A Royal Murder by Verity Bright Book Review

Publication Date: February, 2022
Publisher: Bookouture
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #9
Format: ebook, print and audio
Genre: Historical Fiction/Cosy Mystery

Synopsis

At the royal boat race there are beautiful barges, plenty of bunting, a handsome prince and… is that a body in the water? Lady Swift is on the case!

Spring, 1923. One-time adventurer and now amateur sleuth Lady Eleanor Swift is attending the annual royal regatta with her new pal Tipsy Fitzroy. Tipsy has Eleanor trussed up like a debutante in a new dress, determined to turn her into a proper society lady. Even Eleanor’s favourite companion, Gladstone the bulldog, has a new outfit for the occasion.

But the sparkling prize-giving ceremony is interrupted when the devilishly handsome host gulps his glass of champagne on stage and collapses to the floor. The victim is none other than the king’s cousin, Lord Xander Taylor-Howard. He was rumoured to be entangled in a rather dubious gambling ring, but did someone kill him instead of collecting his debt? Or was this simply an ill-timed tragic accident? Either way, a right royal scandal is afoot…

Sir Percival, the head of the royal police, asks Eleanor for her help investigating. He’d do anything to keep the story under wraps. She knows it will get her into hot water with a certain dapper Detective Seldon, but she’s determined to see justice done. However, as she digs deeper, she learns Lord Taylor-Howard was hiding more than one murky secret. It isn’t until she takes a closer look at the unfortunate royal’s shattered champagne flute that she stumbles upon just the clue she needs. But can she reel in the killer before her ship is sunk too?

A warm and witty 1920s mystery that cozy fans will just adore. Addictive reading for fans of T E Kinsey, Lee Strauss and Agatha Christie.

My Thoughts

A day at the Henley Regatta on the River Thames results in Lady Eleanor Swift (Ellie) witnessing the murder of a royal cousin, Lord Xander Taylor-Howard, and being asked to investigate covertly to avoid a scandal, reporting back to Sir Percival of the royal police, with whom her late uncle had clashed. Although Detective Inspector Hugh Seldon is overseeing security at the week-long event, he is disparaged and sidelined from the investigation. Through his mistrust of Sir Percival and due to Ellie's involvement, Hugh continues his own investigation while concealing from Sir Percival that he and Ellie are acquainted. At times this is difficult as Ellie's canine companion, Gladstone, could easily give the game away by his boisterous greeting of the detective whenever they meet in public.

Not a fan of etiquette and high society rules, poor Ellie is awkward and embarrassed when she is coerced by her exuberant new friend, Tiffany Persephone Fitzroy (Tipsy), into dressing and behaving in a manner completely alien to Ellie; behaviour designed to attract a suitable partner from amongst 'the bright young things' and other wealthy and aristocratic guests at the regatta. This causes problems for Ellie and Hugh, whose romance had progressed to another level after their escapades in Death on a Winter's Day. Tipsy doesn't feel Hugh is worthy of Ellie, given his status and that they hardly ever meet as his job always comes first. However, Hugh's determination to remain involved in the case means he has to meet up with Ellie more often - through clandestine meetings and frequent visits to Henley Hall, much to the delight of 'the girls' (Mrs Trotters, Mrs Butters and Polly).

Clifford, the butler and a man of many talents, is also recruited into the case against Sir Percival's wishes. He proves to be a formidable foe while still catering to Ellie's needs and safety, in particular providing picnic hampers for her insatiable and most unladylike appetite. There are more hints about the nature of the work he did with Ellie's uncle, revealing a more dangerous side to his usual staid persona.

As the murder investigation progresses, our sleuthing trio uncovers a number of suspects from the ranks of jealous husbands, jilted lovers, envious relatives, loan sharks, gamblers and spies; inadvertently place themselves in great danger and are involved in an exciting car chase before the killer is unmasked.

The mystery is complex with lots of red herrings and suspects to sift through. Early on I had my suspicions as to who the murderer was but could not work out a motive.

This cosy mystery series remains one of my favourites and, once again, it has been lots of fun spending time with Ellie, Clifford and Hugh – and, of course, Gladstone. I'm looking forward to the next instalment, wondering what Ellie will get mixed up in and the next phase of her romance with the dishy detective.

Meet the Author

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

Connect with Verity: Twitter

Where to Purchase

Amazon

Audio: UK : US

Listen to a sample here:
https://soundcloud.com/bookouture/a-royal-murder-by-verity-bright-narrated-by-karen-cass