Lady Frances needs a emergency yet appropriate wedding venue for her little sister's wedding. Frances's secret fiance's estate seems to be the perfect place, but accidents plague the group from the moment they step off the train. The accidents escalate, both above and below stairs, until it seems clear that these accidents are not accidents at all. Lady Frances must race to prevent further harm, keep her sister's wedding on track, wrestle with her own ambivalence about marrying again, and duck slings and arrows from her outrageously overbearing mother. In a corset. While dressing for dinner.

Mischief and Murder is the third installment in this series. I suspect that the heavy lifting of character development was done in earlier volumes, but it leaves the characters here a little flat. Frances and her fiance George seemed a bit slow to pick up on clues, and the book would have moved much more quickly if Frances and George had told each other the truth from the beginning, The conclusion was satisfying, though.

I'd suggest this for fans of cozy mysteries, Tasha Alexander, or Anne Perry.

The book is well written but very hard to follow as this is the first one I’ve read from the collection. This mystery book is set in the Victorian era. Perfect misdirections that kept me reading but start with A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder to fully appreciate.

Countess of Harleigh, Frances Win, is eager to see her sister married so she can focus on her own plans to marry George Hazelton. To avoid scandal, the wedding of Lily and Leo must happen in the country, but as soon as they arrive accident after accident occurs. Coincidence, Frances thinks not!

It was delightful to return to the fun of Frances and George. They are both eager to plan their own wedding, though Frances still has some reservations because of her disastrous first marriage. ALl they need is time to talk things over, but they keep getting interrupted. Accidents begin as soon as they step off the train and luggage nearly falls on Leo and George and escalate from there. Frances' suspicions are raised, but George is less eager to think there is danger.

The plot moves at a good pace. It was enjoyable to see characters we have met and be introduced to new ones. While the mystery was a bit predictable, it was enjoyable nonetheless. (Maybe I've just read too many mystery novels at this point?)

For readers looking for a light historical mystery with humor sprinkled in, I would recommend this.

I thought this book was well written and there were some scenes I enjoyed very much, particularly those with the squabbling sisters! I felt that most of the characters were a bit one-dimensional, though, with the exception of Frances's mother - she was great!

The plot plodded along and was quite predictable. I guessed early on whodunnit, although there is no way of guessing the motivation of the culprit as crucial information is withheld until very late in the story.

There were some amusing anachronisms, e.g. the order of the procession at the wedding.

This was an OK read, but it wasn't a page-turner and I didn't feel at all emotionally involved in it.

What a fun series! This is the first one I’ve read but can’t wait to catch up on the previous ones. This is definitely a series to binge. Perfect for fans of Sara Rosett, Rhys Bowen, Ashley Weaver, and Carola Dunn.

I was able to guess the ending, but that doesn’t bother me! It was a well-plotted mystery, with a fun, unique heroine. The love angle was enjoyable without overpowering the plot.

Overall, this was a thoroughly delightful historical mystery! Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for my free digital copy.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is the third installment of the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries. I received this book from #NetGalley for my honest review, so I haven't read the first two installments. Although I didn't know the backstory of Francis, that I would have gotten from the previous books, this story was not hard to follow. And it was good enough that I think I will go back and read them.
In #ALady'sGuidetoMischiefandMurder, Francis' sister is getting married and needs a wedding venue, so they decided to join a hunting party at George Hazelton's family estate. George and Francis are keeping their engagement under wraps until her sister is married. However, during the planning of the wedding a number of seemingly accidents occur. As these accidents mount, they realize that someone might be trying to kill the sister's fiance, Leo. Or are they after George? This book wasn't as predictable as some, and it was refreshing not to know "who dun it" until close to the end of the book. However, I did find it annoying that they were still calling these situations accidents through 80% of the book. Much earlier than that, it was quite obvious they weren't accidents and the reader just wants them to get on with it. That said, overall it was an enjoyable book, that I would happily recommend.

I feel like the title of this book says it all. It reminds me of Julie Garwood's writing, mixed in with some mystery. A great book to curl up on the couch with and laugh!

Thank you to Kensington Books for an advance reading copy of this book.

