What to Read While Social Distancing... Still

Murder in the Snow by Verity Bright-- Cozy Mystery --1920s

Thank you to NetGalley for a free advanced review copy of this book. All opinions expressed in the review are entirely my own and not affected by the giveaway.

It's Christmas and Lady Eleanor Swift is excited and nervous about hosting the entire village and some of the next to a big 'do at her home. She is thankful for her small family of the ladies, Clifford and even naughty Gladstone to help see her through and share in the tidings of the season. Ellie even extends the invitation to curmudgeonly coal deliveryman Mr. Canning. He's surprised at the invitation. No one else has ever been kind to him. With the villagers drinking mead and enjoying the festivities, what can go wrong? Well, a sudden snow storm for starters and then a man dropping dead during the fun run. When Canning falls down during the run, Ellie tries to help but it's too late. The doctor isn't much help or sympathetic for Mr. Canning had a heart condition. Clifford fears Canning was murdered and in the same method as Ellie's uncle! Is the same person responsible? When the coroner dismisses Mr. Canning's death as an accidental overdose of digitalis, it's up to Ellie and Clifford to solve the mystery, if there is one.

This mystery didn't quite capture my attention. I figured out what happened right away. The villain was super obvious to anyone paying attention to who was where when. The motive, however, was a shock. I was surprised when Ellie didn't figure it out sooner. What I loved about this book is the charming Christmas celebration activities. I'm not sure about a fun run in 1920 but maybe? The internet says they started much later- in the 1970s and 80s. I also really loved the character development over the series and learning more about Uncle Byron and Clifford's secret past. I am not crazy about love triangles and I hope this one doesn't go on too long.

I have truly grown to know and love Ellie as the series has progressed. She's grown up a lot and come into her own. At first she had a chip on her shoulder and wanted to be anywhere except at the Manor. She was angry, fearful and ready to run but when she discovered a murder, she was persistent. Now Ellie has a home and a family she loves. She's endeared herself to many of the villagers in the area by her kindhearted and open approach to being lady of the manor. She's managed to understand their needs and institute some much needed reforms. What is really touching is Ellie's relationship with Clifford. He's more than a servant and more than a friend. Really, Clifford is a stand-in for the uncle she lost before she got to know him. Clifford sees Ellie as his to protect, picking up where her uncle left off, but I believe their relationship has grown in his heart as well and she's like a niece to him and not just someone to protect on behalf of her uncle. Clifford seems to care for Ellie for her own sake. I love his wry sense of humor and his devotion to Ellie's uncle. Ellie and Polly also have a special relationship. I love how Ellie educates the girl subtly, helping Polly grow in confidence. What happens to Polly here is terrible. It's obvious she's very young and not too bright. Ellie knows this and is sympathetic. She's willing to stand up for her friend. Trotters and Butters are charming but I get them confused. Hands-down, my very most favorite character is Gladstone! I kept squealing "He's SO CUUTTTEEE!!!!" throughout this whole novel. Yes he's naughty, but he's a spoiled dog. I like the naughty ones the best. Gladstone is more animated and shows more personality than he has ever before. I just want to sit next to him and rub his belly while he snores!

Mr. Canning is a curmudgeon, he's mean, nasty, selfish and doesn't give a care about anyone or what anyone else thinks. His actions in the past have been horrendous, yet he didn't deserve to be murdered. He's not quite a two-dimensional character. Something Ellie said resonated with him and made him pause to think. It also gave me an idea of what happened.

Constable Fry is a really nice man. He's kind and caring and does his job. Unlike the Inspector, he seems more open to possibilities. I also really liked Solemn Jon, the undertaker. He's just the opposite of his name and nothing bad affects him or his jolly mood. DCI Seldon is not the man for Ellie any more than Lancelot is. Seldon seems to care about her but he doesn't think outside the box, which is why she solves more murders than he does. He looks at the evidence but doesn't consider alternative solutions. He's too rigid and unbending for Ellie. Another character who appears in the story but isn't a suspect, is Mrs. Fontaine, Rev. Gaskell's housekeeper. She's hardworking and helpful. I think she seems dedicated to her employer. I think she knows more about Canning's past than she lets on though.

Main suspects include Dr. Browning, who is kind of cranky and reluctant to gossip. He has a past history with Canning that could have cost him his job. I'd say he's not the murderer. He's a doctor and he wasn't treating Mr. Canning at this point and if he was going to kill the man, why now? Rev. Gaskell, another nooo from me! Not the doctor or the reverend! I can't stand the idea of the most trusted people in the village being a murderer. Rev. Gaskell quotes from the Bible way too much for my liking. He seems kind but a bit absentminded. He isn't above losing his temper and it does seem like he could be guilty. Miss Moore, the florist, is a more likely suspect. A single mother, she's struggled her whole adult life since having her son Alvan. Her lover behaved abominably towards her and she's suffered for her actions. She has the motive and the means and was spotted around the victim at the time he would have ingested the poison. Her son Alvan is a more likely suspect. That man has a quick temper and spends a lot of time drinking. He seems kind of shady and up to something with the barmaid. Ellie's final suspect is a person unknown to her, a large, bearded man named Hubert Wraith who was seen arguing with Canning multiple times throughout the day he was killed. This man certainly could have been the murderer.

Returning characters include Lord and Lady Langham and Lancelot. I do not like Lancelot. He's still too childish for Ellie and as she notes, he doesn't understand why she was so offended by his behavior at the debate. His parents are nice but I think they wouldn't understand either. They spoil him. Their friends are also there at their New Year's party. The Dowager Countess is still nasty, Cora seems OK, Baron Ashley and his wife are sweet but the other couple are still sour. There wasn't much of them in this book. I liked seeing more of the villagers instead.

I look forward to another entry in this series. This series is perfect for Downton Abbey fans who also love cozy mysteries.