What do you think?
Rate this book
Countess of Harleigh Mystery #2
A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder
On August twelfth each year, the Glorious Twelfth, the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. American widow Frances expects a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily. Instead, a friend, Mary Archer, is murdered and her cousin Charles and possible blackmail victims are suspects. Her gallant friend and neighbor George Hazelton is again her reliable sidekick.
Audible Audio
First published June 25, 2019
820 people are currently reading
3616 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Freeman
19 books1,518 followersDianne Freeman is the acclaimed author of the USA Today Bestselling Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. She is an Agatha Award and Lefty Award winner, as well as a finalist for the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark and Macavity Awards. After thirty years of working in corporate accounting and finance, she now writes full-time. Born and raised in Michigan, she and her husband split their time between Michigan and Arizona. Visit her at www.DiFreeman.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 926 reviews
June 1, 2020
A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder is another charming installment of the cozy mystery series featuring the widowed Lady Frances Harleigh. One of her society acquaintances has met an unfortunate end, and the police suspect Frances' well-intentioned but bumbling cousin, Charles, of having done the deed. Frances steps in to help clear his name, and soon realizes this is anything but a straightforward crime.
This book reads very much like a typical cozy, with our main character nosing about and talking to a lot of people in the hopes that she'll stumble upon the right answer. And also just like a cozy, the book spends a good amount of time having its main and supporting characters mull over the crime, think out loud of potential motives and suspects, and ponder their next moves. It builds nicely up to the ending, which is both reasonable and satisfying.
Compared to the first book in the series, I found this one to be still fun, though not quite as exciting. I think that's largely due to the first book requiring a lot of setup and backstory, which I enjoyed tremendously, whereas this one gets right to the point with the crime. That backstory of how Frances came to be so strong and resilient at a time in history when society frowns upon women's independence was fascinating, and I wish there was more in this book. In addition to that, the witty dialogue, the romantic tension with her neighbor, and the proper Victorian decorum were all pared back a little in this book, and I miss their frequent presence.
Still, this was an entertaining cozy murder mystery, and I look forward to reading more from the series. As I usually find this genre and its focal crime to be a little bit slow, it's really the side and back stories that distinguish a terrific one from an average one. So I hope for the next one, we get a little bit more of what I love, mixed in with the cozy murders.
This book reads very much like a typical cozy, with our main character nosing about and talking to a lot of people in the hopes that she'll stumble upon the right answer. And also just like a cozy, the book spends a good amount of time having its main and supporting characters mull over the crime, think out loud of potential motives and suspects, and ponder their next moves. It builds nicely up to the ending, which is both reasonable and satisfying.
Compared to the first book in the series, I found this one to be still fun, though not quite as exciting. I think that's largely due to the first book requiring a lot of setup and backstory, which I enjoyed tremendously, whereas this one gets right to the point with the crime. That backstory of how Frances came to be so strong and resilient at a time in history when society frowns upon women's independence was fascinating, and I wish there was more in this book. In addition to that, the witty dialogue, the romantic tension with her neighbor, and the proper Victorian decorum were all pared back a little in this book, and I miss their frequent presence.
Still, this was an entertaining cozy murder mystery, and I look forward to reading more from the series. As I usually find this genre and its focal crime to be a little bit slow, it's really the side and back stories that distinguish a terrific one from an average one. So I hope for the next one, we get a little bit more of what I love, mixed in with the cozy murders.
February 13, 2025
Czyżby nowa comfort seria?
February 12, 2023
As delightful as the first book!
Frances tried her matchmaking skills on her cousin Charles and a friend Mary. It was going well until Charles refused to see Mary anymore and vaguely explained that it would be ungentlemanly to explain his reasons to Frances.
When it turns out that Mary was murdered Charles becomes the main suspect! Frances and George are sure he could never do such a thing and are determined to find the real murderer.
Books series are fabulous because revisiting characters that I love feels like catching up with friends. I enjoyed the mystery with the lady Whistledown vibes and I rooted for Frances and George because I’m a romance lover first and foremost 😂
This series is so much fun, sorry tbr, I know we had plans, but you’re gonna have to wait🤷🏻♀️
Frances tried her matchmaking skills on her cousin Charles and a friend Mary. It was going well until Charles refused to see Mary anymore and vaguely explained that it would be ungentlemanly to explain his reasons to Frances.
When it turns out that Mary was murdered Charles becomes the main suspect! Frances and George are sure he could never do such a thing and are determined to find the real murderer.
