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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I like Miss Silver; she reminds me a great deal of Miss Marple. The clues to the mystery are plausible and just misleading enough to keep one guessing. I found all three very enjoyable. I will happily read other Miss Silver Mysteries
Similar in style to Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories, these are entertaining who-dunnit books.
Who would have thought a retired nanny could be such a wonderful detective.
Fun mysteries – I enjoy Miss silver. Not quite as good as Miss Marple, but close!
Ahhh, Patricia Wentworth! Don’t miss any of the Miss Silver books. Although old-fashioned settings, these are really great books.
Wentworth is always worth a read. Miss Silver is not Miss Marple, but is nearly as good in her way.
Thoroughly enjoyable puzzles!
Miss Silver is a bit like Miss Marple, but the authors fully developed characters, detailed atmosphere, and complex plots are knock outs! Old time very satisfying well-written mysteries!
You can’t go wrong with this excellent trio of Miss Silver stories. Miss Silver puts Miss Marple in the shade (in my opinion) as a professional enquiry agent who works “undercover” on the scene of murders and uses her invisibility as an elderly spinster to collaborate with the police and solve a variety of Golden Age of Mystery-style crimes. These books also always have a romantic subplot, with a young couple separated by the circumstances of the crime. . . who come together at the end. No fluffy knitter. . . Miss Silver churns out socks and sweaters to keep her family warm!
I’ve listened to the Miss Silver mysteries on audio, read by the fabulous Diana Bishop. They are so good! If you like classic detective fiction, highly recommend.
If you are one of the Miss Marple fans, you will love Miss Silver. Love the characters and that the little pieces of wisdom she shares.
Unexpectedly awesome!!
All of these are good classic mysteries
I enjoyed this series so much! Great way to curl up and forget about the day! Wonderful characters and creative plots!
Got to love British humor and dry wit. Love this author.
Miss Silver is old fashioned in a wonderfully believable way. If you are in no big hurry to find the conclusion, you will enjoy getting there with Miss Silver.
It is rare that I guess “Who” before the end. Great character development,
This was a boxed set. I have left my reviews at the individual stories.
Miss Marple is based on Miss Silver
Enjoyable reading
I love the Miss Silver mysteries and have re-read many of them several times. Patricia Wentworth was a wonderful writer and Miss Silver is an observer of character like Christie’s MIss Marple. Plots are based on character development done in a logical manner, built to the finale. The books are a joy to read and you get to know the characters, many of whom turn up in several books by being the main character in one book and a “bit player” in others.