All Emily wants is to survive her first season in London. She doesn't anticipate another lady failing to survive it - and being blamed for her death...
The only ambition Miss Emily Mifford holds for her first season in London, is to endure it without completely humiliating herself; a difficult task when one has a mother with no sense of propriety, and one’s own unfortunate habit of saying precisely the wrong thing. After clashing publicly with the odious Lady Hardthistle, Emily soon learns that there are worse things than being embarrassed - like being accused of murder! When the belligerent baroness is found strangled to death at a ball, the finger of blame points at Emily. Keen to exonerate herself, Emily sets out to solve the mysterious murder, with a little help from a very handsome - and highly conceited - marquess.
Frederick Chambers, Sixth Marquess of Highfield thought he would never meet a woman captivating enough to distract him from his own reflection, until he meets Miss Mifford and is instantly besotted. When the object of his affections is accused of murder, Freddie is desperate to help - for what could a lady love more than a white knight to dash to her rescue? The mystery of who murdered Lady Hardthistle, however, is not as easily solved as he first imagines. A double-crossed young-buck, a cheated squire, and a lady's maid set to inherit a fortune; the list of people who wished the baroness dead is lengthy indeed...
As Freddie and Emily work together to try solve the mysterious murder, Freddie finds himself falling madly in love with Miss Mifford. Can he help to clear her name? And, more importantly, can he convince her to become his marchioness?
Claudia Stone was born in South Africa but moved to Plymouth as a young girl. Having trained as an actress at RADA, she moved to New York to pursue her dream of acting on Broadway in 1988. She never did see her name in lights, but she did meet a wonderful Irishman called Conal who whisked her away to the wilds of Kerry, where she has lived ever since. Claudia and Conal have three children, a dairy farm and a boisterous, black lab called Buddy. When she has any time left over, Claudia enjoys reading Regency as well as writing it.
Once again, this series proves to be lighthearted and with a deliciously funny bone. This book does not take itself seriously, and as a reader, it was the perfect charming read to lose oneself in for a few hours.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Emily Mifford just wants to get her Season in London over with and return home to Plumpton. She's uncomfortable with the ton who never say what they mean or mean what they say, her Mama won't stop boasting about her sister, the Duchess or pushing Emily to make a splendid match as well and even Mary and Jane are so in love, they want Emily to be as happy as they are. When Emily accidentally makes the acquaintance of the Marquess of Highfield , she finds him conceited beyond belief but when the nasty Lady Hardthistle is found strangled to death and Emily is accused, Lord Chambers stands by her. Freddie finds Emily stunningly beautiful and can't stop thinking about her-or talking about her. He knows she's too innocent to have murdered Lady Hardthistle, even if Emily did wish the woman dead. Freddie has a good idea of who he thinks did it and is determined to clear Emily's name. Emily has her own suspicions about the identity of the murderer and wants to solve this mystery before her Season ends. She'll need to cooperate with Lord Chambers though if she's to venture around London asking questions of people she barely knows. How can she stand to be in the company of someone so conceited she doesn't know but she'll do anything to find the murderer and clear her name, even if it means associating with a peacock of a Marquess.
This story is as cute and fluffy as the previous two. It's a little more "warm" though. There was a lot of focus on Emily's looks and how Freddie feels about her. There was more passionate kissing too. I'm not a huge fan of that sort of thing in my Regency romances but at least this time it wasn't instant love, at least not on Emily's part. The mystery kept me guessing. My suspect list was the same as Emily's so that didn't help. I figured it had to be someone no one suspected but I didn't know for sure until just before Freddie figured it out. I did not like how I couldn't stand all the historical inaccuracies. I felt like I was reading a Victorianish/modern maybe time travel novel but certainly not Regency. There are also many typos and other errors too, including Freddie's style. He's supposed to be styled Lord Highfield, not Lord Chambers.
I liked Emily well enough. She isn't as silly as Mary or as practical as Jane. Emily does indeed have matter between her ears and she's not so vague as Jane thinks. Emily is just shy and introverted. She'd rather be anywhere else than in a London ballroom. I totally relate! Emily is kind and compassionate when needs be and sees right through the silly, pompous Marquess. I did not like Freddie at all. He's narcissistic. He KNOWS he's the most handsome, best catch in London. He's so self-assured he assumes Emily must love him because he's so handsome you know. Cue eye roll. His arrogance isn't haughty or mean, he's just stupid. He's too used to people fawning all over him to see that he's become puffed up in conceit. I would have liked him with a more spirited heroine to knock him down a peg or two. What he does, without telling Emily or even asking Emily is the height of presumption. UGH!
