by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Midwinter Murders, and audiobooks of 2 more Mrs. Jeffries Christmas mysteries- Mrs. Jeffries and the Silent Knight and Mrs. Jeffries and the Mistletoe Mixup. There is also a link to purchase the latest book from Amazon.

Inspector Witherspoon has the highest solve rate for murder cases in the police department. He’s not sure how he does it, especially since dead bodies and autopsies make him a bit squeamish, but with the help of his Constable, they get the job done.

Little does he know, he has more help than just the Constable. Witherspoon’s own servants are quite involved in his cases too. Mrs. Jeffries is his housekeeper. Each night she meets him at the door and they take a few minutes for a glass of sherry (or two!) before his dinner. He regales her with the details of the case. The next day, a maid talks to shopkeepers, the cook to deliverymen, the coachman to other drivers and a secret source. Their group isn’t limited to the working class. An American woman and her butler plus Witherspoon’s own special lady friend enthusiastically assist as well.

The newest case couldn’t have come at a worse time. It’s only days until Christmas. The victim was a woman who gave up her single life to marry a man with adult children. Her death is more of a puzzle than usual. The room was locked, and the only key was in the victim’s pocket.

The family is far from grieving. In fact, they could be said to be thrilled that they’ve inherited her money, her property, and no longer have to listen to her chastisements and odious lectures about finding a job or a husband. All agree, life was better after the marriage and the money she brought with her. It’s even better to have the money and not have her.

Mrs. Jeffries usually finds a clue or two to lead her to the killer, but this time, with the pressure of the holiday looming, she’s frustrated.

This is book forty in the series. Mrs. Jeffries and the household help work with the Constable, keep the secret from the Inspector, and drop clues in his direction. It adds to what might otherwise be a boring life. No chance of that here—the group is thoroughly addicted to the chase. Readers will be addicted to the series and with forty books, there’s plenty of reason to stay inside where it’s toasty warm, drink a hot tea, and have a scone.

To enter to win a copy of Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “midwinter,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 11, 2021. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE AWARE THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL FOR WINNERS TO GET THEIR BOOKS DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new Christmas episode goes up next week.

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Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.