Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. She 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. It seems that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer or was she?
Aided by her gallant friend and neighbour, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case with plenty of suspects 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 is the second book in the series, I haven’t read the first book but will now be doing so. A cozy mystery, that kept my interest all the way through. Well portrayed characters, I liked Frances & George. The book is well paced & very well written, there are plenty of red herrings thrown into the mix so you’re kept guessing most of the way through. If you’re looking for a fun cozy mystery then I’d recommend this book to while away a few hours
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is supposed to be the quiet time of the London season, the time when all of the aristocracy leaves to go hunting. Frances Wynn, the Dowager Countess of Harleigh, isn't interested. Her sister is almost engaged to a very nice man but Frances, burned by her own marital experience, is worried for her. But she's also distracted by the murder of her "friend" (not a close friend but one she was trying to match with her cousin Charles), Mary Archer. When Frances' ... friend... George Hazelton asks for help in his investigation, Frances is only too pleased to help. She can help get justice for Mary, clear her cousin's name (George's and Mary's relationship was recently ended, so he's suspect numero uno,) and, well, it's something to stretch her mind. It doesn't hurt that George asking her to take this on shows how much he trusts her.
I wish that there had been a little more character development, the mystery took up a lot of the book. Other than that, this was a pretty good book.

Four stars
This book comes out June 25th
Follows A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
ARC kindly provided by Kensington and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Some issues are timeless, like money, independence, and family relationships. Frances Wynn, the widowed Countess of Harleigh, is an American “Dollar Princess,” similar to the heroine of Clara McKenna’s debut mystery Murder at Morrington Hall. The time is August 1899, the tail-end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Unusually for her class and the era, Wynn lives independently with her daughter Rose. The money to own a house in London comes from her wealthy American family but she had to tussle with her brother-in-law (the new Earl of Harleigh) to gain control of her “own” money … events that transpired in Freeman’s debut mystery, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder.

Now past the unpleasantness of being falsely accused of murdering her late, non-lamented, husband, Frances is enjoying the company of her sister Lily, her financially astute Aunt Hetty, and Lily’s friend Charlotte (Lottie) Deaver. Lottie is a bright young lady with a propensity to be somewhat clumsy, but Frances is fond of her protégée from New York City. The countess has myriad friends but she’s particularly close to Lady Fiona and Fiona’s brother George Hazelton. Frances has no secrets from George, a gallant friend and neighbor.

Most of the town has decamped to their country estates to enjoy The Glorious Twelfth, a time to shoot grouse with fellow aristocrats but Frances intends to enjoy some quiet time in London. Unfortunately, murder interrupts: Frances’s widowed friend Mary Archer is found strangled in her house. Based on the marks on her throat, the police deduce that Archer was murdered by a man. Inspector Delaney visits Frances to pick her brains: “Are you acquainted with Mrs. Mary Archer, ma’am?” After Frances says she and Mary were friends but not “that close,” the Inspector hands her a folded sheet of paper.

The note contained a complete summary of what I referred to as the battle of my bank account. A bitter and hard-fought battle with my brother-in-law, Graham, the Earl of Harleigh. We eventually forged a truce and Graham withdrew his suit, but the matter was of such a personal nature only my immediate family and two close friends knew of it—well, and Inspector Delaney. I lifted my gaze to find him observing me closely. “This was in Mary’s possession? However did she learn of it?”



“You never told her about this dispute?”



“Of course not.”

Delaney reveals that Mary Archer had “countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s elite.” How did she gather such incendiary information and for what purpose? Did members of society pay Mary blackmail to keep their secrets hidden?

Frances’s cousin Charles recently squired Mary Archer to society events, so he’s an obvious suspect. George and Charles (friends from public-school days) take tea with Frances: they press Charles for what he knows about Mary’s personal life, in the hopes of clearing him with the police.

George took a sip of tea, then carefully placed his cup on the table in front of him, clearly considering how much he could reveal. “There’s a rather sensitive side to this case and I’ve been asked to lend a hand, but rest assured if I must choose between working on this case or mounting a defense for you, I would certainly choose in favor of you.”



“You can’t do both?” Charles’s confusion showed in his blank expression.



“Not out in the open I can’t.” George gave him a reassuring smile.

