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calycat2's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
badseedgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I just adore the character of Frances, the widowed Countess of Harleigh. I know her portrayal of women of her time is completely inaccurate, but I still adore everything about this series. In this book Lady Harleigh gathers up her family for the wedding of her sister Lilly and takes everyone to the country where murder and mayhem soon erupt.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Frances, Dowager Countess of Harleigh, could use a vacation, between planning her sisters impending nuptials, preparing for the arrival of her domineering mother, and being in a clandestine engagement with the devilishly handsome George Hazelton. However, particular... circumstances... have necessitated pushing up Lily and Leo's wedding date, putting Frances in a lurch to find a place for them to be wed quickly without scandal. George, however, presents a brilliant solution: he is heading to his brother's country home for a few weeks, to be in charge of the estate while his brother's family is traveling and host a shooting party. Why not bring the entire wedding party to the country so that Lily and Leo can tie the knot there? However, once they arrive, strange accidents begin occurring--with one ending in death. And they all seem to be happening around the presence of the groom... Can Frances and George put an end to the mischief, before "till death do we part" comes before the honeymoon?
The third fantastic Countess of Harleigh mystery returns readers to Victorian England, where everyone's favorite American-heiress-turned-noble-turned-widow-turned-detective once again finds herself involved in a case. Blending these wonderful, cozy, almost Austen-esque pastoral scenes of the life of upper-class Victorians with a brilliant 'who-done-it?' and a fantastic line up of characters (and suspects), Freeman's third novel in the series continues to dazzle and confound readers. Let's just say this: I should have stayed up later to finish the last four chapters of the book, because I went to bed running the suspects over in my head only to wake up, read said last four chapters, and was totally thrown for a loop with who actually did it. Did not see it coming at all...
Also, in addition to brilliantly plotted mysteries and expertly planted red herrings, Freeman's recurring characters continue to be a draw to the series. Frances and George's relationship, in particular, has readers swooning and eager to see what this investigating power couple will find themselves involved in next. But Freeman doesn't hesitate to address the real concerns that both Frances and George have in their relationship, especially the more they discuss marriage. Frances, a widow from a marriage that met her mother's lofty goals but left lots to be desired, fears being lonely in marriage once again and that she will lose the freedoms that came with being a widow as well as be relegated as an investigator. But they address these concerns together, so that they both know for certain the other's heart and desires for their future. They truly are partners in every sense of the word. (Seriously, does one have to be a Victorian-era cozy mystery protagonist to find a George Hazelton?)
Eagerly anticipating what mystery will land in Frances' lap and capable hands next!
Frances, Dowager Countess of Harleigh, could use a vacation, between planning her sisters impending nuptials, preparing for the arrival of her domineering mother, and being in a clandestine engagement with the devilishly handsome George Hazelton. However, particular... circumstances... have necessitated pushing up Lily and Leo's wedding date, putting Frances in a lurch to find a place for them to be wed quickly without scandal. George, however, presents a brilliant solution: he is heading to his brother's country home for a few weeks, to be in charge of the estate while his brother's family is traveling and host a shooting party. Why not bring the entire wedding party to the country so that Lily and Leo can tie the knot there? However, once they arrive, strange accidents begin occurring--with one ending in death. And they all seem to be happening around the presence of the groom... Can Frances and George put an end to the mischief, before "till death do we part" comes before the honeymoon?
The third fantastic Countess of Harleigh mystery returns readers to Victorian England, where everyone's favorite American-heiress-turned-noble-turned-widow-turned-detective once again finds herself involved in a case. Blending these wonderful, cozy, almost Austen-esque pastoral scenes of the life of upper-class Victorians with a brilliant 'who-done-it?' and a fantastic line up of characters (and suspects), Freeman's third novel in the series continues to dazzle and confound readers. Let's just say this: I should have stayed up later to finish the last four chapters of the book, because I went to bed running the suspects over in my head only to wake up, read said last four chapters, and was totally thrown for a loop with who actually did it. Did not see it coming at all...
Also, in addition to brilliantly plotted mysteries and expertly planted red herrings, Freeman's recurring characters continue to be a draw to the series. Frances and George's relationship, in particular, has readers swooning and eager to see what this investigating power couple will find themselves involved in next. But Freeman doesn't hesitate to address the real concerns that both Frances and George have in their relationship, especially the more they discuss marriage. Frances, a widow from a marriage that met her mother's lofty goals but left lots to be desired, fears being lonely in marriage once again and that she will lose the freedoms that came with being a widow as well as be relegated as an investigator. But they address these concerns together, so that they both know for certain the other's heart and desires for their future. They truly are partners in every sense of the word. (Seriously, does one have to be a Victorian-era cozy mystery protagonist to find a George Hazelton?)
Eagerly anticipating what mystery will land in Frances' lap and capable hands next!
emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
nerdyholler's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
charlierose22's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun installment in the Lady’s Guide series. This one is set at the countryside wedding of Leo and Lily, Francis’s younger sister. On a again Francis and George are hunting for a murderer - luckily this time with and aim.
I adore Francis and George, Fiona, and Aunt Hetty. I wasn’t sure about Daisy, Francis’s mother but she grew on me.
I can’t wait for the next one!
I adore Francis and George, Fiona, and Aunt Hetty. I wasn’t sure about Daisy, Francis’s mother but she grew on me.
I can’t wait for the next one!
madeline33's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
bookish_kristina's review against another edition
4.0
This was jam packed with action and I did not guess who-dun-it until the very end! The best read of the series, this had a lot of twists and turns and Frances really came into her own here. Set on a country estate during a house party, Frances and George investigate a series of suspicious accidents. Frances insists that George see them as a series of planned and deliberate incidents and she solves this one in spite of George, who actually gets in her way this time. I enjoyed seeing Frances as the hero in this and watch her save her bumbling fiancé from his own stupidity. I don’t know about George though, I’d like to see him be a stronger lead and step up and do some of the solving, he’s just outmatched with Frances right now and I would rather see them as a crime solving duo. Perhaps in the next one. Overall this was exciting and had appearances from previous beloved characters and introduced a few more to team Frances, one of which went from adversary to ally! Love the representations of strong female side characters, this really is a women positive book. Looking forward to the next one when I need another light, cozy read.