A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder is a cozy mystery about a widowed Lady who is trying to live her newly independent life, away from her in-laws who want her money, and also is sponsoring her younger sister for the debutante season. Basically, she has her hands full, but the fact is that her husband’s death may not have been a murder, her brother-in-law is contesting rights to her fortune, there is a new thief lurking in high society and the big task of keeping her sister away from the wrong kind of grooms, are all interrupting her new life.

While the book is passably good as a mystery, it still leaves a lot to be desired in plot development. The writing tends to go over more description and exposition than needed, and Frances describing her every day life in minute detail is unnecessary, as it feels more like a teen diary than a mystery novel. There was also quite a lot of repetition, as characters would keep getting filled in and then they all would sit together and try to go over the clues. The characterization feels more natural, like novels actually written in that era (think Austen’s characterization) so that is a good thing, depending on how you like it. It also has little bursts of humor and the overall mood is light; there are not high stakes, but the consequences could be life-threatening at times. Romance is mild – like we know that George is going to be endgame, but we can wait for further books for Frances to want to get into another marriage.

Ultimately, though, while the plot is good, the writing is what sort of ruined the enjoyment for me. But if you like light mysteries, it might be the book for you.

Witty and fast paced, this book is sure to please lovers of Downton Abbey, humor and cozy mysteries. The story centers around the normally rule abiding but sassy heroine who is pulled into a series of shocking events and must find the strength and allies to pull through. A handsome and charming neighbor, plus a group of feisty ladies makes this a page turner.

A year after losing a husband etiquette states you leave off your mourning. In A Lady’s Guide To Etiquette And Murder, Frances Wynn is more than ready to put aside her mourning.

It is bad enough that she is only 27, but the fact that her husband had died in the bed of his mistress made moving on just that little easier. Finally, she is able to escape the money pit which is the family estate and look forward to taking up residence in her new London townhouse.

One bright light on her horizon is a visit from her sister Lily. She has been sent from America by their parents so Frances can bring her out in London. A whirlwind of engagements and shopping ensues.

But with the new beginning, and her sister’s social whorl comes unexpected complications. Someone has sent an anonymous letter accusing Frances of murdering her husband.

While she did not kill her husband, she certainly doesn’t want the police to find out about the real circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. With that, someone is burglarizing exclusive London parties and the burglar just may be one of her sister’s suitors.

Exciting, Different, And Fun

This is not your typical mystery nor your typical Victorian romance. I really like how it is a complete departure from what you would expect.

The main character is reluctant in the extreme to have to investigate the mysteries going on around her. This is not typical for your average mystery novel.

Frances is a very resourceful woman, determined to make her own way after a disastrous marriage. She’s an interesting character and I think there is definitely more to see here.

Throughout the book, Frances struggles to figure out how she will make ends meet now that her father‘s investments have failed. Not having those resources to fall back on means she will need energy source of income.

One suggestion is that she bring out other American debutantes for a London season. This, I think, will create an opportunity for plenty of interesting situations and I am looking forward to the series.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

Clever, light and entertaining. Lady Frances Harleigh, née Price, American heiress, widowed countess learns to make her way in the world and discovers she has a knack to uncover mysteries. An airy, light cozy with good, smart characters from the leads to the secondaries. I loved that the women from the aristocracy to the maids were fleshed out and stood on their own.

I hope we get another chapter of Lady Frances' adventures

For my reading tastes, this, the first in a new series, has it all. It's a historical, a cozy, it has humor (with a bit of an sassy bite to it), a well crafted mystery and hints of romance to come. How could I not give it a five star, two thumbs up rating?
Frances Wynn is the older daughter of a rich American from the Midwest who has bought her way into a British title, she becomes the Countess of Harleigh when her father offers a million dollar dowry when she marries Reggie, a real British bounder and cad. His family sees a source of money to keep the family estate from crumbling into dust. It's the way things were done back in the Victorian day and age. Too bad things don't work out for Reggie and his family. Being a cad, Reggie does a lot of bed hopping and kicks the proverbial bucket while in the bed of his mistress...during a hunting party at his own house. Tsk, Bad form, Reggie. Well, Frances gets to "meet" her husband's mistress when she shows up and enlists her help in moving Reggie from his death bed to his own bed, to be found by the servants come daylight. That's one heck of a big secret to keep between three people. Two women couldn't move him so a nice male house guest is asked to assist. And that's just the foundation for a rollicking great historical mystery. (And the hint of romance)
When Frances ends her year of mourning, she takes the money left in her dowry and heads to London to buy a house for herself and her young daughter, Rose. As they say, best laid plans and such.....things get very complicated for Frances. If she thought that having to move her dead husband from the bed of his mistress to his own was the stickiest thing she would have to deal with, poor Frances is in for a shock. But, have no fear, she is more than up for the challenge.
I loved the writing - tight and crisp and it flowed very well. The humor was delightful and the mystery was very well written. I can't wait for the next installment - Frances, Countess of Harleigh is now on my top ten list of favorite heroines, sharing the list with Amelia Peabody.

