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aspygirlsmom_1995's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jonathanrobert's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mamaorgana80's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Still reading these books because I love them. Props to Witherspoon in this one.
cheryl6of8's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing installment in the series, in which Inspector Witherspoon does his own detective work, driving the entire household crazy.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Mrs. Jeffries Stands Corrected is the ninth installment of the Victorian era cozy mystery series by Emily Brightwell. Mrs. Jeffries is the housekeeper for Inspector Witherspoon of the Yard. Little does he know how much his domestic staff helps him in his investigations....at least usually. This particular novel could just as easily be called "Mrs. Jeffries Is Locked Out"--not locked out of the house, but locked out of the case. She's been telling Inspector Witherspoon all along (as she feeds him clues that the servants have gathered on his behalf) that all he needs to do is listen to his "inner voice." So, that's what he decides to do....and not share any details over sherry like she's become accustomed to him doing. He's being all secretive and the servants are hard-pressed to to come up with information on their own.
And what are they investigating? Well....Haydon Dapeers is the much disliked owner of several pubs in London and the book begins with the grand opening of his newest establishment. It's also his birthday, so it's quite an event--with all sorts of people milling about. All sorts of people who had a reason to wish Dapeers dead. And before the evening is over, he is--knocked on the head and then fatally stabbed in the back. While Mrs. Jeffries and the other servants are investigating the possibility of murdering ministers, brutal barmaids, wicked wives, or lethal lawyers (who happen to be up to their eyes in gambling debt), Inspector Witherspoon is following his inner voice on a path of his own. Witherspoon's servants are worried that his inner voice (which is not his housekeeper's this time) will lead him back to the records room where he was a clerk before he brilliantly solved his first murder. They become especially alarmed when he announces that he has a plan to catch the villain. Will they discover the murderer in time--or has the inspector really solved this one on his own?
This is a fun, coy series--sort of like brain candy. Not a lot of heavy duty thinking, but it's just the thing when you want something comfortable and light. It's always fun watching the servants scramble around to hunt up clues and sneak the information to Witherspoon without him noticing. This one has an interesting twist though--with Witherspoon going out on his own. That was fun too--watching the servants be all upset about not having the inside track. And does Witherspoon out-investigate them? Well, you'll just have to read it and see. Three stars for a nice comfy read.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
And what are they investigating? Well....Haydon Dapeers is the much disliked owner of several pubs in London and the book begins with the grand opening of his newest establishment. It's also his birthday, so it's quite an event--with all sorts of people milling about. All sorts of people who had a reason to wish Dapeers dead. And before the evening is over, he is--knocked on the head and then fatally stabbed in the back. While Mrs. Jeffries and the other servants are investigating the possibility of murdering ministers, brutal barmaids, wicked wives, or lethal lawyers (who happen to be up to their eyes in gambling debt), Inspector Witherspoon is following his inner voice on a path of his own. Witherspoon's servants are worried that his inner voice (which is not his housekeeper's this time) will lead him back to the records room where he was a clerk before he brilliantly solved his first murder. They become especially alarmed when he announces that he has a plan to catch the villain. Will they discover the murderer in time--or has the inspector really solved this one on his own?
This is a fun, coy series--sort of like brain candy. Not a lot of heavy duty thinking, but it's just the thing when you want something comfortable and light. It's always fun watching the servants scramble around to hunt up clues and sneak the information to Witherspoon without him noticing. This one has an interesting twist though--with Witherspoon going out on his own. That was fun too--watching the servants be all upset about not having the inside track. And does Witherspoon out-investigate them? Well, you'll just have to read it and see. Three stars for a nice comfy read.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
katenetz's review against another edition
3.0
Despite endless dialogue repetition, predictable character development, and a slow pace - this is the coziest of cozy mysteries. I love all the characters, the intriguing mysteries, and the relationships between the Inspector and his staff. And the audiobook narrator is SOOOO soothing. Perfect early-fall read.
biddywink's review against another edition
4.0
I'm still a big fan of the Mrs. Jeffries series!
This is an admirable twist to the formulaic, though still highly entertaining, cozy mystery series. I look forward to seeing the fallout of this in subsequent installments.
Spoiler
This time, Inspector Witherspoon solves the murder all by himself. After 8 successfully solved murders under their belt, Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of her household staff-cum-homicide detectives failed to assist the Inspector--not for lack of trying, mind--and frustrated in their attempt to solve the murder.This is an admirable twist to the formulaic, though still highly entertaining, cozy mystery series. I look forward to seeing the fallout of this in subsequent installments.