3,5 Stars

I read the first book of the Countess of Harleigh mysteries a while ago and enjoyed it a lot. The second book did not disappoint either.
Once again, a Lady Harleigh finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation, and once again she tries solving the mystery with the help of her "friend" and neighbour Mr. Hazelton.
The mystery was interesting, not over intriguing but with some captivating characters, some we already knew from the previous book and it was nice meeting them again.
I enjoyed reading it and following the evolution of the relationship between Frances and George. I can't wait to see what happens next.

This was such a fun cozy mystery. I love Frances and George, the main characters in this series. Frances, an American living in England in 1899, is also the widowed “Countess of Harleigh”. She’s loved by many in her circle of friends, and tries to be a help to her family. George is the very picture of a noble English gentleman who practices law. He’s also somewhat mysteriously employed by both the police and The Crown, and has a talent for handling those “cases” where utmost discretion is required. (He also seems to have a talent for breaking into houses and following suspects.). Frances and George are also next door neighbors, and together they make a great sleuthing team.

There’s not a false note in this book. The dialogue is witty; the characters fit their roles; and the mystery is interesting and not easily solved. This is a clean cozy mystery story—there’s no foul language or bedroom scenes. You do not have to have read the first book in this series to enjoy this one, but I recommend it, too.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

In fact, Mary should be with us now. She’d simply been trying to earn a living.
What could she possibly have written that was so wrong she must pay for it with her life?
I felt such anger on behalf of the sisters, I didn’t just want to bring the killer
to justice, I wanted to hurt him just as he’d hurt these two women.
Dianne Freeman, A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder, Kindle Loc. 2453


Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth each year, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in hunting—for birds or a second husband—and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.

Instead, she’s immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlight—along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits?

Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at all—but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them.
https://difreeman.com/

If you missed Dianne Freeman’s first book in the Countess of Harleigh mystery series, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder, do yourself a favor and get a copy. The second in this series, A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder, is every bit as entertaining.

Although Frances’s little sister, Lily, is still living with her, Lily is sidelined in this adventure by her own engagement. Aunt Hetty has taken over Frances’s office, much to Frances’s dismay, while helping Graham, of all people, with his finances. But while Aunt Hetty is sidelined by that chore, she discovers invaluable financial information that assists Frances and George’s investigation. In this adventure, Lily’s friend Charlotte (Lottie) from NYC is visiting, she provides Frances with the help she needs as does Charles Evingdon, Frances’s cousin by marriage, who is under investigation.
I love the mix of old and new characters found in this series, which provides continuity while freshening each book. Set during the summer, it’s the perfect addition to your summer reading pile.

Please welcome Dianne Freeman back to WWK. E. B. Davis



What is the difference between full and half-mourning?

In the Victorian era, full or deep mourning meant total immersion in one’s grief. The door knocker would be draped in black crape so people would think twice about visiting. Clocks might be stopped and mirrors turned to the walls as if time and one’s appearance no longer mattered. Only black fabric with no sheen could be worn. Women would trade their hats for a bonnet with a veil of black crape and all jewelry would be made of jet. Men, who tended to wear dark clothing anyway, didn’t have to alter their wardrobes much.
Half-mourning usually evolved six months to a year after the death, depending on how close the relationship was. The house would return to normal, and color slowly crept into the wardrobe. Dull colors at first; gray, purples, and a bit of white trim. The bonnet and veil could be replaced with a hat as long as it had no flowers or plumes. Half-mourning could go on for another six months, but the general idea was to transition gradually from mourning to bright colors. By the late Victorian era, the rules had relaxed and left the form and period of mourning up to the bereaved.

What was “The Glorious Twelfth?” Was it celebrated in-town before most of the gentry retired for the summer to the country? Was this an upper-class only celebration or did everyone celebrate it? Is it celebrated today?

