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Countess of Harleigh Mystery #5
A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder
Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, returns in Dianne Freeman’s charming, lighthearted mystery series set in Victorian England, and finds her wedding day overshadowed by murder . . .
On the eve of her marriage to George Hazelton, Frances has a great deal more on her mind than flowers and seating arrangements. The Connors and the Doyles, two families of American robber barons, have taken up residence in London, and their bitter rivalry is spilling over into the highest social circles. At the request of her brother, Alonzo, who is quite taken with Miss Madeline Connor, Frances has invited the Connor family to her wedding. Meanwhile, Frances’s mother has invited Mr. Doyle, and Frances fears the wedding may end up being newspaper-worthy for all the wrong reasons.
On the day itself, Frances is relieved to note that Madeline’s father is not among the guests assembled at the church. The reason for his absence, however, turns out to be most unfortunate: Mr. Connor is found murdered in his home. More shocking still, Alonzo is caught at the scene, holding the murder weapon.
Powerful and ruthless, Connor appears to have amassed a wealth of enemies alongside his fortune. Frances and George agree to put their wedding trip on hold to try and clear Alonzo’s name. But there are secrets to sift through, not just in the Doyle and Connor families, but also in their own. And with a killer determined to evade discovery at any cost—even if it means taking another life—Frances’s first days as a newlywed will be perilous indeed . . .
On the eve of her marriage to George Hazelton, Frances has a great deal more on her mind than flowers and seating arrangements. The Connors and the Doyles, two families of American robber barons, have taken up residence in London, and their bitter rivalry is spilling over into the highest social circles. At the request of her brother, Alonzo, who is quite taken with Miss Madeline Connor, Frances has invited the Connor family to her wedding. Meanwhile, Frances’s mother has invited Mr. Doyle, and Frances fears the wedding may end up being newspaper-worthy for all the wrong reasons.
On the day itself, Frances is relieved to note that Madeline’s father is not among the guests assembled at the church. The reason for his absence, however, turns out to be most unfortunate: Mr. Connor is found murdered in his home. More shocking still, Alonzo is caught at the scene, holding the murder weapon.
Powerful and ruthless, Connor appears to have amassed a wealth of enemies alongside his fortune. Frances and George agree to put their wedding trip on hold to try and clear Alonzo’s name. But there are secrets to sift through, not just in the Doyle and Connor families, but also in their own. And with a killer determined to evade discovery at any cost—even if it means taking another life—Frances’s first days as a newlywed will be perilous indeed . . .
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2022
373 people are currently reading
8029 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Freeman
18 books1,536 followersDianne Freeman is the acclaimed author of the USA Today Bestselling Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. She is an Agatha Award and Lefty Award winner, as well as a finalist for the prestigious Mary Higgins Clark and Macavity Awards. After thirty years of working in corporate accounting and finance, she now writes full-time. Born and raised in Michigan, she and her husband split their time between Michigan and Arizona. Visit her at www.DiFreeman.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
November 17, 2025
Przestałam być obiektywna w ocenie tych książek, tak bardzo je lubię
March 24, 2023
This was my second attempt at listening to an audiobook. I’m not sure if I’m a fan yet, but I do appreciate how convenient it is - I can read while doing other things. The problem is, the other things are distracting and you don’t want distraction when investigating murder.
Our dear Frances and George are finally married. The ton must have known about their hobby, because a murder happened during their wedding day and isn’t it just the best wedding gift for the happy couple? That way they can celebrate their wedding night by discussing murder, how romantic 😍
As we all know this series rocks even though I’m a shitty detective and I again didn’t solve the case. But that doesn’t matter because I could read it with Deema and it was a lot of fun, so thanks bestie ❤️
——
So happy to be back with Frances, George and Deema! ❤️
Our dear Frances and George are finally married. The ton must have known about their hobby, because a murder happened during their wedding day and isn’t it just the best wedding gift for the happy couple? That way they can celebrate their wedding night by discussing murder, how romantic 😍
As we all know this series rocks even though I’m a shitty detective and I again didn’t solve the case. But that doesn’t matter because I could read it with Deema and it was a lot of fun, so thanks bestie ❤️
——
So happy to be back with Frances, George and Deema! ❤️
April 12, 2023
Well I was wrong about the killer!
You’d think that would make me rate this higher as the twists were good and the mystery tight, but it was just too similar to the rest of the series and didn’t stand out for me. I wanted way more development of the relationship between George and Frances by this point. They are married but still relate to each other only through their investigations. This book was the shortest in the series and I think it could have used a bit of slice of life between them.