Books series are fabulous because revisiting characters that I love feels like catching up with friends. I enjoyed the mystery with the lady Whistledown vibes and I rooted for Frances and George because I’m a romance lover first and foremost 😂
This series is so much fun, sorry tbr, I know we had plans, but you’re gonna have to wait🤷🏻♀️
June 28, 2019
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the second book of the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. This series is a bit of a different take on the average cozy mystery in that it has a historical setting mixing both genres wonderfully.
In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Frances Wynn who is an American that was born to a wealthy family that found herself in an arranged marriage to her husband, Reggie. The marriage brought Frances the title of the Countess of Harleigh and her husband access to her family funds. Frances had thought she may grow to love her husband it was soon apparent what kind of man he truly was before he was murdered.
While Frances is now widowed she is still the Countess of Harleigh and has begun adapting well to her new British surroundings. Frances however is not a fan of the major hunting event that happens e very August so while all her friends and neighbors head out she expects quiet time. This season however things do not go as planned when the young woman who Frances’ cousin had been courting is found murdered.
At the beginning of this series I wasn’t certain how the dynamic of having a strong female lead doing her sleuthing in historical times would balance out. After reading these books though I think the author does a good job keeping the feel of the era while mixing with cozy crime solving so this series is shaping up quite nicely and quite fun.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Frances Wynn who is an American that was born to a wealthy family that found herself in an arranged marriage to her husband, Reggie. The marriage brought Frances the title of the Countess of Harleigh and her husband access to her family funds. Frances had thought she may grow to love her husband it was soon apparent what kind of man he truly was before he was murdered.
While Frances is now widowed she is still the Countess of Harleigh and has begun adapting well to her new British surroundings. Frances however is not a fan of the major hunting event that happens e very August so while all her friends and neighbors head out she expects quiet time. This season however things do not go as planned when the young woman who Frances’ cousin had been courting is found murdered.
At the beginning of this series I wasn’t certain how the dynamic of having a strong female lead doing her sleuthing in historical times would balance out. After reading these books though I think the author does a good job keeping the feel of the era while mixing with cozy crime solving so this series is shaping up quite nicely and quite fun.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 8, 2023
This series is so cute and cozy. I love Frances and her growth, book over book, is so nice. She gains confidence in herself as an independent widow, friend, sister, chaperone and investigator and we see her flourish in these roles. George is also a sweet hero, he supports her and doesn’t try to overprotect her as she uses her unique skills to investigate the murder of an acquaintance. I do wonder, however, if George should not be compensating Frances somehow, as she seems to have done all his work for him in this book. He was supposed to go through all the documents but kept dropping them in her lap. He better be divvying up his cheque come pay day 💵.
The mystery in this book was a lot tighter then previous and heated up right away, I felt the last one took too long to get in to the action, but this book had much better pacing. Overall a cute, cozy read with a bit of slow burn side romance between the leads. Still want to see more of that, but it did heat up a bit in this one. And ya, I get that this is a mystery with a romance aspect and not the other way around *pouts*.
But I’m enjoying this series as a nice escape and fun read to enjoy with a cuppa, because they do a lot of their solving over tea. It’s very refined..you know, for murder!
The mystery in this book was a lot tighter then previous and heated up right away, I felt the last one took too long to get in to the action, but this book had much better pacing. Overall a cute, cozy read with a bit of slow burn side romance between the leads. Still want to see more of that, but it did heat up a bit in this one. And ya, I get that this is a mystery with a romance aspect and not the other way around *pouts*.
But I’m enjoying this series as a nice escape and fun read to enjoy with a cuppa, because they do a lot of their solving over tea. It’s very refined..you know, for murder!
December 28, 2022
I have not read the books in this series in order, but I think I have just about caught up with all of them now. This one is as enjoyable as all the others.
Frances, Countess of Harleigh, becomes caught up in another investigation when her friend is found murdered and her cousin is a suspect. With the help of her neighbour, George Hazleton, she works hard to solve the case, at the same time as helping her sister make arrangements for her engagement party. A Lady's work is never done!
This an excellent and well written series, with nice characters, interesting mysteries and a good understanding of how things worked in Victorian England. I am now waiting in anticipation for the next book to be published in 2023.
Frances, Countess of Harleigh, becomes caught up in another investigation when her friend is found murdered and her cousin is a suspect. With the help of her neighbour, George Hazleton, she works hard to solve the case, at the same time as helping her sister make arrangements for her engagement party. A Lady's work is never done!
