A Very English Murder: An absolutely gripping cozy murder mystery

Verity Bright

Mar 2024 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘Oooh I loved this book… I wanted a book which would be absolutely soothing to read with a murder in it and this was it. The book was everything I wanted in these troubling times. I loved it.’ Book Reviews by Shalini

Move over Miss Marple, there’s a new sleuth in town! Meet Eleanor Swift: distinguished adventurer, dog lover, dignified lady… daring detective? 

England, 1920. Eleanor Swift has spent the last few years travelling the world: taking tea in China, tasting alligators in Peru, escaping bandits in Persia and she has just arrived in England after a chaotic forty-five-day flight from South Africa. Chipstone is about the sleepiest town you could have the misfortune to meet. And to add to these indignities – she’s now a Lady. 

Lady Eleanor, as she would prefer not to be known, reluctantly returns to her uncle’s home, Henley Hall. Now Lord Henley is gone, she is the owner of the cold and musty manor. What’s a girl to do? Well, befriend the household dog, Gladstone, for a start, and head straight out for a walk in the English countryside, even though a storm is brewing… 

But then, from the edge of a quarry, through the driving rain, Eleanor is shocked to see a man shot and killed in the distance. Before she can climb down to the spot, the villain is gone and the body has vanished. With no victim and the local police convinced she’s stirring up trouble, Eleanor vows to solve this affair by herself. And when her brakes are mysteriously cut, one thing seems sure: someone in this quiet country town has Lady Eleanor Swift in their murderous sights… 

If you enjoy witty dialogue, glamorous intrigue and the very best of Golden Age mysteries, then you will adore Verity Bright’s unputdownable whodunnit, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Downton Abbey! 

Readers love A Very English Murder! 

‘I fell in love immediately! Agatha Christie eat your heart out… I was instantly swept away in the drama of it all and fell in love with everything about the book… Lady Swift is my new idol. I absolutely adored her… Plenty of twists, turns and deterrents to put the reader off the scent.’ Sarah in Readerland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

‘Wow, we have a feisty new heroine taking command in the historic cozy mystery genre! What a fun new character, she is… Totally digging this series so far!’ Beauty Sleuth Book Diva ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What a great cozy mystery! I am hooked! This is the best book, bar none that I have read this year… An extremely witty, fast-paced mystery… I love the heroine, intrepid adventuress… I want to live at Henley Hall, I love Gladstone, the very funny bulldog, too cute! A most enjoyable read!’ Reviews by Carol in Tallahassee ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘So engaging. I loved reading this book it was so easy to read and absolutely captivating. I cannot wait to read of the further adventures of Lady Eleanor and her beloved bulldog Gladstone. Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I liked Eleanor a lot, she’s feisty and sweet… The ending had me a little teary, because she’s finally come home… The best part of the book was that it made me feel cozy and warm. Looking forward to the next book! Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I LOVE British mysteries! I knew without a doubt Eleanor was going to take me on a fantastic journey and that she did!... Makes you feel like you are there with her sleuthing through the quaint villages and countryside. I like a book that leaves me wanting more and this book definitely did that!’ Goodreads Reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘So fun! I really enjoyed the adventurous Ellie and the lovable cast of supporting characters at Henley Hall… I was kept guessing until the very end.’ Goodreads Reviewer 

Ratings and reviews

Lady Eleanor Swift, her butler Mr. Clifford, and her trusty canine sidekick Gladstone provide an unlikely sleuthing trio. The twists, turns, and tumbles make this mystery a very entertaining read. The characters pull you in to the story with charming little village life and secrets. Ellie's penchant for adventure and mishap is a delightful foil for an amateur detective disguised as a modern lady in an English countryside. Her sense of self is relatable and her inner dialogue is hilarious. A young Miss Marple in the making has a reader anticipating more mystery solving hijinks to come.

A lovely, well told tale of intrigue and murder with solidly developed characters that are charming for the most part.

A fun little book. I enjoyed it very much.