Reviews

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

rachel_sylvan's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted

4.5

emilybordelovewrites's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious

nerdyholler's review

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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

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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

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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!

madeline33's review against another edition

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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

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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.

sarah_moynihan's review against another edition

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5.0

'London is known for its bustle and intrigues, but the sedate English countryside can host—or hide—any number of secrets. Frances, the widowed Countess of Harleigh, needs a venue for her sister Lily’s imminent wedding, away from prying eyes. Risings, George Hazleton’s family estate in Hampshire, is a perfect choice, and soon Frances, her beloved George, and other guests have gathered to enjoy the usual country pursuits—shooting, horse riding, and romantic interludes in secluded gardens.

But the bucolic setting harbors a menace, and it’s not simply the arrival of Frances’s socially ambitious mother. Above and below stairs, mysterious accidents befall guests and staff alike. Before long, Frances suspects these “accidents” are deliberate, and fears that the intended victim is Lily’s fiancé, Leo. Frances’s mother is unimpressed by Lily’s groom-to-be and would much prefer that Lily find an aristocratic husband, just as Frances did. But now that Frances has found happiness with George—a man who loves her for much more than her dowry—she heartily approves of Lily’s choice. If she can just keep the couple safe from villains and meddling mamas.

As Frances and George search for the culprit among the assembled family, friends, and servants, more victims fall prey to the mayhem. Mishaps become full-blooded murder, and it seems that no one is safe. And unless Frances can quickly flush out the culprit, the peal of wedding bells may give way to another funeral toll. . . .'
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A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is the third book in Dianne Freeman's Countess of Harleigh Mystery series and is a historical mystery set in Victorian England.

I love the author's writing style in that she very clearly has done much reasearch into the time period and sets the tone of the book appropriately in such a way that it doesn't distract from the plot itself and the characters' interactions. Needless to say, I continue to love this series.

There was the perfect level of danger in the book to be exciting but still feel realistic. I knew who the villain of the book was quite early, but the red herrings along the way worked well to throw suspicion onto multiple characters to keep readers guessing. For me, I just found that there was just one character that just seemed too conspicuous to me throughout the book.

I was so happy to see Frances have the spectacular moments she did in terms of the conclusion of the case, it just really outlined what a great character she is. She's definitely one of my favorite protagonists from any historical mystery series. I won't give any more details on those moments though because I don't want to risk any spoilers.

I think the one thing that bothered me about the book is how many 'accidents' had to occur before the characters began to put them together and consider the fact that there might be something more sinister at work. I found it shockingly obtuse for characters so adept at sleuthing. But that's only a minor thing and didn;t really affect my enjoyement of the book itself.

I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Will that the book where we get to see a wedding between George and Frances?? Here's to hoping. I recommend The Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder as well as the previous books in the Countess of Harleigh series to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. And I do recommend that you read them in order as the connections between the charcters continue to be built upon as the series progresses.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman. This is my honest review.

emeraldrina's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The mystery here was less predictable than the first books, and all the family secrets revealed along the way were quite fun. However it was kind of lame that the killer was not someone were knew about until the end. Also Lily is ungodly annoying in this book. And I was very confused by the fact that the engagement took place entirely off page… we ended the last book with a “hint” about how George could convince Frances to marry him, and then began this book with “oh and we’re secretly engaged” - why didn’t we see that happen?!? Very disappointed to miss that conversation.

magdalenahai's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-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
Leppoisa murhamysteeri, jossa dekkarit ei pitkään tajua rikosta edes tapahtuvan. Murhaajakin on niin käsi, että saa tapettua vain yhden väärän ressukan. Ihan hauska, joskaan ei perinteisin ratkaisu. Murhaaja paljastui tosin mysteerin virittelyyn nähden todella helposti ja paljastumisen tunnelataus jäi verrattain pieneksi, kun murhaaja ei ollut kukaan hääseurueesta.