This an excellent and well written series, with nice characters, interesting mysteries and a good understanding of how things worked in Victorian England. I am now waiting in anticipation for the next book to be published in 2023.
August 6, 2023
After much thought, I literally cannot write a review for this so I’ll just give you a summary of my feelings:
The book was mediocre, and the mystery was underwhelming.
I think I’ve realised that the murder mystery part of the books feels a little forced, because it’s not the main plot.
And...
My favourite detective Delaney had a wife, so I’m nominating her for the next murder victim!
But as always, the best part of reading this was my beloved Hanna!
Thank you for reading this with me, and our wild theories were the best part of the book!
And good luck to us, when we dive into the third one! (Not giving up yet 😂)
Thanks for reading! ❤️
The book was mediocre, and the mystery was underwhelming.
I think I’ve realised that the murder mystery part of the books feels a little forced, because it’s not the main plot.
And...
My favourite detective Delaney had a wife, so I’m nominating her for the next murder victim!
But as always, the best part of reading this was my beloved Hanna!
Thank you for reading this with me, and our wild theories were the best part of the book!
And good luck to us, when we dive into the third one! (Not giving up yet 😂)
Thanks for reading! ❤️
July 31, 2024
I liked this one even more than the first book of the series. It felt like Dianne Freeman was in a better storytelling flow, with the scene already set. I love that there is romance but that it doesn't override the mystery. It balances just right, and I can see it pushing into the story more in the future.
The main thing missing was the women's relationship, which was much warmer in the first book. I did enjoy the relationship between Frances and her cousin Charles and his eccentricities. George is a nice guy who is confident and states his intentions but isn't a bully.
I loved the gossip column angle; the mystery was more complex than expected. Overall, it's just a fun, light mystery read. I will keep reading it.
4 Stars.
The main thing missing was the women's relationship, which was much warmer in the first book. I did enjoy the relationship between Frances and her cousin Charles and his eccentricities. George is a nice guy who is confident and states his intentions but isn't a bully.
I loved the gossip column angle; the mystery was more complex than expected. Overall, it's just a fun, light mystery read. I will keep reading it.
4 Stars.
July 18, 2019
Update: Well that was my most disappointing book of the year. I was so bored the whole time. Frances is a extremely frustrating character. She is very sensible and walks the line between finding things out while not putting herself in damsel-in-distress situations, but watching her and George's relationship 'unfold' is tedious. This dude asks her to marry him and all she does is wonder if he likes her. Please, you are an adult woman, you can tell he does, because he says so! Maybe I wouldn't be so upset by it except she spends a lot of time thinking of him and then not actually making a any decisions about her own feelings, with is irritating. Then we have the actual mystery part. Zero action at all in this AND it takes the main characters half the bloody book to realize the victim was a which was so obvious I had to walk away in exasperation when they finally figure it out. I had really high hopes that even though the first one wasn't fantastic there was enough potential for this series to be great, but Im giving up. Reading this was a waste of time.
Original:
My excitement over this is rather ridiculous. Love the cover!
Original:
My excitement over this is rather ridiculous. Love the cover!
May 12, 2023
Bridgertonowie i lady Whistledown vibe.
To chyba będzie moja nowa ulubiona seria, a ja przecież za seriami nie przepadam. Ale te książki tak super się czyta! Końcówka XIX wieku, londyńska socjeta, zbrodnia, amatorskie dochodzenie pewnej hrabiny przeplatane prywatnymi losami jej najbliższych z nutką romansu. Kocham. Tym razem 4⭐️, bo pierwszy tom podobał mi się ociupinkę bardziej. Ale to jest minimalna różnica i mam nadzieję, że z Frances spotkam się ponownie bardzo szybko!
To chyba będzie moja nowa ulubiona seria, a ja przecież za seriami nie przepadam. Ale te książki tak super się czyta! Końcówka XIX wieku, londyńska socjeta, zbrodnia, amatorskie dochodzenie pewnej hrabiny przeplatane prywatnymi losami jej najbliższych z nutką romansu. Kocham. Tym razem 4⭐️, bo pierwszy tom podobał mi się ociupinkę bardziej. Ale to jest minimalna różnica i mam nadzieję, że z Frances spotkam się ponownie bardzo szybko!
