Novices, Adepts and fire, Miss Hermione is on the case.

I really enjoy the adventures of Miss Hermione aka Violet. And Sephora is showing some mettle to the surprise of Violet and Bunty.  Speaking of Bunty, would love to learn more of her backstory.

There are several twists in this story and while I suspected the culprit early on, I was content with continue reading. Violet is very brave to go off on her own to investigate the cult especially for as long as the case went on.

Violet’s chatelain reminds me of Batman’s utility belt, all the tools she needs to handle most situations. What a “brazen” act with Eli (LOL). They are a good pairing and I am curious what his backstory will be. We are treated to glimpses here and there, but I am still not sure.

Seemingly shallow Sephora has taken credit for the last case to her friend Margaret and her parents, hilarious!

I would have loved a quick Epilogue to wrap up a couple of small things but they are not critical.

What’s next for Miss Hermione? I can’t wait to find out.

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story. 

Happy Reading!

A good solid mystery. Sephora and Violet investigate a Cult. I don't usually like Victorian but I enjoyed this one. Good characters that are well developed. Thanks #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of Of Hoaxes and Homicide is medium.

POV: Of Hoaxes and Homicide is told from Sephora and Violet’s 1st person POV.

Series: Of Hoaxes and Homicide is the second book in the Dear Miss Hermoine series. You can read this as a standalone.

Trigger/Content Warning: Of Hoaxes and Homicide have trigger and content warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Sexism & Misogyny
Drugging
Dead Bodies
Cults
Disappearance of a loved one
Poisoning
Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Of Hoxes and Homicide.

Language: There is no swearing in Of Hoaxes and Homicide. Some language could also be considered offensive to readers who are triggered easily.

Setting: Of Hoxes and Homicide is set in London and Nottingham, England.

Age Range: I recommend Of Hoxes and Homicide to anyone over 16.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Violet and Sephora are mind-numbingly bored. While Sephora heads out, Violet answers letters that come to the advice column she took over from her aunt. While looking over the letters, she reads one different from the usual trivial questions of how many teapots one serves or how many aprons one needs to wear in one day. This letter asks for advice about a daughter caught up in a cult: the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. When Violet attends a meeting in a park with the cult members, she is in for a shock. The girl mentioned in the letter is her sister’s best friend, Margaret. Violet travels to Nottingham with that information, determined to get Margaret out. But, soon after her arrival, a man is found dead of saltpeter poisoning with Margaret hovering over him. Violet must find evidence to prove Margaret’s innocence and take down the cult. With the help of Sephora and their resourceful housekeeper, Bunty, Violet is on the case. But can she solve this case? Can Violet unearth the real killer? Or will Margaret go to jail for a crime she did not commit?

Main Characters:

The main characters of Of Hoaxes and Homicide are Violet and Sephora. While I enjoyed Violet’s character (with her longing for Ezra and her sharp mind), I found Sephora immature and a hindrance to Violet at times. Bunty should have been the ying to Violet’s yang and Sephora as one of the leading secondary characters. Regardless, I liked the characters.

My review:

When I started to read Of Hoaxes and Homicides, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I entered the book knowing it was a cozy mystery and the second book in the series. So, my expectations weren’t too high when I started reading. This book did surprise me with how much I liked it.

Of Hoaxes and Homicides main storyline is centered on Violet, and the cult, her investigation into the cult, and the murder. The storyline was well-written and kept my attention throughout the book. I did think that the POVs from Sephora were a little “meh,” but they did add extra information to Violet’s investigation.

There are secondary storylines that add extra context to what was going on with the main storyline. I found those storylines less well-written but just as enjoyable to read.

The mystery angle of the book was very well written. I liked how Violet, Sephora, and Bunty put together not only who was behind the murder but why and where that person came from. To say I was surprised was an understatement. I also expect that person to appear in later books because of their background.

There was a slight romance angle in Of Hoaxes and Homicide. It mainly focused on Violet and Ezra. For a large part of the book, her affections were one-sided. But then things happened that made me think twice about that.

