This was a cute little cozy mystery. When Violet is thrust into a role that her aunt has filled for a long time, she is unsure how to start. But the first letter sets her off on an adventure that she could not have not foreseen, and the hunt for a murderer as well.

Easy read, and highly enjoyable!

This is the first in the new Dear Miss Hermione series, and it started out as a mixed bag for me, however by the latter half, the good outweighed the issues for me.

Set in 1885 England, Violet’s Aunt Adelia (who is an Agony Aunt in London’s newspaper world) abruptly leaves her column in her niece’s hands as she leaves town with her paramour.

Violet receives a dire letter from a young woman, Ivy Armstrong, asking for her help as she believes she is going to be murdered, and she even points out four possible suspects. But as Violet arrives in Ivy’s village, she discovers Ivy has met with an “accident”, and she becomes determined to find justice.

Violet is the principal voice here, however her 16-year-old half-sister Sephora has her own misadventures (told in her own voice). I found Sephora an annoying, entitled, rude girl, and I found it hard to sympathize with her at all. However, thankfully, by the end of the book there were signs that Sephora’s character might begin to change, hopefully for the better. There was also a very late introduction of a character out-of-the-blue that threw me and heralded another unexpected facet to the series.

The writing was good, I very much enjoyed Violet’s character and the mystery (even though guessable) was entertaining. I would definitely give the second one a try.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Historical cozy mystery is not one of my usual genres, and when I do consume this type of story, it’s always in the form of a BBC or iTV period drama. With that said, Of Manners and Murder was a pleasant surprise. The characters were fantastic—I love Violet and Sephora is a great contrast to her rational personality. Lady B is a very lovely, customs-shirking old lady with a comical gumption that enhances the story, and the side characters and mystery were intricate enough for me to be able to sit back and relax without it dragging because I pegged the murderer from page one. The storyline was also not intruded upon by any anachronistic thing, which made it easer to immerse myself in the plot.

The most fantastic thing about OMaM is that it sets the actual mystery up so obviously (or does it?) that I was really left guessing what was going on until the end. It has been quite a while since I picked up a mystery—I believe the last one I read was A Flicker in the Dark—and I pegged the culprit in the first 10 pages. It really does make for a boring read when that happens. Luckily, that did not happen for this book, and I recommend this highly.

If you like clean books and cozy period mysteries, Of Manners and Murder is definitely a pick for you.

My thanks to NetGalley for the eARC, for which I willingly give my own opinion.

Violet Manville is shocked when her aunt tells her she writes the popular Miss Hermione advice column and then tells Violet that she is in charge of the column while she goes off to the continent. Among the first letters Violet receives is one from a young woman who thinks someone is trying to kill her. When Violet goes to try to help, she interrupts the woman’s funeral. Can Violet figure out what is happening?

I thought the first in this new series, set in Victoria England, sounded like fun. I am glad I picked it up because I was right. The characters are good, although Violet’s half-sister can be a bit shallow. I suspect that is on purpose, however. We do get a few scenes from her point of view, but the switch is always obvious. The plot is lots of fun and plenty to keep us engaged. I did feel Violet made a leap at the end, but the solution was logical. If you are looking for a fun premise for a new series, this is one to check out. I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.

When a friend told me that Anastasia Hastings is a pen name of an author we’ve read and enjoyed before, I was willing to give this series a try, even though historical mystery isn’t my normal genre. I’m glad I did. I was drawn in by the characters and the premise right away, and the setting (moving between London and the English countryside) is captivating. The mystery and the pacing are good.

Cons: I am always unhappy when amateur investigation crosses into burglary and theft. Also, the current trend of multiple points of view can end anytime now. Please.

The narration of the audiobook is solid, if at times the voices and accents are slightly exaggerated. All in all, I look forward to book 2 in the series.