November 16, 2025
Tak samo fajne jak pierwsza część 😄
March 20, 2025
Lektura sprawiła mi dużą frajdę. Raz że bohaterka jest niegłupia, dwa świetnie oddano ducha epoki. Książkę się czyta wprost ekspresowo i z przyjemnością. Taka historia, która gwarantuje prawdziwy relaks.
April 30, 2021
2.5⭐
Reseña completa:https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
¿Es una lectura entretenida? Sí, pero me esperaba mucho más, el primero me gustó mucho y me sorprendió muy gratamente, así que este ha sido un sí pero no
La autora sigue con lo que parece una serie en la que vamos a disfrutar de pequeñas investigaciones relacionadas con algún que otro asesinato. Todo trascurre en la más absoluta hipocresía de la alta sociedad victoriana (eso me encanta)
Los personajes principales serán los mismos y las historias irán siguiente paulatinamente (a mí me falta la memoria así que debería leerlos de forma más seguida y no correr a comprarlos cuando los publican jajaja porque ya ni me acordaba del primero
De los personajes poco puedo añadir, la pareja protagonista me gusta y, aquí su relación se consolida un poco más, pero NO es una novela romántica.
La trama ha sido un pelín plana, le faltan puntos de interés, climax y es una lectura muy lineal, sin grandes giros y los que tiene están tan respaldados que poco queda a la imaginación (durante la primera parte iba muy perdida pero una vez que sale el culpables todo queda demasiado claro)
Y, sobre todo, le ha faltado la ironía y el humor que tanto me hizo disfrutar durante la primera novela.
Seguramente leeré las siguientes entregas porque resultan lecturas muy agradable y espero disfrutarlas más
Reseña completa:https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
¿Es una lectura entretenida? Sí, pero me esperaba mucho más, el primero me gustó mucho y me sorprendió muy gratamente, así que este ha sido un sí pero no
La autora sigue con lo que parece una serie en la que vamos a disfrutar de pequeñas investigaciones relacionadas con algún que otro asesinato. Todo trascurre en la más absoluta hipocresía de la alta sociedad victoriana (eso me encanta)
Los personajes principales serán los mismos y las historias irán siguiente paulatinamente (a mí me falta la memoria así que debería leerlos de forma más seguida y no correr a comprarlos cuando los publican jajaja porque ya ni me acordaba del primero
De los personajes poco puedo añadir, la pareja protagonista me gusta y, aquí su relación se consolida un poco más, pero NO es una novela romántica.
La trama ha sido un pelín plana, le faltan puntos de interés, climax y es una lectura muy lineal, sin grandes giros y los que tiene están tan respaldados que poco queda a la imaginación (durante la primera parte iba muy perdida pero una vez que sale el culpables todo queda demasiado claro)
Y, sobre todo, le ha faltado la ironía y el humor que tanto me hizo disfrutar durante la primera novela.
Seguramente leeré las siguientes entregas porque resultan lecturas muy agradable y espero disfrutarlas más
October 6, 2025
Uwielbiam tą serię. Świetna zabawa. Lekkie, przyjemne cozy crime.😊
April 16, 2020
I feel....frustrated.
I love the title of this book and I love the cover. I love the idea of it. But the series still hasn't found its stride. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt with Book 1...but I don't think I can extend it to Book 2. We'll see if Book 3 can bring things about.
Though they interconnect, I'd say the problem centers around three things: the plotting, the romance, and the heroine.
How to describe the plot? The first murder occurs pretty quickly and presents the heroine with a strained but believable enough reason to investigate. And investigate she does, by...sorting through papers. Putting on her hat and calling on a friend. Taking off the hat. Sorting through more papers. Talking about the papers. Eating dinner. Putting on a hat. Calling on another acquaintance. Taking off the hat. Sorting through papers. Attending a funeral. Convincing someone to help her with the papers. Remembering she has a daughter and having a conversation with her. Sorting through papers. Attending an evening party where she visits with one person. Returns home to sort through more papers. But the contents of these papers? Relatively unimportant--or at least, unaddressed--after the first few chapters.
I think it wouldn't have bugged me so much if a big 'ole red flag didn't mark the villain from almost the moment of his entrance. It feels so obvious that the painful slog to figure out the why and how really didn't move me. The plot needed some level of tension to keep things going.
And the romance quite handily kills any tension that might exist. I don't mind the love interest. He's actually quite sweet and, er, modern in his progressive views of equality and marriage. But he never wants the heroine to put herself in danger. And by "in danger" I mean go on one of her random visits to call on a friend and gather some gossip. He makes a mountain out of the most mundane molehills and as a result, not only does the heroine not do anything interesting, she gets chastised for the boring stuff too.
