The Countess of Harleigh is back, and she’s brought along her beloved George and all of their family and friends. It’s Lily and Leo’s wedding, and not a single thing goes right. I don’t wait to say more because it’s just such a delightful read that you should experience for yourself. It’s the third book in the series, and while it can certainly be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the first two books so you can really appreciate the character and relationship growth.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve not read the first 2 book and I found the relationships between most of the characters to be confusing and I thought there should be more show don’t tell moments in this book. But other than that I was an alright read.

Lily, the Countess of Harleigh’s sister must get married in a hurry – wink, wink, nudge, nudge. And so off to the family estate of Lady Harleigh’s secret fiancé (that’s all explained) we go, where murder ensues. Thus begins "A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder," the third in the series of less than genteel goings-on amongst the upper crust of (presumed) Victorian society. Our time frame isn’t terribly well established, unfortunately. It would have been nice to have seen that more firmly grounded.

Our first death is a footman. And that’s before the wedding. Then a member of the family is injured. Who has it in for these people? And why? Then something happens to someone else. There’s definitely a killer in the house, and the bridegroom may be the target. Frances and fiancé George Hazelton (who’s got somewhat of a secret past of his own) decide to set a trap.

Could do without the hackneyed grand dame of a mother. The mischief of the title is all about the machinations of getting Lily to the alter and getting Frances publicly engaged. Much of the book is taken up with accomplishing this, and it gets tedious after a while.

During the murder investigation we’re treated(?) to Frances’ romantic life (she’s the countess) and how her intended is going to let her have her freedom after they are married. She wants to be partners. Not necessarily how a husband of the time treated his wife. But readers of historical mysteries know our heroines expect more from their men.

And then comes the twist – our author, Dianne Freeman, has tricks up her sleeve! Echoes from the past, perhaps. So, readers – who’s the guilty party?

Frances brings it all to a rousing finish, with the help of her New York society mother, of all people. The family squabbling is all a bit much, but “A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder” has an engaging plot line and enough twists to keep one turning the pages.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

DNF but I'll be back. The blurb sounded right up my alley, but I did not realize that this was a later installment in a series. I felt that I was missing crucial aspects of character development and was unable to appreciate the nuances as a result. It's very cute but maybe not from a starter perspective.

I absolutely love this cozy mystery series. It has all the elements I like: Victorian elegance, a strong independent heroine, a swoony hero, witty dialogue and a good mystery. The writing has improved enormously since the first book. However, the mystery in this novel let me down somewhat. It has rather too much mischief and not enough solving whodunit. There are too many suspects but none of them are really plausible. With only two non-family new characters, it shouldn't have been that hard to figure out BUT I didn't. I got confused by the red herrings, twists and turns until the motive was finally revealed. I figured out how, then why and finally who just a bit before Frances. I loved the twist at the end. It was breathtaking and fun at the same time. That's the kind of mystery solving I like! As for the relationship plot, it's still sweet when George and Frances are alone. Those moments are few and far between because they're in the middle of a house party and keeping their relationship a secret. Lily's drama bored me and the horrible mother plot also distracted from the mystery. There was just too much going on in this novel for it to be my very favorite of the series but I still enjoyed it very much.

One thing I really enjoy about this author is her attention to historical detail. I can tell she's done her research on life in 1899 (plus I read her blog). She is skilled at working in small details that set the time and place without weighing down the plot with unnecessary information or boring readers. I especially liked the Russian Influenza comment but the analysis of the ginger beer was maybe a bit too much.

I love Frances! She's my kind of heroine! Frances has come a long way just since the first time we met her. She was still married to Reggie. His death has liberated her and helped her grow. She's intelligent, independent, a bit too stubborn at times and caring. She made a mistake and has learned from it. Unfortunately, she has tried to pass that lesson on to Lily who has a more traditionally feminine personality and is happy with her choice of husband. Frances shouldn't feel guilty for pushing Lily into a long engagement. I probably would have cautioned the same thing in Frances's shoes. Frances does a little too much mothering of Lily. I love how strong Frances becomes in the course of this story. She's amazing! She has learned a lot along the path to the end of the novel. I adore her relationship with George. I love his sense of humor most of all and his easygoing charm. Best of all, he supports Frances and loves her BECAUSE she's intelligent as well as beautiful and kind. They make a good team. I don't think Frances has anything to worry about but she does worry George won't want her as an equal partner. I think he's made it perfectly clear he DOES want her as his life partner as well as partner in solving crime. He doesn't know her as well as he could, not yet, not to know that she's worried about that. She should take her own advice and talk to him!

