Ummm, no. Just no... not for me. Trite dialogue, wildly speculative conversations by Lady Swift about the murderer, plus, references to her travels abroad sounded completely unrealistic. The travelogue distracted from the English story setting and was bereft of much credible detail, given my reading of the likes of Two Dianas in Somaliland, A Winter in Arabia, and Desert Queen. I was very amused by Sara Rosett's Lady Detective series, with the similar vintage 1920's era and the aspect of an intrepid amateur sleuth. For my tastes, Verity Bright completely missed the boat. ( )

Thanks to author Verity Bright for a gifted copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This is the first in the series, and I'd previously read #3 and #8, so it was especially interesting to read this and pretend I didn't know anything about the characters. I actually liked this novel the best of the three, and would seek out the others on the strength of this cozy murder mystery.

The premise, that adventurer and world traveler Eleanor Swift returns to Britain after receiving "a letter telling me of my uncle's death and the unexpected news he had left me Henley Hall. So...I came back, hoping I could belong here, that I could call it home...But as usual, I feel like a complete stranger."

Ellie, who has become Lady Eleanor upon her inheritance, was orphaned as a young girl and came to live with her uncle before he sent her to a girl's boarding school. After leaving school she took a job that gave her the rare opportunity to explore the world. Now she's about to start another chapter as a "Lady" in the small town of Chipstone, at her new home of Henley Hall - with servants! But her adventures continue as she soon witnesses a murder. Without a body or any other evidence, no one but her butler, Clifford, believes a murder has been committed.

The rest of this entertaining novel consists of Ellie trying to solve the murder, determining the suspects, and learning who she can trust. Simultaneously, she discovers more about herself and develops an endearing sleuthing relationship with Clifford.

Don't let the references to Miss Marple and Agatha Christie influence your decision to read this novel, as the only connection Eleanor has is living in a small country town and solving murders - she's a young risktaker and independent trailblazer defying the conventions of the 1920s. I liked her a lot and look forward to reading more of her adventures.

If you appreciate witty dialogue, an intrepid heroine, lots of British jargon and food, plus a few murders to solve, you'll enjoy this charming debut. ( )

What a joy to meet Lady Eleanor Swift in 1920, on her return to the inherited estate of Henley Hall from her uncle. Eleanor (Ellie for short) has not been at Henley Hall since the age of 13 in 1904, on summer holiday from boarding school. Ellie is greeted by her uncle's butler Clifford and as one might expect receives a more rigorous and overtly hearty welcome from Master Gladstone, her uncle's bulldog.

Tired and stiff from her long journey home from South Africa to London to Henley Hall and a bit overwhelmed, Ellie decided to take a walk even in the inclement weather of the evening. Ellie could have never anticipated that a walk would take the turn for her becoming a witness to a murder. Ellie's had adventures all over the world but it is almost beyond her own belief to have this experience in the small village of Little Buckford. Police are not taking Ellie seriously so she and Gladstone begin their sleuthing and none to soon are assisted by Clifford.

The pitter patter of paws or should I say clicking of paws by Gladstone add the perfect touches of whimsy to this cozy. As Clifford becomes more than butler and chauffeur to Ellie the sleuthing definitely moves up a notch and slowly begins to reveal that Clifford was not merely a butler for Ellie's uncle. There's also a charmer in the local village that added more humor, adventure, and a touch of romance to Ellie's days.

A delightful storyline to introduce Ellie, Master Gladstone, and all the household staff of Henley Hall. Ellie has been used to being a trailblazer for a travel company and had some grand adventures but who knew that sleuthing brings some surprising adventures to life too.

Without a doubt, I will look forward to more of this series! ( )

1920, England. Eleanor Swift's travels round the world have finally come to an end as her uncle has died and she is the new heir to Henley Hall in Little Buckford. After the grueling and long journey to the Hall she goes for an evening walk just as a storm approaches. Unfortunately she witnesses a murder, which the police fail to believe happened, especially when there is no body or blood discovered.
I thought the local police were too ineffectual to be believed, and the guilty party was a bit too obvious. Overall an enjoyable lightweight cozy mystery though I didn't take to Lady Eleanor's character.
A NetGalley Book ( )

A 1920’s free-spirited young woman returns to England to inherit her uncle’s estate after she has had a fun time travelling the globe. She’s not prepared to run her inheritance and on her first night runs out for a walk and discovers a dead body. No body believes her but Clinton, a stiff-upper lip, low key, typical English butler. After contacting the police and they didn’t find the body, she and Clinton do their own investigation. Along the way, she meets the villagers and a handsome eligible Lord with a plane and motorcycle.

A little slow in the beginning but there’s an exciting ending where the villain is set up and caught . ( )