The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries

Though completely inept, Inspector Gerald Witherspoon has gained a reputation as Victorian-era Scotland Yard's shining star, thanks to his household staff, headed by Mrs. Jeffries, a policeman's widow. Mrs. Jeffries solves Witherspoon's mysteries without ever letting anyone, Witherspoon included, know she and the staff are involved. In this, romance writer Brightwell's ( Kindred Spirits ) first mystery, Mrs. Jeffries leads the dim-witted Witherspoon to the obvious solution to the poisoning of the thoroughly despicable Dr. Bartholomew Slocum. Displaying his Victorian class prejudice, despite a lack of motive or evidence, Witherspoon decides the murderer is Slocum's cook, who for unknown reasons left the employ of the Duke of Bedford to work for the doctor.It's up to Mrs. Jeffries to discover the true identity of the murderer. Unconvincing red herrings and cliches abound, and sharp readers will spot the murderer early on--he proves to be the least likely person. Brightwell makes Witherspoon almost overbearingly dumb and puts insufficient effort into the mystery itself, which quickly becomes tedious. (Feb.)