Miss. Silver is on the Case! (Reviews)

dear readers,

As you know I love mysteries from the Golden Age so reading Patricia Wentworth's well-known series, Miss. Silver Mysteries was right up my darkly lit alley...

Miss. Silver Mysteries: Reviews
written by Patricia Wentworth
genre: mystery, suspense, noir, classic






GREY MASK

(Book 1)

4 STARS

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

Please see previous post:  http://mynoveladdiction.blogspot.ca/2013/08/grey-mask-book-1-miss.html

THE CASE IS CLOSED
(Book 2)

4 STARS

Geoffrey Grey has been convicted of his uncle's murder but his wife and wife's cousin think he is innocent.  Just before his murder Geoffrey's uncle, James changes his will to a nephew he has always disliked.  Upon telling Geoffrey that he no longer his heir the older man is found dead in a locked room with the knife in Geoffrey's hand.

Hilary, Marion Grey's cousin is heartbroken over the conviction and what it is doing to her cousin.  When on a train she is confronted with James's cook she begins to think there is more to the story than what was presented in court.  As the young girl gets deeper into solving the murder she also becomes a target.  Her ex-fiance hires Miss. Silver a P.I. who steps in to help.

This is the second novel in the Miss. Silver and I am hooked.  Unlike other novels from the era the knitting P.I. has a smaller role in the books,  She is often called on the case halfway through the novel.  The book focuses on the character involved in the novel.  If you like cozy mysteries, noir, old time radio programs this might be the novel for you.  

LONESOME ROAD
(Book 3)

4 STARS 

After a few close call accidents Rachel Treherne starts to believe her life may be in jeopardy and the killer may be one of her own family members or a close friend. She looks to governess turned private detective, Miss Silver to help unravel the mystery by staying in the Treherne mansion.  

Rachel's father has left his fortune to her and her desperate family members want more than their share and cannot wait till her natural death.  Then there is her maid who has an unnatural obsession with her and new neighbour who shows his interest in her.  Each day Rachel's suspicions get the better of her and hopes Miss. Silver can help her.

The thought of living with people who may be plotting your death is handled brilliantly by Wentworth.  This one had me guessing at first and then I sat back to see if my guess was correct.  

IN THE BALANCE
(Also published as DANGER POINT)
(Book 4)

4 STARS 

Miss. Silver is on the train returning from her holiday with her niece when a young lady stumbles into her compartment.  Right away she can tell the young girl is afraid of something and tries to get her to open up.  The young woman, Lisle overheard some women gossiping about her husband.  His wealthy first wife's death may have not have been accident and now that his estate is in jeopardy again will Lisle be next? 

A predictable but engaging mystery.  Like in Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca the new bride is frightened into thinking her husband is the killer of his first wife.  And, also like in Rebecca you will be at the edge of your seat wondering if the husband is misunderstood or a monster.


THE CHINESE SHAWL
(Book 5)

4 STARS 

Laura Fane has returned to London to collect her inheritance but it is not the happy moment she anticipated.  Her father was expected to marry a cousin but instead fell in love with Laura's mother.  Her father has left her everything including the estate that his jilted finacee occupies.  She wants Laura to sell her the place so she can leave it to her niece Tanis.  Laura os not sure what to do.

When Laura is summoned to visit Tanis' aunt Laura discovers Tanis is manipulated and will do anything to get her way, including blackmailing.   When Tanis ends up murdered Miss Silver is on the case and everyone is a suspect.

Another great mystery in the Miss. Silver series.  Randal March, Miss. Silver's former charge aids her in solving the murder.  I like the chemistry between the two much like Holmes and Watson.  The way they bounce off of each other makes the solution of the mystery much more enjoyable.

MISS. SILVER INTERVENES
(Also published as MISS. SILVER DEALS WITH DEATH)

4 STARS 

In an apartment building in London the tenants are a little more involved in each other's lives than they really know.  Meade Underwood's finace, Giles has been lost at sea and so she lives with her aunt and uncle miserable but then he returns but cannot remember much of past few years.  Meade's neighbour, Carola Roland a very beautiful and scheming girl announces she is Giles's wife.  Carola has also been seeing another man in the building, and may be a blackmailer.  So when the young beautiful woman is found dead in her apartment the whole building is a suspect. Enters Miss. Silver to help the police with this case.

This Miss. Silver Mystery had me guessing as I could not imagine anyone not wanting to kill the wicked Carola Roland.  The one thing I like about these mysteries is that police always works well with Miss. Silver.  They accept her talent and often look to her to help them.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE 

(Book 7)

4 STARS 

Patriarch James Paradine invites his family over on New Year's Eve to confront them.  Someone has stolen blueprints and Paradine knows who and that it is one of his close family members.  He gives the thief until midnight to come clean.  A few minutes after the clock strikes twelve James Paradine is found dead and whoever stole the blueprints is the murderer.

Another case where everyone seems like a suspect until Miss. Silver steps in an unravels it all.  The mystery is great but the side stories and possible motives are what engages the reader to keep reading and have a ball doing so.

Please let me know if you have enjoyed this series when you get to it...as I know you will ;)

love,

kris