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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
An unsolved murder has baffled everyone and even the police stopped investigating- until now. Frances and George are on the case. Meanwhile, mothers, mother-in-laws, daughters, sisters, and even female frenemies take center stage for Dianne Freeman’s latest.
A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder is the eighth of the Countess of Harleigh cozy historical mysteries. They read decently as standalones, but I definitely get more out of them when I started reading them in order. Speaking of such, I somehow missed a tweenie novella that I discovered when I went looking when mentions of honeymoon antics had me feeling like I missed something- and I did. So, if you get the chance, don’t skip the novella.
Frances and George are still over in Paris visiting with her sister, Lily, who’s had a baby. Lily’s exhausted by motherhood. Lily’s sister-in-law is competing in the Paris Olympics for golf. Frances’ mother shows up from Egypt and Frances’ old enemy Alicia is concerned about the gent her daughter is to marry. She wants Frances to investigate the murder of his first wife, a stage actress. Meanwhile George is asked by the French detective to conduct the same investigation because a popular actress, Sarah Bernhardt,12 has received a blackmail note about that very same death.
By now, Frances and George work well as partners in investigation and I really enjoyed tracking with them, seeing historical Paris in all its glory, experienced a lot of surprise that Frances’ mother toned it down and didn’t go in for so much drama this go-around, and oh yes, the giggle-worthy moments were there as well. I enjoyed A Daughter’s Guide a great deal. Those who like the lighter-toned historical mysteries when the characters and backdrop get as good attention as the mystery plot should give Dianne Freeman’s sparkling Countess of Harleigh series a go.
Dianne, how are you going to beat this perfection now?
Frances and George are again in Paris. They were asked to help investigate a murder from a few months prior. They are so awesome, even the French police need them.
There are a few unexpected turns in this book, but the masterfully crafted mystery is not the reason why it’s the best book in this series. We already knew that Frances and George were the best sleuths in the world. George is also the hottest.
What stands out is the girl power; I loved the women in this book, and I loved the feminist undertones. Frances’s mom was mostly a Mrs. Bennet type in the previous books, but she redeemed herself in this one. The portrayal of early motherhood (Frances’s sister just had a baby) was very realistic and I loved the pragmatic approach the author took here. We need more books like this.
Thanks to my bestie Kristina for the buddy read, it was fun! ❤️
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Yesss, arc request approved! Thanks NetGalley and
Kensington Publishing.
Frances and George are again in Paris. They were asked to help investigate a murder from a few months prior. They are so awesome, even the French police need them.
There are a few unexpected turns in this book, but the masterfully crafted mystery is not the reason why it’s the best book in this series. We already knew that Frances and George were the best sleuths in the world. George is also the hottest.
What stands out is the girl power; I loved the women in this book, and I loved the feminist undertones. Frances’s mom was mostly a Mrs. Bennet type in the previous books, but she redeemed herself in this one. The portrayal of early motherhood (Frances’s sister just had a baby) was very realistic and I loved the pragmatic approach the author took here. We need more books like this.
Thanks to my bestie Kristina for the buddy read, it was fun! ❤️
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
——-
Yesss, arc request approved! Thanks NetGalley and
Kensington Publishing.
Fantastic! Dianne Freeman does not miss. A wonderfully lighthearted murder mystery with a terrific twist and great interpersonal dynamics. Frances is fantastic as our quick-witted heroine and George her long-suffering but equally quick-witted husband.
I actually thought about the twist - my brain went "hey, what if?" - but I got distracted by another detail until it happened and I went HA! out loud. I really enjoyed this book as I always enjoy this series and I can't believe I'm going to have to wait a year for the next one!
I actually thought about the twist - my brain went "hey, what if?" - but I got distracted by another detail until it happened and I went HA! out loud. I really enjoyed this book as I always enjoy this series and I can't believe I'm going to have to wait a year for the next one!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was fun!
Eight books into this series and she gives us a twisty mystery with extra snark and a decidedly pro-woman flavour. I dunno if Dianne was radicalized recently but this had a great undertone about men, power and motherhood that I loved.