I loved the letters that were sent in. What they were about were things women in that era were concerned about. I loved that Violet’s responses became grumpier the more the book went on.

The end of Of Hoaxes and Homicides was interesting. The author wrapped up the main storyline in a way that I liked. But she left something unfinished. That made me wonder (along with Violet’s letter) if that foreshadowed book 2.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Anastasia Hastings for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Of Hoaxes and Homicide. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

amateur-sleuth, sisters, sly-humor, verbal-humor, situational-humor, 1885, England, cozy-mystery, historical-novel, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, lies, secrets, suspense, murder investigation, suspicion*****

Finally the second installation in the Dear Miss Hermione series!
Practical, scholarly Violet lived a peripatetic life in places where tea grows with her father and family. Now she lives in London with her ditzy half-sister Sephora, and usually with her aunt (who just fled with a latest love which left Violet with tasks), and the rock solid help of Bunty. The tasks that were left involved taking over the Agony Aunt column known to the world only as Miss Hermione! Both Violet and Sephora were bored until there was a letter to Hermione that coincided with an article in the news (and a series of novels) about the group about a cult meeting in the park. Suspicion reigns and they follow the group out to their country headquarters and so the sleuthing begins even before the first body is discovered. Good fun in a lively cozy that I really enjoyed!
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Half sisters, Violet and Sephora, along with their housekeeper Bunty, are drawn into another mystery after a friend disappears. Violet writes an advice column and she is alerted to the disappearance through a letter from her concerned mother. Their investigation leads them to a cult where lots of mysterious things are happening. 1885 London, second book in the series.

“Of Hoaxes and Homicide” is the second book in Anastasia Hastings’ Dear Miss Hermione cozy mystery series but the first one that I’ve read – it won’t be my last! I really enjoyed this book. Set in 1885, the series features two half-sisters Violet and her younger sister Sephora and is told alternately by both sisters. They are seemingly different yet both love solving mysteries – even if they won’t admit it. The mystery in this book involves a cult which Violet begins investigating after one of Sephora’s friends joins it (she tries to keep Sephora from investigating especially after there is a murder but begins to realize that she is underestimating Sephora). The mystery is well done – a murder, a mysterious count, a possible ghost – while it isn’t too hard to figure out who the killer is there are still some surprises along the way (including some delightful tidbits about Violet and Sephora’s housekeeper Bunty). Mixed in with the mystery are the letters that are sent to Miss Hermione (an advice columnist whose column is secretly being penned by Violet) and a nice bit of romance for both sisters. All in all well done and quite enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This is such an enjoyable mystery series, set in 1885 England. Violet is still taking over for her Aunt Adelia, answering Dear Hermione letters, when one comes in describing a daughter taken in by the Master and the Children of Aed, a cult. When Violet realizes she knows who the girl is, she pretends to want to join to figure out what is going on. At home, her sister Sephora, never one to be left out of the action, begins her own investigation with their housekeeper, Bunty. The characters are great, the mystery well done. I recommend this series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

After the thrill of solving a murder, sensible Violet Manville is finding life a bit mundane. When ‘Miss Hermione’ receives a letter from a heartbroken mother concerned about her daughter's involvement in a cult, she leaps into action to bring the girl back home. Things become critical when it is discovered that not only is the run away her sister’s dearest friend, but the cult may be hiding a murderer. Can Violet discover the truth with help from her flighty sister and their housekeeper Bunty?

I listened to the audio version of the first book and I was interested to see what happens next! I will admit I was a bit alarmed when this book began with Sephora’s point of view. I wasn’t fond of her in the first book and, although she has character growth in this book, I still don’t like her. Violet was still delightful and I enjoyed following her investigation.

The plot moved at a good pace. While the narrative stays with Violet, there are scenes with Sephora doing her part of the investigation. I guessed the culprit early on, but it was interesting to learn the ‘why’ behind the crime.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a cozy historical mystery series.

