Ordinarily, I’m not a fan of cover art that adds advertising tag lines or reviewer comments by other authors. However, I will confess that once again I smiled at the advertising tag line on this series cover. The tag promotion indicates, "An addictive historical cozy mystery" and advertising is simply quite right.

The setting is 1920, England. Ellie is reminded by Clifford the butler that she has only a short amount of time to get ready to attend a masked ball hosted by the Fenwick-Langhams. As their son Lancelot (Lance for short) Langham has definitely caught Ellie's attention and vice versa anticipation is high that their eyes will be sparkling with an exchange of humor and wit in conversation. But since Ellie arrives late to the ball by the time she catches up to Lance he's in a position that makes him the prime suspect in a burglary/murder to the police. Since Ellie is in the room with Lance the police must determine if Ellie is an accomplice or simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Will Ellie be able to help Lance or will she be arrested too?

Properly addressed as Lady Eleanor Swift of Henley Hall since inheriting her Uncle Byron’s estate she remains more comfortable being called Ellie. I love Ellie. With a Bohemian upbringing it was quite natural for her to become a vibrant, independent woman having adventures around the world scouting out routes for Thomas Walker’s travel company. Although Ellie loves to sleep in she also delights in eating a full English breakfast. She’s as down-to-earth as she is intelligent and it’s easy to understand the mutual respect and repartee between Ellie and Clifford. Gladstone the elderly bulldog has developed quite a fondness for Ellie adding a paw-some touch of whimsy.

Although only the 2nd book in the series picking up this cozy to read is an enjoyable time of visiting with character friends. It’s heartwarming to learn more about the characters through their interactions with each other and particularly their reactions to Ellie. I’m keen to visit them all again soon.

Please be sure to read "A Little More About the Lady Swift Books" at the end of the cozy as it gives insight as to what makes this cozy series so charming by a husband and wife partnership using the pseudonym Verity Bright. ( )

'Down to business then, I guess. There's a killer on the loose, and a mountain of confusing clues and a fabulously comprehensive picnic to work through. I can't decide which is going to take longest.'

Two months on from her first adventure after inheriting her late uncle's estate, Lady Eleanor Swift finds herself embroiled in another murder - and this time it is decidedly close to home. Attending a masked ball hosted by the parents of her (possible) boyfriend Lancelot Fenwick-Langhalm, she stumbles across Lancelot standing over the body of a dead Colonel, murder weapon in hand. Did he do it? And did he steal his mother's jewels as well? Certainly the police think so and Lancelot is imprisoned awaiting trial. It is up to Eleanor, accompanied by her trusty butler Clifford - and occasionally by her aging dog Gladstone - to try to find the killer. And when another body turns up Eleanor soon finds herself out of her depth and in real danger.

If you enjoyed the first in the series then this will be equally pleasing, and for those new to Eleanor Swift it should provide a diverting entertainment. It's all a delightful breezy romp that doesn't take itself too seriously and is full of utterly ludicrous OTT characters. This is the world of the 1920s bright young things and their posh families, where people are 'biffed' rather than punched, everyone has double barrel names and everything is a totally splendid lark. And it works, especially if you just want a wonderfully escapist murder mystery where you know things will work out fine. Throw in a few feminist undertones, a possible love triangle and a cast of likeable characters and this is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 4 spiffing stars. ( )

1920s, england, cosy-mystery, family-dynamics, friendship, murder, historical-fiction, law-enforcement, situational-humor*****

What fun! The tale begins as a farce: presumed orphan from South Africa comes to rural England and find that she has inherited the title and all that of an uncle who is recently deceased. She has little idea of how people are expected to behave in this milieu and is a klutz, to boot. The best part of it all is the Butler who knows everything, helps her with anything, and never treats her like a ninny. She goes to a ball held at a nearby family and after splatting on the dance floor goes looking for the friend who lives there only to find him at the bottom of stairs with the body of an old grumpy with a candlestick in his hand, and his mother's jewels missing from the nearby safe. And the local DI at the ready to take him to gaol. She figures that her dopey friend is getting railroaded, so Lady and Butler set out to do the proper sleuthing! Basically, the tale goes from farce to a good period cozy and I loved it. A great light distraction from whatever reality exists today.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )