Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “A Fashionable Fatality.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Lady Phoebe Renshaw (our lady of the Lady and Lady’s Maid series) has come to visit her sister in the Cotswolds as “A Fashionable Fatality” begins. She’s immediately accosted by Coco Chanel, who hates everything about the way she’s dressed. No, Mademoiselle Chanel doesn’t turn out to be the murder victim (although the way she acts throughout, no one would have blamed our heroine for finishing her off). But a murder victim there soon is, and Lady Phoebe (and Eva Huntford, her maid, equally in the thick of things) get busy figuring out whodunit. And author Alyssa Maxwell entertains us with a 1920s fashion parade while reminding readers that the past is a powerful motive for murder.

Lots of suspects in this one; Lady Phoebe and Eva definitely have their hands full. Our author makes sure that there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the guessing front and center. It’s all worked out in the end, of course.

Since “A Fashionable Fatality” is part of a series, there’s the personal plot lines to be aware of. Phoebe has some good news and bad news; good news on the individual front (after some soul-searching) and bad news from that pesky French dress designer. Our author demonstrates that while many things had changed after the war, young ladies of the “upper class” were still expected to conduct themselves in a certain way. “A Fashionable Fatality” won’t disappoint for those who like their historical mysteries to follow the social conventions of the time, with a dead body thrown in every so often, of course.

An Author’s Note enlightens readers on the real Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and her significance to this story. Chanel had quite the colorful life, and that life, especially during WWII has come under scrutiny, much of it negative. Ms. Maxwell includes a reminder that anyone can have a dark side, and it’s a lesson that should be remembered.

This is a good mystery, with a caveat. The storyline is interesting, partly trope, partly an attack on a famous person, whom I buy things from, and obviously there are things I don't know. Lady Phoebe and her maid Eva on spending a long weekend at her sister Lady Julia's Country Home, present are Lady Julia's husband, heir to a Marquesite, Theo, Lady Phoebe's boyfriend, Owen, an Earl. Now comes the famous person, it's Coco Chanel, who does not come out smelling like No. 5, she is not the murderer, but one of her small group of employees is the victim, which cast suspicion on everyone there. I have another series where Coco Chanel is part of the story, and in those books, she's kind, and loving, so, this extremely rude woman depicted in this story have left me reeling, obviously, I must buy a book about the woman who forged a House of Couture that is worth 15 Billion dollars today, a woman whose poverty stricken father placed her at a young age into a Catholic orphanage where she was taught to sew, who survived the German Occupation during two world wars. As I said, my review is skewed by the animosity towards Coco, and the outright feminists attitude that Lady Phoebe has toward her boyfriend, she is a typical modern heroine, she wants to be loved, but heaven forbid if he says anything to her about her safety! Yet when someone comes after her with a gun, isn't she relieved when this handsome young man shows up? I tire of this obnoxious attitude that all heroines must have toward the men in their lives, so, instead of enjoying this book like I should have, I find it lacking for these two reasons, and the third is, I knew why the murder occurred before it was revealed. I do recommend it, if knowing these things, and you still want to read a clean Historical Mystery.
Thank you #Netgalley #KensingtonBooks
carolintallahassee

Historical mysteries are my favorite sub genre and the mysteries written by Alyssa Maxwell are some of the best out there. In this series it's 1921 and the Lady is Lady Phoebe and her lady's maid is Eva. Together they make an exceptional investigative team. They are now faced with a death at a country weekend at the home of her sister, Julia and her husband. Phoebe really shouldn't have agreed to attend as she and her sister have some friction between them....as sisters do. It turns out that it's not just her sister who is causing friction for Phoebe. Friction comes on a grand scale from one of the guests, the famous Coco Chanel. She has taken it upon herself to bring along some extra guests so she can use the grounds as a background for her gorgeous creations. As the weekend progresses a killer strikes, taking the life of one of Coco's models.
While Phoebe investigates above stairs, Eva does the same downstairs. Between them the killer won't be at large for long. Told from two points of view - Phoebe and Eva - the reader gets to see everything and follows the clues to the great reveal. I usually stay away from multiple POV's as they can be choppy and jarring, taking me out of the story. In the hands of Alyssa Maxwell it works perfectly. Added to a well constructed puzzle to solve, interesting settings and well-fleshed out characters, this is a must read series for me. Now I want to seek out a biography of Coco Chanel to learn more about her.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I loved it! I enjoyed getting to know Phoebe and Eva - they make a great team. And I love the inclusion of Coco Chanel and her fashions. I can imagine how beautiful they were on the women in the early 1929s. And the reason why someone was murdered - wow! What a story. This is a must read. And now I need to go back and read the rest of the books in this series.

