Love is definitely in the air! Not only is Frances’ sister, Lily, about to get married to Leo, but the romance between Frances and George is moving along as well! While sometimes Frances is a bit distracted with solving crimes, George is very patient with her and doesn’t expect her to change.

But while there’s lots of love flying around, there’s a lot of mischief too. After a series of accidents (one resulting in the death of a footman), Frances starts to believe that someone is trying to kill Leo and vows to stop the would-be killer.

Speaking of mischief, Frances and Lily’s mother, Daisy – WOW. What can I say? She is a social-ladder climber of the first degree. With Lily and Frances both *technically* single, Daisy is on a mission to make sure they both find rich, titled husbands. She doesn’t seem to care that Lily is on the verge of marrying Leo or that Frances cares for George. Yes, this woman is still trying to set Lily up with single nobles on her wedding weekend! Yeesh.

This is the third book in the Countess of Harleigh series and, while it reads very well as a standalone, it’s much more fun if you’ve read the first two books in the series.

The setting is a new one (moving from urban London to the English countryside) and there are lots of new characters introduced. It’s a fun “country house murder” where all the suspects are in the same place and there’s a lot of suspicion flying around. Of all the new characters, I think Daisy will be the one that we see the most of in future stories. Her growth throughout this book is really nice to see and she makes for an interesting addition.

Of course, the important characters are all back. Along with Frances, George, Lily and Leo, we also see the adorably klutzy Lottie and the competent Aunt Hetty (although not enough, if you ask me). It’s great to see a lot of character development of the main characters and I hope this carries on to the next book.

With all the character development, plus two romantic storylines, the story zips along at a great pace. Plus, all the “accidents” ensures that there is never really a dull moment. It was a super fun and quick read and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

*** Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Books, for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books, and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review!

Four Stars! (I really liked it)

I really can’t resist a good cover, and A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder has quite a fun one. I went into the reading of this hoping for a lighthearted and enjoyable mystery novel, and that’s exactly what I got. I suppose lately the current state of the world has me feeling somewhat down, and I was looking for something that I was sure would have a happy ending. Freeman delivered on this!

This is the third book in the series, but I was able to jump into this having only read the first without feeling too lost. It only took a chapter or so to reacquaint myself with the characters and get my bearings. I found myself caught up in the mystery very quickly, looking for clues and suspecting everyone – there are multiple suspects acting just the right amount of guilty. There were a few moments I found myself thinking “oohhh, that’s going to come up later!”.

You’ll like this one if you enjoy a good mystery novel that doesn’t get too dark or serious - there are some dark moments, but this novel never feels bleak or hopeless. The main characters are all the upper crust of British society, so it doesn’t really delve into any issues of wealth equality or all the things that might have been going on with lower classes at the time. This could be considered a flaw, but it depends what you’re hoping for!

There are a lot of characters in the novel that are all important to the story-line. Quite a few are new to this series and figuring out who each of them was ended up being challenging near the beginning. I almost needed a character guide at points!

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder was a lot of fun! I loved the main characters, found myself wrapped in the mystery, and the last half of the book passed in a flash. It was easy to pick up, hard to put down, and exactly what I wanted to read when I read it.

This book provides some nice escapism.  The protagonist is an American, widowed Countess who lives in England in the early 1900s.  In this third entry in the series,  Frances (our countess), is trying to plan her sister's wedding.  Mayhem ensues among the country house party, both upstairs and down. Readers of course know that all will be resolved but they will enjoy observing the detection along the way.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

'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. . . .'
________________________________

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.

Another fun installment in the Lady’s Guide series. This one is set at the countryside wedding of Leo and Lily, Francis’s younger sister. On a again Francis and George are hunting for a murderer - luckily this time with and aim.

I adore Francis and George, Fiona, and Aunt Hetty. I wasn’t sure about Daisy, Francis’s mother but she grew on me.

I can’t wait for the next one!

This is the third book in a series (whose first two installments I haven't read yet) that can be easily read as a standalone.

A witty, action-packed and fun cozy mystery story. I connect more with some characters than with others but that's normal for me. The premise was promising and totally met my expectations, keeping me hooked throughout the book.

This is my first book by this author that I read and I will definitely pick her other works. the writing was amazing.

The third instalment of the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series didn’t disappoint. It was an entertaining cozy mystery, with lots of twists and turns. I like how she’s developing Frances’ character and relationships. I didn’t want to put it down.
I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for a review.

*I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

4.5 stars.

I had so much fun reading this mystery!

Victorian England, a strong female MC, a murderer stalking you from the past and harming others on their intent to murder you, many "accidents" along the way, hints left for the reader here and there, love and chaos, thirst for vengeance and power. The perfect read for a cozy day at home.

This book took me back to my childhood, when Spanish TV broadcasted a cozy mystery series called Murder, She Wrote, whose main character was Jessica Fletcher -played by the wonderful Angela Lansbury-, a female mystery writer inspired by Agatha Christie.