George has been asked to vet all the notes found in Mary’s possession—the ones detailing high society’s peccadillos—before giving said information to the police. With strict instructions that she not put herself “in any danger,” George enlists Frances’s help to decipher Mary’s cryptic treasure trove of gossip. Frances’s house-guest Lottie lends Frances a hand and notices that many of the snippets are identical to the gossip in Miss Information’s column in the Daily Observer. Frances tells Delaney and George that she thinks Mary worked for the paper—can she be certain?

“Of course we’re certain. I read clippings of the column myself just yesterday. It was definitely the Observer. Why?”

Delaney pursed his lips and let out a long breath. “Because a man who works as an editor for that newspaper has also been murdered.”

It seems Mary Archer was the Observer’s Miss Information. What piece of gossip did she harbor that was so consequential that someone would commit two murders to keep it hidden? That is what Frances, her house-guests, and her dear friend George are determined to discover. Frances’s sleuthing takes her to Mary’s house where she gains a deeper understanding of Mary’s choices. She looks around at Mary’s home, “not the family home of her late husband, and not the home of her sister’s husband. Hers.” Frances knows a “woman would give a great deal for that sense of independence and self-sufficiency.” Her dander is up on Mary’s behalf.

… 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?

Frances Wynn is an English countess but she’s an American by birth and sensibility, and she lets nothing stop her from her solving Mary Archer’s murder. Truth be told, she’s “beginning to like this role of investigator.” Who knew that talent for solving puzzles could be a useful trait even “though the stakes were much higher?” Lovers of acrostics and word-puzzles will find much to enjoy in A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder and will undoubtedly look forward to Lady Frances’s next Lady’s Guide adventure.

A fun and engrossing read that was a real pleasure.
This is the second book in this series and it's amazing, well written, full of twists and turn.
I loved the cast of characters, well written and likable, the historical setting and the plot full of twists and turns.
The mystery was great and it kept me guessing till the end. The ending came as a surprise and it was well devised.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is the second book in the Lady Frances Countess Harleigh murder mysteries. Lady Frances is a widowed American heiress who after the untimely (or timely) death of her husband has moved herself and her daughter to London. The first book in the series was a favorite of mine, so I was excited to see the second available for request. You do not need to have read the 1st book to enjoy the 2nd, but I highly recommend it.

The second book involves the murder of an acquaintance of Lady Frances, Mary Archer, the chief suspect is Lady Frances’ cousin by marriage Charles, Lady Frances is sure that he could not have murdered Mary and feeling guilty for having introduced the two of them, Lady Frances decides to aid in the investigation. With the assistance of her Aunt Hetty, sister Lily, and Lily’s clumsy but clever friend Lottie the game is afoot. Of course she also has the able assistance of George Hazelton, kind neighbor, brother of her best friend and possibly more.

There are several twists in the life of Mary and several possible suspects to choose from. Can Lady Frances clear Charles’ name and find the real killer? I love the time period of these novels and having been for years a fan of the real Million Dollar American Princesses who saved so many of England’s great families and great houses, it is nice to read a mystery with a character based on the American daughters who came to England and tried to make a life for themselves. Throw in a bit of murder, mayhem and romance and it is a fun new mystery series that I hope continues.

3.5 stars

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder is the second book in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series by Dianne Freeman. It’s an entertaining historical murder mystery, featuring Frances Winn, a widowed countess, her eccentric extended family, and her neighbor and sleuthing partner, George Hazelton. I enjoyed the first book in the series and was looking forward to the second book. In A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder Frances and George investigate the murder of Frances' friend, Mary Archer. Like Frances, Mary was a widow and seemed to lead a quite life, until it was revealed that she may have blackmailed members of the ton in order to supplement her income.

Overall, I liked this book, it was a solid and easy-to-read murder mystery. I was a little disappointed with the romantic subplot. I very much enjoy murder mysteries with a strong romantic story arc, these are the books I tend to pick up over mysteries with zero romance. And when a mystery has the romantic subplot, I want it to be as interesting and as captivating as the murder mystery part. I got it in the first book but I didn't get it in this book. The romance between Frances and George lacked sparks and excitement, there was no chemistry or banter that was present in the first book, and it made me sad.

