A Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception by Katherine Cowley is the third installment in The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet series and I must say it just keeps getting better and better. I am completely hooked to this series, and I truly hope we will have more works to read in the future.

In this story Miss Mary Bennet travels with Mr. Withrow and Lady Trafford to Brussels where she will be at the center of the Napoleonic wars. I loved all the new secondary characters that appeared on this story and the fact that apart from the spying game, we are also privy to personal griefs and different ways of coping with them, domestic incidents and the usual feelings that come along with them and even some war scenes that will leave scars hard to forget. But above all, I love how this author continues to present Mary’s character to the reader.

Mary Bennet has been growing on many different levels throughout this series, but in this book the author gave her even more dept by forcing her to deal with feelings she had never felt before. Mary will feel what love is for the very first time, she will make new friendships and learn how to trust and confide in people, she will realize how much the love for a sibling can be conflicting, and she will have to deal with the feeling of loss, regret and guilt at the same time. I believe this is a feeling that will change and scar Mary forever, and I absolutely loved to see that the author made her a three-dimensional character, someone who has her own thoughts, concerns, beliefs, desires, traumas. backstory and ultimately someone who feels real.

When it comes to her spying, Mary is at the best of her game in this novel! I was amazed with how much Mary’s character has evolved, how much she has learned, and especially how she improved her skills, she has learned new talents and perfectioned old ones, and I believe she will no longer need the assistance of more experienced spies.

From the fist book in the series, I’ve mentioned that the lack of romance was a positive aspect but that a romantic relationship seemed to be building and I would love for it to be developed in the third novel. It appears the author answered my prayers, as Mary is finally entitled to her own love story. I loved how true to character this romance was. It was unique and completely in line with Mary’s character and experiences. I loved the fact that this would not have been a love story easily applicable to any other young lady. It was simply Mary’s story! The unique and interesting love story was also due to the romantic hero in this book who has also demonstrated a fascinating development, and whom I’ve come to love. If there is a fourth book, I want to know more about him!

Just like in previous books, Mary’s sisters play a part in the story, and I liked the fact that a different sister is explored by the author in A Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception. Not only it was interesting to see a new sibling dynamic, but also to see how Lydia’s life has been since her father’s death in the first volume of the series. Her character was also very remarkable and well developed. In fact, the author’s ability to develop characters is impressive and probably my favorite characteristic in her books.

A Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception is a smooth and balanced continuation of a wonderful series which I hope to continue reading. This book is incredibly well written, well thought of, engaging, and fast paced. There was so much I loved in it, and how the story is presented to the reader, that I truly hope to see another book in the bookstores soon.

This is my first experience with a book by Katherine Cowley, I am grateful that I found this book and I definitely want to read more books by her. I hadn't read the first two books but I found this book works as a standalone book, however, I did find it slightly challenging to get into a few of the characters. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It has a great mix of mystery and romance which are my two favourite genres, and it was entertaining.

Mary Bennet is a spy with moral strictness which she keeps in tact as she is challenged on multiple levels. I found the book to be heartwarming and thrilling, it kept me engaged and made me want to keep reading to see who the killer was.

I listened to the audiobook and I found it engaging. I liked the narrator Alison Larkin, I found her narration of the characters fascinating and it was easy to follow the different characters.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the early advanced copy.

I’m always game for Austen fan fiction, so I jumped at the chance to join this tour for book 3 in The Secret Life of Mary Bennet series. I’ve only just discovered this series, so I confess I’ve not read the first two books yet, but I felt like this worked well as a stand-alone novel. The author cleverly develops aspects of Mary's personality that we're all so familiar with from Pride and Prejudice to make Mary an adept spy. Merging spy work with her high moral standards creates internal conflict for the ever serious Mary, as does her attraction to Mr. Withrow, a fellow spy. Part of her work is spent incognito as a man, allowing her to play both spy and detective. A few other Bennets make an appearance too. There's humor, adventure, intrigue, romance and Waterloo. This was such a fun read!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was better than expected, was worried it would be too much romance but this was a good read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to this cozy historical mystery sequel from Katherine Cowley