Overall it was good though and had everything we’ve come to expect from this series, which is entirely the problem I had with it. I think the author needs to shakes this series up in the next one if she wants it to keep going, or, you know, sometimes it’s ok to end a series and move on to something else.
I’m never getting the arc of the next one after this review 😬.
Update: I got the arc for the next one despite this review! (Or they approved just seconds before I posted this 😛).
You’d think that would make me rate this higher as the twists were good and the mystery tight, but it was just too similar to the rest of the series and didn’t stand out for me. I wanted way more development of the relationship between George and Frances by this point. They are married but still relate to each other only through their investigations. This book was the shortest in the series and I think it could have used a bit of slice of life between them.
Overall it was good though and had everything we’ve come to expect from this series, which is entirely the problem I had with it. I think the author needs to shakes this series up in the next one if she wants it to keep going, or, you know, sometimes it’s ok to end a series and move on to something else.
I’m never getting the arc of the next one after this review 😬.
Update: I got the arc for the next one despite this review! (Or they approved just seconds before I posted this 😛).
September 5, 2022
I have read all 5 books in the series and this one was an enjoyable addition It has the couple married at the beginning of the story and the mystery is set right after the wedding. Nothing out of the ordinary type of cozy mystery. Series needs a bit of a kick in the pants if I am going to continue. 3.25*
June 24, 2022
This is proving to be a very entertaining series. In book 5 the main characters, Frances, Countess of Harleigh and George Hazelton, are about to be married and they actually do make it to the end of the wedding. However a murder during the reception and the resulting arrest of Frances's brother, Alonzo, stops them from going on their honeymoon.
Frances and George are an excellent team of sleuths, especially when a member of the family is involved, and they work hard at solving the crime. However it takes a lot of time and many false leads and their hope of at least a short honeymoon slowly slips away. I enjoy these two characters with their practical approach to life very much.
This was a fun read as usual in this series and I look forward to the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Frances and George are an excellent team of sleuths, especially when a member of the family is involved, and they work hard at solving the crime. However it takes a lot of time and many false leads and their hope of at least a short honeymoon slowly slips away. I enjoy these two characters with their practical approach to life very much.
This was a fun read as usual in this series and I look forward to the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 23, 2025
Bardzo lubię opowieści typu cosy crime, a najlepiej jeśli są one utrzymane w angielskim klimacie 🤭 Kolejny tom, ale znużenia brak. Tym razem mamy morderstwo popełnione na przyjęciu weselenym - spokojnie państwu młodym włos z głowy nie spadł! Na miejscu zbrodni pochwycono mordercę, który jest bratem głównej bohaterki. Sporo się dzieje, powstaje pewne zamieszanie jeśli idzie o ustalenie prawdziwego zabójcy, a do tego należy dodać "wewnątrzrodzinne" problemy, więc sytuacja jest dynamiczna. Lekkie pióro autorki sprawia, że lektura jest przyjemna i idealna na relaks.
November 26, 2025
Cosy crime w bardzo wciągającym wydaniu.
July 1, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder. All opinions and comments are my own.
We have a wedding at last, as Frances, Countess of Harleigh marries her intended, George Hazelton in A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder, the fifth in Diane’s Freeman’s series featuring the enterprising woman as she manages once again to find herself at the center of a murder mystery. At the time of her nuptials, no less. To set the stage: rival businessmen that really, really dislike each other are invited to the happy event. If that wasn’t trouble enough, one of the men is really quite horrible, as Frances discovers. He rudely informs her to tell her brother Alonzo to stay away from his daughter. Will Frances and George be leaving on their honeymoon? Not when the brother’s arrested for the murder of the man right after the ceremony.
What follows is a tale of a lot of unhappy people. Luckily, the brother’s out of it pretty quickly, although he’s not “out of it out of it” – still a suspect until the police actually find the real bad guy. And because of that, Frances needs to uncover the actual culprit. Which she does quite handily, using the skills we’ve come to know from previous books. The society she moves around in plays its part, of course, and Diane Freeman emphasizes that ugly presents itself in every kind of social situation, and we’re not talking just the scenery, folks. She also knows how to use plotting to generate suspicion and legitimate possible murderers all around. There’s a big finish with a gun; and poor George will have to delay his honeymoon for a while longer.