It had been a long time since I read a cozy mystery last, but this book was totally worth it. A story in which both the male and female main characters are likeable and all literary personas are well rounded. It portrays victorian England so accurately, you cannot help but have all your senses on the scenery; by this I mean I could see, touch, smell and hear everything and everyone in the story. I basically went back in time!

There's something happening constantly, secrets being unveiled, sudden small private events, a couple always interrupted when they're trying to spend some time alone -who can't relate to that-, so it is impossible to get bored.

If you need a light but rich read, something to catch your full attention, and a mystery to solve, this is your book.

Highly recommended!

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder was another fun Lady Frances adventure. Trying to help her sister Lily and her fiance get married while dealing with a meddling mother and a clever murderer, Frances and George are always enjoyable. The plot is well done and moves at a good pace. I'm so glad that George and Frances are finally going to be able to plan their wedding! I look forward to the next one.

A great little who done it story! This may be the third in the series but it definitely works as a stand alone!

Frances is staying at a manor in the country as her sister is due to be married there. However, when one too many accidents start to take place among the guests, Frances starts to believe they may not be accidents at all. Someone definitely has some murderous intentions but can Frances discover who and why before it's too late?

Frances is extremely likeable and witty throughout which made this such a quick and easy read. I liked how it had all the romance elements of a classic period novel but the whole murder element was a great twist. This might not be the most inventive plot but it was still super enjoyable and had one or two twists I didn't see coming. I would definitely be interested in reading the rest in this series!

A wedding, a hunting party, an English country estate...and a suspicious number of deadly accidents.

I haven't read the two books that precede A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder, but this third addition to Dianne Freeman's series is perfectly easy to follow nevertheless. It's a charming, light-hearted story with a solid mystery, though the pacing of the revelations - of clues, suspects, motivations, even the victim - is a little slow, with the bulk of the actual information packed into the end of the book. But Frances, Countess of Harleigh, is an appealing character, both clever and compassionate, though many of the ensemble surrounding her were more forgettable; her romance with George Hazelton helps fill the slow-moving first half. All in all, it's an enjoyable enough historical mystery that should appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and the Victorian setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance review copy!

Not unlike another ARC I received, The Gentleman and the Thief, a clean and robust period mystery with all the flair and pomp of the setting. I shall look into the previous two books.

I like this light, comfort historical cozy mystery series. Freeman has created a corner of Gilded Age/Victorian England where Frances, Countess of Harleigh has spread her wings, stood on her feet after an arranged marriage and a cad of a dead husband.

Book 3 closes the dramatic arc started in books 1 and 2. On its own it lacks context for the new reader but as part of the whole series, Freeman waves a plot and character development faithfully in synch with the previous books. She gives depth to all her characters, female and male, principal or secondary characters. Characters that would be only plot point have shades. The relationships: romantic, between sisters, mother and daughters, friends are so on point and surprises the reader in a few instances in a really nice twist.

The only weak point is that this is not a stand alone book. You need to read the first two to get the full impacts of the plot and the characters’ journey but you will not regret entering this journey.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is the third installment of this series, and overall I thought it a fine addition. I found this book through a recommendation based on my fondness for the Lady Darby mysteries and for the most part these books hit the mark. The combination of historical English high society, mystery, and dash of romance make it a pleasing read. In my opinion these books tend to be lighter than the Lady Darby books, but that's not necessarily a strike against it. I enjoy Frances as a heroine and in this book there was some nice self-reflection about the "title-mad" girl she was when she married in comparison to the wiser woman she has become. I was also delighted by the appearance of Frances' mother and their enviable clash over Frances' most recent choices. I also appreciated getting to learn more about George's past, which was nice because despite the general favorable impressions I received of him in earlier books, he seems considerably less fleshed out than the protagonist. The mystery in story wasn't especially clever or enthralling, but it was decent enough not to detract from the book's other qualities. Fan of the historical mystery genre will certainly enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me a digital ARC.

In this third Countess of Harleigh mystery, our cast of characters find themselves at a country home for a shooting party and a moved up wedding. A series of accidents and a suspicious death make Frances and her good friend George begin to question whether these events are intentional and, if so, is someone a specific target.

This installment in the series is good example of a cozy mystery. The ongoing ‘accidents’ give a building sense of urgency to discovering the culprit, yet at the same time leaving room for character development. The book is easy to read, with a satisfying resolution.

I would be interested in reading more in the series as they are published.