Thank you to Anastasia Hastings, MiA Hutchinson-Shaw, St. Martin’s Press, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an advance reader/listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

The first in the Dear Miss Hermione series, Of Manners and Murder, is a delightfully entertaining historical mystery. Violet Manville, a bluestocking, is set takeover the advice column her Aunt has run for years after she departs for the Americas. The column is a staple among the Ton women seeking advice on relationships and life.

One letter peaks "Dear Miss Hermione" interests when a young bride writes about her fears for safety after a series of accidents. The next thing Violet knows she's embroiled in a murder mystery in Willingdale looking into the death of this women. A cast of suspects are presented as Violet works through the clues to uncover the killer.

Violet is also responsible for her step-sister, Sephora, who lives in the clouds and is a bit of a snob. The story is told from both of their perspectives. The amateur sleuthing makes for a cozy, enjoyable read. Can't wait for book 2, and Violet's budding romance.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy.

The same day that Violet's Aunt Adelia is set to leave on a trip to the continent with a new paramour she also drops the bombshell that she's behind the extremely popular advice column Miss Hermione and that now Violet will have to take over in her stead while she's away. Violet being a very level-headed and practical woman figures that she can do the job, no problem. When she stumbles upon a letter from a woman fearing for her life, Violet cannot just sit back, but when she tries to meet up with this woman, Violet discovers she's dead. With a list of suspects all with their own motivations, Violet is determined to see the killer brought to justice.

Violet Manville joins a long line of Victorian lady sleuths that are in rotation in my historical mystery reading and she gives a good start. I think that Of Manners and Murder does a great job in introducing Violet, giving a satisfying mystery, and also making me want more.

The story is told from both Violet and her half sister, Sephora's points of view. I felt like there was a seeming disconnect between the story threads and likewise between the sisters themselves. By the end things are clearer in regards to the story, but it almost felt tacked on a bit. I think the relationship between Violet and Sephora will be one that we see grow throughout the series, at least I hope we do. They are coming from different places in their lives with different values, but there's definitely a familial regard for one another that hasn't been fully fledged out. I think this has to do with the fact that they were raised in very different households. Violet was raises mainly by her father after her mother's death and I think she had a sense of freedom and agency that Sephora doesn't. Sephora is very much a proper society girl. She's of the mind to get married and have a family with very little thought given to what <i>she</i> wants in life. But you kind of see her break out of that a bit by the end.

Also, there's a certain someone that really plays off well with Violet but this person is only introduced in the last few chapters of the book. I wanted more of their interactions and feel like their interactions were a sure setup for more books which, if it actually pays off, I'll forgive the quick introduction.

I will say I guessed the whodoneit at a certain revealing moment close to the middle of the book, but I'd be lying if I didn't second guess myself throughout the remainder of the book, and I did not really guess the how or why of it until it was actually revealed in the end. Overall, though, it was very satisfying and I look forward to reading more of Violet's advice and adventures.

This is an enjoyable Victorian-era cozy mystery; there are enough red herrings to keep it interesting. The conceit of Violet taking over her aunt's advice column is also a fun framing device. Some of the plot points and characters feel surface-level--for example, introducing potential romantic interest Eli Marsh so late in the story--but I hope they'll be explored more in sequels. On the other hand, I'd like to see less of Violet's younger sister Sephora in the sequels; I found her annoying, but I understand why Anastasia Hastings included her.

As the beginning of a new series, there was a lot of back story and world building involved in this book. I REALLY wanted to love this book. I love strong women, mysteries, and period books. I enjoyed it, but it was a little lacking for me. I hope Violet comes into her own better in the next installment.

Thank you to St. Martin's and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕓𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖, 𝕖𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕨𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕟 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕨𝕟.”

This is first ever arc that I ever received from NetGalley to review, and it has set the standard so incredibly high! One of the most well-written, fast-paced, unexpected and page turning mysteries I’ve read in ages. Vividly set in the London of 1855, this book kept me guessing until the very end, and still managed to take me by surprise. Despite the different era it spoke of, Violet was the personification of a strong, intelligent and independent woman we all dream of being, and the relatability surprised me. If this is what historical fiction is, sign me up for this genre all day every day! I am also SO thrilled that this is the first book in what looks like a longer series, because if Anastasia Hastings is writing it, I’m reading it.