But even more deadly, the romance itself lacks spark. The couple blows hot and cold. One minute they're having a heated discussion, the next passionately making out. And then they pause to logically discuss the case. No transition. At least the hero seems consistently interested in the heroine. The heroine seems to remember he is a romantic love interest at the most random moments. Otherwise, she is all business. Granted, I didn't need her mooning about him. But something between "oh, lemme dash around with George and solve cases with him! What a great BFF" and "IS HE MY ONE TRUE LOVE? HOW COME HE DOESN'T LOVE ME" might be nice.
Alas, the heroine's hot and cold attitude towards the hero represents about the only gumption we find in her this book. It is part of the appeal and also what kills the story. It is nice to have a historical heroine who doesn't run around in trousers and mix herself up with murders just 'cause. Frances is a staid, traditional Victorian socialite. She shudders at the right moments and generally avoids the taint of improper behavior. (Besides running over to the hero's house at all hours of the day, of course.) If the love interest didn't all bug drag her into the mystery, she would probably happily stay out. And when she does make any effort, no matter how minor, the hero chastises her for getting involved in something dangerous. So little wonder the reader gets caught up in the mixed signals.
I like Frances. I like that she seems more focused on debuting young ladies in society than finding a second husband...or even solving a murder. I like that she gets along with the police; I still like her house full of females. But part of the charm of her in the first book was that she willingly left the home of her in-laws to go out on her own. And that independence didn't shine through in this book. It isn't that she is spineless or dangerously foolish. She just plays a few society calls and gets praised by the police for her great deductions. And I for one just wanted something a little...more.
I love the title of this book and I love the cover. I love the idea of it. But the series still hasn't found its stride. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt with Book 1...but I don't think I can extend it to Book 2. We'll see if Book 3 can bring things about.
Though they interconnect, I'd say the problem centers around three things: the plotting, the romance, and the heroine.
How to describe the plot? The first murder occurs pretty quickly and presents the heroine with a strained but believable enough reason to investigate. And investigate she does, by...sorting through papers. Putting on her hat and calling on a friend. Taking off the hat. Sorting through more papers. Talking about the papers. Eating dinner. Putting on a hat. Calling on another acquaintance. Taking off the hat. Sorting through papers. Attending a funeral. Convincing someone to help her with the papers. Remembering she has a daughter and having a conversation with her. Sorting through papers. Attending an evening party where she visits with one person. Returns home to sort through more papers. But the contents of these papers? Relatively unimportant--or at least, unaddressed--after the first few chapters.
I think it wouldn't have bugged me so much if a big 'ole red flag didn't mark the villain from almost the moment of his entrance. It feels so obvious that the painful slog to figure out the why and how really didn't move me. The plot needed some level of tension to keep things going.
And the romance quite handily kills any tension that might exist. I don't mind the love interest. He's actually quite sweet and, er, modern in his progressive views of equality and marriage. But he never wants the heroine to put herself in danger. And by "in danger" I mean go on one of her random visits to call on a friend and gather some gossip. He makes a mountain out of the most mundane molehills and as a result, not only does the heroine not do anything interesting, she gets chastised for the boring stuff too.
But even more deadly, the romance itself lacks spark. The couple blows hot and cold. One minute they're having a heated discussion, the next passionately making out. And then they pause to logically discuss the case. No transition. At least the hero seems consistently interested in the heroine. The heroine seems to remember he is a romantic love interest at the most random moments. Otherwise, she is all business. Granted, I didn't need her mooning about him. But something between "oh, lemme dash around with George and solve cases with him! What a great BFF" and "IS HE MY ONE TRUE LOVE? HOW COME HE DOESN'T LOVE ME" might be nice.
Alas, the heroine's hot and cold attitude towards the hero represents about the only gumption we find in her this book. It is part of the appeal and also what kills the story. It is nice to have a historical heroine who doesn't run around in trousers and mix herself up with murders just 'cause. Frances is a staid, traditional Victorian socialite. She shudders at the right moments and generally avoids the taint of improper behavior. (Besides running over to the hero's house at all hours of the day, of course.) If the love interest didn't all bug drag her into the mystery, she would probably happily stay out. And when she does make any effort, no matter how minor, the hero chastises her for getting involved in something dangerous. So little wonder the reader gets caught up in the mixed signals.
