The adventurous Countess Harleigh finds out just how far some will go to safeguard a secret in Dianne Freeman’s latest witty and delightful historical mystery . . . Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of … the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in hunting—for birds or a second husband—and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.
Instead, she’s immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlight—along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits?
Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at all—but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them . . .
“Engrossing . . . Freeman takes a witty look at Victorian polite society. Historical mystery fans will be delighted.”
—Publishers Weekly
more
A LADY’S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman
The Second Countess of Harleigh Mystery
While most of the aristocracy has left for their country estates Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is content to stay in London. Her home is actually bustling as Aunt Hetty is helping her brother-in-law make sense of his investments, Lily is preparing for her wedding, and sweet, but socially awkward and clumsy, Lottie has come to visit from America. Frances herself has been occupied with a bit of matchmaking. When Frances introduced her cousin Charles to Mary Archer, she thought the two would make a good match. Surprised when Charles told her they didn’t suit, she is absolutely stunned to learn that Mary was murdered! Even more alarming are notes with all manner of gossip found hidden in Mary’s house. With a keen investigative mind Frances joins her friend and neighbor George Hazelton in sorting through the gossip, and proving her cousin innocent of murder!
The second Countess of Harleigh Mystery is a fantastic addition to the series. I loved every minute of it, from the multilayered characters to the well plotted mystery. This historical mystery has a modern sensibility. It engages readers with contemporary themes and ideas while remaining true to its time period with wonderful Victorian detail.
The independent nature of the women here is admirable, especially as seen in the Victorian era. Even those women living the traditional “suitable” roles have minds of their own. There are no simpering misses or mistresses here! While I quite liked Lily in the first book in the series I was a bit taken aback by her behavior here. I fear Lily is on her way to becoming a Victorian Bridezilla! While I value Frances’s independent nature and understand her need to be on her own I absolutely love how the relationship between Frances and George is developing. I admit the last lines of the novel had me grinning.
A LADY’S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER is a delightful novel filled with charming characters and a perplexing mystery.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder, book two from Dianne Freeman’s series, A Countess of Harleigh Mystery, is a fun read. Even though this is felt it could be read as a stand alone. I would still love to read the first one to see what happened prior to this one. I found Frances to be a delightful and entertaining character. The mystery she was pulled into kept guessing how it would all end.
I am giving A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder five stars. I look forward to more from A Countess of Harleigh Mystery series in the future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an Advance Read Copy of A LADY’S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman in exchange for an unbiased review. This is the second in the series of Countess of Harleigh mysteries and while there are some references to the previous novel it is not necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. The book is a complete mystery within itself. There are a few relationships between characters that carry over from the first book, and if you have the opportunity to read them in order, it might be beneficial to do so. However, it is entirely possible to enjoy this book without having read the first of the series.
In this novel, Lady Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is drawn into investigating the murder of a friend, in part because her cousin has been accused on the murder and partly because her “gentleman friend” George Hazelton has been pressed into service to review many of the papers found in the lady’s home. George has some connection to “king and country” although he is circumspect in sharing the specifics of his work. He has been pressed into service in this novel as there is a possibility that compromising information may be revealed about some of the more influential people in the British government.
Lady Frances enjoys the challenge of investigating and is pleased when George suggests she help him by reviewing some of the papers he has in his possession. It is soon revealed that Lady Frances’ murdered friend was employed as a gossip columnist for the local paper, a fact that has been kept from the public in general because it isn’t considered “appropriate” work for a lady and also because it would be difficult to successfully pen the column if the writer’s identity were known.
There are side issues as well, including the impending marriage of Lady Frances’ younger sister, Lily. With her investigative activities requiring much of her time, Lady Frances has little time to spare to help plan the activities. In addition, Lottie, a friend of the family who is spending the summer with Lady Frances, proves that despite her physical clumsiness, she is adept at organizing and assisting with the investigation.
