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amr2024's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
chelseakasten's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
I think we are supposed to like the main character, Violet, and view her as a modern feminist. In reality she is insufferable, self-important, and has something rude to say about everyone. She may be a femcel origin story.
I almost DNFed this book about a third in because I couldn’t stand Violet and nothing was happening, but I had nothing else to read. It did start to pick up the pace and get interesting enough (hence 1.5 stars) but the ending was so horrible that it undid most of my goodwill towards it. There were so many places it could have gone but where it chose to go invoked the mother of all eye rolls.
I almost DNFed this book about a third in because I couldn’t stand Violet and nothing was happening, but I had nothing else to read. It did start to pick up the pace and get interesting enough (hence 1.5 stars) but the ending was so horrible that it undid most of my goodwill towards it. There were so many places it could have gone but where it chose to go invoked the mother of all eye rolls.
qwerty88's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the solution was perhaps a bit too obvious for someone reading who was primarily interested in the mystery
booknallnight's review against another edition
4.0
I love cozy mysteries and historical fiction. This is a perfect blend of the two. Absolutely adore Violet and really enjoyed the story as well. This one is perfect for those who enjoy a strong female lead and entertaining story.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
lprnana6572's review against another edition
4.0
Cute and entertaining read for a "Dear Abby" type protagonist in 19th century England.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
The same day that Violet's Aunt Adelia is set to leave on a trip to the continent with a new paramour she also drops the bombshell that she's behind the extremely popular advice column Miss Hermione and that now Violet will have to take over in her stead while she's away. Violet being a very level-headed and practical woman figures that she can do the job, no problem. When she stumbles upon a letter from a woman fearing for her life, Violet cannot just sit back, but when she tries to meet up with this woman, Violet discovers she's dead. With a list of suspects all with their own motivations, Violet is determined to see the killer brought to justice.
Violet Manville joins a long line of Victorian lady sleuths that are in rotation in my historical mystery reading and she gives a good start. I think that Of Manners and Murder does a great job in introducing Violet, giving a satisfying mystery, and also making me want more.
The story is told from both Violet and her half sister, Sephora's points of view. I felt like there was a seeming disconnect between the story threads and likewise between the sisters themselves. By the end things are clearer in regards to the story, but it almost felt tacked on a bit. I think the relationship between Violet and Sephora will be one that we see grow throughout the series, at least I hope we do. They are coming from different places in their lives with different values, but there's definitely a familial regard for one another that hasn't been fully fledged out. I think this has to do with the fact that they were raised in very different households. Violet was raises mainly by her father after her mother's death and I think she had a sense of freedom and agency that Sephora doesn't. Sephora is very much a proper society girl. She's of the mind to get married and have a family with very little thought given to what she wants in life. But you kind of see her break out of that a bit by the end.
Also, there's a certain someone that really plays off well with Violet but this person is only introduced in the last few chapters of the book. I wanted more of their interactions and feel like their interactions were a sure setup for more books which, if it actually pays off, I'll forgive the quick introduction.
I will say I guessed the whodoneit at a certain revealing moment close to the middle of the book, but I'd be lying if I didn't second guess myself throughout the remainder of the book, and I did not really guess the how or why of it until it was actually revealed in the end. Overall, though, it was very satisfying and I look forward to reading more of Violet's advice and adventures.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Violet Manville joins a long line of Victorian lady sleuths that are in rotation in my historical mystery reading and she gives a good start. I think that Of Manners and Murder does a great job in introducing Violet, giving a satisfying mystery, and also making me want more.
The story is told from both Violet and her half sister, Sephora's points of view. I felt like there was a seeming disconnect between the story threads and likewise between the sisters themselves. By the end things are clearer in regards to the story, but it almost felt tacked on a bit. I think the relationship between Violet and Sephora will be one that we see grow throughout the series, at least I hope we do. They are coming from different places in their lives with different values, but there's definitely a familial regard for one another that hasn't been fully fledged out. I think this has to do with the fact that they were raised in very different households. Violet was raises mainly by her father after her mother's death and I think she had a sense of freedom and agency that Sephora doesn't. Sephora is very much a proper society girl. She's of the mind to get married and have a family with very little thought given to what she wants in life. But you kind of see her break out of that a bit by the end.
Also, there's a certain someone that really plays off well with Violet but this person is only introduced in the last few chapters of the book. I wanted more of their interactions and feel like their interactions were a sure setup for more books which, if it actually pays off, I'll forgive the quick introduction.
I will say I guessed the whodoneit at a certain revealing moment close to the middle of the book, but I'd be lying if I didn't second guess myself throughout the remainder of the book, and I did not really guess the how or why of it until it was actually revealed in the end. Overall, though, it was very satisfying and I look forward to reading more of Violet's advice and adventures.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
3.0
'1885: London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, "Miss Hermione," in Violet's hands.
And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent. Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she finds that Ivy is already dead.
She'll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.'
________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
I thought the voice acting was good and the story was interesting enough. If I wasn't reading with audiobook format however, I'm not certain that I would have stuck with it. Or at the very least I probably would have left it for a while before going back to it.
There was nothing really wrong with this book, it was only that it felt very much like so many other stories. Young women fighting again the societal norms and restrictions of her day because she has some pluck, unlike the vapid young women around her. It's tried and true, but nothing new at all. If you're going to read it, go for the audiobook.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sharing the audio format of Of Manners and Murder written by Anastasia Hastings and narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. This is my honest review.
And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent. Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she finds that Ivy is already dead.
She'll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.'
________________________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
I thought the voice acting was good and the story was interesting enough. If I wasn't reading with audiobook format however, I'm not certain that I would have stuck with it. Or at the very least I probably would have left it for a while before going back to it.
There was nothing really wrong with this book, it was only that it felt very much like so many other stories. Young women fighting again the societal norms and restrictions of her day because she has some pluck, unlike the vapid young women around her. It's tried and true, but nothing new at all. If you're going to read it, go for the audiobook.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sharing the audio format of Of Manners and Murder written by Anastasia Hastings and narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. This is my honest review.
aj_langley's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was an enjoyable listen. But I guessed how it would end about halfway through and became frustrated that the characters weren't getting there quicker.
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
4.0
Three and a half stars rounded up. I very nearly quit at the halfway mark as the story leaned away from Violet and Sephora's relationship and into the admittedly well constructed mystery. I just found the sisters' clashes far more interesting, though my boredom was rectified at about the two-thirds mark with and how the action picked up quite a bit after that.
I won't be buying a copy of this one or its sequel, but I'll certainly check my library for the latter.
ETA: if you want to enjoy this, you'll just have to mentally set aside some of the shitty things the British and Americans did during the Victorian period.
Spoiler
another attempt on Violet's lifeI won't be buying a copy of this one or its sequel, but I'll certainly check my library for the latter.
ETA: if you want to enjoy this, you'll just have to mentally set aside some of the shitty things the British and Americans did during the Victorian period.