The British governess-turned-sleuth solves three of her most intriguing cases, in this “timelessly charming” series (Charlotte MacLeod). Retired governess and teacher Maud Silver has found a new calling: private detection. With her knitting needles and fondness for Tennyson, she may seem an unlikely sleuth, but Scotland Yard would be lost without her. “Patricia Wentworth has created a great … created a great detective in Miss Silver, the little old lady who nobody notices, but who in turn notices everything” (Paula Gosling, author of the Jack Stryker Mysteries).
In the Balance: On a train back to London, Miss Silver meets a frightened new bride. Lisle Jerningham has fled her home after overhearing a seemingly sinister conversation. Her husband’s first wife died in an apparent accident, and the resultant infusion of cash saved his family home. Now he’s broke again. Will he attempt a second convenient mishap?
The Chinese Shawl: Actress Tanis Lyle may lack professional training, but her natural charisma seems to hypnotize all who meet her. The rising star has just finished filming her first motion picture. Unfortunately, it will turn out to be her last. Who did Tanis fail to charm? The answer could lie with a distant cousin and a long-standing family feud.
Miss Silver Deals with Death: In wartime London, the once grand Vandeleur House has been divided into flats, its glorious façade now concealing a nest of intrigue. When one inhabitant reports she’s being blackmailed by another, Miss Silver is brought in to sort out the suspects from the residents, which include a woman who lost her fiancé after their ship was struck by a Nazi torpedo and a sleepwalking maid with a curious past.
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Classic British Country house mysteries
I’be been a Great Fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple novels. Miss Silver is another intuitive, observing English woman, who “helps” the police solve crimes
odd wording , slow paced
I love Miss Silver, books are old fashioned but well written and a great escape for the stresses of modern day life!
Her books are always great and these were no exception.
The perfect example of cozy mysteries
Interesting and charming.
Miss Silver is very much a character in the background. Generally someone is referred to Miss Silver and explains some difficulty to her. Theat person then goes on with his or her life with Miss Silver only rarely popping into the story, and that only peripherally. But Miss Silver always makes insightful comments and astutely saves the day. One thing I enjoy about the books is that Miss Silver is always knitting while in her office, annd often her knitting project is for a character from a previous book.
I love Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Silver mysteries. I don’t care that they are getting a little dated. They are well written and well plotted. And what I particularly enjoy about Miss Silver is that she is a nurse, not a Johnny-come-lately clever gardner who happens to be in the right/wrong place at a crucial moment. Miss Silver is a brilliant medical woman who is often called in to investigate where detectives cannot go, & is able to solve the crime through her unique skill set.
Miss Silver is a great character and I enjoy her as a lady detective, not unlike Miss Marple. Each have different life experiences to draw from and great observation skills which help finding the culprit.
Such a fun read. Great observations of people!
These books are a nice change of pace after reading some that heavy.