I am a fan of mysteries, I am a sucker for a historical story, and a quirky main character. This book has all three. The book is an easy jaunt through the mysterious “accidents” that keep occurring around her sisters intended groom to be.

I have not read the previous books, I’m not entirely sure if it’s necessary too, as I felt all the characters were introduced enough that previous knowledge of them was not mandatory. I do wonder if I would know them more had I read the previous ones, and I’m definitely intrigued to know them more.

All in all this is the type of book that won’t press you to hard, but that you will enjoy with a cup of tea and a cosy spot to read. Like a warm hug with a bit of intrigue

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is the 3rd book in the Countess of Harleigh series, and I'd recommend starting with the first two before reading this one. But definitely pick up the series - it's so much fun. I'm really picky about mysteries - I enjoy the "ordinary person as detective," but I don't like anything too cozy. (I don't like anything too violent or involving psychopaths, either.) These books really hit that sweet spot for me, and I find them to be engrossing reads. Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is an American heiress whose mother married her off to a titled British aristocrat. After the death of her philandering husband she has discovered a great affinity for solving murders. In this book, Frances is planning her sister's wedding at her friend George's family estate when alarming accidents begin occurring. Of course Frances starts investigating. I always find these books really well-plotted with clues and red herrings, and this one was no exception. I also always enjoy the characters, and in this one we're finally introduced to Frances's mother. (I did wish for a lot more Aunt Hetty - she didn't get much page time.) I was surprised that one of the big plot points wasn't met with a lot more consternation from the characters considering the setting (Victorian England), and Frances has what seem to me to be contemporary sensibilities. But that didn't bother me, and if you enjoyed the first two, definitely read this one, it's just as fun. If you haven't read these before, I'd recommend them to fans of the Amory Ames mysteries or anyone who likes fun, fast historical mysteries. I'm looking forward to the next one!

I’m a big fan of the historical mysteries genre and when I stumbled upon Dianne Freeman’s Countess of Harleigh series I was ecstatic! I loved the first two books and the third instalment did not disappoint. Always a fun read, Freeman provides lots of twists and turns, leaving you hooked to see how the story will end. The wit and charm of our female heroine Frances is a delight as you turn each page and her partnership and romance with George gets sweeter with each book released. As I finished the final chapter all I could think was… “I can’t wait for the next one!”
Do yourself a favour, grab a cozy blanket, sit in your reading chair with a cup of your favourite drink and dive in.

A big thank you to Kensington Books for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #ALadysGuidetoMischiefandMurder #Goodreads

The third book in the series is just as fun as the first two. Frances’s sister is getting married at the country home of Frances’s fiance, George. This book combines sleuthing with one of my favorite time periods in a genteel setting. It’s Miss Marple meets Downton Abbey. Perfect for fans of the Royal Spyness Series. In between planning a wedding, fending off her mother and trying to find time to see her fiance, Frances investigates the string of accidents that have been popping up. I enjoyed the descriptions throughout A Lady’s Guide to Mischeif and Murder, it was so fun to feel like I was a part of a shooting party. I didn’t see the ending coming, which is always much more fun!

This series just keeps getting better and better!

Because Lady Harleigh’s sister Lily “anticipated her wedding vows” she now needs to move up her wedding date. A small country wedding at neighbor George Hazelton’s family estate is decided. Yet throughout the week, accidents befall the servants and members of the pre-wedding house party. Frances and George are on the case. But before they can figure out the culprit, they need to determine who has been the intended victim.

Another winner from Dianne Freeman in her Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC

This is the third book in the Countess of Harleigh mystery series and it is charming! i would not read this as a stand alone, the plot builds on previous story lines and the first two are just as enjoyable as this one. Frances is a great character, witty, intelligent, and stubborn. This book formally introduces us to her formidable mother and gives us a look back at her coming-out season.
The plot was was solid, Frances' sister is about to have a country wedding except with accidents happening and a possible murderer running amok, and the mother of the bride trying to set up the bride with a man who isn't her fiancee, things are not going as planned. I did not figure out the who did it or the why until the reveal, I love mysteries that keep me guessing!
There's another wedding on the horizon and I can't wait for the next book!

