Death on a Winter's Day by Verity Bright ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

I love Christmas books and when one of my favorite cozy mystery series does one it's like a double helping of fun. Death on a Winter's Day is book 8 in Verity Bright's Lady Swift Mysteries series.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

November 2021; Bookouture; 978-1800195738
audio, ebook, print (286 pages); cozy mystery

Set in 1920s England, this series makes me think of Downton Abbey (or maybe it is just because I recently saw the trailer for the new movie). Lady Eleanor Swift is a bit like Lady Mary - independent and headstrong. Though Eleanor is much nicer than Lady Mary. 

I have read most of the books in this series, but it won't be a problem if you want to start with this new book. I love the whole cast of characters. The downstairs ladies weren't in the last book so it was great to see them in this book. Of course, the festivities of the holidays make them even more merry.

Even though in Scotland where Lady Swift is holidaying with friends doesn't actually celebrate Christmas (it is seen as too pagan for the Presbyterian Church of the time). Baroness Ashley is determined to have a proper Christmas in their remote Scottish castle. It's so remote that the only way to access it is by rowboat. Unfortunately, their staff will have nothing to do with the holiday - after meeting a few of them though it might not be such an unfortunate turn of events. This leads Eleanor to ask her staff to come with her to provide staff at the castle.

Arriving on Christmas Eve isn't too promising for the holiday ahead. Baron Ashley has a huge fight with another guest - a man he is trying to convince to invest in his Scottish ski resort. Tensions between the other guests are much better. And dinner isn't almost inedible - it seems that the Ashleys' cook decided to stay after all and is doing everything she can to ruin the festivities. The evening starts looking better when the guests start a rousing game of Wink Murder. But then the lights go out and when they come on again one guest isn't pretending to be dead. Ellie has found herself in the middle of another murder mystery.

I guess with them being in Scotland, the story isn't too Christmasy - it's much more of a winter story as the title implies. So if you aren't one for Christmas books, I think you will still enjoy this one. Yet, there is a little Christmas magic between Hugh and Ellie. I won't say anymore so as not to spoil it for those who have been following the series for a while.

Death on a Winter's Day is a fun cozy mystery. After having read quite a bit of nonfiction this month, I really enjoyed this light read. I totally lost myself in the story. There are plenty of suspects in this book. Figuring out what motive each had is as much a mystery as who the killer is. It will definitely keep you guessing.

Buy Death on a Winter's Day at Amazon
(Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read the ebook for free)

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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