The Glorious Twelfth was a catch-phrase for the Twelfth of August—the first day of shooting season. For most of the land-owning gentry, it was a reason to get out of town, away from the summer heat and smoke of the city, and back to their estates. It used to be a sport reserved for the very wealthy, but by the mid-to late Victorian era, with improved train systems, and higher earnings among the upper and middle classes, anyone who could afford to rent a country house and pay for an arranged shoot, would make the pilgrimage.

Shooting tourism still generates a large income for the UK, and they still call the opening day the Glorious Twelfth.

Lily has found a young man, Leo Kendrick, she wants to marry. They seem perfectly matched, something Frances should appreciate. And yet, she isn’t enthusiastic about the engagement. Why?

Frances’s goal for her sister has always been to keep Lily from making the same mistakes she made. In this case, the mistake would be marrying in haste. That did not work out well for Frances, and Leo and Lily met barely four months earlier. Though she likes Leo, she just wants the couple to take some time to get to know one another before jumping into marriage.

Lily’s friend Charlotte (Lottie) Deaver is visiting London from NYC. Why is her quick and astute thinking a surprise to Frances?

Frances is guilty of a bit of pre-judging in the case of Lottie. In the few weeks she’s stayed with Frances, she’s managed to spill, break, tear, or trip over nearly everything she’s come into contact with. Frances attributes this to absence of mind and is surprised to find that while Lottie is indeed a bit of a klutz, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with her mind.

Although Frances wishes she could afford country trips in the summer, it hasn’t prevented her from matchmaking. Who does she pair together?

Frances would probably take exception to the term “matchmaking.” *wink wink* She’s sponsored her sister’s season and is attempting to do the same for Lottie. She ensured that the met worthy gentlemen as opposed to scoundrels, but the choice was always up to the young ladies themselves. She also introduced her cousin, Charles to Mary Archer, but she’d rather forget that introduction.

Why does Frances (even if by “gift” only) and Mary have to hide their livelihoods?

Though times were changing, at this point in history, particularly among the upper crust, working for a living was a middle-class lifestyle, beneath the aristocracy. Men could get away with it to some extent. Men needed something to occupy their minds and challenge them, as long as it didn’t interfere with their social obligations. Women were still expected to be satisfied with domestic pursuits and allow their families; husbands, fathers, sons, to take care of them. If an aristocratic woman let it be known she worked for a living she was both accusing her family of neglect, and being “mannish,” a double whammy. Society wouldn’t put up with such eccentricity and the woman would likely be dropped from many invitation lists and lose her social standing. Having said that, women of the day headed many charitable and social organizations, but they didn’t earn an income from doing so.

How does Charles Evingdon become a murder suspect?
Charles was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it didn’t help that he’d just broken off a courtship with the deceased. It also didn’t help that Frances mentioned that detail to Inspector Delaney.

Why does Fiona, Frances’s good friend, think Evingdon is “dim-witted?”

Poor Charles. He’s not exactly dim-witted, but he tends to arrange his thoughts in such a way that when he opens his mouth, they all flow out at once, leaving the listener confused. Those who give him a chance learn he is a kind and caring man who simply doesn’t express himself very well.

Although Frances and her brother-in-law, Graham, seem to be getting along, I was surprised that Aunt Hetty, a financial expert, is helping Graham get his finances in order. Why would she help him after he tried to gain control of Frances’s finances?

Frances and Graham may not have buried the hatchet, but they’ve come to terms with it. Graham is still family. Helping to put him on a better financial path might keep him from asking for loans in the future.

Fiona’s brother, George Hazelton, who is also Frances’s next-door neighbor, has already proposed marriage. Why has she resisted and continues to do so?

Frances is sure George’s marriage proposal was just an offer to protect her. That’s not the kind of marriage she wants. She’s not entirely sure she’s ready for marriage again at all. Her first one was a disaster and her first taste of independence has been intoxicating—but then, so is George. If she doesn’t have to give up one for the other, she may stop resisting.

The sensitive nature of the notes and correspondence Mary had hidden in her house indicates she was either a gossip or a blackmailer. How did George get hired to attend to these malicious missives? Why wouldn’t the police take charge of them? Why does he delegate the chore of going through them and evaluating them for murder to Frances?

Many of the hundreds of notes Mary had hidden away contained very salacious information about nearly everyone in the upper class, including the Prince of Wales. Delaney would have taken the notes to his superior, who would have taken them to his superior, who was probably a member of the upper class and would have balked at the idea of handing this scandalous material over to a working-class policeman, who might be tempted to sell it to the press. Through his work at the Home Office, George had connections within the Metropolitan Police. Not only was he trustworthy, but his acquaintance with many of the people named in the notes gave him an advantage over the police in that he’d have a better knowledge of how far one of them might go to keep their secrets safe. When his friend, Charles, becomes the prime suspect, he needs to focus his time on investigating. Since Frances is already somewhat involved, and eager to help, he hands the notes off to her.

When Frances discovers that Mary had information on Frances’s own finances, she concludes that servants must be involved. How does she prove that Mary gained much of her material from servants?

Frances learned early on that she was one of Mary’s victims herself. In her collection of gossip and scandal, Mary had some very personal information about Frances. With the help of her housemaid, Jenny, she traced it back to its source—her brother-in-law’s valet.

Lily uses the term “underworld of criminals,” which Frances seems unfamiliar with. When did this word/concept come into existence?

The term underworld was used to define a place for departed souls since the middle-ages. It was first used to define career criminals or organized crime in 1890 though the concept of organized crime has been around much longer.

I love Aunt Hetty. Will she ever make her own fortune or help Frances build her estate?

Henrietta Chesney, or Aunt Hetty has a tidy little fortune of her own. She can well afford to help Frances, and she offered when her niece ran into some financial problems, but Frances worries about becoming dependent on the generosity of others, even her beloved aunt.

Lily wants to do all the “right” social things for her marriage. Frances remembers, “I’d forgotten how important it was to do everything right at her age.” (Loc.2312) It must have been such a different time. Today, it seems it is only the old who abide by convention or rules. The young tend to do whatever they want. Have things changed?

Frances and Lily are Americans stepping into a society ruled by tradition. A young woman raised in this society would already know things like order of precedence—who should sit where at a dinner table, how to address a duke, or if you should speak at all, until he addresses you. Even things like who should pass through a doorway first can cause trouble. Lily would not want to embarrass her new family or show herself as ignorant of these rules.

Today, unless you’re attending a state dinner, or dealing with royalty, most of this protocol doesn’t apply. While it’s nice to have a knowledge of proper etiquette and good manners, I’m relieved I don’t have to deal with this level of correct behavior.

What’s next for Frances and her posse?

Next is the wedding for France’s sister, Lily and her fiancé Leo. They want to forgo the fanfare of a society wedding in favor of a quiet ceremony, and George Hazelton offers his family home in the countryside for the festivities. The groom’s family joins Frances and Lily at Risings where a shooting party is already in progress. While Frances and Lily plan for the wedding, the houseguests amuse themselves with the usual country pursuits—shooting, riding, and the random romantic dalliance. But this bucolic setting harbors a menace, and their pleasure is marred by injury, and even death, when mysterious accidents befall the household and guests. Before long, Frances suspects these “accidents” are deliberate, and fears the intended victim is Leo.
As Frances and George search for the killer among the groom’s family and friends, more victims fall prey to the mayhem. No one is safe. If they don’t flush out the culprit, this house party, the wedding, and the groom, could all meet with a deadly end.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman
Book #2: Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington
Rating: 4½/5 stars

There are few things I like better in my books than a character, male or female, living his/her life totally outside the standards and norms of the time and place. In round two of the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, Frances Wynn is once again living her life outside of society’s bounds and boundaries in order to reveal a murderer and clear her hapless cousin’s name.