This is the second book in the A Countess of Harleigh Mystery series, and the first one I have read. This series/ book captured my attention by encompassing many things I love: historical fiction, mystery and romance!

The American born, widowed Countess of Harleigh is a social butterfly and can be found at all the best gatherings with entourage (her almost engage sister, aunt and her sisters American friend that she is sponsoring). They make for a fun and helpful group when there is a murder among their peer group.

The Countess, Franny to her close friends, gets embroiled in the investigation when her cousin is accused of murder. How could she not help exonerate him, she she had been the one to have set him up with the now deceased!

And she save her cousin? Can she find the real murderer before another one of theirs friends becomes the next victim? Can she find love at the same time?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The mystery kept me guessing until the near end and the characters were so much fun that I’d volunteer to tag along on their next investigation! I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, mysteries and romance. Its not toted as a romance, but the sweet love connections made in the book really add to its appeal.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder is the second title in the series featuring Frances, Countess of Harleigh, a recent widow;; the title can easily be read as a stand alone. After being involved in a murder several months prior, Frances finds herself once again in the middle of an investigation after the death of a friend (Mary Archer) when her cousin by marriage (Charles) becomes a suspect. Frances feels guilty as she had acted as match maker in fixing up Charles and Mary; without her, Charles never would have been suspect. Working in concert with her neighbor (and possible future husband) George Hazelton.


The mystery is nicely done and the reason for the murder as well as who did it are slowly revealed with a few twists and turns to keep the reader entertained and guessing. As in the first title, the secondary characters are well written and interesting including France's Aunt Hetty, younger sister, her sister's friend, and her daughter Rose. The author does a good job detailing society expectations and limitations that women faced and just how few options there were for a woman to support herself.


The chemistry between George and Frances continues at a slow simmer and their relationship continues to develop. I appreciated George's confidence in Frances and her skills; he treats her as a partner and not just a helpless woman. I am really enjoying this series and hope that there are many more entries to follow.

“A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder” by Dianne Freeman is the second in the “Lady’s Guide” series. Our heroine is Frances Wynn, the American Countess of Harleigh. Frances was rich but now she’s not; her dead husband used up all her money, so now she’s just getting by. The year is 1899.

An acquaintance, a Mrs. Archer, has been murdered. Frances had hoped to set the woman up with her cousin, Charles Evingdon. That’s now going to be rather difficult. Inspector Delaney comes to call. They’ve met before. Lady Harleigh is no stranger to murder.

Well -- who knew Mrs. Mary Archer was a blackmailer? There’s a reason for murder right there. And how about cuz? He asked her to marry him, and was rebuffed. Enough to murder her? Is it really blackmail, though? A lot of these people don’t have any money. What else could Mrs. Archer have been doing? Ah ha! It’s discovered that she’s been writing a gossip column! Then another death occurs, someone that was close to Mrs. Archer, who knew what she was REALLY doing with all the information she’d uncovered.

Eventually, cousin Charles is detained, of course, which means Frances has to work even harder to come up with the truth. Don’t doubt for a moment that she does. Frances and Lottie, her young visitor, get busy with the entertaining task of discovering who has an alibi and who doesn’t and uncovering the clues that will lead to a murderer. Their ability to move around in society, something that Inspector Delaney cannot do, comes in mightily handy.

George Hazelton from the previous book, a “friend in high places,” is prominent in the investigation process. Frances fancies George -- just doesn’t want him to catch her yet. That would put the quietus on her activities, pretty much. Well, probably not, because our fictional Victorian heroines get away with a lot, but, still.
Eventually, all secrets are uncovered and the truth revealed; fraud, greed and deceit do make quite the grounds for murder.

The murders all occur off-screen, which definitely makes this a “cozy” mystery. And of course, there’s the frisson of romance within the pages of the book. Readers should be happy with developments here. The teasing back and forth is just like many a movie -- when will these folks all realize they are made for each other? They do, of course, in a satisfying way. If you like your historical mysteries with romance thrown in, you’ll like “A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder” quite a lot.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

This is the second book in the series and having read both - I really enjoyed all of it! Characters plot and that hint of romance. Had sold the first will be doing the same with this one!

