Frances and George Hazelton are enjoying some well-deserved leisure time in Paris when an old acquaintance from London, Alicia Stoke-Whitney, seeks Frances’s help to investigate a personal matter. Alicia’s daughter is being courted by Carlson Deaver, a wealthy American shadowed by a very suspicious tragedy. Less than a year ago, Carlson’s wife, a former actress, was murdered, her body discovered in one of the more dubious quartiers in Paris. Though authorities guess it was a robbery gone wrong, no one was ever brought to justice. Until Daniel Cadieux, Inspector for the Sûreté, follows a startling new lead. None other Sarah Bernhardt, legendary icon of the Paris stage, receives a piece of jewelry stolen from the victim, along with an incriminating note: I know what you did. Now it’s up to Francis and George to infiltrate the most elite social circles of Paris, and find a culprit before another victim faces their final act.
The eighth book in the series & another entertaining murder mystery. I love both George & Frances, they work so well together as well as being a lovely couple. The case has twists & turns & I found myself reading well into the night to finish it. One of my favourites of the series so far
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I'm a fan of this lively Victorian cozy series about Frances and her husband George. Each installment is fine as a standalone because although some plot lines have threaded through multiple installments, Freeman does a great job of bringing new readers in and reminding fans of what's happened in the past. This time out Frances and George are in Paris (still) and they've agreed to look into the suitor of the daughter of an acquaintance. This seems like an easy one but it takes them into the theater (Sarah Bernhardt!) as well. It's the relationship between Frances and George that makes this a standout although the mystery here, as always, is pretty good too. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Dianne Freeman never disappoints! I am obsessed with this series and this new addition is excellent. It is no surprise I enjoyed it. If you haven't read any in this series yet, get on it now! Frances and George are the perfect pair and continue to prove they are the best mystery hunters around.

"A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder" by Dianne Freeman is such a fun murder mystery! It is book eight in the “Countess of Harleigh Mystery” series. This book is a cozy mystery set during the Victorian era and takes place in Paris. Ms. Freeman gives a good recap of what the reader needs to know from previous books. You need not have read the previous books, but there are some continuing storylines. This book transports readers to Paris where both the Olympics and the Exposition are occurring. It was interesting reading about and learning more about those events. As the spouses-turned-sleuths team up to solve yet another murder, the reader is taken along with them as they investigate on the Seine, at the theater, at the opera, at a picnic, and even while golfing! Frances, her husband, and even her mother team up to try and help another mother and daughter. I love that there are a lot of family relationships and dynamics, especially mother-daughter relationships. During the course of the book, Frances is also helping her sister as she’s navigating new motherhood, helping a friend investigate a man her daughter is interested in, and working other cases as well, all while trying to solve two murders. Ms. Freeman writes such great mysteries, and I was not able to figure it out until everything was revealed at the end. This is such a fun series and cozy mystery lovers will want to get their hands on this newest installment!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of alcohol, gambling and smoking; lots of mentions of people having affairs and “kept” women although it is never condoned; a man was drunk; the word “da*n” is used; children are born out of wedlock; a man slapped a servant; talk of losing a baby.
TW: domestic physical abuse.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

“A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder” is the 8th book in the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries. It could be read as a standalone, but the characters’ personalities and interactions make more sense if you’ve read the whole series.

In this book, Frances and her husband, George, are taking care of some family business in France and decide to stay in Paris for a bit, enjoying their newlywed status. Soon they are recruited by their friend, Inspector Cadieux, to help investigate a cold case from a year ago…one with a surprising, and very famous, new suspect. Frances is also approached by an old friend about vetting a potential suitor of the friend’s daughter. Soon, both tasks converge.

This is a twisty mystery with a more serious message: women, historically, have had few options to escape domestic abuse. I enjoy the regular characters who have quirky personalities and Frances’ tendency to accept people as they are, flaws and all.

This story is great for fans of historical mysteries and the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Kensington Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Frances and George are enjoying some well-deserved leisure time in Paris when an old acquaintance from London, Alicia Stoke-Whitney, seeks Frances’s help to investigate a personal matter. Alicia’s daughter is being courted by Carlson Deaver, a wealthy American shadowed by a very suspicious tragedy.

This book is the 8th book in the Countess of Harleigh series and just like the others, this one is amazing. If you love cozy mysteries then this series is for you.

Another solid story in this fun historical mystery series. Frances and George are still in Paris and end up investigating Sarah Bernhardt,and her theater and employees while checking out a potential suitor for an old acquaintances daughter.

A solid entry into this fun, historical series! Contains lots of twists to keep readers guessing and a Paris setting with the Olympics in the background! Series readers will be happy with the return of several secondary characters and theater lovers will adore the cameo of a very famous historical actress.