I like Frances. I like that she seems more focused on debuting young ladies in society than finding a second husband...or even solving a murder. I like that she gets along with the police; I still like her house full of females. But part of the charm of her in the first book was that she willingly left the home of her in-laws to go out on her own. And that independence didn't shine through in this book. It isn't that she is spineless or dangerously foolish. She just plays a few society calls and gets praised by the police for her great deductions. And I for one just wanted something a little...more.
July 16, 2023
Another fun installment in The Countess of Harleigh mysteries! Sadly, I enjoyed the first one just a liiittle bit more. Francis is still a fun heroine to follow but I wanted a tad more excitement. I was also swooning over the crumbs of romance between Francis and George but my greedy little heart wanted MORE crumbs 🥲
March 19, 2020
Still enjoyable and one of those rather pleasant reads, despite the murder. But I definitely was more steps ahead of the characters than I like.
May 2, 2021
Widowed Countess of Harleigh, Frances Wynn, is expecting a quiet time in London. That is until she learns of the murder of a friend Mary Archer. When her cousin Charles is taken in for questioning by police in regard to Mary’s murder, Frances and her friend George Hazleton, begin to assist the police in solving this crime. They uncover fraud, cryptic notes and blackmail before they eventually get to the bottom of two murders. Could they also end up in danger themselves as they move closer to the truth?
Having read the third book in this series I was happy to backtrack to book 2 when it was in the library. As with book 3 it was easy enough to stand alone and know what is going on without having read the previous book.
I like the style of writing. It is light and amusing in tone and was interesting enough to keep my attention. The reader gets a vivid picture of life of the times, 1899 and the social mores of certain upper classes. The characters are likeable. As well as the murder mystery there is a burgeoning romance or two. An entertaining cosy read that should appeal to many. I certainly enjoyed my time with these characters. Good fun.
Having read the third book in this series I was happy to backtrack to book 2 when it was in the library. As with book 3 it was easy enough to stand alone and know what is going on without having read the previous book.
I like the style of writing. It is light and amusing in tone and was interesting enough to keep my attention. The reader gets a vivid picture of life of the times, 1899 and the social mores of certain upper classes. The characters are likeable. As well as the murder mystery there is a burgeoning romance or two. An entertaining cosy read that should appeal to many. I certainly enjoyed my time with these characters. Good fun.
July 6, 2019
You all know how much I love a fun historical mystery and Kensington Publishing has a bevy of fabulous authors to choose from. And I have read a number of them and consistently enjoy many of their authors.
So when this one came up for review, I was counting on Kensington Publishing to not let me down! This author is new to me and even though it’s the second in a series, it is only the second book so I hoped that I hadn’t missed too much by starting on book 2 rather than book 1.
The cover of this book is so bright, cheerful, and eye-catching…..I almost forgot that it was meant to be a murder mystery!
I was astonished that this was only the second book by this writer! The well crafted mystery and full bodied writing was polished and practiced. I really enjoyed reading this one and the snappy dialogue and cheeky characters were interesting and fun.
The first chapter was spent introducing the principal characters and backstory from the previous novel, but the author is careful to not giveaway too much from the previous book for new readers. Then but the second chapter, the murder mystery is off and running.
I loved that I didn’t have to spend more than a few pages getting caught up to speed with everything and the murder happened at the perfect time—just before I started to get bored with the back story, I was roped back into the new mystery and trying to puzzle out what was happening. With series, there is such a delicate balance between giving too much back story and not enough, I thought the author did a wonderful job striking that delicate balance. between the two.
I thought the tone of the book was charming and cozy, and while I did figure out who the murderer was, I enjoyed following the clues laid for the reader throughout the story. If you are a fan of historical mysteries from authors like Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, and Laurie King then you are going to love this series. It was a fast read with cleaver characters and loads of charm and I am so glad I have found yet another new author in this genre to enjoy!
See my full review here
So when this one came up for review, I was counting on Kensington Publishing to not let me down! This author is new to me and even though it’s the second in a series, it is only the second book so I hoped that I hadn’t missed too much by starting on book 2 rather than book 1.
The cover of this book is so bright, cheerful, and eye-catching…..I almost forgot that it was meant to be a murder mystery!
I was astonished that this was only the second book by this writer! The well crafted mystery and full bodied writing was polished and practiced. I really enjoyed reading this one and the snappy dialogue and cheeky characters were interesting and fun.
