June 26, 2018
Genre:
Cozy Mysteries, Historical Mysteries
Length:
272 pages
Series:
Countess of Harleigh Mysteries
Book description courtesy of Goodreads:
In this exciting historical mystery debut set in Victorian England, a wealthy young widow encounters the pleasures, and scandalous pitfalls, of a London social season.
Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. After an obligatory year spent mourning her philandering husband, Reggie, she puts aside her drab black gowns, leaving the countryside and her money-grubbing in-laws behind. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York, for her first London season.
No sooner has Frances begun her new life than the ghosts of her old one make an unwelcome appearance. The Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.
While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances learns of mysterious burglaries plaguing London’s elite. The investigation brings death to her doorstep, and Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth. A killer is in their midst, perhaps even among her sister’s suitors. And Frances must unmask the villain before Lily’s season, and their lives, come to a most unseemly end.
Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. After an obligatory year spent mourning her philandering husband, Reggie, she puts aside her drab black gowns, leaving the countryside and her money-grubbing in-laws behind. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York, for her first London season.
No sooner has Frances begun her new life than the ghosts of her old one make an unwelcome appearance. The Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband’s death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she’s also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie’s demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.
While busy with social engagements on Lily’s behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances learns of mysterious burglaries plaguing London’s elite. The investigation brings death to her doorstep, and Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth. A killer is in their midst, perhaps even among her sister’s suitors. And Frances must unmask the villain before Lily’s season, and their lives, come to a most unseemly end.
My Thoughts:
This has been in my Kindle for a long time and I just decided to give it a try. It was a cute cozy mystery with fun characters and really worked in that turn of the century feel with the setting, social mores, and fashions. I enjoyed Frances, her sister, and all their drama with introducing Lily to high society in order to hopefully land a husband. It was funny when attention was drawn to Frances's American ways vs the English expectations. And the introduction of George made it clear they'd be solving more cases together in future stories.
Overall a decent first book in a cute series that reminded me a lot of the Rhys Bowen series, Her Royal Spyness. The ending wasn't terribly surprising but did keep me guessing throughout the book and without giving it away I'll say that it will be interesting to see how they work in the fallout in subsequent books. I liked the main character, she was witty and kind and so that makes me want to see what happens to her!