The The Lady's Guide to Death and Deception is the third installment in this series which continues to follow the adventures of the often overlooked Bennet sister as she works in espionage for her benefactor. The audiobooks are well narrated and give a fun insight into what happens next for this character who may otherwise be just a footnote in a popular novel. I am excited for the next installment in this cozy and fun series. I look forward to continuing to follow the development of this multidimensional charter and her interesting adventures both home and abroad.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed listening to The Lady's Guide to Death and Deception. Mary was quirky and it was fun getting to know her and her aliases. I thought the story was fun and a good mystery. It was also a family drama with Mary's sister needing her help. It was a little slow to get start, but worth sticking it out. I liked this story even though I missed books one and two. I recommend it to people who like historical mysteries with a touch of romance.

I really enjoy listening to the audio version of the third installment of Katherine Cowley's The Secret Life of Mary Bennet series, The Lady's Guide to Death and Deception. Five stars.

This book was an interesting cozy mystery spinoff of a Jane Austin book. It is book 3 in The Secret Life of Mary Bennett but can be read as a standalone. If you aren’t sure if you are in the mood for a mystery or a romance, Katherine Crowley does a great job of incorporating romance in with the mystery. It has a fun cast of characters and moves along at a great pace. Great read!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I didn't realize this was part of a series when I requested it so of course had to go back and read the other two and I loved them! Wit, intrigue, history, romance, everything all in one. I would continue reading more in this series. The narrator is great as well!

OMG I LOVED THIS WHOLE SERIES! I started with number 1 so I could read this one and loved them all!! I am a sucker for a good historical fiction mystery thriller romance! This book had it all and all of the women were badasses and trying to save their world. What's not to love? Plus a happy ending and it doesn't get any better! I really hope there are going to be more in this series, as I am DEFINITELY here for that!

#TheLadysGuidetoDeathandDeception
#NetGalley

Although I received a copy of this audiobook (via netgalley) in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own.

Trigger warnings: descriptions of wartime violence and domestic violence.

I have been loving the historical fiction lately. This one takes place way, way back in the times of Napoleon Bonaparte. Our main character, Mary Bennet, is a spy. I love that she is a female spy in the times when females weren't trusted to do much of anything.

What I didn't realize until sitting down to write this review is that this is part of a series. I love that I was able to pick this book up, read it in its entirety and understand it completely without having read the first two installments. Nor will I need to read anymore of the series to get the ending. It is a complete story all on its own.

The characters are relatable, despite their place in such a backwards time period. Cowley does an amazing job weaving real life events into the story such as the battle of Waterloo. I would totally read more books by this author.

This is my favorite book of the series so far. Mary has grown a lot since she first caught Lady Trafford’s attention, and it really shows in this story as Mary takes on situations, challenges, and moral dilemmas which she simply could not have handled before. She tackles several new spycraft skills including disguises, establishing unknowing informants, the French waltz, and (possibly) seduction.

Note: This is the third book in the series. I tried to just jump into this one, but I felt like I was missing too much backstory and character development, especially in the case of Mary and her past dealings with Mr. Withrow. I’m really glad I did this. Mary grows so much as both a person and a spy in the first two books, which made her actions in this one much more believable to me.

Side Note: I really like the way that this series explores Mary’s relationships with her sisters. I’m sort of hoping Kitty gets a spin-off book or two.

The audiobook was narrated by Alison Larkin. She did a great job bringing the characters to life. I especially appreciated the way she changed Mary’s voice when she was in disguise.

I received a copy of this audiobook by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I have not read the first two books in the series, however the characters were so well developed, I didn’t feel that I was missing anything. This can be easily read as a standalone. Mary shines in this cozy mystery as a spy, and it was interesting to watch her tackle dilemmas that went against her strict moral code (dressing as a man, brandishing a pistol, learning to dance, kissing Mr. Withrow). The book also explores the familial dynamic between Mary and her sister Lydia. Their complicated relationship is on full display as they push through to ultimately Mary pushing aside her hurt feelings to being there for Lydia when she needs her most. All in all, I enjoyed the story of a female heroine in a historical setting playing a budding femme fatale. Mystery, romance, family angst. There’s something for everyone in Mary Bennet’s story.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. This third installment in the cozy mystery series finds Mary Bennett as a spy in Brussels during the Battle of Waterloo.

