A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder
Countess of Harleigh Mysteries Series, Book 3
1 of 1 copy available
Harleigh Mystery set in Victorian England, the widowed, American-born
aristocrat Frances Wynn finds her sister's wedding threatened by a vow of
vengeance ...
London is known for its bustle and intrigues, but the sedate English countryside
can host—or hide—any number of secrets. Frances, the widowed Countess of
Harleigh, needs a venue for her sister Lily's imminent wedding, away from prying
eyes. Risings, George Hazleton's family estate in Hampshire, is a perfect choice,
and soon Frances, her beloved George, and other guests have gathered to enjoy
the usual country pursuits—shooting, horse riding, and romantic interludes in
secluded gardens.
But the bucolic setting harbors a menace, and it's not simply the arrival of Frances'
socially ambitious mother. Above and below stairs, mysterious accidents befall
guests and staff alike. Before long, Frances suspects these "accidents" are
deliberate, and fears that the intended victim is Lily's fiancé, Leo. Frances' mother
is unimpressed by Lily's groom-to-be and would much prefer that Lily find an
aristocratic husband, just as Frances did. But now that Frances has found
happiness with George—a man who loves her for much more than her dowry—
she heartily approves of Lily's choice. If she can just keep the couple safe from
villains and meddling mamas.
As Frances and George search for the culprit among the assembled family, friends,
and servants, more victims fall prey to the mayhem. Mishaps become full-blooded
murder, and it seems that no one is safe. And unless Frances can quickly flush out
the culprit, the peal of wedding bells may give way to another funeral toll.
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
April 27, 2021 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781705043707
- File size: 246110 KB
- Duration: 08:32:43
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Narrator Karen Cass helps listeners connect with the social world of the aristocracy in Victorian England. Lily and Leo schedule their wedding at the family estate of George Hazleton, the man whom Lily's sister plans to marry. Immediately, strange accidents begin to happen to numerous people who are standing near George or Leo. Someone seems to be trying to kill either the groom or the host. Under the expert guidance of Cass, listeners shift from the bustle of London to the slower pace of aristocratic life in the country. Cass has some challenges creating upper-class American accents, but, overall, this audiobook is fun for listeners. V.M.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine -
June 8, 2020
In Agatha Award–winner Freeman’s uneven third mystery set in late Victorian England (after 2019’s A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder), George Hazelton, the secret fiancé of widowed Frances Wynn, the Countess of Harleigh, agrees to host a discreet wedding for Frances’s pregnant sister, Lily, at his family’s country estate, Risings, in an effort to avoid scandal. Trouble arises at Risings after a footman dies from what looks like accidental arsenic poisoning, a family friend is wounded by an arrow, and Lily’s fiancé, Leo Kendrick, takes a bullet in the shoulder. Guessing that Leo is the real target, Frances and George probe various suspects, including Leo’s brother-in-law, who resents not making partner in the Kendrick family business. Meanwhile, Frances copes with her combative social-climbing mother and a new fear: what if George too is also in danger? The introduction of a host of secondary characters slows the opening, and the footman’s is the only death. Once the investigation gets going, however, the action builds to a strong denouement. Hopefully, Freeman will return to form next time. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong Literary.
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