Cozy mysteries are one of my favourite genres. You have an excellent mystery to try and solve, usually without an excessive amount of gore. They also tend to be shorter, perfect for a weekend or afternoon of reading! (Vacation reading, ahem…) While there are many mediocre cozy mysteries, there are some truly fantastic ones. And this is one of them. Today I’m sharing the newest instalment in one of my favourite cozy mystery series, A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder!
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC of A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder in exchange for an honest review!
A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder, Dianne Freeman (Publishes 28 July 2020)
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’s 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’s 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. . . .
Why You Should Read It…
So, what makes a good cozy? The characters! And Frances, George, and Lily are fantastic characters to spend a few hours with. (If the series seems familiar to you, it is because I included the first book in the series in my Top 5 Historical Fiction Books!) Frances is a wonderful narrator, and handily tackles the murder and crimes at George’s country home. I love that Freeman balances the whodunit aspect with the relationships and overall plot of the series- it feels like Frances’ life is still progressing as we are solving the mystery. A lot of cozies are primarily in the mystery plot, and nowhere else, and this balance makes for fantastic reading. It also doesn’t hurt that it is set at a large and beautiful country house, and it feels like we are wandering the estate and climbing the back staircases with her!
What cozy mysteries are you reading this summer?
Cheers,
The Historian
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