“Actually—” Oh, dear, this was most embarrassing. It sounded so—so aggressive. But she must be exact. “Actually I was a little angry—at his rudeness, you know—so I poked him in the back…”When Miss Seeton walks out after a performance of Carmen and witnesses a real-life stabbing, all she can recall is a shadowy figure. But how could she have guessed that her latest artistic endeavor is a … latest artistic endeavor is a picture-perfect portrait of the killer?
Her sketch puts her in a perilous position, for back at her recently inherited cottage in Plummergen village, she’s fated to be a sitting duck . . . for murder most foul!
Meet Miss Emily D. Seeton: retired art teacher Miss Seeton steps in where Scotland Yard stumbles. Armed with only her sketch pad and umbrella, she is every inch an eccentric English spinster and the most lovable and unlikely master of detection.
What people are saying about Miss Seeton:
“Miss Seeton is a hoot! I was torn between laughter and eye rolling with each page turn. The characters are loveable and thoroughly British. This is a perfect specimen of classic British mystery.“
“What a joy Miss Seeton is. Why did I wait so long to read them? Splashy characters, lovely setting, and just plain funny.”
“I’ve become a Miss Ess addict. Great characters that get better with each book. A must for anyone who loves a good British cozy with a twist, and surprising revelations of what a good brollie can do in a pinch.”
“What a great series. This is one of the best in English light reading mysteries.”
“All of the Miss Seeton books are a delight. Just fun reading.”
“LOVED this – the writing style is clever and unfolds much like a wonderful farce or a comedy of errors. You’ll just fall in love with Miss Seeton – she’s now my favorite British maiden aunt, and the supporting cast is a lot of fun too.”
“Very entertaining. Better than Miss Marple. Can’t wait to read more.”
“Heron Carvic’s inspired gentle satire of such elderly lady detectives as Miss Marple and Miss Silver is simply hilarious. Miss Seeton floats blithely through life, oblivious to the fact that she and her trusty umbrella are foiling bad guys at every turn.”
“Miss Seeton is a delightful sendup of the amateur sleuth. If your doctor has prescribed laughter as the best medicine, run and buy the entire series as fast as you can.”
“I fell in love with the character of Miss Seeton. It was a breath of fresh air compared to what is being written today.”
“How could you not love Miss Seeton?? So innocent, and kind. But, don’t mess with her and her trusty umbrella!!”
“She drove me crazy then and she drives me crazy now, and yet, I will probably read the whole series again on my Kindle. There is something absolutely mesmerizing about this delightful lady . . . Will she ever wake up to the world? “
Editorial reviews:
“A most beguiling protagonist! ” New York Times
“Miss Seeton gets into wild drama with fine touches of farce . . . This is a lovely mixture of the funny and the exciting.” San Francisco Chronicle
“This is not so much black comedy as black-currant comedy . . . You can’t stop reading. Or laughing.” The Sun
“Depth of description and lively characters bring this English village to life.” Publishers Weekly
“Fun to be had with a full cast of endearingly zany villagers. . . and the ever gently intuitive Miss Seeton.” Kirkus Reviews
“Miss Seeton is the most delightfully satisfactory character since Miss Marple.” Ogden Nash
“I think, on the whole, Miss Seeton is the most loveable and entertaining of any of today’s fiction detectives. May she live forever.”
London Mystery Selectionmore
Nice gentle read
I love Miss Seaton! She goes through life in her own little world, and has no idea of what’s going on, or how great, and talented she is! I have ( of at least I did before I had to move into this apt.) ,most of her books. Great reads.
Charming & intriguing…A fun book. A mystery/espionage with characters that come alive on page.
Enjoyed it very much!
Quaint read. Humorous
I enjoyed all of the Miss Seaton books. Yes, there was usually a murder but it was a simpler time and how her “simple drawings” and her unknowing ways helped solve the mystery was always entertaining. Loved, loved, loved.
Love the English mystery books. Characters funny and real . laughed alot and look forward to reading more of this series.
It didn’t flow, that made it hard to read.
I found this book difficult to follow. It did not flow well.
I loved how Miss Seeton didn’t realize just how helpful her drawings are to the chief inspector. A very entertaining story.
Heron Carvic’s Miss Seeton sums up all those memorable characters from childhood who belonged to the cadre of retired spinster–as they were known back then– school teachers who simultaneously enchanted and terrified us. Regardless what they thought or did, they never doubted that it was the only the right thing to do. At the same time, they could be incredibly naive regarding the workings of the real world, So much so that even we kids felt protective of them.
The author then involves Miss Seeton in a tale that unfolds with all the twists and turns and unlikely but somehow logical events akin to all the craziness of a Rube Goldberg cartoon. Like Miss Seeton herself, her adventure is sometimes maddening, sometimes flat-out hilarious (although she would be deeply offended it you pointed this out to her), and always entertaining. This is a great book to read for respite from the daily news.
Unlikely heroine not out to solve the mystery but to uphold standards of politeness. But, situations challenge her and her lucky umbrella. The umbrella is broken – adventure continues!
couldn’t put it down, one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I have loved the Miss Seeton books for years!
I have enjoyed Heron Carvic’s Miss Seeton books for years. It was a pleasure to re-read this first book. Lots of good character development with attention to the period which the book portrays.
Vastly entertaining Miss Seeton is an individual who lives true to her principles, with entertaining consequences.
I didn’t really get into it. I Thought it rather boring and didn’t finish it.
An almost clueless “detective” who solves completely misunderstood problems. Funny!
Love all Miss Destin books.
An almost retired art teacher inadvertently helps the law through her use of art which helps solve crimes. She innocently uses her umbrella to protect herself, without even realizing she is in danger. Very interesting character, this Miss Seeton.