The identity of the murderer is revealed through the investigation of Lady Frances and friends rather than through clues that are sprinkled throughout the book. It is possible for the reader to determine the identity of the murderer, but more as a result of following Lady Frances and company as they investigate rather than through finding clues and solving the puzzle on their own.
This book will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy historical mystery fiction. There is information regarding the period throughout the novel including societal expectations, typical fashion for women of the day, and restrictions that are imposed on women regarding their activities of work, independence, and other. If a reader enjoys period fiction, this may be the perfect novel for them.
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder is the second book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.
This a wonderful follow-up to the Agatha Award-winning A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder.
Francis Wynn, Countess of Harleigh is shocked and saddened to learn that her cousin by marriage, Charles Evingdon, is suspected of murdering Mary Archer, a lady he had been going out with and who he had asked to marry him. Francis is saddened because she had arranged for them to see each other. She doesn’t think he is capable of murdering anyone. Then when Inspector Delaney calls on her asks about her friendship with Archer. She responds that they were socially friendly and nothing more. He then presents her with a note that was found in Archer’s home, detailing the action taken by her brother-in-law to freeze her bank account when she moved to London. Delaney adds that several notes that could severely damage members of the aristocracy were also found in Archer’s home. Delaney suspects that she might have been blackmailing the people that she had the incriminating evidence on.
Francis then goes next door to talk with George Hazelton about this situation. After discussing the matter Hazelton informs Francis that because of the sensitive nature of the notes found someone high in the government has asked him to look into the matter. Hazelton then engages Francis to help him to sort through the notes, some of which only had initials, and compile a list of people mentioned in the notes to ascertain names of people who would be possible blackmail victims. They soon find that Mary was writing as a gossip columnist for a newspaper. When there is another murder, Francis and Hazleton they need to decipher Mary’s notes before anyone else loses their life. Francis engages her protege, Lottie Deaver to help decipher some of the notes. Even though Lottie is prone to be a little clumsy, she possesses a brilliant mind and proves to be a valuable assistant.
The book has a wonderful cast of characters. Francis is a strong-willed after having a disastrous marriage. She is rather timid about pursuing another relationship. Lily, Francis sister, is supportive of her sister but is really more interested in having help planning her upcoming engagement and wedding. A real enjoyable character is Aunt Hetty, Francis’ aunt, has the years of experience to help Francis make the right decisions. George Hazleton is caring and patient man when it comes to Francis. Both are slowly moving to the point where they will be expressing their feeling for each other.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the delightful historical series.
Dianne Freeman’s debut novel, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder, is a witty romp of a Victorian mystery. The second in the series, A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder, is just as delightful. Frances (Lady Harleigh), the heroine, has progressed in her emotions as a newly-widowed lady. The independence she fought so hard to gain in book one, is pleasing to her, but she finds that her next-door neighbor is looking better all the time. There is an understated, though smoldering, chemistry between the two that is about to burst into flame. Frances is surprisingly perspicacious, and her struggles with propriety and her journey to independence are gratifying. The mystery is well-plotted and full of twists concerning the death of a friend and the suspicion that she was blackmailing the aristocracy. Freeman does an excellent job of capturing London in the heyday of the late nineteenth century with its culturally ingrained social mores.
Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. She is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.
Instead, she’s immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. It seems that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer or was she?
Aided by her gallant friend and neighbour, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case with plenty of suspects but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them .
This is the second book in the series, I haven’t read the first book but will now be doing so. A cozy mystery, that kept my interest all the way through. Well portrayed characters, I liked Frances & George. The book is well paced & very well written, there are plenty of red herrings thrown into the mix so you’re kept guessing most of the way through. If you’re looking for a fun cozy mystery then I’d recommend this book to while away a few hours
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder is an excellent follow-up to its predecessor. Lots of twists and turns in this story plus the addition of several new characters. Lottie and Charles keep the atmosphere light and funny. The personalities of protagonists are developing, although not everything which leaves more for another book.
Not till the very last chapter did I really know who-done-it. Good mystery.
The romance is coming along nicely; actually three romances. Keep up the good writing Diane, and on to book 3.