist? I'm thinking he doesn't. I think he died long ago and the staff are running the house according to his wishes. I think this guy doesn't exist in the first place. The whole situation is weird. The Duke - if he exists- is cranky, autocratic, demanding and rude. Who is he- Blackbeard? The Beast? I don't like the sound of him and if they weren't snowed in, if I were Ellie, I would turn around and go home! Clifford would find a way. What happened to Lancelot and his plane? SOS Lance! Get us out of here!

Mr. Lofthouse takes over secretarial duties when Mr. Pruitt is killed. He also has his regular duties as first (only) footman and chauffeur. He's lower class, less educated than Mr. Pruitt and seems kind of lazy too. He doesn't like doing the secretary's job, he seems gloomy and creepy too. I don't trust him. I hope Mr. Bowes, the gardener, didn't do it. He seems humble and proud but clues do point to him. What about the Duke's former secretary, Derek Taylor, turned off after an argument? Could he have returned for revenge?

The guests include Mr. Wilfred Willoughby Taylor "soon to be Sir". ick. Is this guy for real? Who introduces themself like that? He's sleazy and probably a womanizer. Julius Huish is an artist with a large, scary, untrained dog who terrorizes poor Gladstone. Barnabus Musgrave, ESQ. is a blowhard businessman. He's the type that always has to be right and always portrays himself as larger than life. His wife Viola is along for the shooting contest too. These two don't seem to have a happy, loving relationship. They seem to be hiding something including the cracks in their relationship. Maybe this party is making things worse but I think the richer this guy gets, the worse he's going to be. She's not so nice herself and they both want something. Pearl Whitwell, the only other single woman, is super competitive. She's the man eating type and the type who sees all other women as competition. She comes across as catty and witchy. Ellie doesn't seem to like Pearl very much either. None of these people are sincere, they're all lying and they all want something. Which one killed Mr. Pruitt? Maybe they all did it?

Constable Danby is young and untried but he's up for the challenge of assisting in the murder investigation. He has no qualms about Scotland Yard OR a woman doing the bulk of the investigating. In fact, he seems to be excited to be in the presence of real detectives. He's a lovely young man.

I really enjoying spending the holidays (early) with Ellie and the gang. I hope to visit with them again soon! This series has gotten better and better as it has gone along.

This was another great book in the series. I loved reading this and trying to figure it alongside Eleanor. Definitely a great mystery series.

The 20th instalment (how is it 20 already!) sees Verity Bright send Lady Eleanor Swift up to Yorkshire for a Christmas shooting party at a country mansion, hosted by the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke.
20 minutes after arriving (well, 18 minutes by the reliable butler Clifford’s exact timing), the Duke’s secretary is found dead, and Ellie has agreed to ask her Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector fiancé Hugh to head the investigation, putting paid to her plans for a romantic Christmas getaway. Faced with being trapped in a rural mansion, cut off by snow, with limited resources, Ellie and Hugh must get to the bottom of the murder. Their fellow house guests are all strangers, behaving suitably suspiciously, the Duke himself remains hidden away in his third floor suite, and there is only one local police officer on hand.
I love the warmth of this series, even in the very cold setting. Eleanor Swift is an unconventional “Lady”, with a familial closeness to her staff of housekeeper, cook and maids, all of whom have joined her on her trip up to Yorkshire. Her butler/confidante Clifford’s attempts to modify her behaviours to that expected of the aristocracy are a regular source of amusement.
A Midwinter Murder is a perfect book for cosy reading on cold winter days, the audio edition is once again perfectly read by Karen Cass, with a warmth that perfectly matches the material she’s reading.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advance copy of the novel, out on December 5th

4.5 Stars
Winter 1924 & Lady Eleanor Swift is looking forward to a romantic Christmas at Henley Hall with fiancé Hugh but unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house. Instead, the season of goodwill turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s studious secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom. Clasped in his chilly hand is a golden pendant in the shape of a rose. As the blizzard outside rages, Auldwyke Hall becomes cut off. Trapped by the snow, Eleanor and Hugh must skate around to unwrap the identity of the killer as well as taking part in a shooting competition with the other guests. Then an attempt is made on the Duke’s life too, they realise the killer is closer than they think
The twentieth book in the series & another absolute delight, I also listened to the audio book & loved how the narrator brought the story to life, I loved going between reading & listening. I love Ellie & Hugh & whilst this book could be read on its own I’ve loved how relationships have developed throughout the series not only Elli’s with Hugh & Clifford but also ‘the Aprons’, who are an absolute joy. I was drawn into this cost mystery from the start & loved the twists & turns, the rest of the Duke’s guests were an unlikeable bunch. I loved how gradually clues were dropped but I wasn’t expecting the outcome. I loved the ending & look forward to more in the series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

4.25*

The annual Christmas murder mystery for Lady Eleanor and co is always a welcome instalment to the series and whilst this one kicked off a little more slowly than I expected it ramped up well and overall is a welcome addition.

