An American-born countess in Victorian London must navigate the social scene while solving her husband’s murder in this historical mystery. Frances Wynn, the wealthy Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York—for her first London … York—for her first London season.
But no sooner has Frances begun her new life than the Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.
While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth. A killer is in their midst, and Frances must unmask the villain before Lily’s season—and their lives—come to a most unseemly end . . .
“This lighthearted debut tale of mystery, love, and a delightful sleuth will leave you wanting more.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Dazzling…Fans of witty, lighthearted Victorian mysteries will be enthralled.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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A delightful tale of shenanigans among the British aristocracy. Lady Frances feels very real — not too smart and spunky but no shrinking violet either.
Dianne Freeman has penned a mystery that’s witty and fun, with just the right amount of danger and romance to keep you turning pages.
A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder is the first book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. Set in Victorian England it’s filled with charming characters, witty dialogue, and, of course, mystery. American-born Lady Harleigh is forced into sleuthing to protect her reputation and future when her husband’s death, initially ruled a heart attack, is questioned because of an anonymous letter to the police, suggesting she murdered him. With the help of her neighbor George, she must uncover the truth and not only protect herself, but her sister Lily who is in London for the season in hopes of making a match.
Dead bodies, thievery, money hungry relations all tangled together in an enchanting story that’s fast-paced. On a side note, as an avid romance reader, I hoped to see a budding relationship grow between Frances and George. There was a definite undercurrent when they were in the same room. This is a mystery novel that will make you smile.
A fantastic blend of history, mystery, and humor. I did not want to put it down. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Georgette Heyer.
I love historical mysteries and especially when they are humorous and well-written! Freeman does a great job of making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and the turn of the century was a fascinating era where life was changing incredibly fast.
Francis is an American heiress who married a deadbeat (emphasis on the dead part) English earl. But she’s a widow who is ready to embrace life (and what is left of her money).
I think it takes deft writing to craft an historical mystery that avoids anachronisms and Freeman does a fantastic job.
I’m ready for the next one and looking forward to more about Francis’s relationship with George (and hoping it heats up…)
Dianne Freeman’s debut novel, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder, is a witty romp of a Victorial mystery. The heroine, Frances, is a recently widowed and coming out of mourning for her dead rake-of-husband. She is surprisingly perspicacious and her struggles with propriety and her journey to independence is delightful. There is an understated chemistry between her and the hero, that is smoldering before bursting into flame. The mystery is well-plotted and full of twists. Freeman does an excellent job of capturing London in the heyday of the late nineteenth century with its culturally ingrained social mores.
The American heiress, now dowager countess, who is the heroine here is a marvelous addition to historical cozy mystery sub-genre. With wit and a good dose of proper research, Freeman sweeps the reader along in a race to solve numerous crimes. If the romance sub-plot is a bit slow to develop, this romance author can nonetheless declare that pace compels one to read the next book! An entertaining debut!
A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman
The First Countess of Harleigh Mystery
A year has past since her husband died and Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is finally out of mourning. Leaving the crumbling estate she’d been relegated to sharing with her brother-in-law, the new count of Harleigh, as well as his family, Frances is happy to strike out on her own along with her young daughter. She is soon joined by her younger sister who, accompanied by Frances’ favorite aunt, has come from America to have her first London Season. But if introducing an outspoken young woman to England’s elite wasn’t enough of a challenge, Frances also is forced to deal with her brother-in-law trying to get her funds, a thief plaguing the parties of the upper class, and police suspecting she had a role in her husband’s death! Can she trust her neighbor, one of only three people who know the truth about the night her husband died…or could he be a thief, or worse, a murderer?
I was absolutely delighted with the first Countess of Harleigh Mystery. From its fascinating characters to its Victorian details Dianne Freeman had me happily captivated. Though her new life is off to a tumultuous start Frances Wynn handles everything with aplomb. She’s a delightful protagonist, smart, independent, and brave at a time when those words were not positive descriptors for women. She also has a huge secret. Like Aunt Hetty, I see romance brewing with George and I am quite pleased…but equally pleased that Frances is relishing her independence and not wanting to look to a man to support her. I also really like Inspector Delaney who is intelligent, fair, and willing to see varying viewpoints, a valuable attribute for a detective.
Beyond the substance the characters contribute there’s also an intricately plotted mystery that had me questioning everyone and everything. Plenty of suspects with good motives, lots of varied actions against Frances, and red herrings leading readers astray make for a page turning read.