With much of London society retired to the country for the remainder of the summer, Frances thought it would be a quiet time in the city among her set. Unfortunately, one devious and ruthless murderer has other plans entirely and when Frances’s friend, Mary Archer is brutally murdered, Frances sees her quiet end to summer come to an abrupt end. As if dealing with the loss of her friend and preparing for a funeral weren’t enough, Frances has also been notified her cousin is a solid suspect. Knowing her cousin as she does, Frances is certain he did not kill her friend. Trouble is, if her cousin didn’t commit the crime, who did?

With a mystery on her hands and more than a little motivation to solve the crime, Frances plunges in with both feet. As before, by her side and aiding in her investigation is her neighbor and romantic interest, Mr. George Hazelton. Unlike Frances, George has been called into the investigation in an official capacity and he promptly reads in Frances in order to enlist her help. What George turns over to Frances is a pile of notes and half-written bits and bobs concerning the darker side of much of London society. Though most of the notes are easy enough to translate there are a few that are truly confounding. What’s more, neither Frances nor George can explain why the quiet and unassuming Mary Archer was in possession of such intimate and potentially damaging information. If they can just understand Mary’s motivation for having such information, they’ll most certainly understand the motivation for killing her and the person responsible for her untimely and grisly death.

The Bottom Line: I am quite involved with this series and we’re only on book two! I simply adore Frances Wynn, her family, and her discerning, logical, and quick mind. Frances is most certainly defying the standards of her station and living her life as she sees fit and I love her for that unconventionality. I am also completely in love with Mr. George Hazelton: Hazelton is kind, intelligent, respectful, and caring of Frances. When Frances and George work together, it’s a special kind of magic I sincerely hope will continue in the later installments of the series. Finally, I am quite enjoying the uniqueness of the challenges in this series; Frances and George aren’t dealing with average run of the mill crimes, but with fun and interesting crimes that involve all levels of society and often call into play the rules and regulations of proper English society. In short, I enjoy every aspect of this series and look forward to more crime solving from the most unconventional Countess of Harleigh!

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder is a terrific sequel to Dianne Freeman's 2018 historical mystery A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder.

I am a big fan of the first book in the series, so a sequel brings about conflicting emotions: excitement that you get another book by a favoured author; and dread that the sequel will not stand up as well as the first did. I need not have worried. This book is delightful.

Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, is embroiled in the murder of her friend Mary Archer. In this installment George Hazelton -- her neighbour, partner in crime (investigation), and love interest -- delegates much of the work to Frances, which shows her capability and his respect. (I really like George!!) There remains the lingering question: Did he really propose in book 1? If he did, will she marry him?

Frances mulls this early on: "I'd only just gained my independence and the single state suited me well for the time being." Independence was a theme in the first book and happily we get more perspectives on it here.

Only after widowhood are Frances and Mary able to gain some measure of independence, financial as well as living in their own homes. Frances has the money her father set aside for her at the time of her marriage, but Mary has to work to support herself. This is doubly problematic in the eyes of society.
Women living on their own (without a father or husband to control their rampant sexuality) are suspect. Aunt Hetty, being a woman past child-bearing, lends Frances a veneer of respectability. Mary does not have that. Earning one's keep is scandalous and Mary would have been shunned if people knew. A woman, alone, providing for herself?? That way lies gender equality and anarchy. Obviously.

Lily and Lottie also make bids for independence, in different ways. Lily wants to marry Mr. Kendrick. Frances tries to slow the process, fearing her sister is rushing into marriage as she did. (Remember, once married Lily will have no rights at all and her life will revolve around the whims of her husband.) Lily fights back against her sister, demanding her right to make her own decisions.

Lottie, sent to England from America to be married off in the "Season", gains the respect of Frances and George with her work on the murder investigation. Early attempts to shield her 'delicate female sensibilities' are thwarted by Lottie's skills and her refusal to be pushed aside.