An author’s note explains the real-life inspiration behind the setting of two men that couldn’t help but try to destroy each other. Money certainly doesn’t buy intelligence and good manners, even in 1900.
We have a wedding at last, as Frances, Countess of Harleigh marries her intended, George Hazelton in A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder, the fifth in Diane’s Freeman’s series featuring the enterprising woman as she manages once again to find herself at the center of a murder mystery. At the time of her nuptials, no less. To set the stage: rival businessmen that really, really dislike each other are invited to the happy event. If that wasn’t trouble enough, one of the men is really quite horrible, as Frances discovers. He rudely informs her to tell her brother Alonzo to stay away from his daughter. Will Frances and George be leaving on their honeymoon? Not when the brother’s arrested for the murder of the man right after the ceremony.
What follows is a tale of a lot of unhappy people. Luckily, the brother’s out of it pretty quickly, although he’s not “out of it out of it” – still a suspect until the police actually find the real bad guy. And because of that, Frances needs to uncover the actual culprit. Which she does quite handily, using the skills we’ve come to know from previous books. The society she moves around in plays its part, of course, and Diane Freeman emphasizes that ugly presents itself in every kind of social situation, and we’re not talking just the scenery, folks. She also knows how to use plotting to generate suspicion and legitimate possible murderers all around. There’s a big finish with a gun; and poor George will have to delay his honeymoon for a while longer.
An author’s note explains the real-life inspiration behind the setting of two men that couldn’t help but try to destroy each other. Money certainly doesn’t buy intelligence and good manners, even in 1900.
November 23, 2025
Och jak bardzo tęskniłam za Frances! I jak bardzo się cieszę, że mogłam w końcu ten tom przeczytać. To jedna z tych serii, która daje mi czystą radość z czytania. Inteligentna, zabawna, dająca mi dokładnie to, co lubię w książkach „kostiumowych” z akcją w XIX-wiecznej Anglii. Diane Freeman to mistrzyni 💙.
Nic mi się w tym tomie nie dłużyło a wręcz przeciwnie, było mi szkoda, że tak szybko przyszło do zakończenia i tak szybko po rozwiązaniu sprawy przeszliśmy do ostatniej strony. Nie lubię rozstawać się z Francję i Georgem i mam ogromną nadzieję, że na kolejny tom nie będziemy musieli czekać aż tak długo jak na ten.
Nic mi się w tym tomie nie dłużyło a wręcz przeciwnie, było mi szkoda, że tak szybko przyszło do zakończenia i tak szybko po rozwiązaniu sprawy przeszliśmy do ostatniej strony. Nie lubię rozstawać się z Francję i Georgem i mam ogromną nadzieję, że na kolejny tom nie będziemy musieli czekać aż tak długo jak na ten.
July 2, 2022
Book 3 in this series was a high point when it came to sleuthing and character development. The downhill slide of book 4 continues with this latest installment.
You’d think a murder at the wedding we’ve been waiting for would make for a fantastic setting. Unfortunately, the middle of the book drags as the investigation goes on and on. I almost think you could read this book through the wedding day and then skip to the last 50 pages.
The action in this series is always clipped, which is funny since I just said things lag. It’s that there’s a lot of running to and fro, but then a big moment is over too quickly. There’s a scene with a gun and someone important gets shot. The scene is two pages. The next paragraph says the person recovered. So the one scene that could have been a dramatic moment was rushed through so we could have more mundane drawing room chatter?
I think I’m done with this series.
You’d think a murder at the wedding we’ve been waiting for would make for a fantastic setting. Unfortunately, the middle of the book drags as the investigation goes on and on. I almost think you could read this book through the wedding day and then skip to the last 50 pages.
The action in this series is always clipped, which is funny since I just said things lag. It’s that there’s a lot of running to and fro, but then a big moment is over too quickly. There’s a scene with a gun and someone important gets shot. The scene is two pages. The next paragraph says the person recovered. So the one scene that could have been a dramatic moment was rushed through so we could have more mundane drawing room chatter?
I think I’m done with this series.
February 15, 2025
Another very entertaining book in the Countess of Harleigh series. Each one seems better than the last. Frances and George finally make it to the altar but the honeymoon has to be put on hold when a wedding guest is found murdered and Frances' brother Alonzo is the prime suspect. This is just the right mixture of mystery, humor and romance.
March 19, 2023
Audiobooks review for books 1 to 5
4 very serious stars for the whole audiobooks
I breezed through these five audiobooks in two weeks!
