A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder

Oh this is one of my favorite new mystery series. A this is the third book, I have grown accustomed to the characters and enjoy reading about Frances and her escapades. It reminds me of Elizabeth Peters style writing via Amelia Peabody series.

Another winning addition to this delightful series! It is time for the Countess of Harleigh’s younger sister to wed, but will everyone attending the intimate wedding in the countryside still be alive to witness the ceremony?

This book is a fun read with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. As a huge lover of historical mysteries, this book met my expectations set by the first two books in the series. The characters and setting are wonderful and provide an enjoyable escape.

If you like historical mysteries, this series is a must-read, starting with book one. I’ve been reading since the beginning and this series has only been getting better the more we get to know these characters and relationships and friendships are developed.

The whodunit was well done and in this, the mystery plot starts after a series of incidents including a poisoning occur which leads you right into trying to find out who’s behind all this and why. However, my favorite aspect of these books are likeable, well written, multidimensional characters. Frances is a great “lead” and George is the perfect partner in all ways for her.

I hope there’s a fourth book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Kensington Books.

This is the 3rd book in the series of what is a delightful heroine. With each book the series gets better and the characters better defined. Although you don’t need to read them in order , it helps define the characters for you. I love George and I must say at the end of this book I came to love Mrs Price. (Frances mother). It’s a nice who dunnit or who’s doing it and I love how all the pieces come together.

I can def see myself reading more about this dynamic family - not just Frances and George I love how everyone plays a part

Definitely enjoyable

This is the third book in the Countess of Harleigh mystery series and it is charming! i would not read this as a stand alone, the plot builds on previous story lines and the first two are just as enjoyable as this one. Frances is a great character, witty, intelligent, and stubborn. This book formally introduces us to her formidable mother and gives us a look back at her coming-out season.
The plot was was solid, Frances' sister is about to have a country wedding except with accidents happening and a possible murderer running amok, and the mother of the bride trying to set up the bride with a man who isn't her fiancee, things are not going as planned. I did not figure out the who did it or the why until the reveal, I love mysteries that keep me guessing!
There's another wedding on the horizon and I can't wait for the next book!

This is a delightful series in the cozy, historical mystery genre. This third story provides fans with more of the intriguing Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh. Frances is enjoying her freedom as a widow, still ensconced in the British aristocracy but able to maintain her American sense of self and her indefatigable curiosity. Frances is getting a reputation as a problem-solver, and she is ramping up her new found independence within her own family. Frances is asked to help her sister Lily plan a fast-tracked wedding. Aside from the difficulties in doing this without scandal, Frances find herself in a country mansion with guests falling victim to a series of fatal accidents. A very well written series with all the elements of appealing characters, charming, lush settings, and puzzling plots to satisfy readers who enjoy Victorian era mysteries. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Countess of Harleigh, Frances Win, is eager to see her sister married so she can focus on her own plans to marry George Hazelton. To avoid scandal, the wedding of Lily and Leo must happen in the country, but as soon as they arrive accident after accident occurs. Coincidence, Frances thinks not!

It was delightful to return to the fun of Frances and George. They are both eager to plan their own wedding, though Frances still has some reservations because of her disastrous first marriage. ALl they need is time to talk things over, but they keep getting interrupted. Accidents begin as soon as they step off the train and luggage nearly falls on Leo and George and escalate from there. Frances' suspicions are raised, but George is less eager to think there is danger.

The plot moves at a good pace. It was enjoyable to see characters we have met and be introduced to new ones. While the mystery was a bit predictable, it was enjoyable nonetheless. (Maybe I've just read too many mystery novels at this point?)

For readers looking for a light historical mystery with humor sprinkled in, I would recommend this.

WOW! This book is INCREDIBLE! It is witty, action-packed, entertaining, fun, and just an all around amazing historical cozy mystery! Whenever I picked up “A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder” I was whisked back in time, put on my detective sleuthing hat, and went on a journey with these characters!

This is the third book in Dianne Freeman’s
“A Countess of Harleigh Mystery” series, but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone (this is the first book I have read in this particular series, and I can’t wait to go back and read the first two!). Ms. Freeman really knows how to brilliantly bring her characters to life! From main characters to supporting, all of their interactions with one another felt so authentic and real to who they are, and I really enjoyed the dialogue and often witty banter! Ms. Freeman’s writing is so detailed that I could envision every single moment and scene, and I can only imagine how much thought went into everything.

Frances is such a fun character. Full of spunk, sass, intelligence, and a heart of gold, I absolutely love her! Her relationship with George is so sweet and fun, and they really balance each other and bring out the best in one another. Watching them navigate a series of mishaps, and slowly connect the puzzle pieces was an adventure in of itself! I hope their sleuthing continues!

If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries and / or historical fiction, I highly recommend this novel! It kept me up late reading and guessing until the very end. Some moments had me absolutely gasping in shock, some had me smiling from ear to ear,...and, some, well... everything in between! Filled with twists and turns galore, I absolutely could not put this book down! I hope we see many of these characters’ stories continue, along with new adventures as well! I so hope there are many more books in this amazing series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this novel, I enjoyed it so much! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.