As a longtime fan of the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, I was absolutely delighted to reunite with Frances and George in A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder. It felt like stepping back into the drawing room with old friends, if your friends just so happen to be wealthy British aristocrats navigating scandal, secrets, and society’s expectations.

Author Dianne Freeman delivers a mystery in fine form, striking all the right notes in this historical cozy that whisks readers away to 1900s Paris during the "Exposition Universelle" and the overlooked Olympic Games. The glittering backdrop is the perfect stage for a tantalizing murder mystery involving none other than French theater royalty. When an actress is found dead, the suspect spotlight falls on the iconic Sarah Bernhardt, and it’s up to Frances and George to pull the curtain back on the truth.

I adore when historical cozies feature real-life figures, and Freeman brings “The Divine Sarah” to life with flair and finesse. Add in the arrival of Frances’s strong-willed mother and returning favorites, and you have a cast full of quirky and utterly lovable characters.

Frances remains a standout heroine in the historical cozy landscape. She’s clever, composed, and endlessly relatable, thanks to her dry humor and internal monologue. Her husband, George Hazelton, is also a scene-stealer in the best way. Good-natured and supportive of Frances, he’s one of my all-time favorite cozy mystery “sidekicks,” though George is truly an equal partner in sleuthing (and swooning).

If you're a fan of historical whodunnits with sharp wit, sparkling banter, and just the right dash of high society chaos, A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder is not to be missed. I already can’t wait for Frances and George’s next adventure!

A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder is a historical cozy mystery and the eighth installment in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series by Dianne Freeman. Frances and George are still in Paris. They’re visiting Lily and her new baby, and trying to enjoy some downtime when they are roped into investigating yet another murder. This time they are looking into the suspicious death of a stage actress: the late wife of Carlson Deaver, a wealthy American who happens to be courting the daughter of Frances’s long-time acquaintance, Alicia Stoke-Whitney.

I was excited to see that we were returning to Paris for this installment. The last book focused on the Paris Exposition, and this time we see more of the Paris theatre scene. We even got the famous Sarah Bernhardt as a character, which was a lot of fun. In addition to the setting, I also enjoyed the fairly quick pacing. The story kept my attention throughout, and there were lots of twists and turns, as always. The story also had all of the same charm that I have come to expect from the series, from the relationship dynamic between George and Frances, to the humorous over-the-top moments that are typical for the genre in all the best ways, to the witty and sometimes snarky dialogue from the characters. These are fun books to read.

This is another winner from the series. I would recommend it to readers of historical and cozy mysteries. You could get away with reading this as a standalone, but if you can start from the beginning of the series, I would. I hope Dianne Freeman keeps these coming - I always look forward to them!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!*

Isabelle Deavor was killed some months ago, ostensibly by a burglar. She was not supposed to be home that evening and the police were sure she wasn’t the target. This case has been reopened after Sara Bernhardt, the famous actress, got a blackmail note basically accusing her of the murder. She wants the case reopened and that task has fallen to Inspector Cadieux. He, in turn, has come to his friends George and Frances. They are not police so they can turn over stones and go places the inspector would not be able to.
While working through this mystery, we get to see more of Frances's mother and her mellowing. There is also a look into the reasons why women of that age would be married and the reasons that marriage were so very fraught.

Four stars
This book comes out June 24, 2025
Countess of Harleigh #8
Follows An Art Lovers Guide to Paris and Murder
ARC kindly provided by Kensington and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

George and Frances are on a belated honeymoon in Paris when they are asked to investigate the murder of a wealthy American’s wife - in which Sarah Bernhardt is a suspect. It was fun learning more about the famous actress as the investigation progressed. I was also intrigued to discover the relative unimportance of the 1900 Paris Olympics compared to the Paris World’s Fair being held at the same time. The mystery had a few twists and I enjoyed the interaction of Frances and her mother. Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman is a charming historical mystery with lots of twists.

