I have to say I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one, as I tend to not like books set in the period of history. However, sense it was a mystery I was willing to give it a chance and I am glad I did. I loved the banter between Lady Katherine and Detective Inspector Andrew Eversham. I love banter between the heroine and hero when it's done good and in this case it was done very well. It reminded me of Sherlock and Watson in a good way and I look forward to the next book in the series.

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Forever/Grand Central Publishing

I love this cover - the vibrant colours, the font and the image. Many times it is the cover that first draws me to a book. It is one of the reasons I love the library as I can take risks...many many risks! As soon as I saw this one was available to be reviewed I requested it quickly. I kept putting the novel aside, waiting for a weekend I could dive into it. Months later, I was still waiting. A week ago I needed something light and fun, and since the long weekend was looming, I knew I would at some point have a chunk of time to read. I was reading the book right before bed, so often times I had to set a timer so I would not stay up too late. Last night after dinner I finally had time to finish the case of the Commandments Killer.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is a mix of genres so it may or may not work for readers. Manda Collins has mostly written historical romance novels, so this book has steaminess and chemistry of a historical romance. You feel the sparks when Kate (Lady Katherine) and Andrew (Detective Inspector Eversham) meet, and also between Caro and Val (secondary characters who will most likely have a book next). Yet, the plot that moves the story along is the mystery aspect. There is a serial killer loose, leaving bodies with notes pinned to them. He is labeled the "Commandments Killer" because of what is written on the notes.It is more of a cozy mystery, than a serious one (even though the murders are gruesome). Add in humour, feminism, journalism, and a murder at a country house and readers will some solid hours of entertainment.

Kate and Caro write a new column titled "A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem" taking on issues deemed to sensitive for women, especially those in high society. When they go to investigate the case they discovered a new witness. That new witness gets Detective Inspector Eversham kicked off the case due. to negligence. The truth is that his rival on the force is the one who missed it, but us placed in charge, and suddenly arrests a suspect. Kate thinks that the man is not the killer but is not sure what to do next. She leaves for the country, invited to a friend's country home, and seems to have brought the killer with her. After a walk with fellow guests she comes across a body with a note. When Eversham comes to investigate, the two start to butt heads, not wanting the other to find something before the other.

I read some of the reviews - good and the bad - and I think it's one of those books that either capture your interest or not. The writing is fun, but it's not deep on characterizations or plots. Collins does dive into feminism and women's rights, but it is from a lady of high standing. As historical romances usually involve high society, it makes sense that this novel also features higher class characters. If you need a a quick getaway in your imagination, this could work for you!

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley, as well as a physical finished trade paper copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

"I simply ask that you consider my words the next time you think to dismiss some act by a lady as improper. Consider how much of what we've designated as proper and improper is less about manners and more about keeping ladies in their place. Where they won't get in the way of men."

"I cannot sit idly by and listen to you speak about what a lady should and should not do. There was a time when I would have hard your words and bit my tongue and let them pass. Because that's what ladies are supposed to do. Well, for me, the time of holding my tongue has passed."

When I initially read the above quotes in A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem, I mentally pictured a mic drop and wanted to cheer. Lady Kate Bascomb and Caroline Hardcastle join forces to create a column regarding topics typically considered improper for women to know about/discuss. As they investigate and report upon a string of murders gone unsolved by the notorious Scotland Yard, Kate's orbit collides with Inspector Andrew Eversham's.

"After all, we ought to know what's going on in the world around us. We are the ones who are most often preyed upon by unscrupulous, and even deadly, men. I, for one, would even go so far as to say that if ladies were encouraged to speak openly about the things that frightened us, we would all be the safer for it. One cannot protect against a danger that's completely unknown."

I loved Kate as a protagonist. She had a strong sense of self, knew what she wanted, and she wasn't afraid to go after it. Her beliefs and convictions didn't waver, allowing her to serve as a strong champion for women of all classes. Beyond discussions of what should constitute propriety for women, Collins referenced social class, including the way it impacted behavior and motives. This predominantly centered around Eversham, both with the investigation and his personal life.