A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER is a fantastic start to a new series. Secrets, adventure, laughs, and romance combine to made a delightful Victorian mystery!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
Lady Harleigh must rally the support of friends and an attractive neighbor to untangle her affairs in this engrossing tale of aristocratic intrigue. Freeman vividly portrays the opulence of late Victorian life among the British upper crust as Lady Harleigh takes us into the exclusive ballrooms and drawing rooms of London society in 1899. Deception and trickery abound and nothing is exactly as it seems.
A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman was an excellent start to what I hope will be a long running historical cozy mystery series.
Ms. Freeman introduces us to the recently widowed Countess of Harleigh, Frances Wynn. She is a surprisingly strong young woman for Victorian times who has come into her own now that she is a widow and intends to enjoy her life with her daughter. The descriptive writing of London and the characters made me feel like I was there with Frances as she introduces her sister, Lily, into London society during her first season. She also begins her amateur sleuthing as there has been a rash of thefts at homes nearby, a man is found killed in her back garden, and there is an attempt on her life right on the streets of London. Suspense, subtle humor, only a few suspects, twists that had me confused and a startling reveal kept me turning the pages. I am already looking forward to the next one in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
A great beginning to a Victorian mystery series. A little humor, a touch of romance, and a good mystery set in a well-drawn, transitional period in English history. If you’re a fan of the genre – which I am – you’re sure to enjoy spending time in Dianne Freeman’s world.
This is the first in what I hope will be a long-running series. Each entry in the series is an absolute delight.
I loved this book on so many levels. The main character, Frances, is a woman with a mind of her own in this Victorian setting and her personality and wit shine throughout. There were moments I was laughing out loud and others where the writer had me concerned about the welfare of the characters I had come to love. The mystery was so well-plotted, I didn’t know until the final reveal who was guilty, and was pleased at the outcome. This is a must read for any mystery lover and I’m anxiously awaiting Frances’ next adventure.
A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MERDER is fantastic and will definitely go on my list of best reads of the year.
Readers are introduced to Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, who, at age twenty-seven, has become a widow. Finally finished with her required one year of mourning, she cannot wait to move to her own home with her daughter Rose and leave the moldering family estate and brother and sister-in-law behind. There is not much time to get settled since Frances’s younger sister Lilly and Aunt Hetty arrive just in time for the Season to begin. Frances’s mother hopes that Frances will find a suitable husband for Lilly. However, things get off to a rocky start when brother-in-law Graham sues her, claiming her money should be Harleigh money, the police receive a letter questioning Frances’s husband’s cause of death, and her next door neighbor happens to be one of two people who know a scandalous secret. There have been a rash of thefts, and when Frances’s questions about a potential suitor lead to murder, Frances finds herself looking for answers.
I tend to like books set in the Victorian era so A LADY’S GUIDE fit the bill. I absolutely adore Frances. She is strong and independent yet no too terribly uncharacteristic for London in 1899. All of the characters are well drawn, and I particularly enjoy Aunt Hetty and neighbor George, whom I have no doubt is much more than he seems.
The well paced mystery begins with the theft of some trinkets and jewelry, which is compelling on its own, but when the murder occurs, the pace picks up and the excitement level rises. I relished unearthing clues and figuring out the puzzle alongside Frances. The guilty party came as somewhat of a surprise.
A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER is an entertaining, delightful historical cozy mystery. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
I was totally charmed by this Victorian cozy with Downton Abbey overtones. The sly cover enticed and the title intrigued, and the story did not disappoint. Frances, countess of Harleigh, is still somewhat of a fish out of water, an American heiress who married a British aristocrat in need of cash. Even though she’s lived in England for not quite 10 years, she’s still navigating the complex and often entirely illogical rules of etiquette for people of her class. Too bad she’s anonymously accused of murder in the death of her husband. Good thing she has friends among the peerage, particularly her new neighbor, George Hazelton. The attraction is very understated, very coolly British yet sparkling with banter. An altogether engaging H & H and a clever mystery. I immediately picked up book 2 in this delightful series.
A light-hearted cozy mystery with a romance subplot that’s set in Victorian London. It’s a delightful clean read. I enjoyed it so much, I’m already most of the way through Book 2!
Such a fun mystery! I loved the characters! They were easy to connect to. The story is engaging, and the ending was surprising. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to finishing the series!
There should be an extra star for this book! It is clever and carefully written…detailed and true to the era of the setting…and such interesting people!!! I had to get the other 2 books….
This was a delightful read. Great characters, suspense, loved it
What a gift of humor, mystery and hijinks among the ton! Our heroine is witty, smart, widowed, and tired of feeling useless. Her first introduction into solving a crime (or two) is an adventure not to be missed.