A cozy mystery with a historical setting, adorable characters and exciting twists and turns. Although a part of a series, the book can be read independent of the previous two books of the series. However, reading it as a series is definitely recommended, as it will make one appreciate the characters more.

The plot flows smoothly at a moderate pace with some twists and turns along the way. The story starts out somewhat slow, but catches pace fast. The mystery kept me turning pages and was thoroughly entertaining.

The characters and their witty banter was the highlight of the book. The protagonist, Frances, is a sassy and witty character. It was a lot of fun to see her donning the detective hat and try to unravel the mystery.

Overall an enjoyable and interesting cozy mystery.

WOW! This book is INCREDIBLE! It is witty, action-packed, entertaining, fun, and just an all around amazing historical cozy mystery! Whenever I picked up “A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder” I was whisked back in time, put on my detective sleuthing hat, and went on a journey with these characters!

This is the third book in Dianne Freeman’s
“A Countess of Harleigh Mystery” series, but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone (this is the first book I have read in this particular series, and I can’t wait to go back and read the first two!). Ms. Freeman really knows how to brilliantly bring her characters to life! From main characters to supporting, all of their interactions with one another felt so authentic and real to who they are, and I really enjoyed the dialogue and often witty banter! Ms. Freeman’s writing is so detailed that I could envision every single moment and scene, and I can only imagine how much thought went into everything.

Frances is such a fun character. Full of spunk, sass, intelligence, and a heart of gold, I absolutely love her! Her relationship with George is so sweet and fun, and they really balance each other and bring out the best in one another. Watching them navigate a series of mishaps, and slowly connect the puzzle pieces was an adventure in of itself! I hope their sleuthing continues!

If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries and / or historical fiction, I highly recommend this novel! It kept me up late reading and guessing until the very end. Some moments had me absolutely gasping in shock, some had me smiling from ear to ear,...and, some, well... everything in between! Filled with twists and turns galore, I absolutely could not put this book down! I hope we see many of these characters’ stories continue, along with new adventures as well! I so hope there are many more books in this amazing series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this novel, I enjoyed it so much! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really liked this one. This series has been good to me and I really enjoy it however I feel like since I’ve listened to the others as a post to read them this one was a little different. Perhaps if I had listened to it I would’ve liked it a little more but I don’t feel like it was an intriguing mystery with twists and turns that weren’t always in my minds eye.

Thank you to Kensington Books for an Advance Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

I haven't read the previous two novels in this series, so I felt like I was missing a bit of the back story around the main character, Frances. I think she might originally have been American and moved to England to find a titled husband about 10 years before this story takes place, but I'm not entirely sure.

The reason this is important to me is because of the authenticity of the language. This novel is set in late 19th Century England among the landed gentry. The language is most definitely early 21st Century American. There are a couple of constructions which would not have occurred in the language of an upper class Englishwoman (or any Englishwoman, for that matter). For example, when talking about sending someone a letter the phrase "write them" is used. An English person would have said "write TO them". English people do also not "visit WITH" someone, they "visit" them or "pay them a visit". You might also "sit with" them if they are already in your house, or if you are going to visit someone in their home you might "call upon" them. These writing and visiting constructions would only be authentic (perhaps) if the person doing them were American. That's the point I'm trying to get to. The language isn't authentic, which pays the book a disservice.

Apart from this the story flowed well and the mystery was plausible. It kept me going through some rather over-long and dialogue-heavy passages where my mind wandered a bit. I felt the novel could easily have been 10% shorter if some of the waffle was cut down. I also felt the characters were all far too easygoing and open-minded considering the times they were living in.

If you're not worried about authenticity, this is quite a nice, light read.

3.5 stars

The third in a historical/cozy mystery series, The Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder features engaging characters and a well-plotted mystery. I was completely wrong as to "who done it," based on all the lovely red herrings the author provides. Great fun! My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read the eARC in return for an honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy.

I did not realize this was part of a series until a few pages in, however I did not find it a hinderance that I had not read the previous novels. The antics of the character were fun develop throughout the book. The mystery was entertaining - keeping you on your toes.

I look forward to other books by the author.

This book is a delight! Think Downton Abbey with even more mystery and drama. It had me guessing until the end! This is a great, light-hearted novel that is a quick read.