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder is a terrific fun read. It's a good mystery. (I really had to work to figure it out!) We get an advancement of Frances and George's love story. But at its heart, I think Freeman wrote a study of female independence within the repressive stultifying patriarchy of English society in 1899.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

A fun continuation of this terrific historical mystery series. I adored book 1 and I was so happy to return to these characters once again. Frances and George are fantastic, and I enjoyed the cast of characters around them, including a couple newcomers. The mystery is really well done - lots of twists and layers. I did get a little tired of the sheer volume of paperwork people were constantly digging through, but it was necessary for the story.

This is a must-read mystery series for me. It's a delight!

I really liked this book, it reminds me of the Deanna Rayburn series which I also enjoyed. The playful banter is entertaining although there is little mystery about where the relationship is going with Frances and George. I especially like that the book included many smart, independent female characters who did not simply go around getting in a mess and being rescued by a man. I look forward to more books in this series.

A LADY'S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman
The Second Countess of Harleigh Mystery

While most of the aristocracy has left for their country estates Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is content to stay in London. Her home is actually bustling as Aunt Hetty is helping her brother-in-law make sense of his investments, Lily is preparing for her wedding, and sweet, but socially awkward and clumsy, Lottie has come to visit from America. Frances herself has been occupied with a bit of matchmaking. When Frances introduced her cousin Charles to Mary Archer, she thought the two would make a good match. Surprised when Charles told her they didn't suit, she is absolutely stunned to learn that Mary was murdered! Even more alarming are notes with all manner of gossip found hidden in Mary's house. With a keen investigative mind Frances joins her friend and neighbor George Hazelton in sorting through the gossip, and proving her cousin innocent of murder!

The second Countess of Harleigh Mystery is a fantastic addition to the series. I loved every minute of it, from the multilayered characters to the well plotted mystery. This historical mystery has a modern sensibility. It engages readers with contemporary themes and ideas while remaining true to its time period with wonderful Victorian detail.

The independent nature of the women here is admirable, especially as seen in the Victorian era. Even those women living the traditional "suitable" roles have minds of their own. There are no simpering misses or mistresses here! While I quite liked Lily in the first book in the series I was a bit taken aback by her behavior here. I fear Lily is on her way to becoming a Victorian Bridezilla! While I value Frances's independent nature and understand her need to be on her own I absolutely love how the relationship between Frances and George is developing. I admit the last lines of the novel had me grinning.

A LADY'S GUIDE TO GOSSIP AND MURDER is a delightful novel filled with charming characters and a perplexing mystery.

I loved the first book in Ms. Freeman's series, and this one is even wittier. The era, late Victorian, is a fascinating time of change and the author has an excellent grasp of the period and does a great job of taking the reader back in time.

In book 2 you have another upper crust murder, an amusing cast of characters, and a bit more of a simmering love interest, which never gets in the way of Frances's zest for finding the truth.

I'm loving this series, which is clever and thoughtful, and without too much angst, although Frances certainly has her concerns as a woman on her own, with limited financial means.

I'm looking forward to book #3!

Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth each year, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in hunting—for birds or a second husband—and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.

Instead, she’s immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlight—along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits?

Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at all—but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them . . .

This was interesting and suspenseful to the end! It was fun to read about how the British aristocracy might handle something like this, especially from an American point of view.

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the 2nd book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, and my first book in this series. Frances Wynn is the widowed Countess of Harleigh who if from American. Frances looks into a murder, when her cousin becomes the prime suspect. What a fun book! I don't normally read historical mystery books so I wasn't sure how I would like it, however I found that the relationship / chemistry of the characters great that kept my interest. Although I have not read the first book yet, I did not feel lost in this book. Looking forward to reading the first book in the series, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy historical cozy mysteries.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Lady Francis Wynn's cousin is implicated in murder of a friend of hers that she tried to match make him with. Feeling responsible, Francis helps her neighbor/love interest about who murdered her friend also why her friend had such much gossip about the society's elite. The big question throughout the book is what her friend's actions were and did it have a hand in her death.

A well plotted historical murder mystery with plenty of red herrings that keep you guessing until the end. I did love her relationship with George. He is very supportive of her investigating and trusts her to discover things. I was happy to see some progress with their relationship.