That series is highly entertaining! We follow Frances, an American heiress that her mother married to an English earl.
Only once married, her husband hid her in the countryside while spending her money with his lovers.
The first book opens on Frances being awakened by one of her guests as her husband died of a heart attack in his mistress's room!
Now they have to move his naked body to his room to avoid the scandal.
That will happen thanks to George Hazelton, another guest and Frances best friend's brother.
Now widowed for one year Frances decides to buy a house in London and leave her in laws to live there with her daughter Rose.
Surprise surprise, her neighbor is none other than George Hazelton!
From that moment on, in every book, there will be a crime and Frances will one way or another be linked to said crime.
Thanks to her intelligence, knowledge of human nature and social convention she will solve the crime. Every time she'll be helped by the dashing George who is working for the Crown.
I really loved trying to solve these mysteries alongside our Victorian Miss Marple! Frances has poise, class, an excellent upbringing and is very astute and observant.
From meek wife of a Lord to an adventurous and mischievous young widow dead set on solving crimes, we will see Frances literally blooming!
We will also enjoy Frances family and friends. From her smart aunt Eddie, investor extraordinaire to Frances frightening mother, her father calculating the odds of someone being the killer ..we have great side characters to add many layers to the story and keep it moving at a brisk pace.
I warmly recommend that one if you love cozy mysteries and historical fiction happening in the Victorian era.
Last but not least, the narrators were excellent.
4 very serious stars for the whole audiobooks
I breezed through these five audiobooks in two weeks!
That series is highly entertaining! We follow Frances, an American heiress that her mother married to an English earl.
Only once married, her husband hid her in the countryside while spending her money with his lovers.
The first book opens on Frances being awakened by one of her guests as her husband died of a heart attack in his mistress's room!
Now they have to move his naked body to his room to avoid the scandal.
That will happen thanks to George Hazelton, another guest and Frances best friend's brother.
Now widowed for one year Frances decides to buy a house in London and leave her in laws to live there with her daughter Rose.
Surprise surprise, her neighbor is none other than George Hazelton!
From that moment on, in every book, there will be a crime and Frances will one way or another be linked to said crime.
Thanks to her intelligence, knowledge of human nature and social convention she will solve the crime. Every time she'll be helped by the dashing George who is working for the Crown.
I really loved trying to solve these mysteries alongside our Victorian Miss Marple! Frances has poise, class, an excellent upbringing and is very astute and observant.
From meek wife of a Lord to an adventurous and mischievous young widow dead set on solving crimes, we will see Frances literally blooming!
We will also enjoy Frances family and friends. From her smart aunt Eddie, investor extraordinaire to Frances frightening mother, her father calculating the odds of someone being the killer ..we have great side characters to add many layers to the story and keep it moving at a brisk pace.
I warmly recommend that one if you love cozy mysteries and historical fiction happening in the Victorian era.
Last but not least, the narrators were excellent.
February 2, 2023
After reading just one to many horror books I like to dip into a cozy mystery to pick me back up. Dianne Freeman's Countess Harleigh series is a wonder way to do it. Her characters are well written and enjoyable. I'm sorry to see that there is only one more book in the series.
March 17, 2025
3.5 stars 🌟 I am enjoying this cozy mystery series with a strong female protagonist and a male who supports her even though her talents aren't typical for the time period.