Will Frances and George figure out who killed Isabelle?
Our sleuths are Frances and George Hazelton. They are vacationing in Paris as part of their extended honeymoon. When they are called upon to assist the police with the investigation of the death of Isabelle Deaver, this is the eighth installment of Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, but the first one that I have read. I love a good historical mystery, and this one doesn't disappoint. Ms. Freeman keeps twisting and turning things until the wonderful conclusion reveals the killer.

Frances and George Hazelton
What a wonderful couple. They are deeply in love with each other, and it shows in their daily tasks. Frances grew up in America but married a man with an English title. It was an unhappy marriage until she was widowed. However, she seems to have it right at least for her now. I am sure all of this was covered in past installments.

I like Frances. She is a wonderful daughter, sister, and wife. I especially appreciate the way she handles other women, giving them the opportunity to make decisions their own way while supporting their choices. George is such a wonderful husband for Frances. The two of them seem to have a wealth of respect for each other. I love the way they both share their ideas during the investigation.

The Mystery
It is a tale as old as time. The wife of a wealthy man was murdered, and then a highly accomplished actress who knew the victim was targeted for blackmail. But why? There are numerous events happening in Paris during this time frame. However, our honeymooning sleuths are primarily focused on murder. Then there is another actress murdered, are they connected? They were friends, and their lives were connected in numerous ways.

Four Stars
My rating for A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman is four stars. This is a remarkable story, with mystery and history. I found myself in Paris in 1900, enjoying the coffee and opera. The author truly brings the city to life. I recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

This is a lovely cozy mystery series, with captivating characters and interesting locales. The cast of recurring characters has grown, over time, but not beyond bounds. It's quite easy to remember from book to book who's who and how they are interplay. Looking forward to the next title in the series!

What I Thought
I’m not sure what it was about this one that didn’t work for me. I usually love my visits with Frances and George. Maybe it’s because she spends so much time away from him that we don’t get as much of the clever banter as we usually do. Maybe it was the sheer number of new characters that we had to keep track of, most of whom were either married to or were having affairs with each other. The mystery was convoluted and confusing and didn’t really keep my interest. Maybe it was just an off day for me but this wasn’t my favorite in the series. Despite this, I still love Frances and George and hope the next one works better for me.

Francis and George Hazelton are still in Paris and enjoying their much deserved leisure time when an old acquaintance from London, Alicia Stoke-Whitney crosses their path. They might’ve left on bad terms from London, but everything is new again in Paris and Alicia needs Francis’s help!

Alicia’s daughter it’s being romanced by a wealthy American whose wife suspiciously passed away just a year ago… She needs to know if her daughter is courting a murderer and she needs Francis to find out!

Soon Francis and George find themselves teaming up again with inspector Cadieux, investigating the suspicious death and leading themselves right in the middle of the drama of the Paris stage!

I’ve been a fan of the Hazleton’s and their partnership investigations from the get-go and this book was another fun mystery that had me guessing until the very end! Francis and George are the epitome of a modern era Victorian couple, very much in love and very much with their nose in other people‘s business! I love how murders and mysteries find them wherever they go, but the circumstances always seem probable enough. Fans of historical era murder mysteries will have a lot of fun with this one even if you haven’t read the previous installments.

This was my first Countess of Harleigh Mystery and first book by Dianne Freeman and I must say, I will be back for more! This mystery was compelling and kept me fully engaged. I loved the old movie feel of the plot and how all the characters reveal themselves. Plus having a detective couple working things out is always a fun bonus! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series at a future time.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This series is so fun and pulls you in quickly! I have listened to most of it on audible, but this one was a great read and maybe one of the best!

Francis and George are at it again and this time in Paris. What could be better? An old murder comes to life and the suspect just seems wrong. But with this duo on the case, nobody is safe!

Lovable characters mixed with danger, intrigue and murder, bring everything needed for a fabulous read!!

Frances and George enjoying a quiet interlude in Paris, away from family for much deserved leisure time. Cut short with an enquiry re a young man, a potential suitor for the daughter of family friends.