After the death of her husband Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleighmoves away to town aiming for some independence. With her young daughter, Rose, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and welcomes her sister, Lily, from New York, ready for her first London season.
But her problems start when the police receive an anonymous letter stating that she had killed her husband Reggie. Inspector Delaney starts his investigation.
A really enjoyable well-written mystery, and start to what I hope is a new series. I like that the characters are already so well developed.

I'm typically not a fan of Victorian era stories, but 'A Lady's Guide To Etiquette and Murder' has won me over. The characters were charming and believable. The mystery moved along and was entirely surprising to me. There is just the right touch of romance and humor. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next in the series.

American-born Frances, Lady Harleigh, has paid dearly for her mother's ambition to take the family fortune and marry into the British aristocracy. Frances finds herself a widow with only a daughter in her mid-twenties, fighting for control of her fortune against her grasping late husband's family. Attempting to live life on her own terms, she moves to London and embarks on a new life for herself, complete with visiting American relatives. But trouble follows her, and a novel that starts out in a relaxed non-genre-specific vein turns into a murder mystery as the police show interest in her late husband's death and other mysteries turn up.

I really enjoyed watching Frances develop into a sleuth. The late-Victorian era is ever-fascinating and I can't wait to find out what happens in further entries in this debut series. Wonderful characters, humor, and an evocative setting make Freeman's novel a summer must read!

Frances! You go girl! Frances' rotten husband has a heart attack and dies while in bed with another woman, leaving her a widow who can finally control her own fate in 1899 England. An American, she brings her sister Lily over to join her in London but things start to go awry. Was Reggie really murdered? And what's with all the burglaries and then......Luckily, she's made a pal (and more) in the dashing George Hazelton and the two of them are off to investigate. This is a terrific start to a new series- light, fun, and entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is not only for fans of Downton Abbey but also of light historical mysteries. Two thumbs up!

Thank you Kensington books and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy of A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoy the read quite alot.. It's Victorian High
Court murder mystery.. Ilovw how it is A light entertaining read and at the same time both intriguing and witty. She has the brain and the back bone to stand on her own. But o the love department, there's a few hint but nothing solid. A good mystery that will keep you guessing and failing to see who the actual criminal is. I recommend this book. Very entertaining indeed..

A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder is the first book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. Set in Victorian England it's filled with charming characters, witty dialogue, and, of course, mystery. American-born Lady Harleigh is forced into sleuthing to protect her reputation and future when her husband’s death, initially ruled a heart attack, is questioned because of an anonymous letter to the police, suggesting she murdered him. With the help of her neighbor George, she must uncover the truth and not only protect herself, but her sister, Lily, who is in London for the season in hopes of making a match.

Dead bodies, thievery, money hungry relations all tangled together in an enchanting story that's fast-paced. On a side note, as an avid romance reader, I hoped to see a budding relationship with Frances and George. There was a definite undercurrent when they were in the same room. This is a mystery novel that will make you smile and I highly recommend this book.

I’ve haven’t read any regency mystery before and I was pleasantly surprised with this one. From the get-go I loved Frances voice. She seemed to be spunky yet not malicious. I have never liked pushovers in romance novels. Her talks with Mr. Hazleton were funny.

Her heroics were almost the best part of the book. She had a backbone and isn’t afraid to use it with smarts. If you’re like me and wondering if you should branch out if you usual genre and read mystery, then try this book on for size.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for a honest review.

This is the first book in a new series, A Countess of Harleigh Mystery. It features our heroine, Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, who was widowed nearly a year ago, when her husband passed away in his lover's bed. Frances had been living with her brother-in-law, and his wife, the new Countess of Harleigh during her mourning period, but she is ready to strike out on her own.

Frances, an American with a fortune of her own thanks to her father, buys a home and moves out just as her younger sister Lily comes to stay with her for a coming-out in the London season. Just as Frances' new life is getting settled, the police receive an anonymous tip that Frances' husband may have been murdered, with Frances as a prime suspect! There are also a string of thefts from prominent families in London after social gatherings. Florence is determined to investigate the thefts and the possible murder, because all three of her sister Lily's suitors are on the suspect list!

This was a great read. I loved the chemistry between Frances and her sister Lily, and Frances' aunt is a hoot! If you enjoy a good Victorian mystery with a dash of romance, this book is for you!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Entertaining and charming, this story transport us to the late 1800's where manners and etiquette are the base of high class society. We see how appearances are of most importance, marriage for money in exchange of a title.
The plot is intriguing and engaging, with a series of robberies and the implication of murder.

A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the first book in A Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.
I enjoyed reading this book so much. It is historical, fun, with a good dose of mystery and intrigue and a dash of romance. Cast of characters is fabulous, with strong willed independant ladies. Story is good and well told, with an interesting plot.
Frances is Countess of Harleigh, and after properly mourning her cheating husband she decides to move away from his family and save some of her money before they bleed her dry.
Unfortunately she moves right next to the man who helped her cover up how her husband died. She also moves in the same cirles with the woman in whose bed her husband had died. Her younger sister is coming from America to find herself husband.
If this is not enough to make her life hectic, mysterious thefts are happening in high cirlces of London society and someone is accusing her of being a murderer.
Light and highly entertaining read and I can't wait for the next book.

