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
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This Victorian era romp is a delight from start to finish. I’m looking forward to more of Lady Harleigh’s adventures. Highly recommended.
I became a fan of Dianne Freeman after reading her first book in the series, A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER, and this book, A LADY’S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER does not disappoint! Freeman brings the time period and place, Victorian-era London, to life.
Amateur sleuth Frances Wynn is smart, witty, resourceful and one independent woman and I love her voice in these books. The supporting cast is equally as likable, and I especially enjoy the relationship between George and Frances.
The book weaves an intriguing mystery full of suspense, humor and just the right amount of romance. I’m looking forward to Book 3 in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series!!
Readers will enjoy playing amateur sleuth as they learn what really might be going on behind closed doors in 1899’s best British homes.
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman was a very enjoyable addition to this historical cozy mystery series.
Ms. Freeman’s writing is skillful and pulls me into the story from the first page. I enjoyed spending time with Frances, Aunt Hetty, George and a new character addition, Lottie. Lottie was adorable because she’s intelligent, clever and klutzy. Frances chooses to investigate the death of an acquaintance because the police have her cousin, Charles, in their sights as a murder suspect. Frances’ investigation was completely within the proper boundaries of the era and George was able to investigate the areas where women were never to be seen. Frances and George make a perfect pair. The plot twisted and turned with several suspects and red herrings to divert me as I read. I had trouble putting the book down until it was finished.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
I have found Dianne Freeman’s books to be entertaining and enjoyable. American born Frances, Countess of Hadleigh is a likable and believable protagonist. Her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton is equally likable. My interest was held through out the book which moves along at a good pace without being bogged down by excessive details or descriptions. There is just enough tension with some humorous moments to hold the reader’s attention through out.
Enjoyed this book so much I bought the next book in the series.
Just beginning to see some success a a matchmaker to her friends, Frances, the former Countess of Harleigh, is distress to learn the lady she had introduced to her cousin didn’t quite work out. She’s even more distressed when that same lady is found murdered and in possession of some scandalous gossip about herself. When her cousin looks like the prime suspect, Frances enlists the help of her ward, aunt, servants and her maybe beau to find the true culprit. It’s another fun romp through high society where causing a scandal is a much worse crime than the actual murder.
Good read. Interesting plot and characters.
The Lady’s Guide to Gossp and Murder is the second installment of the Lady Harleigh series. This book starts with Lady Harleigh hoping to establish a match between her cousin, Charles and her friend, the widowed Mary Archer. But when Mary is found killed in her own home, Lady Harleigh is determined to help find the culprit, especially as all clues point to Charles. Beginning the investigation, they find notes hidden in Mary’s home detailing the myriad of indiscretions and betrayals of the upper class. Finding themselves with more questions than answers, Lady Harleigh and George enlist the help of those around them.
I love, love, love this series. Although hoping for a quiet summer with her sister before she gets married, Lady Harleigh can’t seem to keep her name from becoming involved in murder investigations and I love it. This time however she is not a suspect, but her cousin is. Whether her assistance is always wanted or not, she works to help George solve this new msytery and he must admit that she has quite the talent for it.
This one is not as fast paced and is a bit less exciting than the first book because the stakes aren’t as high this time around nor is the sense of danger. But it is still a very well paced and planned mystery, that although I had my suspicions “who done it,” I wasn’t sure until very near the reveal.
I was so glad that Aunt Hetty was back for this book and her sister too. I especially loved getting to meet Lottie. She was endearingly quirky and clutzy in good measure, plus she was a great asset to Lady Harleigh during the investigation. I really hope we’ll see her again in the next book.
I think George and Frances are great together and I look forward to seeing how things progress between them in upcoming books. I’m really looking forward to third in the series, whenever that will be, and will be waiting patiently to see what will come next for this series.
I suspose you could read this book as a stand alone, you wouldn’t be lost if you did so, but everything would make a lot more sense and it would be much more enjoyable to start with the first in the series. I recommend this book, and the series, to any fan of historical mysteries with a splash of romance.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder is a sweet cozy mystery for fans of historical fiction. Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, is drawn into investigating a friends murder after Frances’ cousin is implicated. This is the second book in the series and although it would be better to read in order, I think you can start here. #cozymystery #historicalmystery #historicalcozy
This is the second book in the series and I really love the characters and how they are developed. The books include a mystery as well as a little bit of romance. I really enjoyed both of these books.
This is a great period book set in England.
A very enjoyable series.
An excellent series.
Strong female lead. Interesting historical mystery
Loved the book!
Fun, quick read. I thought this book was better than the first one in the series. Frances’ cousin is suspected of murdering a woman that he had been dating and had met through Frances. She enlists her neighbor, George, to help in finding out who did murder Mary and clear Charles. While the investigation is ongoing, Lily (Frances’ younger sister) has been busy with making her wedding plans and her friend Lottie, who is a fun character, is helping Frances while falling for Charles. Looking forward to the next one in the series and the developing relationship of Frances and George.
Light comedy mystery set in the late Victorian period. Mystery is simple and relatively easy to solve. Characters are entertaining, but not very original or well developed. Conveys the period relatively accurately. Fun to read.
I read the first book in this series and couldn’t wait to read the sequel. I was not disappointed. Frances has another American young lady that she is going to introduce to London society, Lottie, and Frances’ sister Lily and her Aunt Hettie are still in residence too. I liked the introduction of the new characters of Lottie and cousin Charles. In this installment a woman of Frances’ acquaintance is murdered and she and George get involved to try to find out what happened to her. I was quite surprised by the ending, as I had one person in mind as the killer and that is not who it was. I like the way that George trusts Frances to help with the investigating, and that he worries about her safety also. I am looking forward to seeing what happens between them in the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A fun, cozy romance, the second in the Countess of Harleigh Victorian-era mysteries. Frances is a widowed countess whose American money led to a loveless marriage with her late, unlamented husband. Now living on her own (more or less–her modest London residence always seems to be full of people) she finds she has a talent for sleuthing out information and solving crimes. Her hunky next door neighbor, a barrister and “fixer” for the powerful aids her, and it’s obvious to everyone that he also has a thing for her.
I was intrigued by the mystery and didn’t figure out whodunnit until the end, my favorite kind of cozy. I hope there will be more Countess of Harleigh mysteries!