The first chapter was spent introducing the principal characters and backstory from the previous novel, but the author is careful to not giveaway too much from the previous book for new readers. Then but the second chapter, the murder mystery is off and running.
I loved that I didn’t have to spend more than a few pages getting caught up to speed with everything and the murder happened at the perfect time—just before I started to get bored with the back story, I was roped back into the new mystery and trying to puzzle out what was happening. With series, there is such a delicate balance between giving too much back story and not enough, I thought the author did a wonderful job striking that delicate balance. between the two.
I thought the tone of the book was charming and cozy, and while I did figure out who the murderer was, I enjoyed following the clues laid for the reader throughout the story. If you are a fan of historical mysteries from authors like Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, and Laurie King then you are going to love this series. It was a fast read with cleaver characters and loads of charm and I am so glad I have found yet another new author in this genre to enjoy!
See my full review here
September 20, 2021
Ha perdido un poquito respecto al primero, pero aun así es una lectura muy entretenida. Sigue siendo un cozy mystery que se desarrolla en la época victoriana, así que toda la parte de la ambientación la disfruto muchísimo.
La protagonista, Frances, es un personaje que me gusta mucho por lo que ha pasado y cómo ha seguido adelante y se ha sacado las castañas del fuego. Sin embargo, en este segundo libro me ha frustrado un pelín el tema de su relación/no relación con George. En el primero me gustó que no apresurarán las cosas puesto que iba a haber más libros en la serie, pero en este segundo no se ha acabado de llevar como a mí me habría gustado. Durante mucho rato no pasa nada, luego pasan cosas que me resultan un pelín incomprensibles y luego todo de golpe. No sé... el ritmo de esta parte de la trama no me ha parecido el ideal.
En cuanto al misterio, creo que hay pistas obvias que tardan demasiado en desentrañar. La identidad del asesino también es algo más fácil de averiguar en esta ocasión.
No obstante, es un libro que me ha parecido entretenido y que he leído prácticamente en dos sentadas. Y desde luego estoy decidida a seguir con el tercero cuando por fin llegue a España.
La protagonista, Frances, es un personaje que me gusta mucho por lo que ha pasado y cómo ha seguido adelante y se ha sacado las castañas del fuego. Sin embargo, en este segundo libro me ha frustrado un pelín el tema de su relación/no relación con George. En el primero me gustó que no apresurarán las cosas puesto que iba a haber más libros en la serie, pero en este segundo no se ha acabado de llevar como a mí me habría gustado. Durante mucho rato no pasa nada, luego pasan cosas que me resultan un pelín incomprensibles y luego todo de golpe. No sé... el ritmo de esta parte de la trama no me ha parecido el ideal.
En cuanto al misterio, creo que hay pistas obvias que tardan demasiado en desentrañar. La identidad del asesino también es algo más fácil de averiguar en esta ocasión.
No obstante, es un libro que me ha parecido entretenido y que he leído prácticamente en dos sentadas. Y desde luego estoy decidida a seguir con el tercero cuando por fin llegue a España.
October 19, 2021
Leider fand ich den zweiten Band der 'Countess of Harleigh' Reihe um Längen nicht so gut wie den ersten Teil. Dieser Band war zwar in Ordnung, aber für mich auch nicht mehr.
Leider zog sich dieses Mal der Krimi-Aspekt für mich in die Länge. Statt im Fall richtig zu ermitteln, kam es mir so vor als würde die ganze Zeit nur über Papieren gebrütet und Gespräche über den Fall geführt. Das sorgte bei mir für Langeweile.
Auch die Dynamiken zwischen den Charakteren waren dieses Mal nicht so spannend, wie im ersten Band.
Zwar immer noch locker und leicht geschrieben, konnte es mich dieses Mal nicht einmal zum Schmunzeln bringen oder in irgendeiner Art faszinieren.
Trotzdem hatte es für mich weiterhin Elemente, die ich am ersten Band sehr mochte. Sympathische Charaktere - In diesem Band ganz besonders die tollpatschige Lottie, die man nicht unterschätzen sollte - und die Kulisse des viktorianischen Englands.
Vielleicht habe ich einfach zu viel von diesem Band erwartet.
Das Buch wurde mir kostenlos vom Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt.
Leider zog sich dieses Mal der Krimi-Aspekt für mich in die Länge. Statt im Fall richtig zu ermitteln, kam es mir so vor als würde die ganze Zeit nur über Papieren gebrütet und Gespräche über den Fall geführt. Das sorgte bei mir für Langeweile.