I enjoyed this historical mystery in 1900 France. The author really sets the atmosphere really well. I hadn’t known much about Sarah Bernhardt, so the novel set me on a rabbit trail to read about her biography. Wow! She really had a fascinating life that seems set for more historical novels rather than having her at the latter part of her life. The mystery was entertaining although I did find some of the solutions rather obvious to figure out. But then I enjoy being able to figure things out while I’m reading so that isn’t a criticism.

There were a lot of characters introduced in the beginning and I had to reread the first scene a couple of times to remember who was who. That’s the problem of having a first scene that includes so many characters. Once I got them straight in my mind I enjoyed the novel so much more.

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.

This is an entertaining historical mystery series with this entry taking place in Paris in 1900. Lady Frances and husband George, newly married, are on an extended honeymoon when murder intrudes. The French police are horrified when national treasure actress Sarah Bernhardt is implicated in the death of a young actress.

There are multiple extra-marital entanglements and societal quandaries that George and Frances and their Surete friend navigate. The presence of Frances' challenging mother and her exhausted sister (who has a newborn) add to the action. Clever plotting and lots of banter and family maneuvering make this a great read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

These novels are always so delightfully written and you can see the research that Dianne Freeman puts into them. I always learn so much as I read while still enjoying the mystery! Frances and George are just back to Paris from a short honeymoon (which also included murder) when asked by a friend to help with a matter of the heart. Of course, things aren't so simple and they are thrust once again into intrigue and murder. I loved the last few of these that take place in Paris for a change of pace, but looking forward to a return to England!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Book 8 in A Countess of Harleigh Mystery series is my fav yet! The Paris vacation of Frances and George is disrupted when the married pair is drawn into an investigation involving famed actress Sarah Bernhardt. Histfic cozy mysteries fans will love the City of Light setting during the Victorian era, as well as the behind-the-scenes look at Parisian theater. Can be read solo but will make you want to start at Book 1 and devour the whole series. C'est magnifique!

"In the latest USA Today bestselling, Victorian Era-set Countess of Harleigh Mystery from multi-award winning author Dianne Freeman, Frances Hazelton and her husband, George, uncover the secrets of backstage Paris to find out who's acting the role of a killer to chilling perfection...

Frances and George are enjoying some well-deserved leisure time in Paris when an old acquaintance from London, Alicia Stoke-Whitney, seeks Frances's help to investigate a personal matter. Alicia's daughter is being courted by Carlson Deaver, a wealthy American shadowed by a very suspicious tragedy.

Less than a year ago, Carlson's wife, a former actress, was murdered, her body discovered in one of the more dubious quartiers in Paris. Though authorities guess it was a robbery gone wrong, no one was ever brought to justice. Until Daniel Cadieux, Inspector for the Sûreté, follows a startling new lead. None other than Sarah Bernhardt, legendary icon of the Paris stage, receives a piece of jewelry stolen from the victim, along with an incriminating note: I know what you did.

It opens a new door for the Hazeltons' investigation, as well. But not a soul believes that the Divine Sarah would become entangled in something so disreputable as murder - even if she and the late Mrs. Deaver did have a history of theatrical clashes. Amid questions of revenge, blackmail, scandals, and secrets, more poisoned pen letters follow, and suspects abound. Now it's up to Francis and George to infiltrate the most elite social circles of Paris, and find a culprit before another victim faces their final act."

I love any fracas involving a theatre! Must be the real reason I got a theatre degree...

If you’re looking for a captivating read, dive into the latest in the Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder, by Dianne Freeman. In this exciting installment, Frances and George find themselves in Paris once again entangled in a murder mystery. With a fascinating backstory featuring the American Mimi Deaver, who reappears in Paris after entrusting her daughter Frances with her London debut in a previous book, the plot thickens. The collaboration between this therapy couple and the Paris police adds an intriguing twist. This delightful read stands strong on its own, making it perfect for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, historical tales, and strong female protagonists. Don't miss out on this wonderful series!
#ADaughtersGuidetoMothersandMurder #NetGalley
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book and read it with pleasure. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. Thank you, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley.

I came late to this series, a thanks to #Netgally for the introduction. I really enjoy George and Frances, what they each bring to the investigation, their intelligence, and the respect they have for each other as well as the obvious affection. Another thing I enjoy is that there are always historical events or interesting characters from the time frame found as backdrop to the intriguing mysteries. In this case, we have the Paris theater scene, Sarah Bernhardt, and Olympic games as our background. In this case, Frances is asked, by an aquincence, about the background of a man her family knows from the United States. Seems she wants to marry her daughter off to him but has concerns as his wife was murdered nine months ago, and the culprit has not been caught. This leads to an interesting romp thru the Paris theater scene, Olympic venues, and the sofisticated drawing-rooms. With many twists and turns as well as multiple suspects, this book will have you turning pages rather quickly! Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for an opportunity to catch up with George and Frances. #ADaughter'sGuidetoMothersandMurder #ACountessofHaileighMystery #DianneFreeman #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Women's power and sisterhood: Will have you reading through in one sitting.