"It's those who fear damage to their reputations that make the least honest witnesses in my experience. Those with little to lose have little to keep secret."

The mystery itself took a while to garner my interest, but I loved its outcome and felt that it was unexpected, yet believable. Because of the slow beginning, what started as 3 stars became a solid 4, owed to the ending. Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for the honest review. All opinions are my own.

3.75 stars

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem was an enjoyable murder mystery romance. I liked that the heroine was a strong independent character. I did find myself a little lost at the beginning because I felt like I was being introduced to a lot of characters. Once we got into the mystery though I felt like the story took off.

Man, I tried my hardest to get into this book. This one just wasn't for me.

I did like the sassy main character, I just got hung up on the writing style.

Thank you Forever Pub and Netgalley for an ARC for my sassy thougths

This review appears in Historical Novel Reviews 95 (Feb 2021);

When she meets like-minded Caro Hardcastle at a boring dinner party, widowed businesswoman Lady Katherine Bascomb invites her to co-author a new column for Kate’s newspaper. Their inaugural effort investigates the latest murder committed by the Commandments Killer who has been terrorizing 1865 London. Kate is horrified, though, when the “Lady’s Guide” leads to Scotland Yard detective Andrew Eversham getting fired from the case and the wrong man is arrested for the crime.

When she happens upon another murder victim at a country house party, Kate sees a chance to right her wrong by helping Eversham find the real killer. Matched in wit and determination, Kate and Eversham find attraction stirring as they sidestep gore and uncover secrets but achieving their happy-ever-after means keeping the killer away from Kate.

Collins’s style is lively and fun, and she blends cozy mystery and historical romance in a way that should please fans of both genres. The setting is lightly sketched, but Collins’ independent women grapple believably with the social and political barriers of their day, and allusions to the popular Lake Poets will please fans of 19th-century English literature. A sparkling start to a promising series.

DNF at 150 pages. There's nothing wrong here, but I'm just not invested. The characters don't feel real, and it's mostly a mystery thus far. I came here for a romance, not a mystery, so this just didn't meet my needs.

Cute and adorable, witty and funny. But I feel like it lacked the punch of a very good book. it was easy to read, but I needed more. Still a good book, and worth the read.

This book is not the norm for me but I'm quite glad I gave it a try! It was quite cute even though it was super slow burn. I liked Lady katherine and enjoyed her sense of adventure and how she seemed to cause more issues at times than actually helping things. A good enough read and I definitely look forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

This title and cover called out to me for a good, light historical romance with a little mystery peppered in. After reading, I found it to be more of a good, light historical mystery with a little romance peppered in. Not to say that there was no romance. Quite honestly, as I started reading this book, I thought the romance was going to stay in more of the Hallmark cozy mystery territory, but I must say that it did get more steamy and much cozier than I was guessing at. Not a negative comment, just an observation of my expectations from how I perceived the book blurb.

I enjoyed the main characters. I expected this story to be one that had likable main characters and I was not disappointed. Both Katherine and Eversham are quite headstrong, independent, and relentless in their ways. These two main characters meet and infuriate each other throughout most of the story while trying to find a killer that is leaving clues on each victim reflecting The Ten Commandments from the Bible. Katherine, a wealthy young widow, owns a newspaper and is on the case to inform her writing of a new segment in the paper. See title of book for reference. Eversham, a single, career focused Scotland Yard detective, has been unduly taken off the case for nefarious reasons and is bent on finding the killer to restore his good name at the Yard. Of course, arguments abound amongst the two main characters as they find themselves in close company more often and well, you know the historical romance part goes from there.