This was the beginning of the story where Carlson Deaver, master of the double life is slowly uncovered, a dead wife miraculously reappears, complicated liaisons under the pretext of respectability, and all the hypocrisy of double standards of the Victorian age are uncovered.

Very nicely told as a story, several strands of the lives of diverse people are brought together in a tale of murder and mystery galore.

Dianne Freeman continues her Countess of Harleigh mysteries in A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder. Paris in 1900 is the site of the Olympics and the Paris Exposition. Frances and George Hazelton are vacationing in Paris and get involved in the murder of the wife of a wealthy American. Because Sarah Bernhardt, the actress, received a blackmailing letter that might implicate her the police ask for the Hazeltons to assist in the investigation. Scandal, theft and blackmail are cause for gossip and danger. Whodunit? Fast moving with lots of suspects and high societoy hijinks. Enjoy.

I embarrassed to say that I read the ARC of "A Daughter's Guide..." when I first received it, but forgot to write a review. When I remembered, I wavered between a 3 and 4 star rating, but ultimately landed on 3 because this installment didn’t hold my attention quite like the others in the series. It may be that I prefer the English settings—Paris didn’t charm me as much—or perhaps the plot felt more convoluted than usual, especially the introduction of Sarah Bernhardt, which came across as a bit forced.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Frances, Countess of Harleigh, and her husband George Hazelton serve as the sleuths. The couple are in Paris when Frances is reluctantly pulled into another investigation. Her old rival, Alicia (with plenty of backstory there), asks her to look into Carlson Deaver, a potential suitor for Alicia’s daughter. The catch? Carlson’s first wife may have been murdered, and Alicia wants to make sure he’s not responsible.

I still enjoyed the read—Frances and George remain a delightful pair—but this wasn’t the strongest entry in the otherwise good series.

This book was an engaging read, filled with unexpected twists and turns that made it a compelling page-turner. The numerous mysteries kept me guessing until the very end, and I appreciated the cozy mystery instead of a violent one. Although it started slowly, the narrative soon became impossible to put down. The well-crafted characters were relatable, and the storyline was intriguing. Loved it and love this series.

This is the eighth book in the Countess of Harleigh series and in my opinion one of the best so far! This novel follows Frances and George as they investigate the robbery and murder of the late wife of a man interested in marrying Alicia's daughter Harriet. Alicia is a personal favorite character of mine and the fact that an Alicia centered mystery didn't have more Alicia in it is my only complaint. Other than that, this was so much fun. This further establishes this series as a personal favorite of mine. I always love the characters, and I find Dianne Freeman is so good at painting a fantastic setting for her novels. This book in particular has an absolutely fantastic twist. I also really loved the second to last chapter and the way the murder was revealed. Overall, I cannot recommend this series enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Another enjoyable read. This had lots of twists and turns, with “ I didn’t see that coming” episodes, which made the story a good page-turner. It had me guessing until the end, the answer to the many different mysteries unfolding. I have read all the books in the series, and I only gave this one a 4* because I felt it was a little slow to start. However, once I got into it, I found it hard to put down. The characters are wonderfully written and very relatable, and the storyline is interesting with no violence, which is nice in a murder mystery. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

Diane Freeman returns with the eighth book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. In this edition, titled “A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder,” our intrepid couple, Frances and George, finally get some much-needed alone time after their most recent adventure. However, their retreat is short-lived as Frances’s mother joins them, and they are soon drawn into another murder investigation.

Inspector Daniel Cadieux of the French police recruited the couple to assist in investigating a cold case involving the murdered wife of a wealthy American, Carlson Deaver. Coincidentally, Alicia Stoke-Whitney has asked Frances to investigate Mr. Deaver’s background. Mr. Deaver is courting Alicia’s daughter, Harriett, but the unsolved murder of his wife casts a shadow over the potential courtship. Additionally, a familiar character reappears in this installment: Mimi Deaver, who previously entrusted her daughter to Frances to be introduced to London society, is also Carlson’s mother. The case takes an intriguing turn as one of the suspects is none other than Sarah Bernhardt, the renowned and beloved French stage actress of the period.