Lily is super annoying. She can't think for herself or communicate like an adult. I agree with Frances, 18 is too young to be married. I'd like to say Lily comes into her own, but she doesn't really. She lets Frances take care of everything. Leo is a nice guy, like a puppy. He's innocent and open but he doesn't know much about women, in spite of having three sisters. He also doesn't communicate with Lily. He's off with the guys having fun shooting birds, leaving her alone at the mercy of his best man. Treadwell is a new character but he's known Leo forever. Treadwell is a cad and not to be trusted. How could he do that to Leo? Is Treadwell behind the mysterious "accidents" trying to cause harm to Leo so he can have Lily to himself? Leo clearly hasn't told his pal his big secret or has and Treadwell is worse of a cad than it seems.

Leo's family assembles for the wedding. We met some of them before. I like his sister Anne the most. She seems to be an emerging women's rights activist but she isn't immune to the charm of handsome young gentlemen. Her sisters are awful, especially Eliza, Mrs. Durant. Eliza is mean, fussy and rude to everyone, even her own sisters. Her husband is a pompous bore who puts business above all else. Mr. Durant wants something Leo has and doesn't want to take a back seat. Is he prepared to cause Leo harm or even kill his brother-in-law? Clara is very young and silly. She needs to grow up more.

We finally meet Fran's family. Mrs. Price is an Alva Vanderbilt wannabe without the social cachet. She's pushy, overbearing, controlling and a massive snob. I was appalled at her behavior! I would have told her off sooner if I were Frances. Even sweet Lily dreads her mother's arrival. I think Mrs. Price is slightly empathetic though. It sounds like she doesn't have a happy marriage. Mr. Price might as well be dead because he doesn't bother to show up for Lily's wedding! Mrs. Price takes comfort where she can- in her money and social position, and assumes all good marriages should be that way. She doesn't understand love because it sounds like she's never had it. I did feel rather sorry for her. Daisy's character development is sudden but it makes sense for a mother and adds some comic relief to the tense scenes. Alonzo, Frances's younger brother, is still young and green. He's goofy like a Golden Retriever and eager to experience English country life. As always, Aunt Hetty is sensible, tough and delightful. I hope she stays in England! Rose, Frances's daughter, is going to be a handful when she grows up. George gives thanks he doesn't have a 17-year-old daughter but he will and she'll be every bit as stubborn as her mother!

Also invited are Lily's friend Lottie and her husband, Frances's cousin Charles. These two are so cute! I relate a lot to Lottie. She's very intellectual but also extremely klutzy. They're both nice, good people. What happens to Charles made me LOL! Fiona, George's sister, really steps up for Frances here. Fiona is a good hostess but a better friend. She makes sure her brother and Frances have some alone time, orchestrates their meetings and stands up for Frances when she needs support. Fiona's husband, Nash, is a dolt but he seems kindly enough for someone with sport on the brain.

The first accident happens to Mr. Gibbs, the Steward. He swears it wasn't an accident. Is he telling the truth? His insistence at showing off his wound makes it seem like he's telling the truth. His new assistant, John Winnie, is a young eager beaver. He's a pleasant young man and a little over eager to do his job. Tuttle, the gamekeeper, seems loyal and devoted to the Hazelton family. He's in a position where he's out on the grounds all the time but he swears he doesn't see any of the accidents. Is he telling the truth?

Percy Bradmore claims to be a neighbor, a great-nephew and heir of Lady Esther. He has never met any of the Hazeltons before and insists his aunt is ill. He acts very suspicious. A man who lives here and there, keeps rooms in London but never visits, is supposed to be attending to a sick aunt but has time to socialize? No way is this guy for real. He's hiding something! Frances is certain Mr. Bradmore is the one behind the accidents, but why?

Downstairs drama ensues when another accident befalls a footman, Michael O'Brien. The man unfortunately ends up dead. Was it a simple case of food poisoning compounded with tainted water? (Did you know water contained arsenic and ginger beer was used as a stomach remedy but the water, not being distilled, could be dangerous?) Was there a reason for his death beyond mischance? At first he seems like an innocent victim, a kind young man everyone liked. Then the more information revealed, the more horrible he sounds. If he got a job at Downton Abbey, he'd be hand in glove with Thomas Barrow until they tried to outdo each other in nastiness. Young Michael didn't deserve to die though, if it was murder.

