I've read all of the previous installments in the Countess of Harleigh series, and while this wasn't quite as compelling as those previous mysteries, this was still a solidly fun time. Having high stakes -- the life of the dowager Vicountess Winstead is in danger! -- added a sense of urgency to the story and kept things moving at a swift clip, and Frances is as likable as ever. A great handsell for customers who want a cozier mystery with a slight edge of a bite and quality historical details.

I enjoy these historical cozy mysteries so much, I’ve made my mother read them all (it’s ok - she loves them too). In this instalment, Frances and George are embarking on married life together. She is asked to launch a young Miss into society, but things aren’t quite as they seem.

I’ve always liked books about High Society, and this series is right up my alley. I also love the side characters (Hetty and Gilliam), and the mystery in this book is a solid Victorian “who’s trying to do it”. I was a bit sad we don’t see as much of George as we usually would, but I liked all the society bits and pieces!

Definitely a must read for anyone into cosy mysteries, although I would recommend starting at the beginning - all the books are self contained, but the characters do grow and change during the series.

This book was a delightful start to a charming historical mystery series. The female protagonist is bright, feisty, tender-hearted and clever. This book was just oh so fun to read! It's lighthearted, witty, historical, mysterious, some suspense and characters to love. After reading this first edition in the Countess of Harleigh series, I know I'll want to continue it and read all of the series.

Frances, the MC, is an American heiress who married a British aristocrat. When he dies some years later, she is the main suspect. Her sister and brother (in laws) want her to want her to stay and try to convince her because they have ulterior motives. While this is happening, many other "events" occur in the story that piqued my interest. One such event is theft. Frances is determined with the help of others to discover what happened to her husband and who the thieves are.

The story begins with a focus on what has made the dowager Viscountess Winstead take ill so suddenly. She literally faints in front of Frances when she visits to sort out the details for the presentation of the Viscountess' niece Kate to Queen Victoria. As it turns out, George, who does "something" for the government, meaning the Home Office, has an interest in the family, too, given his latest case. Then, her nurse is murdered. Frances has George's support as she tries to gather clues, although the one they discover while viewing a play is a surprise. The Viscountess' family seems relatively uninterested in her true situation. Only the niece seems concerned but, well, is it all an act?

This mystery starts differently from other mysteries. Instead of meeting a person, they die, and then we solve the crime; in this book, we meet the character who is being poisoned and make sure she doesn’t die. Who wants her dead? Her entire gold-digging family. Except for her niece, but because this is a mystery, her niece can be two-faced. With such a small suspect pool, you keep going back and forth over the culprit and hoping to prevent a murder.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for my honest thoughts.

I forgot to review this book! Dianne Freeman's historical mystery/romance mashups are so much fun. Not as dark as the Tasha Alexander books and other series, but a nice, quick, fairly light read that hits the spot nicely.

Frances, formerly Lady Harleigh, now plain Mrs. Hazelton, is the titular newlywed, recently married to an English spy of sorts. A formidable acquaintance asks Frances to help her niece from Devon be presented to Queen Victoria, and she agrees. However, once at the home of Lady Winstead, Frances realizes that the dowager has become inexplicably ill; her stepsons don’t seem to pay any attention to that, and Frances becomes very suspicious — as does her husband.

I’ve read a previous book in this series, A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder, the fourth entry in the series, which I adored; this novel is just as fun and clever. The American-born Frances has a wicked sense of humor, plenty of confidence and a deep sense of justice. A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder may be the sixth in the series, but newbies to the former Lady Harleigh should have no trouble keeping up. Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars -- while I have really enjoyed the Countess of Harleigh series so far, this plot was one of my least favorites.

Frances is asked to help an older niece of a society curmudgeon prepare for her presentation to the Queen as the family is in mourning and cannot attend social events. When she arrives at the Ashley house she is stunned to see the matriarch that called her is barely coherent -- leading her niece and her close friend Lady Esther to believe that someone in the house is poisoning her in order to keep a closed look on the family finances -- all of which belong to her from her prior marriage.

With a limited number of suspects all equally unlikeable by design, there weren't many places for this mystery to go. That, coupled with less sleuthing/scenes with beloved George, left me feeling kind of meh about this sixth book. But hoping for better installments ahead!

I Adored It!