You know I love an anti-men agenda, and though George is a golden retriever ideal husband and the exception that proves the ‘not all men’ rule, Frances was the star of this show (she usually is) and she kept him in his place as her low-level sidekick. Maybe I’m the one who’s radicalized 🤔.
Anyway I enjoyed this and I’ll probably tone down this review at some point but I’m annoyed by the world right now and any book that speaks truth to power will make me happy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy.
Eight books into this series and she gives us a twisty mystery with extra snark and a decidedly pro-woman flavour. I dunno if Dianne was radicalized recently but this had a great undertone about men, power and motherhood that I loved.
You know I love an anti-men agenda, and though George is a golden retriever ideal husband and the exception that proves the ‘not all men’ rule, Frances was the star of this show (she usually is) and she kept him in his place as her low-level sidekick. Maybe I’m the one who’s radicalized 🤔.
Anyway I enjoyed this and I’ll probably tone down this review at some point but I’m annoyed by the world right now and any book that speaks truth to power will make me happy.
Thanks to NetGalley for the complimentary copy.
What a treat to read the newest installment in the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder, by Dianne Freeman. This is the eighth book in this historical series and one of the most interesting yet---though I think that about each of the books. Dianne Freeman illuminates the period's history like no other, and I love it.
Our power couple is back in Paris; at the request of Frances' one time nemesis she and George are investigating the murder of a former actress. The bereaved husband is a prospective groom for said woman's daughter, if he checks out. We meet the Divine Sarah Bernhardt during the investigation, experience the golfing portion of the Olympics, and the Paris Exposition. Frances' mother is back and we see a different side of her that I enjoyed.
The mystery is well written, the characters are well fleshed out, the pace is steady for the most part, and the ending packs a punch. This enjoyable read can be a stand alone, but I would read from the beginning if character development is important to you. Those who like cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, and/or strong female leads will love this series.
This book will be published in JUNE 2025
Thank you to #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies for allowing me an eARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I love reviewing good reads for friends and followers.
#ADaughtersGuidetoMothersandMurder #NetGalley #ACountessofHarleighMystery
Our power couple is back in Paris; at the request of Frances' one time nemesis she and George are investigating the murder of a former actress. The bereaved husband is a prospective groom for said woman's daughter, if he checks out. We meet the Divine Sarah Bernhardt during the investigation, experience the golfing portion of the Olympics, and the Paris Exposition. Frances' mother is back and we see a different side of her that I enjoyed.
The mystery is well written, the characters are well fleshed out, the pace is steady for the most part, and the ending packs a punch. This enjoyable read can be a stand alone, but I would read from the beginning if character development is important to you. Those who like cozy mysteries, historical mysteries, and/or strong female leads will love this series.
This book will be published in JUNE 2025
Thank you to #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies for allowing me an eARC to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I love reviewing good reads for friends and followers.
#ADaughtersGuidetoMothersandMurder #NetGalley #ACountessofHarleighMystery
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
This is the 8th book in the County of Harleigh Mystery series by Dianne Freeman.
Frances is asked by her “frenemy” to find out what she can about a man her daughter was interested in. The man’s wife had been killed some months earlier. At the same time, new evidence in the wife’s murder has appeared, and Frances and George become part of the investigation.
I’ve read all of the books in this series and continue to find it enjoyable! A delightful historic cozy mystery – fun characters, interesting cases, low stakes mystery. Each book has its own mystery, and the books could easily be read as stand-alones.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
In this 8th installment of the Countess of Harleigh mystery series, we find Frances and George still in Paris and enlisted by Inspector Cadieux to look into the murder of a former actress, the wife of the rich American, Carlson Deaver. The case brings them to the dressing room of world famous actress Sarah Bernhardt.
I continue to enjoy this historical mystery series. The wife and husband team in the upper echelons of society is fun to follow. There was a big unanswered question in this one that bothered me. All in all, a solid cozy mystery and a series I will continue to follow.
I continue to enjoy this historical mystery series. The wife and husband team in the upper echelons of society is fun to follow. There was a big unanswered question in this one that bothered me. All in all, a solid cozy mystery and a series I will continue to follow.