This time Ellie and Hugh have been invited to attend the home of the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Auldwyke to partake in Christmas fun and a shooting competition. Instead of the season of goodwill though, the atmosphere turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom and forsaking frivolity and fun for notebooks and interviews it's up to our dedicated duo to solve the mystery and hopefully save Christmas.

What I most enjoyed about this instalment was the focus on Eleanor and Hugh's relationship. It finally feels like they have reached a proper understanding of what their future together looks like. It needed to take that jump even though I fear it means we may be reaching the end of this series (I hope not)!

Having Clifford and the Henley Hall team around provided for wonderfully cosy scenes and a lighthearted respite from what was a slightly darker and tenser murder mystery. It was never entirely clear about the who or why in this story until the final reveal, although with plenty of red herrings along the way it was fun to make up potential theories (I was working on a 'Mousetrap' style theory for a good long while, though thankfully was proven wrong).

As always, the antics were entertaining, the characters are lovable and I keenly await the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "A Midwinter Murder" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

May I present a delightful new instalment in the Lady Eleanor Swift series.

Despite her attempts to refuse the invitation, Lady Eleanor finds herself, accompanied by her full staff, dog, and cat, travelling to Auldwyke Hall to celebrate Christmas with a Duke she has never met and several other guests she’s never seen before either. Eleanor’s fiancé, Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, will be joining them a day later. But what Eleanor had hoped would be a romantic and festive seasonal celebration turns dark within minutes after her arrival at the Hall when she discovers the body of the Duke’s secretary who has obviously been strangled.

What follows is an investigation conducted by Eleanor and Hugh with the help of a local constable during which it soon becomes clear that most of the guests have something to hide. At the same time, Eleanor and Hugh try to find time for romantic encounters as well and Eleanor’s staff try to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere in the gamekeeper’s cottage. As tends to be the case in the Lady Eleanor Swift mysteries, it’s all a bit mad-cap but very entertaining and a captivating read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book even if there were few clues on the page to help the reader identify the culprit. The story was a wonderful contrast between the mysterious and gloomy atmosphere in Auldwycke Hall and the wonderful Christmas mood created in the gamekeeper’s cottage by Eleanor’s loyal staff. And, as to be expected from a Christmas mystery, the ending is as merry and happy as can be.

This is a fun cozy with a very charming setting and great characters. As my first read from this author, I am very interested in going back to read the 19 books in the series before it.

This holiday mystery was such a delight! The murder plot was compelling and full of twists, but it was the characters that truly made it shine. Eleanor is such a fantastic lead! Her quick wit and playful banter—whether with her loyal butler Clifford, her charming fiancé Hugh, or the ladies of the manor—brought a refreshing lightness to the story.

The setting was equally enchanting. From the grandeur of the Duke’s estate to the cozy winter atmosphere of a snowed-in Christmas, every detail was vivid and immersive. I loved the cozy, snowed-in vibe with the blizzard cutting everyone off—it gave the story that perfect locked-room mystery feel.

What really made this book special, though, was how festive it felt despite the murder. Eleanor and her friends put so much heart into creating a true Christmas atmosphere, and it made me wish I could join them. It was the perfect balance of mystery and holiday cheer..

This was a fun and engaging holiday read that kept me hooked until the end. I can’t wait to see what Eleanor and her friends get up to next! If you love cozy mysteries with a bit of holiday sparkle, this one is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

My interest can wax and wane after 20 books in a series but this book definitely had my attention and was a fun read. I wish I could be celebrating the holidays in the little cottage full of Eleanor’s ladies. This story took the whole crew to visit the home of a Duke they didn’t know at all which was already mysterious. Information about what this holiday weekend was about came out little by little from other guests and staff. I was happy to finally have Hugh and Eleanor getting to talk about their future and I’m hopeful there is a wedding in the next book. The cast of suspects had me guessing the whole book with so many hidden secrets. I appreciated that Eleanor took time away from the dark murder storyline to enjoy the holidays and loved picturing the animals in their festive outfits. I’m hoping the young policeman finds his way into the next books as he was a welcome addition.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is such a quirky, humorous series of books. The brilliant, unconventional lady Eleanor and her very correct and so adorable, butler, Clifford are joined by Ellie 's fiance,the Scotland Yard chief inspector as guests for Christmas,of a reclusive Duke. It's not the romantic Christmas they had planned for themselves but if course where Ellie is, murder is sure to follow. Soon the intrepid trio along with Ellie 's household staff ,the 4 aprons, as they call themselves, are called upon to solve not one but 3 murders plus an attempted murder. Mayhem ensues with all the usual wonderful anachronisms and the ever delightful scene stealers, master Gladstone the bulldog and his feline companion. Perfect relaxing read

I was able to read A Midwinter Murder by the generosity of the publishers and NetGalley. In full transparency, this is book 20 in a series in which I have not read the previous books. I was able to jump right in, which I appreciated. I was looking for a Christmas vibe book that was not a romance, and this book delivered just that. A Midwinter Murder grabs your attention right away and holds onto the very end. I loved the short chapters that kept me wanting to continue reading to figure out what would happen. This book is the perfect cozy, wintery mystery with just the right amount of Christmas splashed in. If you love cozy mysteries, you should definitely add this to your TBR.