Lady Frances Harleigh is a widow with a seven-year-old daughter and a taste for danger and investigation. A close acquaintance of hers has been murdered and due to her matchmaking skills her cousin, Charles, is the main suspect. Driven by guilt and wanting to save her cousin, she persuades her mysterious and handsome neighbour into including her in the investigation.

The characters in the book were amazing, we had Lily, Lady Harleigh’s younger sister betrothed although Lady Harleigh is worried that she’s rushing into marriage without fully knowing her fiance. Lottie, a clumsy and intelligent cousin who trips on her own feet and Aunt Hetti her chaperone. Jenny, the gossipy maid who drags information from other servants. All these characters contributed to the overall mystery.

The book has a side of slow-burn romance that left me rooting for Lady Harleigh and George. The two work so well. Lady Harleigh doubts George Hazelton’s affection for her but it’s so clear that he’s smitten with her.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman is the second book of the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. This series is a bit of a different take on the average cozy mystery in that it has a historical setting mixing both genres wonderfully.

In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Frances Wynn who is an American that was born to a wealthy family that found herself in an arranged marriage to her husband, Reggie. The marriage brought Frances the title of the Countess of Harleigh and her husband access to her family funds. Frances had thought she may grow to love her husband it was soon apparent what kind of man he truly was before he was murdered.

While Frances is now widowed she is still the Countess of Harleigh and has begun adapting well to her new British surroundings. Frances however is not a fan of the major hunting event that happens e very August so while all her friends and neighbors head out she expects quiet time. This season however things do not go as planned when the young woman who Frances’ cousin had been courting is found murdered.

At the beginning of this series I wasn’t certain how the dynamic of having a strong female lead doing her sleuthing in historical times would balance out. After reading these books though I think the author does a good job keeping the feel of the era while mixing with cozy crime solving so this series is shaping up quite nicely and quite fun.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was an advanced copy from netgalley - thank you

This is part of a series - this is the only one I've read but I will certainly be searching out the others to get the full picture !!

Loved this !!

I became so engrossed in this I lost track of time and simply had to finish it !!

Loved the characters - well written - lots of twists and turns - kept me on the edge of my seat

Can't wait to read more !!!

After reading the first in this series, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder, I was eager to see what else was in store for Frances, Countess of Harleigh, widow and amateur investigator. It was so worth the wait, I was not in any way disappointed. Francis and her 'team' are again searching for a killer when a woman is murdered and she is a friend of Frances. If that isn't enough to get her sleuthing, the police has set their sights on her cousin, Charles. Frances had been trying to matchmake with the victim, Mary Archer and Charles but it didn't go anywhere. As Frances, her neighbor, George and her Aunt Hetty start to unravel the puzzle they discover that Mary had a dark side - called blackmail. That fact certainly makes their possible suspect list grow considerably.
Another plus - a new addition to those investigating with Frances. Her name is Lottie and she is wonderful. Smart and clumsy come together and I hope she never leaves. The mystery is full of the required twists, turns and red herrings, a very well constructed mystery. Frances is a strong willed woman who has found ways to get things done even though it is 1899 and investigating the occasional homicide is most certainly not what ladies did. No telling that to Frances - Frances will be on the case. I'm ready for book #3.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder is the second book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series.

This a wonderful follow-up to the Agatha Award-winning A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder.

Francis Wynn, Countess of Harleigh is shocked and saddened to learn that her cousin by marriage, Charles Evingdon, is suspected of murdering Mary Archer, a lady he had been going out with and who he had asked to marry him. Francis is saddened because she had arranged for them to see each other. She doesn’t think he is capable of murdering anyone. Then when Inspector Delaney calls on her asks about her friendship with Archer. She responds that they were socially friendly and nothing more. He then presents her with a note that was found in Archer’s home, detailing the action taken by her brother-in-law to freeze her bank account when she moved to London. Delaney adds that several notes that could severely damage members of the aristocracy were also found in Archer’s home. Delaney suspects that she might have been blackmailing the people that she had the incriminating evidence on.