This book is my first introduction to the Countess Harleigh series and I adored it! I don’t typically read books out of order but I couldn't resist the themes in this installment that ticked all of my cozy mystery boxes. I was one chapter in when I realized that the characters, plotting, and pacing were stellar. Soon after that I wasn't even counting chapters I just knew I needed to get to the conclusion…the suspense was killing me…in a good way. I may have been given an ARC in order to provide my honest review, but the writing is so exceptional I would highly recommend getting the whole series!

George and Frances are off on an exciting new adventure in this sixth in the Countess of Harleigh series.

The dowager Viscountess Winstead wants to have her niece Kate presented to Queen Victoria. Frances has the skills to make it happen, but she’s shocked at the viscountess’s sudden frailty when she visits the woman. Still, she’s committed to help Kate and sets out to do so, while also attempting to find out if the usually feisty dowager viscountess is a victim of someone drugging her as Frances suspects.

And it’s not as simple as it seems because Kate has a few secrets of her own, as do the other members of the family living with the Viscountess Winstead. It takes both George and Frances and their friends to figure out who is the culprit.

Dianne Freeman has created a lovely historical mystery to enjoy as you try to figure out what secrets everyone is keeping. It’s an easy read, with interesting characters and a good plot.

As always, I am intrigued by the mystery of these cases. This time around, we have Frances helping dowager Viscountess Winstead and her family, who are drugging her. We aren't sure who and precisely the reason

We do know they need money, and dowager Viscountess Winstead has all the funds and asset

This one truly gets into the disadvantage women are placed in when the family feels entitled to what they have. They can get committed and or killed quickly with little fuss.

This is the first book I’ve tried from this series and I’ll definitely be going back and reading those that came before it!

This is a terrifically fun Historical Mystery, solidly plotted, subtly atmospheric, and populated by an excellent cast of characters.

I read so many books in this subgenre that they all start to feel the same after a while. Though this one uses all the standard elements, it felt fresh and original, and has a far better plotted mystery and solve than many in the genre.

Dianne Freeman is keeping this series on its toes with each installment! The mystery that Frances is trying to solve is complicated by social mores and protective relatives - it really covers the helplessness of the vulnerable in their family's control, along with the expectations demanded of one's place and choices.
I enjoyed the Frances and George parts of this as well, the partnership is working well and their relationship also. I like that Frances isn't assuming she knows all/can solve all but is more determined to do what she can. It works in developing a stronger, more realistic storyline for an amateur detective. Looking forward to more in this series!

I’m happy to be following Frances and George on another investigation. This plot was very good and it was a very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I look forward to each one of the books in this series and this one is just as delightful as the others. This is not deep reading but just a cozy little mystery that you can sit back and enjoy. The author does a great job of keeping the relationship between the characters fresh even though there have been so many books. This story is fun because it is two mysteries in one and gives the reader the opportunity to tag along for the fun. I received an ARC from the publisher and appreciate the opportunity to read this book. This did not impact my opinion.

A good addition to an already fun series. I enjoyed this one immensely and it might be my favorite of the series so far!

Newlyweds Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman is a fun read! The book follows newlyweds, George and Frances. They just can’t seem to help themselves as they manage to get dragged into another interesting situation!

Francess helps many a debutante get ready for society. This time she is helping Kate, but something just seems off. Kate’s aunt, VIscountess Winstead, seems to be more incapacitated than expected. Perhaps something more is going on. However, Frances soldiers on - getting Kate ready with planning and new clothes.

Meanwhile, George has been called into the home office and asked to help find a missing diary. The diary should have gone to the museum with all the Egyptian Artifacts. The diary belonged to Viscount Winstead. How interesting both of their queries lead to the same house. What is really happening? George and Frances will find their answers eventually, but the fun part of the story is how that works out!

I enjoyed reading Newlyweds Guide to Fortune and Murder by Dianne Freeman. The book is a good read.

This was a nice easy read but a bit slow i was waiting fir the romance to kick in or for the plot to speed up. but overall still a lovely read

Another solid installment in the Countess of Harleigh series. I love watching Frances and George's relationship blossom, but it has been so long between books I forgot that they are still newlyweds! They seem like they have been together forever and I love their easy camaraderie and witty banter. Lady Winstead is such a funny "grumpy, rich, old lady" and her niece Kate was a sympathetic character because she was trying to find a balance of fulfilling her aunt's wishes but also going after her own dreams. The mystery in this one had some typical shenanigans, and I loved the creativity of the solution of who was behind the poisoning.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining story of manor murder mystery and those who try to investigate and solve the mystery. This one involves a woman and her husband helping to solve the mystery of a frailing woman who is supposed to sponsor their niece into society.