Being thrown back into the Victorian era and the way they speak took only seconds to make me feel transported as I joined “Miss Hermione’s” world once more. I really enjoy Violet’s pov and all the adventures she embarks upon but I found this one to be a bit more cluttered with information than the previous. The pov from her younger sister Sephora didn’t get interesting until about 70% but I do love Violet and how her brain works. I’ll definitely be reading the next to see what happens!
3.5⭐️

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the arc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Historical Mystery set in 1885 England in which a woman, who writes a popular Agony Aunt column, and her younger half-sister turn sleuth to save a friend involved in a deadly cult.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Hastings' Dear Miss Hermione series, which is a Historical Mystery set in 1885 England and features a woman, who writes a popular Agony Aunt column, and her heiress younger half-sister. Hastings' has written incredibly complex but likable characters. Violet's the main protagonist but Hastings does include the occasional POV of her half-sister, Sephora. The two are opposites, Violet's hard working, no-nonsense and more classically educated while Sephora's interests lay with society, gossip and popular novels, but these differences compliment each other and help them in their eventual sleuthing. And once mustn't forget their ever-trusty housekeeper Bunty, who provides insights into the working classes. I also like seeing the development of Violet's relationship with the mysteriously dashing American Eli. And it's interesting seeing Sephora and James, a Constable, work together and get to know each other better. Additionally, I enjoyed how Hastings features penny dreadfuls, the cult and their effects on society. Plus the Autumnal setting of the book leans into the Gothic atmosphere. Also I have to say the Agony Aunt letters and Violet's replies are a delight. With plenty of twists and turns, Hastings has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Sensitive topics are touched on, take care and CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Of Manners and Murder.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Violet Manville receives a Miss Hermione letter from a mother concerned about her daughter who
has become involved with a cult. When Violet begins her investigation, she discovers the daughter in
question is a close friend of her sister Sephora. Violet follow the girl to the home base of the cult,
hoping to convince the daughter Margaret to return home. When Margaret is accused of killing one of
the other members, Violet is now set on uncovering the real killer.
#OfHoaxesandHomicides #NetGalley

This story is the second in the Dear Hermione mysteries. It is set in England in 1885 and stars two very different sisters. Violet is the practical, scholarly one and Sephora is the young, flighty and romantic one. As the story begins, both young ladies are bored with their lives after the excitement of solving a murder in the first book.

When Violet, who has taken over the role of agony aunt from her aunt, receives a letter from a despairing mother whose daughter has joined a cult, she is determined to investigate and bring the young lady home to her parents.

Then Violet discovers that the missing young lady is Sephora's best friend Margaret who had entangled herself with the Children of Aed. Penny dreadfuls written about the cult speak of human sacrifices and other atrocities. Violet is determined to go to the cult to find Margaret and is equally determined to leave her flighty younger half-sister behind safe in London. But Sephora isn't content to stay out of the investigation and ends up trailing Bunty to all sorts of dodgy places and inserting herself in the investigation.

While Violet is dealing with being drugged and seeing a man die of poisoning and seeing Margaret "confess" to the crime, Sephora and Bunty are trying to learn more about the murder victim in London where he is something of a man of mystery.

This was an engaging story with great characters. I like that Violet learns to see her sister Sephora better and begins to treat her as an equal instead of a burden. I also liked that Sephora showed that she was more than a propriety obsesses, fashion obsessed young person.

Of Hoaxes and Homicide is the first book I've read in this series, and I had no trouble following along. I thought this was a fun historical mystery, I was a bit worried when I first started it as the first POV we read from is Sephora, and while I liked her as a character and Violet's sister I could tell from that first meeting I wouldn't like an entire book from her perspective. I enjoyed the story from Violet's POV and her budding romance with a man she met in the first book.
The introduction to a cult, and a young woman Violet and her sister know has been taken by them was really interesting and Violet's digging into the cult and finding a killer kept me entertained. I loved how she went about solving the case and how Sephora and Bunty( the housekeeper) helped along the way. )
This book had a great atmosphere, and I really enjoyed trying to solve the case. I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end.
I would be interested in continuing on in this series.