The last thing Violet Manville wanted was to have her Aunt Adelia pack her bags and head off to the Continent with her gentleman friend. Literally leaving within minutes of dropping the other shoe. It turns out that dear Aunt Adelia is a very famous agony aunt, known as Miss Hermione and, while she is off traveling for who knows how long, she entrusts her secret to Violet. Now Violet is an agony aunt without a clue as to how to answer their questions. With the help of Bunty the housekeeper (who knows the secret and helped Aunt Adelia) she takes on her first letter. She finds the young woman who wrote the letter but she is being laid six feet under. Which of the people mentioned in her letter - who are also at the graveside service - is her killer?
I'll be honest, I have enjoyed every series penned by this author no matter which name she uses - Casey Daniels, Kylie Logan, Miranda Bliss, Lucy Ness and Mimi Granger and various others. Moving on from ghosts and the present day, this Victorian series is a nice escape. The mystery has some red herrings and a twist or two and the main characters are interesting and well developed. I'm looking forward to seeing how the relationship between the two half sisters - the older Violet and the much younger Sephora - plays out. This series has lots of potential.
My thanks to the publisher Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the promising premise of this Dear Miss Hermoine mystery series. Violet’s aunt leaves the task of answering the “Miss Hermoine” Agony Aunt letters to Violet while she is out of town. The letters are going to provide a lot of fun mysteries to explore in future series.

This story started off slowly, but did pick up towards the end. The characters were interesting and added to the mystery plot. I found myself waiting for a potential love interest for Violet throughout the story and I had to wait until Chapter 17 for him to show up!

I can’t wait to see how the series develops in the next book!

3.5 rounded up

The first book in a new Victorian Era mystery series. Miss Violet is surprised to learn that her Aunt Adelia secretly writes London’s most popular advice column. Her aunt only tells her as she is taking off to the continent and leaving the column for Violet to take over. Violet and her younger by a dozen years half sister Sephora have been living with their aunt since the passing of their father. He worked for the foreign office and Violet spent years growing up in India. One of the first letters Violet read is from a woman named Ivy who claims someone is trying to kill her. Violet decides to visit Ivy in person and arrives at her funeral. With a list of suspects from the deceased Violet wants to solve the mystery.

The mystery is pretty standard but there are some red herrings to keep you guessing. I like the Victorian setting and little things mentioned like the changes in bustles and other fashion for comfort. The sisters aren’t close because of a twelve year age difference. Sephora’s character is annoying and I hope after this novel they might like each other more. I hope she becomes someone who helps her sister solve crimes and not someone in to butt heads with or who needs to be rescued. Most of the chapters are from Violet's POV but a few are from Sephora’s.

This could easily qualify as a cozy mystery with Violet as an amateur detective. It is clever to have the mysteries come to her as people send letters seeking advice for the column. There may be a potential romance building as well. But it is early to know for sure. I will look forward to the next adventure. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Of Manners and Murder is a cozy, Victorian Era mystery set in London and the surrounding countryside. Violet and her younger sister Sephora live with their Aunt Adelia who is the local advice columnist though her role is a deeply guarded secret. When Adelia leaves town for an extended time, she tasks Violet with taking over her role. The first letter Violet is set to answer is from a young woman who suspects that she is in danger. The story follows Violet as she does more than just answer the letter. She sets out to learn the real story behind the mysterious letter.

I wasn't sure if I would like this book due to the Victorian setting, but I was pleasantly surprised that the language does not feel stuffy or tedious. I even learned a few new vocabulary words and facts about the culture of that time period. The story moved at a nice moderate pace and kept my attention while ending with a slight twist.

I wish the character Eli Marsh had come into the story sooner and that there was more revealed about him. It appears that this book is the first in a series, so I hope the relationship between him and Violet is developed forward in the next book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A cute cozy mystery that takes place in Victorian England. The story was well thought through and although I found it a bit slow , the second half did pick a bit . I enjoyed the start of a new romance for Violet at the end which I’m sure will continue through the rest of the series .

