Reviews

A lady's guide to gossip and murder [AUDIO] by Dianne Freeman

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sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition

3.0

I really enjoyed the first in this series as an audiobook, but after holding out for the second to come onto my library app for months gave in and snapped it up on a Kindle deal. This second book didn't flow as easily as the first, though I'm not sure if that's the book itself or just a comparison from the excellent audio experience. It was still a fun, easy and quite delightful murder mystery and I'm pretty sure I'll eventually pick up book 3 in the series when it comes out.

clairet386's review against another edition

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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? No

3.5

laura_cs's review against another edition

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5.0

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for fans of "Miss Fisher", "Downton Abbey", and Dorothy L. Sayer's "Lord Peter" mysteries, "A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder" is a thrilling adventure full of gossip, intrigue, and high-society.

Dowager Countess of Harleigh, Frances Wynn, thought that she had put all of her mystery solving days behind her months ago, now ready to fully settle into a life of calm domesticity as she initially intended. She now oversees the proceedings of her sister Lily's engagement and the education of her daughter Rose, as well as works to find a match for her cousin-by-marriage, Charles, and her newest American house guest, Lottie. However, her quiet life is once more disturbed when she learns that her friend and fellow widow, Mary Archer, has been murdered.

Frances is shocked, as she had introduced Cousin Charles to Mrs. Archer, hoping that they would be a suitable match for each other. Worse, Charles had just told her that he was no longer inclined to seek a courtship with Mrs. Archer, landing him with a target on his back as the police's prime suspect. However, nothing shocks Frances more when she and her handsome neighbor, George Hazelton, learn that Mrs. Archer was collecting secrets and gossip about the upper-class citizens of England. Was she murdered as a result of a blackmailing attempt gone awry? Or is there something larger, more sinister, lurking behind idle gossip?

Humorous, romantic, suspenseful, and full of many cunning, brilliant characters--each with their own unique skill sets to bring into the casework--the "Lady's Guide" series presents many surprises and unexpected, unforeseen developments that will keep the pages turning until the very end. This second book in the series is as equally delightful as book one, and readers will keep coming back for more of Lady Frances Harleigh's adventures in high society London, her wit, the fantastic cast of supporting characters... and especially for the brilliant partnership between Frances and Mr. George Hazelton. Ah, but what exactly does 'partnership' mean for these two? That, my dear friends, is the other mystery Lady Harleigh must solve.