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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.
Spoiler
Sephora's inheritance comes from a tea plantation, and Violet's love interest is a pinkerton.dontmissythesereads's review
4.25
Book #9 read in 2024
It took me a second to orient myself to the time period in this book, but I quickly connected with the characters. I love that the "sleuth" is an advice columnist who takes it upon herself to help in person. I found Violet to be charming and ahead of her time in regards to the role of women. I can't wait to continue the series!
It took me a second to orient myself to the time period in this book, but I quickly connected with the characters. I love that the "sleuth" is an advice columnist who takes it upon herself to help in person. I found Violet to be charming and ahead of her time in regards to the role of women. I can't wait to continue the series!
kayleeshaine's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
daniellersalaz's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.
Of Manners and Murder is a charming mystery set in Victorian England. Violet is a woman ahead of her time, reading annd studying and refusing to let social norms constrain her. Her sister Sephora just wants to find a proper match and to focus on fashion and frivolity. Though they don’t see eye to eye, both girls get pulled into the mystery of a suspicious death until Violet puts all the pieces together.
This isn’t weighty, deeply meaningful writing that will stick with you and answer life’s greatest questions, but it’s enjoyable and a welcome diversion from reality. I would certainly read future adventures of Violet Manville.
Of Manners and Murder is a charming mystery set in Victorian England. Violet is a woman ahead of her time, reading annd studying and refusing to let social norms constrain her. Her sister Sephora just wants to find a proper match and to focus on fashion and frivolity. Though they don’t see eye to eye, both girls get pulled into the mystery of a suspicious death until Violet puts all the pieces together.
This isn’t weighty, deeply meaningful writing that will stick with you and answer life’s greatest questions, but it’s enjoyable and a welcome diversion from reality. I would certainly read future adventures of Violet Manville.
farfallo4ka's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for e-ARC of the book.
Aunt Adelia is away on an adventure with her new love interest and leaves her niece Violet with an important task - to be "Miss Hermione". It all looks easy - respond to letters and give smart advice until Violet receives a letter from Ivy. Ivy fears for her life and asks for help. Violet can't ignore it and decides to visit Ivy but she is too late - Ivy is dead.
This book was out of my comfort zone as I don't really like settings in the Victorian era. The style of writing corresponded to the time period. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it - characters, descriptions and the murder mystery.
Aunt Adelia is away on an adventure with her new love interest and leaves her niece Violet with an important task - to be "Miss Hermione". It all looks easy - respond to letters and give smart advice until Violet receives a letter from Ivy. Ivy fears for her life and asks for help. Violet can't ignore it and decides to visit Ivy but she is too late - Ivy is dead.
This book was out of my comfort zone as I don't really like settings in the Victorian era. The style of writing corresponded to the time period. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it - characters, descriptions and the murder mystery.
magnetarmadda's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
It was a fun idea, a little middle-of-the-road in execution, and it really is less fun when you figure out the mystery really early on. I do enjoy still having enough truly viable candidates toward the end for the reveal to be satisfying instead of expected
It was a fun idea, a little middle-of-the-road in execution, and it really is less fun when you figure out the mystery really early on. I do enjoy still having enough truly viable candidates toward the end for the reveal to be satisfying instead of expected
sevenworlds's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
3.25
nik_reads02's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 - 2 ⭐️ This book is so light I’m surprised it didn’t float away. Very easy to read but I wasn’t drawn in enough to continue. Got about 25% of the way through but DNF.
pensivepelican's review against another edition
4.0
Of Manners and Murder is the first book in Anastasia Hastings’ Miss Hermione cozy mystery series. It was a delightful read, Quite unlike anything I’ve read before.
Violet and her young sister go to stay with their Aunt Adelia in London. Unbeknownst to them, Aunt Adelia is “Miss Hermione,” a popular “Agony Aunt,” sort of a precursor to Dear Abby, or maybe Dear Prudence, to use a more current reference. No sooner do the young ladies unpack their bags than Aunt Adelia announces she will be leaving for an extended trip. Privately, she reveals her alter-ego to Violet, turning Miss Hermione’s responsibilities over to her in her absence.
Housekeeper Bunty, who assists Aunt Adelia with her duties as Miss Hermione, also offers support and guidance to Violet. Violet receives a letter from a reader that prompts her to investigate in person. She discovers a murder she is determined to unravel as she does her best to keep her flighty, boy-crazy younger sister out of trouble. There’s even a little bit of a romance brewing for Violet, but not enough to distract from the story.
This one is a strong recommend to lovers of cozies, strong female protagonists, and fans of late 19th-century settings. I look forward to following the rest of Violet’s adventures as the Miss Hermione series continues.
I received this advanced reader copy of Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings from St. Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Violet and her young sister go to stay with their Aunt Adelia in London. Unbeknownst to them, Aunt Adelia is “Miss Hermione,” a popular “Agony Aunt,” sort of a precursor to Dear Abby, or maybe Dear Prudence, to use a more current reference. No sooner do the young ladies unpack their bags than Aunt Adelia announces she will be leaving for an extended trip. Privately, she reveals her alter-ego to Violet, turning Miss Hermione’s responsibilities over to her in her absence.
Housekeeper Bunty, who assists Aunt Adelia with her duties as Miss Hermione, also offers support and guidance to Violet. Violet receives a letter from a reader that prompts her to investigate in person. She discovers a murder she is determined to unravel as she does her best to keep her flighty, boy-crazy younger sister out of trouble. There’s even a little bit of a romance brewing for Violet, but not enough to distract from the story.
This one is a strong recommend to lovers of cozies, strong female protagonists, and fans of late 19th-century settings. I look forward to following the rest of Violet’s adventures as the Miss Hermione series continues.
I received this advanced reader copy of Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings from St. Martins Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
rebeccabadger's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0