‘A lively, well-written, entertaining whodunit’ THE TIMES
Lose yourself in the sumptuous first novel in a new series of Golden Age mysteries set amid the lives of the glamorous Mitford sisters.
It’s 1919, and Louisa Cannon dreams of escaping her life of poverty in London, and most of all her oppressive and dangerous uncle.
Louisa’s salvation is a position within the Mitford household at Asthall Manor, in the Oxfordshire countryside. There she will become nurserymaid, chaperone and confidante to the Mitford sisters, especially sixteen-year-old Nancy – an acerbic, bright young woman in love with stories.
But when a nurse – Florence Nightingale Shore, goddaughter of her famous namesake – is killed on a train in broad daylight, Nancy and amateur sleuth Louisa find that in postwar England, everyone has something to hide . . .
Written by Jessica Fellowes, author of the number one-bestselling Downton Abbey books, The Mitford Murders is the perfect new obsession for fans of Daisy Goodwin, Anthony Horowitz and Agatha Christie – and is based on a real unsolved crime.
‘An extraordinary meld of fact and fiction’ GRAHAM NORTON
‘True and glorious indulgence. A dazzling example of a Golden Age mystery’
DAISY GOODWIN
‘Exactly the sort of book you might enjoy with the fire blazing, the snow falling. The solution is neat and the writing always enjoyable’
ANTHONY HOROWITZ
‘Oh how delicious! This terrific start to what promises to be a must-read series is exactly what we all need in these gloomy times. Inventive, glittering, clever, ingenious. I devoured The Mitford Murders… so will you. Give it to absolutely everyone for Christmas, then pre-order the next one’
SUSAN HILL
‘All the blissful escapism of a Sunday-night period drama in a book’
THE POOL
‘Keeps the reader guessing to the very end. An accomplished crime debut and huge fun to read’
EVENING STANDARD
‘This story is drenched in detail and feels both authentic and fun. Curl up in your favourite reading spot and enjoy’
HEAT
‘The plan is that each book will focus on a different Mitford sister. On the strength of this initial entry, success is assured’
FINANCIAL TIMES
‘Elegant, whipsmart and brilliantly twisty-turny, this Downton-style mystery had me hooked from the first page’
VIV GROSKOP
‘Full of period pleasure’
WOMAN & HOME
‘An audacious and glorious foray into the Golden Age of mystery fiction. Breathtaking’
ALEX GRAY
‘A real murder, a real family and a brand new crime fiction heroine are woven together to make a fascinating, and highly enjoyable, read. I loved it’
JULIAN FELLOWES
‘Jessica Fellowes’ deliciously immersive, effortlessly easy novel has a strong feel for period and a rollicking plot’
METRO
‘What a captivating crime novel and heroine Jessica has created in The Mitford Murders. The instant reassurance of being in the hands of a true storyteller with a feel for period detail makes this a real treat’
AMANDA CRAIG
‘This is a chocolate soufflé of a novel: as the enthralling mystery heats up, so the addictive deliciousness of the story rises. The sort of book you never want to end’
JULIET NICOLSON
Lose yourself in the sumptuous first novel in a new series of Golden Age mysteries set amid the lives of the glamorous Mitford sisters.
It’s 1919, and Louisa Cannon dreams of escaping her life of poverty in London, and most of all her oppressive and dangerous uncle.
Louisa’s salvation is a position within the Mitford household at Asthall Manor, in the Oxfordshire countryside. There she will become nurserymaid, chaperone and confidante to the Mitford sisters, especially sixteen-year-old Nancy – an acerbic, bright young woman in love with stories.
But when a nurse – Florence Nightingale Shore, goddaughter of her famous namesake – is killed on a train in broad daylight, Nancy and amateur sleuth Louisa find that in postwar England, everyone has something to hide . . .
Written by Jessica Fellowes, author of the number one-bestselling Downton Abbey books, The Mitford Murders is the perfect new obsession for fans of Daisy Goodwin, Anthony Horowitz and Agatha Christie – and is based on a real unsolved crime.