I am always excited to read one of Alyssa Maxwell's mysteries; the eighth in A Lady and a Lady's Maid mystery series, this one is a new favorite. Lady Phoebe and Eva are visiting with her sister Julia, (Lady Allerton), and a special guest or two. Coco Chanel and her lover, the Earl of Chesterhaven are defying convention by their relationship alone, but to further complicate matters Coco has invited her work team without asking Julia. The tension between the team is palpable and only gets worse when the original guests are brought into the fray. After a suspicious death Lady Phoebe and Eva begin to investigate. I like how well suited they are as the clues and red herrings are discussed and discarded on the path to find the killer.
The setting is just after the first world war when so many changes were taking place. I enjoy learning about this period, and loved the inclusion of Coco Chanel --warts and all.
Thank you #NetGalley, #Kensington, and #AlyssaMaxwell for the E-ARC that I requested. All opinions are my own, I am excited to share this enjoyable book!
#AFashionableFatality #NetGalley #ALadyandaLady'sMaid

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Alyssa Maxwell for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Fashionable Fatality coming out January 24, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Great War has just ended and people are trying to rediscover life’s joys—parties, fashion and dancing. Lady Phoebe and Eva are disconcerted when an intimate gathering at the home of Phoebe’s sister, Julia, becomes a much larger and more glamorous affair . . .
 
Julia invited French fashion designer, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, and Coco’s current beau, the Earl of Chesterhaven. Coco brings a party of her own, including two models. She intends to use the luscious gardens as a photographic setting for her latest designs.
 
Madame Chanel is as forthright and beautiful as she is talented, offering a scathing critique of Phoebe’s fashion sense. There is tense competition between the models. During the festivities, a guest is found dead of smoke inhalation. It seems to be a tragic accident. Is a footman to blame for mistakenly closing the fireplace flue, or is there a more deadly explanation?
  
Phoebe is determined to solve the case, despite the protests of her beau, Owen Seabright. Phoebe and her maid Eva uncover motives—career goals, romantic rivalries, and even more betrayals. On the surface there is beauty and fashion, but underneath there are ugly secrets in the world of Maison Chanel, ones that a killer will risk anything to keep hidden.

I love Alyssa Maxwell’s books! She always has fun historical mysteries. I love the idea of the lady and maid solving cases together. It reminds me Agatha Christie books. I love that it featured a real person Coco Chanel as well. It added a bit of flair to the story. This is definitely a fun series. I thought the ending was lovely and I hope there’s more books.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys glamorous, cozy historical murder mysteries!

I really like this series. It is such a unique premise and I like the authors way of writing. Phoebe and Eva are two fun MC's and I really like how the author writes from each POV, but that it is never confusing or obnoxious [there are SO MANY books out there that could take lessons on how to write a dual POV from this author] and at times, seems almost seamless in how it is presented. I also love how she writes Eva; she knows her place and would never dare to do anything that was improper, but yet she knows that she can both tell Phoebe anything and count on her as well for anything. They have such a great relationship and I also love how Phoebe never takes advantage of that or uses Eva ever. It really makes the books.

I had guessed the killer and some of the why, but there were absolutely parts of the reveal that were shocking and unexpected and I will admit that I may or may not have cheered for Eva at one point. Her love and devotion to "her Lady" really shines in this one, especially in the reveal.

Coco Chanel plays a big part in this story and even though I have read other things [NF] about her, I had forgotten just how unlikable she was [as its been awhile since I have read a NF about her; I will saw that this book renewed that interest and I will be looking to see if there are any new books out there on her and her life], but I will say that while she was greedy and manipulative and extremely selfish, she was also kind and generous to those she cared about [in her own weird twisted way of caring] and there is little of that in this book; I would have liked to see even just a glimmer of that, but totally understand why there is not because of the idea of idolization [the author explains it better than I in the afterward] and how Julia starts the story and how she ends it. It was very much food for thought in regards at how the world still looks at "stars" and their lives.