This was a lot of fun! The mystery was not that hard to figure out, but the characters and the setting were great! I have a lot of patrons that will love this, and I can’t wait to recommend it to them.

Frances Wynn, an American heiress living in England, is reentering society following her period of mourning for her late and not-so-lamented husband, Reggie. Frances – now a young, independent widow with a considerable fortune – leaves her late, philandering husband’s ancestral home and moves to London with her daughter. Her husband’s brother and his wife aren’t exactly sad to see Frances go, but they desperately miss her fortune that they were using to partially support themselves and their crumbing manor house. Not long after Frances strikes out on her own, she is accused of murdering her husband. She is also stuck with her aunt Hetty and her younger sister, Lily, who have come from New York to stay with Frances in London. Lily is marriage-obsessed, and she is determined to make the most of her London Season by finding a titled husband. Oh, and someone – quite possibly one of Lily’s suitors – might be trying to murder Frances. Determined to protect herself – and clear her name in her husband’s questionable death – Frances teams up with Inspector Delaney of the Metropolitan police and her neighbor, George Hazelton, to find Reggie’s killer, discover the thief who is stealing from London’s elite, and figure out if any of Lily’s suitors are worthy of marrying her.

A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER is a witty Victorian mystery, and I was captivated from the first page. Frances Wynn is one of my new favorite historical, amateur sleuths. She is independent, spunky, funny, and has a mind of her own. The reader will feel an immediate connection with Frances, and they will quickly find themselves cheering for her, sympathizing with her, and wanting to find a time machine so they can go back in time to meet her. The other characters are equally as interesting and likable – especially Frances’ sister and aunt. Aunt Hetty is a formidable companion for Frances. Freeman also wonderfully recreates London of the late 1800s. Not only does she recreate the time period and place, she also brilliantly brings to life the lifestyles and societal norms of the Victorian Era.

The mystery aspect of A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER is well crafted and kept me guessing up until the end. There are multiple mysteries going on throughout the novel, meaning that there are multiple criminals. Frances and crew are investigating all of the mysteries, and they have to determine which – if any – of the crimes are tied together. There are plenty of suspects, clues, and red herrings. The suspense is balanced out with humor. And Freeman balances out the mystery plotlines with subplot of Lily’s Season and Frances’ new life as an independent woman.

A LADY’S GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND MURDER is a fantastic novel and the first in what I know will be an outstanding series. I can’t wait to read the second book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this historical cozy mystery which is a 1st in a new series.
It was smart, funny, addictive and very entertaining.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this book.

I loved everything about this book! The heroine, a young widow, is engaging. The plot kept me guessing until the end. And all the other characters are wonderfully drawn.

Franny Wynn, an American heiress, is widowed when her aristocratic British husband is found dead in his mistress' bed in his own home. Newly emerged from mourning, Franny leases a house and sets off to London with her daughter and servants, wanting to start a new life.

Complications ensue from her money-grubbing in-laws, to a handsome neighbor, to having to bring her newly arrived sister out. In the midst of all this she gets involved in several crimes and investigations.

I raced through this book and can't wait for more pf Franny's adventures.

Ok, full disclosure, I stumbled across this while looking for The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, the upcoming sequel to The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. But don’t worry, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder has a full helping of scandal, snark, and murder.

When the story opens, Countess Frances Harleigh, an American heiress turned titled Brit, is just coming out of mourning for her husband. Reggie died rather inconsiderately, in bed with his mistress, and Frances had to snap into action, moving the body (with the help of the unfortunate mistress and another guest at the house party) to be found more appropriately in his dressing room. At the end of her socially enforced mourning, Frances is moving to Belgravia, although her brother- and sister-in-law are hoping to keep her, and her bank account, at the family estate.

This might seem a lot like Downton Abbey, but it’s not all Julian Fellowes-style manners novel. Nope, our heroine isn’t just doing the Season in style, while guarding her younger sister from fortune hunters. Her new next-door neighbor in Belgravia just happens to be the same houseguest who once helped her move a body, an anonymous letter warns local police to look into Reggie’s death, a mysterious, handsome and wealthy Viscount appears just in time for the season, a series of petty thefts plagues the pre-Season parties, and a man is killed in Frances’ back garden. At first, Frances tries to restrain her curiosity to casual, ladylike queries about who was attending which party, as she quietly ferrets out alibis. But the drama comes closer, and with her outspoken American auntie and her good friends, Frances is on the trail.

One villain is incredibly obvious, to the point where I was completely convinced he was a shiny red herring distracting readers from the actual villain. The other reveal made me literally gasp aloud, so all in all a pretty good mystery.