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July 1, 2024O wiele za wcześnie pochwaliłam się, że rozgryzłam formułę Freeman. W tym tomie aż do drugiego morderstwa (dwie trzecie powieści) przerzucałam się sama ze sobą teoriami, jeszcze bardziej wymyślnymi niż to, co proponowali bohaterowie, a proponowali fabuły godne Highsmith ("Nieznajomi z pociągu"). Brakuje mi trochę wysokich stawek i zagrożenia wiszącego nad głównymi bohaterami, jak w pierwszych trzech tomach, ale ile osób może chcieć zabić hrabinę Harleigh? (Zadziwiająco dużo, biorąc pod uwagę, jak zręcznie tropi transgresje klasy panującej). Trochę zabawnych uwag o kobietach znoszących brutalność małżonków, jakby Aqua Tofana i jej podobne nie rozwiązywały problemów małżeńskich przez stulecia, zanim rozwój medycyny kryminalnej stał się filarem trwania przemocy domowej. Na pewno jakaś dobra dusza proponowała Frances przepis na pozbycie się poprzedniego męża, w końcu Reggie był tylko utrapieniem i marnował jej pieniądze. A może właśnie dlatego wysłał żonę do wiejskiej posiadłości, że nie miała w mieście przyjaciółek z niestandardowymi książkami kucharskimi? Nie wspominając o tym, że w epoce wiktoriańskiej zatrucie arszenikiem było równie powszechne, co syfilis - każdy trochę miał. Swoją drogą to cud, że Reggie nie sprzedał żonie - i córce przez to - syfa. Wiem, że to nie są realistyczne powieści obyczajowo-historyczne, już miałam załamanie na tym tle, ale podywagować można. Lektura jak zwykle wciągająca, w upały aż miło poczytać o mroźnym lutym w Londynie, a morderstwo w najlepszym stylu Agaty Christie - w jednym miejscu znajduje się zgraja ludzi i trup, a z tej zgrai prawie każdy miał motyw i okazję, aby trupa wyprodukować. I przy okazji, aby ogarnąć listę podejrzanych i ich poczynania w chwili morderstwa, ojciec Frances wynalazł Cluedo. Dowiadujemy się też, że matka Frances ma fetysz rachunku prawdopodobieństwa. Bardzo ciekawa rodzina.
October 9, 2023
A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder
3.5 Stars
The preparations for the wedding of Frances, Countess of Harleigh, and George Hazelton are in full swing. However, all is not well as Frances soon learns that two feuding American robber barons have both been invited to the nuptials. When the body of one is discovered on the day of the wedding, Frances and George must postpone their honeymoon as the prime suspect is none other than her brother, Alonzo. Who amongst Connor's numerous does decided to do away with him?
A definite improvement over the previous book, but still not of the same caliber as the first, and most of the plot twists were predictable including the identity of the killer.
Frances' family members are an interesting lot. Her father finally puts in an appearance and there are some entertaining developments regarding his marital issues that were hinted at in previous books. In contrast, her brother Alonzo is somewhat immature, and . Other than their wedding, Frances and George get little page time together and when they do, one would think they were an old married couple rather than newlyweds.
In sum, an entertaining read overall but this series needs some shaking up.
3.5 Stars
The preparations for the wedding of Frances, Countess of Harleigh, and George Hazelton are in full swing. However, all is not well as Frances soon learns that two feuding American robber barons have both been invited to the nuptials. When the body of one is discovered on the day of the wedding, Frances and George must postpone their honeymoon as the prime suspect is none other than her brother, Alonzo. Who amongst Connor's numerous does decided to do away with him?
A definite improvement over the previous book, but still not of the same caliber as the first, and most of the plot twists were predictable including the identity of the killer.
Frances' family members are an interesting lot. Her father finally puts in an appearance and there are some entertaining developments regarding his marital issues that were hinted at in previous books. In contrast, her brother Alonzo is somewhat immature, and . Other than their wedding, Frances and George get little page time together and when they do, one would think they were an old married couple rather than newlyweds.
In sum, an entertaining read overall but this series needs some shaking up.
July 24, 2022
I am a huge fan of the Countess of Harleigh series in general, and Frances and George in particular! So I was thrilled when they were finally going to walk down the aisle. But, of course, I didn't really expect that it would be a breeze for them to do so, especially when murder disrupts the festivities!
The characters in this series are just wonderful. From Frances' complicated parents, to her brother's arrival, George and Frances themselves, and feuding neighbors, there is much to love--and to keep you off kilter when the murder happens during their nuptials.
Dianne Freeman is a master at plot and story, and I was along for the ride until the very satisfying end! Highly recommend.
The characters in this series are just wonderful. From Frances' complicated parents, to her brother's arrival, George and Frances themselves, and feuding neighbors, there is much to love--and to keep you off kilter when the murder happens during their nuptials.
Dianne Freeman is a master at plot and story, and I was along for the ride until the very satisfying end! Highly recommend.
January 28, 2023
I just can’t get over the lack of chemistry between the long awaited marriage of the main characters. I mean he’s cared for her for MANY years and finally gets to marry her…but it didn’t feel like either of them really cared. The love/relationship dynamic was just lacking in this book.
May 13, 2022
Ms. Freeman has written another entertaining and intriguing historical cozy mystery. I've enjoyed each book in this series and this one did not disappoint.