I had one major dislike and one major like with this book [which is pretty good for me in the dislike department, especially as of late]. he dislike was simple; Owen's treatment of Phoebe. They have been together for awhile now and her way of living and doing should NOT BE A SURPRISE to him and the way he reacts and treats her in this one was...appalling. Though some of it is resolved at the end, it was a huge red flag for me and I am hoping Owen doesn't turn out to be one of "those kind of men" as he has previously been a decent character and a good foil for Phoebe.

The major like is much lovelier - as of late, so many Historical Mysteries and Cozy Mysteries have been...tedious to read. Authors all of the sudden think they must bash the reader over the head with the same information over and over and over again in every chapter [sometimes told in a slightly different way, sometimes not] and it has ruined many a book for me. I was hesitant to dive into this one because of that very thing [some of my most favorite authors have succumbed to this stupid trend and I have been so disappointed as of late], but thankfully [THANK YOU SO MUCH MS. MAXWELL], that was not the case here. There are moments of rehashing, but that was expected as Phoebe and Eva mostly investigate separately and they have to confer, but more often than not, when they do, there isn't a rehashing, especially if what they found was explained fully before they seek one or the other out to tell them and I cannot even begin to tell you how 1. relieved I was, and 2. how FREAKING refreshing it was. I haven't enjoyed a book of this genre so much in quite awhile.

I also need to say that I am grateful to my Mom for shovi..ahem, I mean recommending this series [over and over and over] to me [I read the first one simply so she'd stop and then just never stopped reading them LOL]. She was spot on about me loving them and that they'd be my jam and I am happy I finally gave in and I have not been sorry. Just don't tell her. ;-)

Thank you to NetGalley, Alyssa Maxwell, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Set in the Downton Abbey era of post-WW1 England, Alyssa Maxwell's latest historical mystery finds sleuthing duo Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady's maid, Eva Huntford, investigating a murder at a house party attended by fashion royalty. This evocative, well-crafted historical series appeals to fans of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn and Victoria Thompson.

Amid the aftermath of the Great War and its hardships, it's no wonder that many wish to rediscover life’s pleasures - parties, fashion, dancing. Still, Lady Phoebe and Eva are disconcerted when a small gathering at the home of Phoebe's sister, Julia, becomes a far larger and more glamorous affair...Julia has invited her favorite French fashion designer, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, and Coco's current beau, the Earl of Chesterhaven. Coco has brought an entourage of her own, including two models, and intends to use the gardens as a photographic setting for her latest creations. Madame Chanel is as outspoken as she is talented, offering a scathing critique of Phoebe's fashion sense. There is tense competition between the models as well. When one of the guests is found dead of smoke inhalation, it appears to be a tragic accident. But was a footman really to blame for mistakenly closing the fireplace flue, or is there a more sinister explanation? Phoebe is determined to find out, despite the protestations of her sweetheart, Owen Seabright. Both above and below stairs, Phoebe and Eva uncover myriad motives - career ambition, romantic rivalries, and even deeper betrayals. For despite the surface beauty, there are ugly secrets in the world of Maison Chanel, ones that a killer will risk anything to protect"

Because the twenties are the ideal time for a murder mystery!

The eighth in A Lady and a Lady's Maid mystery series has Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her maid Eva Huntford attending a house party at Lady Phoebe's sister Julia's home. Also in attendance are fashion designer Coco Chanel and her retinue who are there to take some photos of Coco's newest collection.

There are lots of undercurrents among the retinue. The photographer Narcisse seems to have conducted affairs with a few of them. And Coco's lover Ralph Hewitt-Davies, Earl of Chesterhaven, has also had an affair with the lead mannequin Suzette Villiers who is extremely jealous that Coco has brought in a new, younger mannequin named India Vale.

When Suzette is found dead in her bedroom from smoke inhalation, Julia wants to blame the head footman for not checking that the flue was open, but Phoebe and Eva are more inclined to believe that it was murder.

As they investigate, they learn more about the twisted history Suzette had with the others in Coco's retinue. And Phoebe is busy trying to keep her sister from falling for Coco's pressure to model her new line of clothing - something no upper class woman in 1921 England would ever be allowed to do. While Phoebe herself is tempted by Coco's new line that takes male tweeds and remakes them in a much more feminine way.