Auch die Dynamiken zwischen den Charakteren waren dieses Mal nicht so spannend, wie im ersten Band.
Zwar immer noch locker und leicht geschrieben, konnte es mich dieses Mal nicht einmal zum Schmunzeln bringen oder in irgendeiner Art faszinieren.
Trotzdem hatte es für mich weiterhin Elemente, die ich am ersten Band sehr mochte. Sympathische Charaktere - In diesem Band ganz besonders die tollpatschige Lottie, die man nicht unterschätzen sollte - und die Kulisse des viktorianischen Englands.
Vielleicht habe ich einfach zu viel von diesem Band erwartet.
Das Buch wurde mir kostenlos vom Verlag zur Verfügung gestellt.
June 1, 2019
A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman was a very enjoyable addition to this historical cozy mystery series.
Ms. Freeman's writing is skillful and pulls me into the story from the first page. I enjoyed spending time with Frances, Aunt Hetty, George and a new character addition, Lottie. Lottie was adorable because she's intelligent, clever and klutzy. Frances chooses to investigate the death of an acquaintance because the police have her cousin, Charles, in their sights as a murder suspect. Frances' investigation was completely within the proper boundaries of the era and George was able to investigate the areas where women were never to be seen. Frances and George make a perfect pair. The plot twisted and turned with several suspects and red herrings to divert me as I read. I had trouble putting the book down until it was finished.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Ms. Freeman's writing is skillful and pulls me into the story from the first page. I enjoyed spending time with Frances, Aunt Hetty, George and a new character addition, Lottie. Lottie was adorable because she's intelligent, clever and klutzy. Frances chooses to investigate the death of an acquaintance because the police have her cousin, Charles, in their sights as a murder suspect. Frances' investigation was completely within the proper boundaries of the era and George was able to investigate the areas where women were never to be seen. Frances and George make a perfect pair. The plot twisted and turned with several suspects and red herrings to divert me as I read. I had trouble putting the book down until it was finished.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
April 30, 2019
The Countess of Harleigh and her appealing sidekicks return in a jolly romp through the peccadillos of polite society in late Victorian London. This complex puzzler weaves mystery through the dance of a trio of aristocratic romances. Readers will enjoy playing amateur sleuth as they learn what really might be going on behind closed doors in 1899’s best British homes. Freeman continues to give her variety of female characters sharp intelligence and a lot to do, a nice change from male-dominated action. This series has a bright future!
Read
April 11, 2020
November 14, 2021
This is a good cozy historical mystery series, with a likeable ensemble of characters. I will continue with the next one.
June 18, 2021
Intriga y misterio en una sociedad cargada de secretos.
Manual para damas sobre el cotilleo y el asesinato de Dianne Freeman nos conduce hasta un asesinato cruel y desproporcionado, sin pistas de las que tirar y con un culpable que no cuadra para nada, una aventura peligrosa para Frances y su amado George que los empujará a un juego retorcido que pondrá en jaque a la policía de Londres.
Link de la reseña completa: http://florecilladecereza.blogspot.co...
Manual para damas sobre el cotilleo y el asesinato de Dianne Freeman nos conduce hasta un asesinato cruel y desproporcionado, sin pistas de las que tirar y con un culpable que no cuadra para nada, una aventura peligrosa para Frances y su amado George que los empujará a un juego retorcido que pondrá en jaque a la policía de Londres.
Link de la reseña completa: http://florecilladecereza.blogspot.co...
February 26, 2023
A gentle murder mystery (if murder can be that) and a pleasant read with our Countess Frances and her not swain George Hazelton. Murder comes close to home when Frances’ friend Mary is found dead, and the man she’s introduced Mary to is accused of her death
June 16, 2020
I just loved this book. The author should be congratulated on keeping the plot moving forward while providing context and keeping the characters interesting. The logic was sound, it was possible to make some educated guesses along the way but there were also some unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend the read!
With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the advanced copy for an honest opinion
With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the advanced copy for an honest opinion
August 23, 2021
This is the 2nd in the series. A light read with characters that I enjoy. I liked the secondary characters and thought they added a lot to the cozy mystery using humor. George and the Countess have a slowly budding romance along with solving the crime. I plan to continue the series. I would rate it 3.5* and round up.
September 17, 2019
3.5 stars (rounded up). Not as good as the other two in the series but this is light fare. A murder mystery with a comedic characters and a love interest, a fun and quick series 🧡
Displaying 1 - 30 of 926 reviews