Violet and Sephora are in a better place in their relationship, though Violet continues to keep her role as Miss Hermione secret, knowing it would hurt Sephora if she discovered she was writing to her older, staid and colourless sister (Sephora's assessment, not mine).

When Miss Hermione receives a letter about a daughter who has joined an odd group, Violet decides this is the situation she'll investigate, particularly as the daughter is Sephora's friend Margaret.

Reluctantly taking Sephora with her to the group's gathering in a London park, Violet discovers that Margaret is involved with a cult called the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. Violet is not impressed by the look of the group, nor some of their ideas, but decides she's following the group to Nottingham, where she pretends to be contemplating joining. She meets the charismatic leader, known as Master, and his right hand Celestia, a woman who seems to convey a sense of menace, even while calmly pouring tea and welcoming people.

Despite agreeing with a few of the ideas, Violet also feels a distaste for some of the dictates of the cult, and thinks one might have led to a murder, of which Margaret stands accused, and which occurs shortly after her arrival. To Violet's surprise, during her digging into the cult's members and activities, she runs into Eli Marsh, the American detective she met during her first investigation, and whom she is attracted to.

This was a fun entry in this series. Violet remains a keen observer, and not easily duped by the trappings of the cult. She does make some mistakes, landing her in some trouble, but I knew Violet would eventually find the murderer (who wasn't hard to figure out). But what was particularly nice about this book was both sisters working together for a change, with Sephora proving she's not just a silly young person. I think there's hope for Sephora to grow some real sense. And, we also get a much better understanding of who Bunty is and it was great!

This was a fun story, and I look forward to another entry in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

"Of Hoaxes and Homicide" by Anastasia Hastings immerses readers in a captivating world where the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, Miss Hermione, embarks on a thrilling investigation. Sensible Violet Manville and her refined half-sister Sephora find themselves longing for the excitement of detective work, leading them to uncover a web of mystery surrounding a cult, human sacrifices, and a ghostly presence at Alburn Abbey. As the plot unfolds, unexpected connections to the cult surface, and the arrival of the mysterious Eli Marsh adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Violet Manville and Sephora may be polar opposites in terms of personality and demeanor, but their differences ultimately prove to be complementary as they join forces to solve the mystery at hand. While Violet exudes intelligence, strength, and resourcefulness, Sephora brings elegance, charm, and a unique perspective to the table. Their evolving relationship is marked by moments of tension, understanding, and mutual respect, culminating in a partnership that showcases the power of unity in the face of adversity. As they navigate the complexities of the case together, Violet and Sephora discover that their bond runs deeper than they initially realized, highlighting the importance of familial connection and solidarity in unraveling the truth.

In "Of Hoaxes and Homicide," readers witness a significant shift in the dynamic between Violet Manville and Eli Marsh, as their relationship evolves from tension to a deeper understanding. The lingering sparks and unresolved feelings from the first book pave the way for a more profound exploration of their connection in the second installment. As they navigate the intricacies of the unfolding mystery, Violet and Eli find themselves drawn closer to each other, allowing readers to delve into the complexities of their emotions and the challenges they face in reconciling their past encounters with their present circumstances. Their journey towards mutual understanding and trust adds a layer of depth to the narrative, offering a compelling portrayal of romance amidst the backdrop of suspense and intrigue.

"Of Hoaxes and Homicide" by Anastasia Hastings masterfully intertwines elements of mystery, intrigue, and romance, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. The dynamic relationship between Violet Manville and her sister Sephora, as well as the evolving connection between Violet and Eli Marsh, adds depth and richness to the story, offering a captivating blend of familial bonds and romantic tension. With its seamless integration of character development and an enthralling plot, this novel is a must-read for those who appreciate a captivating mix of genres. Anastasia Hastings skillfully crafts a world where the thrill of detective work converges with the complexities of human emotions, resulting in a truly immersive reading experience.

This second book in the series split character time between the two sisters Violet and Sephora. While Violet is still secretly penning an advice column, she also has been led to a cult situation that happens to include a good friend of her sister. While trying to help this friend leave the cult, Violet continually faces danger, as she does not know who she can trust. Meanwhile, Sephora, decides to also help solve the mystery of what is happening at the cult and to do everything she can to protect her older sister.

The storyline gets a little convoluted as the two sisters independently try to determine just who the bad guy really is. Along the way though, each sister finds her own inner strength, discovering more about themselves than they anticipated, as well as also seeing the other sister in a new light. The story moved at a relatively quick pace, and I think readers who enjoyed the first book in this series will be happy to see further developments in this second book, both in their characters as well as with romantic prospects.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review.