Frances and George are investigating once again when a series of accidents become suspicious. They are in the country at George’s family’s estate, where he is hosting a hunting party that has also become a lead up to Lily and Leo’s wedding. An unexpected surprise has resulted in Lily and Leo moving the wedding date up, and they’re not looking forward to Frances and Lily’s mother’s arrival. No one is looking forward to her arrival. Frances is hiding her engagement so that it doesn’t overshadow the wedding, which means her mother considers her fair game for marrying off again.
When they review the accidents, evidence indicates that Leo is the intended target. Is someone trying to prevent his marriage? His brother-in-law wants to run the Kendrick’s family company, but is prevented from becoming more involved because he’s set to inherit a title and would have to step away. Leo’s best friend is taking every opportunity to flirt with Lily, who is ignoring Frances’ warnings about him. The randomness of the accidents means they can expect the next at any time, which is keeping them on their toes.
I really enjoyed the way the mystery builds in this book. It's an uncertain balance of "are they accidents or aren't they?" and why? It's all about trusting how the characters need to trust their intuition and operate from there. The personal developments are also interesting; we’ve seen Lily make her debut and get engaged fairly promptly, now the wedding must be rushed but there’s evidence her maturity has a ways to go. More of Frances’s family are introduced and we see where George grew up. I enjoy that the character development is moving along in this series and secondary plotlines aren’t being dragged out. I hope we get more books in this series. I would love to see Frances and George’s married life and teamwork.

This is the third installment of this fun mystery series. I enjoyed the 1st two and this one is another winner, I have long been fascinated by the wealthy American women who married into and saved a lot of English aristocratic families in the late Victorian and Edwardian period, so I was happy to find a series that encapsulates the time period with a witty and self-sufficient American heiress as the heroine.

The story revolves around Frances, Lady Harleigh and the marriage of her sister Lily. The wedding venue is the country house of Frances’ love interest George, a likeable man that has won Frances’ heart after her disastrous 1st marriage. However mayhem and fatal accidents ensue. Is there a madman/murderer on the loose? Will Frances be able to get Lily married off so she can concentrate on her own life or will the murderer and her own mother cause the wedding and the young couple heartbreak?

if you love cozy murder mysteries, and English aristocratic high society, this is the series for you. You can read this book as a stand alone, however, I highly recomment that you read the 1st two in the series as well.

Thank you to Netgalley, Dianne Freeman and. Kensington books for the opportunity to read and review this book

A truly enjoyable historical cozy mystery with a wonderful romance as well. I love this book and just checked the author's website to make sure more were coming--they are!! I highly recommend this series.

This is the third in the series and I would recommend reading the earlier entries to get a good sense of the characters, their backstory, and their personal growth as well as the growth in their romantic attachment. But you don't have to-the author does a great job of providing enough info so you're not lost. .

Frances is a charming heroine/mystery solver, and George is the perfect foil/partner. Frances is the widowed Countess of Harleigh, an American heiress who was married for her money and then left on own and miserable. After her husband's death, Frances and her daughter Rose moved to London, where Frances begins to shine, grow strong. and develop her independence.

Frances has to plan a quick wedding for her sister, Lydia and her fiancé Leo.. They travel to the estate of George's brother and that's where accidents, some fatal, start to happen. Is Leo the target? Is George? I swung from one potential murderer and motive to another. Plenty of twists and turns!

There is also humor with Leo's bickering sisters, a clumsy cousin-in-law, planning the wedding and a best man who is rather flirty with the bride. as well as the banter between Frances and George

My thanks to Kensington and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m reviewing this book as I stand alone story - I have not read the previous two books in the series.

I chose this book because I love cozy crime (especially historical), and I loved the title. However, it turned out not to really be my cup of tea. I liked the characters, but it just took so long for them to do anything, and their investigations seemed rather half hearted most of the time. They didn’t ask anything like enough questions of enough people. Also, I unfortunately worked out pretty near the beginning (at the incident of the steward being knocked off his horse) who the culprit was. There also wasn’t much humour, which although not essential, I very much enjoy. The historical setting sometimes seemed unrealistic, I can’t quite put my finger on why, it just didn’t ring true to me. However, I don’t know much about the Victorian Era, so it may just be me. I did really like George, Frances, and their relationship.

If you love a slow-paced, gentle, cozy crime, with a bit of romance, then this could be the book for you. Sadly, it just wasn’t my thing.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the third installment in Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.

In this book, Lady Harleigh, her sister and her aunt have decided to speed up Lily's wedding due to some unexpected circumstances and George has graciously offered his family estate as the perfect place for it.
Only the closes family is at the estate waiting for Lily's and Leo's parents to join them and it the meantime they come up with many games to play in order to amuse themselves.
However, series of very unfortunate accidents happens and Frances and George are immediately suspicious. They start asking questions and looking into these accidents and more they look more it seems that one of them is in danger.
As time is running out they are in a hurry to find out the truth and save lives.

Every new adventure is another treat for me.
I like the setting of the series, and the characters have become very dear to me. They are all well developed with their own lives moving forward in each installment.
Books are steady paced and there is never a dull moment.
I appreciate that there is a great deal of humor in this series.