‘An extraordinary meld of fact and fiction’ GRAHAM NORTON
‘True and glorious indulgence. A dazzling example of a Golden Age mystery’
DAISY GOODWIN
‘Exactly the sort of book you might enjoy with the fire blazing, the snow falling. The solution is neat and the writing always enjoyable’
ANTHONY HOROWITZ
‘Oh how delicious! This terrific start to what promises to be a must-read series is exactly what we all need in these gloomy times. Inventive, glittering, clever, ingenious. I devoured The Mitford Murders… so will you. Give it to absolutely everyone for Christmas, then pre-order the next one’
SUSAN HILL
‘All the blissful escapism of a Sunday-night period drama in a book’
THE POOL
‘Keeps the reader guessing to the very end. An accomplished crime debut and huge fun to read’
EVENING STANDARD
‘This story is drenched in detail and feels both authentic and fun. Curl up in your favourite reading spot and enjoy’
HEAT
‘The plan is that each book will focus on a different Mitford sister. On the strength of this initial entry, success is assured’
FINANCIAL TIMES
‘Elegant, whipsmart and brilliantly twisty-turny, this Downton-style mystery had me hooked from the first page’
VIV GROSKOP
‘Full of period pleasure’
WOMAN & HOME
‘An audacious and glorious foray into the Golden Age of mystery fiction. Breathtaking’
ALEX GRAY
‘A real murder, a real family and a brand new crime fiction heroine are woven together to make a fascinating, and highly enjoyable, read. I loved it’
JULIAN FELLOWES
‘Jessica Fellowes’ deliciously immersive, effortlessly easy novel has a strong feel for period and a rollicking plot’
METRO
‘What a captivating crime novel and heroine Jessica has created in The Mitford Murders. The instant reassurance of being in the hands of a true storyteller with a feel for period detail makes this a real treat’
AMANDA CRAIG
‘This is a chocolate soufflé of a novel: as the enthralling mystery heats up, so the addictive deliciousness of the story rises. The sort of book you never want to end’
JULIET NICOLSON
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Reviews
Perfect for those missing their Downton Abbey fix.
A lively, well-written, entertaining whodunit
The premise is clever . . . a zippy read for those interested in the 1920s.
What a captivating crime novel and heroine Jessica has created in The Mitford Murders. The instant reassurance of being in the hands of a true storyteller with a feel for period detail makes this a real treat.
True and glorious indulgence. A dazzling example of a golden age mystery.
Everything in one book. Crime, mystery, romance, humour, gritty reality, fact, fiction and so much more. This book is special, and I can guarantee I'll be looking out for the next one. A 'Must read' highly recommended by me.
Elegant, whipsmart and brilliantly twisty-turny, this Downton-style mystery had me hooked from the first page
It's well written and researched, touching on a lot of issues of the time
The Mitford Murders is a captivating read. Fellowes, perhaps best known for her Downtown Abbey books, is very good at what she does
Jessica Fellowes' deliciously immersive, effortlessly easy novel has a strong feel for period and a rollicking plot.
An extraordinary meld of fact and fiction
Exactly the sort of book you might enjoy with the fire blazing, the snow falling etc. The solution is neat and the writing always enjoyable. (Best Crime Books of 2017)
Keeps the reader guessing to the very end. An accomplished crime debut and huge fun to read.
The plan is that each book will focus on a different Mitford sister. On the strength of this initial entry, success is assured.
With nearly as much period detail as an episode of Downton, this delightful romp satisfies like a cup of strong nursery tea accompanied by a Battenburg cake
This novel truly is a wonderful surprise. Bring on the sequel!
It's the perfect cosy crime read; an escapist, Sunday-night period drama wrapped up in a book. The start of a series that doesn't disappoint, and one I suspect the Mitford sisters would have approved of.
Downton Abbey fans, rejoice. For those who miss Lady Mary and Bates, the Mitford series is a winner.
Full of period pleasure.
A locked room mystery . . . I enjoyed this cosy crime caper.
Remarkably assured and with pitch-perfect period detail
All the blissful escapism of a Sunday-night period drama in a book.
This story is drenched in detail and feels both authentic and fun. Curl up in your favourite reading spot and enjoy.
It is impossible to not like this book . . . a light and entertaining read best saved for when it gets cold outside and you need something to cosy up with.
Read it if you like Europe of mid-twenties and want to get immersed in the post-war goings on.
This is an outstanding first book in a series. Wonderful pacing, characters, and depth