Mr. Crocker, the butler, is a tartar. He's super strict with the servants but doesn't pry into their personal lives. They could all be hiding things from him and he'd never know! The female servants, especially the cook and housemaids, are rather silly women. Instead of trying to help Frances, they weep and wail. Dr. Woodrow is a good doctor. He takes Max's concerns seriously and is quick to arrive to treat the characters when needed.

This is such a fun series, I'm eager to read more, ESPECIALLY the next one. There must be a wedding coming up soon, right? How will married life affect Frances? Will she and George be 1899's version of Nick and Nora? How do they celebrate the turn-of-the-20th-century? That will be fun! What happens with Lily and her secret? Will her mother go ballistic when she does the math? Read this series if you miss Downton Abbey.

I loved spending time with Lady Harleigh again! Her adventures and determination are soothing in a hard time. If you have time to read the series, I recommend them all, but this one could easily be read out of order.

I so very much enjoy this series! This book can be read as a stand alone but is so much ore enjoyable having read from the first one. The heroine is strong and likable and her hero is just a true partner. Looking for ward to having more! Have already purchased and sold the first of the series and had preordered the second for the store!

Another enjoyable book in this series.

Frances tries to save her sister's wedding from her displeasing mother and someone who is trying to murder the groom. This series is fun and the characters delightful. I always love when main couples solve crimes together.

This review based on a ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

I don’t know if this had a previous book and was the second in a series – it did read as though it was and there was information about Frances and George that we were missing. However, I tried to ignore the fact that I really wanted to know more about how they had met, and what, if anything, his job/occupation had to do with it, as I could quite imagine a good story that was missing, as this story was different.
Certainly, I have never encountered a house party story with quite so many ‘accidents’. That clearly were intended for someone - but hadn’t yet quite managed to complete their intention.
It did look as though one particular person was the intended victim, but the clues were also there for yet others to be the victim – or victims.
Not a deep book nor is the story a psychological thriller, but a fun murder and mayhem type of plot that would make great dinner theatre.
I’m giving it 4 as a play rather than a novel.

3.5/5⭐️

I have mixed feelings about this one.

Third in series, I need to go back and read the previous two to flesh out characters more. The writing was good (humorous, descriptive), but I had an issue with the pacing. The book felt too long for 250 pgs. The multiple “accidents” were not deemed more sinister until halfway through and by then I had lost some interest. The prior books both had good reviews so I feel I should go back at some point and read those for a more complete picture of the writing style.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a Victorian era mystery that seems part of a series. The writing for the style of novel and the author did a great job of pacing action and revealing the solution. Enjoyable and will investigate more by this author.

Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Countess of Harleigh mysteries quickly became one of my favourite series after I read the first in 2018, so I was quite excited to see this pop up on NetGalley! Our protagonist Frances is a lot of fun- she is a widowed countess, but is quite sarcastic, intelligent, and always on the move. Her fiance George features quite heavily in this third book, and I enjoyed getting to know him and his past more.

I also very much appreciated that her relationship with her mother changed and evolved- both are strong personalities, and a lot of authors seem to leave characters like that in a permanent stand off. The book is quite the family affair, with Frances' daughter, Rose, and her sister, Lily. The familial relationships don't hinder the mystery at all, you won't be able to put it down!

Love love love this series! The main character embodies a strong independent woman, and her sidekicks are equally as interesting. I love learning more about them and the book/series really gives great insight into the time period.

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman

3 stars. For being a light, cozy historical mystery.

first time to read a book by the author, though I remember getting curious about the first book in the series. Which I then completely forgot about. So when this became available on NetGalley I had to request it.

Frances, the Countess of Harleigh is in the countryside for her sister’s wedding. It’s to be held at Risings, her fiancé’s (George Hazleton) family estate, in a week’s time. But during the week, accidents befall the staff and guests, one which resulted in death. So Frances Ann’s George investigates again.

Frances and George’s relationship seems a little lukewarm. He’s such a gentleman and she seems easily distracted by the mystery. 😂 But they’re likable. The other characters are somewhat two-dimensional only.

It’s light and short and easy paced. And it makes you want to visit the English countryside for such leisurely pursuits. And it certainly was more interesting than this other arc I am struggling to get through.

This book will be out July 28, 2020. Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the arc of this book! It was a nice read.

Wonderful cozy mystery. Characters were fun and enthralling. Loved the dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that he protagonist was a more modern lady with a job and not some simpering society aristocrat, even if she had to be widowed to do it. This book is great for Veronica Speedwell fans.

My thanks to Dianne Freeman, Kensington Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
A comforting easy to read cozy mystery set in the Victorian era. A wedding, a country house and a problem to solve. What more could we ask for? This is the first book I've read in this series and I would be happy to read more.