Frances and George are finally married but the honeymoon trip never happens when a murder is committed next door to the wedding luncheon and one of the prime suspects is Frances' brother, Alonzo. I enjoyed the look into the relationship of Frances' mother and father that was provided in this book especially since her mother has been a secondary character for a long time now in this series. A well-crafted plot with numerous suspects, deft twists and turns, red herrings that led me astray frequently and a dramatic reveal that had me gripping my e-reader.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Frances and George are finally married but the honeymoon trip never happens when a murder is committed next door to the wedding luncheon and one of the prime suspects is Frances' brother, Alonzo. I enjoyed the look into the relationship of Frances' mother and father that was provided in this book especially since her mother has been a secondary character for a long time now in this series. A well-crafted plot with numerous suspects, deft twists and turns, red herrings that led me astray frequently and a dramatic reveal that had me gripping my e-reader.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Want to read
July 8, 2022A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder is book #5 in the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series. I was lucky enough to win book #1 in this series as a giveaway back in 2018 and I enjoyed it then and enjoy the series now. Dianne Freeman’s writing continues to get better and better with each story she writes. Cozy mystery lovers will fall in love with this series. It’s an easy, fun and fast read. If you enjoy Cozy’s like I do you need to read this series.
Thank you to #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Thank you to #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
February 3, 2026
Z tomu na tom jest coraz lepiej!
June 29, 2023
Loaded with atmosphere and really fits the bill if you're looking for a cozy Victorian historical mystery. The plot was not complex nor the mystery puzzling, but the joy was in watching the delightful characters solve two murders within the constraints of Victorian society. I loved the touches of humour.
December 11, 2023
i would have let my loser brother deal with his murder case while i left on my honeymoon
August 14, 2022
The wedding of her dreams has turned into a nightmare and the honeymoon is spent in an investigation to clear her brother of murder. Engaging historical cozy mystery romp from new to me author and series.
A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder is the fifth book in the series and, could be read out of order, as I just proved. That said, I had such a good time and was curious about the backstory so I definitely want to go back and get the earlier books in order.
As I mentioned, A Bride’s Guide offered enough of a background that I had no trouble slipping into the latest story. Frances is a widowed countess. She was an American heiress and her mother arranged her marriage to an English aristocrat to get her a title. That marriage only produced one good thing, her daughter. Now, Frances is marrying George for love- and the fun of solving cases with him.
George Hazelton is a sometimes London lawyer as his front, but his true work is working clandestine cases for the Crown. He and Frances began their relationship solving mysteries, but fell in love. George adores her daughter and her and could care less that she was an heiress- though her original dowry was nearly frittered away by her first husband.
Now, just when their marriage and honeymoon are to happen, her mother has invited the Bainbridges and her brother asked her to invite the Connors because he’s interested in Madeline Connor. And, so they have two rival American business families at the wedding. Naturally, one has to turn up dead, but startlingly Frances’ brother Alonzo is the one found standing over the body holding the murder weapon. Honeymoon postponed; sleuthing begins.
This was right up my alley. I can’t believe what I’ve missed. The author’s writing style is light and entertaining without being fluffy. The characters are colorful and often amusing particularly Frances’ own family. Frances and her mother cracked me up the way they brushed against each other. Frances and George were a sweet couple, but a fun detecting pair.
The victim was hated by many and had a few brands in the fire to give many suspects and motives for them to investigate. I was so taken with the characters and their interactions that I didn’t give much effort to solving it, but I only had a few suspicions that proved right without an ultimate solution.
The time period is 1900 hundred London and I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail so I could picture the historical backdrop and the characters acting accordingly. It was a little different in that several of the characters were American and wealthy business families instead of British aristocracy or gentleman class.
All in all, this was a great dip into the series and I am looking forward to going back to the beginning. It was amusing, entertaining, and a fun cozy-style historical mystery.
I rec’d an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Aug 3rd.
A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder is the fifth book in the series and, could be read out of order, as I just proved. That said, I had such a good time and was curious about the backstory so I definitely want to go back and get the earlier books in order.
As I mentioned, A Bride’s Guide offered enough of a background that I had no trouble slipping into the latest story. Frances is a widowed countess. She was an American heiress and her mother arranged her marriage to an English aristocrat to get her a title. That marriage only produced one good thing, her daughter. Now, Frances is marrying George for love- and the fun of solving cases with him.
George Hazelton is a sometimes London lawyer as his front, but his true work is working clandestine cases for the Crown. He and Frances began their relationship solving mysteries, but fell in love. George adores her daughter and her and could care less that she was an heiress- though her original dowry was nearly frittered away by her first husband.
