Mrs. Jeffries and the Three Wise Women

At the start of Brightwell’s delightful 36th Victorian mystery (after Mrs. Jeffries Rights a Wrong), Christopher Gilhaney is shot dead on his way home from a London dinner party on Guy Fawkes Night, a gathering at which he insulted every guest, making for a large suspect list. Unfortunately, the original police inspector on the case treats it as a mere robbery, botching the investigation. Insp. Gerald Witherspoon has to step in days before Christmas, putting everyone’s holiday plans in jeopardy. Fortunately, Mrs. Jeffries, Witherspoon’s housekeeper, and her team of household servants are ready to help the inept inspector find out who killed Gilhaney and why. Though newcomers may have trouble keeping track of the many house staffers and their relationships, Brightwell does a good job of unfolding the suspects’ backstories while keeping the true culprit obscured to the very end. A passing reference to suffragists makes a moving statement about the mainly female staff members who work in secret to solve crimes and keep the innocent safe. This long-running historical series shows no sign of losing steam. Agent: Donald Maass, Donald Maass Literary. (Oct.)