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman
Book #3: Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington Books
Rating: 4½/5 stars

Since reading the first book in this series, I have become inordinately happy when I’ve come across the next book in the series on NetGalley. I have such a huge fondness for this series and the Countess of Harleigh.

The opening scenes of this book find the Countess of Harleigh reveling in her secret engagement to the dashing George Hazleton and fretting over the bombshell her sister, Lily has just dropped on her. To avoid scandal of the highest order, Lily’s wedding must be moved forward by a significant amount and their mother must never know the reason for the sudden change. With the Harleigh Estate on the market, it isn’t an option for the wedding and the Countess has no idea how to solve this problem. With his usual grace and kindness, George Hazleton comes to the rescue and offers his own family’s estate for the impending nuptials.

Risings is a beautiful and sprawling estate that offers a bit of everything for guests. There is hunting for the assembled me, riding for the men and women, and games aplenty for all in the evenings. With nothing but glad tidings and joyful events planned, the Countess and George are both looking forward to their time away from the city and sleuthing. Unfortunately, sleuthing is exactly what they are going to have to do as the “coincidental accidents” and one murder begin to pile up. Being so far removed from the city, both the Countess and George believe their culprit is most certainly among the assembled guests.

As the Countess and George begin to investigate, they do their best to keep the bride and groom out of the loop so as not to put a damper on their upcoming wedding. Yet again, Fate has other plans which makes it impossible to keep them out of the loop. As the situation becomes ever more critical, the Countess and George narrow down the suspects and find the culprit’s identity absolutely unbelievable. In fact, the culprit’s identity is so unbelievable that George is forced to reveal to the Countess bits about his past he wished and hoped to always protect her from.

The Bottom Line: I am just as enamored with this third book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series as I was with the first two. The Countess, with her wit, intelligence, kindness, and cleverness is one of my favorite cozy mystery characters across the genre. The Countess is a woman ahead of her time and place, and one who refuses to be put in her place because of her gender. I absolutely adore the Countess and feel equally find of George Hazleton. Only a man such as George could partner the countess and see her as an equal and not a second-class citizen. The two together make a wonderful crime fighting team and they are most certainly supported by a lively and supportive cast of secondary characters. When you add in the setting and the interesting plot, this book has everything a cozy mystery lover is looking for. In all, a fine series that has a bright future.

1899 Frances, Countess of Harleigh's sister Lily is due to marry Leo Kendrick in two months time. But due to their stupidity they now must marry quickly. Friend George Hazelton offers Risings, his brother's estate, with its planned shooting party, to become a wedding venue for the couple.
Then the accidents start happening. How many people will die before Frances and Hazelton uncover the guilty party, or their motive
An enjoyable Victorian cozy mystery, but not one I found as entertaining as the first two. I seem to find Frances less likeable and parts of the story did drag slightly.

I adore this series. It gives me cozy mystery/romance feels and I'm here for it. If you haven't read the first two, go do that because this is a series that you actually need to read in order as characters and relationships develop. This latest installment didn't disappoint! We're beyond the "will they, won't they?" portion of the romance for most of the characters, so now we can settle into either domesticity or solidly loving relationships. Frances is, of course, a perennial delight. The cast of characters features some familiar faces, with new people introduced to shake things up and provide some new suspects. In this book, Lily and Leo are getting married at George's family's country estate when a series of suspicious accidents occurs. Frances begins to think there's something else afoot and worries that someone's trying to ruin Lily's happiness and wedding. There's the requisite profoundly complicated family dynamics and an appearance from Lily and Frances' mother, who has her own opinions of how her daughters should live their lives. The plot moves along at a nice, steady clip and there are enough little swerves to keep you on your mental toes. I find this series extremely comforting and Freeman nailed it yet again. I'll just be here sipping tea and waiting for book 4.

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman | review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery.

Rating: Four stars.

Frances, the widowed Countess of Harleigh, needs a quiet place to hold her sister’s wedding. Risings, a lovely family estate in Hampshire, seems like the perfect place for the wedding and a little holiday in the country. Upon arrival, mysterious accidents start injuring both guests and staff alike. Frances and her finance, George, soon set out to find the villain before anyone else is hurt.

Frances is such a great character. I loved the way she told this story and the lovely Victorian setting. The country house was swoon worthy and I loved reading about how Frances and friends spent there time relaxing.

Words I’d use to describe this book- cozy, witty, light hearted, and delightful!

This is actually the third in the series, but can totally be read as a standalone. I may go back and read the first two myself.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.