Now, just when their marriage and honeymoon are to happen, her mother has invited the Bainbridges and her brother asked her to invite the Connors because he’s interested in Madeline Connor. And, so they have two rival American business families at the wedding. Naturally, one has to turn up dead, but startlingly Frances’ brother Alonzo is the one found standing over the body holding the murder weapon. Honeymoon postponed; sleuthing begins.
This was right up my alley. I can’t believe what I’ve missed. The author’s writing style is light and entertaining without being fluffy. The characters are colorful and often amusing particularly Frances’ own family. Frances and her mother cracked me up the way they brushed against each other. Frances and George were a sweet couple, but a fun detecting pair.
The victim was hated by many and had a few brands in the fire to give many suspects and motives for them to investigate. I was so taken with the characters and their interactions that I didn’t give much effort to solving it, but I only had a few suspicions that proved right without an ultimate solution.
The time period is 1900 hundred London and I enjoyed the author’s attention to detail so I could picture the historical backdrop and the characters acting accordingly. It was a little different in that several of the characters were American and wealthy business families instead of British aristocracy or gentleman class.
All in all, this was a great dip into the series and I am looking forward to going back to the beginning. It was amusing, entertaining, and a fun cozy-style historical mystery.
I rec’d an eARC from NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Aug 3rd.
July 20, 2022
This was the first Diane Freeman book that I read (I know, I know, I should have started with book 1), and I plan to go back and read Diane's other books. I agree with thr others that describe this as a "cozy read". The ending may have seemed predictable, but I very much enjoyed the writing style and became attached to the characters.
June 26, 2022
What’s a bride to do when her brother is accused of murdering one of the wedding guests? Well, if you’re Lady Frances Harleigh now Mrs. Frances Hazelton, you postpone the honeymoon while you and your new husband try to solve the mystery. I loved this fifth book in the Countess of Harleigh series! George and Frances make the best team. With subtle humor, an engaging storyline, witty dialogue, a slew of suspects, a hint of romance, and family that according to Frances is “best enjoyed in small portions,” this cozy historical mystery is a must read that’s hard to put down.
The long awaited marriage between Frances and George is finally here! At the last minute, Frances’ mother adds to the guest list. Unfortunately, two of these guests Mr. Connors and Mr. Bainbridge are bitter rivals. Alonzo, Frances’ brother, is infatuated with Connor’s daughter Madeline but she’s being pressured to marry Viscount Fitzwalter. When Mr. Connors is found murdered during the reception, Frances’ brother is implicated. Since George is an attorney, he and Frances regrettably postpone their dreamy wedding trip to the South of France so George can defend Alonzo and clear his name. Finding the real killer proves to be more complicated than they first thought. Will they be able to find the murderer in time to enjoy some of their wedding trip?
I love the relationship between Frances and George. He respects her opinions and has learned to welcome her input in his cases. The two do seem to have the worst luck with bodies turning up at the most inconvenient times. I love the humor and the quirky characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know Frances’ family more. While her mother is interfering, we get to see a different side to her in this book and she becomes a more well rounded secondary character. It was also fun getting to know Frances’ father Frankie.
The mystery definitely kept me guessing. While I had a good idea who the murderer might be, I enjoyed seeing how it all played out. I liked the historical aspects as well such as early photography and the fact that the story was inspired by an actual feud between two wealthy American men who take their rivalry to England.
Highly recommend! Though this is the fifth book in the series, it could be read as a standalone. The author does a fantastic job introducing the characters in a way that quickly catches new readers up to speed, but doesn’t bog down the story. I do recommend reading the delightful previous books in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
The long awaited marriage between Frances and George is finally here! At the last minute, Frances’ mother adds to the guest list. Unfortunately, two of these guests Mr. Connors and Mr. Bainbridge are bitter rivals. Alonzo, Frances’ brother, is infatuated with Connor’s daughter Madeline but she’s being pressured to marry Viscount Fitzwalter. When Mr. Connors is found murdered during the reception, Frances’ brother is implicated. Since George is an attorney, he and Frances regrettably postpone their dreamy wedding trip to the South of France so George can defend Alonzo and clear his name. Finding the real killer proves to be more complicated than they first thought. Will they be able to find the murderer in time to enjoy some of their wedding trip?
