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A review by sarah_moynihan
A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman
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.
_____
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.
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. . . .'
________________________________
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.
_____
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.