If you're looking for an historical romance/mystery that is set in Victorian times but has characters with modern sensibilities for the most part, this would be probably be a good fit for you. Also, if you would rather have the focus of the story be on the mystery and the romance be peppered in with good measure as more of a backdrop, this is more of your flavor as well. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. It means that I liked the book. Overall, it's solid, enjoyable, and turned out to be what I expected of it. A little mischief, a little mayhem, the lady guiding you through the story for most of it with Eversham's perspective as well. Throw in a little romance. You've got what the title was selling.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

The Commandment Killer is killing random people in London and leaving their sin next to their body. It's believed whoever the killer is hears their victim state their sin the day before they're found dead. After another body turns up , Katherine (Kate) Bascomb and her friend Catherine (Caro) Hardcastle have had enough of the investigation by Scotland Yard. Kate, who owns a newspaper, and Caro decide to start a column called A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem which will examine the Commandment Killer case. When they discover new information in the case, it leads to the dismissal of Detective Inspector Andrew Eversham from his position of lead investigator. When an arrest is made in the case, Kate and Andrew cross paths but it won't be the last time as Kate finds another body that appears to be from the same killer. As they hunt for the Commandment Killer, Andrew and Kate will find a fire between them they didn't expect.

I received a copy of this book from Forever Pub and Netgalley to review and decided to buy my own copy because it intrigued me so much. Sadly this one didn't meet my expectations. Maybe Bridgerton tainted me for Victorian romances or it was just the wrong book at the wrong time during January 2021. Honestly the romance in this book didn't feel as organic as other romance novels I've read. I really loved Kate and Caro. They are women who do what they want even if it goes against societal expectations. The case at the center of the story was the most interesting element to me. It kept me guessing until we learn who the killer may actually be. A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem is the first book in the series. Although I wasn't blown away by this one, I'm intrigued enough to read the second book that will focus on Caro and Lord Valentine Thorn, Kate's best friend.

I really enjoyed this book.
I loved the historical side of it and have been so into this genre of romance lately. I think the book was well written and I would recommend it to anyone that’s craving more historical romance after watching Bridgerton.

3.5⭐
This was really cute and left me pleasantly surprised! I'm always on the hunt for historical mystery romances. It's such a niche genre but one I absolutely adore. I thought this book did a fantastic job balancing the romantic and mystery aspects and I was completely invested in both.
My favorite part of this was the characters themselves. I absolutely loved both Katherine and Caro - and I really hope Caro gets her own story! This had witty banter, feminist themes, and really swoony romance.
My one complaint is that I wish the romance had been a little slower of a burn. I felt like the main characters went from hate to love really quickly and would have liked to see it drawn out a little more. But I thought their chemistry was fantastic and I was still rooting for them regardless.
Overall I really liked this and I can't wait to get more from Manda Collins and this series!

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (Lady’s Guide Series #1). By Manda Collins. 2020. Forever (ARC eBook).

Lady Katherine Bascomb runs a Gazette newspaper and when a murderer continues to haunts the streets of London, she and her associate Caroline Hardcastle decide to publish details of the case so that women don’t remain ignorant of the danger. But scooping the police leads to the Detective Inspector in charge, Andrew Eversham, removed from the case and possibly the wrong man arrested for the crimes.

With his reputation having been threatened and suspecting an innocent man has been arrested, Eversham is not amused to arrive at a murder scene out in the country only to come face to face with Kate Bascomb. The so-called Commandments Killer case is closed, but this new murder has too many coincidences to just go along with his superintendent’s stance on a copycat killer. Maybe if he and Kate work together instead of against each other, they may be able to stop any more killings.

This was the first book I’ve read by Collins and it was pretty much a mixed bag for me. The mystery aspect was okay, although it overshadowed the romance quite a bit. It felt like the romance element needed more finessing as it never sparked beyond enemies to lovers for me. But overall, I didn’t connect to the heroine and so I just wasn’t buying into the romance. I’d like to try another book by the author but A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem wasn’t a hit for me.

A lady reporter. A jaded inspector. Mischief...Mayhem...Murder... Love?