There is so much to love in this delightful story with its strong, engaging and likable characters. The author vividly brings the period to life, offering readers a glimpse into this chapter of history, from the second Olympic Games in Paris to the city’s theatrical world. It reintroduces several characters from Mimi Deaver, providing more insight through her backstory, along with a gentler side of Frances’s mother. The narrative is filled with murder, scandal, blackmail, secret affairs, and mentions of domestic violence.

This first-rate mystery will satisfy those craving suspense, with numerous suspects, plenty of clues, misdirection’s, and surprises that keep the reader engrossed. “A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder” can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, but some nuances and backstories of the characters would be better understood by reading the other books in the series. I would absolutely recommend this series to those who are enamored with cozy mysteries, strong female-driven narratives, and historical suspense. This series never disappoints, and I eagerly look forward to the next installment.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the digital Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder was such a delightful, cozy historical mystery.

This is mumber 8 in the Countess of Harleigh Series. I haven't read all of the books in this series, and I have been reading out of order, so these books can be read as stand-alones. I have come to really love these books and plan on going back and reading all in the series.

Our main character, Frances, and her husband are in Paris, enjoying some time together. Frances is approached by a friend to look into the death of the wife of a man who is courting her daughter. His wife was murdered but the case was never solved. At the same time, Frances' husband is approached by an inspector with the French police to investigate this crime. So, our husband and wife investigative duo are at it again.

I really love our main characters in this series. Frances and her husband are such great characters. They are intelligent, witty, and warm. It just makes reading about them so pleasant. The mystery was so interesting. There was a surprise twist I never saw coming. I suspected who the culprit was, but how it ended up being revealed added the perfect element of justice to this mystery.

What I also appreciate about this series is that you get more from the books than just the mystery. The author really immerses us into the characters' lives and tackles some tough topics. In this story, there is a theme of domestic violence. So, while still cozy, they do have quite a bit of depth to them.

If you are a fan of the Victorian era and cozy mysteries, this one is definitely for you.

Thank you to Kensington Books for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Where would you like to vacation this summer? We are touring my second child around to colleges this year so that is our vacation. We recently camped in the Duluth, Minnesota area and visited a college. A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder is set in Paris, which is a place I have always wanted to visit.

Frances and George are relaxing and spending time in Paris when Frances meets with an old frenemy, Alice. Frances’s first husband died in bed with Alice, so Frances and Alice have a strained relationship. Regardless, Alice seeks Frances out to ask for her help investigating her daughter’s love interest. His first wife was murdered, and Alice wants to know if he had anything to do with it. An incriminating piece of evidence is found with Sarah Bernhardt. Could America’s sweetheart be a murderer?

My thoughts on this novel:
• This is the eighth novel in the Countell of Harleigh Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone novel. I’ve only read the seventh novel in the series, and I enjoyed this addition. I do need to go back and start this series from the beginning.

• I love George and Frances. They are both wonderful characters and such a great couple. I love their relationship. I also love that they are such great sleuths that the French police ask for their help in this book. Frances definitely took the lead on the investigation in this novel.

• This was a delightful cozy mystery that kept me guessing. I did not see the ending coming!

• I loved the addition of actress Sarah Bernhardt as a suspect.

• This novel had great female characters and empowerment in this novel.

• Frances’s sister Lily has just had a baby and I felt for her in this novel. Her portrayal of a tired young mother really spoke to me.
• I thought it was interesting that the plot included the second Olympics in Paris as well as the Paris theatre scene. It was fun!
Overall, A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman is a delightful historical cozy mystery starring my favorite couple and crime solving duo, Frances and George.
Book Source: Thank-you to @diannefreemanwrites @kensingtonbooks @austenprose for the review copy as a part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dianne Freeman for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder coming out June 24, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a series that I’ve always wanted to check out. I have several of the books, but I haven’t read them. I really enjoyed this book. I love historical murder mysteries. I thought the characters were really good. I would definitely check out more books by this author.