A widow, Frannie the American Countess of Harleigh, strikes out on her own and sets out for London intending to present her sister during the Season. She is impeded by an investigation into her husband's death, a lawsuit from her brother-in-law and a charming bachelor living next door.

read 10/28/2023 ( )

A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
3.5 Stars

Lady Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, is an American heiress who married into the aristocracy. One year following the death of her philandering husband Reggie, Frances puts aside her mourning and re-enters London society. Unfortunately, her goal of enjoying her widowhood is disrupted when she not only becomes the prime suspect in Reggie's possible murder but also finds herself enmeshed in an investigation into a rash of burglaries.

Lady Frances joins the ranks of Lady Darby (Anna Lee Huber), Lady Julia (Deanna Raybourn), and Lady Emily (Tasha Alexander) in the role of amateur sleuth. However, this is where the similarities end as the tone of this series is decidedly lighter and cozier.

Although Frances is an appealing heroine and it is easy to empathize and sympathize with her, Freeman's writing style is rather anachronistic. In fact, aside from a couple of references to indicate the 19th-century setting, this could easily have been written as a contemporary cozy mystery.

The storyline is comprised of two separate threads. The first focuses on a series of thefts amongst the ton and the suspect pool is quickly narrowed to the three suitors vying for the hand of Frances's younger sister, Lily. The criminal's identity and motive are not difficult to guess. The second thread revolves around the death of Frances's husband and this is where Freeman manages to surprise. The climax and resolution here are intense and exciting.

There is also a hint at a developing romance between Frances and her best-friend's brother, who also seems to have a past as a covert operative (reminiscent of Darcy O'Mara in Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness).

All in all, an entertaining if not particularly original beginning to the series. It will be interesting to see if Freeman branches out from the familiar tropes to create her own unique take. ( )

This book was a delightful start to a charming historical mystery series. The female protagonist is bright, feisty, tender-hearted and clever.

Author Dianne Freeman cleverly pokes fun at the ton of 1899 with all of its constricting rules of etiquette. The story opens with American born Frances Wynn, aka, Countess Harleigh, eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the mourning period following the death of her philandering husband, Reggie. She is eager to move on with her life now that she has no claim to the Harleigh manor estate. Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law try to persuade her otherwise, as they are severely in need of the Countess' cash for their plans regarding the estate holdings as they assume the titles, Earl and Countess Harleigh.

Meanwhile, Frances' sister has come to London for her first season of introduction to society and is quickly swept up in the attentions of several suitors. Jewel thefts and murder abound. Can Frances with the aid of her new neighbor, George Hazelton, keep her loved ones safe while fleshing out the thief and murderer? Only time will tell.

If you're looking for a humorous and witty historical mystery, then this may well be the perfect book for you. ( )

When the Count of Harleigh dies unexpectedly in his mistress's bed, his wife covers up the scandal and makes plans to pursue her freedom. One year later, Frances is out of mourning and is using the funds set aside for her by her father to establish her own household. However, her in-laws still want her, or more specifically her money, in their realm.

Gaining her independence becomes complicated when a legal challenge to her inheritance freezes her accounts, her sister and aunt arrive for the Season and Lily's introduction to society, a police officer arrives to investigate her husband's death as a possible murder, a series of thefts at parties, possible suitors for Lily need vetting, and a murder in her own garden.

Frances finds support from Aunt Hetty, her best friend Fiona, Fiona's brother George (and Frances's new neighbor), and even Inspector Delany.

A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman is a 2018 Kensington publication.

After Frances’ husband, Reggie, dies, his relatives are eager to get their hands on her money. To that end she moves into her own place with her young daughter and then agrees to sponsor her sister, Lily, for a season. Unfortunately, some new information suggests that Reggie may not have died from natural causes.

If that weren’t enough, her neighbor happens to be George Hazleton, one of only a very few who knows the full story about Reggie’s death.

Furthermore, there have also been a puzzling spate of burglaries in London- which might also have led to a murder- right in Frances’ backyard, no less.

Believing one of Lily’s suitors might be responsible, Frances means to find out who the killer is to save her niece… and possibly herself, before it’s too late…

This series starter is a short, light, clean Victorian age mystery. Frances is delightful and I loved how she finds her purpose- both in protecting young ladies from being taken advantage of, but it would seem Frances might also have a knack for solving mysteries. The banter between Frances and George is charming and entertaining, as well.

Overall, I enjoyed this simple, but highly enjoyable mystery and will definitely continue on with the series.

3.5 rounded up ( )