A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins is the first in the Lady’s Guide series. This story follows Lady Katherine Bascomb, a female reporter in 1865 London. During this time, it is seen as vulgar for a woman to write about murder. Lady Katherine writes about a series of murders that have happened in London. She is also the owner of a newspaper. Her and her friend Caro have decided that women need to know more about the murders in order to protect themselves. After writing a scathing article that questions the techniques of the investigating detective, Andrew Eversham, and causing the wrong man to be arrested, Kate decides that it is time to leave town and re-evaluate her goals.

Andrew Eversham is the detective in charge of the Commandments Murders. He has also put his trust in the detectives below him instead of following up on an interview with a witness. After the article about the incompetence of police is released, Andrew is taken off the investigation. Needless to say, he is very unhappy with Kate and what her article has unleashed.

When it seems like the murderer follows Kate to a house party, DI Eversham is called to investigate. Kate and Andrew work together to solve what seems like un-solvable murders. Why are the murders occurring everywhere Kate seems to be? Throughout the investigation, Andrew and Kate rely on each other to solve the crime, but they also fall in love with each other. Will they solve the crimes that keep occurring?

After I started reading this book, I became invested in the lives of Kate and Andrew and wanted them to fall in love and solve the murders. Which, when they solved the crimes, the murderer was definitely not who I thought it was, so that was a good surprise and shock. I’m ready to read the next story. The author hasn’t given any indication of who the story will be about, but I’m hoping it will be Caro’s story.

I think I ultimately wanted to like this book more than I did. The storyline was interesting and the characters were refreshingly mature, but I wanted a bit more romance and maybe a bit more to be at risk. I liked the banter and the Miss Fisher vibes between Katherine and Andrew but it wasn't a super memorable book.
That being said, I would certainly recommend it to patrons and my library has already purchased a copy.

This was one of the books I really regretted not making time to read in 2020 and I had such high hopes! Unfortunately I could not get into the storyline at the moment and decided to DNF. I may try again later, when I’m more in the mood for a historical mystery.

This was very fun!! I love independent ladies who don't need a man, but happen to fall in love! This was very interesting and I love a good plot twist!!

so while a lady's guide to mischief and mayhem is not solely a mystery, it's more mystery than romance. but in a way that really works for this victorian set novel. the blurb comps it to evie dunmore, but i think this is closer in feel and appeal to the veronica speedwell novels by deanna raybourn. it almost feels like these two main characters could continue to headline the series, though in that regard these books will follow the romance model and focus on a different set of characters for subsequent stories in the series.
the main characters here, katherine bascomb and andrew eversham are at odds as a journalist and detective respectively. a series of murders has captured kate's interest and she feels it is her moral duty to warn others, especially women, of the crimes. but in the strait-laced society she inhabits, it is frowned upon for a woman to discuss unpleasant things.

eversham sees her more as a nuisance getting in the way of his investigation, he's not entirely dismissive of her because of her gender, but more annoyed about the fact that her profession can cause some real problems for him.

but they are actually working together for a common goal, and that leads to some really delightful moments between them.

all in all, if you're looking for an entertaining read, this delivers on romance and mystery.

**a lady's guide to mischief and mayhem will publish on november 10, 2020. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/grand central publishing (forever) in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest this book was very unexpected for me but it was also enjoyable. It was sort of a cross between a mystery, who done it, thriller and a romance. Since the book was set in the mid-late 1800s, it took me a while to get into the time period and I had to remind myself of the time period as I was reading. I will say though that Kate did not let the gender roles of the time period effect how she chose to do things. There were so many instances of girl power in this novel and I loved that. The first half was a bit slower but the second half really drew me in. I did not expect the twist and I loved the thriller/mystery aspect of the book! I’m still not sure if I would categorize this as a romance or a mystery but I really enjoyed it all the same. Manda Collin’s writing style really drew me into the scenery at Thornwood and I am looking forward to the second book in the series!