Death Down the Aisle by Verity Bright Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: August 31, 2022
Publisher: Bookouture
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #11
Format: ebook, print and audio
Genre: Historical Fiction/Cosy Mystery

Synopsis

The society wedding of the decade has everything: the blushing bride, beautiful flowers… and the groom arrested before he can walk down the aisle? Thank goodness Lady Swift is on the guest list!

Lady Eleanor Swift isn’t normally one for grand social occasions, but who can resist a wedding? Especially when it’s her old friend, Constance Grainger, marrying the most eligible bachelor in town, Lord Peregrine Davencourt. Eleanor is taking Gladstone the bulldog as her plus one, with a smart new bowtie to match her bridesmaid’s dress.

But the big day is ruined when the groom is arrested for murder before he makes it to the altar. In a baffling twist, it turns out he was already engaged to the lovely Daisy Balforth, who has been found dead at the local inn with Lord Davencourt kneeling over her. The gossip pages will have a field day!

The distraught bride-to-be asks Eleanor to clear her fiancé’s name, as she’s certain he wouldn’t hurt a fly. With help from handsome Detective Seldon, Eleanor examines the evidence. But she’s barely had time to write down her suspect list before Constance’s father is set upon by a bearded stranger on the golf course. Clearly there is more to this story than Eleanor first thought, but can she catch the real killer before the wedding turns into her wake?

A delightfully gripping historical cozy whodunnit full of intrigue and wit. Fans of T E Kinsey, Agatha Christie and Lee Strauss will be totally charmed.

My Thoughts

Lady Eleanor (Ellie) Swift is dismayed to hear that the wedding of her best friend, Constance Grainger, is in danger of being cancelled when the groom, Lord Peregrine Davenport, is sued for breach of promise. A distressed Constance seeks Ellie's help to prove his innocence. When Ellie and Clifford, her butler, arrive at the Eagle Hotel to meet with Peregrine, they find the place in an uproar and Peregrine kneeling over the dead body of a young woman, who turns out to be his ex-fiancée. And just like that, Ellie is once more embroiled in a murder investigation.

This time, however, she is authorised to be involved as the very busy Chief Inspector Hugh Seldon, hampered by the lack of manpower and time, and realising this particular case needs a woman's input, reluctantly asks for her help. With no women on the police force and acknowledging the need for someone of the same social standing as the aristocrats he is uncomfortable interviewing, Ellie is the ideal person for the job. There is one proviso. Ellie mustn't put herself in danger. And to ensure that she doesn't, Hugh directs Clifford to keep her safe. Of course, knowing Ellie, they are both aware this is an impossible task.

Unbeknown to Hugh, Ellie has become involved in a campaign to address the lack of women in the police force, a campaign which she assumes Hugh will not support and so keeps her involvement a secret.

Those who were disappointed by the tiny part Hugh Seldon had in the previous book (The French for Murder) will be pleased that the dishy Inspector plays a far greater role this time. There is much more interaction between Ellie and Hugh and although their romance is still on a slow burn, it is moving in a positive direction. They are still embarrassed at letting their feelings for one another show and try to hide their budding romance from others, but those closest to them are very much aware of the attraction. In particular, Clifford contrives to bring them together at every opportunity, with Gladstone reserving his own special greeting for the Inspector.

The female staff of Henley Hall again provide food and a touch of silliness, but rise to the occasion when Ellie needs their help for the women on the police force campaign. Even Gladstone gets involved, although Hugh isn't initially amused by the role the dog plays.

As for the mystery, there are lots of suspects and more than one body to confound our sleuths. Once again, the motive and identity of the murderer are brilliantly hidden until the reveal. Only after a thrilling confrontation is the murderer finally apprehended.

This has been another entertaining instalment of this very captivating series. It's always a pleasure to spend time with these lovable characters and I can't wait for Ellie and Clifford's next investigation.

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.

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Where to Purchase

Amazon

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