When Violet is entrusted with her Aunt Adelia’s anonymous women’s column she can’t help but be a little overwhelmed. As the year is 1885 in London, Violet consoles herself with the fact that most of her questions will likely be woes about men or households, but the first letter she gets shocks her. A woman is fearing for her life and she lays out her suspects. Violet goes to this woman’s village to follow up in person and finds the writer dead- Violet can’t leave things alone, she must solve the murder!

“Of Manners and Murder” by Anastasia Hastings is your typical whodunnit murder mystery. From the beginning, the stage is set and we have all the main players, now we just have to watch the scenes unfold and spot the right clues to piece it together.

I really enjoyed getting to know Violet in this book. As far as first books in a series go, I felt like this one gave us enough about Violet to feel like we could like her, but also just enough that we know we would need to read more of the series to see her fully revealed.

In the end, I guessed the killer about 50% of the way in and had my suspicions about how and why. Some of the little details I guessed right, some not. Either way, I felt like this was a good book to pick up on a rainy day and piece together in one sitting. For that it earned a 4 star rating from me. I’ll definitely be back to this series as more books are released!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.

Of Manners and Murder is a charming mystery set in Victorian England. Violet is a woman ahead of her time, reading annd studying and refusing to let social norms constrain her. Her sister Sephora just wants to find a proper match and to focus on fashion and frivolity. Though they don’t see eye to eye, both girls get pulled into the mystery of a suspicious death until Violet puts all the pieces together.

This isn’t weighty, deeply meaningful writing that will stick with you and answer life’s greatest questions, but it’s enjoyable and a welcome diversion from reality. I would certainly read future adventures of Violet Manville.

I enjoy books that feature women with a backbone who don’t follow convention. Ivy is just such a woman. Determined to act, rather than sit back and act like the other society ladies, she gets involved in a murder and won’t stop until she has solved it. “Ripping fun!”, as they might have said in the day.

Truly a delightful book! This is the first time I had the opportunity to read a book by Anastasia Hastings and it won't be the last. I loved her development of characters, her storyline, and her style of writing. I did not see the twist coming at the end of the story and always love when that happens! If you love a good murder mystery, then this is a book you would thoroughly enjoy reading. ( I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest. opinion, which I have gladly given. I can truly say, I would have been happy to purchase this book!)

4 stars, rounded up from 3.5

1885, England - Violet’s aunt is secretly the author of the Dear Miss Hermione advice column in the newspaper and with no warning, she dumps this responsibility onto Violet, so she can hightail it out of England with a lover for a while. She wants Violet to start by tackling one particular letter-writer’s messages and this becomes the basis for the mystery Violet winds up investigating. This is a fun concept for a series and I mainly enjoyed it. Violet is a strong, independent-minded young woman, who is more interested in going to a museum than in fashion and other “typical” feminine interests. She has a very naive younger half-sister, Sephora, who I found rather annoying. She does seem to grow up a bit by the end of the book so I’m not totally writing Sephora off as a character. There’s also a potential love interest for Violet, who, although in her 20s, is considered a spinster by the standards of the era.

There were a number of plot holes along the way, however, and those took me out of the story a bit. But I liked it well enough to consider checking out the next book in the series when it gets published.

Thank you to to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did a good job with all the voices and accents.

All opinions are my own.

What a delightful read! After a series of emotionally heavy and challenging reads, Of Manners and Murder was a breath of feminist fresh air. I'm not typically much of a cozy mystery fan, but this read more like a general mystery to me. No silly simpering or overly enthusiastic/optimistic investigating within.

In this first of the mystery series, Violet is charged with taking over her aunt's secret Dear Miss Hermione news column when her aunt absconds on a romantic adventure. Violet is on her way to being a "spinster" of the Victorian time, but she is no "shrinking violet" when it comes to being the modern woman she wants to be. Off with the bustle and on to independent train adventures, Violet takes her Miss Hermione responsibility seriously and tries to lend assistance to her letter writer ... only to find that she was too late. Was it an accident or murder? Well, you have to read the story to find out!