Phoebe is also having some qualms about her beau Owen's vision of their future. He seems to have been developing dictatorial tendencies that make Phoebe fear for her independence.

I enjoyed this mystery. I liked that Phoebe conducted the above stairs aspect of the investigation while Eva ably handled the below stairs aspects of the investigation. I liked the way they worked as almost equal partners considering the barriers class imposed.

This is the first of the series that I have read. I am eager to read earlier books in this series to learn more about the other mysteries Lady Phoebe and Eva have solved.

Coco Chanel was not a nice woman, which Lady Phoebe, her sister Julia, and Eva Phoebe's friend and maid learn in this latest in a fine post WWI cozy series. A young model for Chanel has died and suspects abound but Chanel doesn't make it easier for the sleuths to get answers. I like this series for the interplay between Phoebe and Eva, as well as for Phoebe's family (including the dishy Owen). The mystery here, as is always the case is just tricky enough to keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. While adding a real historical figure and giving her such a high profile meant less attention to the usual characters, it's still a good read.

Although this is the 8th book in the series, it is the first one that I have read. However, I had no trouble figuring out the characters or following the plot. Lady Phoebe and her lady's maid Eva are invited to visit her sister Julia and her husband Lord Theo. Lady Phoebe is pleased to find her friend Lord Owen also at the party as well as another Lord, Lord Chesterton. Also visiting is Coco Chanel from whom Julia has purchased clothing. Chanel has also brought her maid and team, including photographer, two models, makeup artist, and clothing specialists, intending to do photo shoots in the gardens. Eva is asked to help with dressing the models. The longtime model Suzette is very antagonistic to the newer, younger woman, India. On a horseback ride, Suzette manages to spook India's horse and make him fall going over the jump. The photographer seems to like all the young women, and Chanel is determined to get pictures of Julia and Phoebe in spite of being told they had to remain private.

Phoebe is wakened by Owen saying there is a fire, and they all go out. The fire folks go into the house and come out carrying Suzette who is dead from smoke inhalation. The flue was closed in her fireplace, and the building was not on fire. Lady Julia blames the footman who made the fire and he is demoted, but Phoebe and Eva are sure it wasn't an accident. They work to find out who killed Suzette, as well as what is going on with Chanel's employees. However, those secrets make it very dangerous for Phoebe. Chanel is not the perfect house guest!

The plot is clever, and the characters are interesting.

I picked this on Netgalley honestly, because I thought it was an author I'd read before. It's not. The issue for some may be this exactly.... There are a number of book series featuring a young high society woman solving crimes, set in similar eras.

That said, I did really enjoy this. It's set in the world of fashion, and I loved reading about all the clothes, plus the references to Chanel. It's a good and well plotted whodunnit with a good range of suspects. Phoebe and Eva are great characters too, and I loved their friendship.

The only thing I didn't rate, was there were far too many interchangeable names, e.g paragraphs calling characters by their first names and only shortly after by their nobility title. It did lead to some confusion!

It's not a book that delivers anything groundbreaking, but it's a fun and pacy crime novel.

A Fashionable Fatality is the eighth in the quirky A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery series. This time the setting is in post WWII London. After such horrors and devastation glamour and fun are de rigeur. The story is jam packed with historical bits and figures such as "Coco" Chanel to add realistic flavour.

Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady's maid Eva are are witty and also make a fantastic sleuthing duo. Phoebe's sister Julia married the Marquis of Allington, one of Phoebe's favourite people. Theo loves Phoebe like a sister. And then there's Owen...sigh... A house party is held at the Allington's and it sizzles with glamour. "Coco" Chanel and her entourage show up along with other surprises in the form of models. When a woman is discovered dead, there is a logical reason, isn't there? Well, thankfully Phoebe and Eva are there to wade through the clues. The conventional vs unconventional mores of the time are fun to ponder.

Historical Fiction/Mystery fans who enjoy slivers of preposterousness, spades of wit and oodles of gorgeous details (in this case, fashion) be sure to grab this series. Enjoy it for what it is. Pure escapist delight. The upstairs/downstairs aspect wins me every time. For me it transcends the mystery itself.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this clever and charming novel and for introducing me to a fabulous series!