The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception by Katherine Cowley
Alison Larkin Narrator
As a confirmed Janeite but not a purist, I have read many Jane Austen inspired novels, romance and mystery both. This book is a combination of the two. It was entertaining but not truly excellent.
I found it hard to believe what Wyckham turned into in this story, not because of any innate goodness in his character but because I believe he would just abandon Lydia rather than anything else.
Also a small gripe, Uncle Gardiner was not the person who forced Wyckham to marry Lydia. It was primarily Mr. Darcy with Mr. Gardiner’s assistance. The author mentions it twice, wrongly.
If you like the period and a spy story with both male and female spies, try the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. For a mystery series with Jane Austen as the main character, read Stephanie Barron’s series. It is excellent.
Alison Larkin is a very good narrator which helped this story.

As many others have said, if you are a fan of Jane Austin, then you will probably enjoy this book. Mary Bennett, is a spy, but unfortunately she is a bit immature to me. I liked the mystery aspect and the narrator, Allison Larkin, she did a wonderful job. While is was not the perfect book for me, I can see many others really enjoy
this story.

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

Return to England just before the battle of Waterloo with Miss Mary Bennett as she practices the art of intrigue, She and her compatriots are thrust into the heart of the military to investigate a murder in the weeks and before the battle. If you think this will be a heavy read, think again! Miss Bennett is also courting one of her fellow spies and their bickering and flirting leaps off of the page to temper the heavier topics.

I didn’t read the first books in this series, but after reading this one, I’m sure I’ll read subsequent tomes. There’s something fun about a cozy mystery. This one being set during a war does add a historic element you don’t always see in this genre.

Without spoilers, some elements of the courting and familial relationships were trite and/or immature for a woman who is a spy. Perhaps that’s meant to be part of her character, but I had a hard time swallowing that.

TW: Domestic abuse, death in general, war, etc.

I am a sucker for anything Jane Austen. I especially love the variations of her novels in which supporting characters become the stars. Fun spin-offs, if you will. Katherine Cowley has created the perfect role for younger sister Mary Bennet in her Secret Life of Mary Bennet series. Mary a spy? How unexpected and thoroughly charming! I listened to the audiobook of The Lady’s Guide to Death And Deception, book 3 in the series, and was immediately swept up in the intrigue and mystery. The combination of old favorites (and not so favorites) from Pride And Prejudice and historical figures of the day made this book unputdownable. While staying true to Austen’s depiction of Mary, Cowley has certainly created a very grown-up version of Mary. I loved her prim and proper manners as she dons disguises, practices her shooting, and finds romance. This book is a must-read for Janeites! Even though it was book 3 of the series, I had no trouble following the plot or adjusting to this new side of Mary. I do, however, HAVE to read books 1 and 2 now! Thanks to Cowley for adding more to my TBR stack. 😉 I very much enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator was spot-on. The Lady’s Guide to Death And Deception is a highly recommended read or listen!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. Well if you are really obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and love Jane Austen you just might like to give this book a go. I found it entertaining. I did find it entertaining but I think it is just a little out there for me. But a good mystery spy novel with the Bennett sisters.

I was very fortunate to read this book as a standalone novel since I have not read the other books before. This is a lovely sequel, but I will admit I had to start it several times since it was hard for me to pay attention.

This was a fun novel of spying, which is always a great time. Here we see Mary Bennet in the middle of the wars of Napoleon. They travel to Brussels and use their more experienced spy skills to help get information after an officer is killed. Will they find the killer in time before the body count continue to builds?

This was a fun novel, as I said, but I think it was just a little hard for me to get into. Once I did, however, I really enjoyed it. But, it should not be that hard.