Murder at a London Finishing School by Jessica Ellicott

Edwina and Beryl are just getting to settle in and enjoy some down time when a letter comes from their very own finishing school. There have been some mysterious noises and thefts that are causing an already stressed school to lose even more students. Their former headmistress, Miss Dupont, needs help. And they are startled to realize they recognize even more face including a former student who is now a teacher. Also there? The school bully whose younger daughter is about to enter the school. 

Too bad said bully doesn't seem to have improved with age. In fact, she seems to be wielding an even bigger stick. Or at least trying to. So is it any surprise that she's the person who ends up dead? And, of course, leaving behind any number of people who are happy to see her go. 

The ending of this one was rather surprising to me because I remember the other Ellicott books being rather fairly clued but this comes basically out of nowhere. It was fine, just unexpected. 

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #7
Four stars

This book come out July 25, 2023
Follows Murder through the English Post
Followed by 

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder Through the English Post by Jessica Ellicott

The book starts out with Edwina in her new position, that of magistrate for Walmsley Parma. In true Edwina fashion, she is nervous about being in charge but it is the last case of the day that causes her some angst. Michael and Norman had gotten into a fight and the local constable got punched in the face. 

The argument began because an unsigned letter accused Norman of spreading rumors bout Michael's service and whether or not he was really injured on the front line. An understandable reason to get upset. Not a good reason to clock Constable Gibbs. Edwina is able to clear up the misunderstanding but she is worried. She becomes even more worried when it becomes clear that there is a spate of poison pen letters being spread throughout the town. Even Beryl gets one (though, being Beryl, she is highly amused rather than any other emotion.)

When one of the recipients takes drastic measures, Constable Gibbs asks the ladies to look into who is sending the letters. Eventually the mystery will be solved, but not before there is a death. 

The ending was a little convoluted and there were a couple of phrases that were repeated a little too often but overall a nice addition to the series.

Beryl and Edwina Mystery #6

Three and a half stars

This book came out July 26, 2022

Follows Murder in an English Glade

Followed by Murder at a London Finishing School

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder in an English Glade by Jessica Ellicott

This is the first book I read instead of listening to it and I miss listening to Barbara Rosenblat. Otherwise, it is a fine story wherein Beryl and Edwina actually leave Beeches and stay at a nearby manor which is not only hosting the Girl Guides but also an artists gallery. It is an interesting "case" with the lady of the house asking them to pretend to "investigate" her sister-in-law. Constance knows her sister-in-law, Ursula, is of good virtue but they have a cousin who is determined to make up stories. Especially since Ursula is so mucjyounger than Hubert, Constance's brother, she is afraid that the rumors will be believed.

However, their time at the manor quickly changes when one of the artists, Louis Langdon Beck, is murdered. He was apparently not a nice man but just how not nice is going to be uncovered.

I liked the character building for both Edwina and Beryl in this book. The solution of the mystery felt a little unfinished, like we could have seen more about the killer's motive but it was an overall good story.

Four stars

This book came out October 26, 2021

Follows Murder Comes to Call

Followed by Murder through the English Post

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Murder Comes to Call by Jessica Ellicott, Barbara Rosenblat

Once again, Beryl and Edwina are embroiled in a mystery in Walmsley Parva. It begins when Beryl is in the magistrate's court because Constable Gibbs has decided to cite her for reckless driving. As regular readers might guess, this really grates at Beryl's nerves because, of course, she believes herself to be an excellent driver. But while in court, she sees Declan O'Shea who is in court for fighting in the pub. Being an expat herself, Beryl is drawn to the young man. Plus, there's the fact that he's got the Irish accent and is undeniably handsome. Unfortunately, anti-Irish sentiment is high and more than one person believes that Declan is the burglar who is terrorizing the village. And when the magistrate who sentenced him is found dead in his home, all eyes immediately turn toward him. 

However, Beryl isn't so sure and she and Edwina set out to prove the difference.

There are some repetitions in this book that seem like filler but otherwise a good story and I look forward to hearing the fifth book in the series.

Four stars

This book came out October 27th, 2020

Follows Murder Cuts the Mustard

Followed by Murder in an English Glade

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Murder Cuts the Mustard by Jessica Ellicott, Barbara Rosenblat

The book opens with Edwina learning to drive. Right before she crashes the car, Beryl catches a glimpse of the gardener, Simpkins, in the gardening shed. He is decidedly in a state of undress. But why is he living in the shed? Unfortunately, it seems he's quarreled with his brother-in-law and has left the house. That's unfortunate because the brother-in-law ends up dead. Of course, Constable Gibbs is going to go for the easy answer and arrest Simpkins.

Of course, Beryl and Edwina are going to prove that he is innocent. Especially since Beryl saw at least two other men had argued with Hector in the pub the day previous.

I love that these books focus as much on Edwina and Beryl as they do on the mysteries that they are solving. We see both grow a little more (and even Simpkins in some surprising ways). 

Four stars

This book came out October 29, 2019

Follows Murder Flies the Coop

Followed by Murder Comes to Call

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder Flies the Coop by Jessica Ellicott, Barbara Rosenblat

Beryl and Edwina are at the end of their purse. They need to figure out a way to get more money in. When the gardener suggests they ride the success of their last mystery and start an inquiry agency. In fact, the vicar needs someone to investigate the disappearance of one of their pigeon racing club members. And also the club funds. Beryl is all in. Edwina does need some convincing but... well, the stack of bills aren't going to pay itself. 

So, the two are off. Once again, they are going to encounter murder. They will also travel to one of the local Kent mines where tensions are at an all time high between the owner who is slacking on safety measures and the miners who are having to go underground in order to work.

The murderer ended up being a bit out of left field as did the reason but I am reading this series more for Beryl and Edwina than the mysteries themselves. 

Four stars

This book came out September 25, 2018

Follows Murder in an English Village

Followed by Murder Cuts the Mustard

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott, Barbara Rosenblat

Beryl Helliwell is surprised to recognize a name in the rooms for rent section of the newspaper; it is her friend from finishing school, Edwina Davenport. Presenting herself as a prospective lodger, Beryl finds out that her friend is close to financial ruin and offers to stay and help out. She also starts a rumor in the village that Edwina was just pretending to be poor and that they are both actually secret agents in town to unbury the secrets of the past, just a harmless rumor, right? Except then Edwina is attacked and nearly strangled to death in her own garden. And rumors about a Land Girl who disappeared in the war start swirling. Finally, one of the women who worked with the missing girl is murdered.

With a policewoman who doesn't think much of loose women (who are out after dark  and/or go to movie theaters) and a doctor who thinks that Edwina is making things up because she never married, this book certainly includes attitudes of the time. The mystery is a little overly littered with red herrings but Barbara Rosenblat makes this book worth a listen.

Four stars

This book came out October 31, 2017

Followed by Murder Flies the Coop

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own