I loved this book. It is the best book in the series.

Frances was on point, and her mother is my new hero. I enjoyed the fact that we stayed in France for more shenanigans and saw old familiar friends.

This story has a little bit of everything and reads a little differently than the other books in the series, yet is written in the same style we love. The story is wonderful.

George and Frances are helping their friend, Inspector Cadieux, investigate the murder of the wife of an American socialite family. Her murder has gone unsolved for almost a year, and new clues have sprung up. Can Frances and George help identify the culprit? of course.... But they need help, and that help comes from the most unlikely group of women.

Pick up this book and read it quick.

This book is great.

Frances Hazelton is trying to enjoy some personal time in Paris with her new husband when her frenemy, Alicia Stoke-Whitney, draws her into investigating a personal matter. Alicia’s daughter is being courted by an American man whose former wife was murdered just last year. The case quickly went cold. Around the same time Frances starts inquiring into Carlson Deaver’s personal life, Inspector Daniel Cadieux of the Sûreté receives a new lead into the late Mrs. Deaver’s death. World famous actress Sarah Bernhardt received a piece of the murdered woman’s stolen jewelry along with an incriminating note that implies Sarah murdered her rival. Despite the danger, Frances and her husband step in to help the police with the investigation that takes them from the highest social circles to the backstage of Paris’s theaters.

I’ve enjoyed all the novels in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery, and A DAUGHTER'S GUIDE TO MOTHERS AND MURDER is the best one yet. The beginning was a bit slow, but the plot quickly picked up and Freeman provided plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. What I really enjoy is that Frances is becoming more liberated and modern with each novel. Having conformed to the ideals and restrictions forced upon her by her mother and society when she was younger, Frances is slowly shedding that contrived personae and blossoming into her true self. I thoroughly enjoyed all the feminist undertones in A DAUGHTER'S GUIDE TO MOTHERS AND MURDER.

A Daughter's guide to Mothers and Murder is a fun read featuring Frances, the Countess of Harleigh and her husband George. Frances and George are wrapping up a trip to Paris and of course find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. Frances is asked by a friend to investigate a fellow American named Carson Deaver who's wife was murder less than a year prior after being kidnapped from their home while he was gone. She wants to be assured that he didn't have anything to do with the death; George is asked by a French inspector to consult on a case when a new lead related to Mrs. Deavers death comes in. There are quite a few fun twists and turns to the mystery on who killed Mrs. Deavers with plenty of suspects. Along with the mystery, Frances is dealing with her mother in town (they have had a tense relationship in the past) and a sister struggling with new motherhood. I enjoy this series and the relationship between George and Frances has developed to be one of equals where he appreciates everything she brings to her investigation. I hope to see many more titles in this series.

Miracle of miracles! Frances's mother, Daisy, arrives in Paris to visit her daughters and is happy, helpful, and not judgmental . She is still on speaking terms with her husband after six months of travel together and life is grand. Life is grand for Frances and George too, and even grander when their police friend with the Surete' asks for their help with an unsolved murder case. Sarah Bernhardt may be involved so the utmost discretion is required. She is a national treasure! Frances is already checking out one of the suspects as to his suitability to court a friend's daughter. Daisy offers her help in the investigations and shows a genuine knack for it. The trail to the truth is wild and winding but worth every moment in the story!

Once again Frances and George (an ideal couple in my opinion) are involved in a crime that sees them again in Paris and for once cooperating with the police. Once again many of the secondary characters we have already met are present, especially those who are part of Frances's family, so much so that at times I was a bit confused as to who was who and who was cheating on someone else with whom. This time, in fact, the betrayals between the couples start to become a significant number. Paris again plays a rather pivotal role this time with the Olympics in the background.

Anche stavolta Frances e George (coppia ideale secondo me) sono coinvolti in un crimine che li vede ancora a Parigi e per una volta collaborare con la polizia. Anche stavolta sono presenti molti dei personaggi secondari che abbiamo giá incontrato, specialmente quelli che fano parte della famiglia di Frances, tanto che a volte ero un po' confusa su chi fosse chi e con chi tradisse qualcun altro. Stavolta infatti i tradimenti tra le coppie cominciano a diventare un numero significativo. Anche stavolta Parigi gioca un ruolo piuttosto fondamentale con le olimpiadi sullo sfondo.

I received a digital advanced review copy in exchange for a honest review.