This is book two in the 'Countess of Harleigh Mystery' series. The mystery was well plotted and the characters and relationships were well drawn by Dianne Freeman. The writing really flowed for me and this was such an enjoyable read. I can't wait for the next book in the series! Highly recommended. Rating: five stars.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

In the second Countess of Harleigh mystery, Frances starts to investigate a murder that looks like a blackmail scheme gone bad. The troubling part is that the blackmailer was a lady, Mary Archer she was hoping to match her cousin with, who also becomes the primary suspect for the murder. As she and George have to comb through all the possible suspects, as Mary had information of a variety of society people, they have to figure out who had a strong enough motive to kill her. Meanwhile, Frances also has to juggle her sister's upcoming engagement as well as the matchmaking efforts for her sister's friend, Charlotte.

The series has a light tone, and I am immensely enjoying the mysteries that have been solved over these two books. Frances is a delight, as always, and this book also had another entertaining character in Charlotte, a klutzy but capable girl who keeps surprising Frances. Meanwhile, George's and Frances' relationship is going well - they really are like partners in this book, and while the romance is subtle, it is sweet to see. The mystery itself was good - loads of suspects means loads of red herrings, and it kept me guessing till the end. The only problem is that there are repetitions quite often, when the characters gather to review their facts and inform each other of new insights; it starts to get like 'ugh do we have to go over this again?' Otherwise, though, this cozy mystery is an entertaining book.

"A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder” sets Frances, The Countess of Harleigh, on a mission to uncover the reasons for the death of one of her society acquaintances. With the help of friends and family, and the acquiescence of her mysterious emplyoyed neighbor George Hazelton, she uncovers a complicated plot of fraud, blackmail, and murder.

“Lady’s Guide” is set in the last year of the 1800’s, and is full of details of the life of London during the Regency.

This is the second in the series, but can be read as stand-alone if careful attention is paid at the beginning when the characters are introduced.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An enjoyable sequel to the previous novel in the series, that once again follows Frances as she tries to detect a murderer.

Can't wait for the next novel in the series.

Ms. Freeman, a new to me author, writes a very good mystery. I enjoyed the banter between Frances and George while they work on discovering who murdered Mary. For my tastes, I think the romance needs to move along faster. Look forward to reading her next one! I received an ARC for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for a honest review. I loved the first novel in this series. I am a fan of historical fiction and mystery novels. This novel combines historical fiction and mystery. The characters are interesting people.

Well written. I enjoyed the sartorial descriptions too.

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder finds us back with Lady Harleigh guiding her sister through the season and an engagement while investigating the murder of a friend. When Frances hears of the murder of Mary Archer, she immediately begins her search for information. Unfortunately, a very good suspect comes to light in her cousin, Charles. Then her neighbor and love interest, George Hazelton, asks her help in solving the murder and clearing Charles’ name.

An excellent addition to the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. A fast paced read that doesn’t seem far-reaching in the plot or characters. A really great book!

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. If you like your history with a dash of mystery and cosy, this is a good one to read! It is the second in a series but readable as a stand-alone book. A widowed American, Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, is settling into life in London as a widow (of somewhat reduced means). She is providing chaperone (and associated matchmaker duties) to well-to-do relations and their friends, like her own sister, Lily, and Lily's friend, Charlotte. Frances is determined that both young women will make happier marriages than her own. This is an interesting sub-plot to the murder of Frances's acquaintance, Mary, to whom Frances had introduced her cousin-by-marriage, Charles. When Charles admits to being in the neighborhood when Mary is murdered, Frances is determined to prove his innocence. She's added by her neighbor (and admirer), George Hazelton. There is much more to this crime that appears on the surface. This is a well-told story, including elements of romance, history and mystery. I'm hoping for more tales of Frances, George and London high society.

A nice story to read cosily through a rainy afternoon. Quite informative about the possible financial medleys of the 1880s. You'll need a good memory of characters to savour the plot. Good, organised description of a Lady's whereabouts and life. Some good, accurate descriptions including the use of modern devices, hence true to history (no spoiler !).
It is not necessary to read the first book of the series.
With gratefulness to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a fair review..

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book in this series, so I was quite excited when I saw the second instalment available to request on NetGalley. It's a fun cozy, and is perfect for anyone who is waiting for the Downton movie, or wants a lighter Sherlock Holmes fix. It is well-written, and moves along at a nice pace!