The Miffords are rather annoying. Mr. Mifford is the best of the bunch but he went back to Plumford early. Mrs. Mifford has turned into Mrs. Bennet. She's way too proud of Mary's status as a Duchess and way too obsessed with finding Emily and Eudora "good" husbands. She brags and is in a feud with another lady over their daughters' marriage prospects. She's embarrassing and annoying. Mary isn't very likable either. She's very pregnant yet still going out and about during the Season. She loves to complain and is very selfish. I do like how in love she and her husband are. It's very sweet but her pushing marriage on Emily and even choosing the perfect man for Emily is obnoxious and rude. Sadly Jane doesn't appear in the story much. Eudora is funny and eccentric but also not in the story much. Mrs. Canards, the nasty neighbor from Plumpton arrives in London and makes life miserable for Emily. She's so filled with spite and whatever else drives her, she brings it all the way to London. I would have expected her to get her comeuppance in London as a country nobody. The only new character I liked is Lady Albermay. The new viscountess is American and blissfully unaware of English social mores. She's refreshingly honest and delightful. She posesses a keen mind and is enjoying the puzzle of the murder mystery.
Emily meets a mean girl, Lady Francesca, who is the first to accuse Emily of murder. Lady Francesca is catty and mean to Emily for no good reason. There's no character development, she's just mean. Emily is very kind and sympathetic when she learns a secret but I felt a little less sympathetic towards her. She'll be like Lady Hardthistle when she's old. Lady Hardthistle is an old version of a mean girl. She's not just mean, she's nasty. She's so fond of horse racing, she knows every little trick in the book to ensure she wins and wins big. This has earned her the wrath of many sporting gentlemen who have lost money thanks to her. Could that be why she was murdered? Sir Cadogan, a very unpleasant old man, confronts Lady H within earshot of Emily. He threatens the woman and wasn't in the crowd when Lady H was killed. He's certainly nasty enough to have killed her. Just because he's a baronet or a knight doesn't mean he's not above revenge.
Mr. James Fitzgibbons and his friend Mr. Bunting also lost money to Lady H. They're new in town and in search of heiresses to marry. Emily does not fit the bill. Freddie is kind to the younger men but kind of laughs off their loss. They alibi each other so who knows where they were when Lady H was killed. I think they seem too young and innocent and nice to murder. Lady Hardthistle's maid, Ethel, is the first on the scene to discover her employer's body. Ethel was a devoted servant and so pious she took to telling the other servants what to do. Ethel is the only one to cry when Lady H is killed but they might be crocodile tears. She certainly had motive. It could not have been easy working for Lady H. Another motive is revealed that makes her Emily's leading suspect.
This was not my favorite entry in the series but I liked it. Alas, poor Eudora's story is not written yet. She'll have to wait longer but I think we get a glimpse of who her love interest will be.
It was nice to get Emily’s story. Her marquess was pretty funny- a little arrogant, yes, but with a heart of gold. I appreciated the clean content and seeing the rest of the Mifford family again. Truth be told, I could do without Mrs Mifford, but that’s just me. She’s not a very nice person. :(
All told, the mystery solving, if you could even call it that, was more bumbling but not. However, the featured couple was just so cute that I will give it three stars. :)
If Eudora’s hero is who I think it is, I’m going to really enjoy that one. Thanks, Ms. Stone for another fun read!
As Miss Emily Mifford has her first season in London, she has a public altercation with the hateful baroness, Lady Hardthistle. Because of the public nature of the outburst, Emily is the logical one accused of murdering her! Emily intends to solve the mysterious murder and clear her name.
As soon as he saw her, Frederick Chambers, Sixth Marquess of Highfield, instantly falls for the lovely Miss Mifford. When she is accused of murder, he can be the perceived “white knight” and come to her rescue! But the list of those who wanted the woman dead is quite lengthy.
As Freddie and Emily work together to try solve the murder, will they find the killer? Will they clear her name? And will she agree to his proposal?
Emily is the first girl to not fawn all over vain Freddie and when she is accused of murdering his aunt after they had heated words, he decides to join forces with her to discover the real culprit. She’s focused on clearing her name and finding the killer, while he is more focused on courtship. Freddie's aunt had angered many people with her underhanded mean spirited ways so there were plenty of suspects. The story was a little crazy, funny, and off topic at times. I don't know how the Mifford girls put up with their mother.
Another entertaining read, with the Mifford family in London for the season, and low and behold the sweetest of the Mifford girls is blamed for the death of an obnoxious old Baroness, who was rude and blundered about being spiteful and cruel to whom she saw fit. Mary, Duchess of Northcott appears to be becoming a young version of her mother, and rather than being amusing this time, she is quite irritating with Northcott the Duke still besotted with her. Mrs Mifford is moving between Mary and Jane (Lady Crabb) and causes mayhem, interference and insult where ever she goes. Emily catches the eye of the paragon, (or so he thinks,) Freddie Chambers , Marquess of Highfield who attempts to protect Emily from the people who consider her a murderer and sets out to find who committed the crime.. More by luck than judgement the real murderer is found and although Emily claims not to care for Freddie as he is so self assured at his own 'wonderfulness' a Happy Ending is achieved with Emily's 'down to earth' attitude, looking to keep Freddie in check. An endearing read with the usual family members and characters appearing, with Eudora the youngest daughter being quite eccentric in her effort not to attract male attention, but neither is she looking forward to bring left alone with her mother. I look forward to her story.