The Verity Bright team have discovered a chilling murder in A Midwinter Murder as Lady Eleanor Swift and her entourage make a reluctant arrival at Auldwyke Hall, home of the Duke of Auldwyke, summoned there by the Duke, to partake in his annual Winter games and Christmas event.
Ellie, having refused the invitation, is talked into attending by Mr Porritt the Duke’s Secretary, reluctantly cancelling the romantic Christmas she and the very handsome Detective Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon had planned.
Under the watchful eye of Clifford, the ladies of Ellie’s household are settled into the old Gamekeepers Cottage and Ellie is settled in to her sumptuous rooms in the House. They have been told there are strict rule for the event and their stay, of which both Clifford and Ellie are still coming to terms with, as well as the fact that they will at no time meet the Duke of Auldwyke.
She is advised to hurry downstairs for the commencement of the first shooting completion, where she will meet the rest of the guests. On the way, the very keen nose of her beloved bulldog Gladstone, draws her attention to an open door of a storeroom filled with crates of glass balls. As she attempts to get him to withdraw, her attention is captured by the body of Mr Porritt, lying on the floor: dead!
Even though there has been a death, the Duke will countenance no changes to his arrangements which leaves Ellie and Clifford to wonder just what sort of Christmas they have in store for them. Ellie wishes more than ever she had held firm and refused to attend.
Hugh is due to arrive early the next morning and Ellie simply can’t wait for him, as she hopes they can still salvage something of a romantic Christmas together, in spite of Murder being committed. They do have plans to make for their future; which she for one would like to do.
But as the snow falls, the guests all fall out with one another, each one holding their secrets close, Ellie, Hugh, Clifford and Constable Denby, of the local Constabulary struggle to discover a murderer who will stop at nothing to achieve his ends.
A Midwinter Murder also sees Ellie and Hugh finally begin to plan the next step in their relationship, something that will be eagerly looked forward to in their next adventure.

This book was EVERYTHING I was looking for!! We had a snow storm and this was the perfect wintery cozy book to read during it. The characters and plot did not disappoint. It kept me guessing the entire read. The imagery the author paints with her words is great! If you want a cozy winter mystery this book is for you!!

This was another great read in the series. Full of pompous, unpleasant, crusty, wealthy aristocrats and the lovely and down-to-earth Lady Eleanor having to interact with them. Once more, there is a body, and once more, it is her skills and how she works and cares that come out as key in moving towards finding out what has happened. The sedate lifestyle of the country house and the monied set is great to read about, and the glimpse of life below the stairs is full of charming anecdotes and vignettes of what perhaps really went on—an excellent book.

A Murderous Christmas at Auldwyke Hall” is an enjoyable mystery with a strong plot and engaging characters. Set in 1924, the story follows Lady Eleanor Swift and her fiancé, detective Hugh Seldon, as they investigate the suspicious death of the Duke’s secretary at a remote manor during the holiday season. The mix of festive charm and suspense is well done, with plenty of twists to keep things interesting. While the book is from a series it can definitely be read as a standalone, I did have a few minor issues. Lady Eleanor’s constant introspection, where she repeatedly refers to herself by name, felt a little repetitive at times. I also thought the investigation could have probed a bit deeper, as the questioning of suspects felt a bit limited. As for the closmess with the domestics felt force in my opinion , I didn’t feel it as strongly as I expected, though that could be because I haven’t read the previous book in the series. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries. I’ll definitely be checking out other books in the series. This book was given to me through an ARC program and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read and review it and be able to give my honest opiniom

Just finished A Midwinter Murder by Verity Bright! While it didn’t completely wow me, it was still a fun, cozy mystery with a charming setting. The wintery atmosphere and the holiday vibes definitely added to the mood, and Lady Eleanor is a likable protagonist. However, I found the mystery a bit predictable at times, and the pacing could have been tighter. Still, if you’re in the mood for a light, seasonal read with a touch of intrigue, this could be a perfect pick.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. A Midwinter Murder finds Lady Eleanor having to change her holiday plans when her decline of an invite to the Duke of Auldwyke's invite to his shoot party went astray. Luckily, the invite included her fiancé, Hugh, and arrangements were made for her household staff to make use of a nearby cottage. Shortly after arrival, the duke's secretary is found dead, and it is clear that he was murdered. The duke refuses to allow anyone other than Hugh and a local policeman already on the scene to investigate, and even then, he puts limits on Hugh that make it very difficult for him to investigate. Throw in a lot of uncooperative guests with secrets to hide, making it seem almost impossible that they will be able to find out who the killer is or the motive before the end of the party or the duke loses patience with the investigation.

I liked the mystery in this book, but did think that there weren't as many clues this time to help the reader determine who did it and why prior to the reveal. I really enjoyed all the holiday touches that were included in the book and the closeness between Eleanor and her staff that was on full display. There is also some development on the Eleanor and Hugh front that long time series readers will be excited for. I overall found this to be a fun holiday mystery that kept my attention throughout and made me wish I could spend a few hours with Eleanor and her staff celebrating Christmas.

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 (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 x 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” detection 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!

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