Nicely done. This has all of the elements of a good historical mystery, including fun characters. Hastings writes well, and those that pick this up will likely enjoy it.

I really appreciate the free ARC for review!!

Similar to a classic Christie novel, this is the first in a series. I love the framing effect of the detective being an advice columnist.

I really enjoyed reading this, until we got to the character of the sister, Sephora. She occupies the place of the detective's confidant in the narrative but she's a spoiled brat who never considers her effect on others. It's really hard to read her bits without wanting to slap her. If Sephora had been removed, this would have been five stars.

“Of Manners and Murder” by Anastasia Hastings is an enjoyable cozy mystery. It is formulaic without being completely predictable. The murderer was pretty apparent from the beginning (and will be I believe for anyone who reads cozy mysteries) but I still found it enjoyable. There are some amateurish aspects but I still found it a pleasant read. I think those parts of the novel owe themselves to the author setting up the rest of the series and doing the necessary housekeeping to do so. I would recommend it to someone who wants a nice comfort read. It is obviously setting up a new cozy mystery series and I will definitely read the next one! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGallery for the ARC.

I'll be honest and say it was a slow start, but it ended on such an unexpected note! If the rest of the book had the pace that the last 80 pages had, I would have enjoyed it more. With that being said, I do love a story set in Victorian England, so I stuck with it & it did leave me wondering if the adventure will continue.

Its's about Violet, an "older" girl for the time who hasn't really conformed to society's standards. Which makes her the best candidate to take over her aunt Adelia's column while she's travelling. She ends up following up on a letter she's received that turns into quite the mystery.

If cozy mysteries with a female lead are your cuppa, then this is great little read.

An interesting debut in the Victorian female mystery detective genre. Well written the mystery was a little too easy to figure out but I look forward to the next book in the series.

Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings was an amazing twisting mystery. The cast of characters were interesting and well developed. The setting and plot prefect. I can't wait until the next book!

I finished reading this quirky detective story while Hurricane Ian was barreling through Florida, and I was unable to write an immediate review because I had no power. I have finished another book, and began one more, so now that I have had time to think about this story, here comes my honest review. The reason that I used quirky are the fact that two young ladies, sisters, one wealthy, their Aunt who writes a Aunt Abby type column, is off with a boyfriend? During the Victorian Era? The next problem is two young ladies running around England without a proper chaperone, I am sorry, but you did not have to be aristocracy for it to be improper for young ladies to go anywhere alone; you can try and throw out feminist ideas all you want , however, there will always be honest people like me who will call this revisionist history. The book is let down by these shortcomings, there would have been at least one maid in this type home, which would have left the ladies maid to accompany the eldest sister as she looked for a murderer. That would have left another maid to chaperone the younger sister, she still would have gotten into trouble, but at least someone would have known about it. It's the little things in books that can take it from the mundane to a great book. The story is interesting, I enjoyed the premise, I did not like the lack of love between the two sisters, it detracts from the story. I recommend for people who don't mind revisionist history, who read just to read. I usually find great books from #StMartinsPress, I love this publishing house!
Thank you #Netgalley #StMartinsPress
carolintallahassee

I was expecting a “cutesy” murder mystery and was pleasantly surprised that, Of Manners and Murder, was much more! Think Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Such an enjoyable, well written book, with interesting characters and with twists and turns in the plot. I would certainly look forward to reading more by Anastasia Hastings in the Dear Miss Hermione Mystery series. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #OfMannersandMurder, #NetGalley, #St.Martin’sPress.

Violet has a new job. She now has the job of advice columnist which was dropped into her lap by her aunt. As she opens one of the letters that has come in, she delves deep. So deep in fact, her search takes her to a small village where she discovers that the author of that letter’s name was Ivy. And that Ivy is now dead. Not believing the rule of death as being suicide, Violet takes it upon herself to investigate Ivy's life, her recent marriage, and anything that would net her the answers she seeks.

With her interest sparked, wonderful instincts and the ability to ask the perfect questions, Violet just might be able to solve whatever it was behind Ivy’s untimely death. While too late to have helped via the advice column, Violet is determined to find justice for Ivy.

This intriguing first book in a new series is told in first person from both Violet and her sister Sephora's point of view. This book offers a seamless introduction to a delightful new series with enjoyable characters. I definitely look forward to the next book in this promising series.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Of Manners and Murder is the first novel of a Dear Miss Hermione Mystery. This historical fiction novel is set in 1865 in London. When Violet Manville takes over her aunt's column "Dear Miss Hermione," in a woman's magazine, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation.

Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings is a great historical fiction and cozy mystery that is the first book in a new series: A Dear Miss Hermione Mystery.

This is a enjoyable historical mystery that takes place at the end of the 19th century in Victorian London, England.

There is mystery, suspense, twists and turns, cheekiness, sass, and good humor all around. I love when one-liners are tossed into the dialogue, it keeps me entertained as
I read onward.

Violet is an interesting main character. She wears many hats, has a fiery streak, but works hard at balancing that line between traditional societal roles and expectations and dabbling in the advances that are slowly taking place for women at this time. She is complex, likable, realistic, and intelligent.

I enjoyed being introduced to the full cast of characters, the main character Violet, the murder/mystery plot, and I appreciated the satisfying ending.

Looking forward to seeing where this will go.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 02/07/23.