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purplealyssum's review against another edition
2.0
I love this series so much, it was such a shame I had to slog through this one. Hoping the next will pick up the pace!!
amavelle's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
oli_par's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.25
bookish_kristina's review against another edition
4.0
Another cozy read! I find this series to be a comforting treat, though the mysteries themselves are always different and not easily solved, the consistency of the characters, the humour and the historic elements just make me happy. They aren’t rip roaring, exciting reads, but still very enjoyable.
I found George to be very adorable in this one and we saw some slice of life of his and Frances’ marriage, which I liked. The mystery itself was all Frances though and I missed those elements of spying and solving with George that were more prevalent in the other books in the series. I did enjoy seeing Aunt Hetty shine in this one with her boy toy Gilliam, those two added a great comedic element and I’d actually love to read about them in their own spin off series.
So fans of cozy mysteries with wit and warmth should pick up this series, I recommend starting at the beginning, though all the mysteries are contained, the character arcs and romance develop over the course of the series.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
I found George to be very adorable in this one and we saw some slice of life of his and Frances’ marriage, which I liked. The mystery itself was all Frances though and I missed those elements of spying and solving with George that were more prevalent in the other books in the series.
Spoiler
I also didn’t love how the murderer was revealed and would have liked to have seen the clues uncovered through detective work and not simply blurted out by the perpetrator.So fans of cozy mysteries with wit and warmth should pick up this series, I recommend starting at the beginning, though all the mysteries are contained, the character arcs and romance develop over the course of the series.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
asteroula_t's review against another edition
4.0
Frances and George are such a delightful couple. I love this series and I love that every time there is a mystery that you cannot figure out. At least I cannot. The couple is in love and their connection is so strong that every story is lovely. The side characters are also carefully created, and I enjoy every single word in these books. Have I mentioned that Frances is also hilarious? Well, she is!!!
Thank you @NetGalley for the copy!
Thank you @NetGalley for the copy!
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun cozy mystery in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series! I’ve loved this series from the very beginning and enjoy the swoony, romcom elements as well as the compelling mysteries. In this story, George is off on another case so Lady Frances does the majority of the investigating by herself. When she’s asked to sponsor the dowager Viscountess Winstead’s niece for her presentation to Queen Victoria, Frances is shocked to find the older woman in surprisingly ill health. Is it a natural deterioration due to old age, or is someone hastening her demise?
There’s a whole host of suspects with various motivations who Frances must ferret out; there’s the nurse whose life takes a frightening turn, the Viscountess’ stepchildren who all have motivations to want her dead, even her niece isn’t who she’s presumed to be. Enlisting the help of her Aunt Hetty and Hetty’s much younger “boyfriend” Gilliam, Frances’s determined to find the truth and stop a murderer before it’s too late.
I so love these mysteries mainly because of the witty dialogue, romance, and bizarre situations Frances finds herself in. This story definitely focused more on the mystery side rather than the romance. I enjoyed meeting new characters and also seeing more of the side characters taking a lead in this one. The Viscountess and her determined friend Lady Esther made me laugh. They’re delightful, spunky older ladies and forces to be reckoned with. It was also fun seeing Hetty and Gilliam getting into the sleuthing act.
The only one I really missed seeing more of was Frances’ husband George. I enjoyed it every time he was on the page and seeing the newlyweds tackle the art of blending two households. Money issues especially with Frances’ wealthy father, and making the best use of their space were all things they needed to grapple with. After all, Frances definitely needs an office if she’s going to keep solving mysteries and sponsoring young ladies.
The mystery really kept me guessing. The suspect and motivation were somewhat of a surprise. There are a lot of red herrings and I almost wish there had been a few more clues because the whodunit really came down to the last few chapters. It’s definitely one that was hard to predict.
While this fun, cozy mystery is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone, though it’s more enjoyable if you’re familiar with all the characters. Highly recommend this and the entire series to cozy mystery and historical mystery fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
There’s a whole host of suspects with various motivations who Frances must ferret out; there’s the nurse whose life takes a frightening turn, the Viscountess’ stepchildren who all have motivations to want her dead, even her niece isn’t who she’s presumed to be. Enlisting the help of her Aunt Hetty and Hetty’s much younger “boyfriend” Gilliam, Frances’s determined to find the truth and stop a murderer before it’s too late.
I so love these mysteries mainly because of the witty dialogue, romance, and bizarre situations Frances finds herself in. This story definitely focused more on the mystery side rather than the romance. I enjoyed meeting new characters and also seeing more of the side characters taking a lead in this one. The Viscountess and her determined friend Lady Esther made me laugh. They’re delightful, spunky older ladies and forces to be reckoned with. It was also fun seeing Hetty and Gilliam getting into the sleuthing act.