Francis then goes next door to talk with George Hazelton about this situation. After discussing the matter Hazelton informs Francis that because of the sensitive nature of the notes found someone high in the government has asked him to look into the matter. Hazelton then engages Francis to help him to sort through the notes, some of which only had initials, and compile a list of people mentioned in the notes to ascertain names of people who would be possible blackmail victims. They soon find that Mary was writing as a gossip columnist for a newspaper. When there is another murder, Francis and Hazleton they need to decipher Mary’s notes before anyone else loses their life. Francis engages her protege, Lottie Deaver to help decipher some of the notes. Even though Lottie is prone to be a little clumsy, she possesses a brilliant mind and proves to be a valuable assistant.

The book has a wonderful cast of characters. Francis is a strong-willed after having a disastrous marriage. She is rather timid about pursuing another relationship. Lily, Francis sister, is supportive of her sister but is really more interested in having help planning her upcoming engagement and wedding. A really enjoyable character is Aunt Hetty, Francis’ aunt, has the years of experience to help Francis make the right decisions. George Hazleton is caring and patient man when it comes to Francis. Both are slowly moving to the point where they will be expressing their feeling for each other.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the delightful historical series.

The widowed American Countess of Harleigh has moved to London with her young daughter; she is chaperoning her sister to find an English husband. In A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder, Dianne Freeman has the Countess explore the death of a friend who may have blackmailed some of the English upper crust. Was it blackmail or fodder for a gossip column? Who in her circle of acquaintances might have done it? The Countess teams up with an Inspector of Police and the gentleman next door to narrow down the suspects. Delightful period cozy.

When I was asked to take part in this book blog tour, I had no idea what to expect, but I do love historical mysteries. I’m so glad I took part because this book is absolutely delightful.

Frances Wynn, the Countess of Harleigh, is smart, independent, capable and caring. I easily fell under her spell. Frances would have probably been able to carry the story herself, but the fact that she’s surrounded by other well-written characters makes this book so much more enjoyable. Alongside her younger sister Lily (probably by least favourite character) and cousin Charles (a sweetheart), there’s also their aunt Hetty, a smart woman with a mind for business figures; Lily’s friend Lottie, who is incredibly smart but accident-prone; and of course, Frances' dashing neighbour George Hazelton, who seems to be the perfect match for her. Each character has their own strengths, weaknesses and quirks, which makes the whole cast a lot of fun.

Along with the murder mystery, there is a look into British aristocracy and all of its rules. Frances is very adept at playing the high-society game, but she is also open-minded enough to think unconventionally and judge those of “lower status” by their own merits, not just the position they were born into.

I found myself enjoying the characters and story so much that I wasn’t doggedly trying to figure out who the murderer was (something I usually do whenever I read a mystery story). Perhaps it was because the reader never really gets to know either of the murder victims (as with most cozy mysteries, there’s a second murder partway through the story) very well, but it didn’t really diminish my enjoyment of the story.

I also appreciated the fact that I could read this book without having read the first book in the series. The relationships between the characters is well laid out and although there are a few references to events that must have happened in the first book, it’s not enough to make you feel like you’ve missed anything.

I’m definitely going to go back and read the first book in the series and I’m looking forward to more fun mysteries with the Countess of Harleigh.

*** Thank you to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours and the publisher, Kensington Publishing, for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

August 1899 and widowed Lady Frances hopes to spenda fewquiet months in town with her sister Lily, and her protegee Miss Charlotte Deaver. Then she is informed of the death of a friend, Mary Archer. Mrs Archer has been mrdered. George Hazelton, her neighbour has been asked to investigate the suspicions of blackmail by Mary. To this end he recruits Frances to help.
An enjoyable well-written mystery, quite a fast paced story, with it lively feel, with some delightful characters.