The third book in the Regency Murder and Marriage series another great story in this series. Miss Emily Mifford and Frederick Chambers, Sixth Marquess of Highfield's story of suspense, drama, murder, danger, twists, turns, and love. I enjoyed reading. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The proof reading was pretty poor...but the story, the writing, was very enjoyable. Such wit; I loved the vanity of our leading man...so funny!! And I found Emily endearing. For me, it was well worth reading.
I found the humour expressed in the dialogue, whether as thought or speech, was wonderfully entertaining. The relationships within the Milford family were highly amusing.
I enjoyed the story. Emily knew how to out Freddie in his place; It was nice to have all of the characters back again... Wish it hadn't wrapped up so quickly in the end.
A charming little series although very much on the light, quick side of things. The murder mystery here is solved very quickly at the end and I honestly can’t even remember the motivation other than plot reasons. Nor is there much tension about the romance. Having said that it was a fun read in between other books and as Kindle Unlimited I’m not going to complain.
I am really glad this book was free. I read a lot of “they despise each other then find romance but then something goes wrong but it works out” mysteries. This one started with the male character already deciding he loved the girl. The rest didn’t even have a very good mystery. Oh well.
A delightful read. Charming characters that don't fall into the frequent tropes of romance, but hold up well as individuals. Cleverly written and thought out. A worthwhile read.
3.5 stars! Gave the last one 4 so I'll give this one 3. Another cute, silly romance with a murder mystery attached. I wouldn't recommend anyone read these books for accurate historical detail or plot/character depth. That's okay though, they are still fun fluffy nonsense. Miss Mifford #3, Emily, is the shy, dreamy, slightly awkward sister... now that her two older sisters are married off to a duke and a viscount respectively, her status-seeking mom forces her to go to London for her own coming-out.
SUMMARY AND THOUGHTS ON THE PLOT, FOR MY MEMORY WHEN I READ THE NEXT BOOK:
Ready for the final audiobook, whenever it comes out! Featuring Eudora's romance, which will have to be a little weird, because Eudora is a bit weird and enjoys cosplaying as an old lady. I suspect that Freddie's older friend from his club who was complaining about shallow young women is gonna be her match! Guess we'll see!
I am so excited to say that A Murder, a Marquess, and Miss Mifford is now available on Amazon! I had so much fun writing this; I love writing about the Mifford sisters, who are as charmingly chaotic as ever.
In this installment, Emily is undertaking her first season in London, but finds herself accused of murdering an odious baroness. Help is on hand, however, from a charmingly conceited marquess. Can the pair whittle down the list of suspects to find the true culprit (and a happily ever after)?
I just didn’t like this book as much as the others. First of all, the Marquess’s form of address was incorrect for the entire book. He is Frederick (Freddie) Chambers, the Marquess of Highfield, meaning he would be called Lord Highfield. He was called Lord Chambers the entire time. Secondly, he was very arrogant and conceited and I couldn’t see him match well with shy Emily. And finally, the murderer didn’t make sense, the motivation wasn’t really clear to me when others had much more motivation and access.
This novel proves you can't return to the scene of the crime in the same way too many times. Other than the funny trouble with obnoxious Mrs. Mifford, the plotline has been trod too much. Our Miss Mifford is accused of murder and joins a Marquess to solve it.
This Marquess is full of himself; an Adonis come to England. He is so handsome that he thinks all females should fall at his feet. Emily is presented as a person unimpressed who will keep Freddie grounded. Maybe. Overall score = G+.
Another enjoyable mystery in the Miss Mifford series. I found this one a little more cringe-worthy than the others, but that was clearly the intent. It is funny, but in a very awkward way at times.
It's kind of nice to see the hero being as big of a goof as the heroine, it keeps things fair. All in all, this was fun and pretty fast-paced, a good read for a lazy afternoon and cup of coffee or tea.
Stone tells a fun story, and I've enjoyed all three novels in this series so far except for the lack of a good editor. There are so many odd missteps in usage and a few anachronisms that they kept me from fully immersing myself in what otherwise is a fun and enjoyable story. Even so, I look forward to the next installment.
Very sweet and a nice wrap up to the trilogy just not quite as engaging as the other two. The wrap up of the murder mystery seemed rushed at the end so just less satisfying. And the MMC was indeed too full of himself for my taste. It was not bad, just not as good as the other two.
These books are formulaic (a Miss Mifford gets involved in a murder, a charming noble falls for her almost at once, they spend the book focused on the wrong suspect, and then everything wraps up with a bow!) But sometimes, formulaic is nice! I love the interactions with the sisters and I can't wait for Eudora's book.
The Mifford sisters move to London for their next installment of unfortunate adventures in love. This one is quite the goofy murder mystery! When will Eudora get to share a story of her own? I hope it will be soon!
A funny, enjoyable, easy read. As I read the books I wish my three sisters would have been as much fun as the Mifford girls. I enjoyed all 4 books. Kathy B