Thanks so much to the author and Minotaur Books (St. Martin's Press) for the gifted advanced copy of this book, as well as Netgalley for the advanced e-copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } Al of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on my blog at tacklingtbr.home.blog.

TW: death/murder, kidnapping, discussion of suicide

Looking at a few of the other early reviews it seems like I might not be in the majority here, but I LOVED this book! As soon as I got to about the fourth chapter I turned to my husband to tell him how much I was enjoying it, and if you ask me the rest of it really didn't disappoint either.

Let's talk about the characters. I really loved Violet as our primary female lead! She is smart, sassy, and fast talking - which I always love in a female character in a period piece. She makes a hilarious Miss Hermione (the namesake for her aunt's Agony Aunt article that she has inherited) and a formidable detective. And Bunty, their housekeeper and the keeper of the Miss Hermione secret, makes a very funny addition to the team - a bit of a combination of Dr. Watson and Batman's Alfred.

I will say that I didn't love Sephora as much as I did the other two. Although I think that that is partially the point, so I won't feel too guilty about it. I didn't fully dislike the character, by any means - she is very sweet, and very young, and there is something special in a character that chooses to see the good in people and situations even after they've experiences tragedy. She made a really interesting character in relation to Violet, so I really enjoyed their interactions. I just didn't love the handful of chapters from Sephora's perspective, feeling a bit like I was waiting until I got to the next section with Violet.

I know that not all sisters, or siblings in general, have wonderful relationships with each other. Violet and Sephora are at each other's throats for a lot of the story, but when it really matters the love that they have buried in their hearts comes through, and I thought that while it isn't an ideal sibling relationship that it did feel like one of the many realistic ones.

There may be bits of the setting or story that aren't strictly true to the Victorian era, but since it's a fiction that didn't bug me all that much. Just something to keep in mind if things like that take you out of a story.

Overall it was a well thought out and written story, it was incredibly engaging, and I can't wait to read the next Miss Hermione Mystery!
I would absolutely recommend this book to my friends and fellow readers looking for a fun female-driven mystery. I would say that the best way to read this book would be curled up in a blanket on a wildly rainy day with a large cup of tea. Or better yet, throw some bourbon in there and make it a hot toddy, Violet and Bunty would approve.

Of Manners and Murder is a fun adventure into Victorian England.

Our main character, Violet, is a smart, independent young woman who takes over her aunt’s role as Miss Hermione, which is 19th century England’s version of the Dear Abby advice column. This leads her to a mystery that might turn out to be murder.

I loved Violet’s character. She had no problem going against societal convention. I got Murder She Wrote vibes, as she went around the village asking probing questions and stirring up trouble.

This is the first book in the new Dear Miss Hermione Mystery Series. The story had a solid ending, which I always appreciate in a series, while leaving lots of room for future mischief.

This was an entertaining historical cozy! I enjoyed the characters - even Sephora’s flightiness. Sometimes having a character that makes you roll your eyes at their naïveté adds something to the story. I liked Violet. She knows who she is and accepts and embraces her station in life. Her methodical investigation and her levelheadedness in considering the suspects in Ivy’s death kept the story moving along. I was a bit disappointed that Eli Marsh didn’t make an earlier appearance in the book. The interactions he and Violet had added a spark of a potential romance and an investigative partnership. I hope there are more investigations in Violet’s future, - this book certainly gives us a promising start!

This is a fun, cozy historical mystery. We have a true bluestocking heroine solving a mystery epistolary-style. I liked the unique plot devices used. I did feel like the characters lacked a bit of depth and it took a bit to really get into this story. Overall, this is a good weekend cozy mystery, especially for historical fiction fans.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery but also felt like the ending was a little too obvious. I guessed the solve pretty early on, but still liked seeing Violet unravel the mystery. I loved the settings and the characters. I look forward to reading the next entry in this series!