In this historical mystery novel, sisters Violet and Sephora find themselves involved with a cult as they try to rescue a friend from a false accusation of murder. While the Children of Aed profess to be earth and nature loving, their leaders also bilk followers out of expensive possessions. When a member of the cult uncovers their schemes, he dies of poisoning and his intended fiance is accused of his murder. As Sephora and Violet infiltrate the group undercover as Seekers,they also end up in the middle of a dangerous game of magical tricks as well as an inheritance scheme.

While this is part of a series, the story can be read as a standalone. Readers who enjoy novels with a little gothic intrigue and featuring plucky independent women will find this novel to be a welcome addition to their reading repertoire.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I liked this one more than the first! I found the second book to be easier to follow and the story was great! I thought it was hilarious and horrifying at the same time. Odd combo I know but regardless I couldn’t put it down! I feel like you don’t even need to read the first one to get this one. The characters felt stronger too. Overall an enjoyable read.

It's taken me a while to review this book - I was delighted to receive an ARC on NetGalley, then realized it was book 2! So I bought book 1 and sat down to read. I've read a lot of mysteries, which is my favorite genre, and I don't consistently figure out who the murderer is, but I did in both books in the series. There were multiple occasions when the lead characters made inexplicable choices that led them into danger, and I found myself frequently rolling my eyes as the story progressed.

The character of Violet is promising, and I was glad to see SOME character development - the sister, Sephora, is utterly unlikeable, and the fact that the story alternated to her POV was detrimental to my enjoyment of this book.

I'm unsure if I'll seek out book 3, as I'm assuming the series will continue.

A charming historical mystery based on the premise of a Victorian woman who answers questions sent to an advice column is drawn into mysteries. Violet, a down-to-earth woman, is bored with answering etiquette questions but is intrigued by a request from a mother whose daughter has joined a cult. In the course of investigating, a body is found and the daughter is accused of the crime. Violet is joined by her half-sister, Sephora, and their housekeeper Bunty in an attempt to solve the homicide and clear the young woman's name. Of course, things are complicated by Eli Marsh, an American who seems always in the middle of the events the women are drawn into.

I really like the characters. There is a bit of push-pull romance between Violet and Eli which is enjoyable. I like how Violet who is so sure her sister is completely wrapped up in the Season, fashion and the social scene discovers her sister is more drawn to investigation than Violet thought an is pretty good at it too. Bunty reminds me a little bit of Bunter from the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. Though I guessed who the culprit was pretty early in the book, there were plenty of twists to keep me happy and entertaining scenes to keep me amused. I definitely want to read more of this series. The premise is interesting, the story telling delivers the idea and the characters sparkle.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this cozy mystery even though it was a Historical one! I thought the writing was well done and will look for more from this author. I would definitely recommend this book.

I'm absolutely obsessed with this series! Of Hoaxes and Homicide is the second in the Dear Miss Hermione mystery series by Anastasia Hastings who is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!
First, a murder, and now a cult with rumors of human sacrifices, mystical doings, and a ghost! What is a poor Agony Aunt columnist to do? Solve it of course!

A cozy historical fiction for fans of the Victorian Era. Violet is a delight and I love how Hastings took the time to point out some of the more weird aspects of the culture of the time and the mentalities. The sleuthing side of the story was also great.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I liked this one even more than Of Manners and Murder. And Violets small group with Sephora and Bunty is growing in me. I adore the relationship and scenes between Eli and Violet, but there weren’t enough! I wish there were more interactions between them.

I couldn't get into this. I vaguely recalled feeling meh about the 1st, but when I checked, I gave jt 4 stars. I don't know if I was more lenient... who knows. Oh well. Not a fan

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Anastasia Hastings

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

3.5 Stars

Pro:
* Violet’s character development
* Contrast in the characters/voices of the sisters
* Smooth prose
* Historical details

Con:
* Darker topic than I was expecting at the opening
* Drags a bit in the first half
* I knew the murderer very early.

Thank you to Anastasia Hastings, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Of Hoaxes and Homicide" was an interesting addition to the Dear Miss Hermione mystery series. This time, Violet Manville finds herself trying to rescue Sephora's best friend from a cult. And Sephora exercises a bit more volition of her own, now that she's gotten a taste of what it's like to use her own wit and intelligence; something she'd left up to Violet prior to this point.

We don't see Eli Marsh in this installment as much as I would have liked, but he certainly makes an appearance and plays an important role.

Overall, a pleasing addition to the series, and I look forward to the next installment.

Thank you to Anastasia Hastings, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

This book was told from the perspective of two characters: Violet and Sephora. Dual POV is always enjoyable for me. If you read the first book several of your favorites are back helping. Bunty is wonderful as always.