Sisters Violet and Sephora go to hear a cult leader speak and then get caught up with helping certain young women who have been brainwashed and joined the cult. Violet visits the cult and tries to talk sense into one of the young women.

An absolutely wonderful addition to this series! I can't wait for the next one! The characters are so engaging and the setting is perfect. A must read for historical fiction fans!

"The second in the delightful Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings - when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, fielding questions from both irate housekeepers and heartbroken mothers is par for the course...

"Dear Miss Hermione - what is a mother to do?"

Sensible Violet Manville and her very ladylike half-sister Sephora are absolutely bored, thank you very much. Though neither of them would ever admit it aloud, they're missing the thrill of playing detective.

So when Violet receives a letter from "A Heartbroken Mother" sent to her alter-ego, the Agony Aunt known to the world only as Miss Hermione, her pulse can't help but quicken. The daughter in question has gotten caught up in a cult: the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. Rumors of human sacrifices, mystical doings, and a ghost in the ruined Alburn Abbey where the Children pray have gripped the public consciousness, helped along by a series of novels about the group, written by the mysterious Count Orlando, and clearly this girl has fallen prey.

Miss Hermione's investigation soon collides with very real life when Violet discovers a surprising connection to the cult. With the dashing-but-frustrating Eli Marsh turning up and a member of the Children poisoned, Violet and Sephora - along with their ever-trusty housekeeper Bunty - may have more intrigue than they can manage."

A very Gothic cult? YAS!

3.75 stars

Second in series featuring Violet, who secretly writes an advice column in this historical mystery. When she gets a letter from her sister's best friend's mother, she feels compelled to act on it. The girl, Margaret, has join a cultish group centered around the Master and the Children of Aed. Violet finagles her way in only to stumble on a dead body. And Margaret is the chief suspect and is soon cooling her heels in jail. Violet begins investigating to clear her name.

Violet is a very level-headed woman, in contrast to her sister Sephora who tends more to the melodramatic and a bit of histrionics. But Sephora proves herself also to be ingenious and clever. They are both embroiled before the end, as well as Violet's possible love interest Eli and their household friend/manager Bunty. Light-hearted, fast-paced fun. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Violet and her half sister receive a letter to their alter ego Miss Hermione from a mother who is worried about her daughter involvement in rumoured human sacrifices. The sisters become intrigued as they will seek the truth behind the rumours before it ruins the daughter’s reputation completely.

is this a case of malicious gossip or is their truth behind the scene? You will just have to read the story to find out.

I’m really enjoying this series I was really caught up in the first book and this one drew me in and kept me turning the pages.Anastasia Hastings is a wonderful writer and I’m looking forward to more in the series.#netgalley #minatourbooks

When Violet Manville, the woman behind the Dear Hermione advice column, gets a letter from a distressed mother whose daughter has run away to join the Children of Aed, she can’t help but get involved. Rumors about the Children abound, from orgies to sacrifices, fueled by a series of popular books penned by Count Orlando. Violet decides to make the journey to the group’s compound, pretending to be interested in joining. She finds the missing girl is Margaret, a friend of her sister Sephora. When death visits the Children of Aed, Margaret is accused of the crime and Violet must solve the mystery to clear Margaret’s name and return her to her family.

This book is built on an interesting premise. First is the way the series uses Violet’s “agony aunt” column to pull her into mysteries. Second, we have a mysterious cult-like group tempting away members of the aristocracy into a very different lifestyle. However, this book didn’t quite deliver and isn’t as strong as the first in the series. I enjoyed visiting again with Violet, her sister Sephora, and their stalwart maid Bunty, but the book was a bit slow and not as tightly plotted as it could have been.

I think Hastings has created a series with a solid foundation and hope to see more in the series. Readers of cozy historical mysteries will feel very comfortable diving into this series and while this was just an average read for me, many readers will find it enjoyable.