I love the relationship between Frances and George. He respects her opinions and has learned to welcome her input in his cases. The two do seem to have the worst luck with bodies turning up at the most inconvenient times. I love the humor and the quirky characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know Frances’ family more. While her mother is interfering, we get to see a different side to her in this book and she becomes a more well rounded secondary character. It was also fun getting to know Frances’ father Frankie.
The mystery definitely kept me guessing. While I had a good idea who the murderer might be, I enjoyed seeing how it all played out. I liked the historical aspects as well such as early photography and the fact that the story was inspired by an actual feud between two wealthy American men who take their rivalry to England.
Highly recommend! Though this is the fifth book in the series, it could be read as a standalone. The author does a fantastic job introducing the characters in a way that quickly catches new readers up to speed, but doesn’t bog down the story. I do recommend reading the delightful previous books in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
4 1/2 stars out of 5.
July 24, 2022
This is the fifth book following Frances, and as you may have surmised, she is getting married in this one. Luckily this doesn’t take up more space than necessary (of course we have grown attached to her and want her and George to have a lovely day… but we are here for the dead people). And behold, as Frances and George are about to leave for their wedding trip, the neighbour is found murdered and Frances’ brother is arrested. So they cannot possibly leave for France but have to solve the case instead.
This was once again a very entertaining read, although I did miss a bit of something. Maybe that is because I read this one physically, while I listened to the previous books on audiobook. Frances has a very fun, witty and approachable voice that translates very well to audio. That doesn’t mean this was a bad book though, not at all!!
It was a light, cozy and fun read, with some good characters, multiple suspects and a puzzling enough case (but still possible to solve and not some far fetched resolution). Frances’ father also makes his appearance and it is clear to see where she gets some of her traits from. ‘Society’ plays a big role in these stories, and the characters are very privileged (though fail to recognise they are). If you can look through that though, they can be very likeable and relatable, with some great relationships.
It was fairly obvious where one of the final clues was going to come from, but that didn’t spoil the fun at all. The plot does lag a bit in the middle, with a lot of going back and forth between visiting people and very little progress made, whereas the ending feels a bit too rushed.
I would like to thank Netgalley to give me once again an e-book for review. So far they have let me read over half of this series, and I couldn’t be happier. This is definitely a series I would recommend if you are in the mood for a cozy historical mystery story, with a charming and clever main character.
This was once again a very entertaining read, although I did miss a bit of something. Maybe that is because I read this one physically, while I listened to the previous books on audiobook. Frances has a very fun, witty and approachable voice that translates very well to audio. That doesn’t mean this was a bad book though, not at all!!
It was a light, cozy and fun read, with some good characters, multiple suspects and a puzzling enough case (but still possible to solve and not some far fetched resolution). Frances’ father also makes his appearance and it is clear to see where she gets some of her traits from. ‘Society’ plays a big role in these stories, and the characters are very privileged (though fail to recognise they are). If you can look through that though, they can be very likeable and relatable, with some great relationships.
It was fairly obvious where one of the final clues was going to come from, but that didn’t spoil the fun at all. The plot does lag a bit in the middle, with a lot of going back and forth between visiting people and very little progress made, whereas the ending feels a bit too rushed.
I would like to thank Netgalley to give me once again an e-book for review. So far they have let me read over half of this series, and I couldn’t be happier. This is definitely a series I would recommend if you are in the mood for a cozy historical mystery story, with a charming and clever main character.
March 19, 2025
The Countess of Harleigh series offers engaging mysteries and a healthy dose of critical thinking. A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder continues the enjoyment.
I commend Dianne Freeman for such an entertaining diversion in these darker days of America with Elon Musk and Donald Trump running amok and causing chaotic constitutional crises.
I commend Dianne Freeman for such an entertaining diversion in these darker days of America with Elon Musk and Donald Trump running amok and causing chaotic constitutional crises.
August 8, 2022
I really grew fond of Frances and George and with them the whole extended family that usually gets involved, more or less in spite of itself, in all the intrigues they are involved in.
Mi sono proprio affezionata a Frances e George e con loro a tutta la famiglia allargata che di solito viene coinvolta, piú o meno suo malgrado, in tutti gli intrighi che li vedono protagonisti.
Mi sono proprio affezionata a Frances e George e con loro a tutta la famiglia allargata che di solito viene coinvolta, piú o meno suo malgrado, in tutti gli intrighi che li vedono protagonisti.
October 3, 2023
This was delightful as I've come to expect with this series.
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