This story involves what seems like a cult that a friend of Sephora's belongs too, but the friend becomes a murder suspect. Violet steps in to help solve the mystery.

This is the second book in the series, but reads well as a stand alone. I enjoy this one possibly more than the first, but both are worth checking out. I can't wait to read more from this series.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The dream (not really) team of sisters Violet and Sephora are back in this second installment of the Dear Miss Hermione mysteries. They are both quite bored after the excitement of their previous investigation, although neither of them is willing to admit it. When a letter arrives to Miss Hermione, asking for help with a daughter swept up in a mysterious cult, Violet is back on the job, and Sephora is not far behind her.

I actually enjoyed this more than the first episode in the series. Sephora is still annoying, but Hastings lets us laugh a little more at her inner dialogue, which helps. Sephora also manages to enlist the assistance of her favourite local constable and the hijinks the two of them get into add entertainment to the more serious investigating that Violet is doing. As in the first book, the froth covers up some serious provocations for the reader around the constrained role of women in Victorian society, even if they are running away to join a group of "back to the land" commune members. Violet is as much of a sparkplug as ever, the handsome and enigmatic Eli makes an appearance or two, and Bunty proves to be quite the dark horse, which was a delightful surprise.

The action here gets going faster, and there are some red herrings to pull you off the main trail. I knew who the "villain" was fairly early on, but I didn't know why, and that is always an interesting twist for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the e-arc.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series so I was excited to get an ARC from NetGalley. In this installment of their series the main character Violet sets out to rescue her sister’s friend from a cult. This book has a great plot with a great mystery and wonderful characters. I just wish that it contained more of the love interest. I am excited to see what is next for Violet.

This was such a fantastic follow-up to the first book in the series. I actually enjoyed it a bit more. I loved the cult and magic aspects. It also has a kind of a Scooby-Doo vibe to it in the best way possible!

Violet's younger sister Sephora was great in this one. All of her sections were very comical and highly entertaining.

Of Hoaxes and Homicide was an amazingly fun mystery, and I'm so looking forward to the next installment in the Dear Miss Hermione series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5 stars for the second book in the Dear Miss Hermione series. Of Hoaxes and Homicide (Dear Miss Hermione, #2) by Anastasia Hastings proved to be another entertaining cozy mystery. This one was set in London and the English countryside in 1885, at the height of the Victorian era. Half sisters, Violet and Sephora, along with several new and returning characters, took a prominent role in this next book in the series. Violet reluctantly resumed her role as Miss Hermione. It seemed that both Violet and Sephora were feeling the effects of the boredom that was so prevalent in their lives, now that they were no longer involved in solving a murder mystery. Both Violet and Sephora had settled back into their old lives with the help of their faithful housekeeper, Bunty.

Out of obligation, Violet started reading the new correspondence addressed to Miss Hermione. She could not be bothered with such trivial matters as whether it was proper to have one pot of tea or two while serving guests. Then just as Violet was about to abandon the enormous pile of letters addressed to Miss Hermione, one particular letter intrigued Violet. It was from “A Heartbroken Mother”. The mother confided in Miss Hermione that her daughter had been lured into joining and living with a cult called the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. There was a popular book series that had been written using the cult as its main focus. Violet’s half sister Sephora was obsessed with these books. The author of the series, Count Orlando, had become an overnight sensation. The Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed were known for their human sacrifices, orgies and mystical powers. As Violet read more about the plea for help and advise from the heartbroken mother she suddenly realized that the daughter in question was no other than Sephora’s best friend, Margaret. Violet felt compelled to try and convince Margaret to leave the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. Violet had to try and convince Margaret to return home to her parents. In order for Violet to convince Margaret that she should return home, Violet decided to feign interest in the Children of Aed and signed on for a trial stay. During her stay, one of the Children of Aed was found dead. Margaret was accused of the crime. Violet changed gears and began to investigate the murder. She knew that Margaret was incapable of committing a murder. Who was behind this heinous crime? Will Violet, Sephora and Bunty be able to clear Margaret’s name and save her from the fate that awaited her?

I enjoyed reacquainting myself with the characters I met in the first book of this series. Violet, Sephora, Eli Marsh, Bunty, Margaret and Sephora’s policeman friend were all back. There were lots of new characters as well. Will Violet and Eli finally give in to the feelings they were developing for each other? I was able to correctly identify who was behind all the foul play at the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed pretty early. To me, it was fairly obvious. Even though I guessed the person that was responsible for the murder and all the other things that were happening at the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed, I still found myself absorbed in this well plotted book. I enjoyed this new book in the Dear Miss Hermione series and recommend it if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read Of Hoaxes and Homicide by Anastasia Hastings through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.