Review Summaries

• Many readers value the light historical setting and the heroine’s independence, while some find the social comedy more prominent than the puzzle.

Reviews

• 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.

• I'd just given up on another (really badly written with two-dimensional characters) historical mystery when I saw this one and thought I'd try it. It's very readable. What a relief! This is a great, light and entertaining read, with a vividly realised and memorable main character. The setting also works nicely. I know this period and its manners quite well, and I was prepared to be picky with errors in detail, but every time I noticed one (eg. calling the lady's maid by her first name instead of her last name) the narrative would address this, so the author has clearly done her research. So sad to see that this is the only book in the series so far. The vibe between Frances and George needs more exploration. Can't wait for the next one!

• Good mystery. Really liked the characters.

• What a wonderful, quirky book. Reading a first novel of any writer is a gamble. But this one paid off in spades! I love Frances. She is a wonderful combination of an intelligent woman with a naïveté about the real world she has been sheltered from all her life. Full of humour, cleverly plotted and with wonderful characters like Aunt Hetty and the blossoming romance with George. I look forward to the next in the series.

• For fans of: Veronica Speedwell mysteries, Lady Sherlock mysteries Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Mystery Sub-Genre: Historical Violence: 🔪(off page) Spice: 🔥 Synopsis: After mourning her cad of a husband for the requisite year, Frances is striking out on her own & taking her American fortune with her, much to the dismay of her in-laws. Unfortunately, her new neighbor is a man she would prefer to avoid, since he helped cover up the mortifying circumstances of her late husband’s death. But Frances has no choice but to accept his help when the police start asking questions about the late earl’s death, implying it may not have been from natural causes. Add in someone attempting to frame her for jewel theft and a surprise visit from her American relatives, and France’s widowhood is more exciting than she anticipated. Thoughts: I highly enjoyed this quick read. The 1st person narration establishes Frances’s personality & sense of humor early on, but the other characters are equally well-drawn, especially the wry amusement that characterizes George Hazelton. I look forward to seeing how the delightful supporting cast develops. Freeman layers in multiple mysteries—the questions about her husband’s death, the string of jewel thefts, even her love interest’s backstory—in a way that does not make their connection obvious nor makes it too complex to follow the action. I love a mystery series with a strong romantic sub-plot & this first book introduces a slow burn, with mere whispers of heat, and I am anxious to see how it unfolds in book 2. There are 7 books to date in this delicious series, the 1st six available on Kindle Unlimited.

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