Title: The Mitford Murder Series
Author: Jessica Fellowes
Published 2018 - 2021
Still missing Downton Abbey? Look no further than the Mitford Murders Series by Jessica Fellowes. She is the niece of Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey. Jessica wrote the companion books to Downton Abbey. The Mitford Murder Mysteries are Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie. There is lots of period detail including fashions, jewelry, politics, and the hierarchical nature of society The stories are based on true unsolved murders during the 1920s, as well as the real-life Mitford family.
The first book, The Mitford Murders (2018) is set in 1920 when a nurse, who is the goddaughter of Florence Nightingale, is murdered on a train in broad daylight. The Mitfords and Louisa are on the same train. In the first book Louisa Cannon becomes the nursemaid to the Mitford family living in Ashtall Manor in Oxfordshire England. Louisa has lived in poverty with an abusive uncle who bullies her into crime. Louisa looks for a way out of her miserable situation and finds her way to Ashtall Manor. Louisa Cannon starts as a nursemaid and moves up steadily until in the 4th book she is a lady’s maid. Louisa is also very observant and curious finding herself looking for clues to solve the murder mystery.
The second book, Bright Young Dead (2019), is set during Pamela Mitford’s 18th birthday party where they have a treasure hunt. These treasure hunts are all the rage with the young at the time and one of the young aristocratic guests is killed. This is a real locked-room murder.
Third book, The Mitford Scandal (2020), is set during 1928 and involves the death of a maid during an engagement party for Diana Mitford and Bryan Guinness. Bryan Guinness is the son of the Guinness beer manufacturing family.
The fourth book, The Mitford Trial (2021), takes place on an ocean crossing where another man who is a member of high society is killed and is filled with intrigue, affairs and betrayal.
Michaelle S.
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