This was so much fun! I’ve really enjoyed Maxwell’s other series that takes place in Gilded Age Newport and now I’ve rushed to read the earlier books in this newer series that features Lady Phoebe, the granddaughter of an earl, and her maid, Eva. It’s post-WWI Britain with characters facing the problems of the the post-war economy and adjusting to life after having served in the trenches. Add in the fun of this fictionalized story involving a selfish and obnoxious Coco Chanel as a major character in this mystery. I stayed up late to finish the story and then went to the library the next day to check out the other books.

I really enjoy the relationship between Phoebe and Eva. They’re friends and partners. Eva can investigate downstairs with the servants while Phoebe searches for clues among the aristocrats abovestairs. There’s quite a Downton Abbey feel to the story.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

3.5 upped to 4
There's a lot of potential in this series and the mystery worked well. I wasn't a fan of the historical background and Coco Chanel was a more complex character than the vapid woman in this story.
I want to read the next book as Ms Maxwell is an excellent writer.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

i love Alyssa Maxwell, she is a great author and her historical mysteries are wonderful reads.

This story did not do it for me. The mystery was good but the cast of characters was horrible. I can't wait to read the next book, as mentioned before, she is a great author.

3.75 stars
This historical cozy series is fun, even if the idea of the servants and the aristos mingling so comfortably is probably preposterous.

Lady Phoebe and her maid/friend Eva have a special knack for investigation that they are called on quite often to exercise. This time out they are at the home of Phoebe's sister Julia, who has invited couturier Coco Chanel and her staff for a visit.

Chanel in real life was notoriously ambitious and difficult, and that is how she is presented in the book. When one of the guests is murdered, Phoebe and Eva try to track down the culprit. Between professional rivalries, old secrets and past emotional entanglements, there are plenty of suspects with assorted motives.

Meanwhile Lady Phoebe's beau Owen is disconcerting her with his occasional male bossiness and she has to figure out how to make it clear she will not be ordered about. Great fun and a wonderful setting. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Fashionable Fatality is the eighth mystery in the A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery series. When attending a house party at her sister’s, Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid, Eva, find themselves pulled into a murder investigation again after one of Coco Chanel’s entourage turns up dead.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I have read many Alyssa Maxwell mysteries which have all been intriguing and this mystery was no different. Picture a Great Gatsby like party turned into a cozy Murder mystery. The characters are well formed and Luke able, the historical setting is detailed and easy to picture and the mystery is fun and intriguing. I also really enjoyed the fact that this mystery pulled Chanel into it, even though I am not a huge fashion buff, I found this really interesting. This was a great read and I am definitely going to be starting this series from the beginning. I don’t feel like I missed out on much, other than background information in the characters, starting at this place in the series. I found this to be an enjoyable read and would definitely recommend it to historical, cozy mystery fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

I am an avid reader of historical novels and period mysteries. The focus on Coco Chanel’s ambition and aggression was an intriguing aspect of thus book for me. I was familiar with Chanel’s history and character from non-fiction accounts of her WW2-era activity, but Maxwell’s fictional account presented her exclusively as a self-centered, and heartless opportunist. The negative characterization was not mitigated by the glamour attendant with her creativity. For me, a more well-rounded depiction of her persona would have made the book more appealing; she was unnecessarily obnoxious.

Ms. Maxwell’s country house mystery failed to charm me. There was little left for the reader to imagine; everything was pre-digested for you. As I read on ( and on, and on) I wondered how glamorous clothes, an elegant country setting, and a cast of diverse characters could culminate in a lackluster read. But, it did for me.
And, it required serious suspension of disbelief to imagine the “ downstairs” staff behaving as they did in this book.

Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great part in the lady and lady's maid mysteries series, I was so glad I was able to read this entry and that the series continued. Alyssa Maxwell has a great writing style and it works so well in the time-period. It was a joy to read the mystery going on and I'm glad I was able to finish this book. The characters does a great job in solving the mystery and I'm glad it was so well done.

"It is complicated.” He continued adjusting his camera and tripod, peering through the viewer repeatedly and making further modifications. He seemed able to do this almost without thought, as he continued speaking to Eva while he worked. “We had a history, she and I.”