The only one I really missed seeing more of was Frances’ husband George. I enjoyed it every time he was on the page and seeing the newlyweds tackle the art of blending two households. Money issues especially with Frances’ wealthy father, and making the best use of their space were all things they needed to grapple with. After all, Frances definitely needs an office if she’s going to keep solving mysteries and sponsoring young ladies.
The mystery really kept me guessing. The suspect and motivation were somewhat of a surprise. There are a lot of red herrings and I almost wish there had been a few more clues because the whodunit really came down to the last few chapters. It’s definitely one that was hard to predict.
While this fun, cozy mystery is part of a series, it could be read as a standalone, though it’s more enjoyable if you’re familiar with all the characters. Highly recommend this and the entire series to cozy mystery and historical mystery fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
katreader's review against another edition
5.0
A NEWLYWED'S GUIDE TO FORTUNE AND MURDER by Dianne Freeman
The Sixth Countess of Harleigh Mystery
While George Hazelton has a new mission recovering a book for the British Museum, his new wife, Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, has her own assignment, preparing a young woman's presentation to the Queen. Instead of finding the irascible woman who asked for her help while she and her family were in mourning, Frances discovers a woman nearly insensible! How could the Vicountess Lady Winstead become so ill so quickly? The equally irascible Lady Esther is certain that someone is harming her old friend and demands Frances uncover the truth. Could the niece Lady Winstead is sponsoring be poisoning her? Everyone knows there's no love loss between the vicountess and her stepchildren, could they be behind it? As George's mission intersects with Frances's, the newlyweds will have to work together before it's too late!
Class expectations, familial machinations, and greed are at the center of the sixth Countess of Harleigh Mystery. We also get to see diametrically opposed families; Lady Winstead's horrible household versus the Hazelton's caring one. France's aunt and George's sister jump right in to help...even Hetty's beau joins in, whereas the pretentious Lord Jonathon and insouciant Si and Vi are most unpleasant...and possibly worse. While Frances already has reason to dislike the members of Lady Winstead's household, Kate's behavior certainly doesn't engender trust.
I absolutely love this series, from the bantering love of Frances and Hazelton to the complex mystery provided. There's humor and many twists and turns as almost everyone appears guilty! I love seeing George and Frances work together, at their relationship as well as in their "jobs". I also like that the book shines a light on the use, and misuse, of laudanum, and the lengths some people go to in order to control women...and finances.
With fascinating historical detail A NEWLYWED'S GUIDE TO FORTUNE AND MURDER is a brilliantly crafted mystery that kept me engaged from page one.
The Sixth Countess of Harleigh Mystery
While George Hazelton has a new mission recovering a book for the British Museum, his new wife, Frances, the Countess of Harleigh, has her own assignment, preparing a young woman's presentation to the Queen. Instead of finding the irascible woman who asked for her help while she and her family were in mourning, Frances discovers a woman nearly insensible! How could the Vicountess Lady Winstead become so ill so quickly? The equally irascible Lady Esther is certain that someone is harming her old friend and demands Frances uncover the truth. Could the niece Lady Winstead is sponsoring be poisoning her? Everyone knows there's no love loss between the vicountess and her stepchildren, could they be behind it? As George's mission intersects with Frances's, the newlyweds will have to work together before it's too late!
Class expectations, familial machinations, and greed are at the center of the sixth Countess of Harleigh Mystery. We also get to see diametrically opposed families; Lady Winstead's horrible household versus the Hazelton's caring one. France's aunt and George's sister jump right in to help...even Hetty's beau joins in, whereas the pretentious Lord Jonathon and insouciant Si and Vi are most unpleasant...and possibly worse. While Frances already has reason to dislike the members of Lady Winstead's household, Kate's behavior certainly doesn't engender trust.
I absolutely love this series, from the bantering love of Frances and Hazelton to the complex mystery provided. There's humor and many twists and turns as almost everyone appears guilty! I love seeing George and Frances work together, at their relationship as well as in their "jobs". I also like that the book shines a light on the use, and misuse, of laudanum, and the lengths some people go to in order to control women...and finances.
With fascinating historical detail A NEWLYWED'S GUIDE TO FORTUNE AND MURDER is a brilliantly crafted mystery that kept me engaged from page one.
dumpling3579's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite book in the series, but I love these characters.
teesbookjourney's review against another edition
5.0
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 face when the family feels entitled to what they have. They can get committed and or killed quickly with little fuss.
We do know they need money, and dowager Viscountess Winstead has all the funds and asset.
This one truly gets into the disadvantage women face when the family feels entitled to what they have. They can get committed and or killed quickly with little fuss.