I loved how multiple story lines converged and loose ends tied up in a neat little bow. As a spinster of sorts myself, there was a scene at the end that made me swoon and my frozen heart go pitter-patter. I just can't wait to see how that plays out in subsequent Miss Hermione adventures!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this AR

This one was just ok for me. I had a hard time getting into it and understanding it. There were parts I genuinely liked but felt a bit of a disconnect. There’s nothing actually wrong with the book and I’m sure others will enjoy it!

I will take a hundred more Sephora and Violet books, please and thank you. From beginning to end, Hastings has crafted a tale that will ensnare your intuition, capture your heart, and set you laughing till the tears stream down your cheeks. Violet is headstrong, witty, and observant. Sephora is flighty yet stronger than she knows. And boy do they make an excellent pair in the investigation business. I absolutely loved this book and had the best time reading it!

A fun and well-written Victorian era novel featuring Violet Manning. Violet is charged with temporarily taking over her aunt's advice column, "Dear Miss Hermione." She is concerned enough about one of her first letters to go to the young woman advice-seeker's town. There, Violet becomes directly embroiled in this woman's life to date, the townspeople and more. Meanwhile, Violet's younger half sister, Sephora a somewhat trying in temperament. She is a naive heiress who is keeping a secret and behaving very improperly, indeed. We know more than Violet at first but Sephora's part of the story helps to introduce us to the household of their aunt who took them in, the trusty housekeeper and helps to explain the somewhat distant sister relationship. Violet grew up all over the world, with a good long stay in India. Sephora had a different life experience and is very marriageable. Violet, in her later twenties, can get away with a bit more independence and less protectiveness. And she has no expectations of an inheritance. I like Hastings' whole take on the small village dealing with these women from London, for Sephora can't leave things alone or listen to Violet. I think she does an exceptional job with what could be humdrum after all these years of small Victorian village mysteries. The mystery is nicely plotted. Enough clues but some good red herrings. Very enjoyable.

When Violet's Aunt Adelia takes off for the continent with her beau, Violet not only finds out that Adelia is London's most popular advice columnist "Miss Hermione," but that she's expected to take over the column while Adelia is away. One of the first letters she gets is from Ivy Armstrong, who is convinced that someone is trying to kill her. Violet takes a trip to see Ivy and finds herself at the woman's funeral. Feeling that she 'failed Ivy by not responding sooner, Violet decides to find her killer and bring him or her to justice. Meanwhile, at home, her younger half sister, Sephora is sneaking out of the house to see a man who is extremely shady.

The book is meticulously researched, and Ms. Hastings really puts in enough details and descriptions to make you feel like you're really in Victorian England. The characters are entertaining and relatable. Violet is smart and brave, but not stupid. The suspects are well drawn, with each of them having a strong motive. The mystery is solid, and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. A fantastic book and the great start to a series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book couldn’t have come into my life at a better time! I was in a stressful time at work and escaping to 1880s England was just what I needed to relieve the stress! This book is full of sassy female characters who are pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable for their gender. Hermione is intelligent and Sephora is although desperate for a romantic partner shows pluckiness by escaping the house to pursue her dreams.

The idea of an Agony Aunt or a Dear Abby-style column being the method that a murder was discovered was brilliant. It will also help with the trouble of all the murders happening in one small town. With this method they can be anywhere!!

I don’t usually read historical mysteries but this one was right up my alley! I would recommend this for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Enola Holmes or cozy/British mysteries.

This was a wonderful mystery full of just the right twists & turns. I am so excited to have discovered this new to me author.
Anastasia Hastings writing is phenomenal. Her story is very detailed & captivating. You feel like your part of the mystery. I couldn't put it down!! I couldn't get enough. It is one of those books you wish wouldn't end.
In this historical mystery Violet is thrown into a new role when her Aut Adeila decides to leave town. Now Violent has to step - up as the most popular Agony Aunt from London. As " Miss Hermione" she receives anonymous letters asking for advice
& she answers them the best she can. Then her first letter comes from a woman who feels in danger for her life. Violet decides to go figure things out only to discover the woman has already passed. Now she is determined
to solve the mystery & bring justice for Ivy.
I can't wait for more from this series, and from this author. She made me really loves mysteries all over again!
This is definitely more than 5 stars for me.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Violet becomes Miss Hermione when her aunt leaves town for a romantic getaway. What could happen? Read their letter give them some advice and onto the next. One letter feels different, the author believes someone is trying to murder her. Violet decides to go visit the writer of the letter, only to find herself at her funeral.Violet finds herself investigating a murder.
Goodreads

Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings is an adorable Victorian period mystery that combines a little bit of romance, zany madcap-ness, and good old ‘whodunnit’ into a truly fun read. The first in the “Dear Miss Hermione” series, the book opens with Violet finding out that the extremely popular “agony aunt” Miss Hermione is her very own free spirited Aunt Adelia. The same aunt who is rushing off to travel with her new boyfriend- and leaving Violet and her step-sister Sephora behind in London. Still reeling from the shock of discovering her Aunt’s secret, Violet finds out that Aunt Adelia has left the agony aunt column in Violet’s hands. Raised to be an independent educated woman, Violet is perfect for the task. Her first letter is from Ivy Armstrong, recently married, who believes someone is trying to kill her. Violet is sucked right into the drama and intrigue, and along the way must contend with an array of suspicious characters. As Violet delves deeper into the case, her stepsister Sephora falls more in love with the mysterious ‘William Shakespeare’. But is he really the gentleman of Sephora’s dreams? Will Violet solve the case of Ivy’s death? And just who is that brooding gentleman who turns up in the middle of the case? Hastings has done an excellent job of building Violet’s world, and rounding out the characters so that the reader sticks around through some of the less successful parts of the plot. As the first of the series, there is plenty of story and side-story to sustain a series, and the ending of Of Manners and Murder certainly gives the reader a glimpse at the direction the story is going. If you enjoy Masterpiece Theater’s Miss Scarlet and the Duke, you will recognize a similar heroine here. While it wasn’t entirely plausible (what whodunnit really is?), the ending was satisfying and open enough to leave the reader looking forward to the next book in the series. This was a very enjoyable and just fun read. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I enthusiastically recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good historical mystery.

This book reminded me a bit of the show Miss Scarlet and the Duke. A fun historical mystery for those who prefer the cozier mysteries with just a touch of romance.

Sense and Sensibility Revisited?
No, this is not a Jane Austen knockoff, but a delightful murder mystery solved with 19th century logic and some lovely twists and turns. Despite a few red herrings, I am delighted to brag that I deduced the culprit "on my own" from the Clues. I sincerely hope this becomes the start of a series, as the characters are beautifully drawn and fun to spend time with. Or perhaps I should have phrased that "delightful companions with whom to spend time"? Happy reading and solving!

This book was wonderful. I loved the characters, the writing style, literally almost everything about it. My only complaint is that I figured it out very early on, so I had to wait for the characters to catch up to me. Other than that it was great and I will definitely keep reading this series! 4 stars.

A fun mystery, full of twists and turns. I found some of the character interaction a little shallow, especially that of the sister, Sephora. It was getting better by the end of the book so I am hopeful that they will continue to develop well in future books.

I am excited that this is the start of a new series because I loved this story. The characters were great, the mystery had plenty of potential solutions, and the solution was clever.

I really enjoyed Violet's clever wit, and it was fun to scoff at Sephora's silliness. Because there were so many suspects, you had to follow along with Violet's encounters and discoveries to come to the right conclusion. Otherwise, you could easily jump to the conclusion that it was someone else who committed Ivy's murder.

This was a well-executed mystery, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

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

Of Manners And Murder is a historical cozy mystery set in Victorian England - London and a countryside village!
Violet Manville, somewhat of a scholar or spinster depending on the perspective, is left in charge of her aunt's Agony Aunt magazine column and her teen sister Sephora while her aunt aunts of to the continent.
One of the letters inspires Violet to investigate only to discover the letter writer has recently suffered a fatal accident. This was fun and relaxing to read - the Victorian Era was well depicted, I enjoyed the characters and love that this is the start to a new series. There was even a hint of romance that I hope will be continued in the next book. The story was well-plotted if maybe a tad too neatly wrapped up but this is the cozy genre after all so I guess that is completely fine. I enjoyed my reading !